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Leeds United are reportedly interested in making a move for Wolverhampton Wanderers forward, Adama Traore, as the club plots a replacement for former talisman, Raphinha.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jacques Talbot has suggested it could prove an “absolute bargain” were the Elland Road outfit to poach the Spaniard this summer, amid reports that he could cost as little as £10m.
Following suggestions that the Yorkshire side have made a move for the 25-year-old, Talbot stated: “Raphinha and Traore, they’re both right sided, so that would make sense. He’s a cheap player, he is Premier League proven and he can, on his day, be absolutely phenomenal.
“He can do a lot of things that a lot of players can’t, big in size, a smart player. I didn’t realise it was £10m. I think that’s an absolute bargain.”
As the transfer insider alluded to, the eight-cap gem – who has just a year remaining on his existing deal at Molineux – would seemingly be a direct replacement for the aforementioned Raphinha, with the 25-year-old having recently joined Barcelona in a £55m deal.
Managing to secure the signing of the pacy colossus for such a minimal fee would no doubt prove an astute piece of business for sporting director Victor Orta, with Traore a simply unique asset who can enhance any side.
There are perhaps understandable concerns over his attacking output, having scored just eight goals and provided 14 assists in 160 Premier League games thus far – including spells at both Middlesbrough and Aston Villa – although few players possess his innate knack for terrorising defenders.
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Lethal on the counter and devastating down either flank, the “sensational” brute – as he has been described by journalist Graeme Bailey – will offer a potent threat for manager Jesse Marsch, with opposition defenders rarely enjoying an easy ride against the £18m-rated ace.
That point is rubberstamped by his impressive statistical record of late, the £46k-per-week machine comparing favourably to his peers across Europe’s top five leagues, notably ranking in the top 1% for progressive carries and in the top 3% for dribbles completed, showcasing his brilliance with the ball at his feet.
Equally, during his recent six-month loan stint at Camp Nou – where he had previously risen through the youth ranks – the dynamic forward also put to bed some of those doubts regarding his end product, chipping in with four assists in all competitions for Xavi’s side.
While the La Liga outfit opted not to sign him permanently, having instead decided to pursue Raphinha, the door has been left open for Leeds to pounce, with it looking as if the 5-foot-10 speedster is set for pastures new this summer.
There may undoubtedly be moments of frustration for supporters when watching Traore, although managing to sign such an explosive talent for just £10m represents a deal that is simply too good to turn down.
AND in other news: Victor Orta plotting Leeds bid for “formidable” £19m sensation, he’s “one of the best”
Daily Star journalist Paul Brown has dropped a big claim on reported Aston Villa target Tomas Soucek.
Football Insider reported that there is tension between the Czech Republic midfielder and his manager David Moyes behind the scenes at West Ham after a falling-out.
Villa sporting director Johan Lange is considering midfield options, and journalist Ashley Preece has raised the possibility of a move for Soucek (Birmingham Mail, via FootballFanCast).
The £40.5m-rated midfielder has two years left to run on his £67k-per-week contract with the Irons, having joined permanently in July 2020.
Brown has said that Soucek may be on his way out of the London Stadium this summer after as-yet-unconfirmed claims of an argument with Moyes.
He told GiveMeSport regarding the West Ham midfielder’s situation: “There was talk a couple of weeks ago that he’d fallen out with the manager.
“That’s never been confirmed by anyone at West Ham, but it does seem like Soucek might leave this window.”
Soucek could be a good addition for Villa, who will no doubt be looking to reach West Ham’s level in qualifying consistently for European competition.
The 6 foot 4 midfielder is a dominant presence, winning more aerial duels (134) than any other central midfielder in last season’s Premier League.
Champions League-winning manager Thomas Tuchel has raved about the 27-year-old, calling him ‘incredible’ and saying that he can do ‘everything’ in the middle of the park.
Villa have already signed Boubacar Kamara for their midfield ahead of next season, so adding Soucek would furnish Gerrard with some quite enviable depth in that department.
Despite their impressive early summer transfer business, Aston Villa appear intent on adding further additions in the coming weeks, with one key area to address seemingly that of the centre-forward ranks.
Although previous links to Steven Gerrard’s former Liverpool team-mate Luis Suarez failed to bear fruit, the belief is that the Midlands club are still chasing a new striker this summer, along with a new left-sided defender and a midfielder.
One name who has been somewhat tentatively linked with a move to Villa Park of late is Lille striker Jonathan David, with Birmingham Mail journalist Ashley Preece suggesting that the Villans have been tracking the 22-year-old since his days at former club Gent, whom he left in 2020 to move to France.
The Athletic’s Gregg Evans has also noted the Premier League club’s longstanding interest in the Canada international, although he stated that while the Villans ‘would be interested’ in a player of his quality, there has not yet been any ‘serious push’ to sign him.
The £40.5m-rated gem has become a real player of interest following his explosive form in recent years in Ligue 1, having scored 32 goals and provided five assists in 96 games in all competitions for his current club, including 28 league goals across the last two seasons combined.
With 20 goals to his name already for his country in just 30 appearances, the £35k-per-week speedster – who has been dubbed “fearless” by his national team coach John Herdman – looks set be a player who will get even better in the coming years.
Described as an “emerging superstar” by journalist Musa Okwonga last year, the Brooklyn-born starlet would seemingly add a real sprinkling of star quality to Gerrard’s attacking unit, with goals having been in short supply last term.
Villa’s top scorer in all competitions was Ollie Watkins with just 11 goals – all of which came in the league – with fellow striker Danny Ings trailing behind with a fairly underwhelming tally of seven league goals, albeit while providing six assists.
The latter in particular appears to be facing an uncertain future at Villa Park despite having only signed on a £25m deal from Southampton last year, amid reports that NSWE could be open to selling him this summer.
According to pundit Gabby Agbonlahor, the partnership between Watkins and Ings is simply “not working”, with it likely to be the latter who will make way if the latest rumours are to be believed.
The £100k-per-week marksman has failed to recapture the stunning form that he showed at St Mary’s – where he scored 41 league goals in three seasons – while his chequered injury history may spark concerns as to whether he can ever be a reliable figure to lead the line.
Should Ings be moved on in the current transfer window, the younger and hungrier option of David would no doubt be an ideal replacement and upgrade. The thought of the devastation that he could cause in Villa’s front line would be frightening for Premier League defences.
AND in other news, Lange eyeing Villa move for £30m “goalscoring machine”, he’d be their own Darwin Nunez
Journalist Ben Jacobs has provided an update on Newcastle’s pursuit of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.
So far this summer, Eddie Howe has signed Matt Targett permanently and also added goalkeeper Nick Pope to his ranks.
The club have also finalised a deal to bring in Lille centre-back Sven Botman, so that end of the pitch may now be covered, and it seems the boss is intent on signing a youthful striker next.
Newcastle’s proposed deal for Reims striker Hugo Ekitike has now been declared ‘off’ after the club grew ‘frustrated’ at the demands of his agent, and it’s not the best news on Osimhen either…
CBS Sports reporter Jacobs says that ‘Newcastle have looked at’ Osimhen as an alternative to Ekitike.
However, that deal is thought to be ‘highly unlikely’ at this moment in time. That’s partly because, right now, the Nigerian is ‘happy at Napoli’.
Osimhen was excellent last season either side of a cheekbone fracture that kept him out for 54 days and 12 matches.
He scored 18 times and laid on six assists in his 32 appearances for Luciano Spaletti’s side. It was no surprise to see the 23-year-old earn the league’s Best Young Player award, and his potential has been clear ever since he won the Golden Boot at the Under-17 World Cup back in 2015.
While a move for Osimhen may not be realistic this summer, Newcastle’s admiration is clear. Who’s to say, then, that they won’t be knocking on Napoli’s door in 12 months’ time?
And significantly, they may be in much a better position at that stage. Currently, the Magpies would be asking Osimhen to forego European football, but they may be able to qualify this season if they can sustain their excellent form under Howe.
Liverpool have already made three signings this summer as well as losing one of their key players to Bayern Munich with Sadio Mane’s move confirmed, and now a new transfer update has emerged on a blast from the past.
According to FootballTransfers, Raheem Sterling wanted a move back to Anfield this summer.
As per the report, sources have told the publication that the Manchester City star cited Liverpool as his first choice club amid speculation of a move away from the Premier League champions ahead of next season.
The report goes on to claim that Sterling even went as far as inquiring about the possibility of reuniting with his former club and pushed for the move.
Although Sterling’s exit from the Merseyside giants was met with fury from supporters, he would be a dream replacement to add depth in the forward line to replace Mane next season.
The £200k-per-week dynamo who was hailed “world-class” by Frank Lampard, controversially left Liverpool back in 2015 to make the move to Manchester City and although it left a bitter taste in the Anfield faithful’s mouth, he has been massively successful just a few miles down the road at The Etihad.
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Sterling has scored 131 goals and contributed a whopping 95 assists in 339 appearances for Man City, with a goal contribution every 110 minutes over the last seven years, proving that he is incredibly consistent and a huge attacking threat that could be a real force under Jurgen Klopp.
The 27-year-old has also picked up a number of trophies since leaving Anfield winning four Premier League titles, five EFL cups and one FA Cup, as well as playing a massive part in the England team over the last 10 years.
Sterling has scored 19 goals and delivered 25 assists for England since he made his debut in 2012, and was arguably the most important player for his national side in their progress to their first major final in 55 years scoring the only goals in the group stage of Euro 2020.
With all considered, although it looks extremely unlikely that Sterling would make a return to Liverpool, he would be a great replacement for Mane if the club were to make the decision to bring in another attacking option this summer.
AND in other news: FSG plotting LFC move to sign “magical” £35m dynamo, he can be Klopp’s very own Foden
Leeds United are now chasing a move for free agent Erik Botheim, according to TEAMtalk.
Botheim is 22 years of age and is primarily a centre-forward but can also play on the wing. He has scored 31 goals and provided 15 assists at club level during his career so far and made the move to Russian side Krasnodar back in January.
However, the Norwegian never made an appearance for Krasnodar and terminated his deal with the club due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
TEAMtalk shared a transfer update regarding Botheim on Thursday afternoon.
They claimed that Leeds are one of the sides chasing the forward’s services on a free transfer alongside the likes of Burnley, Fulham, Middlesbrough, Rangers, Southampton, Stoke and Watford.
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Botheim is actually best friends with Erling Haaland, who we all know is a Leeds supporter. Therefore, the new Manchester City striker could help the Whites in their pursuit of Botheim by providing a positive outlook on an Elland Road move.
Victor Orta could do with bolstering Jesse Marsch’s attacking ranks, so Botheim may well be the perfect player to join Patrick Bamford and Joe Gelhardt as options due to his age, experience, versatility and availability.
In other news: £25m: Leeds now want ‘complete’ Phillips replacement; just waiting for Radz green light.
Former Premier League goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has been reacting to news on reported Newcastle United transfer target Hugo Ekitike.
The 19-year-old was unfortunately forced off after just five minutes of the France under-20s’ match against their Mexico counterparts on Thursday evening.
As per Sky Sports, the St James’ Park club have held positive talks with the striker’s representatives over a potential move to Tyneside this summer.
Speaking to Football Insider, Kenny has now given his reaction to the news, claiming that Ekitike’s latest injury will be ‘concerning’ for Newcastle.
The former top-flight goalkeeper said: “It’s not a good thing, this injury and he isn’t going to be their number one striker.
“Do you move on? He has a few injuries. If he was their number one target you would probably still do the deal.
“But he’s not, is he? He is going to be a player for the future. It depends on how much Newcastle want him to be honest.
“It has to be concerning though, that same injury popping up again. You have to take notice of that but if they really want him it won’t stop Newcastle.”
Of course Ekitike’s latest injury is worrying news, as it could potentially jeopardise any potential deal to bring him to the Magpies.
He suffered a similar injury last season which kept him out for 10 matches for Reims, and there may be fears at St James’ Park that the 19-year-old is now starting to become injury-prone.
Nonetheless, if he is their number one striker priority, Eddie Howe and co should be looking to sign him anyway, regardless of this latest setback.
Thought to be the ‘next Mbappe’ by some in France, the teenager certainly seems to have a bright future ahead of him; and having broken onto the scene with 11 goals and four assists in French football last term (Transfermarkt), Newcastle will want to get their hands on him before anyone else does.
In other news, find out what Luke Edwards has now been ‘told’ about this Newcastle transfer target
Reliable journalist James Ducker of The Telegraph has now shared a big Manchester City transfer update involving Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips.
The Premier League champions could be set for a major summer rebuild after retaining their domestic crown in the most dramatic fashion.
Three goals in five minutes against Aston Villa on the 2021/2022 final day sealed one of the most dramatic title-winning comebacks in English football history, fittingly 10 years after Sergio Aguero’s 93:20 heroics.
However, big changes could be on the horizon at Eastlands as club legend Fernandinho now ends a memorable nine-year stay with many others players tipped to leave.
Pep Guardiola could lose Raheem Sterling, Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez, Gabriel Jesus, Nathan Ake and Oleksandr Zinchenko (The Times) with Barcelona also eyeing a move for superstar midfielder Bernardo Silva.
As such, new additions may be needed after Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez, with Leeds favourite Phillips among the targets eyed to replace Fernandinho in midfield.
According to The Telegraph, City ‘do not intend to hang around’ and are expected to make an ‘official approach’ to Leeds ‘later this month’.
The Sky Blues plan to make imminent contact, specifically once ‘England internationals are out the way’, but the Whites apparently haven’t given up all hope of tying their big name down to fresh terms.
Phillips would come as both a quality and reasonably priced addition to rotate with Rodri in front of Guardiola’s back four.
As the Spaniard chases a ‘top, top’ player, as he was called by pundit Kevin Phillips, we believe the 26-year-old would be an astute signing for just £60 million, with his age and status as an England regular preserving that value for years to come.
According to WhoScored, Phillips averaged more tackles per 90 in the top flight than any City star over 21/22, seemingly backing why City believe he would be a robust option and are set to push forward.
In other news: Man City ‘offer’ to sign ‘unplayable’ star on the cards, Pep called him ‘incredible’! Find out more here.