Football transfer rumours: Sterling for Villa, Branthwaite for Liverpool?

The path from Everton to Liverpool is not one well travelled. Nick Barmby was the last. If the other route is more travelled – think Kevin Sheedy, Peter Beardsley, Abel Xavier – it’s still not the done thing. So, Jarrad Branthwaite to Anfield, a deal that’s been bubbling under. Will it happen? The offer is £63m plus £7m in add-ons to prise the centre-back across Stanley Park. If Everton fans are used to seeing their stars sold too early – Wayne Rooney, Franny Jeffers, John Stones spring easily to mind – then perhaps a new ownership under John Textor may prevent a deal.

Branthwaite’s links with Manchester United were closed out by their purchase of Matthijs de Ligt. United are closing in on a deal to sign Manuel Ugarte on a season-long loan deal from PSG, with obligation to buy. Jadon Sancho? Loaned to Barcelona.

Raheem Sterling might find himself with a quick route out of Chelsea’s bomb squad, and that large, if over-busy gymnasium, if Aston Villa can do a deal. That will almost certainly mean Chelsea having to foot some of the wage bill, while Villa get a sweet deal for a player they think they can get a decent spin from. Saudi Arabia is OUT as an option. Sterling will be expected to take a wage cut somewhere along the line and the same may go for Romelu Lukaku, who may, at last, be set for Napoli. Talks with Chelsea are expected, after a £25.5m deal was turned down. Aston Villa have also been offered the chance to sign Atlético Madrid striker Samu Omorodion, who was previously a target for Chelsea.

Aaron Ramsdale has gained a reputation as a great squad man, willing to back up David Raya at Arsenal but he wants first-team football, and there’s a vacancy at Southampton, where Gavin Bazunu is out until 2025 and Alex McCarthy approaching veteran status. A loan or a permanent deal? Saints may have to dig deep for the latter and there’s another option in Holland goalkeeper Justin Bijlow from Feyenoord, who was Arne Slot’s No 1 choice there but is out of favour with new manager Brian Priske.

Elsewhere, Jordan Ayew is another set to leave Crystal Palace, to act as Jamie Vardy’s bagman at Leicester. Across the East Mids, Eddie Nketiah and Nottingham Forest approaches done deal status. To replace him, Ademola Lookman, so outstanding in last season’s Europa League final, with Atalanta willing to do a deal for the Wandsworth boy.

And for another homecoming, Wilfried Zaha has been linked with Wolves as he seeks to end his time at Galatasaray. A return to Palace has been mooted but perhaps the trail has gone dead.