ivory

Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande has been Palace's first-choice target, but so far they have been unable to afford the Ivory Coast international, while Roma's Evan Ndicka is another defender Palace are understood to have interest in.

Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande has been Palace's first-choice target, but thus far they have been unable to afford the Ivory Coast international.

With £30m Ivory Coast forward Evann Guessand as Villa's sole major first-team addition this summer, there is no doubt that Unai Emery's side have been hamstrung by the financial rules.

They’re not coming down from the ivory tower like the doctors.

The loan spells of Marcus Rashford and Marcus Asensio have ended - though the latter may return - and it will be interesting to see how Emery utilises Ivory Coast international Evann Guessand - the new £30m forward signed from Nice.