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Arsenal are reportedly set to be handed a boost in their pursuit of Aurelien Tchouameni, as Mikel Arteta aims to revamp his midfield this summer.

The Spaniard is imminently set to announce the signing of Declan Rice in a record-breaking deal worth £105m, however, now that Granit Xhaka has departed, there could be room for more firepower in the middle of the park.

Did Arsenal bid for Aurelien Tchouameni?

In the past few weeks, it has been rumoured that Arsenal are interested in Real Madrid ace Tchouameni, with Football Transfers reporting that the Gunners ‘will reignite’ their interest in the Frenchman if other targets fail.

The deal looked unlikely with the club spending over £100m on Rice, however, an update from the Express, via reports in Spain, has revealed that the north Londoners could capture the 23-year-old at a lower price than anticipated.

The report claims that Real Madrid are active in their pursuit of Kylian Mbappe, with news speculating that Los Blancos could sell the likes of Tchouameni or Federico Valverde to free up funds for the PSG star.

Indeed, journalist Juan Ignacio G-Ochoa revealed that Madrid could allow either of the midfielders to depart for a price in the range of £68m-£85m, giving Arsenal a potentially golden chance to make another signing.

Could Aurelien Tchouameni be a good fit for Arsenal?

Lauded as “sensational” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, the Frenchman would be an emphatic addition for Arteta to integrate into his midfield.

At just 23, the midfielder has cemented himself as a valuable member of both Real Madrid and the France national team, earning 25 caps for his country.

With Rice’s arrival imminent, exploring the possibility of signing Tchouameni could take Arsenal to the next level, with a player that could encourage the West Ham captain to reach his best form in north London.

As per FBref, the Real Madrid star sat in the top 1% in Europe’s top five leagues regarding his pass completion, flexing a 92.9% success rate per 90 over the past year.

A similar level was applicable to his rate of defensive work too, averaging 1.98 interceptions per 90, a figure that ranked him in the top 1% of the continent's top five leagues also.

Having a player with such composure in the engine room could allow Rice to explore more advanced areas of his game, while having a trusted anchor in a pivot with him to mediate the transition between defence and attack.

The Englishman has been tipped by writer Henry Winter to take his ‘final-third game’ to the next level at Arsenal, after showing glimpses of what he can do further up the field in claret and blue.

While acting as a prominent figure in deep midfield, the 24-year-old is versatile in his approach to play, as highlighted by his 2.75 shot-creating actions and 1.02 key passes per 90, via FBref.

A confident hitter of the ball and creative distributor, Arteta could see Rice thrive in a slightly more advanced role, which could be made possible by signing the defensive talent of Tchouameni.

The Frenchman is a player capable of holding the fort, in a pivot that could allow the Englishman to develop other areas of his game that truly take him to unplayable levels.

With the 23-year-old reportedly available at the right price this summer, Arteta could inspire his side with a complete upgrade in the middle of the park.

Manchester United could finally launch a move to land Sofyan Amrabat this weekend, with Corriere Fiorentino, via Sport Witness reporting that a “decisive” approach could be made.

How many games has Sofyan Amrabat played for Fiorentina?

The 26-year-old has been a mainstay in the Fiorentina first-team over the last three seasons, even helping them to reach the Europa Conference League final in 2022/23. In Serie A, he played on 29 occasions for them with 24 starts, and managed an assist along the way. It means that he has now spent more time with the Italian outfit than any other club during his career (or at least he’s played in more games), featuring 83 times for the side since his move there three years ago.

It was his loan stint at Hellas Verona that really put him on the radar, with the Morocco international proving that he could cut it at the top level in Italy. Despite the side being relatively unfancied, he led them to ninth and he played 34 times for them in Serie A that season.

More impressively, he had a progressive carrying distance of 4827 yards that season – ranking him ninth of everyone in that area in the division. His 75 successful take-ons also put him in the top five in that area that year. It showcased Amrabat’s abilities as a midfielder who likes to drive forward and help his side on the attack – something that caught the eye of La Viola, who snapped him up.

Are Manchester United signing Sofyan Amrabat?

Now, he could be on the move again. The Morocco star has been tracked by Man United for most of the summer window and it appears as though a bid – and the chance for a move – could finally happen this weekend.

According to a report from Corriere Fiorentino, via Sport Witness, "something is moving" and the Premier League side could launch a “decisive thrust” – a solid approach for his services – "over the weekend".

As things stand, no move is happening because no club has met the demands of Fiorentina and hit his 30 million Euro (£26m) asking price. However, the inclination is that the Red Devils may be about to do that, as it looks as though the Italian outfit are preparing for it to happen this weekend.

If United did decide to launch an official swoop for the Morocco international, it could be a shrewd bit of business for them. He not only has produced the goods for Fiorentina but has done similar for his country, helping them to a historic fourth-placed finish in the World Cup last year.

Stuart Pearce stated that Amrabat had too much “drive”, “energy” and “leadership” for his opponents in Qatar, whilst Nigel Adderley called him the African side's “player of the tournament”.

He is at the top of his game right now then and United should capitalise while they can. If they can land him in a deal around that £26m tag, it would be a positive step in the search for trophies by United.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly interested in West Ham United defender Aaron Cresswell, as Julen Lopetegui aims to bolster his squad this summer.

The Spaniard has focused solely on departures this window, however, is now turning his attention to recruiting reinforcements ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The signing of Matt Doherty added experience and skill to his back line, which he could further in capturing the West Ham veteran.

Could Wolves sign Aaron Cresswell?

As reported by The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas earlier this week, the Midlands outfit are eyeing Cresswell in a deal believed to be in the region of £5m.

Thomas added that the 33-year-old is ‘keen’ on the transfer, with him having just one year remaining on his contract with the Hammers.

The Englishman’s nine-year stint in east London could be nearing a close, with The Athletic relaying that he did not feature in the Irons’ pre-season match against Tottenham ‘amid the transfer speculation’.

How good is Aaron Cresswell?

A true servant to the Hammers, the 33-year-old has made a total of 331 competitive appearances for the club, netting 10 goals and recording 37 assists from left-back over the years.

Having been lauded as “reliable” by renowned journalist Henry Winter, the Liverpool-born dynamo has become part of the furniture in the Premier League, making positive contributions every year when called upon.

Despite the perception that he's fast approacjing a mature age in footballing career terms, Cresswell’s suitability to David Moyes’ set-up has not dried up, with him making 28 appearances for the Hammers in the league last season.

For Wolves, signing the Englishman could be a positive acquisition, considering the potential exit of Rayan Ait-Nouri who is expected to leave Molineux this summer.

The Athletic mentioned the Algerian alongside the links to Cresswell, claiming that the club are ‘exploring options’ for the 22-year-old who ‘may be loaned out’.

The 22-year-old made 21 appearances for Wolves last season, however fell out of favour to the likes of Toti Gomes and Hugo Bueno, sparking rumours of his departure this summer.

Cresswell could be a strong acquisition for Lopetegui to obtain to cover the depth potentially lost in Ait-Nouri’s absence.

As per FBref, the 33-year-old bettered the Algerian in terms of his progressive play, averaging 5.84 progressive passes per 90 to his 3.60, and defensively, with an average of 1.09 interceptions per 90 to the 22-year-old’s 0.75.

An area of Cresswell’s game that could bolster the left-flank at Molineux is his eye for a pass, registering an impressive 1.61 key passes per 90 in the Premier League last term to showcase his versatility as a full-back.

Also lauded as an “unsung hero” by talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino, Lopetegui could add experience and quality to his side in place of Ait-Nouri, in a move that could add some stability to the defence at Molineux.

The Spaniard has already replenished his back line with the experience of Doherty, which could be mirrored to the left through the expertise of Cresswell, who could pose as a strong figure in the depth of the position to allow the talents of Bueno and Gomes to flourish.

Wilfried Gnonto and Tyler Adams remain part of Leeds United's plans for next season, according to journalist Ryan Taylor

Both players have been linked with moves away from Elland Road following the side's relegation.

Will Gnonto and Adams leave Leeds this summer?

The duo have attracted a lot of interest this summer, but the Yorkshire club remains committed to keeping them at Elland Road.

Adams, who has been hailed as a "leader", has been targeted by Premier League sides Aston Villa and West Ham United this summer, with the USA international impressing last campaign for the Whites. The midfielder has reportedly informed new manager Daniel Farke of his desire to depart this window, however an injury that will keep him ruled out until September has cast doubt over the possibility of it being completed. The report from Football Insider also states that Bundesliga clubs are interested in the former RB Leipzig player, who wants to continue to play at the highest level possible. Should either Aston Villa or West Ham make a move for the 24-year-old, the allure of European football may be a deciding factor.

Gnonto has already been the subject of a bid from a Premier League side, with Merseyside club Everton seeing a £15m offer for the young Italian international rejected by Leeds. The attacker who joined for just £3.8m from Swiss side FC Zurich last summer impressed many with eight goal contributions last season, even attracting interest from current champions Manchester City as well as Arsenal. Unlike a number of other players who have left Elland Road this summer, the former Inter Milan youth product's contract does not contain a relegation clause that allows him to depart this summer, strengthening the Yorkshire side's negotiation position.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Taylor revealed that despite both players being the subjects of interest, Leeds are planning for next season with both players in mind: "I think there is a chance they stay. Certainly Adams and although there's been interest from the likes of Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, there hasn't really been anything too concrete. Obviously, the Championship season isn't too far away now, I think it's just under two weeks away. So ultimately, I think they are part of the plans at the moment.”

Who will Leeds buy next?

Leeds are looking to attack the transfer market in the next couple of weeks, with the new season on the horizon.

The club have already announced the signing of Welsh international Ethan Ampadu from Chelsea, and are hoping to bring in another central defender in the form of Liverpool player Nat Phillips. The 25-year-old looks set to leave the Reds this summer for a fee of £10m and the Yorkshire side have registered an interest in the Englishman alongside current Dutch champions Feyenoord.

The side are also looking to address the goalkeeping position, with current shot-stopper Illan Meslier expected to leave by the end of the transfer window according to Dean Jones. Leeds have already earmarked a replacement for the Frenchman, with Newcastle keeper Karl Darlow reportedly in "advanced talks" over a move.

Leeds also need to replace Rodrigo, who joined Qatar side Al Rayyan for £3m this summer. Rodrigo was the club's top scorer last season with 15 goals in 35 games across all competitions which will be tough to replace. The main target appears to be Swansea striker Joel Piroe, who is also wanted by Everton and Leicester City, with the Swans wanting £15m to part ways with their striker.

Arsenal have enjoyed plenty of successes when dipping into the Dutch market, but they could be set to emulate one of their best moves should they swoop again this summer…

Is Mohammed Kudus leaving Ajax?

The man in question is Mohammed Kudus, who has garnered widespread attention for his fine displays in both an Ajax and a Ghana shirt. He has come a long way from last summer's protracted move to Everton, with Chelsea and the Gunners now battling over his signature according to Football Transfers.

However, it is noted that Mikel Arteta will first have to trim down his bloated squad before stumping up the £40m asking price. Fortunately, they seem to be blessed with time to make the deal happen, given the 22-year-old reportedly favours a move to the Emirates as it will play host to Champions League football next season.

Read the latest Arsenal transfer news HERE…

With Marc Overmars, Thomas Vermaelen, and more recently Jurrien Timber all having traded the Eredivisie for north London, perhaps the youngster could be the latest star to tread that same path.

If there is any who he will hope to personally emulate though from within that category, it would likely be Robin van Persie.

How many goals has Mohammed Kudus scored?

Last campaign truly marked a breakout one for Kudus, who despite having risen to prominence before that, announced himself as capable of starring on the biggest stage.

His 18-goal haul across all competitions was supplemented by a further seven assists, and the Ghana international would even translate such form into the World Cup too, as he scored twice in three matches whilst maintaining a 7.70 average rating, the best of anyone from his country.

These displays led teammate Calvin Bassey to laud the trickster, branding him a "starboy" and suggesting he was "on fire". His 7.07 average rating in the Eredivisie actually would have made him Arteta's seventh-best performer from last season, sure to bring added firepower to bolster the wide ranks.

Should he choose north London as his next destination, Van Persie is marked as the outstanding export from the Dutch league to have made that move. Joining as a fresh-faced youngster in 2004, he would go on to play 278 times for Arsenal, rising to become their captain whilst also scoring 132 goals.

Although his Manchester United exit was somewhat unceremonious, Arsene Wenger attested he was a remarkable player who enjoyed periods where he was impossibly lethal in front of goal:

"He [Robin van Persie] is in a period where he doesn't have to look for goals, they just come naturally for him, and he's always in the right place at the right moment. He got two again tonight from positions where it looks easy, but it's not easy, because he understands the game so well.

"At the moment I believe Robin van Persie is an exceptional player. He takes advantage of our attacking style. I hope we can keep him for a long time. He is completely dedicated; it is not always obvious to put a striker as captain but he is exceptional."

In 2013, Swansea City striker Michu even suggested he was "the best striker in the world".

He left a legacy at the club that is still remembered with fondness today, even if it was a tenure not littered with major honours. The Dutchman would claim just one FA Cup whilst at Arsenal, yet won the Premier League immediately after joining their Manchester rivals.

Kudus will hope to go one further, by not only emulating Van Persie's exceptional personal career, but surpassing his ability to chase silverware under Arteta's leadership.

Aston Villa are reportedly in the race to sign Santos sensation Marcos Leonardo, as Unai Emery weighs up his options ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The Villans have seen a total reshuffle on their path to progression since the Spaniard took charge last winter, and after a successful summer window so far, the Midlands side could still strengthen their squad further.

Could Aston Villa sign Marcos Leonardo?

As reported by journalist Gianluca Di Marzio earlier this week, Villa have emerged as one of the clubs eyeing a move for in-demand striker, Leonardo.

Read the latest Aston Villa transfer news HERE…

The Brazilian is said to be of interest to a host of clubs in Europe, with the Villans, Nottingham Forest and Roma named by Di Marzio.

The Italian giants are said to have priority over the 20-year-old, however the journalist has since revealed that the Serie A side have stalled their pursuit due to payment methods.

Villa could still be in the mix to swoop for the Santos forward, who is valued at around €21m (£18m) by Football Transfers.

How good is Marcos Leonardo?

Lauded as a “special talent” by South American football expert Nathan Joyes, the 20-year-old has been tipped to make a move to Europe this summer after an explosive season in Brazil.

In the 2023 Brazilian Serie A, the striker has netted six goals and registered two assists in 12 appearances for Santos, showcasing his prolific nature in front of goal.

The youngster has worked his way through the ranks at Santos, graduating to the senior team back in 2020 from the U19 set-up.

While his form for his club has been impressive, the Itapetinga-born gem has excelled on the U20 world stage beside his domestic success this year, shining at the U20 World Cup for his country.

In five appearances in the tournament, the forward scored five goals and registered a single assist to cement himself as one of his country’s most promising talents, via Sofascore.

For Villa, capturing the young gem could give Emery an added outlet in the goal scoring department, and a rising star to nurture at Villa Park with a player that has experience playing in a senior league at such an early stage of his career.

It wouldn’t be the first time that the Villans have opted to sign a young striker from outside of the Premier League, with the potential move having the feel of the club’s capture of Christian Benteke.

Signed in 2012 from Genk, 21-year-old Benteke was recruited by Paul Lambert in a move that left the manager having to defend his decision to sign the unknown young talent.

The Midlands side quickly became accustomed to the Belgian’s talents, after he netted 19 goals in his debut season in the Premier League, where he went on to score 42 goals in 89 league appearances in claret and blue.

A clinical and crucial element to Villa’s side at the time, the £7m move turned out to be a bargain for the youngster, who called it quits on his career in England with 280 Premier League appearances under his belt for various clubs.

Emery could follow the past success of the Villans in recruiting the young forward, in the hope that Leonardo could have a similar effect on his side that Benteke fulfilled in years prior to his reign.

West Ham United have agreed a deal to sign Manchester United defender Harry Maguire, Fabrizio Romano reports.

What’s the latest West Ham transfer news?

The Hammers and David Moyes have been quiet in the transfer market when it comes to incomings, however, there have been a number of departures ahead of the new Premier League season.

In total, the club have brought in around £135m in player sales, with Declan Rice, Gianluca Scamacca, Nikola Vlasic and Arthur Masuaku all leaving for Arsenal, Atalanta, Torino and Besiktas respectively.

Attacking midfielder Manuel Lanzini has also left after his contract expired, so it could be an extremely busy month when it comes to arrivals ahead of the September 1 deadline.

Read the latest West Ham transfer news HERE…

The first new player who is set to join up with Moyes’ squad is Ajax holding midfielder Edson Alvarez in a deal worth £35m, and the club could soon splash the cash on another new signing in Maguire.

An opening £20m offer was turned down by Man United towards the end of July, but it appears as if a deal close to £40m may soon be agreed.

Football Insider shared an update regarding Maguire’s future on Tuesday afternoon, claiming that the Hammers are close to agreeing a fee for the 30-year-old.

Romano has now shared a new development, claiming that a £30m agreement in principle has been reached between the two clubs for Maguire.

"West Ham have reached an agreement in principle with Manchester United for Harry Maguire on £30m fee. The verbal agreement is subject to final, key points on deal structure still under discussion but fee now agreed, as per Sky. Personal terms, to be discussed soon."

How much money is Harry Maguire earning?

Maguire, currently on £200,000-a-week, made the move to Old Trafford from Leicester City back in 2019 and has made 175 appearances for the Red Devils.

The 30-year-old fell out of favour under Erik ten Hag last season, though, turning out on just 16 occasions in the Premier League. He has also been stripped of the United captaincy this summer, with Bruno Fernandes taking over the role.

Therefore, a move away could be just what Maguire needs, and he could prove to be a smart signing at the London Stadium. United teammate Luke Shaw spoke out about the criticism the central defender has faced in recent years but hailed him as an “unbelievable player”.

“I will be honest, it is a tough period at the moment. Of course Harry is an amazing player, an amazing character. He has taken a lot of stick, probably more than I have ever seen before in football but he never hides away, he is always there.

“You can have people that can hide away and not want to be in the spotlight but he keeps putting himself in the spotlight and it shows the strength and character he has got because, come on, everyone knows that he is an unbelievable player.”

Moyes currently has four centre-back options in Nayef Aguerd, Kurt Zouma, Thilo Kehrer and Angelo Ogbonna, but with the latter of the four now 35 and into the final 12 months of his contract, signing Maguire may turn out to be a smart deal, especially with European football once again on offer at the London Stadium.

Liverpool have retained their interest in OGC Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram this summer as Jurgen Klopp looks to complete his midfield ahead of a crucial Premier League campaign.

What's the latest on Khephren Thuram?

That's according to Tuttosport (via FC Inter News), who write that Liverpool are interested in signing the Frenchman but face a wave of competition from Inter Milan, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.

The report claims that Thuram, the 'jewel' of Nice, is indeed attracting intense attention from said outfits are impressing in Ligue 1, with Les Aiglons believed to have placed a €50m (£43m) price tag on the energetic midfielder to ward off advances.

Read the latest Liverpool transfer news HERE…

While the 22-year-old is happy to stay put, Liverpool could do with a few more faces in the centre after losing James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on free transfers, Fabio Carvalho on loan and Fabinho and captain Jordan Henderson to Saudi Arabian sides this summer.

How good is Khephren Thuram?

Liverpool signed Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton & Hove Albion for £35m before swooping for the creative Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig for £60m, and while such purchases are impressive, more needs to be done to ensure the top-four is not missed for a second successive season.

While a move for holding midfielder Romeo Lavia is taking centre stage at present – the Reds have failed with three bids; Southampton are holding out for £50m – Thuram could be targetted next to close the door on the midfield rebuild.

Journalist Zach Lowy believes that Liverpool must strike a deal in any case, as he explained exactly what the box-to-box ace could bring for Klopp's side:

"Khephren Thuram is just the sort of player that Liverpool need to transform their midfield. Elite ball carrier for someone of his size and really effective at winning the ball high up the pitch — perfect signing for Klopp’s side."

If the Merseyside outfit do decide to forge ahead with another midfield transfer after the Lavia saga is concluded, one way or another, then the interest in Leicester City's Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall must be abandoned in place of Nice's gem, who would surely bring more to the table for a lasting period.

According to Anfield Watch, Liverpool have been monitoring Dewsbury-Hall's progress with the Foxes over the past year, and have been left impressed despite suffering relegation from the Premier League.

The 24-year-old, who is rated at £24m by FootballTransfers, can hold his head high as many of his peers succumbed to dismal form and the defence capitulated to flood in the water and sink the ship.

As per Sofascore, he recorded an average league rating of 6.86 last term, completing 79% of his passes, forging 1.3 key passes and 1.7 tackles per outing and winning 52% of his ground duels.

Comparatively, Thuram averaged a match rating of 7.04 in France, completing 87% of his passes, making 1.1 key passes, 1.1 interceptions and 1.5 tackles per game and succeeding with 51% of his dribbles.

Once lauded as "tenacious" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Thuram also ranks among the top 5% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues for progressive carries, the top 9% for successful take-ons, the top 21% for assists and the top 23% for interceptions per 90, as per FBref.

Dewsbury-Hall is listed as a comparable player to the one-cap France international, and while he does rank among the top 12% of positional peers for progressive carries, the top 10% for successful take-ons and the top 1% for blocks per 90, with such a similar profile to Thuram Klopp would have to decide between the pair.

And Thuram simply has to be the answer – at just 22 years of age, he could be moulded to the German manager's own creation and be nurtured into a truly world-class talent, one capable of spearheading Liverpool toward a new era of illustrious success.

Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag is now looking to accelerate a move for one of his key midfield targets following the Red Devils' lacklustre defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, according to reports in Italy.

What's the latest transfer news at Manchester United?

90min reported last week that Amrabat's proposed move to Manchester United was at risk of stalling due to their failure to offload squad players to finance the deal. Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire have both been heavily linked with West Ham United this window but to no avail, whereas Donny van de Beek's impending loan move to Real Sociedad has slowed down, with both sides struggling to agree terms to facilitate an exit from Old Trafford for the Netherlands international.

According to a new report however, Manchester United are now speeding up the deal for Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat quicker than expected as their humiliation at Tottenham 'moved the cards' with regard to the importance of bringing in another body in midfield.

The update from La Nazione, via Viola News, claims that a proposal between €25-30 million could now arrive for the Morocco international in the next 48 hours from Manchester United. Fiorentina general manager Joe Barone issued a message to players who may be keen to exit the Serie A outfit this summer in the lead-up to their 4-1 victory over Genoa last weekend, stating: "We are always ready for other entries and exits. If there is someone who is not happy, we can satisfy them by the end of the market."

La Reppublica, via Viola News, have recently indicated that Liverpool also hold an interest in £31k-a-week earner Amrabat and Jurgen Klopp has had 'telephone contact' with the Huizen-born enforcer.

How good would Amrabat be for United?

At this point in time, it may be a necessity for Manchester United to attract another holding midfielder to Old Trafford after being dominated by Ange Postecoglou's side in the middle of the park last weekend, particularly in the second half of proceedings.

Mason Mount, Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes are yet to gel as a midfield trio and encountered similar problems in their opening-day victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at home, where the Red Devils fortuitously ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a Raphael Varane header.

Amrabat would help to add some steel in the engine room for Ten Hag and comes with high appraisal indeed, having been labelled as "extraordinary" by former Spain coach Luis Enrique, cited by Football Italia via talkSPORT.

Last campaign, Amrabat was a reliable presence in midfield for Fiorentina, featuring 49 times in all competitions and registering a solitary assist, as per Transfermarkt. At the base of his current employers' midfield, Amrabat has demonstrated his ability to kickstart offensive moves with efficiency, maintaining a pass accuracy of 89.8% in Serie A over the course of 2022/23, according to WhoScored.

Combining his successful tackles and interceptions, the Morocco international made 60 successful contributions for Fiorentina in the Italian top flight alongside 23 blocks, providing real stability in front of his backline, as per FBRef.

Wolverhampton Wanderers could finally make their efforts in the summer transfer window count, as the club eye a market move in what would be Gary O’Neil’s first signing.

The Englishman has got off to a less desired, but somewhat expected start to life at Molineux, still waiting to get his first point on the board after two games played in the 2023/24 Premier League season.

The Old Gold’s prognosis was negative before the campaign got underway, after suffering a trialling summer due to increased pressures of Financial Fair Play (FFP), leading to the departure of former manager Julen Lopetegui just five days before the opening fixture.

Things could be on the up at Wolves under O’Neil, with reference to a potential signing that the club could finally make after a testing time financially.

Who could Wolves sign this summer?

From failed bids for midfielder Alex Scott, who eventually captured by Bournemouth, to directionless interest for players that were way beyond the club’s financial reach, Wolves have been put to the test this summer.

However, there could be a light at the end of the tunnel for O’Neil, with a new update linking Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill to Molineux.

As reported by TEAMtalk, Wolves have made an approach to sign Brownhill from the newly promoted side, who was purchased at Turf Moor in 2020 from Bristol City for a fee of £9m.

The speculation has been reinforced by transfer insider Dean Jones, who spoke exclusively to GIVEMESPORT about the “interesting” prospect of the 27-year-old joining Wolves.

“Wolves’ interest in Brownhill is interesting, and while I have seen some fans suggesting that he would likely just be a backup option, I don’t get the feeling that is so much the plan.

This is a player O’Neil knows well from his playing days, and further than that, he looked into signing him when he was Bournemouth manager.

When a new manager comes in, he wants to make his mark on the squad, and one way to do that is to add players with a certain character that reflects what you are looking for in the overall squad.

So, I think it’s an interesting link and makes sense as we see this latest version of Wolves' first-team squad emerge.”

What is Josh Brownhill’s playing style?

Described by former Wolves striker Steve Bull as a “top-class” talent back in 2021, Brownhill could solve a lot of questions regarding the club’s midfield.

Deployed as a central midfielder, the Englishman is versatile in his positioning in the heart of the squad, with the ability to play in both defensive and offensive roles in the middle.

Last term in the Championship, the Warrington-born machine registered 15 goal contributions, scoring seven and assisting eight in 41 appearances for the Clarets, highlighting his strengths in the final third.

For Wolves, his introduction could come at the perfect time, following the club’s farewell to midfield duo Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho, who had graced the field of Molineux through the highs of the Nuno Espirito Santo era.

At 36-years-old, Moutinho had built up a stellar reputation in the Midlands, seeing him dubbed “wonderful” by journalist Liam Keen for his passing ability, an area that will be missed in his absence.

In signing Brownhill, O’Neil could bring a sense of the Portuguese veteran back to Wolverhampton, with the player possessing a very similar skill set to the classy midfielder.

Renowned for his strengths in playing the pivot in the engine room with a balance between defensive and offensive duties, Moutinho averaged 2.58 tackles and 6.67 progressive passes per 90 for Wolves last term, as well as averaging 1.82 key passes per 90 to showcase his edge in the final third, via FBref.

Such numbers were followed closely by the averages recorded by the Burnley whiz during the club’s journey to the top-flight, with him averaging 2.29 tackles, 4.78 progressive passes and an impressive 1.81 key passes per 90 in the Championship.

With 79 Premier League appearances already under his belt in his career, O’Neil could equip his side with his own version of Moutinho by signing Brownhill, who could be the missing piece to rebuilding the squad tarnished by heavyweight exits over the summer.