Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo on team news: "Callum [Hudson-Odoi] is out, Callum is not going to be involved in the game. He is a big absence for us. The rest is basically the same. Ibrahim Sangare and Danilo are ready, they joined the squad.

"We're still assessing Callum. It is something we are hoping will improve soon but he is not going to be ready for this weekend."

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Speaking recently on the future of winger Mathys Tel, Bayern director Max Eberl said he had received plenty of interest in the French teenager.

“Yes, Mathys Tel wants to go. Loan or permanent? We will assess all the options," said Eberl.

“I've rarely had so many clubs call me about a player before”,

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Chelsea are known to be interested in Bayern Munich's teenage forward Mathys Tel.

However, in the last 24 hours, further clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham have been linked with a move for the 19-year-old.

Bayern chiefs had said earlier in the transfer window that they wanted to keep Tel but he is struggling to get regular minutes under manager Vincent Kompany and is reportedly forcing him to move out of the German club.

West Ham United

West Ham boss Graham Potter on Evan Ferguson: "He doesn't play for West Ham, does he? So, I'm not going to speak about it."

West Ham United

West Ham boss Graham Potter on the transfer window: "The club, the board and the chairman have been fantastic, really supportive, wanting to help. If anything it's me, us trying to find the right players. I want to make the right decisions for the football club.

"Signing a player is easy, there are so many agents pushing players. This January window, you could sign a player. But the right one for the right price, that fits how you want to play, that fits in the group, that's the difficult thing. As a club we have to be mindful of that.

"It's the complication of the window. I've said it a number of times."

As well as a busy night of European football, we also have a weekend of Premier League fixtures to look forward to.

West Ham manager Graham Potter is among those speaking to the media this afternoon and we can now bring you some of what he said ahead of Monday's trip to Chelsea.

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Ollie Watkins has comfortably been Aston Villa's first choice striker throughout this season, but did Jhon Duran deserve more minutes this term.

In all competitions, Watkins has scored 11 goals in 32 appearances so far this term, while Duran has netted 12 goals in 29 games.

When you look at their minutes played, there's a glaring difference.

Watkins has played 2,221 minutes for Villa this season, averaging a goal every 201.9 minutes.

Duran has played 1,059 minutes this season for Villa, meaning his goals have come at a rate of one per 88.25 minutes.

Perhaps why Watkins has been preferred is his creativity, with 10 assists in all competitions, while Duran has none.

With assists incorporated, Watkins has a goal contribution every 105.8 minutes.

Aston Villa could sell both Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran if the right price comes along, according to former Premier League pair Stephen Warnock and Joe Hart.

The two discussed the ongoing transfer talk surrounding the two on Wednesday evening's Match of the Day Champions League highlights show.

Image source, Getty Images

Jhon Duran has scored 12 goals for Aston Villa this season, all of which have come in different matches.

Duran has started seven matches this season, five of which saw him score. His seven other goals all came off the bench.

Starting matches, Duran has averaged a goal every 96.8 minutes. As a substitute, that drops to a goal every 85 minutes.

Dan Roan, Nick Mashiter & Nizaar Kinsela
BBC Sport

Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran is close to completing a move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, sources have confirmed to BBC Sport.

A fee has been agreed between the two clubs and Duran – who was on the bench for Villa's 4-2 win over Celtic on Wednesday night - was undergoing a medical on Thursday.

A price of £65m for the 21-year-old Colombian has been reported, although not verified by BBC Sport. A senior Saudi Pro League source said Duran will fly to Saudi Arabia on Saturday if the medical goes well.

Sources told BBC Sport that Duran was saying his goodbyes to staff and colleagues at Villa Park on Wednesday night after the deal progressed.

Aston Villa have been approached for comment.

It is no secret that the Gunners are in need of a striker.

Gabriel Jesus is out with an injury while their highest scoring player is Kai Havertz, who has been converted into being an out-and-out forward since joining the Gunners and has done a commendable job in that role.

However, his tally of eight goals is only the joint-12th highest in the Premier League this season.

The Gunners did bring in Raheem Sterling from Chelsea in the summer. The forward hit 20 Premier League goals in 2019-20 for Manchester City but his goal return has mostly got lower since then and he is yet to score in eight appearances this term.

Indeed, Arsenal have not had a striker who has scored 20 goals or more in the Premier League since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in 2019-20.

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Villa made a profit of £300,000 in their 2021-22 accounts, helped by the sale of England midfielder Jack Grealish to Manchester City for £100m.

But that will drop off the next profit and sustainability (PSR) accounting period, and clubs are not permitted losses of more than £105m over a three-year period.

Villa lost £119.6m in their accounts up to 31 May 2023, but with Champions League revenue to account for in 2024-25 that will help the balance sheet.

They still needed to sell last summer and ultimately sold Douglas Luiz to Juventus for £42m to avoid a points deduction.

"We found ourselves in a situation where we had make an important profit to avoid being in breach with the PSR," said Damian Vidagany, Villa's director of football operations, in September. "It was very challenging.

"Everybody was cheering and celebrating the Champions League, but Monchi (Villa's president of football operations) and I were at the party thinking how we could avoid a points deduction that would have spoiled a wonderful season.

"There was a bomb with the countdown, and we were there to cut the cable. We arrived at the last second with this problem."

Arsenal are expected to make an improved second attempt to sign 29-year-old Aston Villaand England striker Ollie Watkins, who grew up as an Gunners fan.

That's according to the Daily Mail, following the £60m bid from the Gunners that was rejected on Wednesday.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa have decisions to make before Monday's transfer deadline with strikers Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran wanted men.

Manager Unai Emery has said Villa will be "demanding" with Arsenal after their approach for the England forward was rejected while Duran is reportedly poised for a medical with Saudi side Al-Nassr.

Watkins scored and missed a penalty in Wednesday's 4-2 Champions League win over Celtic, shrugging off the intense pre-game speculation.

Afterwards, Emery said: "I don't want [to sell]. It is good news to have offers from other clubs. We want to keep our sporting objective through the players we have in the squad.

"Every player can be in the market if it is good for the player and the club. To get this deal we are going to be demanding. Watkins is our striker."

He was less than certain with Duran, who has been linked with a move from Villa Park since the summer.

"If he is leaving it's because he wants [to]. I told you last week I wanted him here. After West Ham match I told you I want him here," said Emery.

"We are different people, different objectives.