Eric Dier is targeted for surprise return to the Premier League with Tottenham’s rivals – as Aston Villa could axe £21m star they only signed a year ago: TRANSFER WINDOW WATCH

The transfer window is open and here are today’s latest developments from Daily Mail Sport’s Simon Jones...

Gallagher set for five-and-a-half-year deal at Spurs

Conor Gallagher has flown to England for his Tottenham medical and will sign a five-and-a-half-year contract. The club stole a march on Aston Villa, who had offered a loan with an obligation to buy. Read more here.

Malen on the move?

Aston Villa winger Donyell Malen is wanted on loan by Roma with an option to buy for £21million.

Villa bought Malen, 26, from Borussia Dortmund for a similar figure last year.

Roma have Leon Bailey on loan from Villa but had been discussing the possibility of cutting that deal short. The clubs are also expected to discuss striker Tammy Abraham who is a target for Villa but is on loan at Besiktas who have an option to buy.

Faes’ Dier spell

Monaco have made an approach to sign Leicester City defender Wout Faes on loan with an option to buy.

The Belgium international has been left out in recent weeks as the Foxes look for buyers.

Monaco have made their move amid surprise interest from West Ham in their former Spurs defender Eric Dier.

Cherries talk about Toth

Bournemouth have asked about Ferencvaros midfielder Alex Toth. The 20-year-old Hungary international is also wanted by Lazio.

RB Leipzig steal march on Premier League giants

RB Leipzig are finalising a £4.5m deal for winger Suleiman Sani from Trencin as they brace themselves for offers for Yan Diomande.

Manchester City, Brentford and Spurs had shown varying interest in 19-year-old Sani who is a Nigeria U20 international.

Like Diomande, he is predominantly a left winger and his signing is a nod towards Leipzig preparing for the future.

Diomande has spoken of his desire to one day play for Liverpool while Bayern Munich, Tottenham and Manchester United are confirmed admirers. Leipzig have been insisting he won’t leave this month unless it’s a substantial fee of around £70million, but they know that won’t necessarily deter English suitors if they become more desperate to add attacking talent.

Forest want Tavernier  

Nottingham Forest have made an enquiry for Bournemouth winger Marcus Tavernier.

Bournemouth are insisting he is not for sale.

Tavernier, 26, scored in Saturday’s FA Cup defeat to Newcastle and will be important to Andoni Iraola over the next few weeks.

The Cherries are already in the throes of trying to replace Antoine Semenyo and have Justin Kluivert out for four months following knee surgery.

Enes Unal, Ben Gannon-Doak, Tyler Adams, Ryan Christie and William Dennis are also all nursing injuries.

Ajer of interest

Brentford are braced for an offer from Wolfsburg for defender Kristoffer Ajer.

The Bundesliga side lost 8-1 to Bayern Munich at the weekend and want to remedy their leaky defence.

Middlesbrough target Munroe 

Aston Villa are in talks to sell left-back Finley Munroe to Middlesbrough.

The 20-year-old has been recalled from his loan spell at Swindon Town amid interest from Boro and Championship rivals Bristol City.

Both clubs offered around £350,000 but Boro are also offering a sell-on clause and the deal is edging their way.

Munroe joined Villa after leaving Chelsea’s academy in 2021 and has impressed under Ian Holloway in League Two.

He made his debut for Villa as a late substitute in the Europa Conference League semi-final defeat at Olympiakos, before coming on against Crystal Palace in May 2024.

Salis to St Andrew’s

Birmingham City are in talks to sign Jhon Salis on an initial loan from Girona with an option to buy the 21-year-old Colombian midfielder for £6.8m if he plays a set number of games.

Wigan want Ward

Wigan Athletic, flush from their FA Cup third round win over Preston North End, have made a move for Accrington Stanley defender Benn Ward.