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As Arsenal step up their interest in Brentford goalkeeper, David Raya, reports in Italy have suggested that the Gunners are now also plotting a move for Dinamo Zagreb defender, Josip Sutalo…

How much would Josip Sutalo cost?

According to Corriere dello Sport – via Sport Witness – the north Londoners are believed to have joined Serie A side, Fiorentina in the race for the Croatian centre-back, with the presence of Mikel Arteta's side seemingly set to prove something of a problem for the Italian outfit.

As per the report, the Florence-based side are said to have already seen a €15m (£13m) offer rejected by the 23-year-old's current side, with the selling party seemingly hoping to recoup close to €25m (£21m) if they are to cash in this summer.

Read the latest Arsenal transfer news HERE…

That figure is deemed to be 'frightening' for I Viola, although the expectation is that those at the Emirates would be far more able to match that asking price, if the Premier League giants are to step up their interest.

Who is Josip Sutalo?

That interest in the 6 foot 3 titan may come as something of a surprise considering that Arteta has already moved to bring Jurrien Timber to the club to help compete with the likes of Gabriel, William Saliba and Jakub Kiwior, although having been regarded as "one of the most underrated U-23 CBs in Europe" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, it is easy to see why Sutalo has caught the eye.

It does appear that following their unsuccessful title charge last season, the Gunners are particularly keen to bolster their strength in depth, amid reports that the club have agreed personal terms with the aforementioned Raya in order to provide competition for Aaron Ramsdale in the sticks.

With the Spain international having even been described as a "better keeper" than Ramsdale by talkSPORT's Gabby Agbonlahor, it may be that the current Bees could be the man in the sticks on a regular basis next term, with the promising Sutalo stationed ahead of him in one of those centre-back berths.

Much like Raya – who ranked first in the division last season for saves made – Sutalo is seemingly the type of player that will do all he can try and deny the opposition, as he notably ranks in the top 3% among his European peers for blocks made, as well as in the top 18% for tackles made.

That ball-winning prowess was particularly evident last season as the towering colossus averaged 2.9 tackles and interceptions from his 27 league appearances in his homeland, with that a better record than both Gabriel (2.1) and Saliba (two) for instance.

What is also striking about the Zagreb man is his ease at playing out from the back as he also ranks in the top 13% for successful take-ons as a marker of his ability to drive up the pitch, while he also recorded an average pass accuracy rate of 93% in 2022/23, again a greater record than both Gabriel (90%) and Saliba (91%).

That trait could ensure that Sutalo is able to comfortably link up with Raya in the defensive unit, with the latter man also a master in possession. As Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp stated back in 2021, the Barcelona-born 'keeper "could wear the number ten shirt" such is his brilliance on the ball, with the 27-year-old set to be able to pick out the Croatian defender with relative ease.

If not installed as starting options straight away, that pairing could swiftly cement themselves as key figures under Arteta for the upcoming campaign.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are in ongoing "negotiations" regarding a summer deal to bring Real Betis midfielder Guido Rodriguez to the Premier League, according to journalist Cesar Luis Merlo.

Who is Guido Rodriguez?

Rodriguez is naturally a defensive midfielder who has played his football at the Benito Villamarin Stadium for the past three years since joining from CF America back in January 2020, and during that time, he’s become a regular feature of Manuel Pellegrini’s side having started 33 out of 38 La Liga matches last season.

However, the 29-year-old’s contract is set to expire in less than a year meaning that there’s a strong chance he could be sold for a decent fee before the end of the current transfer window, and should he depart, he won’t be short of potential suitors waiting to snap him up.

The Argentina international firmly established himself as the Spanish outfit’s both defensive and overall top-performing player with a WhoScored match rating of 6.98 during the previous campaign, and it appears that his high standard of displays have caught the eye of Fosun and Julen Lopetegui at Molineux.

Are Wolves signing Guido Rodriguez?

Taking to Twitter, Merlo revealed that Wolves are currently in talks for Rodriguez, though at this stage, it doesn't sound as if a deal is anywhere close to completion between the two parties. He wrote:

"Wolves is interested in signing Guido Rodriguez, a Betis midfielder whose contract ends in June 2024. There are negotiations underway between the clubs, but for now nothing close to being finalised."

Wolves recently lost their talisman in Ruben Neves, who has completed a move to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal, so Lopetegui will need to enter the market for a suitable replacement in that defensive midfield position, and having been lauded a “creative” number six by journalist Josh Bunting, Rodriguez could be the perfect heir.

Last season he ranked in the 99th percentile for tackles and the 98th percentile for clearances versus other players in his position, form which saw him receive three man-of-the-match awards, highlighting his desire to get stuck in and clear the danger to protect his backline.

Real Betis’ £28k-per-week earner, however, is also capable of contributing to efforts in the final third having scored seven goals and provided three assists since joining, so the fact that he’s impactful at both ends of the pitch will be yet another attractive attribute to those at Molineux.

Furthermore, the Betis star has the flexibility to operate in four different positions across the pitch, including three roles in the midfield and even at centre-back, so he would be an excellent versatile option for the manager to have at his disposal.

Finally, Rodriguez already knows what it takes to compete and be successful at the highest level having secured eight pieces of silverware since the start of his career, the most notable being when he was crowned 2022 World Cup champion with Argentina, so he could instil a much-needed winning mentality into the rest of the squad in the Midlands.

West Ham United bringing Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher to the London Stadium is a deal 'that could certainly happen' this summer, according to journalist Paul Brown.

Is Conor Gallagher leaving Chelsea for West Ham United?

According to The Evening Standard, Gallagher has been told he is free to leave Chelsea this summer and has interest from West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur in his services after being deemed 'surplus to requirements' at Stamford Bridge.

The report states that West Ham United are ready to power ahead of their London rivals in the race for Gallagher due to their £105 million windfall earned from the sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal. At the same time, Tottenham are in the hunt for a homegrown player and may need to dip into the market to strengthen their engine room if Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg moves on to Atletico Madrid.

Nevertheless, The Daily Mail report that West Ham are afraid that they may miss out on Gallagher as he wants to remain at Chelsea to try and fight for his place under Mauricio Pochettino.

David Moyes' men had hoped to succeed in a bid of £40 million plus add-ons for Gallagher; however, Chelsea rebuffed their offer and he remains on the Blues' pre-season tour of the United States.

Last term, Gallagher made 45 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea, registering three goals and one assist, as per Transfermarkt.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Brown thinks that West Ham will use the money generated from the Rice sale to go back in with a second bid for Gallagher.

Brown stated: “I think if a bid has been made and rejected, West Ham will certainly go back in for him as there is money to spend there. I think that’s one that could certainly happen.”

Who else could West Ham United bring in this summer?

West Ham have yet to confirm a summer signing this window and Hammers fans will hope that is a trend that is eradicated over the next few weeks for sure.

According to Sky Sports, West Ham have held initial talks with Manchester United pair Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay over a potential move to the London Stadium.

Discussions are also continuing for Southampton midfielder James-Ward Prowse and it is believed that a deal is 'very possible' for the 28-year-old dead ball specialist, as per Football Insider.

Ward-Prowse is believed to be keen to return to the Premier League following the Saints' relegation to the Sky Bet Championship, though Southampton are believed to value him at the £45 million mark.

The same outlet claim that Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez is West Ham's 'top target' in midfield to replace Rice and there is 'confidence' from inside the London Stadium that a transfer can be completed for a fee of between £35-40 million.

Borussia Dortmund were keen to land the Mexico international before talks between both parties collapsed; nevertheless, there is a chance that the Bundesliga giants could reignite their interest before the end of the window.

Looking ahead, West Ham will need to act swiftly over the next few weeks to capitalise on the positive momentum they built last campaign due to their Europa Conference League triumph.

Manchester United are reportedly closing in on their second fresh addition of the off-season with Inter star Andre Onana poised to bolster Erik ten Hag’s squad.

The Red Devils are set to sign the Cameroon international to replace David De Gea ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, with a deal worth £44m having been agreed for his services.

This comes after the club snapped up England international Mason Mount from Premier League rivals Chelsea for a fee in the region of £55m as their first signing of the summer transfer window earlier this month.

Is Dusan Vlahovic joining Man United?

Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed that United will now make contact with Serie A side Atalanta over a move for centre-forward Rasmus Hojlund to bolster the club's options at the top end of the pitch.

Fabrizio Romano has also stated that the Italian team are set to demand a fee of up to €70m (£60m) for the Denmark international.

Ten Hag could, however, find a dream alternative to the Danish marksman by securing a deal to sign Juventus number nine Dusan Vlahovic, who has been linked with a switch to Old Trafford, instead.

How many goals has Dusan Vlahovic scored for Juventus?

The Serbian, who has been valued at around €80m (£69m), has proven himself to be a prolific outlet in the final third during his time in Italy, scoring 23 goals in 63 competitive matches for the Old Lady to date.

He has been a rampant Serie A goalscorer who has already showcased his ability to be a lethal finisher over the course of several seasons in the division, proving he'd be a fine acquisition for a side like United.

Indeed, the "incredibly prolific" striker – as hailed by scout Jacek Kulig – found the back of the net ten times in 22 league starts for Juventus last term, which came off the back of two incredible campaigns at that level.

The exceptional hotshot plundered an eye-catching 45 Serie A goals in 77 starts across the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons combined for Fiorentina and his current club, which included more than 20 strikes both times.

These statistics show that the 23-year-old, who was further described as a "monster" by journalist Carlo Garganese, has the quality to be a reliable and consistent scorer in a major European league.

Hojlund, meanwhile, feels a little less proven at the elite level. He scored nine goals in 22 Serie A starts during his debut campaign at that level for Atalanta last term, which came after he managed five goals in 32 matches for FC Copenhagen in his homeland.

Whilst the 20-year-old talent has shown promise at a young age, Vlahovic has proven himself to be capable of scoring at a sensational rate and still has room to develop at the age of 23. This means that both players would be long-term investments but only one of them would arrive with pedigree.

No United player has scored 20 or more Premier League goals since Robin van Persie's 26-goal haul during the 2012/13 season, which emphasises how impressive the Juventus star's two campaigns with such an achievement were.

As such, Vlahovic could well be a dream alternative to Hojlund as signing the Serbian star would be less of a gamble for Ten Hag's side.

If Liverpool can complete the signing of Southampton starlet Romeo Lavia this summer, they could once again become a "force to reckoned with" next season, claims journalist Ryan Taylor.

Liverpool transfer news – what is the latest on Romeo Lavia?

It has been a brilliant start to the transfer window for the Reds so far this summer. Deals for Brighton & Hove Albion's World Cup-winning Alexis Mac Allister and RB Leipzig's exciting Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai have represented great value and should significantly improve the side's midfield next season.

The good news for Liverpool fans doesn't stop there, as it looks like the club aren't finished adding to their midfield, with the Merseyside outfit being heavily linked to Belgian international Lavia.

According to Football Insider, the six-times European champions are 'convinced' that the 19-year-old wants to join them over the other teams interested in his signature this summer. The other sides said to be interested include Arsenal, Chelsea, Barcelona, and his former club, Manchester City.

However, unsurprisingly, the major stumbling block for the deal is the price tag. Southampton have valued their star at £50m, whereas the Reds are only willing to go to £40m, leading to something of a stand-off at the moment.

What has Ryan Taylor said about Liverpool and Lavia?

Taylor was full of praise for Liverpool's transfer dealings so far this year, highlighting the two midfielders they have already signed as "exciting" and spoke of the excitement that the Reds could be building something great once again.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, he said: "I think four signings would represent a very successful summer, particularly if they continue doing what they've done. I think Mac Allister and Szoboszlai are exciting signings. This is a new chapter for Liverpool, and there's a bit of excitement that something is building again.

"It was very flat last year, and it almost got to the point where you wondered whether Klopp's time at the club was dwindling to an end. But now I very much don't see it like that.

"If Liverpool were to get Lavia, as well as Mac Allister and Szoboszlai, then I think they're a force to be reckoned with, particularly with this new system."

Where does Romeo Lavia play?

It has been a whirlwind year for the former City youth player. He only joined the Southcoast club last summer in a deal worth a reported £10.5m and has looked completely at home in the Premier League ever since.

According to WhoScored, the dynamic midfielder averaged a rating of 6.56 across his 29 league games last campaign, which isn't outstanding in isolation, but is much more impressive when the dysfunctional team he was playing for is also considered.

His underlying numbers show a lot of promise as well.

According to FBref, who compare players in a similar position across Europe's top five leagues, the 5 foot 11 "monster" sits in the top 4% of players for blocks, the top 22% for pass completion, the top 25% for successful take-ons, the top 27% for interceptions and the top 29% for tackles, all per 90.

He has certainly impressed the right people in his short career thus far, with Pep Guardiola saying:

"I am really impressed with what Romeo has done and is doing,

"We had, and we have, an incredible opinion about him. We thought to keep him, but maybe he would not (get) enough minutes like he has in Southampton."

Should Liverpool agree on a fee with Southampton, Romeo Lavia could be the perfect way for them to complete their squad rebuild.

Liverpool may try and include players in exchange or additional add-ons in their bid to try and sign Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia this summer, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.

What's the latest transfer news surrounding Romeo Lavia and Liverpool?

According to Sky Sports, Southampton are confident of being able to sell Lavia for the £50 million price tag they are demanding for the Belgium international to leave the South Coast.

Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal have all held conversations with the 19-year-old's entourage over the possibility of signing Lavia; however, his suitors have concerns over the fee quoted for the youngster.

As per The Telegraph, Liverpool may be willing to offload veteran midfielder Thiago Alcantara this window, as he has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia in his services.

In turn, the Reds could turn to Lavia as a potential replacement; nevertheless, his £50 million price is said to be 'too prohibitive' for Jurgen Klopp to consider bidding for the enforcer at present.

Manchester City retain a buyback clause for Lavia that stands at £40 million, which they inserted when he joined Southampton back in 2022; however, it doesn't activate until 2024, enabling rival clubs to steal a march on the Citizens this summer, as per Football Insider.

Of course, the German coach has already made moves in the transfer window to shore up his midfield, with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai joining from Brighton & Hove Albion and RB Leipzig, respectively.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Romano reckons that Liverpool may be cute in negotiations and either include additional add-ons or offer players in exchange to try and seal a deal to sign Lavia.

Romano said: "For Romeo Lavia, the price tag is around £50million.

"But sources believe that maybe, with some add-ons or with a creative formula such as including some players, they can find a way with Southampton to reach an agreement."

Why is Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia so highly regarded?

Shortly after moving to Southampton from Manchester City, Lavia earned high praise from Manchester United legend Paul Scholes, who was speaking on BT Sport quoted by The Daily Mail before the Red Devils took on Southampton at St Mary's last year, as the pundit stated: "He has got a pass in his locker and he is big and strong and likes to defend. He does not want to get forward too much and sits in front of the back four and sets the play in motion from there."

Scholes' summary of Lavia's attributes is a high testament to the 19-year-old's qualities and potential to develop. Unsurprisingly, several elite sides are keen on offering him a return to the English top flight.

Last term, Lavia made 34 appearances in all competitions for Southampton and registered one goal alongside a solitary assist, as per Transfermarkt.

His capacity to efficiently recycle possession will have attracted interest from top clubs. According to WhoScored, Lavia maintained a pass success rate of 86.4% in the Premier League, showing commendable maturity for his age.

Getting stuck in, Lavia also managed to win 93 tackles and interceptions combined, displaying courage and tenacity in the Saints' engine room, as per FBRef.

Lavia looks set for an intriguing next few weeks, where we will find out more about his potential next destination, as an exit from Southampton looks to be nailed on before the end of the window.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is not allowing the club's incredible achievements last season to stop him from improving the squad this summer.

The Citizens boss has already added Chelsea central midfielder Mateo Kovacic to his roster after securing the treble of the Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup trophies in the 2022/23 campaign.

There could be further changes to the Spanish head coach's options throughout the coming weeks. Arsenal and Juventus are both reportedly interested in signing centre-back Aymeric Laporte, who only played 12 league games last term.

The Spain international found himself below Ruben Dias, John Stones, Manuel Akanji, and Nathan Ake in the pecking order, which could make an exit this summer the right time for the 29-year-old stopper, to avoid another year of irregular game time.

Who could replace Aymeric Laporte at Manchester City?

The Evening Standard recently reported that City are one of a number of clubs showing an interest in Chelsea central defender Levi Colwill, who could be a dream replacement for Laporte.

It has been claimed that the Blues have offered him a new contract to remain at Stamford Bridge but the England U21 international wants to hold talks with Mauricio Pochettino to ascertain his role moving forward before committing to them.

Bringing Colwill in, who may cost around £40m, would allow Guardiola to sanction an exit for the former Athletic Bilbao enforcer as, like the current City man, he is a left-footed defender who can play in the heart of the backline or as a full-back.

The 20-year-old would come in as a player with the potential to be an excellent long-term addition to the side, rather than as an immediate upgrade on what the manager already has at his disposal.

This means that he would suit the limited role that the £130k-per-week outcast played last season as the English titan would not be relied upon as a regular starter and would be allowed to ease his way into life at The Etihad.

Colwill, who was once described as a "huge talent" by scout Jacek Kulig, averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.76 across 17 Premier League appearances on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion during the 2022/23 campaign, which would place him 19th in the City squad.

However, he averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.10 across 29 Championship outings for Huddersfield in the previous season and that score would rank him ninth for City along with being above the likes of Stones and Dias.

This suggests that the potential is there for the talented youngster to be an outstanding left-footed centre-back if he can adapt to top-flight football and eventually translate his form for the Terriers over to the Premier League.

Therefore, Colwill could be a shrewd long-term investment by Guardiola and City, whilst also allowing the manager to part ways with Laporte before the deadline.

Southampton head coach Russell Martin has a busy couple of months ahead of him as the club has to navigate the summer transfer window.

The side's relegation to the Championship has left them in a position where some of their players are now targets for top-flight outfits and the ex-Swansea tactician will need to make shrewd moves in the market to build a squad capable of pushing for promotion.

John Percy, of The Telegraph, recently reported that Premier League side Newcastle United are in talks with the club over a potential deal for Tino Livramento.

The Magpies are attempting to sign the right-back from St. Mary's and would be willing to offer a fee in the region of £15m as well as throwing Ryan Fraser in as a makeweight.

However, the Saints value the former Chelsea academy prospect at £30m and it remains to be seen whether or not they would be willing to entertain such a proposal.

Would Ryan Fraser be a good signing?

If Southampton do agree to a player-plus-cash deal from Newcastle then Martin could land a big upgrade on current winger Moussa Djenepo by signing Fraser.

The Scotland international has been frozen out of the picture by Eddie Howe, with no first-team minutes since October of last year, but has showcased his ability as a creative forward in the past.

Since the start of the 2020/21 Premier League campaign, Fraser has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.71 or higher along with a contribution of two goals and five assists in 53 top-flight outings. He has recorded a score of 6.84 or higher in three of the last four seasons with no Saints attacker managing higher than that last term.

In that time, Djenepo has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.59 or lower alongside an unimpressive one goal and two assists in 55 league appearances.

The 29-year-old also produced an outstanding seven goals and 14 assists, along with 2.4 key passes per match, during the 2018/19 Premier League season for Bournemouth.

Djenepo, meanwhile, only has 13 assists in his entire club career and has never averaged more than 0.6 chances created per league clash for the Saints. In fact, no player in the squad managed more than 1.9 key passes per game or four assists.

Therefore, Fraser, who was once described as a "pocket dynamo" by ex-Scotland forward Charlie Nicholas, has the potential to be a big upgrade on the former Standard Liege dud.

The £42k-per-week earner has not been a standout in recent years, with a lack of regular game time at Newcastle of late possibly playing a part in that, but has still been able to produce performances that Djenepo has never been able to manage in England.

His exceptional displays during the 2018/19 campaign also suggest that there is an exceptional talent for Martin to unearth. As such, a drop down to the Championship could help the experienced attacker to reignite his touch in the final third.

Everton are the latest team to throw their hat into the ring for Romain Faivre, according to a report from Foot Mercato, via Sport Witness.

How has Romain Faivre played this season?

The midfielder – who primarily plays on the wing but can also feature as a traditional number ten – has spent the 2022/23 season on loan with Lorient and has really caught the eye with his displays. He managed 16 top flight games for the club but produced a superb total of eight goal contributions along the way, with five goals in total and three assists.

hen you consider he only managed 13.8 lots of 90 minutes for the club, it's a superb goal contribution rate for the winger.

He's never managed the same totals for parent club Lyon, although he has also not been able to get onto the field as much with them. Before moving to Lorient, he was given only three starts by Les Gones and managed just the one assist across 2021/22. In fact, he has only managed 12 league starts during the entirety of his time with Lyon.

Now, he could be given the chance to leave France and try his luck in the Premier League. That's because according to a report from Foot Mercato, via Sport Witness, the 24-year-old is drawing interest from several English clubs.

One of the latest to express their eagerness to sign him is Everton, who will have to battle Fulham and Crystal Palace if they want any hope of bringing the player to Goodison Park this campaign.

How much would Faivre cost Everton?

They may already find that to be a struggle, with Lyon also slapping a 15 million Euro price tag on his head (£13m). Whilst that is not an extortionate fee for the midfielder, it is one that the Toffees may currently struggle to pay – and the report adds that whilst they may be able to compete financially more than other interested parties from abroad, they will struggle against other Premier League sides.

He's clearly a player that possesses some real ability too. Those who have watched him have been full of praise for Faivre, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig previously calling the player "pure quality" after a performance back in 2022.

It shows that the 24-year-old has been impressive in France – and if Everton were able to poach him, he would certainly upgrade their midfield and wide options.

Arsenal have been in contact with Kai Havertz once again over the weekend and the German forward has reaffirmed his interest in making the move to north London.

How much is Kai Havertz worth?

This summer will present the Gunners with an opportunity to build on what proved to be a promising 2022/23 campaign in north London.

Mikel Arteta's men did not have enough firepower behind them to see their title charge over the line as Manchester City pipped them to the Premier League crown.

But the Spaniard – and the fans – will have a lot of positives to take from their displays in the 2022/23 campaign and provide them with a lot of optimism for the upcoming campaign.

However, having seen City land the treble in recent weeks, it will surely send a message to the board and Edu Gaspar that Arsenal may need to invest heavily if they are to dethrone the champions.

And it seems as if the Gunners are keen to do so this summer with links to the likes of Havertz who has reportedly been valued at around £75m by Chelsea.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has claimed the German has been in contact with Arsenal over the weekend where he was proclaimed his interest in a potential transfer:

"Kai Havertz has been very clear, also this morning [Sunday], in new contacts, he wants to join Arsenal.

"He has an agreement with Arsenal on personal terms, so everything is ready on player's side."

How many goals did Havertz score last season?

It was an underwhelming campaign for the Blues last season and Havertz is not a player who can be excused from their failings.

Despite playing the majority of the campaign as their centre-forward, Havertz was only able to provide the west London side with seven goals in the Premier League (via Transfermarkt).

Chelsea played the majority of the 2022/23 campaign without an out-and-out striker in their starting XI which can certainly be seen through their poor return in front of goal.

And it has to be questioned whether Havertz has actually done enough to earn himself a transfer to a side who challenged so strongly for the Premier League title.

The Gunners will be playing Champions League football next season and, in Chelsea's European games, Havertz was only able to return two goals in his 10 Champions League appearances last season (via Transfermarkt).

He has been hailed as a "magician" by some in the media and the potential opportunity at Arsenal could allow him to rediscover his form shown in the Bundesliga.