Aston Villa in talks to sign another Chelsea outcast after Alejandro Garnacho - as Maxence Lacroix undergoes Blues medical ahead of £55m move: WINDOW WATCH

It's that time of the year again - the transfer window is now open until September 1 and it's sure to be a busy period with clubs looking to make big signings ahead of next season.

Here are today's latest developments from Simon Jones and the Daily Mail Sport team...

Maxence Lacroix is undergoing his medical at Chelsea today after the Blues agreed a deal for the Crystal Palace defender worth around £55m on Thursday.

As Daily Mail Sport reported earlier this week, talks accelerated over a meeting in New York at the weekend.

Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali and Palace chairman Steve Parish, who were in New York for the World Cup final, met at the Aman Hotel near Central Park on Sunday.

Daily Mail Sport revealed Chelsea had revisited their interest in the 26-year-old early this summer.

The France international cost Palace £18m from Wolfsburg but has been an outstanding performer in the Premier League and Europe.

Crystal Palace and France star Maxence Lacroix is undergoing his medical at Chelsea today

Aston Villa remain in discussions over a move for Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson.

The clubs have already agreed a loan with obligation deal for Alejandro Garnacho to join Villa. That followed the £117m sale of Morgan Rogers.

The structure of the deals are key as Chelsea and Villa are among those that need to comply with Uefa's squad cost ratio regulations and their 2025 settlement agreements.

Rogers' £117m move will provide Villa with a significant accounting profit, potentially over £80m after Middlesbrough's sell-on clause and the remaining book value of his 2024 signing are deducted.

But if Chelsea had sold Garnacho to Villa as part of the same transaction, Uefa would treat it as a swap deal, impinging on profit margin. Even if Garnacho left on deadline day September 1, that is fewer than the guideline of 45 days, making it harder to argue they are not connected.

A loan with an obligation to buy could still be regarded as part of a swap deal because the 'purchase' has been agreed within 45 days of Rogers' transfer but the conditions give Villa control of when that deal is completed and potential room for manoeuvre with Uefa regulators.

Aston Villa remain in discussions over a move for Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson

Al-Hilal have confirmed the signing of winger Crysencio Summerville from West Ham in a deal worth up to £60million.

The 24-year-old, who also had an offer from Roma, had a medical in Amsterdam on Tuesday.

Al Hilal will pay an initial fee of £55m, plus £5m in potential add-ons.

Aladji Bamba will wear the number eight shirt vacated by Sandro Tonali, after completing his £30million move to Newcastle United.

Bamba arrived from Monaco on Thursday and Newcastle will pay a further £5.5m in add-ons.

The 20-year-old has signed a five-year contract and manager Eddie Howe said: 'He's another exciting, young signing who we're really looking forward to working with.

'Aladji adds depth and a range of qualities to our midfield options, with a huge potential for growth.

'His development since breaking through at Monaco has been really impressive and something we believe we can help him build on.

'He operates in a deeper role but has the ability to contribute all over the pitch, which he demonstrated in both Ligue Un and the Champions League last season.'

Meanwhile, Newcastle say they have still to receive a formal offer from Arsenal for Bruno Guimaraes.

Chelsea are not expected to pursue a move for Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.

There had been suggestions that the West London club were interested in the Brazilian international, but Chelsea sources categorically refute this.

Daily Mail Sport understands that Chelsea have not, at any point, enquired about Guimaraes and sources maintain they have no plans to.

BOBBY MANZI

Middlesbrough are in talks to sign USA midfielder Sebastian Berhalter from Vancouver Whitecaps.

Boro are paying £900,000 for the 25-year-old who has 18 caps and played in all of the USA's World Cup games.

The deal includes a further £600,000 in add-ons.

Berhalter was born in London where his father Gregg, a former USA coach, was a player at Crystal Palace.

Boro remain in talks for left-back Max Arfsten from Columbus Crew also.

Middlesbrough are in talks to sign USA star Sebastian Berhalter from Vancouver Whitecaps

Click below for all the transfer developments over the last few days...

THURSDAY: Arsenal sign Christos Tzolis in £34million move from Club Brugge as Leeds ramp up talks with Man City's James Trafford

WEDNESDAY: West Ham star Crysencio Summerville set for £60m Saudi Arabia move despite Roma's late attempt to hijack deal

TUESDAY: Fulham plot £24m bid for Southampton's Shea Charles... after Leeds have three bids rejected

MONDAY: New York meeting key to Chelsea's Maxence Lacroix move

SUNDAY: Roma ponder new bid for £50m-rated Crysencio Summerville

SATURDAY: Revealed: The figure Middlesbrough are set to pocket from Morgan Rogers' move to Chelsea