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Leeds United are reportedly ready to pay €40m (£34.4m) for Club Brugge star Charles De Ketelaere.

The Lowdown: De Ketelaere links

De Ketelaere, described as ‘complete’ by legendary Club Brugge midfielder Gert Verheyen, has been linked with a move to Elland Road in recent days.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed that Leeds are monitoring the 21-year-old as a possible replacement for Raphinha, who could leave for £65m.

The Belgium international is primarily an attacking midfielder who can also play as a centre-forward or on the wing, and it looks as if Andrea Radrizzani and the 49ers Enterprises are willing to spend big on his services.

The Latest: €40m fee?

According to a Calcio In Pillole reporter, who covers transfers for outlets in Italy and Spain, Leeds are ‘ready’ to pay Club Brugge €40m (£34.4m) for De Ketelaere.

A fee in that region would make the attacker the most expensive signing in Elland Road history, however, AC Milan were also name-checked with interest in the Twitter post.

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The Verdict: Big few weeks

The Whites have already secured three summer signings in Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen and Marc Roca. However, it appears as if the club will need to be busy once again, with Kalvin Phillips on the verge of joining Manchester City in a deal worth an initial £42m.

Raphinha could also depart, meaning Leeds may need to replace two of their best players ahead of Jesse Marsch’s first full season in charge in what would be crucial deals.

Their replacements will need to hit the ground running in Yorkshire, and it looks as if they could look to spend the money they receive for Phillips on De Ketelaere, who seems to be a firm target.

The Athletic journalist Greg O’Keeffe has dropped a big Everton transfer update that’ll leave Frank Lampard scrambling.

What’s the word?

The news comes surrounding defender Anthony Gordon, with O’Keeffe tweeting: “Frank Lampard might draw the line at the prospect of an Anthony Gordon exit – but Spurs aren’t the only club circling.”

This news will come at a time when Tottenham are looking to sign both Gordon and Richarlison in a joint £85m deal, but Lampard wants to keep the 21-year-old winger as he plans for the future.

Lampard aims to keep Gordon

Following a campaign that saw Everton narrowly avoid relegation from the Premier League, there were very few players who performed well during what can only be described as a disappointing season and one that the Goodison faithful won’t want to go through again.

Gordon averaged a decent WhoScored rating of 6.70, ranking him in ninth place in the Toffees squad but it is his extraordinary potential that will have Lampard worried that a bigger team will manage to prise him away from Merseyside this summer.

With Richarlison looking increasingly likely to leave the club, Dominic Calvert-Lewin struggling with injury problems last season, and Salamon Rondon looking like a more terrible signing every passing day, Gordon represents the future of Everton’s attack.

The 44-year-old is convinced that the youngster can be important to the team going forward, saying: “I’ve been really impressed. From afar he looks a very talented young player who clearly has a strong connection with the fans.”

This praise should convince Gordon that his future lies at Everton and first-team opportunities will be much easier to come by compared to joining Spurs.

Gordon scored four goals and notched two assists over 35 Premier League fixtures last season, and his stats compared to Everton’s main goalscoring threat, Richarlison were surprising.

The Englishman generated more shot-creating actions than his more illustrious teammate (2.88 to 2.21) while also boasting a higher percentage of shots on target (43.2% to 28.6%) and delivering over double the number of crosses into the opposition box to Richarlison (71 to 29).

The supporters won’t want Gordon to leave and these stats prove that he has the potential to be a key part of what will surely be a new-look Everton from next season, while his sale would undoubtedly leave Lampard scrambling to find a ready-made replacement in the summer transfer window.

AND in other news: Imagine him & DCL: Moshiri can form deadly Everton duo in bid for “world-class” talent

Aston Villa have seen numerous new faces arrive in the Midlands during the current summer window.

In addition to securing permanent moves for Philippe Coutinho and Robin Olsen, the Villans have also brought in Boubacar Camara and Diego Carlos.

However, it seems as though the Villans could be at risk of seeing one of their current players make a move away from this summer.

According to a recent report from Goal, AC Milan have been in talks with Douglas Luiz over a potential move to the San Siro.

Should the Villans end up waving goodbye to the Brazilian in the coming weeks, one figure that has already been linked with a move that could end up being an ideal potential replacement is PSV Eindhoven’s Ibrahim Sangare.

With 173 combined appearances for the Dutch side and his previous club Toulouse, the 24-year-old has scored seven goals and delivered 11 assists in the process.

Last season saw the midfielder play more minutes in the Eredivisie than any other player at his current side, showing just how important he is to them.

In his 29 league appearances, the 24-year-old, who is currently valued at £21.6m according to Transfermarkt, made more interceptions (72) and won more tackles (64) than any other PSV player.

To compare that with Luiz, in his 34 Premier League appearances, he racked up fewer interceptions (61) and won fewer tackles (43) than Sangare.

Meanwhile, only Cody Gakpo (2.9) and Noni Madueke (2.4) racked up a higher average for dribbles per game than Sangare, which shows just how tricky he can be on the ball as well as being a tough opponent when he’s trying to win the ball back.

His overall performances earned him an impressive season rating of 7.49 according to WhoScored, making him the second-highest rated player at the Dutch club.

By the same metric, this rating would have comfortably made him the highest-rated player in Villa’s squad for their previous Premier League campaign.

All of this backs up why he was labelled as an “extraordinary” player by analyst Aad de Mos and why he’d be a great fit at Villa if they end up selling Luiz this summer.

AND in other news: Reliable journo: AVFC move would be “attractive” for 6ft1 “rock”, Gerrard will love it

Tottenham Hotspur have a talented group of attackers currently at their disposal for Antonio Conte to play with next season in the Premier League.

The likes of Harry Kane, Richarlison, Heung-Min Son, Lucas Moura and Dejan Kulusevski make up the senior section of the team’s forward line, whilst youngster Dane Scarlett has also been exposed to first-team football.

Journalist Ryan Taylor recently confirmed that the club are now eyeing up a swoop to sign another striker ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

In a video on his YouTube channel, he said: “But I wrote in this morning’s [Tuesday] column that Tottenham are one of several clubs monitoring Red Bull Salzburg forward, Benjamin Sesko.”

“Now as I touched upon Tottenham, as I understand it, are one of several clubs that are continuing to monitor his progress. It’s not something that’s imminent at the moment. So I don’t expect Tottenham to make a move as such.

“He’s just one of the young strikers that they’re watching. And Fabio Paratici is understood to be a big fan of him. And Tottenham scouts are going to continue to assess him in the upcoming season.”

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It has been reported that Spurs could make a €20m (£17m) offer to tempt the Austrian outfit into parting ways with him this summer.

Big Scarlett upgrade

By snapping up the Slovenian, Fabio Paratici can land Conte a big upgrade on their current young number nine – Scarlett.

In 10 first-team appearances, the Englishman is yet to score for Tottenham and has registered one assist. After scoring a sensational 23 goals in 23 under-18 matches, he scored four goals in 14 under-21 outings and then struggled to make much of an impact in the senior squad.

These statistics suggest that the teenager has not been able to develop as quickly as he has moved up the ranks, struggling more and more to reach the high levels he set earlier in his career.

Of course, he still has plenty of time to put that right – at the age of 18 – and may find his feet with more game time, but Sesko’s record at senior level indicates that he is a step ahead.

GOAL editor Tom Maston previously dubbed him a “mini Haaland” and claimed that there is excitement about his potential in the game.

He has scored 10 goals and provided seven assists in 36 games for Salzburg, despite only recently turning 19, and scored 22 goals in 46 outings on loan at FC Liefering. The gem has also scored twice in 13 caps for his country, showing that he can perform domestically and internationally.

These statistics show that he has been able to handle the step up to senior level, unlike Scarlett so far, and that is why Spurs must sign him to improve their depth behind Kane.

AND in other news, Spurs could find Vertonghen 2.0 as Conte eyes deal for £50.5m “extraordinary talent”…

Everton have been linked with numerous players this summer but have only made one signing so far, although a reliable source has now made a big transfer claim on two potential targets for the Toffees.

What’s the latest?

News editor and former Everton communications director Alan Myers has been responding to supporters’ questions about the current transfer situation at Goodison Park.

He dropped a 10-word transfer claim on Twitter in response to a question about the rumours of a speculated move for Adama Traore this summer, saying: “Not sure about Traore, wouldn’t rule out MGW coming in”

Supporters will be buzzing

There is no doubt that Everton supporters will be buzzing that it looks likely that the club are still working on bringing in new additions, considering the disastrous season they had to endure last time around as the Toffees finished on their joint-lowest points tally ever.

Frank Lampard hasn’t had the easiest managerial career after being sacked from Chelsea, but one area in which he has excelled since swapping playing for management is the nurturing of young players.

It hasn’t been an easy ride for the Goodison Park faithful over the last few years, with a high turnover of managers; and despite their constant spending, they haven’t been able to build a team worthy of competing near the top, so the fans must be hoping that new additions this summer can make a genuinely positive impact.

Signing Morgan Gibbs-White could be the perfect opportunity for legendary Premier League midfielder Lampard to unlock the potential of the player, just like he did with Mason Mount, Armando Broja and Reece James at Chelsea, to name but a few of the talents that the 44-year-old had a hand in developing.

The 22-year-old Wolves gem scored 11 goals and delivered nine assists from his midfield role whilst on a season-long loan with Sheffield United last term, excelling in a position in which Lampard thrived during his playing days, so the Everton boss could really offer his experience and knowledge to the young talent to get the best out of him.

Farhad Moshiri must do his best to keep the Goodison Park faithful and the manager happy going into the new season and there is still plenty of work to be done to improve the team ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

AND in other news – “In talks..”: Sky Sports journalist drops big Everton transfer claim that’ll delight Lampard

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly entered discussions with AC Milan regarding a move for Japhet Tanganga, according to Calciomercato.

The lowdown: Stalling talent

Having burst onto the scene for Spurs under Jose Mourinho, the England youth international has endured a difficult time with injuries and has duly struggled to develop fully as a first-team operator.

The 23-year-old has still amassed 43 senior outings for the Lilywhites, adding to a successful youth spell which saw the powerful defender amass 78 appearances across the age group levels.

Amidst previously reported interest from Napoli, Everton and Southampton, one European superpower is seemingly moving closer to signing Tanganga.

The latest: Talks underway

As per Calciomercato, Tottenham and AC Milan ‘began to discuss’ a deal for the England under-21 starlet this week.

It’s claimed that the two clubs are in talks over a loan deal for Tanganga, with officials at the San Siro ‘evaluating’ the Spurs’ ace to strengthen their defensive department.

Under contract in north London until 2025 (Transfermarkt), the report makes no mention of any obligation to buy the youngster, who was hailed as ‘really special’ by Gary Neville for a 6.90 Sofascore-rated performance containing four successful duels, two clearances and one block against Manchester City at the start of last season.

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The verdict: Matches needed

Albeit badly hampered by injury, Tanganga made just 19 appearances across all competitions for Tottenham last season , completing 90 minutes on just 11 occasions.

That lack of game-time will only restrict the development of a prodigiously talented defender, who is equally adept as a right-back and a central defender whilst also being able to cover at left full-back.

Despite that versatility, it seems unlikely that Antonio Conte will regularly call upon the Londoner, with Spurs boasting defenders of the ilk of Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Ben Davies and Cristian Romero in situ, and the possibility of more incoming.

Therefore, spending time at an elite-level club such as the Serie A champions, in a league which is renowned for establishing top-quality defenders and with Champions League exposure on offer, would make plenty of sense for all parties at this stage.

Ben Jacobs has dropped an update on the future of Leeds United winger Jack Harrison.

What’s the latest?

In a recent post on Twitter, the CBS journalist revealed that, following reports of Newcastle United seeing an opening £18m offer for the 25-year-old rejected by Victor Orta, he has been informed that the Magpies will be returning with a second bid for the former England U21 international in the coming days.

However, Jacobs went on to suggest that, following Leeds’ sales of both Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha already this summer, the Whites can afford to play hardball in negotiations with Eddie Howe’s side regarding a deal for the forward – with Orta expected to demand at least £35m in order to part with Harrison.

In his tweet, the journalist said: “Told NUFC will go back to Leeds with an improved offer for Jack Harrison. Jesse Marsch really doesn’t want to lose him. LUFC can be tough negotiators now that Raphinha & Kalvin Phillips sold. Around £35m is the price tag to make Leeds even consider a sale & they may demand more.”

Supporters will be buzzing

While Jacobs’ claim that Newcastle are set to make an improved bid for Harrison in the near future will undoubtedly be a cause for concern amongst the Elland Road faithful, the journalist’s further suggestion that Jesse Marsch is desperate to keep the winger, in addition to his claim that Orta will demand £35m+ for the forward, is sure to have left supporters buzzing.

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Indeed, over his 36 Premier League fixtures in 2020/21, the £16.2m-rated talent highly impressed, scoring eight goals, registering eight assists and creating 10 big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.3 shots, making 1.6 key passes and completing 1.2 dribbles per game.

These returns saw the £60k-per-week winger average an eye-catching SofaScore match rating of 6.96, ranking him as the Whites’ ninth-best performer in their first campaign back in the top flight of English football.

And, while it is true that Harrison’s form did drop off over his 35 league outings last season – averaging a rather underwhelming SofaScore match rating of 6.67 – the 25-year-old still managed to score eight goals, provide one assist and create three big chances for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 1.2 shots, making 1.2 key passes and completing 1.5 dribbles per fixture.

As such, it is easy to see why Marsch is keen to keep the former Manchester City starlet in LS11 heading into the new Premier League campaign, however, it is also evident that £35m would be a very good fee for the club to bring in for a player of Harrison’s talents – leading us to believe that Jacobs’ latest update will delight everyone involved with the Whites.

AND in other news: Orta can now seal “real coup” as Leeds plot bid for £34m target, he’s better than CDK

Nottingham Forest are close to ‘completing a move’ for Wolves midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White this summer, according to journalist Ali Martin.

The Lowdown: Gibbs-White a summer target

The 22-year-old shone during a loan spell at Sheffield United last season, having been deemed surplus to requirements by Wolves manager Bruno Lage.

Forest have been linked with a move for Gibbs-White this summer, with the midfielder ironically missing a key penalty in the Championship playoff semi-final shootout against the Reds back in May.

It now looks as though the Wolves man could be off to the City Ground, following a key update from an unusual source.

The Latest: Move reportedly close

Taking to Twitter, Martin, a cricket correspondent for The Guardian, claimed that Gibbs-White is on the verge of heading to Forest imminently:

“For those who like their football rumours from a cricket correspondent, hearing Forest are v close to completing a deal for Morgan Gibbs-White.”

The reporter followed up by asserting it’s ‘just what I heard’, although Express and Star’s Liam Keen has claimed the rumours are wide of the mark, so it will be interesting to watch the developments on this one over the coming days.

The Verdict: Very exciting, if true

Gibbs-White is a player of immense potential, having been hailed as an ‘instrumental’ performer by Billy Sharp and a talent with the ‘world at his feet’ by David McGoldrick, so this is a very exciting update from a Forest perspective.

The youngster has great technical ability, as 12 goals and ten assists in the Championship last season prove, and he could add an injection of end product to Steve Cooper’s midfield, not to mention increasing squad depth.

At 22, Gibbs-White can grow into a top-class footballer in the right team and under the right manager – he and Forest could be a match made in heaven, getting the best out of his creative brilliance.

Newcastle United journalist Keith Downie has attempted to offer clarity on the club’s second bid for James Maddison amid ‘conflicting views’. 

The lowdown

The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards reported on Monday afternoon that Newcastle have made an ‘improved’ offer for Leicester City’s Maddison.

He claimed that the Magpies had tabled a fee ‘in excess of £45million’, albeit with payments ‘staggered’.

That would make the Englishman the most expensive player in the club’s history, eclipsing the £39.6million they paid for Joelinton in 2019.

The latest

Writing on his Twitter page, Sky Sports News reporter Downie said there appears to be ‘conflicting views/info’ circulating ‘on the James Maddison second bid’.

‘The info I have personally,’ he says, ‘is it’s more around the £40m mark with some add-ons.’

Right now, it seems that Newcastle are ‘unlikely to get the midfielder at that price’.

The only way it would potentially be enough is if ‘Leicester change tact & decide they need to sell’.

The verdict

How much will Leicester demand before they consider selling Maddison?

Well, according to Downie’s Sky Sports colleague Dharmesh Sheth, their ‘valuation [is] thought to be closer to £60million’.

That’s a pretty big gap between the two clubs, and Newcastle may be wary of splashing out that kind of sum as they carefully monitor their compliance with FFP rules.

An additional problem is that the Magpies are under pressure to act quickly.

CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs says that Leicester will only consider selling one of Maddison and centre-back Wesley Fofana, who’s wanted by Chelsea.

That means the two clubs are effectively locked in a transfer race, just for different targets.

West Ham United have made a move in their bid to bring Attila Szalai to the London Stadium this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to Omer Celikbasli, with the SPOR journalist revealing in a recent post on Twitter that Rob Newman has now tabled a €12m (£10m) bid for the Fenerbahce SK centre-back, an offer which the Super Lig side are stalling on before getting back to the Hammers with an answer.

In his post, the Turkish journalist said: “West Ham United made their offer for Attila Szalai and was put on hold.”

Ideal Diop replacement

With Issa Diop on course to join Fulham in a £15m deal, in addition to the fact that, at present, Nayef Aguerd, Angelo Ogbonna and Craig Dawson are all sidelined due to injury, it is not difficult to see why Moyes appears keen to add a new centre-back to his first team squad prior to September’s transfer deadline.

And, while Szalai may not exactly be a household name in England, the 24-year-old would undoubtedly be an ideal replacement for the outbound Diop ahead of the bulk of West Ham’s 2022/23 campaign.

Indeed, over his 31 Super Lig appearances for Fenerbahce last season, the £10.8m-rated talent demonstrated his solidity at the back, helping his side keep five clean sheets, as well as making an average of 1.1 tackles, 1.2 interceptions, 2.0 clearances and winning 2.7 duels per game.

For comparison, over Diop’s 13 Premier League fixtures in 2021/22, the £9m-rated Frenchman helped Moyes’ side keep just two clean sheets, as well as making an average of 0.8 tackles, 0.5 interceptions, 3.2 clearances and winning 2.4 duels per game.

The £14k-per-week defender who has been branded the “Hungarian Virgil van Dijk” also impressed going forwards last time out, scoring one goal, registering two assists and creating three big chances for his teammates.

These returns saw the left-footer – who can also operate on the left of a back three and at left-back – average a SofaScore match rating of 6.78, much bettering Diop’s 6.69 average rating for the Hammers last term.

As such, it is clear to see that Szalai would indeed be something of a perfect replacement for Diop in Moyes’ West Ham squad, especially considering the 24-year-old could cost significantly less than the £15m fee the Irons look set to bring in for the 25-year-old former French youth international.