West Ham close to Nayef Aguerd agreement

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has revealed that West Ham are now in ‘talks’ to bring Rennes defender Nayef Aguerd to the Premier League during the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Moyes’ second time lucky

The Moroccan first joined the Ligue 1 outfit from Dijon in 2020 as he put pen to paper on a four-year deal with the Brittany club, making 80 appearances during his two years there.

Even though the 26-year-old’s current contract with Bruno Genesio’s team isn’t set to expire until 2025, his impressive performances have caught the eye of David Moyes, who made a move for the centre-back last summer but failed to prise him away from Rennes.

Fast forward 12 months, though, and it now looks highly likely that the Scot may be about to capture his target.

The Latest: Romano drops ‘talks’ claim

In a new post on Twitter, Romano confirmed that negotiations for Aguerd are “progressing” and that West Ham are very close to striking an agreement for the 26-year-old.

He wrote: “West Ham are now getting closer to reaching full agreement with Rennes for Nayef Aguerd, negotiations progressing.

“Talks are underway – final details about add-ons then the deal can be completed.”

The Verdict: Defensive cover needed

West Ham suffered massively from injuries this season, with Issa Diop, Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma all having long spells on the sidelines, so it comes as no surprise to see Moyes looking for cover in the centre-back department, and Aguerd could be the perfect candidate.

The 6 foot 3 colossus averaged four clearances and 5.6 long balls per league game for Rennes this term, via WhoScored, showing his ability to not only get stuck in at the back but also provide opportunities for his attacking team-mates at the opposite end of the pitch.

A long-time admirer of the Moroccan, the Hammers boss must now be buzzing to be so close to a deal for Aguerd, who would appear to be an ideal addition to Moyes’ squad ahead of the 2022/23 season, when the Irons can look forward to an exciting campaign in the Europa Conference League.

In other news… a journalist has reacted to news linking West Ham to this ‘interesting’ transfer target

Tottenham: Conte now offered chance to seal Jesus

A reliable report has now shared some big Tottenham Hotspur transfer news involving Man City striker Gabriel Jesus in the last 48 hours.

The Lowdown: Conte eyes striker…

Spurs head coach Antonio Conte, after clinching a Premier League top four place and Champions League qualification for next season, reportedly has his eyes on a striking back up to Harry Kane.

Brazil international Jesus is one of the names heavily linked with a move to north London amid other potential targets, coming after Pep Guardiola’s gem ended 2021/2022 on a hot streak of goalscoring form.

The Times, sharing news on Spurs’ pursuit of the player, have now got a big update for supporters.

The Latest: Conte offered chance…

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According to their information, Jesus has ‘been offered’ to the Lilywhites and is ‘believed’ to want to stay in England – coming as two possible boosts for Conte as he chases a new Spurs attacking option.

However, one potential obstacle could be north London rivals Arsenal, who are ‘quietly confident’ they can beat Tottenham to the punch.

The Verdict: Must-win race…

The 25-year-old has been described as a ‘perfect’ player for Spurs, not to mention a possible ‘massive signing’ and ‘statement’ move by ex-goalkeeper Paul Robinson (Football Insider).

His age, goalscoring record in the top flight and fairly reasonable mooted £55 million price tag are other reasons to seriously consider pressing ahead to sign Jesus who is reliably believed to be leaving Eastlands this summer.

While the South American will find it difficult getting regular starts ahead of Kane, Guardiola has utilised Jesus on the right-wing in recent times where he has played very well.

More than just an out-and-out striker, the attacking outlet could prove useful to Conte in more than one way.

In other news: Tottenham make contact as they ‘world-class signing’ for Conte! Find out more here.

Everton transfer news on Matheus Nunes

Everton have reportedly now made ‘approaches’ to sign Matheus Nunes this summer.

The Lowdown: Midfielder wanted

The Goodison Park club have recently been linked with moves for the likes of Conor Gallagher and Harry Winks this summer, suggesting that a new midfielder is on their target list.

Frank Lampard will be looking to reshape the squad into his own as he looks forward to his first full season in charge on Merseyside.

The Latest: Nunes ‘approaches’

Taking to Twitter, journalist Santi Aouna has revealed that Nunes has ‘received approaches’ from the Toffees, along with Newcastle United and Wolves.

Sporting Lisbon have already ‘refused’ an offer of €45m (£38.4m) from an English club, and the player will only be sold for his release clause, which stands at €60m (£51.3m).

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The Verdict: Unrealistic

Given the concerns over Everton’s recent financial losses, it seems unrealistic that they would sign Nunes for that kind of price, unless they raise money through player sales.

Capable of playing as a defensive midfielder and in the centre (Transfermarkt), the Portugal international possesses rare speed and drive for a player in his position.

His former team-mate Goncalo Santos has claimed that Nunes is ‘unbelievable’ when the ball is at his feet, adding that he is ‘impossible’ to catch because he is ‘too fast’ (Liverpool Echo).

The 23-year-old is someone who would likely get supporters on their feet and would almost certainly spark a wave of excitement at Goodison Park, should the Toffees be able to get a deal over the line.

In other news, find out what big Farhad Moshiri update has now emerged

Everton eyeing move for Andrey Santos

Everton will need a solid summer transfer window if they are to massively improve on their disappointing 16th-placed finish in last season’s Premier League.

Frank Lampard will be under pressure to get things right and transform the mentality at the club after what has been an underwhelming few months at Goodison Park.

There are signs that the club is moving in the right direction, with Lampard reportedly sealing the signing of defender James Tarkowski; and with interest in Keane Lewis-Potter and Chelsea trio Armando Broja, Conor Gallagher and Levi Colwill, it looks set to be a busy summer on the blue half of Merseyside.

It could even get better for the Toffees, who are linked with a move for Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos according to Le10Sport. The French outlet claimed that Everton are keen on the Vasco da Gama player, despite interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.

The Brazilian could be a major upgrade on compatriot Allan, who ranked 18th in the Everton squad last term with a WhoScored rating of 6.50 after a litany of underwhelming performances. Also, with the ex-Napoli midfielder now 31, perhaps it’s time that Lampard moved him on.

A move for Santos might appear risky, especially since he is only 18 years old. However, since making the step up to the Vasco de Gama senior squad, he has played 12 times in all competitions, scoring once.

With the Brazilian club reportedly listening to offers for their teenage sensation, Everton could seal the move for only €8m (£6.8m).

This would represent a bargain for Lampard and the Toffees, although the interest from PSG and Barcelona could suggest that Everton are further down the pecking order. However, they could offer the 18-year-old a better chance at regular first-team football.

Journalist Rodrigo Coutinho praised the Brazilian teenager, saying: “Andrey Santos will be a great midfield player”, a glowing appraisal for someone who is so young and virtually untested in the senior game.

Maybe Lampard needs to take a few risks in the transfer market to reinvigorate his squad, and if he makes the move for Santos, it could pay off massively for Everton over the coming months and years.

It’s time to forget about the underperforming Allan and look to the future with Santos instead.

AND in other news, Contact made: Everton in talks to sign “untouchable” £18m-rated gem, Lampard would love him

Forest still working on Neco Williams deal

Nottingham Forest are ‘doing everything they can’ to seal a move for Liverpool right-back Neco Williams, according to BBC journalist Natalie Jackson.

The Lowdown: Williams linked with Forest move

In recent days, the Welshman has been strongly linked with a move to the City Ground as Steve Cooper looks to sign a replacement for Djed Spence, who has returned to his parent club Middlesbrough.

Williams looks set to leave Liverpool after the Premier League giants completed the signing of Calvin Ramsay, who is expected to be Trent Alexander-Arnold’s deputy moving forward.

Forest face competition for the signing of the Anfield defender but it appears as though they are still the front-runners to snap him up.

The Latest: Journalist provides Williams update

Taking to Twitter, Jackson claimed that the recently promoted club are working extremely hard on getting the deal over the line for the Wales international.

She stated: “The club doing everything they can to sign Liverpool defender Neco Williams.”

The Verdict: Perfect summer signing

Williams is an excellent young player who has been described as a ‘machine’ by Jurgen Klopp in the past, so the hope is that Forest acquire his signature over fellow newly-promoted side Fulham.

The Wales international has bags of energy down the right flank, providing powerful runs and end product, having registered two goals and two assists on loan at Craven Cottage last season.

At just 21, Williams would also be a long-term signing who could mature into a fantastic player over time, hopefully playing a key role in a potentially great period at Forest under Cooper.

Everton interested in signing Billy Gilmour

Everton have been linked with a move for Billy Gilmour this summer, and now a new update has emerged from a reliable source on the club’s pursuit of the player.

What’s the latest?

According to The Daily Telegraph reporter Matt Law, Everton are interested in signing Billy Gilmour this summer.

In Law’s latest article for the publication, the journalist details that the Toffees are still interested in signing both Gilmour and fellow Chelsea youngster Conor Gallagher during the current transfer window.

Delph replacement

Everton have midfield outgoings in the squad this summer with Donny Van de Beek returning to Manchester United following his loan deal and Fabian Delph leaving next week due to the expiration of his contract, so Gilmour will surely be welcomed with open arms to replace the latter at Goodison Park.

Gilmour is no stranger to Frank Lampard, as the Everton boss gave the Scottish youngster his Premier League debut at Chelsea when he was managing the team at Stamford Bridge when he was just 18 years old, so Lampard will have no trouble knowing how to deploy Gilmour effectively in the team.

The £10.8m-rated gem most recently went on a season-long loan deal to Norwich City and despite the side being relegated, Gilmour gave glimpses of his talents and continued development whilst playing with the Canaries last season.

In the Premier League, the Scotsman delivered one assist and created one big chance, making 1.7 tackles, 1.2 clearances and winning 3.8 duels on average per game, whilst being successful in the majority of his dribble attempts (68%) and tallied up a pass accuracy of 91% in his own half over 24 appearances.

Since the 21-year-old’s debut back in 2019, the young midfielder has been the recipient of high praise, with former Liverpool captain Graeme Souness hailing the player “exceptional” during an ITV Sport pundit analysis of his performance for Scotland against England in 2019;

“He doesn’t give the ball away. He’s got that fantastic habit for a midfield player of passing the ball to the same colour shirt. He keeps the ball in tight spaces and kept Scotland ticking over.

“For a 20-year-old to come in and play in that atmosphere with very few games under his belt this year, I thought it was an exceptional performance. He was the best player on the pitch (against England).”

Ultimately, Thelwell could secure a great signing and replacement for Delph this summer if he can seal the deal for Gilmour and the player will surely be tempted by the move to be given the opportunity to work under his former boss again.

AND in other news, Lampard could land his own Jude Bellingham in Everton swoop for “special” £50m dynamo

Newcastle linked with Hudson-Odoi transfer

Newcastle United have been linked with a summer move for Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi.

What’s the news?

According to The Sun, the Toon are keen on exploring a move for the Chelsea sensation this summer with the Blues greenlighting a pursuit by declaring their willingness to listen to offers.

The news comes amid Newcastle’s failed pursuit of Anthony Gordon with the Magpies now very much pursuing alternative targets.

Saint-Maximin 2.0

As a product of Chelsea’s youth system, the 21-year-old has made 187 appearances in total for the west London club across their senior and youth sides.

In those appearances, the winger has found the net 47 times and delivered 40 assists in the process.

With 15 Premier League appearances to his name last season, the Englishman racked up 17 shots at goal, 51 shot-creating actions, 30 dribbles and 26 crosses, showing the clear attacking talent he has and why he’d be an exciting addition to Eddie Howe’s ranks.

Having played across numerous positions in the midfield and attack last season, this sort of versatility could make the youngster a very useful player for the Toon.

Praised by Thomas Tuchel for a “perfect” pass he delivered during Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Malmo in the Champions League last season, Hudson-Odoi clearly has what it takes to be a goalscoring threat for Newcastle.

If he does make the move to St James, then it could give the Magpies their next version of Allan Saint-Maximin.

With the Frenchman being a huge part of Newcastle’s attacking power by scoring five goals and delivering five assists in 35 league appearances last season, it’s safe to say that he is an important figure for the team.

The similarities between the two players are clear, with both figures achieving ratings in the 70s for the creativity and attacking areas of their game according to SofaScore.

While the current Toon star slightly eclipses the £120k-per-week winger in both categories, the Chelsea youngster certainly has the talent and time ahead of him to get on the same level as Saint-Maximin, which a move to Newcastle would surely help with.

With the Magpies showing during their previous transfer window, and in the early stages of this one, just how effective they can be at signing players from fellow English clubs, a move for Hudson-Odoi is something that they should definitely explore during the next few weeks.

AND in other news: NUFC plotting bid to sign sign “fabulous” £18m “diamond”, he’s a big Shelvey upgrade

Celtic ‘unlikely’ to sign Jordan Larsson

Celtic are ‘unlikely’ to sign Sweden attacker Jordan Larsson during the summer transfer window, reliable journalist Anthony Joseph has reported.

The Lowdown: Celtic linked with Larsson move

Ange Postecoglou is still working hard on making new signings at Parkhead this summer as his side prepare for an exciting return to the Champions League with two new faces in Benjamin Siegrist and Alexandro Bernabei already joining the three loans made permanent.

Larsson, son of Bhoys legend Henrik Larsson, is another player who has been linked with a move to the Hoops in recent weeks, being viewed as someone who can add extra end product in the final third.

The forward has scored once in seven caps for Sweden and is now a free agent after his Spartak Moscow contract expired.

The Latest: Joseph drops update

Taking to Twitter on Monday night, however, Joseph claimed that Larsson is highly unlikely to join Celtic despite ‘contact with the Hoops’:

“UPDATE: It’s looking increasingly unlikely that Celtic will offer a contract to forward Jordan Larsson. His reps made contact with the Hoops – as well as a number of clubs, including Nottingham Forest. Larsson weighing up options with interest from England, Germany & Italy.”

The Verdict: Time to look elsewhere

This is a clear blow for Celtic, considering Larsson is someone with undoubted pedigree, given his international stature and record of 27 goals in 83 games for Spartak.

Postecoglou now needs to look elsewhere for an attacking reinforcements, as he looks to make the Hoops more potent next season, bringing in someone capable of scoring regularly.

No player netted more than 13 goals in the Scottish Premiership for Celtic in 2021/22, so signing a player capable of hitting 20+ could inspire them to more domestic glory and increase their chances of holding their own in Europe.

Leeds: Orta interested in Correa

Leeds United are interested in a deal to bring Joaquin Correa to Elland Road in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport (via SempreInter), who claim that, following Raphinha’s £55m move to Barcelona, Victor Orta is now targeting a move for the Inter Milan forward as a replacement for the 25-year-old Brazilian.

The report goes on to state that West Ham United, Sevilla and Marseille are also interested in a deal for the 27-year-old this summer, while the Serie A club are believed to be willing to part with the Argentina international for a figure in the region of €22.5m (£19m).

“One of the best”

Considering just how impressive Correa has been in Italy over recent seasons, it is easy to see why Orta would be interested in a deal to bring the forward to Elland Road ahead of the Whites 2022/23 Premier League campaign.

Indeed, over his 28 Serie A appearances for SS Lazio back in 2020/21, the £25.5m-rated talent highly impressed for the Biancocelesti, scoring eight goals, registering four assists and creating three big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.9 shots, making one key pass and completing 1.3 dribbles per game.

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These returns saw the 27-year-old who Simone Inzaghi dubbed “formidable” average an eye-catching SofaScore match rating of 6.96, ranking him as Lazio’s joint fifth-best performer in the league in the season before last.

The versatile attacker – who is comfortable operating from attacking midfield, on the left wing and at centre-forward – also impressed over his eight Champions League appearances that year, scoring three goals, providing two assists and creating four big chances, with these returns seeing the Argentine average a quite remarkable SofaScore match rating of 7.11.

This form saw Inzaghi spend €25m (£21m) to bring Correa with him to the San Siro last summer, with the £107k-per-week forward going on to score six goals, register one assist and create two big chances over his 26 Serie A fixtures – only 12 of which came as starts – in his debut campaign with the Nerazzurri.

As such, it is not difficult to see why Orta would be interested in a move to bring the player who Jerry Mancini labelled “one of the best” to LS11 this summer, as, at a cost of just £19m, Correa could quite easily prove to be one of the bargains of the summer transfer window.

AND in other news: “I’m told…”: Reliable journo reveals big Leeds transfer update, it’d be a major coup – opinion

Arsenal plotting bid for Arthur Melo

Arsenal are plotting a bid for Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo.

What’s the word?

That’s according to TuttoMercatoWeb, who claim that the Brazilian could miss Juventus’ pre-season tour to sort out his future.

Barcelona and Roma are also interested in potential swap deals for the midfielder.

Dialogues between the clubs have begun, however, it is still in the early stages.

The midfielder is believed to have an asking price in the range of £34m.

Supporters will love it

Arsenal have been incredibly active already this summer, having secured two big-money deals already and Oleksandr Zinchenko looking almost tied up.

Mikel Arteta appears to be bolstering his midfield options, and he could give the Ukrainian a perfect partner to play beside with this Brazilian maestro.

Due to freak injuries, the 25-year-old missed both the start and end of what was a rather bleak season for Juventus. He managed just 20 league appearances, however still attained an average SofaScore rating of 6.83.

His career in Italy has struggled to take off since his move from Barcelona, where he enjoyed far more success. He operates in a more defensive role in the heart of midfield, yet still managed six goal contributions in his final season in Catalonia.

If he could be nursed to fitness, he fits the profile of someone who would perfectly complement the inbound Zinchenko. His eye for a pass and tendency to occupy intelligent spaces to break up the play would make him a fine metronome for Arteta’s side.

Former Arsenal player Thomas Vermaelen dubbed the midfielder “incredible”, noting that “he has all the battling skills and the technical ability to go right to the top.”

He ranks in the 93rd percentile for passes attempted and the 96th percentile for pass completion rate, outlining him as a fantastic pass-master in the middle of the park.

He also ranks in the 84th percentile for progressive carries, meaning that if he needs to he can drive with the ball as well as pass to progress play.

Supporters should start to get excited as Arteta appears to be building something really special, and with Arthur in its midfield, the sky really is the limit.

AND, in other news: “Arsenal working on..”: Ornstein drops big transfer update, supporters will be buzzing.

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