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Journalist Pete O’Rourke has reacted to reports claiming that Leeds United are interested in signing Napoli striker Dries Mertens this summer. 

The lowdown: Leeds interested in Mertens

This comes after the Whites were linked with an audacious attempt to bring the 35-year-old to Elland Road, according to a report from Belgian outlet Voetbal Flitsen.

It has been claimed that Leeds, Crystal Palace and mega-rich Newcastle United are all keen on bringing Mertens to the Premier League.

The veteran is the Serie A club’s record goalscorer with 148 in 397 appearances, and the thought of the experienced Belgian arriving in Yorkshire would certainly excite one intrigued onlooker…

The latest: O’Rourke on Mertens

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke has suggested that bringing the 104-cap Belgium international to Leeds would be a significant move from the club.

He said: “If they could get somebody like him in, it’d be a massive statement signing from Leeds United. I think it’ll be a hard deal to do, but the opportunity to play in the Premier League is something that maybe appeals to Mertens at this stage of his career.”

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The verdict: No-brainer

Mertens is perhaps no longer at the peak of his one-time incredible powers, but given his capabilities of playing as a centre-forward or in the trequartista role, signing him as a soon-to-be free transfer would be a superb piece of business from Victor Orta.

Despite his advancing years, the Belgian was hailed by journalist Josh Bunting for a ‘world class’ strike in a stunning 8.50-rated display against Lazio in November (Sofascore), with two goals, two successful dribbles and a 100% passing accuracy on the night.

Mertens scored 13 times and provided two assists from 37 appearances across all competitions in 2021/22, proof of a continued ability to thrive at the elite level, which would be a huge boost to Jesse Marsch’s ranks as the American seeks quality cover for Patrick Bamford after an injury-hit campaign for the 28-year-old.

In other news: Leeds now won’t sign ‘superb’ midfielder despite Phil Hay revealing talks

Celtic are reportedly close to confirming an official permanent transfer for Jota from Benfica.

What’s the news?

According to a recent article from the Daily Record, the Hoops “are set to take up their £6m option” to purchase the winger from the Portuguese club after his recent season-long loan spell at Parkhead.

During his time in Glasgow, the 23-year-old made 40 appearances in total for the Bhoys across all competitions. In that time, the winger found the net 13 times and delivered 14 assists, showing that it wasn’t any trouble for him to settle into the team and become a deadly attacking figure.

In 29 league appearances, Jota scored 10 goals and supplied 11 assists, which goes to show how important he was in Celtic’s Premiership title charge as they ended the season with more goals scored (92) than any other top-flight team.

Great news for Celtic

To further highlight how dangerous Jota was in an attacking sense, only Liel Abada finished the season with more shots and shots on target in the league than the Benfica youngster among Ange Postecoglou’s squad.

Also, no other Celtic player came close to providing the number of crosses that the Portuguese gem delivered for his side (229).

Taking this latest behind-the-scenes development into account, it will surely be great news for the Glasgow club and their fans to be able to secure the talented winger on a permanent transfer.

If they can do so, it would then give them the chance to focus on securing other potential transfers that Postecoglou may feel the need to complete.

While the Bhoys will undoubtedly be setting out to retain their Premiership title next year, they will also be looking to go as far as they can in Europe and win the other domestic trophies as well.

To maximise their chances of doing so, Postecoglou will need to ensure that he has the right balance of quality and depth in his squad so they can go out and achieve their targets.

Looking back to last summer’s transfer window, the significant amount of business which took place during that period will surely give a lot of Celtic fans hope that the upcoming window can be just as fruitful for them once again, with Jota’s proposed arrival on a permanent basis kicking things off.

In other news: Celtic can replicate O’Riley masterclass by signing 21 y/o gem who’s “right up there”

West Ham United are reportedly keeping tabs on Red Bull Salzburg starlet Junior Adamu, with the striker also attracting attention from across Europe.

What’s the word?

As per the Daily Mail, the Hammers have entered the race for the Austria international and are said to be ‘monitoring developments’ with regards to the 20-year-old’s future at his current side.

The report suggests that the Nigeria-born marksman is attracting interest from the likes of Ajax, RB Leipzig and Premier League outfit Southampton, with his reported £12m fee seemingly an enticing prospect for those potential suitors.

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As for David Moyes’ side, the club are still on the lookout for a new forward addition, with Michail Antonio still the only recognised, senior centre-forward in the squad, having missed out on Benfica’s Darwin Nunez in January.

Next Haaland?

Adamu, who has been described by journalist Gimba Kakanda as a “low-key” talent, may not quite be the household name that Irons’ supporters are chasing, although he has already showcased his promise after an impressive last few seasons.

A brief loan stint at Swiss outfit FC St.Gallen saw the young starlet net six league goals in just 14 games during the tail end of the 2020/21 season, before he followed that up with an impressive nine goals in all competitions in the most recent campaign after returning to his parent club.

That tally included a shock opener in a 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich in the Champions League last-16, first-leg tie in Salzburg, in what was the hosts’ first-ever knockout tie in the competition.

That image of a young striker impressing at the elite level for the Austrian outfit stirs memories of a certain Erling Haaland, the Norwegian menace having burst onto the scene at the club, notably netting eight goals in his first five group stage appearances in the competition during the 2019/20 campaign.

A move to Borussia Dortmund soon followed, although after scoring 86 goals in just 89 games for the Bundesliga side, the 21-year-old has since been plucked by Manchester City, with the £135m-rated gem having arguably been the most coveted player in Europe, alongside Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe.

Like Adamu – who previously spent two-and-a-half seasons as a teenager at second-tier outfit FC Liefering – Haaland also rose from obscurity at the likes of Byrne and Molde back in Norway, with the duo potentially mirrored in their carefully plotted career paths.

Although Adamu has yet to hit anywhere close to the heights of the new City addition, his explosive form this term has showcased just what a potential talent he could become in the coming years, with the east Londoners set to have a real bargain on their hands if a deal can be struck.

Dubbed a “jewel” by Varsky Sports, the £1.1k-per-week prospect appears to have an incredibly high ceiling, much like that of Haaland, with Moyes and co set to relish the chance to nurture and improve him over the coming years.

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

Everton have had a disappointing season in the Premier League with the side narrowly avoiding a drop into the Championship by just four points, and Frank Lampard will now be tasked with identifying players that can improve the squad ahead of next season.

The Toffees have struggled at both ends of the pitch, but their defensive performances have come under harsh criticism over the campaign, with the side conceding the fifth-most goals in the league and 23 more than they scored.

In fact, Everton centre-back Michael Keane has come under scrutiny for his inconsistency and poor performances in the back-line this season, with Gabby Agbonlahor branding the defender “absolutely dreadful” in an interview with Football Insider.

With that being said, the Toffees now have the best opportunity to go into the market and sign upgrades to improve the defence this summer and one player who has been heavily linked is recently relegated Burnley’s James Tarkowski.

The centre-back is available on a free transfer this summer and could be the second coming of Phil Jagielka if Everton can secure a deal for the player who was hailed “outstanding” by Sean Dyche.

This season, Tarkowski has been the highest-rated player in the entire Burnley squad according to SofaScore, and it’s not hard to see why when you look at his overall performance for the club.

The £17k-per-week defender has scored one goal and contributed two assists, making 1.8 tackles, 1.4 interceptions and an impressive 5.2 clearances on average per game.

He’s also won the large majority of his aerial and ground duels combined (68%) and been successful in completing the majority of his dribbles (71%), proving that he is a solid defender with the capabilities to offer an attacking threat too.

Not only that Tarkowski ranks first for blocked shots, first for pass interceptions, and second for aerial duels out of every player in the Premier League so the signing would be a major coup for Everton whilst saving millions in the process as he is currently out of contract.

A solid and reliable defender who brings an old-fashioned approach to his defending, it’s clear to see why he evokes memories of Jagielka. He wasn’t blessed with the most pace but used his reading and understanding of the game to outmuscle and outwit Premier League strikers.

Therefore, Farhad Moshiri and Frank Lampard must secure a deal for Tarkowski. They cannot pass on the opportunity to sign such an experienced defender that could massively improve their squad and their defensive record next season.

AND in other news: Everton plot bid to sign “sloppy” £20m dud, another Dele Alli disaster is on the cards…

A big update has emerged on Newcastle United and their interest in Arsenal full-back Kieran Tierney heading into the summer transfer window…

What’s the talk?

Gunners reporter Layth Yousif has claimed that PIF are considering a swoop for the Scotland international ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

Matt Targett spent the second half of 2021/22 on loan to the Toon from Aston Villa and the club are now pondering their options at left-back as the window opens next month.

Layth Tweeted: “EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle weigh up £50m bid for Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe ponders £50m bid for Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney – but Gunners defender happy with Mikel Arteta’s project.”

Imagine him & Kieran Trippier

If PIF can seal a deal to bring the former Celtic flyer to St. James’ Park then they would form an exciting full-back pairing for the club for next season.

Trippier, who joined from Atletico Madrid in January, has already showcased his attacking quality at Premier League level. In six top-flight outings, he created seven chances and scored two goals – both free-kicks – as he provided support for the attackers.

Tierney, meanwhile, has also shown that he has the ability to make things happen in the final third when he bursts forward. Since the start of 2020/21, the Scotland international has produced two goals, six assists and five ‘big chances’ created from left-back for the Gunners.

Former Manchester United full-back and now-pundit Gary Neville previously dubbed him a “brilliant threat going forward” and the statistics back that up, whilst his defending has also been praised with Ashley Cole calling him a “warrior” on the pitch.

This shows that both players have the required quality in possession to play key roles in an attacking system, which means that Eddie Howe would have two full-backs who can join in with attacks. It will provide Newcastle with threats all over the pitch and cause problems for opposition defenders as they decide who to mark.

Therefore, PIF must work hard to get a deal over the line for Tierney if Arsenal are willing to enter negotiations for his services. He has proven his quality in the Premier League and would be an excellent addition to the Toon squad for many years to come, with scope for development at the age of 24.

Now, imagine both Kierans bombing down the flanks to score and create goals from full-back for the Magpies next season…

AND in other news, PIF plotting Newcastle swoop for “scary” £30m “freak”, he’s a major Almiron upgrade…

Wolverhampton Wanderers can effectively make a new signing this summer without needing to spend a penny of their transfer budget.

Bruno Lage has an established right-back by the name of Bendeguz Bolla in his ranks at Molineux, although like many prospects in the West Midlands, he is yet to make a first team appearance for the club, having been loaned out to Wolves’ official partnership side Grasshopper Zurich.

The 22-year-old, who is renowned for his searing pace, has had a very fruitful season in Switzerland. He has been pushed higher up the pitch in a right wing-back role across a 3-4-2-1 system and has consequently discovered his goal scoring touch.

It’s a move which has gone so well for the Hungarian that he has attracted the interest of Austrian club Rapid Vienna and, to quote The Athletic’s Tim Spiers, ‘he is probably the highest rated of the players there [at Grasshopper]’.

between them this season.

It says a lot about Bolla’s newly-found potency in front of goal, and with Marcal leaving at the end of the season, the Hungarian gem could give Lage a quality option at full-back.

Having functioned higher up the pitch this season for Grasshopper, he could help the Old Gold in their bid to add goals, having created four big chances in Switzerland’s top flight. That figure would rank him second in the Wolves squad behind Daniel Podence, who has created seven big chances this season.

Lage would be wise to look within the Wolves loanee ranks this summer as part of what could be a sizeable squad rebuild for the Black Country club. By unleashing Bolla next term, the manager may just save the Old Gold a few million quid in the transfer market which could be put to good use elsewhere.

In other news: Lage heading for big summer disaster at Wolves over 16-goal “catalyst”

Wolverhampton Wanderers are open to selling their Mexican striker of four years, Raul Jimenez, this summer.

What’s the word?

That is according to a report from talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, who has claimed that the Old Gold are open to offers for the 31-year-old and will consider selling him for as little as £15m – just under half of what they paid for the Mexican’s services back in 2019.

Having disappointed with his goal returns over the current season, it is said that there is a feeling amongst the Wolves hierarchy that the 31-year-old needs a change of scenery.

As per the report, Crook stated that the £100k-p/w Mexican would be open to a return to Spain, where he began his European journey with Atletico Madrid.

Jimenez out, Gibbs-White in?

Jimenez, who has scored six goals in the Premier League this season.

Whilst there is the argument that the Old Gold’s chance creation has been poor – having made just 37 big chances this season, the joint-fourth worst in the English top flight – that debate is quickly shut down with the Mexican’s squad-high tally of eight big chances missed.

When they needed him to be clinical, he has often failed to find the net, and with Lage’s recent switch in tactics catering to a counter-pressing approach, a more mobile forward would be better suited to the Old Gold.

A player who could step up to the plate, and would cost the Molineux outfit nothing in transfer fees, is their on-loan star Morgan Gibbs-White, who has set the Championship on fire this season in taking up a more offensive position as an attacking midfielder for Sheffield United. He has also played as a centre-forward six times, with four goals and two assists from that position.

Hailed as a “sensation” by The Telegraph reporter Mike McGrath, the £8.1m-rated Gibbs-White has proven himself as a goal poacher, having scored 11 times whilst chipping in with nine assists for a total of 20 goal contributions in 35 appearances for the Blades.

With Lage eager to involve the 22-year-old in Wolves’ pre-season plans this summer, it would be worth testing his potency as a striker, with his returns this season underlining his threat in front of goal.

In other news – Mendes links: Wolves now plot bid for “exciting” 20y/o wonderkid, Lage will love him 

Everton are among the clubs interested in Bologna midfielder Mattias Svanberg, according to local outlet 1000 Cuori Rossoblu (via Sport Witness). 

The lowdown

Svanberg is a 23-year-old central midfielder who can also play just in front of the back four or in a more advanced role.

The Swede, who only didn’t feature in last summer’s European Championships due to testing positive for Covid-19, is now approaching the final year of his contract with the 13th-place outfit.

He’s started 31 of their 36 league matches so far this season and made 117 Serie A appearances overall.

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The latest

Svanberg, the report says, doesn’t intend to renew his deal, and so he’s the ‘most likely’ asset to be offloaded in a ‘profitable sale’.

This sends a ‘loud and clear’ message to his Premier League suitors, including Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United. Serie A sides Napoli and Fiorentina are apparently in the running too.

In terms of a price tag, Bologna will find it difficult to turn down offers nudging €20milllion (£17million).

The verdict

What kind of midfielder is Svanberg? Well, first and foremost, he is someone who can augment the attack.

He’s scored three goals, one of which was called ‘phenomenal’ by talent scout Jacek Kulig, and also provided three assists in the league this season.

Svanberg is also above average when it comes to receiving progressive passes – a marker of positional intelligence – and blocks, a testament to his off-ball contribution (via FBRef).

He boasts a similar profile to the likes of Youri Tielemans and John McGinn, two Premier League midfielders with whom Everton supporters may be more familiar.

Notably, he carries the implicit endorsement of compatriot Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who reportedly asked AC Milan to snap him up last year.

This could be a reasonably good bit of business from director of football Kevin Thelwell.

In other news, Tony Scott has been left in disbelief after this Everton footage emerged.

Rangers are in Premiership action at Ibrox again tonight as they look to end their league campaign on a high in the last two matches.

One point for their rivals in the next five days will see the top-flight title move back across Glasgow and this means that is incredibly unlikely that Gio van Bronckhorst will be lifting the trophy this month.

However, the Light Blues have the Europa League final to look forward to next week and the Scottish Cup final at the end of May. This means that there is still plenty of motivation for the players in these Premiership outings.

The Gers come up against Ross County at home at Ibrox after beating Dundee United 2-0 away from home at the weekend.

How many changes will Gio make to the team? Here is our predicted XI…

We are predicting that he will make five alterations, with Allan McGregor, Calvin Bassey, Alex Lowry, Ryan Kent and Amad Diallo all coming in.

With the Europa League final coming up, McGregor and Bassey may return after they were both rested at the weekend. Van Bronckhorst will surely want to keep his key players match fit and spending two games on the bench may be detrimental to their form as they could lose their rhythm.

In midfield, Lowry could come in for his second start in the Premiership. The 18-year-old midfielder was given a taster off the bench against United and should now be unleashed as part of the XI.

Journalist Josh Bunting lauded the magician’s talent earlier this year, Tweeting: “Alex Lowry is just a fabulous footballer, on this pitch the way he’s dribbling on it indicates he has so much quality, so good on the ball and has a wonderful sense of balance, really good at driving at the opposition defence he creates plenty of problems with his movement.”

Finally, we are predicting that Kent and Diallo will come in. The former may start to maintain his form ahead of the clash in Sevilla, after being rested at the weekend, whereas the latter may be given a chance to showcase what he can do.

Scott Arfield started up front on Sunday and the £16k-per-week dud was abysmal against United. As per SofaScore, he won 0 duels and missed one ‘big chance’ as he struggled at both sides of the game and his poor display should see him axed in order for Diallo to walk through into the team.

AND in other news, GvB can unearth Patterson 2.0 in “athletic” 19 y/o Rangers dynamo who’s “highly rated”…

According to a report from Spanish newspaper Sport (via Sport Witness), Liverpool are among the clubs interested in signing Valencia midfielder Valencia. 

The lowdown: Rise to prominence

A product of the La Liga club’s youth academy, the 25-year-old has broken through as a leading star over the last 18 months following an inauspicious start to life as a senior professional.

Last season, Soler directly contributed to 19 goals in 32 league outings and is now an established member of Pepe Bordalas’ side at the Mestalla Stadium.

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However, having made the grade in Spain, clubs from across Europe are now paying close attention to the versatile star.

The latest: Reds named

As per Sport, translated by SW, Liverpool, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Juventus are all keen on Soler.

The report claims that the six-cap Spain ace is ‘upset’ with his manager and could be prepared to agree to a new release clause in order to ‘open the exit door’ for a move away.

Currently under contract until 2023 (Transfermarkt), the man hailed as the ‘complete midfielder’ by ex-Bats star Curro Torres once held a remarkable €150m (£128m) release clause.

However, due to his dwindling deal, a current £42.2million get-out clause could drop even further to £33.7million on the agreement of fresh terms according to the Spanish newspaper.

The verdict: Smart signing

Whilst Soler may not be a particularly glamorous signing as Julian Ward gets his feet under the sporting director’s table in place of Michael Edwards, the Anfield club have developed an ability to pluck lesser-known players from across the continent and turn them into household names.

This season the Spaniard has scored 11 times and registered five assists in 28 league outings – earning a 7.15 average Sofascore rating in the process – no Valencia player scores higher.

Predominantly operating as a conventional central midfielder, Soler is a close match stylistically for Gini Wijnaldum according to the Fbref comparison tool and therefore could be the ideal addition to Jurgen Klopp’s squad to finally replace the Dutchman’s versatility, energy and skill-set.

In other news… an expert has delivered an update on the injury setback of Liverpool’s ‘unsung hero’.