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Everton are looking for ways to improve their squad this summer following a difficult relegation battle in the Premier League last season, and now a new potential transfer target has emerged.

What’s the latest?

According to 90min, Everton are one of the clubs interested in signing Georginio Wijnaldum.

In a report based on players who need to make a move this summer, the publication named the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder as one of the players who could be in contention for a new challenge.

Tottenham and Arsenal are also named as interested clubs alongside the Toffees.

Lampard’s very own Bernardo Silva

Frank Lampard will be hopeful that the powers at Goodison Park can bring in some talent to add quality to the Everton squad ahead of next season, and taking the opportunity to sign Wijnaldum could be a great start.

The Dutchman made the move to PSG last summer after contract negotiations failed with Liverpool, leaving on a free transfer at the end of the 2020/21 season, but it hasn’t gone according to plan in France.

Despite scoring three goals and bagging three assists, the midfielder has struggled to find consistency and a solid position in the starting XI thus far, so a move back to the Premier League could be the perfect chance for Wijnaldum to prove that he is capable of the quality he displayed whilst at Anfield.

The £180k-per-week gem who was hailed “sensational” by Jurgen Klopp has averaged 52 minutes per game over his 38 appearances in all competitions for PSG, but has proven that, despite the media criticism, he has the potential to still be a really effective player.

Wijnaldum created five big chances, with an impressive pass completion rate of 92% and won the majority of his ground and aerial duels combined during his 31 Ligue 1 appearances last season.

According to FBref, Bernardo Silva was one of the most comparable players to the PSG midfielder last term, so Lampard could have his very own Silva on his hands if he can bring out the best in Wijnaldum next season.

Despite Silva scoring more than his fellow midfielder, the 31-year-old has a far better pass completion rate (90.5%) and a better pressure success rate (31.0%) than the Man City star, proving that he is a solid midfielder that can be relied upon to look after the ball in the centre of the pitch.

With that being said, if Moshiri could land a deal to bring Wijnaldum back to Merseyside it would be a major coup in Everton’s pursuit to repair the mistakes of the past and move forward positively into next season.

AND in other news: EFC submit offer for “exceptional” £24k-p/w maestro, he can be Frank’s own de Bruyne

Aston Villa are reportedly monitoring Flamengo striker Gabriel Barbosa, having previously been linked with the Brazilian in January.

What’s the word?

According to 90min, the Midlands side are said to be ‘keeping tabs’ on Barbosa – better known as Gabigol – with his current side believed to be open to a departure, having been unwilling to do a deal in the winter window.

Reports at the time suggested that the 25-year-old – who endured a previous, difficult stint at Inter Milan – is keen on a return to European football, with Villa believed to be one of a number of clubs interested in securing his signature.

The 18-cap brute – who could command a fee of around £30m with over two years left to run on his existing deal – is also said to be of interest to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Gerrard’s own Nunez

A top-class centre-forward would appear to be on Steven Gerrard’s wishlist this summer, amid suggestions that former Southampton man Danny Ings could be moved on just a year after arriving at Villa Park in a £25m deal.

The 29-year-old found goals hard to come by in a frustrating debut campaign, netting just seven goals in 30 Premier League appearances, while striker partner Ollie Watkins was also far from prolific having scored 11 league goals.

With putting the ball in the back of the net seemingly an issue, sporting director Johan Lange appears to have identified Gabigol as the man to be the solution, the £23.4m-rated ace having scored a remarkable 101 goals in just 155 games for his current side, while also providing 28 assists.

The 5 foot 10 marksman also enjoyed two similarly devastating spells at fellow Brazilian side Santos, netting 43 goals in 125 appearances in total having started his career at the club, before later returning on a loan deal from Inter.

His switch to Italy in 2016 may have ultimately ended in disappointment – as he scored just once in ten games in total and spent much of his time out on loan – yet for the most part he has proven himself something of a “goalscoring machine”, as per scout Andre Noruega.

In a seismic summer which has seen Erling Haaland join Manchester City and Darwin Nunez arrive at Liverpool, Barbosa could be the next high profile, centre-forward addition to the Premier League, with both he and the latter man, in particular, marked as similar players, as per Football Transfers.

That may be a bold claim considering Nunez has already proven himself in European football – netting 34 goals for Benfica last term – yet he also had to make that transition from South America originally, having begun life with Uruguayan outfit, Penarol.

The hope for Gerrard and co will be that they should he get his man this summer, the striker can go on to adjust to life in a new league and on a new continent just as easily, with it perhaps time that he is afforded another chance to shine in Europe.

IN other news, AVFC face battle to land “aggressive” £60m machine, he’s one of the “best” in his role

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has already begun his work in the transfer window by making Matt Targett his first signing of the summer.

With deals agreed to bring Kilmarnock youngster Charlie McArthur and Reims striker Hugo Ekitike to St James’ Park as well, the Magpies boss seemingly isn’t finished there.

According to Brazilian news outlet Globo Esporte, Newcastle have reportedly reached out to the agent of Santos winger Angelo Gabriel as they look to enhance their squad further.

With the youngster having just signed a new contract until 2024, the Brazilian club won’t be looking to sell him right now; and with no formal offer made, it might be a while before any breakthrough in talks becomes apparent.

Having been described by his first coach Betinho as a player who “is like Neymar”, Newcastle may have found a new wonderkid.

He became the youngest-ever scorer in the Copa Libertadores in April 2021 and his rise to one of South America’s most wanted talents is similar to that of the PSG winger.

With Howe looking for more improvements to the first team, Gabriel could well be placed to take over from right-winger Jacob Murphy, with the Brazilian’s versatility being particularly impressive.

In only four matches this year, Gabriel already has two assists, with Murphy registering just two in 33 appearances last season. In terms of shots, the 17-year-old has taken 4.09 per match in the current campaign, while Murphy averaged 1.71 during the 2021/22 season.

Therefore, it’s clear to see the Santos teenager’s keen eye for goal, particularly compared to the Magpies forward.

Moving from Brazil to Europe before reaching adulthood is a big risk and the hype might be too premature, but given his statistics and success so far at Santos, it looks like Gabriel could be the next big thing and duly follow in Neymar’s footsteps.

The Paris Saint-Germain superstar, who also featured for the Brazilian club, has gone on to score more than 200 goals at a high level in Europe after moving across the Atlantic.

Howe will just be hoping it is Newcastle who manage to secure Gabriel’s signature.

AND in other news, Deal close: Keith Downie relays huge Newcastle transfer news that supporters will love

Leeds United are reportedly close to securing a transfer for Bayern Munich midfielder Marc Roca.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from Marca, the Yorkshire club are closing in on a deal, said to be worth between €13m and €15m (£11.1m – £12.8m), for the 25-year-old.

The report also adds that the player will be signing a three-to-four-year deal at Elland Road and is expected to have a predominant role in Jesse Marsch’s side.

Marsch will be buzzing

As a product of Espanyol’s youth system, the midfielder went on to make a total of 172 appearances for the Spanish club across their senior and youth sides in all competitions.

In those appearances, Roca found the net nine times and delivered six assists before joining the Bundesliga side back in October 2020.

Since then, the midfielder has only made 24 appearances for Julian Nagelsmann’s side and hasn’t scored one goal or delivered one assist.

This makes it easy to see why Bayern have reportedly been willing to sell him to Leeds as he clearly isn’t near the top of the pecking order in the squad.

In fact, the Spaniard only made 13 appearances for the German side across the Bundesliga and Champions League this season, starting just four of them.

That said, it would still be a fantastic signing for the Whites. Having already secured deals for the likes of Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen, Marsch will be over the moon to get another new player through the door so early in the transfer window.

Praised by Nagelsmann for his “impressive” performances when he has been given the chance to play, Roca could well relish the opportunity to not only play for a big club like Leeds in the Premier League but also to play regularly once again instead of being a bit-part player at Bayern.

This also shows that he could well be a good fit at Leeds and in the English top division if he’s able to deliver impressive performances at a club like Bayern.

With current Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips linked with a move away from Elland Road this summer, adding a player like the £6.3m-rated figure could be the best way forward for the Whites should they end up losing the England international.

In other news: Leeds receive green light to seal third summer signing for free, Orta will be buzzing

Leeds United have been handed a huge boost in their bid to bring Marc Roca to Elland Road in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a recent report by German publication BILD, who claimed that Bayern Munich are willing to part with the midfielder this summer, as long as they receive an offer in the region of €9m (£7.5m). That’s £2.5m lower than the Daily Mail had initially claimed the Bundesliga champions were demanding.

BILD went on to state that the former Spain under-21 international is said to be open to a move away from the Allianz Arena in the coming weeks, as he would like to join a team who can offer him regular first-team minutes next season.

“Ridiculously talented”

While it is true that Roca’s career has somewhat stagnated since his €15m (£13m) move from Espanyol in October 2020, it is undeniable that, under the management of a coach who knows how to best utilise his skillset, the 25-year-old could become an incredibly dangerous weapon in the heart of the pitch.

He made just 13 appearances in the Bundesliga and Champions League in 2021/22, but according to FBRef data, the £6.3m-rated talent still ranks in the top 8% of midfielders in Europe’s big five leagues for passes attempted per 90, as well as the top 13% for pass completion, the top 13% for progressive passes and the top 30% for progressive carries over the past 12 months.

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The £31k-per-week midfielder also ranks in the top 7% for pressures per 90, the top 21% for interceptions, the top 34% for blocks and the top 43% for tackles over the last 365 days.

As such, it is easy to see why ESPN’s David Cartlidge recently stated his belief that Roca was “on the verge of something very special” prior to his move to Bayern, while it is also evident as to why the journalist believes the 25-year-old is a “ridiculously talented player.”

It very much appears as if Orta has now been given the green light to move for the Spaniard this summer, so if the sporting director can get a £7.5m deal over the line for Roca, he would not only have landed a potential bargain but also added an extremely gifted footballer to Jesse Marsch’s midfield ranks ahead of Leeds’ upcoming Premier League campaign.

AND in other news: Huge Leeds United transfer twist now emerges in £17m deal, Jesse Marsch will be fuming

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Tottenham Hotspur now have a ‘deal agreed’ to sign Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster ‘in the coming days’.

The Lowdown: Forster’s Saints departure

The 34-year-old veteran first arrived at the St. Mary’s Stadium in a £10m move from Glasgow giants Celtic back in 2014, where he has since gone on to make 161 appearances during his eight-year spell with the south coast outfit.

The shot-stopper’s contract with the Saints, however, is set to expire at the end of June, making him a free agent to any potential suitors interested in securing his services.

With it recently being confirmed by the Lilywhites that current second-choice keeper Pierluigi Gollini will be leaving the Premier League following the conclusion of his loan spell, it’s no secret that Antonio Conte’s side will need a suitable replacement.

The Italian has already dipped into the free agent market to sign Ivan Perisic, and Romano brings more good news…

The Latest: ‘Deal agreed’

In a post on his personal Twitter account, Romano confirmed that the deal is now ‘completed’, with an announcement from the club expected imminently. He wrote:

“Contract until June 2024 for Fraser Forster as new Tottenham goalkeeper. Two year deal agreed with Spurs to replace Gollini, Forster will be announced as second signing after Perisic in the coming days.

“Paperworks already completed, waiting for official statement.”

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The Verdict: Perfect second signing

With the six-cap international soon set to be unveiled as a new Spurs player, he could prove to be the ideal backup option for number one Hugo Lloris and will no doubt provide some strong cover for the Frenchman in Conte’s match-day squad.

The Hexham-born talent, who was once hailed an “exceptional” player by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, has got plenty of experience under his belt, not only in the top flight with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Southampton, but also in the Scottish Premiership with the Hoops, having kept a total of 199 clean sheets throughout the duration of his career.

Standing at a staggering 6 foot 5 between the sticks, Forster’s most memorable day of 2021/22 was actually ‘one of the best goalkeeping performances in the league this season’ against Arsenal, giving a ‘ridiculous’ display in a 1-0 Saints win that helped put Tottenham back in the top four race (Josh Bunting).

In other news… a reliable journalist has shared a fresh update on the future of one of Spurs’ summer transfer targets.

On the 3rd July 2007, Liverpool broke their transfer record at the time to sign a young forward with the world at his feet.

That player was El Nino, better known to an English audience as Fernando Torres.

The Spaniard was a sensational player in his prime and was signed from Atletico Madrid as one of the hottest properties in European football.

A deal of just £26.5m was agreed and the rest, as they say, was history.

Torres would go on to score 81 times in 142 outings for the Reds before joining Chelsea in a remarkable deal.

Why, I hear you ask, is this relevant in the modern-day? Well, it’s because Liverpool are now chasing another of Europe’s hottest properties.

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A record-breaking deal may not be on the cards but with FSG and Jurgen Klopp reportedly keen on signing Benfica’s Darwin Nunez, a potential £68m deal this summer would evoke memories of Torres.

He was just 23 when he joined and in 23 days time, Nunez will turn that age himself.

The parallels are already clear for a player dubbed a “monster” and a “sensational talent” by FOX reporter James Dodd.

Nunez is a young individual who like Torres, has the world at his feet. He is capable of terrorizing defenders and is already one of Virgil van Dijk’s worst nightmares.

Speaking about the Uruguayan after facing him this season, the Dutchman said: “[Sergio] Aguero was obviously unbelievable. [Lionel] Messi, arguably the best player in the history of football in my opinion. [Kylian] Mbappe is different, quick… [Erling] Haaland and also Darwin. He’s a bit similar – very direct, quick, tall, strong and it’s quite difficult to play against him.”

If you trouble van Dijk then you’re clearly good enough to be in Klopp’s side.

With Sadio Mane reportedly leaving it feels essential that Liverpool invest in some new offensive weapons and in Nunez, they’d find the perfect replacement.

This season was a real breakthrough one for the young South American talent who was a ruthless threat in front of goal. He found the net on 34 occasions in 41 matches for Benfica, proving that like the aforementioned Torres, he is deadly inside the penalty area.

The former Liverpool star had the luscious blonde locks to go with it and even if Nunez is of different hair colour, the long locks are there to go with his goals too.

Signing a player from Portugal has gone well in the last six months already with Klopp welcoming Luis Diaz to Merseyside back in January.

If Nunez is anything like that then he’ll be an enormous success. This could just be Torres 2.0 all over again for Liverpool.

AND in other news, LFC set for disaster as “sensational” star close to £25.5m exit, Klopp will be gutted…

Derby County goalkeeper Ryan Allsop has attracted interest from Cardiff City, according to a report from Football Insider. 

The lowdown: Allsop’s career so far

Signed from Wycombe Wanderers as a free agent in 2021, the ‘keeper has become somewhat of a journeyman across English football.

The 29-year-old started out at West Brom before spells with Blackpool, Bournemouth, Coventry and Lincoln City among others before eventually pitching up at Pride Park.

It now appears that yet another club could be added to the list in the near future, as his contract comes to an end at Derby…

The latest: Cardiff want to sign Allsop

As per a Cardiff source for Football Insider, the Bluebirds are ‘in talks’ to sign the experienced stopper.

It is claimed that ‘negotiations are underway’ over a deal which would take the Birmingham native to south Wales at the end of his current deal.

The report added that Cardiff are ‘well placed’ to reach an agreement for Allsop, who was described by journalist Jake Barker as being a ‘massive breath of fresh air’ in Wayne Rooney’s side earlier this season prior to relegation from the second tier.

The verdict: Another blow for Derby

Whilst such departures from Pride Park are inevitable following the drop into League One and the ongoing off-field issues surrounding the takeover, there is no doubt that losing Allsop is a damaging blow.

This season, the Englishman kept nine clean sheets in 33 appearances overall, earning a 6.92 Sofascore rating and making 2.7 saves per game in a valiant attempt to stave off relegation.

As things stand, Allsop’s departure would leave Kelle Roos as the last remaining senior goalkeeper at the club, albeit that there are likely to be additions over the coming weeks and months as the new-look squad take shape. That is another reason why it’s imperative that Chris Kirchner’s mooted takeover is brought to a swift conclusion.

In other news… a journalist has delivered this huge update on the potential sale of Pride Park

Newcastle United have bigger transfer priorities than Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson, claims journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Henderson links

According to a recent report by Manchester Evening News, the Magpies have held talks with the 25-year-old over a potential loan deal.

Manchester Evening News have also previously reported that a £40m offer had been in the pipeline, although a temporary move is looking more likely.

The Man United man has not made a single appearance in the Premier League this season, pointing to a potential summer exit as he searches for playing time to earn his place in the World Cup squad.

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The Latest: O’Rourke’s claim

O’Rourke does not believe that Howe would splash a majority of his budget on Henderson, as Newcastle are likely to target other positions first.

Speaking with GiveMeSport, he claimed:

“I don’t think they necessarily need to spend 40 million on a goalkeeper, although Dean Henderson is a very good goalkeeper, as he has shown at Manchester United when he has played.

“I think it might take a large chunk out of their budget, so elsewhere, Eddie Howe might be looking to strengthen the squad, with maybe a new striker and a centre-half probably more of a priority than a goalkeeper.”

The Verdict: Loan deal necessary

If the Magpies are keen on Henderson specifically, a loan deal would suit all parties involved. With the keeper rarely featuring under Ralf Rangnick this season, it would be in his best interests to move away in search of first-team football.

A loan deal would thus work for Newcastle, as they will be looking to spend the vast majority of their summer budget on a top quality centre-back and an out-and-out striker.

However, if the Red Devils are against a short-term loan deal, Newcastle could also look to offer a loan with an obligation to buy, thus pushing the payments until the following season.

Either way, a move to the North-East would benefit Henderson and the Magpies greatly.

In other news: Newcastle United: Italian source makes Thomas Strakosha claim

Tanguy Ndombele is set to return to Tottenham Hotspur at the end of the current campaign.

What’s the word?

That’s according to a report by Football Insider, who claim that a Spurs source has revealed that, despite Lyon possessing a £50m option to buy the loanee central midfielder in the summer transfer window, the Ligue 1 side have no intention of activating this clause – meaning the 25-year-old will return to north London at the end of the season.

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However, the report goes on to state that the France international does not feature in Antonio Conte’s first-team plans, before suggesting that Ndombele will be forced to train alone while Fabio Paratici attempts to secure the midfielder a permanent move away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Paratici must axe Ndombele

Considering just how poor Ndombele has been ever since his record-breaking £63m move to north London back in the summer of 2019, it would indeed appear an extremely wise move for Paratici to do everything in his power to move the midfielder onto pastures new at the end of the current campaign.

Despite showing brief flashes of ability over his 33 Premier League appearances last season – scoring three goals, registering two assists and creating five big chances for his teammates, returns that saw the 25-year-old average a SofaScore match rating of 6.90 – it quickly became clear that, following Conte’s appointment in the Spurs dugout last November, the Frenchman’s time in north London was all but over.

Indeed, the £31.5m-rated man featured in just nine league games this term – only three of which came under the Italian – during which the midfielder failed to impress, scoring one goal, providing one assist and creating one big chance for his teammates, as well as making an average of a mere 0.1 interceptions, 1.1 tackles, 25.6 passes and winning 3.6 duels per fixture.

These returns saw the £120k-per-week flop who John Wenham dubbed “laughable” and Scott Saunders labelled “anonymous” average an extremely disappointing SofaScore match rating of 6.58, ranking him as Spurs’ second-worst performer in the top flight of English football.

As such, it is easy to see that Ndombele’s departure this summer would be a move that best suits all parties, with it being made clear in no uncertain terms that the Frenchman has no future under Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur regime.

AND in other news: Signed for £22m, now worth £72m: Levy hit the jackpot on “underrated” Spurs sensation