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Celtic are once again being linked with a move for Bristol City striker Antoine Semenyo in the upcoming summer transfer window, this time by Ghanasoccernet.

The lowdown: Hot prospect

Born in London but of Ghanaian descent, the highly-rated forward has enjoyed a steady rise to prominence in the southwest of England, having graduated through the Robins’ youth system.

Having spent time on loan at Sunderland, Newport County and Bath City, the 22-year-old has already made 137 senior appearances despite his tender years.

Heading steadfast towards the final year of his contract at Bristol City, a move could now be on the horizon for the talented forward…

The latest: Celtic watching Semenyo

As per Ghanasoccernet, Celtic are believed to have ‘set sights’ on Semenyo as Ange Postecoglou looks to bolster the Hoops’ ranks ahead of next season.

It’s claimed that the Ghana international, who made his Black Stars debut this week against Madagascar, has ‘been on the radar’ at Parkhead for a prolonged period, and officials from the Glasgow club have been ‘closely monitoring’ his development.

The report added that the Hoops will allow £5m flop Albian Ajeti to leave the club in order to make room for the youngster, who was touted as a ‘real talent’ by journalist Gregor MacGregor in 2019.

The verdict: Make it happen

Predominantly operating at centre-forward, Semenyo scored eight times and provided 12 assists during 2021/22, showcasing selflessness and an ability to bring team-mates into goalscoring positions while also having a sharp eye for the net himself.

Valued at £2.25m by Transfermarkt, the Championship outfit were previously holding out for offers in the region of £20m for their talented youngster as Nottingham Forest and Watford both attempted to land the Ghanaian.

However, with the aforementioned contract entering its final 12 months, Celtic should be testing the waters with a much lower initial offer in an attempt to sign the talented attacker, particularly if Ajeti moves on following a torrid campaign for the Swiss forward, in which he scored a paltry  three goals.

In other news: Ex-Scotland manager makes Celtic transfer claim

According to a report by Spanish outlet AS (via SportWitness), Tottenham Hotspur are now ready to sell midfielder Giovani Lo Celso amid interest from both Atletico Madrid and Villarreal.

The Lowdown: Successful loan

On deadline day in January, it was announced that the 26-year-old had joined Spanish side Villarreal on loan until the end of the season after it emerged that he would play no part in Antonio Conte’s plans.

After making the loan switch, the midfielder went on to impress, having made 16 appearances in the Spanish top-flight. As a result, the Argentina international was ranked as the La Liga outfit’s fourth most valuable player, having received an impressive 7.09 SofaScore rating.

Due to the success of the loan move, it has been reported that both Lo Celso and Villarreal want to make the deal permanent this summer.

The Latest: Atletico executives like that they see…

On June 15th, Estadio Deportivo reported that Tottenham had offered Lo Celso to Atlético Madrid a few weeks ago, whilst his loan-side Villarreal were also mentioned as having a desire to sign the Argentinian ahead of next season.

AS (via SportWitness) have now reported that Atletico are indeed keen on signing the midfielder, meaning they will battle Unai Emery’s side for his signature.

The Madrid club have long had their sights on the player and made attempts to sign him before he joined Spurs from Real Betis in 2020, and it is said that their executives behind the scenes are of the belief that he ‘fits perfectly’ into Diego Simeone’s plans.

With no future at the North London club, Lo Celso is looking for a move away this summer, and Tottenham are ready the sell the in-demand midfielder.

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The Verdict: Best option for both parties

According to FB Ref, when compared with positional peers across Europe over the past year, Lo Celso ranks in the 95th percentile for tackles and in the 89th percentile for pressures.

Having seemingly regained this formed in Spain, the 26-year-old could be a strong option for Conte’s squad depth, but it seems he is simply not the mould of player the Italian wants in the centre of his team.

With Lo Celso’s £100,000 weekly salary, it seems that a move would suit all parties involved, especially with Yves Bissouma’s imminent arrival at Hotspur Way.

In other news: Alasdair Gold says Steven Bergwijn exit is ‘a matter of when’

Wolves are seemingly on the brink of finally signing Joao Palhinha, and transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has now shared what he knows about the deal.

The Lowdown: Palhinha constantly linked

Few, if any, players have been linked with a move to Wanderers in recent months than Palhinha, with the Sporting CP man surely the club’s No.1 summer target and recent reports even claiming the deal is as good as done.

The Portuguese colossus looks likely be arrive as Ruben Neves’ natural replacement in midfield, as the Wolves hero looks for his own fresh challenge ahead of next season.

Now, Romano has weighed with on what he’s heard from Molineux, suggesting the deal is not quite done but the parties are down to just the finer details.

The Latest: Romano drops key update

Taking to Twitter on Friday, Romano claimed that talks are ongoing over the structure of the payments:

“Wolves are in talks with Sporting to sign João Palhinha as new midfielder. Negotiations ongoing as reported by @Record_Portugal, price tag €20m. Discussions ongoing about payment terms, Bruno Lage wants Joao. Work in progress.”

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The Verdict: Matter of time?

With each passing day, the more it feels as though Wolves have got their man, in what could be a significant piece of transfer business to kick-start their summer.

It was vital that a player of Neves’ brilliance was replaced both immediately and sufficiently, and Palhinha could be the perfect man to come in.

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He has 14 caps to his name for Portugal, scoring twice, and according to FBRef ranks extremely highly in the defensive numbers, registering in the 99th percentile for pressures, 92nd for blocks and 86th for tackles among midfielders in Europe’s top leagues.

In other news, a fresh Wolves transfer rumour has emerged. Read more here.

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte may have received a timely boost in his chase for a world-class centre-back signing amid an emerging update involving Eintracht Frankfurt’s Evan Ndicka.

The Lowdown: Spurs moving…

The start of this summer’s transfer window has arguably been Spurs’ most electrifying of the last decade, with three major signings having already been confirmed by mid-June.

Barely a fortnight into the window, sporting director Fabio Paratici has sealed the captures of Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster and Yves Bissouma ahead of Conte’s first full Premier League season in charge in N17.

More arrivals are in the pipeline as Tottenham allegedly keep up the chase for a central defensive upgrade.

The Latest: Tottenham favourites to sign Ndicka…

According to Foot Mercato, there has been a very promising update involving Bundesliga colossus Ndicka.

Indeed, as per their information, north London appears to be the most likely destination for the Eintracht Frankfurt defender, with Tottenham now entering ‘pole position’ for his signing.

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The Verdict: Finalise the move?

A brand new target for Conte and Paratici, we believe it is no surprise that Ndicka has entered Spurs’ sights.

As per WhoScored, the 22-year-old finished the most recent campaign as Eintracht Frankfurt’s third-best performer by average match rating, whilst also winning more aerial duels and making more clearances per match than any of his team-mates.

Still quite young and barely near his peak, Ndicka has already displayed real reliability and assurance at the back, leaving little wonder he played the second-most Bundesliga minutes for his club last season behind goalkeeper Kevin Trapp (WhoScored).

The mainstay defender has also been revered by members of the media, with journalist Christopher Michel calling him an ‘exciting complete package’.

On top of all this, Ndicka employs the same representatives as Bissouma, who recently joined Spurs – perhaps handing Paratici and co an advantage in this transfer race.

Tottenham should certainly open talks and discuss the terms of a possible move for the French starlet.

In other news: ‘Attention has turned…’ – The Athletic claim Tottenham are ‘working’ to seal ‘genius’ signing, find out more here

Liverpool won’t bring Gini Wijnaldum back this summer and will instead wait to sign a younger midfielder, according to former Premier League striker Noel Whelan.

The Lowdown: Wijnaldum linked with shock return

A midfielder is reportedly on the Reds’ wish-list currently, with several players in that department now in their 30s and fresh blood required at some point in the next 12 months.

Wijnaldum has recently been linked with a surprise return to Anfield after a disappointing first season at Paris Saint-Germain, with a loan move back to Merseyside seemingly a possibility.

The 31-year-old enjoyed five superb years at Liverpool between 2016 and 2021, winning the Champions League and Premier League, being hailed as ‘sensational’ by Jurgen Klopp.

The Latest: Whelan laughs off rumour

Speaking to Football Insider, 47 year-old Whelan, former Leeds United front man turned club ambassador, claimed he can’t see the move happening, with younger midfielders arriving instead:

“If you ask the majority of Liverpool fans, they’d probably want him back.

“When it comes down to manager and the logistics of everything, it’s very hard to bring a player back so soon after they’ve left. Once you’ve made that decision, you’ve got to stick to that decision.

“He’s a fantastic player and he’d be a stop-gap, that’s all he would be. Liverpool need a more solid base when it comes to that midfield player that comes in. Someone with a bit of longevity.

“I think they are doing the right thing by biding their time and waiting for the right people to become available and go into the club for years and not just one season.”

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The Verdict: Seems highly unlikely

Wijnaldum was a fantastic servant for Liverpool for five years, making 237 appearances and proving to be such a key man in the middle of the park, but it is hard to see this move happening.

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At 31, the Dutchman is in a similar boat to James Milner, Thiago and Jordan Henderson in terms of age, and signing him would arguably feel too short-term and desperate.

It may simply be that Klopp is happy to wait a year before signing someone like heavily linked Jude Bellingham, showing faith in his current midfielders, including young pair Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott.

Manchester United are interested in Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij, according to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness). 

The lowdown

The Red Devils are poised to announce their first signing of the summer in the form of full-back Tyrell Malacia, as transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano told GiveMeSport that the £14.6m deal for the Feyenoord man is effectively ‘done’.

Erik ten Hag might now turn his attention to a centre-back, with The Athletic reporting that talks over Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez are already at an advanced stage.

However, it seems that the 52-year-old may also be interested in De Vrij, who is now into the final year of his contract with Inter.

The latest

Gazzetta dello Sport claimed (via Sport Witness) that Inter may look to offload the 30-year-old this summer for two reasons.

First of all, they want to avoid losing him on a free transfer next summer, and secondly, they can put the funds towards further incomings.

United have ‘turned on their radar’, which suggests that this situation has alerted them and that a formal approach might be in the works. De Vrij is ‘waiting for a call’ but isn’t expected to try to force through a move of his own accord.

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The verdict

It wouldn’t be a surprise if United sought multiple defensive additions this summer. After all, they set a new club record last season for goals conceded in a Premier League campaign.

To that effect, Ten Hag may feel that it is an area in need of a revamp ahead of his first full season in charge at Old Trafford.

Martinez’s capacity to play as a full-back and as a defensive midfielder, in addition to centre-back, is also worth noting. With that in mind, both he and De Vrij could certainly fit into the same squad.

The £25.2m-rated Dutchman brings appropriate pedigree, having won Serie A with Inter in 2020/21 and earned a host of individual accolades. He was named the league’s Defender of the Year in 2019/20 and also made the best XI in 2020 and 2021.

Glasgow Rangers and Giovanni van Bronckhorst are reportedly eyeing a move to bring young striker Kai Meriluoto to Ibrox, according to Finnish outlet MTV Urheilu.

The lowdown: Rising star

Currently, Meriluoto is on loan at Finnish top-flight outfit Ilves Tampere from third-tier side Klubi 04, the reserves of HJK Helsinki where Meriluoto came through the young ranks.

The 19-year-old Finland youth international has already amassed 40 goals in 76 outings at senior level and was part of the Helsinki side that lifted the Veikkausliiga title in 2020.

Now despite his tender years, it appears as though Meriluoto could already be being eyed up for a move to pastures new…

The latest: On the radar

As per MTV Urheilu, Rangers are believed to have ‘expressed’ interest in signing the three-cap Finland Under 21 starlet this summer, so have seemingly made an approach ahead of a potential move.

It’s claimed that Meriluoto is a ‘target’ for the Glasgow giants as Van Bronckhorst looks to add support for Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe ahead of another gruelling season.

The report states that ‘several other foreign clubs are also interested’ in the teenager, who has netted nine goals in 27 appearances across all youth levels for Finland.

The verdict: Planning for the future

Valued at just £90,000 and out of contract with his parent side next December (Transfermarkt), given the likely lowly fee and salary demands, signing Meriluoto is truly the definition of a no-risk venture for the Gers hierarchy.

Although still very much in his development years as a first-team operator, the centre-forward – who can also play in wide areas and deeper roles – has shown a clinical eye for goal during the ongoing 2021/22 campaign with eight strikes in just 15 outings so far, showing he is in-form at this moment in time.

It remains to be seen whether or not parent club HJK would be willing to do a deal for one of their own, however, for Rangers, who are also closing in on PAOK striker Antonio Colak, this would make an abundance of sense in order to bolster the attacking ranks whilst also looking ahead to the next generation of stars.

Leeds United are set to sign RB Leipzig midfielder Tyler Adams in a deal which could rise to £20m, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: Busy Monday

The Whites were extremely busy on Monday as Victor Orta looks to bolster Jesse Marsch’s squad even further ahead of their pre-season trip to Australia on Sunday.

Feyenoord winger Luis Sinisterra has agreed personal terms with the Premier League side and looks set to make the move to Elland Road in what would be a record sale for the Rotterdam club.

The 23-year-old may well replace Raphinha after contributing to 37 goals in 49 appearances for the Dutch outfit last season, and Leeds also struck another deal on Monday.

The Latest: Romano’s update on Adams

Romano, who covered the news on Sinisterra earlier in the day, also provided an update on Adams via Twitter.

He revealed that a transfer is ‘100% agreed’ worth £20m with add-ons, claiming that the USA international will soon travel to England to undergo a medical and sign a long-term deal at Elland Road.

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The Verdict: Shrewd move?

You’d expect that Adams, who is primarily a defensive midfielder, will come in and replace Kalvin Phillips, who was announced as a Manchester City player on Monday.

However, the 23-year-old has similar traits to Leeds stalwart Stuart Dallas. The American can also play as a full-back or out wide if required, similar to Dallas, who has lined out in numerous positions in recent years at Elland Road.

It remains to be seen if another defensive midfielder will arrive, with Mohamed Camara heavily linked. If that does come off, Adams’ versatility could come in very useful amid Dallas being sidelined with a serious injury.

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their pursuit of Raul de Tomas in the summer transfer window…

What’s the talk?

An Italian journalist has revealed that the Magpies are keen on a deal to snap up the La Liga centre-forward ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

They Tweeted: “Newcastle interested in Raúl de Tomás. Juventus has also been informed about the situation of the Espanyol striker, who could leave for around 35 million euros.”

The gem is available for a fee in the region of £30m but it remains to be seen whether or not the Toon are willing to pay that.

Imagine him and Allan Saint-Maximin

By snapping up a deal to sign the Spaniard this summer, Newcastle can form an exciting, new, partnership at the top end of the pitch.

De Tomas is a natural goalscorer and he can thrive off Allan Saint-Maximin’s creativity from out wide – creating a superb dynamic duo up front for the Magpies.

In La Liga last season, the Espanyol striker plundered an eye-catching 17 goals in 33 starts as he averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.09. This came after he fired his side to promotion in the 2020/21 campaign, scoring 23 goals in the second division of Spanish football.

Whilst the attacker was in the Real Madrid academy, he told the club’s website about his best talents, saying: “I am a pacey, competitive and technically gifted goal-scorer.”

These comments, aligned with his statistics from the last two seasons, suggest that he is a player capable of finishing off chances if they come his way as he has proven himself in front of goal.

In Saint-Maximin, Newcastle have a player who can create the opportunities the Spaniard needs to find the back of the net. The French winger created 1.4 chances per match in 2021/22 and provided his teammates with seven ‘big chances’ in total – registering five assists in the Premier League.

Now, imagine the dynamo racing down the wing and crossing the ball in for the lethal de Tomas to beat the goalkeeper at St. James’ Park – sending the crowd into raptures.

They have the potential to be a brilliant duo to watch play week-in-week-out in the top-flight next term and fans will surely be hoping that the club will now be able to agree a deal with Espanyol for the 27-year-old before the end of the window.

AND in other news, PIF can land Howe’s very own Bowen as NUFC eye move for “very talented” £20m “baller”…

Everton are reportedly among the clubs keen on signing free agent attacker Adnan Januzaj this summer, according to Spanish outlet AS (via Sport Witness). 

The lowdown: Future star

Snapped up from the Anderlecht academy, Januzaj was a prodigious talent in the youth ranks in Manchester and burst onto the scene when scoring twice including the winning goal against Sunderland in the Premier League aged just 18 years old.

Heralded thereafter as one of the brightest talents in Europe, the now 27-year-old had even been likened to Cristiano Ronaldo and compared to Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff by then United manager David Moyes.

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Since then, the Belgium international forward has shown glimpses of recapturing his best form at Real Sociedad, directly contributing to 44 goals in 166 outings before being released by the La Liga outfit this summer…

The latest: ‘Closer and closer’

As per AS, translated by SW, Everton are among the clubs interested in signing the 15-cap ace.

It’s claimed that Januzaj is ‘getting closer and closer’ to making a decision over his future amidst other interest from West Ham, Napoli and Sevilla.

In fact, the report also states that there are ‘no shortage of offers’ for the man who was hailed as ‘wonderfully gifted’ by ex-Goodison Park boss Moyes during their time together in Manchester.

The verdict: No fee, no risk?

Still holding a £10.8million market value despite his free agent status (Transfermarkt), signing Januzaj for nothing would be a sensational piece of business from Kevin Thelwell and Frank Lampard.

Albeit the early hype was never quite fulfilled, last season the balletic Belgian Sofascore rating whilst outperforming Anthony Gordon by successfully completing 1.4 dribbles on average per outing in the Spanish top flight compared to the young Blue’s 1.1 successful attempts.

Capable of playing on either wing and in central positions, Januzaj – who shares similar traits with Barcelona star Raphinha, Tottenham forward Lucas Moura and Everton’s own Demarai Gray (Fbref) – represents a wholly viable option for the Blues to strengthen the attacking ranks without dipping into the budget, leaving money in the coffers to bolster other areas accordingly.