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West Ham United are believed to be closing on the permanent signing of Alphonse Areola, following the goalkeeper’s successful loan stint at the club.

What’s the word?

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Hammers are edging ever closer towards extending the Frenchman’s stay at the London Stadium, with the Premier League side set to activate the buy option included in his temporary switch from Paris Saint-Germain.

Writing on Twitter about the 29-year-old’s situation, the respected insider revealed that a deal is in the works: “West Ham are prepared to pay €9m fee for Alphonse Areola. Buy option clause is expected to be triggered as West Ham are planning with Areola as goalkeeper.  New direct contact with his agents will take place this week.”

There had been suggestions that the World Cup winner – who made the move to east London on loan last summer – could prove too expensive to re-sign due to his wage demands, although it appears an agreement may well be able to reach.

Supporters will love it

It may seem bizarre that supporters would get excited over the signing of a player that made just one league appearance during the 2021/22 campaign, although it is hard to argue with his undeniable quality in between the sticks – something he more than proved in the club’s run to the Europa League semi-finals.

The one-time Fulham loanee featured in 11 of the Irons’ 12 games in the competition – only missing the group stage opener against Dinamo Zagreb – playing a crucial role in helping to continue the remarkable European adventure under David Moyes.

He conceded just eight goals in that continental voyage – a rate of just 0.7 goals per game – keeping five clean sheets and averaging an impressive 2.8 saves per 90, with only six members of the West Ham squad having enjoyed a better average match rating than his 7.08.

Such form had seemingly warranted increased involvement domestically, although that chance will likely – and deservedly – come should his permanent deal be confirmed, particularly with current number one Lukasz Fabianski having only recently turned 37, heightening the need for a longer-term replacement.

Pundit Alan Hutton has suggested that the three-cap international can battle his veteran teammate for a starting berth next term, with supporters inclined to agree, particularly if the experienced Pole endures a tricky run of form in the early stages of the campaign, or suffers injury.

Even if the former Arsenal man retains his place as the first-choice stopper, it is vital to have an able understudy such as Areola in reserve, while the 6 foot 5 colossus is also likely to enjoy another extended run out in next season’s Europa Conference League.

Whether supporters think he should start or be a strong back up, it will simply be good news all around if the deal can be struck.

IN other news, “Another target…”: Ex drops big WHU summer transfer claim that supporters will love

The Telegraph have now shared a fresh update for Manchester City supporters on their hunt to sign Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips.

The Lowdown: Sky Blue summer overhaul?

The Premier League champions, after retaining their top flight crown in the most dramatic way possible with three goals in five minutes on the final day, have now set their sights on the transfer window.

A real summer of change could be on the horizon with Raheem Sterling, Ilkay Gundogan, Gabriel Jesus and Riyad Mahrez all heading into the final year of their Eastlands contracts (The Times).

The Sky Blues will have to extend their deals or contemplate selling over the next two months with the likes of Nathan Ake and Oleksandr Zinchenko also tipped to potentially leave.

Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak also recently confirmed in his annual end-of-season interview that there will be more signings after Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez.

The Latest: City make Phillips top target

According to The Telegraph, sharing an update, City and by extension manager Pep Guardiola have earmarked England international star Phillips as a ‘first choice’ to bolster their midfield.

This comes as club legend Fernandinho is set to depart Eastlands as sporting director Txiki Begiristain and co set their sights on a ‘priority’ in finding the Brazilian’s replacement.

The Verdict: Make the move?

The marquee Leeds star, reportedly valued at around £60 million, could be a shrewd acquisition for Guardiola and great candidate to rotate with star man Rodri.

Phillips is a key player for Leeds when fit and available, as evident by the fact he averages the joint-second most tackles per 90 in their squad (WhoScored).

Members of the media have reserved real praise for the 26-year-old with pundit Paddy Kenny even believing he could become a ‘key player’ at City (Football Insider).

Ex-Scotland boss Alex McLeish has also raved over the ‘special player’ and has tipped Phillips to become a ‘sensation’ in the top flight (Football Insider).

His numbers and plaudits certainly point towards a player who could provide a real injection of quality in front of City’s back four next season.

In other news: Man City could now join race for £68m ‘monster’, club already preparing for his exit…find out more here.

Leeds United look set to secure the services of RB Salzburg right-back Rasmus Kristensen, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: Kristensen profiled

Kristensen, described as a ‘goal threat’ by Salzburg boss Matthias Jaissle, was signed for the Austrian side by Jesse Marsch back in 2019.

A right-back who can also play as a right-midfielder, the Denmark international has scored 22 senior goals during his career – 13 of which have come for Salzburg.

He has been linked to follow in Brenden Aaronson’s footsteps by swapping Salzburg for Elland Road, and a move is now gathering real pace ahead of a second major signing of the summer.

The Latest: Finally…

Romano revealed this week that a deal was ‘close’ and then provided a further update regarding Leeds and Kristensen on Friday morning.

The transfer expert says that a full agreement between Salzburg and the Whites is now ‘set to be reached’.

Kristensen is ‘expected to join Leeds in the coming days’. A medical for the full-back looks set to take place after international duty with Marsch on course to get his man.

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The Verdict: Good news

Romano previously mooted a €10m (£8.5m) figure, which could prove to be a bargain for Victor Orta, especially due to the player’s £13.5m Transfermarkt valuation and Borussia Dortmund also being keen on Kristensen’s services.

The pull of working under Marsch once again appears to have been key in Kristensen’s decision, and hopefully, he’ll continue to shine under the Leeds head coach at Elland Road.

Kristensen contributed to 15 goals in 64 games under Marsch, winning back-to-back league and cup doubles in Austria, and with Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas injured, the right-back will more than likely be thrown straight into a first-choice XI ahead of Marsch’s first full season in charge.

In other news: ‘It’s in motion…’ – Reporter drops worrying Leeds news he’s heard ‘on Phillips’. 

Sharing some Tottenham Hotspur transfer news, journalist Dean Jones has lifted the lid on a Clement Lenglet belief from inside the club.

The Lowdown: Conte eyes new centre-back…

Spurs head coach Antonio Conte has already been backed with the double-signing of Ivan Perisic and Fraser Forster on Bosman deals ahead of what will be a very interesting 2022/2023 Premier League season.

Next on the agenda, it is believed that a left-sided central defender is high on Conte’s list of priorities and there is no shortage of names being linked with a north London move.

Josko Gvardiol, Pau Torres, Marc Guehi, Gleison Bremer, Stefan De Vrij and Lenglet have all been under consideration at Spurs with Jones now sharing an update on the latter man.

The Latest: Lilywhites insiders hold Lenglet optimism…

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According to Jones, writing for GiveMeSport, ‘some sources’ inside Spurs believe Barcelona’s ace will emerge as their ‘most attainable’ signing this summer.

It is added that the La Liga giants no longer want Lenglet with the Lilywhites, and by extension transfer chief Fabio Paratici, exploring a loan deal.

However, it is also believed the Frenchman’s wages could be an obstacle.

The Verdict: Make the move?

His salary, as per The Times, is reported to be around the £170,000-per-week mark – potentially too lofty a figure to bring Lenglet in for Conte.

The window has just opened and Spurs have months to weigh who exactly is their best option at centre-half.

Even though Spurs and transfer chief Paratici want business done early, transfers must still be considered with caution and a measured approach, and we’re not so sure paying the big wages in a temporary deal for Lenglet would be worth it.

In other news: Conte offered Tottenham chance to sign ‘perfect’ £55m star! Find out more here.

Newcastle United have been linked with a summer swoop for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness), the Magpies have joined the likes of Barcelona and fellow Premier League side Chelsea in the race to sign the centre-back this summer.

The player has a release clause of €90m (£76.7m) but Seville may well settle for a fee of around €70m (£60m).

As a product of Bordeaux’s youth system, the defender made 70 senior appearances for the French club before he then made the move to Spain in the 2019 summer transfer window.

The next Dan Burn

Having joined Sevilla in a deal worth €25m (£21.3m), the 23-year-old has gone on to make 133 appearances for the La Liga club across all competitions, chipping in with nine goals and three assists in the process.

This season saw the centre-back make 32 league appearances for his current club in which he showed how much of a capable defender he is.

In those appearances, Kounde racked up more interceptions (55) than any other Sevilla player, as well as the second-highest number of clearances (114) in addition to the 41 blocks he made and the 22 tackles he won.

Labelled as a “sensational” player by journalist Marcus Bring, it highlights just how highly rated he is at his club, who won’t be letting him go on the cheap this summer.

Despite the difference in height, age and the amount of experience of playing in English football, the Sevilla defender could well be Newcastle’s next version of Dan Burn in terms of the impact he could have on the Toon after his arrival in the previous January transfer window.

After signing Burn from Brighton & Hove Albion at the end of January, the Tyneside club then went on to only lose five league games, having won just once before the winter window opened.

Even though he’s still fairly young, the France international has shown that he could be capable of becoming a solid Premier League defender almost instantly, giving the Toon the chance to replicate a similar sort of masterclass they pulled off back in the winter.

Having had the experience of playing against Premier League clubs such as Chelsea in the Champions League as well as West Ham United, Wolves and Manchester United in the Europa League, he will already have an idea of what it’s like to face some of England’s top sides.

In other news: NUFC make approach to sign £51.6m machine who’s “one of the best”, he’s Bruno 2.0

Glasgow Rangers are reportedly now fighting their Old Firm rivals to bring a Nigeria international to Ibrox this summer.

The Lowdown: Morelos’ future

The future of Alfredo Morelos is still very much up in the air, and as such Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team may look to bring in a new striker this summer.

They have reportedly already made an offer for Erik Botheim, but they could well move on to other targets if that deal does not progress.

The Latest: Odey transfer talks

As per All Nigeria Soccer, preliminary talks have already been held with Rangers’ sporting director Ross Wilson over a potential move for Stephen Odey, who would cost €4m (£3.4m) to sign from Danish club Randers.

However, the Light Blues’ Old Firm rivals Celtic have made their own approach for him, although no bids have been submitted as of yet.

The Verdict: Wait on Morelos

Rangers need to sort out Morelos’ situation first before going in for another striker.

The Colombia international only has a year remaining on his contract, so he is susceptible to leaving for free next year.

Once dubbed ‘exceptional’ by one of his former managers Fidelis Ilechukwu, Odey has come off the back of a good season with Randers, scoring 14 goals and supplying a further two assists in all competitions (Transfermarkt).

However, the 24-year-old may find it difficult to live up to expectations at Ibrox if Morelos departs in the near future, given the Colombian’s extraordinary return of 113 goals in 224 Gers appearances.

In other news, find out who is now expected to leave Rangers

An update has emerged on Newcastle United’s pursuit of Luka Sucic in the summer transfer window… 

What’s the talk?

Journalist Jacque Talbot has revealed that the Magpies have held talks over a deal to sign the young gem ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

The reporter has stated that the Toon head coach is in the market for a player in his position and the 19-year-old fits the bill.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “It’s gone a bit cold to be honest. I was told they had meetings with him and had him on the list. They wanted to bring him in. For Eddie Howe, one of the positions he wants to fill is a central midfielder who’s quite young, can come in quite cheap and be able to help build.”

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic 2.0

Dan Ashworth must now reignite the talks to land Sucic this summer as he can be Howe’s own version of Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

Football scout Jacek Kulig previously compared him to the Serie A machine, along with Napoli’s Fabian Ruiz, and said that he is a “joy to watch”, recently dubbing him a “precious” gem.

Milinkovic-Savic has proven himself at the top level with Lazio and is an exceptional midfielder. In the Italian top-flight last term, he managed 11 goals and 11 assists in 37 games after eight goals and nine assists in the previous campaign.

Newcastle can now unearth the new, according to Kulig, version of the Serbia international by landing the 19-year-old Croatian gem.

In the Austrian Bundesliga, Sucic produced eight goals and three assists in 19 starts for Salzburg as he showcased his ability to make things happen in the final third. He has shown, at that level, that he can break forward from midfield and be a difference-maker for his side.

These statistics show that the teenager has the scope to be a goalscoring midfielder in the Premier League, like Milinkovic-Savic is in Italy, if he is able to adapt to English football. The youngster has time on his side and can develop whilst playing and training alongside Bruno Guimaraes – helping him to fulfil his potential.

He can be a player the club look to improve over time so that he can grow alongside Newcastle as they aim to move further up the table.

Therefore, Ashworth must seal a deal for the gem who will reportedly cost €20m (£17m), to bolster Howe’s squad now and for many more years to come.

AND in other news, Newcastle “are interested” in “electric” £60m gem who’s “fun to watch”, he’s ASM 2.0…

Everton have been in talks with Tottenham Hotspur to agree on a deal for Harry Winks that could include a move for Richarlison, and now a new update has emerged on the progress.

What’s the latest?

According to Daily Star journalist Paul Brown, Everton have hit a “stumbling block” in negotiations to secure a deal for Winks.

Brown told GIVEMESPORT: “From Spurs’ point of view and it would make it a lot cheaper if they could try and package that all together, but as far as I understand, Everton want it kept totally separate and that might be a stumbling block at the moment.”

Lampard will be scrambling

There is no doubt that Frank Lampard will feel like he has been left scrambling with the negotiations looking like they are not progressing well, as Everton need to start improving their squad ahead of next season.

The Toffees were embroiled in a difficult relegation scrap until the penultimate game last season, and the former Chelsea boss will not be wanting to have a repeat of the disastrous campaign, so will be desperate to identify players who can add quality to the squad, without weakening the team further.

The exit of Richarlison has been widely speculated, with a number of clubs reportedly interested in the Brazilian winger and Everton would need to find a worthy replacement this summer to replace the player’s impressive attacking output in the team.

Richarlison was Everton’s top goal-scorer last season with 11 goals, scoring 53 goals and delivering 14 assists in 152 appearances for his team, with a goal contribution every 185 minutes, which has led to the player becoming a favourite among supporters since joining in 2018.

In terms of Winks, the Spurs midfielder is reportedly on Lampard’s transfer shortlist this summer as the manager looks to bolster his midfield following Fabian Delph’s exit from the club.

With that being said, Moshiri must work hard to deliver what is needed at Everton to ensure the side doesn’t fall into a similar outcome as last season or worse, and getting the deal over the line for Winks should now be a priority.

AND in other news: EFC submit offer for “exceptional” £228k-p/w maestro, he can be Frank’s own de Bruyne

Celtic defender Boli Bolingoli has been linked with a potential summer move away from Parkhead.

What’s the news?

According to journalist Courtney Friday (via Reading Chronicle), English Championship club Reading are “keeping tabs” on the Belgian and his situation in Glasgow.

He tweeted (slightly erroneously as the 27-year-old is still a Celtic player): “Told Royals have been keeping tabs on former Celtic defender/midfielder Boli Bolingoli – cousin of Chelsea/Inter Milan forward Romelu Lukaku.”

The Hoops signed Bolingoli from Rapid Vienna in July 2019 in a deal worth a reported £3m, but with just 31 appearances for the club and two loan spells away from Glasgow (at Istanbul Basaksehir and FK Ufa), to say that the defender’s time as a Celtic player has been disappointing would be an understatement.

The full-back kicked up a storm in 2020 when he broke government protocol during the pandemic, which led to him being charged by the SFA.

Last season saw the 27-year-old make just two appearances for Ange Postecoglou’s side across all competitions. He even spent time away from the club training on his own in Belgium, highlighting just how much of an outcast he has become at Parkhead.

Having seen the Bhoys recently strike a deal to bring in Alexandro Bernabei from Lanus, this would surely push the current Celtic defender even further down the pecking order.

This all suggests that his chances of playing regularly next season in the left-back position are rather slim.

Celtic fans will be buzzing

Now that it has emerged that Reading could look to sign the Hoops outcast this summer, this would surely be music to the ears of many Celtic fans, given how ineffective he’s been for the Premiership champions.

Also, bearing in mind how his current contract at Parkhead is set to expire next summer, this could be the ideal time for the club to sell him and reap some sort of transfer fee while they still can.

From the player’s point of view, if he can go to a club where he’d be playing regularly and have the chance to get his career back on track, this could be an outcome which would suit all parties.

Should Reading or any other club approach Celtic with interest in signing Bolingoli, it’s a sale that the Hoops should definitely look to complete.

AND in other news – “Almost impossible”: Big transfer update emerges that’ll have Celtic supporters gutted

Nottingham Forest have been closing in on a deal for Omar Richards over the last week, and now the move has been completed.

What’s the latest?

The Forest Twitter account had some extremely exciting news for supporters on Sunday morning, finally confirming the signing of Richards.

Fabrizio Romano then revealed the key details of the deal, tweeting:

“Omar Richards has just passed the medical tests as new Nottingham Forest player, today morning. Full agreement with Bayern for €10m fee. It’s done – here we go.

“Been told there’s also 15% sell on clause included in the agreeement between Forest and Bayern.”

Supporters will be delighted

There is no doubt that supporters will be delighted that the deal to sign Richards is done, as he will certainly add quality in the team when they make their return to the Premier League next month.

The 24-year-old left-back has been polishing his skills and talent with Bayern Munich, and despite limited game-time made a contribution in both the Bundesliga title win and the German giants Champions League run last season.

Over 12 league appearances, Richards made 1.6 tackles on average per game, totted up a 92% pass accuracy in his own half, as well as winning the majority of his ground and aerial duels combined (61%) and successfully completed the vast majority of his dribble attempts too (73%).

Journalist Jonathan Low labelled the defender a “great young prospect” when he signed a new deal with Reading back in 2017, but Richards later sealed a move that he claimed was a “dream come true” when he joined Bayern Munich last year.

Steve Cooper could now form a formidable wing-back partnership between the player and Neco Williams, who has also had a deal agreed to join Forest this summer, and it could be a great opportunity for the pair to get some much deserved first team football in the Premier League.

With that being said, the signing of Richards will be widely welcomed at Forest as his experience of working with the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Alphonso Davies over the last 12 months combined with winning trophies at Bayern Munich will be a great asset to the team.

AND in other news: Cooper can seal massive Garner upgrade with £30m Forest bid for “outstanding” talent