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Tottenham are still interested in completing the signing of Wolves winger Adama Traore this summer, according to journalist Alex Crook.

The Lowdown: Traore’s future unclear

The 26-year-old is back at Molineux during pre-season, having been allowed to join Barcelona on loan midway through the 2021/22 campaign.

Traore’s time in Spain proved to be unimpressive, failing to score despite a promising first five appearances as he registered four assists (Transfermarkt), with manager Xavi having no interest in retaining his services on a permanent basis.

The Spanish winger has been linked with a move to Spurs this summer, and one journalist has suggested that it is a transfer which could still go through.

The Latest: Spurs still keen on Traore

Speaking to GiveMeSport, transfer expert Crook claimed that the north Londoners see Traore as a potential summer option to bring in.

He stated:

“The other name that I’ve been told that is still on their list is Adama Traore, to add some right wing-back competition.”

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The Verdict: Better to sell this summer

It became clear last season that Bruno Lage doesn’t consider Traore a key player, with only 10 Premier League starts coming his way before his loan departure last season.

For that reason, it makes complete sense for Wolves to sell him permanently this summer and receive a healthy fee for his services, spending the money on new signings instead.

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Traore can still be very effective on his day – Andy Townsend has described him as ‘devastating’ in the past – but there is an inconsistency in his game which seemingly will never go away.

An overall tally of 11 goals and 18 assists in 154 appearances simply isn’t good enough for such a fast attacking player, and perhaps that is why Lage has not been sold on the 26-year-old up to now.

Omar Celikbasli has dropped an update on reported Leeds United transfer target Mergim Berisha.

What’s the latest?

In a recent interview with MOT Leeds News, the SPOR journalist revealed that, following reports of Victor Orta submitting a €2m (£1.7m) bid for the Fenerbahce centre-forward, the 24-year-old is also considering a number of offers from unnamed German clubs alongside the Whites’ proposal.

The reporter went on to state that whichever club can convince the former Germany under-21 international of their project, along with tempting the striker with a decent salary, will most likely be the winner in the race for his signature this summer, with Berisha set to make a decision on his next move soon.

Regarding the Fenerbahce attacker’s current situation, Celikbasli said: “There are also offers from Germany for the player. The club that convinces the player about the project and salary will complete the transfer. But he will be making the decision soon.”

Marsch would love him

Considering just how impressive Berisha was under the management of Jesse Marsch during their mutual time at Red Bull Salzburg, it is easy to see why the 48-year-old is keen on a deal to bring the centre-forward to Elland Road in the summer transfer window.

Indeed, over his 28 Austrian Bundesliga appearances in 2020/21, the £5.4m-rated forward was in sensational form for the American coach, bagging 14 goals, registering ten assists and creating 13 big chances for his team-mates.

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These returns saw the £28.4k-per-week attacker average a very impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.28, not only ranking him as Salzburg’s fifth-best performer in the league but also as the joint seventh-best player in the entire division.

The German hitman also caught the eye over his six Champions League appearances in that season, scoring four goals, registering two assists and creating three big chances for his team-mates. These returns saw the striker average a remarkable SofaScore match rating of 7.18 in Europe’s most prestigious club competition.

As such, should Marsch believe that he could help Berisha rediscover this form after a comparatively disappointing spell in Turkey – scoring seven goals and providing three assists over 31 outings in all competitions last time out – the 24-year-old could well prove to be an incredibly astute signing for Orta to get over the line this summer, not to mention one that Marsch himself would undoubtedly love.

Newcastle United are reportedly ready to pounce for Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos, as manager Eddie Howe continues his search for a new attacking recruit.

What’s the word?

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Magpies are believed to be readying an approach for the Portuguese starlet, with the 21-year-old said to be available for a figure above €30m (£25m).

Writing on Twitter about that interest in the promising marksman, the transfer insider wrote: “Newcastle are preparing a proposal for Gonçalo Ramos as new top target. Discussions ongoing on player side and talks will continue with Benfica. Paris Saint-Germain have Ramos in their list since June but there’s still nothing agreed – Newcastle, on it too.”

The northeast side will face competition for his signature, however, with newly-promoted side Nottingham Forest – whom Howe’s men beat at the weekend – also believed to be eyeing a move to continue their extensive summer of recruitment.

As for the Tynesiders, Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie recently revealed that the club are likely to pursue a deal for a new centre-forward – and a winger – before the window is out, with all three additions thus far having been defensive-minded.

Howe’s own Darwin Nunez

The “incredibly prolific” gem – as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig – is a player that Newcastle already know all about, with the highly-rated starlet having netted in the recent 3-2 defeat against the Primeira Liga side in pre-season.

That early header set the tone for what has been a blistering start to the new campaign for the 6 foot 1 menace, having already provided three goals and three assists in just three games in all competitions thus far, notably netting a hat-trick in the Champions League, first-leg qualifying victory over FC Midtjylland.

That sparkling goalscoring form would suggest that the £12.6m-rated man is ready to build on last season’s breakthrough campaign, having netted seven goals in 29 league games for the Lisbon outfit.

The Olhao-born hotshot also notably netted his solitary Champions League goal of the 2021/22 season in the 3-3 draw with Liverpool back in April, having formed an electric attacking partnership with recent Anfield arrival, Darwin Nunez.

The hope for Howe and co will be that the Portugal U21 international – who has scored 14 goals in just 18 caps at that level – can prove to be the Magpies’ own Nunez, with the latter man having already made a stunning impact on Merseyside thus far.

The Uruguay international – who was signed on an £85m deal earlier this summer – notably netted late on to secure victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield, before shining off the bench against Fulham at the weekend after laying on a goal and an assist in the 2-2 draw.

The 23-year-old had hit the headlines after scoring 34 goals in all competitions last term, including 26 goals in just 28 league games to firmly put himself on the radar of clubs across Europe.

While not a youth product, Nunez is seemingly yet another success story of the Benfica talent factory, with the likes of Joao Felix, Ruben Dias, Ederson et al having all been sold on by the club in recent times and gone on to blossom elsewhere.

Ramos could well be set to follow suit.

Tanguy Ndombele’s nightmare spell at Tottenham Hotspur may finally be coming to an end, with Napoli reportedly in talks with the Frenchman over a potential transfer.

What’s the word?

Ndombele has struggled to showcase his obvious talent since joining Spurs from Lyon in 2019, and issues with his fitness and work rate perhaps always meant he was going to be a victim of Antonio Conte’s ruthless training regime.

It was claimed earlier this month that the Italian manager had ‘banished’ the midfielder from his squad, so an exit was always likely to be on the cards for the 25-year-old maestro.

Football.London correspondent Alasdair Gold has provided the latest on Ndombele’s situation on Twitter, writing:

“Tottenham are also in preliminary talks with Napoli over a move for Tanguy Ndombele, but that’s still very much in the early stages.”

Conte is ruthless

While Ndombele has been given regular chances to prove himself under Spurs’ previous managers, with Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho and Nuno Espirito Santo all offering the Frenchman a shot at redemption, he has been given no such chance under Conte.

The Italian has extremely high demands of his players and their fitness, so it is no surprise that the former Lyon man has made just seven appearances under the 52-year-old Italian, the fewest of any permanent Spurs manager during his time at the club.

Since Ndombele signed, he has seen the likes of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma join the club, moving him even further down in the pecking order, so a move away from Spurs is best for both parties – although the chances of Daniel Levy recuperating his £63m transfer fee seem extremely unlikely at this point.

There is no doubting that, on his day, Ndombele can be a game-changer. Jose Mourinho called him “magnificent” after he scored a memorable goal in a win against Sheffield United, when it appeared as if he would finally turn his Tottenham career around.

But sadly the consistency has never been there, evidenced by the fact that he has made just 91 appearances in more than three years in north London, and the writing was on the wall when Conte allowed him to re-join Lyon on loan in January of last season.

Conte is certainly ruthless with his decisions on players he deems not good enough, but that is what makes him a winner.

Tottenham Hotspur have received a big boost in their pursuit of Ruslan Malinovskyi…

What’s the word?

According to Italian outlet Corriere Bergamo, Ligue 1 outfit Marseille have dropped out of the race to sign the 30-year-old midfielder after the player made it clear that he favoured a move to Spurs.

Sergio Reguilon could be offered in some sort of swap deal, though Atalanta values the Ukraine international at €20m (£17m).

Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest recently saw a €15m (£12.7m) bid rejected by La Dea for Malinovskyi and it remains to be seen whether they will launch another move.

Conte will be buzzing

This latest update should leave manager Antonio Conte absolutely delighted as one of their rivals in the hunt for the Ukraine star has dropped out of the running and not only that, the player wants to come to north London too.

Malinovskyi would offer the Italian a superb depth option in midfield and perhaps something they are lacking.

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After providing Atalanta with ten goals and seven assists last campaign, it’s clear that the 5 foot 11 maestro is capable of adding threat from midfield in the final third.

Spurs have missed that sort of presence ever since Christian Eriksen left Hotspur Way for Conte’s Inter Milan in January 2020. The Dane delivered a goal or assist every 151 minutes for the club and nobody has been able to match that since.

During his time in Bergamo, Malinovskyi – once dubbed a “playmaker” by Evening Standard journalist Simon Collings – has scored or assisted every 114 minutes, which for someone entering their thirties is pretty respectable indeed.

As per FBref, the former Genk star has also averaged 0.32 expected assists and 4.99 shot-creating actions per 90 over the last year, which ranks him amongst the top 5% and 7% of fellow attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe.

This is surely the sort of player that Conte would love to have at Spurs right now, having struggled to break down Wolves this weekend. Their only big chance created resulted in the game’s only goal as neither of his starting midfield duo of Rodrigo Bentancur and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg managed to provide a key pass, via SofaScore.

With only Spurs now in the race for Malinovskyi, sporting director Fabio Paratici must push ahead to try and seal him before it’s too late, with less than ten days left in the summer transfer window.

AND in other news, Levy’s £22m transfer mistake over “fantastic talent” is coming back to haunt Spurs…

Celtic are looking to make two more late signings before the transfer deadline on September 1.

The Lowdown: Haksabanovic confirmed

The Scottish Premiership giants unveiled former Rubin Kazan winger Sead Haksabanovic as their latest addition on Thursday after a long-term pursuit, putting pen to paper on a five-year deal at Parkhead.

Ange Postecoglou has already brought in eight fresh faces this summer, but following a fresh update, it would appear that he isn’t quite finished there.

The Latest: Celtic’s late plans

According to Football Scotland, the Hoops ‘would like to bring in another midfield player’, and will also ‘be in for another striker’ if they manage to sanction an exit for the out of favour Albian Ajeti.

It’s stated that it’s ‘unlikely’ that Haksabanovic will be the boss’ ‘final’ new signing this window.

Who exactly these two new players could be however remains a secret.

The Verdict: Prioritise the midfield

Whilst Postecoglou would welcome a new forward with open arms, the midfield area has to be made a priority given the club have still not directly replaced Nir Bitton.

One name that has been doing the rounds is Hajduk Split’s Jani Atanasov, who Sky Sports claim has been the subject of attention from the Bhoys, though nothing advanced has yet come to light.

The Celtic hierarchy and Ange have a history of identifying exciting young talents from lesser known leagues, so whichever new players they do potentially bring in before next Thursday are likely to have a promising future ahead in Glasgow.

Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani has liked a post on Twitter regarding a potential late move for PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo.

The Lowdown: Gakpo approach

Gakpo has been a name on the Elland Road radar for the majority of the summer, with rumours returning in recent days.

Reports earlier in the month claimed that the Whites made an approach for the player, with Sky Sports sharing talk of Leeds registering their interest on Tuesday.

The club appear to be on a late hunt for a new forward, especially after an injury to senior attacker Rodrigo against Everton.

The Latest: Radrizzani reacts

The Telegraph stated on Tuesday evening that Leeds and Everton are in a late race with Southampton for Gakpo’s services. The news quickly emerged on social media, with Radrizzani then ‘liking’ a Twitter post that relayed the update.

Fabrizio Romano has since stated that Gakpo is an option to replace Dan James, who has been linked with a move to Tottenham.

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The Verdict: Club record deal?

PSV are thought to be after a total fee of £38.4m for Gakpo, who has been dubbed ‘outstanding’ by Football Oranje editor Michael Bell, which would be a record deal for Leeds.

The 23-year-old has been in fine form over the past 12 months, netting a career-best 21 goals in all competitions during 2021/22.

The left-winger, who can also play centrally, has already scored three goals and provided three assists in 166 minutes of Eredivisie action this season, so if Leeds can get a deal over the line, it could be a major coup.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Ruslan Malinovskyi is now eyeing a last-gasp move to north London before tonight’s deadline, according to reports

The Lowdown: Spurs keeping busy…

After sealing a Premier League top four finish last term, Spurs manager Antonio Conte and sporting director Fabio Paratici haven’t rested, seeking to improve the squad in key areas ahead of a long 2022/23 season.

The Lilywhites have already completed eight major signings including a permanent deal for star defender Cristian Romero, with Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison, Clement Lenglet, Djed Spence and Destiny Udogie also putting pen to paper.

Reports suggest that more could follow that plethora of names, with a promising update coming to light involving Malinovskyi.

The Latest: Malinovskyi eyeing late Spurs move…

According to claims out of Italy within the last 24 hours, the Ukraine international certainly knows his preferred transfer before the cut-off.

Calciomercato say, as also shared by Sport Witness, that Malinovskyi really wants to sign for Spurs – going as far to state that north London is his ‘greatest hope’.

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The report adds that he prefers a move to Hotspur Way over the likes of Nottingham Forest and Leicester City.

The Verdict: Get it done?

Hailed as one of Atalanta’s ‘top players’ by members of the media, it’s safe to say that the 29-year-old would boost Conte’s options.

Malinovskyi finished 2021/22 as one of their best-performing players by average match rating whilst also ranking in their top five for attempts at goal, key passes made and completed dribbles per 90 (WhoScored).

Having gained plenty of experience on the international stage also, he could be a late coup for Spurs if they decide to advance.

Newcastle United smashed their club transfer record in the summer to snap up Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad for a reported fee of £59m.

Dan Ashworth swooped to snap him up from the La Liga outfit last month to bolster Eddie Howe’s attack and he has rewarded them with two goals in three Premier League matches so far.

Things could have worked out differently for the club, though, as they heavily pursued another number nine to improve the team prior to signing the Swedish international.

The Magpies reportedly agreed a deal with Stade Reims to sign Hugo Ekitike for a fee in the region of £30m and the move then fell through due to ‘ridiculous’ demands from his agent and the attacker ended up joining Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain instead.

It may sound harsh, given that he only turned 20 in June, but the Frenchman has been a flop since his move to the capital in the summer.

Ex-PSG man Eric Rabesandratana recently criticised the centre-forward’s mentality, saying:

“I’m not convinced by Hugo Ekitike because he has shown mental weaknesses.“He’s young, but I find that, behaviour wise, he doesn’t correspond at all to what you expect from him as a young person, and especially as a player who should impose him at PSG over the years.“We need players who are focused on football, and I’m not sure that moaning every two seconds, half-bothering to do the exercises, because it bores him and he’d rather play games, is enough.”He went on to say that Ekitike is “more of a kid than a professional” and his lack of action on the pitch suggests that the manager does not believe he is ready for regular minutes.The forward has played five matches in Ligue 1 and failed to produce a goal or assist, with all of his appearances coming as a substitute, and he has not been used at all in the Champions League so far.Ekitike, who had scored 11 goals in 26 matches for Reims last season, has seemingly struggled with the step up to playing for PSG and his mentality may be playing a part in that, as per Rabesandratana’s comments.Therefore, Ashworth dodged a bullet on the Frenchman as these issues, including his accused his lack of focus and professionalism in training, could have been a stumbling block for him under Howe as they have proven to be in Paris so far.Instead, Newcastle brought in Isak and he has enjoyed a superb start to life at St. James’ Park in front of goal. Long may that continue and, hopefully, the Magpies will never regret failing to land Ekitike.

Arsenal’s youth academy is one of the best in the business and both Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe are shining examples of that.

The homegrown pair have gone from being mere Hale End prospects to England internationals in the space of just a couple of years, largely thanks to the clear path to the Gunners’ first-team under manager Mikel Arteta.

We got to witness another glimpse of that before the recent break when the Spaniard handed a record-breaking debut to 15-year-old prodigy Ethan Nwaneri.

The schoolboy midfielder became the youngest-ever player to feature in the Premier League after Arteta sent him on as a substitute in the closing moments of their 3-0 win over Brentford in west London.

Although he’s not the only young talent to receive such high acclaim in recent weeks as Nwaneri’s U18s teammate Omari Benjamin was named in the Guardian’s ‘Next Generation’ list for 2022.

He follows the likes of Reiss Nelson (2016), the aforementioned Saka (2018) and Charlie Patino (2020) to have been named in the exciting showcase, all of whom have gone onto feature for the senior squad.

Both Nwaneri and Benjamin have a true potential to become the next Saka and Smith Rowe, given the pair have already struck up a fine understanding together at U18 level, as described by the Guardian’s Nick Ames.

The journalist has also described the Welsh 16-year-old as ‘dangerous’ from the left-flank and as having ‘exceptional speed and close control along with explosive finishing ability.’

Benjamin has been in fine form already this term, providing Jack Wilshere’s team with four goals from three outings, including a hat-trick against Spurs’ U18s, as per Transfermarkt.

In a similar fashion to the aforementioned Gunners duo, Benjamin is primarily a winger (like Saka) and Nwaneri is best deployed through the middle (like Smith Rowe), so this Hale End duo could genuinely be the next big thing to come from Arsenal’s famed setup.

Youth expert and journalist Jeorge Bird has tipped the teenager for big things, too, claiming that Benjamin is “prolific” and is “a good prospect,” whilst he has also described Nwaneri as “very skilful” with “excellent vision.”

It’s no wonder the young pair are hitting the headlines around north London this term, so in a few years’ time, Arteta could well unearth the next Saka and Smith Rowe in the exciting Hale End youth talents.

AND in other news, Arsenal handed potential injury boost ahead of Spurs, it’s great news for Arteta…