Aston Villa have reportedly expressed an interest in signing Besiktas attacker Semih Kilicsoy before the January transfer window closes for business.
The Lions allowed Jaden Philogene to move to Ipswich Town on a permanent deal earlier this month, and despite already bringing Donyell Malen to the club, Football Insider claims that Kilicsoy has been earmarked as another ideal addition.
The 19-year-old worked his way up the Besiktas youth ranks before being officially promoted to their first team in 2023, and he has already made 67 senior appearances for the Turkish giants.
Kilicsoy has contributed 14 goals and nine assists in that time, including two strikes and six assists from 28 appearances in all competitions during the 2024-25 season, where he has operated both out wide and through the middle.
The report claims that the Turkey international has been personally identified by Villa boss Unai Emery as an ideal acquisition, and the Lions have had their eye on the teenager for some time.
Kilicsoy still has three-and-a-half years left to run on his contract with Besiktas, with whom he has won one Turkish Cup and one Turkish Super Cup.
Hamza Choudhury on verge of Leicester exit?
© Imago
From potential Premier League arrivals to possible departures, Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury is reportedly on the verge of joining Championship outfit Sheffield United on loan.
The 27-year-old featured regularly during the Foxes' 2023-24 promotion-winning campaign, but he has played just six times for Ruud van Nistlerooy's men in the current season.
Choudhury was left out of the squad entirely for Sunday's Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur, and he is behind all of Harry Winks, Oliver Skipp and Boubakary Soumare in the midfield pecking order.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, the midfielder is now set to head to Bramall Lane for the remainder of the season, and the Blades will also have the option to make his stay permanent this summer.
Should Sheffield United exercise that clause, it would mark the end of Choudhury's 14-year spell at Leicester, whom he has represented since 2011.
The former England youth international has come up with two goals and four assists in 131 senior appearances for the Foxes in that time, and he played eight minutes as a substitute in their FA Cup final win over Chelsea in 2021.
Mathias Kvistgaarden breaks silence on Celtic talk
© Imago
Further north, Brondby attacker Mathias Kvistgaarden refused to close the door on a possible January move to Celtic when recently questioned on the Bhoys' apparent interest.
Celtic are on the brink of selling Kyogo Furuhashi to Ligue 1 outfit Rennes, which is expected to precede a return to Parkhead for Portuguese attacker Jota, currently on the books at Roazhon Park.
However, Brendan Rodgers is still thought to be keen for more reinforcements through the middle, and Kvistgaarden was non-committal when asked whether he could join the Scottish champions' ranks this month.
"Of course, there is a lot you can read about and listen to, but I try to ignore it as much as possible and just concentrate on training here every day," the 22-year-old told 3point.dk, as quoted by The Celtic Star.
"In the end, as a player, I can't really do anything except do the best I possibly can – whether it's for one place or another. That's the way it is."
Kvistgaarden boasts an exceptional record of 14 goals and five assists from 22 matches in all competitions this season, but Celtic could face intense competition for his signature from Eintracht Frankfurt, who are seeking a successor to Manchester City new boy Omar Marmoush.
Chelsea 'conduct scouting checks' on South Korean talent
© Imago
Finally, Premier League titans Chelsea are reportedly one of a handful of clubs keeping a close eye on the progress of 18-year-old South Korean protege Do-young Yun.
The teenager is currently on the books with Daejeon Citizen and enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2024, scoring one goal and providing three assists in 19 K League 1 appearances.
Yun also excelled during the Under-17 Asian Cup in 2023, scoring four goals as South Korea reached the final, before making three appearances at the Under-17 World Cup later that year.
According to The Mirror, Chelsea are among the teams to have been running the rule over the 2006-born talent, who is also on the radar of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa.
The report adds that Brighton appear to be at the head of the queue, but Yun's entourage also paid a visit to Aston Villa's training base last week to hold talks with the Lions.
Ben Knapton
