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Daily Star journalist Paul Brown has dropped a big claim on reported Aston Villa target Tomas Soucek.

The lowdown

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.

The latest

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.”

The verdict

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. 

The lowdown

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…

The latest

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’.

The verdict

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.

What’s the latest?

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.

He can replace Mane

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.

The Lowdown: Botheim profiled

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.

The Latest: Leeds links

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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The Verdict: Haaland to help?

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 Lowdown: Ekitike injured

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.

The Latest: Kenny reacts

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.”

The Verdict: Worrying

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 Lowdown: City eye move…

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.

The Latest: Man City to make imminent ‘approach’…

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.

The Verdict: Promising update…

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.

Liverpool have placed Watford forward Joao Pedro on a list of potential Sadio Mane replacements, according to a report from the Daily Mail. 

The lowdown: Mane’s future

Having initially remained coy over whether the UEFA Champions League final would be one last hoorah in a red shirt, Mane is now expected to seek pastures new in the summer.

As a result, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are battling to secure the 29-year-old’s signature, as Liverpool begin to prepare for life after the talismanic attacker.

Now, a fresh update has suggested that the backroom staff at Anfield have already drawn up a list of potential successors to the Senegalese star…

The latest: Pedro named

As per The Daily Mail, new sporting director Ward is hard at work resolving the Mane situation, and Brazilian forward Pedro – who is worth just £9million (Transfermarkt) and was labelled as ‘exciting’ by former boss Xisco Munoz – has ‘caught the eye’ on Merseyside.

It’s claimed that perennially linked Watford teammate Ismaila Sarr, Chelsea ace Christian Pulisic, Villarreal sensation Arnaut Danjuma and Bayern’s own Serge Gnabry are also of interest to the Reds.

The report also states that Jurgen Klopp will look to add ‘at least one more forward’ with Divock Origi heading for the exit door and Takumi Minamino’s future in doubt.

The verdict: One for the future

Still only 20 years old, Pedro is far from the finished article for the Premier League, as proven by a lowly four goals in 2021/22 as Watford were relegated back to the Championship at the first time of asking.

Despite the struggles to have a direct influence on proceedings, the young Brazilian earned a strong 6.84 Sofascore rating comprising of 1.7 shots, 0.7 key passes and 6.0 duels won on average per game.

Sharing stylistic similarities with Wolves powerhouse Raul Jimenez and Brentford target man Ivan Toney (Fbref), Pedro is a more archetypal centre-forward who would be best served acting as a direct replacement for Origi as opposed to Mane.

Holding that perceived market value of £9million, Ward would be wise to test the waters with a low offer as FSG attempt to remain shrewd spenders in the market, particularly in light of the Hertfordshire club’s relegation. Perhaps, then, there will be cash left lying over for a more marquee addition alongside the young Hornet.

In other news, James Pearce has dropped a key Liverpool transfer claim. Read more here.

Liverpool defender Nat Phillips is expected to be a target for multiple clubs in the summer transfer window, according to a report from the Liverpool Echo. 

The lowdown: Cult hero status

Stepping into the breach amidst an unprecedented injury crisis that left Jurgen Klopp without Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez, Phillips, alongside Rhys Williams, helped guide the Reds to a third-place Premier League finish in 2020/21.

Those exploits, plus a cameo in the San Siro that saw the no-nonsense centre-back flamboyantly deceive Zlatan Ibrahimovic, have meant the 25-year-old will forever be remembered as a cult hero amongst the Anfield faithful.

Having spent the second half of the 2021/22 campaign impressing whilst on loan at Bournemouth, a permanent exit could be on the cards this summer…

The latest: Multiple suitors

As per a report late in the middle of last night from The Liverpool Echo, Phillips is wanted by Bournemouth once again after the South Coast outfit secured promotion to the top flight.

It’s stated in the report that contains an interview with Phillips that there are ‘many sides interested’ in the 6 foot 2 towering central defender.

The report also claims that the Reds will demand a fee in the region of £15million for the man hailed as ‘unbelievable’ by former Liverpool man Jamie Redknapp after a goalscoring display against Burnley.

The verdict: Sense in a sale

Under contract on Merseyside until 2025 (Transfermarkt), there is certainly no apparent need for the club to sanction an urgent sale of the Englishman.

From a playing perspective, with Van Dijk, Matip and Gomez all up and running, as well as the superb debut campaign from Ibrahima Konate, the need for a fifth choice centre-back in Jurgen Klopp’s squad is almost at zero.

Therefore, fresh off the back of an earning an impressive 7.04 Sofascore rating for Bournemouth, during which time the Bolton-born ace won on average 4.8 aerial duels per game, new Sporting Director Julian Ward and FSG can be confident of obtaining close to the mooted asking price.

Boasting top-level Premier League and UEFA Champions League experience, the suitors should be falling over themselves to sign a player of Phillips’ calibre and it will now be up to Ward to follow in the footsteps of Michael Edwards and extract every possible penny out of a player sale to put into the coffers.

In other news: Liverpool want to sign ‘intelligent’ forward as Sadio Mane replacement, read more here

A big Rangers claim has emerged on Ibrox loanee Aaron Ramsey and his future under Giovanni van Bronckhorst heading into the summer transfer window… 

What’s the talk?

Transfer insider Pete O’Rourke has hinted that the midfielder will not be returning to Rangers for the 2022/23 campaign.

Speaking about the Ibrox loanee, he told GIVEMESPORT: “I’m sure Aaron Ramsey looked like he enjoyed his time at Rangers.

“But a deal would have to be subsidised because of his wages at Juventus if Rangers were to bring him back. As it stands right now, it looks like he might have played his last game for the club.”

Gio van Bronckhorst will be gutted

The Ibrox boss will be gutted by this claim as it suggests that Ramsey will not be in his squad next season due to financial constraints.

Whilst the midfielder’s time at the club will be marred by his penalty miss in the Europa League final, he showed glimpses of quality throughout the second half of the campaign.

In the Premiership, he averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.93 in seven appearances. He found the back of the net twice, including one against Celtic, and set up another as he created seven chances for his teammates.

The gem also registered one assist in three games in the SFA Cup as he helped the club to win the competition. His statistics, albeit limited, show that he has the quality to pop up with goal contributions from midfield, which is in line with what he has done throughout his career.

He produced 130 goals and assists combined during his time with Arsenal – playing 371 matches – and 12 in 70 games for Juventus. The 31-year-old has enjoyed a fantastic career and has proven that he can make a big impact in the final third.

Therefore, with a full pre-season under his belt and more time to adjust to playing with his teammates, Ramsey could have been a huge player for the Gers. The quality – as shown by his statistics – is there and that is why van Bronckhorst will be gutted that he will be unable to work with him again next season.

O’Rourke has not completely ruled out a deal, as the situation may change, but it appears unlikely at this moment in time that he will be pulling on a light blue shirt again.

Hopefully, he can get his career back on track elsewhere if he does not return to Rangers.

AND in other news, GvB can find Kemar Roofe 2.0 in Rangers swoop for “clinical” gem who “rarely misses”…