Category Uncategorized

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Chelsea has made an approach for Everton midfielder Amadou Onana. 

The Lowdown: Chelsea step-up interest

The Times has reported that Graham Potter’s side have stepped up their interest in the Belgian and Premier League midfielder, with Enzo Fernandez of Benfica and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Moises Caicedo also listed as potential targets.

French outlet Foot Mercato has claimed that the Blues have put in an offer for the Toffees man, but Onana is said to have rejected them.

Everton signed the 21-year-old last summer from LOSC Lille and the club ended up paying £33.5 million for his services.

The Latest: Conversations held

Romano has claimed that Chelsea have held conversations with the Toffees, so they can understand the conditions of a possible deal when speaking to GiveMeSport.

He stated, “He’s on the radar of many clubs because, for example, Chelsea had conversations with his agents. They also approached Everton to understand the conditions of the deal for Onana.”

The Verdict: Talented player, steep price

We believe that Onana is a talented player, but the price tag Everton is asking for is simply too steep, it’s been reported that they would need £50 million in order to sanction his exit.

Former Belgium and Everton manager Roberto Martinez praised his former player at the start of the season, describing Onana as a player with ‘physical presence and dynamism’ when speaking to Het Laatste Nieuws.

He certainly has the potential to blossom into a real gem, but £50 million is simply too much for a player whose experience is fairly limited in the grand scheme of things in our view.

Having said that, there’s an argument to be made the prices paid by Premier League clubs are extortionate anyway, as names such as Romelu Lukaku, Harry Maguire and Kepa Arrizabalaga spring to mind.

Chelsea’s recent recruitment is seemingly to target mostly younger players, Onana definitely fits that bill and perhaps they will be willing to meet Everton’s demands for the midfielder.

Premier League strugglers Everton are seemingly in need of a fresh injection of quality in their bid to stave off the drop, with Frank Lampard’s side currently languishing in the bottom three following what’s been a drab start to the new season.

With the Toffees currently having the eighth-best defensive record in the division, the club’s problem at present appears to lie at the other end of the pitch, as only Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers have scored fewer goals in the league to date.

That fact has ensured that bringing in a new attacking recruit is now something of a necessity for the Merseysiders before the window is out, with such a signing potentially set to prove the difference between relegation and survival.

According to the Daily Mail, the Goodison Park outfit could well have identified an ideal solution in the form of Villarreal wizard, Arnaut Danjuma, having reportedly made an enquiry to take the Dutchman on loan until the end of the season.

The 25-year-old – who is said to have a release clause of £45m in his existing deal – is also said to be of interest to top-flight rivals Aston Villa, while the winger’s former club Bournemouth have also been tipped for a reunion.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano – speaking to GIVEMESPORT – has now provided an update on the race for the Nigerian-born forward’s signature, with the Italian journalist stating that Lampard and co are firmly in the mix at present.

The respected source stated: “For Danjuma, there are many clubs interested. I’m told Everton are one of them. It’s true that Everton are pushing, but Nottingham Forest are also among clubs exploring this move.”

The addition of the fleet-footed “baller” – as lauded by journalist Siavoush Fallahi – could well see the club secure a notable upgrade on academy graduate, Anthony Gordon, with the Englishman currently struggling to make his mark in the final third.

The 21-year-old – who was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea in the summer – has scored just three times in 17 games in all competitions so far this term, after previously providing seven goal involvements in 40 games during what was a breakout 2021/22 campaign.

While the youngster still has plenty of time to improve in the coming years, he simply is “not enough of a goal threat” at present, as per pundit Paul Robinson, having “not hit the heights” of last season.

As such, securing the more experienced Danjuma could represent the upgrade that Lampard may well be craving, with the £53k-per-week man offering the flexibility to feature on the flanks or in a centre-forward berth.

The former Cherries man has notably bagged six goals in 17 games in all competitions this season, after previously enjoying a standout campaign under current Villa boss Unai Emery last term after providing 20 goal involvements in just 34 games for the La Liga side.

A player who can clearly flourish at the elite level – having scored six goals during the Spanish outfit’s surge to the Champions League last four – Danjuma has showcased a consistency that Gordon simply has not been able to match.

There may well be something of a fight to be able to get the Netherlands international in the door, although the indication is that he could help to kickstart Everton’s season.

West Ham United have struggled in the Premier League this season, winning just four matches and scoring only 12 goals in the process.

It’s a far cry from their league form last season and this could be down to the vast number of first-team players who are underperforming. The likes of Lucas Paqueta and Gianluca Scamacca have scored just six goals between them, despite costing £51m and £35.5m respectively in the summer and David Moyes will be expecting much more from them when the season resumes.

However, the performances of Tomas Soucek this season have been disappointing, registering just two goal contributions from 15 matches compared to his excellent performances last season and the fact his contract expires in 18 months, Moyes may have a decision to make.

The club have been previously linked with a move for PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ibrahim Sangare and with Diaro Sport (via Sports Illustrated) stating that an offer of £25m could be enough to secure the player, Moyes must reignite his interest in January.

The Ivorian has been excellent this season, averaging a Sofascore rating of 7.22 for his Eredivisie displays this term, chipping in with three goals from the centre of the midfield while making 0.4 key passes and creating a further two big chances.

Defensively, the 25-year-old has been solid. In 12 league appearances, he has averaged 3.1 tackles, 1.3 clearances, and 1.1 interceptions per match along with winning 59% of his total duels. This ability to focus on the defensive side of the game has allowed talents like Cody Gakpo to flourish, with the Dutchman knowing that Sangare will put in the hard work behind him.

Former PSV manager Aad de Mos sang the midfielder’s praises last season when he was being linked with various clubs, saying:

“He is extraordinary. This season, he has been the king of PSV. You miss Sangare when he’s not playing. He isn’t just suitable for Leicester; he can easily keep up at an even higher club. He can easily play at Tottenham and certainly at Arsenal.”

Judging by these comments, luring Sangare to West Ham would be somewhat of a coup for Moyes and with Soucek’s performances dipping this season, the Scot should be focusing all his attention on bringing the PSV sensation to London in January.

Leeds United remain interested in a deal to bring Noa Lang to Elland Road in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Voetbal Belgie, who claim that, despite the continued interest of the Whites and West Ham United, the Club Brugge KV winger would prefer a move to Italy this winter, with AC Milan and Atalanta BC believed to be keen on a move for the 23-year-old.

This is not the first time Victor Orta has been reported to be interested in a move for the Netherlands international, with Leeds having been linked with the €25m (£22m) valued forward ever since their return to the Premier League back in 2020.

De Ketelaere repeat

With Orta having already missed out on another of his Club Brugge transfer targets, Charles De Ketelaere, to AC Milan in the summer transfer window, the news that Lang now also favours a move to Italy ahead of one to Leeds in January undoubtedly represents something of a nightmare for the Whites’ director of football.

However, considering just how underwhelming Lang has been for Brugge this season, should Orta go on to miss out on the 23-year-old this winter, it could well be something of a blessing in disguise for the Spaniard.

Indeed, over his 11 Jupiler Pro League appearances – only three of which have come as starts – this season, the £16.2m-rated talent has been far from his free-flowing best, scoring just one goal, providing two assists and creating three big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 0.9 shots, making 0.9 key passes and completing 0.8 dribbles per game.

These returns have seen the £25k-per-week winger average a SofaScore match rating of 6.94, currently ranking him as Brugge’s 13th-best performer in the top flight of Belgian football.

The 23-year-old also failed to impress over his two appearances in the Champions League, failing to score, providing no assists and missing one big chance, with these metrics seeing the five-cap international average a SofaScore match rating of 6.75 – once again ranking him as his club’s 13th-best performer in the competition.

Furthermore, with Jesse Marsch currently possessing a wealth of young attacking talent in the form of Crysencio Summerville, Sonny Perkins, Joe Gelhart and Mateo Joseph, the signing of Lang would likely stunt the growth of a number of the Whites’ most exciting youth prospects.

As such, missing out on the winger in January would not appear to be a bad thing for the Premier League side whatsoever, as not only would Lang fail to represent a noticeable upgrade on the Whites’ current attacking options, but his signing would also cause a blockage in the pathway from U21s to first-team football at Elland Road.

Although Carlos Corberan has secured his first win as West Bromwich Albion manager, he still has plenty to do before he can rest on his laurels.

His side still sits in the relegation zone, three points adrift and desperately trying to make up for the damage done by Steve Bruce.

Despite reverting to a back four for their win over Blackpool, it is common knowledge that the new manager prefers a 3-4-3 system with bombing full-backs.

Whilst he was Huddersfield Town manager, he benefitted from the offensive exploits of Harry Toffolo, who the previous boss Danny Cowley labelled “a really good kid” who was “hard-working”.

The left-wing back would then go on to score six goals and assist a further seven across their playoff-pushing campaign.

Whilst it may be a step too early to bring in youth players just yet, once they have secured a more confident degree of safety the Spaniard must surely promote Ethan Ingram into his senior side.

He has shown glimpses at youth level that suggest he could be a direct replacement for Toffolo at the Hawthorns, just on the opposite flank.

Already boasting one goal and two assists in seven Premier League 2 appearances this season, the 19-year-old has unsurprisingly often been deployed as a winger.

This experience will only mould him further into the perfect wing-back for Corberan.

Having already played once for the senior team this season too, in the EFL Cup, he is clearly well thought of amongst the club’s hierarchy.

Even last season, the bombarding defender recorded six assists at an even younger age.

He has been scoring and assisting goals throughout the whole of his short career, with his exploits surely to soon catch the eye of Corberan.

It was said at the back end of last season that Ingram wanted to “push for the first team”, and if this form is to continue then there is no reason why he cannot force his way into contention.

He aligns perfectly with the new manager’s ideals, and with Toffolo standing as proof that goalscoring defenders are his speciality, Ingram can start to feel excited about the new era at the Hawthorns.

Imminent Crystal Palace arrival Cheick Doucoure has got ‘a bit of everything’, Sky Sports journalist Michael Bridge has told GiveMeSport.

The lowdown

The Lens midfielder is poised to become the Eagles’ third signing after the summer, following goalkeeper Sam Johnstone and winger Malcolm Ebiowei through the door at Selhurst Park.

Journalist Charlie Parker-Turner tweeted on Friday evening that the 22-year-old is merely awaiting a work permit before finalising his move to south London.

The transfer, which will be worth £18m, should be announced next week.

The latest

Bridge has said that Palace could still move for another midfielder, but told the club’s supporters to be ‘very excited’ about the signing of a complete option in Doucoure.

He told GiveMeSport: “They’re replacing Cheickhou Kouyate and Conor Gallagher with one player. And that’s not to say they’re only going to just bring him in, they’ll probably want to bring in another midfielder.

“But I’m hearing this guy is a bit of everything, and he’s good at everything, and he’s a nightmare to play against. So, Palace fans should be very excited.”

The verdict

Do the statistics support Bridge’s claims? To a large degree, yes.

Doucoure ranks quite highly for a wide variety of midfield metrics. He is in the top 30% in all of the following categories among positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues (as per FBRef): assists, passes attempted, pass completion, progressive passes, progressive carries, tackles and interceptions.

He does indeed look like a ‘nightmare’ for the opposition. For instance, he left Nice and their manager Christophe Galtier ‘totally overwhelmed’, in the words of one journalist, by ‘destroying everyone who got in front of him’ in a Ligue 1 game in April.

Therefore, you’d imagine that many Palace fans are eagerly awaiting the announcement of Doucoure’s seemingly imminent signing.

Everton have been linked on many occasions to Armando Broja, and now a new update has emerged that should encourage the club to ramp up their interest in the player this summer.

What’s the latest?

According to GOAL, West Ham United are set to make a £30m bid for Armando Broja this summer.

As per the report, Everton are named as a club interested in the striker alongside Napoli and Atalanta, with the player in the search for regular first-team football, something he is not guaranteed at Chelsea following his return to Stamford Bridge after a season-long loan at Southampton.

Frank must act now

Following the news that West Ham are in hot pursuit and readying an official bid for Broja, Frank Lampard must act now to sign one of the players that has been reportedly been put on the top of the Everton manager’s wish list this summer.

The former Chelsea boss gave Broja his Premier League debut at Stamford Bridge ironically against Everton in a 4-0 victory back in 2020 and Lampard has always had high praise for the young forward hailing him “talented” in a press conference last season:

“He’s a very nice, very good lad and a very talented young boy.

“He’s fast, strong, has a real eye for goal and he’s a very, very good young player so I’m very aware of his strengths in a Southampton team playing very well.”

Last season Broja impressed on his season-long loan at Southampton scoring nine goals and contributing one assist in all competitions, and his effectiveness in the Premier League besides his goal contributions has been capturing the attention of clubs across Europe.

The 20-year-old gem has created two big chances, taking 1.4 shots, winning five duels and completing one successful dribble attempt on average per game, proving he offers more than just goals and assists to his team.

Everton are desperate to improve their squad this summer following a disappointing season in the Premier League, only avoiding relegation in the penultimate game of their campaign, which is a situation Lampard will not want to find himself in again next season.

With that being said, the Toffees boss clearly knows Broja well and will be able to deploy him effectively in the team if the club can complete the signing of the young player this summer.

AND in other news: Contact made: EFC in talks to sign “untouchable” £18m-rated gem, Frank will love him

Leeds United can sign midfielder Sander Berge from Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United for a fee of £35m this summer. 

The lowdown

Transfer insider Dean Jones wrote in a column for GiveMeSport last week that Leeds had identified Berge as a potential successor to Kalvin Phillips.

There is an increasing expectation that Phillips will leave Elland Road to join Manchester City, as per The Athletic’s Phil Hay.

Jones reported that the Blades valued Berge at around £25m, adding that Leeds do not see new signing Marc Roca as a sufficient replacement for Phillips alone.

The latest

Sheffield Star journalist James Shield has now shared some insight, having spoken to sources at Bramall Lane.

The Championship club are aware that ‘agents acting on the Norway international’s behalf’ are trying to arrange a move but they have yet to receive any formal approaches from Leeds, or any indeed any other prospective suitors.

Shield said that interested parties ‘could be forced’ to pay Berge’s full £35m release clause, but he suspects that the Blades are ‘unlikely to demand’ the full amount.

Intriguingly, he also raises the possibility that Leeds could offer Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom the chance to sign defender Charlie Cresswell on loan, addressing one of his transfer priorities.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-45/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The verdict

Berge may be looking for a way out of Bramall Lane after the Blades lost to Nottingham Forest in the playoff semi-finals, consigning them to another season of Championship football after their Premier League relegation in 2021.

Would he be a smart Phillips replacement? It’s interesting to note that he played most of his football last season as a central rather than a defensive midfielder.

He offers his own unique qualities, recording 10 goal contributions (six goals, four assists) last term and averaging 1.3 successful dribbles per 90 minutes (via WhoScored), although it’s worth noting that he’d be arriving in tandem with Roca, so wouldn’t necessarily need to be a like-for-like heir to Phillips.

Indeed, surrounded by midfielders who complement his skill set, he could thrive. Indeed, The Athletic’s Richard Sutcliffe previously described the combination of Berge, Morgan Gibbs-White and Iliman Ndiaye as a ‘Holy Trinity’ at Bramall Lane.

In other news, this Leeds podcaster reacts to Fabrizio Romano’s Raphinha update.

Leeds United have once again been name-checked with an interest in Wolves forward Adama Traore according to journalist Graeme Bailey.

The Lowdown: Barcelona loan

Traore, hailed as ‘unplayable’ by Jurgen Klopp, headed out on loan to Barcelona during the January window after scoring just once in 23 Wolves appearances in the first half of the season.

However, the 26-year-old continued to struggle despite a change of scenery, failing to score in 17 games at the Nou Camp.

As a result, the Spanish giants won’t be exercising their option to make a move permanent but it looks as if a move to Elland Road could be on the cards.

The Latest: Bailey’s claim

Bailey took to Twitter on Wednesday morning to provide an update on Traore. The journalist shared a link to a story for 90min, saying that Leeds, Newcastle and Tottenham all remain ‘interested’ in the right-winger’s services.

It is thought that Wolves are focusing on parting ways with Traore ‘for good’, with Victor Orta and Co already making contact over a potential transfer, while Newcastle have also enquired.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-updates-4/” title=”Latest Leeds United updates!” poster=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Unlikely?

This isn’t the first time Leeds have been linked with a move for Traore and may not be the last, with rumours dating back to 2020 during the club’s first season back in the Premier League.

Traore has scored just 26 senior goals in over 300 games, not exactly an eye-catching return. Leeds are already well-stocked when it comes to wide options with Raphinha still a Whites player.

Jesse Marsch has also shown signs of looking to implement a narrower formation by signing attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson, so a move for Traore could be unlikely.

In other news: After Kristensen: Radz & 49ers now ready to write Leeds cheque for ‘really exciting’ midfielder. 

Tottenham Hotspur, and by extension Fabio Paratici, could be ‘in the mix’ to sign a £51 million star for Antonio Conte this summer, hints Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge.

The Lowdown: Lilywhites officials spotted…

According to a report from 90min, Lilywhites officials were recently sent on a mission as they were tasked with running the rule over certain transfer targets.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-developments-2/” title=”Tottenham latest developments!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Spurs scouts were allegedly in attendance for both of Villarreal’s clashes with Liverpool in the Champions League semi-finals recently as the Premier League top four chasers eye both defender Pau Torres and winger Arnaut Danjuma.

The latter man has been in fine form under Unai Emery in Spain since joining from Bournemouth last summer as transfer chief Paratici is now linked with a potential swoop.

The Latest: Bridge drops Tottenham hint…

Speaking to GiveMeSport, reporter Bridge of Sky Sports now hints Spurs, and by extension Paratici, could be ‘in the mix’ for Danjuma if he becomes available – despite not hearing anything ‘concrete’ concerning them yet.

He explained:

“I do think he would be [an upgrade on Bergwijn]. He’s a real talent and another level to Bergwijn.

“But I don’t think there’s anything concrete on Tottenham, I’ve not heard anything, but would they be in the mix if he became available? Maybe.”

The Verdict: Hopefully…

Depending on developments, Spurs joining the race for Danjuma comes as an exciting proposition.

Villarreal have apparently slapped a €60 million (£51m) price tag on his head given the ex-Championship forward’s sensational form this season, a valuation which could arguably be worth it.

Branded ‘near enough unplayable’ earlier this season by pundit Owen Hargreaves, Danjuma has racked up the most goals and assists combined under Emery domestically whilst also attempting the most shots at goal per 90 (WhoScored).

His signing would be a major upgrade for Conte in the forward positions and supporters could be hoping their side do indeed enter the mix.

In other news: Conte green-lights Spurs move as he now gives ‘unbelievable signing’ absolute priority, find out more here.