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Tottenham Hotspur have their sights set on a new defender this summer, and one name has emerged from the Bundesliga…

What’s the word?

According to Sport Bild, Eintracht Frankfurt defender Evan N’Dicka is on Spurs’ radar as they look to bolster their backline ahead of next season.

It’s thought that the German outfit could lose several of their best players after failing to qualify for the Champions League this term, and the north Londoners could clinch him for around €28m (£24m).

The Lilywhites’ current defensive options have flatted to deceive this year, with The Athletic suggesting that mistakes at the back have been a defining theme of Tottenham’s abysmal season.

Bye-bye Dier?

One name central to all their woes at the back is Eric Dier, considering he has started more league games (28) than fellow centre-backs Toby Alderweireld (24), Davinson Sanchez (16), and Joe Rodon (eight), as per WhoScored.

Just a couple of weeks ago, Alan Shearer lambasted the England international for his ‘big errors’ in Spurs’ defeat to Leeds United, going onto question his place in Gareth Southgate’s Euros squad.

Check out the latest transfer news on the GMS Live football Transfer hub

During commentary for that game, Danny Mills labelled Dier a “defensive calamity”, and that merely echoes the thoughts of ex-Spurs midfielder and fellow talkSPORT pundit Jamie O’Hara, who urged Jose Mourinho to axe the 27-year-old back in February as he “looks lost” in defence.

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Clearly, things have not changed, but interestingly he has been linked with a summer exit – according to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Mourinho wants to bring him to his new home at AS Roma.

Similarly, former West Ham striker Frank McAvennie has tipped him to be sold by Spurs’ next manager, claiming to Football Insider that there’s “no place for him” at N17 anymore.

N’Dicka would be an ideal replacement, as he has emerged as a potential star in Frankfurt. The 6 foot 4 beast is not only dominant in the air, winning two aerial duels per game this season, but is equally adept with the ball at his feet, averaging an 84.4% passing accuracy. Crucially, he is a left-footer – a trait which is lacking in Spurs’ current centre-back pool.

His ability has been likened to Barcelona’s Samuel Umtiti, who is also left-footed and offers a pacy solution at centre-back.

The 21-year-old gem has hugely impressed his manager Adi Hutter, too. “I honestly have to say that I was surprised by his development. Evan has developed phenomenally,” the 51-year-old claimed, via Bundesliga.com. “He’s very attentive in the analysis of his own game. He’s very modest and always takes a lot on board.”

Former Eintracht Frankfurt star Alexander Schur believes that N’Dicka “shows no nerves” and “plays with great authority”, so that potentially suggests that he could be an improvement on the shaky Dier.

For £24m, it could be a very wise investment, and at the same time, Levy could well end Dier’s ongoing sticky situation in north London. The Tottenham chief must land N’Dicka for his next manager.

AND in other news, Alasdair Gold drops exciting claim on Spurs’ manager search…

Aston Villa could be set for an exciting summer transfer window after Christian Purslow’s latest update from Bodymoor Heath.

What’s the story?

Speaking to VillaTV (via The Express and Star), Purslow said: “We talk so frequently, all through the season. We have extremely precise plans for the summer window.

“It won’t surprise anyone to learn we remain deeply ambitious. Our five-year plan is to consistently improve and to consistently improve, you have to keep improving the quality of both your starting XI and your squad. We have plans to do both this summer.

“We are at a point where after two highly active summers, it will be a smaller number of ins. I would expect players who came in last year to continue to improve. With a couple of smart signings to make us even stronger, we are highly optimistic looking to next season.”

Fans will be buzzing

After ending the Premier League season on a high with consecutive victories over the likes of Spurs and Chelsea, Villa can head into the transfer window with a real bounce and optimism.
The Midlands club enjoyed a superb summer transfer window last time, with the signings of Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez, in particular, being a couple of the stand-outs.
The fact that Purslow has insisted that the club have “extremely precise plans”, and that they have been talking all throughout the season, suggests they have got their ideas in place about what they want to do.
Transfer windows are generally all about organisation and not leaving things till the last minute, and with the added obstacle of the EUROs, that is perhaps more important than ever.
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It’s exactly why both Smith and the club’s fans will be absolutely buzzing that Villa seem to have everything in order to make a real splash in the transfer market this summer.
Meanwhile, Villa are facing a major transfer battle over this star…

A number of Liverpool supporters have been reacting negatively to James Pearce’s update regarding Jadon Sancho and Kylian Mbappe.

Jurgen Klopp and his Reds players are currently enjoying a breather, following a relentless season.

In the end, Liverpool’s campaign managed to finish in positive fashion, with a third-place finish sealed, despite so much going wrong throughout 2020/21.

Qualifying for next season’s Champions League is big financially for the Reds, but it also means top players are more likely to be keen on a move.

Two players who have been linked with joining Liverpool are Sancho and Mbappe – two of the most exciting young players in European football currently.

Unfortunately, The Athletic‘s Pearce has poured cold water on either player heading to Anfield, saying it has been ‘dismissed by senior club sources’.

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Liverpool fans react negatively to Pearce update

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to show their frustration at the news, although some weren’t exactly surprised.

“That’s because LFC are broke. Having spent nothing for 3 years”

Credit: @magicmasteryoda

“Shocker”

Credit: @Phenyo_

“I’m just gonna mute the word James Pearce this guy is nothing but bad vibes”

Credit: @danmarchh

“FSG OUT”

Credit: @Tjtrxcxy10

“Pretends to be shocked”

Credit: @vicxx18

“And in other news snow is white”

Credit: @george_forsythe

In other news, Pearce has also provided a key update on a current Liverpool player. Find out who it is here.

Contrary to previous reports, Charlton attacker Chuks Aneke has not rejected the club’s offer of a new contract at The Valley.

What’s the talk?

TeamTalk reported earlier this week that Aneke is set to depart Charlton at the end of the month after rejecting their contract renewal offer. The outlet claimed that Reading, Coventry, Queens Park Rangers, Bristol City and Middlesbrough are all interested in signing Aneke, who they claim is going to be a free agent this summer.

However, the South London Press has rebuffed TeamTalk’s claim that Aneke has turned down Charlton’s attempts to tie him down to an extended contract. Aneke has not refused to sign an extension at Charlton and the club’s offer is still on the table for the former Arsenal midfielder.

Aneke’s former manager Steve Davis hailed him as a “powerhouse” during his time with Crewe. David told Crewe’s official website: 

“I thought Chuks was excellent in behind the striker, where he can play those passes. He looked quick and strong for such a big guy and was a real powerhouse for us.”

Charlton fans will be buzzing

Charlton fans will be buzzing that Aneke has not turned down the club’s advances as of yet. Whilst no deal has been agreed with Aneke to stay at Charlton, this update leaves the door wide open for that to happen whereas the TeamTalk report stated that outright that the attacker would be leaving for nothing.

This means that Addicks fans have gone from believing that their top scorer was on his way out of the door to now still thinking their side are in with a chance of him being part of Nigel Adkins’ squad next season.

The £5.4k-per-week dynamo bagged himself 15 goals in League One for Charlton, four more than the second-highest scorer in the squad Conor Washington. Aneke and Washington were the only players able to hit double figures for goals in League One, highlighting Aneke’s importance to Adkins in terms of the goals he provides. The 27-year-old only started 11 games in League One, with a further 27 substitute appearances, and averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.83.

In his 11 starts, Aneke scored six goals, provided one assist, and averaged a superb WhoScored rating of 7.30. For context, Jayden Stockley was the only Charlton player who managed a WhoScored rating of 7.30 or higher over the course of the campaign. This suggests that Aneke was one of Charlton’s top performers when chosen from the start, whilst also providing quality off the bench with nine strikes in 27 substitute displays. Therefore, Charlton fans should be delighted that there is still a possibility of him being at the club come the end of the month.

AND in other news, Nigel Adkins heading for huge error over £7k-p/w flop, Charlton fans will be fuming

Leeds United have been boosted in their quest to sign Osaze Urhoghide this summer, with the defender set to leave Sheffield Wednesday.

The Lowdown: Leeds keen on Urhoghide

Marcelo Bielsa will be on the lookout for new signings in the next transfer window, as he looks to bolster his squad ahead of the 2021/22 season.

One player who has been linked with a move to Elland Road is Urhoghide, who made 16 appearances in Wednesday’s doomed Championship season.

The 20-year-old’s Owls contract expires at the end of this month and it looks as though his time at Hillsborough is coming to an end.

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The Latest: Whites receive boost

According to the Sheffield Star, Urhoghide has rejected the offer of a new deal for Wednesday, with several clubs eyeing him up.

The youngster is thought to be keen on regular first-team football, rather than joining a team for ‘financial gain’, although the Owls can’t match his demands.

With Leeds’ interest in the youngster known (previous report from the Sheffield Star) this latest development could be a big boost to their chances of signing him for nothing.

[freshpress-quiz id=“355458″]

The Verdict: Exciting young player

At 20, Urhoghide certainly represents an acquisition for the future and is a centre-back with plenty of potential – he has been hailed as ‘really impressive’ by Dean Ashton – not to mention being a homegrown talent.

The fact that he wants regular football could work against him, however, considering the level Leeds are now playing at, with Bielsa and his players likely having European aspirations next season after finishing just short of that this term.

If he is happy to be a squad option, perhaps even starting off in the Under-23s and maturing over time, he could be a shrewd addition.

In other news, a journalist has made a big claim regarding a key Leeds player’s future. Find out who it is here.

Some Everton fans have been left to fume over Paul Joyce’s manager update on Rafa Benitez.

Writing in his latest piece for The Times, Joyce confirmed that previous rumours are true and the former Liverpool boss is indeed being considered for the vacant manager’s job, following the exit of Carlo Ancelotti to Real Madrid.

He is a candidate on the shortlist of Farhad Moshiri, which also includes the likes of David Moyes, Nuno Espirito Santo, Roberto Martinez, Christophe Galtier and Graham Potter.

Some members of the Goodison Park faithful simply do not want to hire a man who used to manage and was so fondly remembered by Liverpool, given that he won the UEFA Champions League with them back in the 2004/05 term (Transfermarkt), while others believe that other candidates like some of the ones mentioned above would be far more suitable for the role.

Everton fans on Benitez manager update

These Toffees supporters fumed as the manager update on Benitez was shared across Twitter:

“Benitez no”

Credit: @jorge_alk

“BENITEZ walked away from Newcastle for money nothing else, if we get him in am done with us. 50 years supporting the Toffees through good and bad, but appointing Benitez is more than I could take”

Credit: @MalcolmGregor18

“Not watching us if Rafa is boss”

Credit: @1878Ket

“Rafa is a big no. Galtier is the only one the fans are together on, and nobody wants to see the Spanish Sam Allardyce in charge of Everton”

Credit: @LiamTownson

“Lord help us. Not Benitez under any circumstances”

Credit: @waynewhewell

“Moshiri picked Allardyce and it was bad enough seeing Sammy Lee with him. I can’t forgive him if he gets Benitez”

Credit: @mikjaal

In other news, find out what big manager update has Blues talking here!

Graham Roberts said that Jermain Defoe is absolutely loving his time at Rangers and remains a great player coming off the bench despite the former Tottenham striker turning 39 in October.

Defoe recently penned a new one-year contract at Ibrox, although the frontman has joined Steven Gerrard’s backroom staff and will be working as a player-coach for the upcoming campaign.

He’s been with Rangers for two-and-half years following his move from Bournemouth, and whilst Defoe has never been a regular starter under his ex-England teammate Gerrard, he boasts an impressive goal tally of 32 goals in 72 games.

Four of those came last season to help Rangers claim their first Scottish Premiership crown for more than a decade, with Defoe netting his first Old Firm goal in the thumping victory over Celtic last month before he secured the Gers’ unbeaten campaign against Aberdeen on the final-day.

With Gerrard having the likes of Kemar Roofe and Alfredo Morelos in attack, Defoe oversaw just 627 minutes in all competitions, but with more than 300 goals under his belt, Roberts thinks that the veteran striker remains a great option.

He exclusively told The Transfer Tavern:

“I know him really well, and he absolutely loves it at Rangers. They won the league, and it makes it a lot easier.

“He wants to be a part of the backroom, Gerrard likes him, so he’s going to be no problem, scoring 20 goals a season coming off the bench. He’s a great asset to have off the bench.”

Tottenham Hotspur may need to act soon if they are to land one of their mooted summer targets…

What’s the word?

Earlier this month, the Mirror’s chief football correspondent John Cross claimed that Spurs were interested in signing Brighton and Hove Albion centre-back Ben White, but that they faced major competition from several of their Premier League rivals.

The situation has been ramped up tenfold in recent days as arch-enemies Arsenal have actually submitted a £40m bid for the England international, one which has subsequently been knocked back, according to Sky Sports.

However, it is thought that talks between the Gunners and the Seagulls are ongoing, with Brighton holding firm over their reported £50m valuation.

Spurs have even been handed another setback in their hopes to secure White as Football Insider claim the 6-foot defender has told those around him that he expects to move to the Emirates Stadium before the end of the transfer window.

A perfect solution

The Lilywhites recently announced Fabio Paratici as the club’s managing director of football and he’s walked into a right mess.

Harry Kane’s future is just one emerging problem, as is the seemingly never-ending manager hunt but Paratici will need to fix Spurs’ troubling backline if his club are to stand any chance of being a success

As explained perfectly by The Athletic and football.london, individual mistakes and a lack of cohesion in the backline have been the Achilles’ heel of Spurs’ season. It ultimately cost Mourinho his job, having tried 16 different defensive combinations.

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Signing a player of White’s calibre would certainly aid those prospects but the club will have to react quickly amid Arsenal’s firm pursuit.

The 23-year-old centre-back, who is valued at just over £25m by Transfermarkt, was in fantastic form throughout the 2020/21 campaign, which ended up in him being called up to Gareth Southgate’s final Three Lions squad.

He’s capable of playing anywhere along the backline and in midfield, which should be of great appeal to whoever comes in as the club’s manager.

White’s average of 1.7 interceptions, 1.4 tackles and 1.4 aerial duels won per league outing suggests he’s a very all-rounded option, whilst a passing success rate of 83.2%, via WhoScored, proves he’s just as solid on the ball, and that will again suit the Portuguese’s out-from-the-back system.

These qualities have been reinforced by those around him too.

Seagulls academy coach John Morling dubbed him a “winner” that you’d “want in your team” to The Athletic. He also added: He’s so calm, nothing fazes Ben. Any hurdles, he just jumps over. He just looks like he’s been there for years.”

Whilst he has also been dubbed a “special talent” by Sky Sports and a “warrior” by football scout Jacek Kulig.

Time is running out to secure him, so Paratici and Daniel Levy must launch their own bid to sign the Brighton sensation before it’s too late.

AND in other news, Alasdair Gold drops worrying Fonseca claim ahead of likely appointment…

Southampton’s hopes of signing Nuno Tavares this summer have been handed a boost after it was reported that Benfica are willing to sell the young defender for far less than his release clause amid interest from across Europe.

According to various Portuguese news outlets (via Hampshire Live), the Portuguese giants are willing to sell the 21-year-old for just €15m (£13m) this summer, despite an €88m (£75m) release clause in his contract.

The likes of Newcastle United, Brighton, Lazio and Napoli have also been credited with an interest in the Portuguese full-back, which suggests that Southampton will have to act quickly if they want to bring him to St Mary’s this summer.

The young defender has made just 41 appearances for Benfica in his senior career but has impressed in that time, contributing one goal and seven assists.

He has primarily featured as a left-back but can also play in left-midfield or right-back, which suggests that he could be a good back-up to Kyle Walker-Peters and Romain Perraud, who is reportedly close to signing from Stade Brest, in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side next season.

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Although Tavares would make just 14 appearances in the Liga NOS last season, he clearly has a huge amount of potential, with his agent Cesar Boaventura singing his praises earlier this year, describing him as “one of the fastest players in the whole Portuguese league”, whilst he also claimed that “he can become one of the best in Europe”.

Therefore, the Portugal U’21 international could be an excellent signing for the future at St Mary’s and would arrive with more pedigree than the likes of Yan Valery and Jake Vokins, who emphasised last season that they are not ready to be the second choice options for Hasenhuttl at right-back and left-back respectively.

Although he would cost marginally more than the £10m or less Hasenhuttl suggested Southampton would target players for this summer, the fact that Benfica have lowered their asking price means this is an opportunity that is too good to turn down for Saints CEO Martin Semmens, so he should definitely look to bring him to St Mary’s ahead of next season.

And, in other news… Southampton handed huge boost with “explosive” star, Semmens must deliver

According to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Milan News), Wolves are interested in signing Rafael Leao from AC Milan this summer.

The Lowdown: Movement at Wolves

Wolves struggled in terms of strikers last season. Raul Jimenez spent the majority of the campaign out with a head injury (Transfermarkt), while 18-year-old Fabio Silva managed only four goals in 32 Premier League appearances.

As such, new Wolves manager Bruno Lage may be looking to bring in a striker, and it seems he already has one on his radar.

The Latest: Wolves eye Leao

It is now being reported that the Old Gold are interested in Milan striker Leao.

They are not the only clubs in pursuit, though, with both Borussia Dortmund and Marseille also linked with his services, as per Gazzetta dello Sport (via Milan News).

The Verdict: Plenty to prove

Leao is certainly an interesting talent. He has already played for Sporting Lisbon and Lille as well as Milan and has previously earned high praise. In 2019, his previous Sporting coach Tiago Fernandes described him as “another Ronaldo” in reference to the former Brazil and Real Madrid striker (Football Italia).

However, he has struggled so far in Italy to find the back of the net on a regular basis. In 73 appearances for Milan, he has managed just 13 goals, only five more than he managed in 47 fewer games in France. Valued at £22.5m (Transfermarkt), Wolves would be paying an awful lot for a player who still has plenty of prove, and they might get better value elsewhere.

In other news, Wolves make an enquiry for this Euro 2020 star.