ALAN NIXON is SunSport’s Boss of Goss.
Check out this week’s red-hot transfer whispers from our man in the know…
THRILLY JOEL
ASTON VILLA are fighting Everton for Joel Ordonez — who stands between them and Champions League glory.
The Club Brugge star, 20, can play centre-half and right-back and looks ideal for the Premier League with his ability and strength.
Ecuadorian international Ordonez helped shut Villa out in the group stage and they have been on his trail ever since.
The sides meet again on Tuesday in their last-16 first leg — and Everton will be watching closely as they are desperate to land him, too.
Ordonez, 20, is rated at £40million by the Belgian side and Villa see him as an ideal replacement for Tyrone Mings.
The Toffees also plan a summer revamp and fancy him as the right-sided centre-back in a five at the back.
Everton also rate Maxime Esteve, 22, at Burnley but he plays on the left.
ROB’S JOB WAIT
FORMER Luton boss Rob Edwards faces a frustrating wait for a new job because of a huge compensation fee on his head.
Interested clubs were told the 42-year-old would cost them £1million as part of his Hatters exit package.
Blackburn overlooked Edwards and has been linked with Middlesbrough — but may be sitting it out until the ‘transfer’ fee drops in the next 12 months.
MOYES IN DARK
NEW Everton owners The Friedkin Group are looking for a football supremo to be overlord for their whole organisation.
The Americans also own Roma and want someone to run both clubs in the future.
Director of football Kevin Thelwell is set to leave his role at Goodison — as we revealed — and now boss David Moyes is waiting to learn what structure the new owners plan to put in place . . . and where it leaves him.
MAXED OUT IN MILAN SPREE
AC MILAN scouts made a shock visit to check out Burnley centre-half Maxime Esteve.
The classy Frenchman, 22, may move in the summer — and will definitely do so if the Clarets fail to win promotion.
Everton are keen on Esteve while Crystal Palace have shortlisted him.
But the Italians are on the trail of a player too good for the second tier.
CATS CHASE QUICK CASH
SUNDERLAND are in talks with US financiers MSD Holdings about a quick £35million loan.
Wealthy Kyril Louis-Dreyfus owns Black Cats yet they are still seeking funding — even with interest at £5m a year.
The timing is odd as Sunderland chase a Prem jackpot and have players to sell for big money this summer.
But the cash is wanted quicker than that.
A REAL DEAL BUT NOT FOR HORNETS
WATFORD’S chances of signing young Colombian star Neyser Villarreal look slim — as Porto set up a deal.
The Portuguese giants have been ‘promised’ striker Villarreal, 19, by his agent and could get him for nothing at the end of the year.
Brazil’s Vasco da Gama made a £3million bid plus extras that his club Millonarios accepted but the player and agent refuse to speak to them.
WHICH Premier League sporting director is making a fool of himself in the VIP box at games?
The foreign wheeler-dealer is given to celebrating goals wildly and arguing about refereeing decisions with rival fans and even directors.
This loud chap was recently seen gesturing so much that a ‘minder’ in the entourage was forced to calm a brewing row with home supporters.
ROBINS KEEN ON NEW RECRUITS
STOKE boss Mark Robins will look for a major change in recruitment plans in the summer.
Robins, 55, has been alarmed by a thin squad bulked out with young players and loan captures.
The Potters have tried to sign their own players but ended up with a mixed bag.
That is partly because of so much upheaval with Robins their third boss this season.
PRODIGAL SON
HULL are after David Moyes Jr for a top scouting role.
The Everton manager’s son has previous experience with West Ham, where he worked for his dad.
Now the Tigers hope to tempt the ex-agent to their transfer team, which has changed regularly over the past couple of years.
ROVERS RETURN
BLACKBURN boss Valerien Ismael will bring in coach Adam Murray in the summer.
Eastbourne gaffer Murray worked with the Frenchman at Barnsley and Besiktas and will join Rovers No .2 Dean Whitehead at Ewood Park.
Ismael took over last month and is happy with the rest of his staff.
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