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An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their interest in Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly in the summer transfer window… 

What’s the talk?

According to The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards, Dan Ashworth is plotting a swoop for the £13m centre-back if he is unable to seal a deal for his main target in the coming days.

He Tweeted: “Lille have a decision to make on Sven Botman this week. I agree with the way #nufc have reacted to them driving up asking price. They either accept the £30m bid or Newcastle move on to other targets. Lloyd Kelly and Nathan Ake two others on list. There are others playing abroad.”

Eddie Howe’s own Aymeric Laporte

The Premier League PFA Team of the Year was announced recently and one player hinted at his frustration at not being selected.

Manchester City’s Aymeric Laporte posted a GIF of Jose Mourinho saying “I prefer not to speak”, suggesting that he felt he deserved to make the cut.

The Spain international, who can play at both centre-back and left-back, averaged an excellent SofaScore rating of 7.12 in 33 top-flight appearances. He was consistently brilliant throughout the campaign for the title-winners but just missed out on being one of the best two players in his position, according to his peers.

In Kelly, Ashworth can land Howe his own version of Laporte as they are both versatile left-footed defenders built in the same mould.

Spennymoor Town boss Anthony Johnson once dubbed the Cityzens man a “Rolls Royce” of a defender and ex-Cherries manager Jonathan Woodgate used “Rolls Royce” to describe the Englishman. This suggests that both players are modern-day, quick, defenders who stroll around the pitch with ease.

In the 2021/22 Championship campaign, the Bournemouth man averaged a superb SofaScore rating of 7.04 across 41 appearances. He delivered top-quality performances on a consistent basis in the second tier and may now be ready to make the step up.

Like Laporte, Kelly can play at left-back and centre-back as a left-footed defender and this means that Howe can deploy him as a full-back if he ever needs cover in that area of the pitch. He can play as a centre-back in a back four, as a left-back centre-back in a back three or as a conventional full-back in a four.

Therefore, Ashworth sealing a deal for the 23-year-old will result in Howe having his own version of the Manchester City centre-back at St. James’ Park next season.

AND in other news, NUFC can land their own Foden in deal for “explosive” £30m dynamo, he’s “dangerous”…

Leeds United are interested in a deal to bring Ola Aina to Elland Road in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), who claimed on Thursday that Victor Orta has now made contact with Torino regarding a move for the 25-year-old, whom the Serie A side are desperate to keep “at all costs.”

The report went on to state that the right-back is also being pursued by a number of other English clubs, with the Nigeria international said to be well-known amongst Premier League sides due to his progression through the Chelsea academy, as well as a loan spell at Fulham.

Imagine him & Kristensen

While it is true that Leeds have only recently confirmed the signing of a new centre-back in the £10m Rasmus Kristensen, considering Aina’s extremely impressive positional versatility, it is easy to see why Orta is keen to bring the 25-year-old to Elland Road this summer.

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Indeed, over his 21 Serie A appearances – 15 of which came on the left flank – in 2021/22, the £6m-rated full-back highly impressed for Ivan Juric’s side, creating five big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 0.5 shots, making 0.8 key passes and completing 0.9 dribbles per game.

The £24k-per-week talent who Michael Oti Adjei dubbed “unreal” and Cristian Ansaldi labelled an “animal” also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 1.3 interceptions, 1.3 tackles, 1.2 clearances and winning 4.3 duels – at a success rate of 54% – per fixture.

As such, it is clear to see just impressive a signing Aina would be for Orta to get over the line this summer, with the prospect of the Nigerian lining up on the left and Kristensen starting on the right of Jesse Marsch’s back four sure to be an incredibly tantalising one for both the Elland Road faithful and the American manager alike.

AND in other news: Victor Orta in ongoing talks for “unreal” Leeds United deal, supporters surely buzzing

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their pursuit of Juventus gem Adrien Rabiot heading into the summer transfer window…

What’s the talk?

According to Corriere Dello Sport, via Sport Witness, the Magpies are one of the clubs eyeing up a deal to sign the central midfielder ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

The report claims that he is set to be available for a fee in the region of €15m (£13m) as the Italian giants are willing to part ways with him in the coming months.

Chelsea and the Toon are said to be the two Premier League teams leading the race to land his signature, although Arsenal have been credited with an interest in the past.

Newcastle’s own Paul Pogba

Eddie Howe can land his own version of the Manchester United midfielder by signing the Old Lady gem this summer.

Italian legend Gianluigi Buffon once compared Rabiot to his fellow French international, saying: “He is a fantastic mix, he has the physical strength of Pogba, who is like a wardrobe, has the personality of Vidal and potentially the dynamism of Marchisio. He is incredible, extremely strong.”

Pogba, who is leaving Old Trafford this year, has played at the top level throughout his career as he has represented Manchester United, Juventus and France. In over 400 games for club and country, he has averaged 2.6 tackles and interceptions and 1.3 key passes per game.

Rabiot, meanwhile, has also played for Juventus and France – along with PSG – and has caught the eye with his displays in the middle of the park. In over 300 games for club and country, the 27-year-old has averaged 3.4 tackles and interceptions and 0.5 key passes per game.

These statistics show that he is not as creative on the ball as his international teammate but has been able to win the ball back for his side more regularly. This aligns with Buffon’s comments about them sharing physical strength as an attribute as both players have proven that they can get stuck in to win possession for their teams.

Rabiot has also averaged a career WhoScored rating of 7.03 and this proves that he is an excellent performer at the top level. He has shown that he can handle the pressure of playing in major competitions; in Ligue 1, the Serie A, the European Championships, and the Champions League, and Newcastle must now bring him in to be their own physical central midfield option like Pogba is for club and country.

AND in other news, PIF plotting record-breaking NUFC bid for £60m gem who’s “all pace”, Howe needs him…

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their interest in winger Arnaut Danjuma heading into the summer transfer window… 

What’s the talk?

Transfer insider Pete O’Rourke has revealed that the Magpies will be keen on a deal for the Netherlands international if the opportunity presents itself in the coming months.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “He’s probably gone to Villarreal and surprised a lot of people who thought he struggled at Bournemouth, but he’s really impressed, and he’s now a regular in the Netherlands team as well.

“He does have a buyout clause in his contract, which is £40 million-plus, so that might again be too expensive for Newcastle in this window if their budget is not as big as many people are expecting.

“But I think Eddie Howe knows all about Danjuma, so he’s definitely somebody that he’ll be well aware of, and if he becomes available, I’m sure Newcastle would definitely be interested.”

He’s Kylian Mbappe 2.0

He may not require the power to change managers and sell teammates of his choosing but Danjuma could be Newcastle’s own version of Mbappe.

FBRef names the French superstar as a similar player to the Villarreal gem based on their per 90 data over the last 365 days. Whilst the Dutchman does not score or assist at the phenomenal rate that the PSG man does, they do both have a similar style in that they can both play out wide on the left or through the middle and like to cut in on their right foot from a wide position to do their damage.

In Ligue 1 this season, Mbappe managed 28 goals and 17 assists in 34 starts as he created a whopping 23 ‘big chances’ for his teammates.

It would be some ask for Danjuma to replicate those numbers but he did enjoy a successful 2021/22 campaign in Spain…

The Athletic’s Peter Rutzler called him a “wildcard” and he was also dubbed an “exceptional talent” during his time with Bournemouth by Clinton Morrison. He has clearly carried his ability over to La Liga as he has shown that he can score goals at an impressive rate. 

Danjuma has proven that he can be a reliable goalscorer whilst playing off the left or through the middle, much like Mbappe, and this is why he would be an excellent signing for Newcastle.

PIF must work their budget to adjust for a £40m deal for the dynamo as he can be Howe’s own version of the PSG forward. At the age of 25, he also has plenty of years left to develop and grow as a player and fans may end up asking who ‘Arnaut Danjuma 2.0’ will be in four or five years…

AND in other news, PIF plotting Newcastle swoop for “scary” £30m “freak”, he’s a major Almiron upgrade…

West Bromwich Albion failed to secure promotion back into the Premier League next season so it will now be up to Steve Bruce to put them in a better position to challenge again and now another transfer target has been linked with a move to The Hawthorns.

What’s the latest?

Football League World reported on Tuesday that West Brom were competing with Watford to secure the signature of Newcastle United’s Sean Longstaff who was initially out of contract at the end of the season.

The report suggested that his current club on Tyneside had offered him a new contract with the player facing many for next season with opportunities to gain extra game time.

However, with the midfielder now signing a new contract on Wednesday afternoon, it seems unlikely a deal will be forced through.

Should a move ever occur though, they could land a big upgrade.

Better than Livermore

Bruce is no stranger to Longstaff after managing him during his days at Newcastle United so will be more than knowledgeable on how to deploy him.

Although Longstaff’s game time has been limited in the Premier League this season, he still offers more on the pitch than Jake Livermore in the glimpses he has given for this current club.

According to SofaScore, has scored one goal and contributed one assist, was successful in the majority of his dribbles (55%) and made 2.3 tackles on average per game in 24 appearances.

The Magpies midfielder scored more goals, won more ground and aerial duels combined (50%), made more tackles and has a better pass accuracy (81%) on average per game in 13 fewer appearances than Livermore at West Brom this season.

The £23k-per-week ace who was hailed “immense” by Chronicle Live journalist Charlie Bennett, was chased in January by Everton but the bid was rejected ahead of contract talks with Newcastle after the negotiations broke down when Bruce was in charge almost two years ago.

Ultimately, if Bruce could secure the signing of Longstaff it would be a major coup for West Brom and add a fresh perspective in their midfield set up.

AND in other news: In talks: West Brom on the verge of landing 1st summer signing, Bruce will love him

An interesting Southampton transfer claim has now come out of Italy involving former Saints favourite and Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale.

The Lowdown: Bale set for move…

The Wales international is set to leave his current club this summer and is being tipped as one of the big-name free agents who could make a move to the Premier League.

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Bale’s contract at the Bernabeu expires in late June, with Tottenham, Cardiff City, Newcastle, Rangers and AC Milan all having been previously linked with a move (90min).

In a possible boost for interested clubs from the top flight, his agent Jonathan Barnett recently told Record (via Evening Standard) that Bale is likely to make a return to England. However, much will depend on Wales and whether they qualify for the World Cup in Qatar later this year.

The Latest: Saints enter mix…

According to Calciomercato, Southampton have now been added to the list of interested clubs as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side join the race to sign Bale.

The Italian news outlet claimed that they are ‘on his trail’, alongside Championship club Cardiff City.

The Verdict: Seal reunion?

If his national team are to seal a place at Qatar, we believe that a return to St Mary’s for Bale cannot be ruled out.

While the 32-year-old has started just four La Liga matches all season, it’s clear that the former Spurs star still possesses the ability to threaten – averaging three shots at goal per 90 over those limited minutes (WhoScored).

Only big name striker Karim Benzema has averaged more in the Real Madrid squad with Bale also finishing 2020/21 as Tottenham’s third-best player in terms of goals and assists combined during his north London loan spell (WhoScored).

It’s little surprise that talkSPORT host Andy Goldstein claimed that Bale is still ‘world-class’ despite entering his twilight years and Southampton’s interest in the 183-goal star seems perfectly justified.

In other news: Hasenhuttl has now personally set his sights on signing ‘absolute beast’ for Southampton! Find out more here.

Sunderland journalist James Copley has shared some big VAR news before their League One play-off final against Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday, shortly before official confirmation came from the EFL.

The Lowdown: Huge game for Sunderland

After knocking out Sheffield Wednesday over two legs in the play-off semi-finals, Alex Neil knows that his side are now only one win away from returning to the Championship.

Beating Wycombe will not be easy though, as they knocked out third-placed MK Dons in the other semi-final, and they were promoted from League One through this very route just a couple of years ago.

The Latest: VAR news

Taking to Twitter on Sunday, Sunderland Echo journalist Copley revealed that ‘discussions’ had been ‘ongoing’ between the two clubs and the EFL over the use of VAR at Wembley for the final.

He outlined: “I’m told ‘discussions are ongoing’ between the EFL, Sunderland and Wycombe Wanderers in regards to potentially using VAR in the League One play-off final.”

At noon on Monday, the EFL confirmed that VAR will indeed be used for all three play-off finals to be held at Wembley over the next fortnight.

The Verdict: Needed

Even though VAR has not been used for the entirety of the League One campaign, this is simply too big a game to ignore it, with the stakes too high not to make use of the technology when it is available.

It had been suggested that the teams competing in the Championship play-offs would welcome its use, and judging by Copley’s tweet about the ‘discussions’ involving the relevant clubs, it seems as if those involved in the League One and League Two play-offs are also open to VAR being utilised if needed.

The technology is there to help the referees reach the right decisions, and while it has had its critics, the EFL’s decision should be welcomed by both Sunderland and Wycombe ahead of Saturday’s pivotal showdown.

In other news, this Sunderland ‘pocket dynamo’ is now being linked with a summer exit

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in a move for Racing Club starlet Carlos ‘Charly’ Alcaraz, according to reports in Spain.

What’s the word?

As per Marca, the Premier League outfit have been named as one of the clubs believed to be keeping an eye on the promising 19-year-old following his impressive displays for the Argentine club since his senior debut in January 2020.

The report suggests that, while the teenager has a $25m (£20.4m) release clause in his current contract, Spurs could well be able to secure his services for $20m (£16.3m) should they wish to bring him to England this summer.

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One of the most highly-rated prospects in South America, the report compares him to compatriot Lautaro Martinez for the potentially colossal fee that he could command in the future.

The next Ardiles?

A move for the teenager would no doubt stir memories of another great Argentine to have played for the Lilywhites, with the hope that he can go to replicate the success of the club’s legendary former player and one-time manager Ossie Ardiles.

The similarities don’t just exist in their country of birth, with Alcaraz also mirroring the Tottenham great in the attacking midfield role that he plays.

A star of English football in the 1970s and 80s, Ardiles scored 25 goals in 311 appearances in all competitions for the north London side in a glittering decade-long stint at White Hart Lane, notably winning the FA Cup in successive seasons in the early 1980s while also claiming the UEFA Cup in 1984.

Although it may well be an unwanted burden to compare the youngster with such an icon of the game, the £1.35m-rated gem has already shown glimpses of his talent in his embryonic career to date, netting four goals in just 13 Copa de la Liga games this season, while also developing something of a penchant for free kicks.

An all-round talent, the starlet also has a 51% dribble success rate and averages 1.2 tackles per game, while he has won an impressive 64% of his aerial duels this term – an illustration of his tenacious, hard-working nature.

Such qualities appear to indicate a player who would be at home under Antonio Conte, with Tottenham’s sporting director Fabio Paratici needing to get the deal over the line for the Ardiles-like Argentine talent Alcaraz.

In other news – Imagine him & Bentancur: Spurs can find perfect Conte gem in £49.5m-rated “phenomenon”

Manchester City have seen many players come and go at the Etihad Stadium over the past few years, usually for significant sums of money.

As things stand in their current season, the Citizens are four games away from potentially securing the Premier League title once again.

Should the club manage to do that, it would be the only trophy they would get their hands on this season after getting knocked out of the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and, this week, the Champions League.

Now that the summer transfer window is on the horizon, it seems as though a big clue has emerged regarding what sort of business could be done behind the scenes at the Etihad this time around.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from The Telegraph, City are preparing to “refresh their squad this summer amid hope Pep Guardiola will extend his contract with the club.”

It has also been claimed that City “are expected to sign the Norway striker Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund for the £63m release clause in his contract regardless of what happens with the manager’s longer-term future.”

The report added that the Citizens “want to bring in another midfielder, with Fernandinho due to leave at the end of the season, and doubts surrounding the futures of at least five other senior players.”

Focusing on their potential swoop for Haaland, the fact that City have missed more big chances (58) than any other team in the Premier League this season shows that they could do with having a clinical striker like the Norwegian in their line-up.

Having scored 85 goals in 87 games for the Bundesliga giants, it’s safe to say that the 21-year-old could be a crucial signing for City if he can replicate that same sort of consistent goalscoring form in England.

Taking all this into account, it seems as though the hierarchy at the Etihad could be set for a busy summer period in terms of securing deals for players potentially moving into and out of the club once again.

This would surely be great news for City supporters who will be hoping that whatever business gets done in the summer will put their team in with a great chance of winning every competition in which they are involved next season and beyond.

In other news: Behind-the-scenes transfer development emerges, it’s bad news for Man City

Sky Sports pundit Kevin Phillips has backed West Brom for a total squad overhaul during the upcoming transfer window, amid reports of the club being interested in a summer move for Aston Villa’s Conor Hourihane.

The Lowdown: Hourihane news

The 31-year-old Hourihane, who is currently out on a season-long loan at Sheffield United from the Midlands outfit, was just last week linked with a potential switch to the Albion at the end of the campaign.

However, the former Baggies striker Phillips has admitted that he believes Steve Bruce should be targeting more youthful options rather than experienced veterans if the club have aspirations of making a return to the top flight anytime soon, essentially calling for a full rebuild at the Hawthorns.

The Latest: Reshuffle on the cards

Giving his thoughts on the link to Hourihane in an interview with West Brom News, Phillips said: “Again, he’s a midfielder who can score goals.

“I would understand why you would go for those types of players, but I think if you bring too many into the squad, I think West Brom need to have an overhaul.

“They have got some good players there, but I think bringing more experience in, might not be the way forward, but bringing youth, energy and pace in the squad as well as those who know the league.

“I think it’s right to get the balance right.”

The Verdict: Play-off ambitions

The midfielder has made 29 appearances in all competitions for the Blades this season, providing five goal contributions during that time, via Transfermarkt.

Despite having plenty of experience in the second-tier of English football, Hourihane, who was once hailed a “quality” player by his former teammate Jack Grealish, isn’t the profile of player that the Baggies should be looking at bringing in, especially considering the fact that their campaign has ended in disappointment, having almost finished as a mid-table side.

Bruce will no doubt want to make some wholesale changes to his squad ahead of the start of the 2022/23 term, but he has to ensure that whichever new signings he brings in have the potential to help reach the play-off places and kick on for a long-term future at the club.

In other news… West Brom are reportedly eyeing a summer move for a Championship duo.