By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

14th Sep, 2023 | 6:40am

Pete O'Rourke column: 'Huge' Liverpool offer reveal, West Ham block Aguerd deal, Chelsea to sell defender within days, Aston Villa eye striker deal

Welcome to the latest edition of my biweekly column – bringing you exclusive transfer and contract news, as well as news from the Premier League, EFL, Scottish Premiership and beyond.

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CHELSEA

The Blues are ready to let defender Malang Sarr leave the club with the transfer window still open in Turkey until Friday (15 September).

He’s completely out of the picture at Chelsea and I’m told there is no chance he will break into Mauricio Pochettino’s plans for this season.

Sarr has been made surplus to requirements and Turkish clubs are now readying moves for his services.

Any move is likely to be an initial loan, which could put him in the shop window ahead of a potential permanent exit in 2024.

Monaco had a buy option in their loan move for Sarr last season but decided against taking it up after his spell in the Principality.

Meanwhile, Chelsea youngsters Lesley Ugochukwu and Deivid Washington are set to remain part of the first-team squad until January.

I’m told Pochettino is keen to keep a close eye on the development of the duo, who were signed for a combined £40million in the summer window.

Ugochukwu has already impressed the new Chelsea boss and has featured a few times for the senior squad this term.

Any potential loan exits for the starlets will be revisited and re-assessed in January with Pochettino having almost 30 senior players at his disposal.

READ MORE EXCLUSIVE CHELSEA NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS

MAN UNITED

Erik ten Hag’s side made late overtures for Brentford defender Rico Henry in the summer window.

The Bees are aware of growing interest in the left-back and I’m told he is now on the fringes of the England set-up following his impressive performances for Thomas Frank’s side.

Man United are just one of the top Premier League sides interested in prising him away from the London outfit.

The Red Devils weren’t able to afford a permanent move for Henry and instead moved to sign Sergio Reguilon on loan with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia out injured.

However, they could revisit the situation next summer – even with Brentford in a strong position.

Henry is happy with the Bees but would be interested in a big move and the club are unlikely to stand in his way.

He is under contract and I’m told a bid of £35million-plus would certainly test Brentford’s resolve.

READ MORE EXCLUSIVE MAN UNITED NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS

BRENTFORD

The Bees are expected to return for PSV Eindhoven talent Johan Bakayoko in January.

I’m told they could face competition from a number of top clubs in England and Europe – with as many as five Premier League sides queuing up to do a deal for the winger.

Brentford came closest to signing him in the summer window, submitting a reported club-record bid of £34million for his services.

Bakayoko chose to remain at PSV and play Champions League group-stage football following their qualifier win over Rangers.

A potential move could hinge on the Dutch giants’ performance in the competition, with PSV set to fight tooth and nail to keep him at the club.

Clubs are doing their due diligence and sounding out the player’s interest in a move – with Liverpool among the sides to have a concrete previous interest in his services.

READ MORE EXCLUSIVE BRENTFORD NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS

ASTON VILLA

Ollie Watkins has a lot of goalscoring responsibility on his shoulders following Villa’s summer business.

The Midlands giants sold Cameron Archer, Kienan Davis and Jaden Philogene but chose not to add a striker to their ranks in the main window.

I’m told selling the academy-produced trio was important for Financial Fair Play reasons following another mammoth spend for Villa.

However, those deals could now free up funds and squad space for Unai Emery to move for a striker in the January window.

Sources say the Spaniard is keen to add more firepower with Europa Conference League glory the target in the 2023-24 campaign.

READ MORE EXCLUSIVE ASTON VILLA NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS

WEST HAM

Irons defender Nayef Aguerd is set to be hot property in the January transfer window.

He was wanted by Al-Ittihad before the window in Saudi Arabia slammed shut, but West Ham weren’t keen to lose him outside of the European transfer window.

Liverpool and Man City have now both been linked with the Morocco international, who impressed for David Moyes’ side in his first Premier League campaign in 2022-23.

The Reds have long been in the market for a left-sided centre-back and have drawn up a list of targets after completing their midfield rebuild in the summer.

I’m told it would take a huge offer for West Ham to even consider selling the 27-year-old to a Premier League rival or Saudi Pro League side in January.

READ MORE EXCLUSIVE WEST HAM NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS

SHEFFIELD UNITED

The Blades have been linked with an out-of-window move for Andre Ayew, who was released by Nottingham Forest in June.

He played 13 times for Forest last season and has a wealth of international and Premier League experience.

Ayew remains match-fit and is part of the Ghana squad for their September fixtures despite being currently unattached.

I’m told several other clubs are monitoring his situation as they explore the free-agent market.

Sheffield United are looking to strengthen in attack despite bolstering their arsenal with a deal for Cameron Archer, who scored against Everton earlier this month.

READ MORE EXCLUSIVE SHEFFIELD UNITED NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS