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Leeds United are looking into a possible deal for Dries Mertens, according to Italian newspaper Il Mattino (via Sport Witness). 

The lowdown

The 35-year-old is currently a free agent after reaching the end of his contract with Napoli on 30 June. He spent nearly a decade with the Serie A club, having joined from PSV Eindhoven in an £8.53m deal in 2013.

The Belgian is capable of operating as a centre forward, second striker and as a left winger.

The latest

As per Il Mattino (via Sport Witness), Mertens is currently on holiday, but with Napoli due to return to pre-season training on Monday, ‘time is running out’ for him to sign a new contract.

If he can’t reach an agreement with Luciano Spalletti’s side, he will then go and play in a different league rather than signing for a Serie A rival.

Premier League duo Leeds and Newcastle apparently ‘begin to investigate’ whether a deal could be done, but there is also interest from Ligue 1 outfit Marseille.

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The verdict

Leeds have already been busy this summer, spending £95m on six new first-team additions. Attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson, winger Luis Sinisterra, defensive midfielders Tyler Adams and Marc Roca, right-back Rasmus Kristensen and centre mid Darko Gyabi have all arrived at Elland Road.

However, there’s still one important box for Jesse Marsch to tick ahead of his first full season in charge of the Whites.

The American said after Leeds’ pre-season friendly win over Blackpool on Thursday that they are ‘actively hunting a striker’.

While he may now be a veteran at 35 years old, Mertens would bring real pedigree to the squad, having racked up 246 club career goals. Furthermore, he surpassed Diego Maradona’s 115-goal record to become Napoli’s all-time top scorer and earned a nomination for the Ballon D’Or in 2017, two clear signs of how gifted a player he has been…and perhaps still can be.

According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham Hotspur are not prioritising a move for Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans this summer.

The Lowdown: Tielemans a wanted man

The Belgian has been linked with a move away from the King Power Stadium for most of the summer, with his contract with the Foxes set to expire in just under 12 months’ time. Tottenham’s Premier League rivals Arsenal said to have been very keen on a deal, until it was revealed that they have since cooled their interest.

It was reported by Football.London that the Lilywhites were planning on hijacking the Gunners’ bid for the 25-year-old, but nothing ended up materialising. After a fresh update, it looks as though Conte’s focus now lies elsewhere.

The Latest: Romano drops Tielemans update

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Romano revealed that Tottenham will be pursuing their other targets rather than Tielemans in the coming weeks.

The Italian transfer guru said: “I see a lot of stories but at the moment I don’t have any confirmation on Tottenham [the club’s links with Tielemans] and I think they’re focused on signing a right-back and centre-back with [Clément] Lenglet after also signing Richarlison, so it’s not a priority for them.”

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The Verdict: Conte’s already done plenty

Conte has already secured the signing of Yves Bissouma, so it’s understandable that a move for Leicester’s £49.5m-rated Belgian – who was once dubbed a ‘sublime’ player by sports journalist Josh Bunting – would be highly unlikely.

Having captured a goalkeeper in Forster, a winger in Perisic, a forward in Richarlison and soon-to-be a centre-back in Lenglet, the Spurs manager has already done a great job in splashing the cash in various positions, and this is what he needs to continue doing in order to maximise his squad depth.

The 52-year-old clearly isn’t afraid to go after exactly who he wants as he assembles his new-look squad ahead of the start of the new season, but at this moment in time, it seems that one of those players isn’t Tielemans.

Crystal Palace are targeting a move for Chelsea defender Levi Colwill, according to The Evening Standard.

The Lowdown: Summer so far…

The Eagles have made three signings so far this summer ahead of Patrick Vieira’s second season in charge. Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone and winger Malcolm Ebiowei have both made the move to Selhurst Park for free, while midfielder Cheick Doucoure joined from Lens in a deal worth £19.17m.

More could be on the way, with Palace reportedly leading the race for Wolves midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, and Colwill may well also be on the move over the coming weeks.

The Latest: Transfer update

The Evening Standard provided a transfer update regarding Colwill on Thursday.

They claimed that Palace are the frontrunners over a potential move and have been given encouragement that Chelsea may sell the player. Arsenal are also thought to be keen on Colwill, who is ‘viewed as one of the best young talents in the country’.

The Verdict: Guehi 2.0

Labelled as an ‘amazing talent’ by Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, Colwill spent last season on loan at Huddersfield Town in what was his first taste of senior football, starting 28 matches on route to a play-off final.

The 19-year-old would give Vieira another option at centre-back, one that appears needed with just four on the books at this moment in time, including Nathan Ferguson who has endured multiple injury setbacks in recent years.

Palace reaped the rewards of signing Marc Guehi from Chelsea after an impressive loan spell in the Championship with Swansea, so they could be hoping that lightning strikes twice when it comes to Colwill.

West Ham United were reportedly close to wrapping up a deal for Armando Broja earlier in the week, but it seems as if the Hammers are getting frustrated with Chelsea over the potential transfer.

What’s the word?

The Athletic’s David Ornstein suggested that an agreement was close with the Stamford Bridge outfit with personal terms in place, but little progress has been made in the last few days.

ExWHU employee provided the latest on the Albania international on Twitter, writing: “I think the club are getting frustrated with Broja situation.”

This was in response to a fan asking if West Ham signing both Broja and Gianluca Scamacca was a possibility after David Moyes’ side submitted a bid for the Italian forward.

Supporters will be gutted

With only two weeks remaining until the new Premier League season kicks off, West Ham fans would have been hoping to see Broja through the doors at the London Stadium as soon as possible.

The 20-year-old impressed at Southampton last term in what was his first taste of regular senior football in England, scoring nine goals in all competitions for Ralph Hasenhutttl’s side.

Broja had previously done well at Vitesse and with Chelsea’s academy sides but looks set to follow in the footsteps of several promising young talents who have left Stamford Bridge in recent years.

Moyes will be desperate to recruit a new striker before the season begins, after a lack of attacking depth arguably derailed their 2021/22 campaign.

With just the injury-prone Michail Antonio available as a natural option up front, Moyes was forced to rotate his team towards the end of the season as they battled in the Premier League and Europa League, which saw them fall away in both competitions.

Broja would be an excellent long-term replacement for the Jamaica international in attack and could compete with him for a starting spot at the London Stadium, so supporters will surely be disappointed to hear that talks are stalling, and they will be hoping that the deal can be completed as soon as possible.

AND in other news – “It’s true…”: West Ham target drops huge transfer hint, supporters will be buzzing

Nottingham Forest are on the verge of signing VfB Stuttgart midfielder Orel Mangala.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to Sky Sports Deutschland reporter Florian Plettenberg, who revealed in a recent post on Twitter that Steve Cooper’s side are now closing in on a €15m (£13m) deal for the 24-year-old, which is set to be agreed in the next few hours.

In his tweet, the journalist said: “News Mangala: Next one from the Bundesliga! Mangala is on verge to join Notts Forest. Last details have to be clarified. Negotiations since days. Transfer fee around €15m – bonus payments included. All parties hope for a total agreement in the next hours.”

If the Garibaldi manage to secure a move for the Belgium international it would undoubtedly represent a major coup for the club, with fellow Premier League clubs West Ham United and Crystal Palace also linked to the player this summer.

Supporters will love Plettenberg’s update

Supporters will love to hear the news that their club is set to sign yet another player, they face a tough challenge to avoid relegation next season and need all the help they can get.

Mangala certainly provides the step up in quality that they desire. The Belgian has proven to be a key player for Stuttgart and has produced impressive performances, so it’s no wonder several clubs have shown an interest in him.

If you compare him to his positional peers in Europe’s big five leagues over the past 12 months, he ranks in the top 1% for the number of players dribbled past and the top 5% for successful dribbles that led to a goal.

Those numbers prove just how good he is on the ball and at 24 years old he’s only going to get better. If Cooper lands this deal then it could be his most significant yet.

The Belgian also created four big chances last season, which is the same amount as new signing Lewis O’Brien and more than Jesse Lingard.

With these recent additions as well, the club could find themselves with a midfield that many of their rivals next season will be jealous of, and it will be sure to give them the best chance of staying up.

Cooper will be delighted with his additions so far this summer, and in a very competitive transfer market, he has every reason to be.

AND in other news: Interested: Forest eye swoop for “special” 23 y/o “talent”, Cooper will love him

Tottenham Hotspur could finally offload Tanguy Ndombele this summer transfer window…

What’s the word?

According to Spanish journalist Xavi Jorquera Marquez, Villarreal could be a potential destination for the French midfielder following a positive meeting with Spurs sporting director Fabio Paratici.

“The Villarreal board has left the meeting with Tottenham very happy,” he tweeted.

“The club has taken a very important step for Gio[vani Lo Celso]. Apart from [Lo Celso], the names of Pervis Estupiñán and Tanguy Ndombelé have come out.

“[Ndombele] likes it a lot. A possible exchange has been considered.”

Time’s up

The 25-year-old, formerly of Lyon, is one of several Spurs players on the chopping block this month.

He has struggled to hit the heights that a club-record £55m signing should be reaching, as in his three-year spell so far, Ndombele has made 91 appearances but only contributed ten goals and nine assists, via Transfermarkt.

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Signed by Mauricio Pochettino, Ndombele’s attitude has often been questioned, on top of his evident inconsistencies on the pitch. Just three months after Antonio Conte arrived in the dugout, the midfielder was shipped back to his old club on loan but they weren’t willing to sign him permanently.

Football Insider pundit Alan Hutton once slammed him as “very lazy” and suggested that he had a “petulant” attitude, whilst Sky Sports commentator Jamie Carragher has previously described him as “disgraceful.”

Considering he is also Spurs’ joint highest earner on a reported wage of £200k-per-week, he has been nothing short of a disaster for chairman Daniel Levy, so if Paratici can follow up his recent meeting with the Yellow Submarines board with a formal swap offer, then it would be very wise indeed.

Another wing-back may not be needed but with Sergio Reguilon also thought to be up for sale, Estupinan could be a decent backup signing. According to scout Jacek Kulig, he is “one of the best left-backs in LaLiga” and is “underrated.”

The 24-year-old arriving as the seventh signing of the summer could well allow Tottenham’s nightmare with Ndombele to finally end. If a deal can be done, then Paratici must get it done.

AND in other news, Dharmesh Sheth drops Japhet Tanganga update…

Leeds United have confirmed the appointment of Rene Maric as assistant head coach.

The Lowdown: Maric profiled

Maric is just 29 years of age but has already worked with a number of high-profile clubs.

The Austrian has worked alongside Marco Rose at Red Bull Salzburg, Borussia Monchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund for a combined 246 matches.

Both Rose and Maric departed Dortmund at the end of the 2021/22 campaign, and the latter has now headed to Yorkshire to work under Jesse Marsch.

The Latest: Leeds move for Maric

The Whites confirmed a move for Maric on their official website on Saturday, with Marsch describing him as ‘the perfect fit’ at Elland Road.

Victor Orta also shared his thoughts on the deal, admitting that he was ‘really pleased’ that Maric picked Leeds ‘over several other options he had to choose from across Europe’.

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The Verdict: At Elland Road tonight?

A move for Maric appears to be a coaching coup due to his previous experience at the highest level, and who knows, he could well be present at Elland Road this evening for Leeds’ final pre-season fixture against Italian side Cagliari now that his appointment has been made official.

It is good to see that the club have acted and brought in a new number two ahead of the upcoming campaign, especially as Marsch’s previous assistant Franz Scheimer left his role on a day-to-day basis earlier this month.

Maric could be the club’s final coaching addition, with Ewan Sharp and Pierre Barrieu already brought in and Michael Skubala taking over as under-21 head coach as the backroom revolution continues in LS11.

Wolves are still interested in signing Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi in the summer transfer window, but face competition from Premier League rivals Everton.

The Lowdown: Wolves keen on Batshuayi

Bruno Lage was in need of a new striker at the start of the summer but Raul Jimenez’s current injury has only intensified their desperation for one.

The Mexican will miss the opening weeks, if not months, of the season and it leaves Wanderers light on options as the 2022/23 campaign gets started.

One player who has been linked with a loan move to Molineux is Batshuayi, and that still looks like a transfer that could materialise, following a new update.

The Latest: New rumour emerges

According to Belgian outlet Het Laatste Nieuws [via Sport Witness], Wolves and Everton are the two clubs who are keen on signing Batshuayi this summer, as they battle for his signature.

The Belgian’s current Chelsea deal expires next year and it is noted that the Blues will hope to sell him in the coming weeks.

His representatives would prefer a new contract at Stamford Bridge and then loan move elsewhere however, which is Fosun’s preferred option also.

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The Verdict: Ticks all the boxes

Batshuayi would be an ideal signing for Wolves, considering he is at just at the brink of his prime, not to mention being described as ‘top class’ by Frank Lampard.

[freshpress-poll id=“399044″]

He has huge know-how at the top level, scoring a highly impressive 25 goals in 45 caps for Belgium, but at 28 he should still have years at his best, so perhaps a loan deal with a permanent option would be the best deal for all parties.

Batshuayi has already scored 15 goals in the Premier League too, showing that he knows the competition well, and we feel would more than fill the void left by Jimenez.

West Ham United are ‘definitely’ interested in signing Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, according to transfer insider Dean Jones. 

The lowdown: Hammers linked

Recently, a report from Italian outlet CalcioAtlanta (via Sport Witness) claimed that the Hammers had made an enquiry regarding the availability of Koopmeiners.

However, the Serie A club are believed to view the 24-year-old Netherlands international as ‘almost unsellable’ given his rising importance to the side following a £12.6m switch from AZ Alkmaar last summer.

Now, one well-informed onlooker has shed some further light on the situation, suggesting that although there is a genuine admiration from West Ham, a transfer at this stage seems unlikely…

The latest: ‘Definitely on the radar’

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones – a journalist for Eurosport – has claimed that the nine-cap sensation has multiple suitors and the east Londoners may struggle to get this one over the line.

He said: “I mean, he is definitely on the radar. I just think that it might be a bit too ambitious.

“He’s such a good player, and some of the genuinely top clubs across Europe have been looking at this guy. It’s going to be tough, if I’m totally honest, I just don’t see him joining.”

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The verdict: Statement signing

Having missed out on Amadou Onana to Everton earlier in the window, it seems apparent that David Moyes and co are steadfast in their attempts to reinforce the central midfield department at the London Stadium.

Despite already adding Flynn Downes and the returning Conor Coventry to the ranks, the retirement of Mark Noble and the departure of Alex Kral means that the Irons are still depleted when it comes to proven operators at the highest level, with only Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek and Manuel Lanzini in situ.

Last season, Koopmeiners – who was hailed as ‘world class’ by Twitter account Football Wonderkids in December 2020 – scored four times and provided four assists in 47 appearances across all competitions, playing as a defensive, attacking and conventional midfielder in the process.

That impressive form and versatility would be a welcome addition to Moyes’s options, and although it clearly appears to be an unlikely coup, GSB should be at least attempting to bring the £22.5m-valued Dutchman to east London.

Everton again failed to pick up their first win in the Premier League this season after drawing 1-1 with Nottingham Forest yesterday. Now, Frank Lampard may need to take a significant risk over Anthony Gordon’s future at the club.

Despite having more shots on goal and creating more big chances over the course of the game at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon, yet again, Lampard’s side failed to take the game by the reins and deliver a crucial three points in their third game of the campaign with the need for a striker becoming even more glaringly obvious.

The hosts failed to break down their newly-promoted opponents throughout the game, with just 48% possession overall and it was only when Demarai Gray found the back of the net to score a much-needed equaliser in the 88th minute that Everton took anything from the clash with Steve Cooper’s side.

Gordon has been at the centre of speculation off the pitch over the last week, with Chelsea having made multiple bids to snatch the young Evertonian away from his boyhood club before the transfer window closes and following his performance against Forest, it could be the right decision for the Toffees.

The £50m-valued ace lost 85% of his duels, failed in 100% of his dribble attempts (0/6), didn’t complete a cross, lost the ball every 3.4 touches and had all five of his shots on target saved over his 90 minute performance.

There is no doubt that Gordon is an extremely talented player and has become an integral part of the squad at Goodison Park since becoming a first team regular, but the lack of goals in the forward line is something that Farhad Moshiri and Lampard will struggle to ignore as Everton sit in 16th after three games with one goal scored.

The 21-year-old ace could be Everton’s ticket to solving their striker problem, as the money they could make on their rising star could outweigh his importance in the team as the Toffees become desperate for a prolific finisher to convert the chances being created with two big chances and 19 shots on goal against Forest alone.

The Everton boss has also refused to rule out a deal being struck for Gordon in the final days of the transfer window, with Lampard taking to his pre-match press conference on Friday, responding to a question about whether the signing of a striker outweighs Gordon remaining:

“We need both. You can’t ask me to assure anything, it’ll be naïve of me to assure anything.”

With that being said, the decision will not come easy for Everton and it will surely be disappointing for supporters if a deal is done.

However, if Everton can use the significant sum of money potentially gained from Gordon to sign a striker who will finish chances on a regular basis, something that could well save their season and indeed their status as a top-flight side.