Aston Villa have pulled off a masterstroke by snapping up João Gomes from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a deal worth £38 million - and it's not just his impressive statistics that make him a game-changer. The 25-year-old midfielder has earned 10 caps for Brazil, but it's his 130 appearances at Molineux that show he's built for battle - and now he's set to bring his winning ways to Villa Park.
Gomes's arrival is part of a summer of change at the club, with Youri Tielemans making the switch to Manchester United in a separate deal. But while some might see this as a tricky time for Villa, it's clear they're playing the transfer market like a fine-tuned orchestra - and Gomes is their latest star recruit.
At Old Trafford, meanwhile, Michael Carrick is on the hunt for defensive reinforcements - and his sights are set firmly on Newcastle United's Lewis Hall and Fulham's Antonee Robinson. The 21-year-old England international has been a revelation at St James' Park, despite missing out on Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad, while Robinson, 28, brought experience to the Cottagers from Wigan - but his contract is running down.
But it's not just about the new faces; Manchester United are also building for the future with a big-money move for Tottenham Hotspur winger Tynan Thompson. The £4 million fee could rise to £8 million if he makes an instant impact in Carrick's first team, and his club retains some say over his sale - but it looks like a shrewd bit of business from United.
But one major concern is growing for the Red Devils: Lisandro Martínez was forced off injured against Spain in the World Cup final, and United are now waiting anxiously to see how long he'll be out. It's not ideal timing, but it might just give Carrick a chance to bring in some defensive cover - and fast.