Transfer news and rumours: Kante to West Ham, Digne Villa exit, Kolo Muani future

Following the Frenchman's exceptional displays for France at Euro 2024, the Irons are believed to be keen to bring him back to the Premier League one year after his Chelsea exit.

Julen Lopetegui's side have supposedly seen a bid of around £15m turned down by Al-Ittihad, and it was reported that the Middle Eastern side could be receptive to an offer of £25m.

However, Fabrizio Romano reports that Al-Ittihad have slapped a not-for-sale sticker on the head of Kante, whom they view as a key part of their project for the next couple of years.

The 33-year-old is still under contract with Al-Ittihad for another two seasons and excelled in his first campaign in Saudi Arabia, amassing four goals and six assists from 44 games.

Kante's final seasons at Chelsea were plagued by injuries, but the Frenchman banished his fitness demons last term and started all six of Les Bleus' matches at Euro 2024.

West Ham 'open' to two defender exits

Staying at the London Stadium, Lopetegui is supposedly happy to let two current West Ham defenders move on this summer if he can bring two new centre-backs to the club.

The Irons have already confirmed the capture of Max Kilman from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and they are also reported to have agreed a loan deal with a £26.8m option to buy for Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo.

The latter's move has been plunged into uncertainty in recent days, though, as he is believed to be holding out for a switch to Juventus, but according to Football Insider, West Ham have transfer listed two defenders regardless.

The Hammers would supposedly be happy to let both Nayef Aguerd and Kurt Zouma leave as part of their defensive reshuffle, and the former was only a bit-part player under David Moyes last term.

Zouma played a more prominent role in the 2023-24 campaign, but agents are now said to be working on finding new clubs for the two, who have been told by West Ham that they are free to leave.

The capital giants are supposedly hopeful of commanding a combined fee of £50m for Zouma and Aguerd, the latter of whom is attracting interest from clubs in Ligue 1.

Paris Saint-Germain 'make decision' on striker future

Speaking of the French top flight, Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani apparently has no plans to leave the French champions in the current transfer window.

The 25-year-old set the Bundesliga alight with Eintracht Frankfurt but is yet to have the same impact in Paris, amassing nine goals and six assists in 40 matches during his debut campaign.

Kolo Muani will be expected to earn more regular starts next season thanks to Kylian Mbappe's exit, but PSG are also working on a deal for Napoli's Victor Osimhen as a replacement for the Real Madrid new boy.

Despite Osimhen's expected arrival, Florian Plettenberg claims that Kolo Muani is "99%" sure of staying at the Parc des Princes this summer, and president Nasser Al-Khelaifi also wants him to stick around.

The France international is still contracted to the Ligue 1 champions for another four seasons, and PSG would be unlikely to make a profit on the £80.1m they forked out to prise him away from Frankfurt last summer.

Kolo Muani made five appearances for France at Euro 2024, netting the opening goal in their semi-final loss to Spain after his shot led to Jan Vertonghen's own goal in their 1-0 triumph over Belgium in the last 16.

Aston Villa 'willing' to sell left-back this summer

From one Frenchman to another, and Aston Villa are reportedly happy to let left-back Lucas Digne seek pastures new this summer should the right offer come in.

The former Everton defender has been battling Alex Moreno for starts in the Lions' backline and made 46 appearances in all tournaments last season, scoring two goals and setting up six more.

Digne often won his scraps with Moreno for Premier League starts, appearing from the off on 27 occasions in the 2023-24 top flight, but the Spaniard was also hampered by injuries.

Digne will face further competition from new signing Ian Maatsen next season, and according to Football Insider, the ex-Barcelona man is 'in danger' of being sold in the summer window.

The 31-year-old is only under contract at Villa Park for another two seasons, and Maatsen is expected to be Unai Emery's first-choice left-back next term, forcing Digne and Moreno to compete for substitute minutes and cup starts.

Digne cost Aston Villa £25.3m to sign from Everton midway through the 2021-22 season, and the defender boasts a total of four goals and 10 assists in 93 matches for the West Midlands side.