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West Ham United are said to be eyeing a potential move for Lyon midfielder Thiago Mendes in the upcoming transfer window.

The Lowdown: Mendes profiled

The 30-year-old first joined the French giants from Lille back in 2019 and has since gone on to make 107 appearances in all competitions for Peter Bosz’s side, providing 11 goal contributions during that time, as per Transfermarkt.

He is a crafty and versatile defensive midfielder, capable of playing the box to box or defensive role and even filling into the heart of defence at times, per Whoscored.

Now, a new update has emerged regarding the 5 foot 8 maestro making a possible transfer to the Premier League, and it’s one that fans of David Moyes’ outfit might just want to hear.

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The Latest: Opponent to teammate?

According to Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola (via Sport Witness), it’s claimed that the Hammers are ‘interested in signing’ Mendes and ‘intend to make a bid’ for him, after being majorly impressed with his displays when facing Lyon in the Europa League.

The source states that the Irons would have ‘an advantage’ in the race for his signature, as a result of being able to offer him more money alongside granting him the opportunity to play in England.

The Verdict: Potential bargain

The £49k-per-week star currently has one year remaining on his current contract at Lyon, but they obviously won’t want to lose him for free, putting the Irons in a good negotiating position.

The man who was once hailed as a “key” player by Rangers coach Michael Beale has had a huge drop in value in recent times, which started out at £22.5m three years ago, to now being rated just £9m, so GSB could grab a possible bargain.

If the hierarchy could successfully secure his arrival at the London Stadium, it could prove to be an astute piece of business for West Ham, adding depth in multiple positions at little cost.

Crystal Palace have been handed a boost over the future of their 35-year-old Spanish goalkeeper, Vicente Guaita.

What’s the word?

That is according to Capital Football, via Football.London, who relayed claims from the Spaniard that he is happy in London and wants to stay at the club where he has a contract until 2023, with an option to extend for another year.

As per Capital Football, the Spaniard said: “I want to stay at Crystal Palace. I have a contract here, plus one [more year].

“Me and my family are very happy here, but I don’t know what will happen in two, three in four years.

“My family and friends live in Valencia and football changes quickly but now I am happy to be at Crystal Palace.”

A big boost

35-years-old Guaita’s commitment to the cause bodes well for Vieira, who has used him in 85% of Crystal Palace’s games this season in the Premier League.

The Spaniard has asserted himself as Palace’s first-choice keeper and has made the position his own ever since his transfer from Getafe, having featured 125 times for the Eagles, establishing himself as a fan-favourite along the way.

The £57k-per week “unsung hero”, as per Duncan Alexander, is an integral part of the Palace backline having registered ten clean sheets this season with a save percentage of 70.8%. This metric sees him rank eighth in the Premier League, just ahead of David de Gea and just behind the likes of Edouard Mendy and Aaron Ramsdale who are ranked sixth and fifth respectively.

Guaita has been an integral part in Palace’s watertight defensive displays this season that have seen them rank as the seventh best defence in the league with just 42 goals conceded.

Reassuring the Eagles faithful that he had no intention of cutting ties with the London-based outfit, he has given them clarity and trust. He is an invaluable asset to a Palace side who are looking to build on the progress made under Vieira this season.

In other news: CPFC could find their new Ian Wright by signing “goal machine”, imagine him and Zaha

Everton are reportedly ready to entertain offers for first-choice goalkeeper Jordan Pickford this summer, even if the Toffees are to survive relegation from the Premier League.

What’s the story?

That’s according to talkSPORT, who claimed that England’s current number one will push for a move away from Goodison Park if the Merseyside outfit are to be relegated to the Championship.

However, even if Frank Lampard is successful in steering Everton away from the drop, the club will listen to offers for the 28-year-old.

Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be interested as are Newcastle United, although given the goalkeeper’s previous affiliation with Sunderland, a move to St James’ Park seems unlikely.

Pickford has been his national team’s first-choice ‘keeper for four years whilst being Everton’s preferred shot-stopper since his move from the Black Cats in 2017.

Lampard headed for disaster

Although subject to controversy at times, the 28-year-old has been a solid goalkeeper for the Toffees.

In his time at Goodison Park, he has made 195 appearances, keeping 53 clean sheets whilst also winning 43 senior England caps.

It would be difficult for Everton to convince the shot-stopper to stay put if they are to be relegated, as playing in the Championship could seriously jeopardise his chances of maintaining his status as England’s number one.

However, if the Merseyside outfit are to retain their Premier League place for next season, losing a player of Pickford’s quality could cause disaster.

Despite being occasionally prone to an error during his time at Everton, last weekend’s incredible save against Chelsea is an excellent example as to why the 28-year-old is England’s first-choice goalkeeper and illustrates why the Toffees must hold onto him.

This season, Pickford has averaged 3.3 saves per match whilst completing all of his runouts successfully, making him a major contributing factor as to why the Blues still have a solid chance of avoiding the drop.

Going into tomorrow’s trip to Leicester City, Lampard’s men are 18th in the table, two points behind 17th-placed Leeds United. However, the Toffees boast a game in hand, which could prove vital in the season’s run-in.

There will be little that Everton can do to stop Pickford from leaving if they are to be relegated, but allowing him to move on if they survive in the top flight could well be Lampard’s first big mistake as Toffees manager and would surely leave supporters fuming given the goalkeeper’s consistency.

AND in other news: Lampard shares big pre-Leicester boost that’ll delight Everton supporters

Having missed the play-offs in what is their first season back in the Championship, the Baggies will be underwhelmed over this season and apprehensive about their chances of escaping the division come next season.

What’s the latest?

Bruce has already stated that he intends to bolster the West Brom squad, having already signed Jayson Molumby from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Speaking to BirminghamLive, Bruce said: “I think we need as many as five or six [transfers] – a major overhaul is needed.

“The supporters need a new face or two who they can get right behind.”

On the chalkboard

One of those new faces could well be MK Dons’ 22-year-old forward Scott Twine, who has been linked in a report from TEAMtalk and has enjoyed a prosperous campaign.

It has seen him notch up a staggering 33 goal contributions in League One, totalling 20 goals and 13 assists in 44 appearances to help the Dons march into a play-off semi-final that saw them narrowly miss out on their Championship aspirations.

Being in the form that he is in, Twine may look to cut ties with Liam Manning’s side, in order to continue his development in the division above.

Considering his £3m-rated market value, age, and pondering his potential, West Brom would be right to rival the reported teams of Burnley, Norwich City and Middlesborough for his signature.

With his goal tally in mind from the third tier, Twine has outscored two of Bruce’s forward options in Robinson and Carroll, who have scored a combined total of 12 in the Championship this season.

With the Baggies set to lose the latter upon his contract expiry at the end of the season, Twine would represent an astute replacement who could form a formidable partnership with Karlan Grant and allow Bruce to axe Robinson, who despite being the Baggies’ second-highest goalscorer this season has tailed off towards the end.

The 27-year-old is far from the “pest” that Gabby Agbonlahor once described with the Irishman scoring just twice in his final 20 appearances.

Though his ability to play on the wings could make way for Daryl Dike’s inclusion in the squad – with Twine also demonstrating his creativity this season with 13 assists – the second-highest total in England’s third division.

Bruce looks to play a strike partnership up top – whether it be through the means of a 3-5-2 formation or 4-4-2 system. And with the opportunity to play on the wings or through the middle, Bruce could help to transition the form of the “difference maker”  – in the words of Sky Football – to the Championship.

In other news: Forget Grant: West Brom’s 104-touch star put on an impressive display against Barnsley 

Manchester United have held talks to sign Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, according to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg.

The Lowdown: Ten Hag meeting

Erik ten Hag has already made a head start when it comes to summer transfer business at Old Trafford, holding a meeting in Amsterdam last week.

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He has now terminated his Ajax contract six weeks early in order to get going in England, with Timber seemingly a player of interest. The 20-year-old appears to be at the top of his game, with a career-high £27m Transfermarkt valuation, and he was a regular in Ten Hag’s Eredivisie-winning team.

Timber has made 74 senior appearances for Ajax and is entering the final two years of his contract, and it looks as if United are making their move for his services.

The Latest: Plettenberg’s update on Timber

Sky Sports reporter Plettenberg provided an ‘update’ regarding Timber, who is also of interest to Bayern Munich, on Monday afternoon.

He claimed (via Twitter) that the 20-year-old could join Ten Hag at Old Trafford after ‘talks’ with his ‘management’ took place. United’s interest is reported as ‘serious’, although Bayern have made an enquiry of their own for the centre-back.

The Verdict: Needed?

United have had their struggles at the back this season, with just seven other Premier League teams conceding more goals than the Red Devils’ tally of 56. They shipped four last time out against Brighton, so a defensive rebuild could be of real interest to Ten Hag over the coming months.

His Ajax side conceded just 19 times in the Eredivisie this season, 15 fewer than the next-best defence in the division, with Timber playing a vital role in that impressive record.

Therefore, he could be a good addition in both the short- and long-term at Old Trafford, and you’d like to think that Timber will get even better over the coming years.

In other news: Man Utd now eyeing move for ‘absolutely lethal’ Bundesliga star. Read more here

Manchester United are close to a deal for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong in a major update shared on Thursday.

The Lowdown: Contact made

Erik ten Hag previously worked with the 25-year-old at Ajax and has made a head start on an Old Trafford rebuild by terminating his deal with the Dutch giants six weeks early.

The Red Devils made contact over a deal for De Jong earlier this month, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.

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Romano stated earlier this week that Champions League football was a priority for De Jong, something United can’t offer at this moment in time, however, it looks as if there has now been a big breakthrough in talks.

The Latest: Move close

The Faithful MUFC translated an update from well-known news outlet Corriere dello Sport on Thursday regarding De Jong.

They state that De Jong is next to pack his bags at the Nou Camp after Philippe Coutinho’s permanent move to Aston Villa and won’t be the last due to Barcelona’s financial situation, adding that a transfer to United is now close.

The Verdict: Ten Hag set to get his way

Should this report prove accurate, then it looks as if United are edging closer to a first major transfer under Ten Hag. The United manager wanted to change De Jong’s mind over a reunion in England and is keen on his services for his ‘tactical ideas’.

It appears like he may now get his way, and you’d like to think that De Jong may not be the only midfielder to arrive, especially as Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata are out of contract, while Nemanja Matic is also set to leave over the coming months.

De Jong could be the club’s only out and out central midfielder, joining holding midfielders Scott McTominay and Fred and attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes, which just shows that more is required.

In other news: Man Utd source: Sensational transfer twist as Erik ten Hag now hijacking move for ‘golden boy’. 

Sunderland will reportedly now ‘hold talks’ over signing Nathan Broadhead this summer.

The Lowdown: ‘Sensational’ season

As per journalist and Black Cats supporter Josh Bunting, the 24-year-old was ‘sensational’ at the Stadium of Light this season, scoring 13 goals in 27 games across all competitions, which earned him a call-up for Wales for their upcoming international fixtures. Sadly, he has since had to withdraw from Rob Page’s squad due to injury.

However, he was only on loan from Everton, so a deal now needs to be negotiated if the Wearsiders want to bring him back for next term.

The Latest: Talks scheduled

As shared by The Northern Echo journalist Matty Jones on Twitter, Sunderland are now due to ‘hold talks’ with the Toffees over the possibility of signing Broadhead ‘this week’ for another campaign.

He outlined: “Sunderland are due to hold talks with Everton this week to discuss the possibility of bringing back Nathan Broadhead for next season.

“The hope is that all clubs would be happy to see Broadhead tested at Championship level.”

The Verdict: No-brainer

Given Broadhead’s form on Wearside, and the fact that he would already be familiar with his surroundings, it is surely a no-brainer for Alex Neil’s side to try and bring him back for another season.

Whether that’s on another loan deal or a permanent signing will have to be discussed with his parent club, but either way, Sunderland could do with his goals in the Championship.

Nonetheless, Everton already have both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison – plus the returning Ellis Simms from his loan spell at Hearts – as centre-forward options already, so there is a good possibility that a deal can be struck, especially if both clubs are in favour of Broadhead getting a second-tier campaign under his belt.

In other news, find out what potential blow Sunderland could now be facing

Leeds United are interested in rivalling Nottingham Forest in the race to sign Morgan Gibbs-White, according to The Athletic.

The Lowdown: Sheffield United loan

Gibbs-White spent the 2021/22 season on loan with Sheffield United and turned out in a number of attacking positions.

The 22-year-old played as a centre-forward, on the right and in a deeper role, scoring 12 times and providing 10 assists in 37 games for The Blades.

Defender Chris Basham hailed Gibbs-White as a ‘breath of fresh air’ who ‘glides past players’ and is ‘powerful’, and it seems as if he is a man in demand following his successful loan spell.

The Latest: Leeds interest

The Athletic’s Paul Taylor provided an in-depth story regarding Forest’s transfer plans on Wednesday.

The reporter stated that Gibbs-White is one of Forest’s ‘primary targets’ and is valued at around £20m, but added that Leeds are ‘also interested’.

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The Verdict: Get it done

Gibbs-White showed his quality in the second tier last season and seems to be a ready-made player for Jesse Marsch.

The Leeds head coach prefers to use a narrow 4-2-2-2 formation and has already made his intentions clear by signing Brenden Aaronson, who is set to be used as an inverted winger.

Gibbs-White could be the next piece in Marsch’s Elland Road attacking jigsaw as he can turn out as a centre-forward, out wide or in behind the striker, meaning he could perhaps occupy the opposite attacking midfielder spot to Aaronson.

Still just 22, you’d expect that the Wolves man will only get better over the coming years, so it will be interesting to see if the Whites firm up their interest.

In other news: Cheeky bid tabled: Radz and 49ers now open talks to sign international ‘goal threat’ for Leeds. 

Former Scottish Premiership striker Frank McAvennie has been left slamming Glasgow Rangers after some transfer news that he has now heard from Ibrox.

The Lowdown: Bassey price named

As per Sky Sports, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team are asking for a fee in excess of £25m to sell Calvin Bassey this summer, with Aston Villa among a number of clubs in the Premier League interested in his signature.

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This is currently the record fee received from a Scottish club for one of their players, when Kieran Tierney moved from Celtic to Arsenal a few seasons ago.

The Latest: McAvennie reacts

Speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie, who of course played for the Gers’ arch rivals Celtic as well as other clubs in Scotland, has claimed that they are ‘delusional’ for wanting £25m for Bassey and putting him in the same bracket as Tierney:

“I have a big issue with that.

“If they think Tierney is in the same stratosphere as Bassey then I don’t know what to say.

“He is a good player, he has done well but he’s in that league, not a chance.

“Players are worth what people will pay for them. The club can put these figures on them, good for them, no one is going to pay it.

“I just don’t see how you can compare Bassey and Tierney. Tierney had all these awards and loads of trophies when he went to Arsenal.

“What does Bassey have? He hasn’t played as well or achieved as much as Tierney did but Rangers want the same money?

“Not for me, I don’t see that happening.

“If Rangers think they are in the same category then they are more delusional than I thought.”

The Verdict: Worth it to Rangers

£25m may seem excessive to McAvennie for Bassey, but he is only worth what the Light Blues are willing to sell him for.

He was one of their standout players this term, ranking highly among his teammates in terms of average tackles, blocks, passes and crosses per game in both the SPFL and UEFA Europa League (WhoScored).

Nonetheless, he is only 22 years of age, and so his best years are ahead of him, which the Teddy Bears will no doubt want to benefit from as they look to snatch the league title back off of the hands of the Hoops.

In other news, find out who could also now leave RFC here!

Tottenham Hotspur are facing stiff competition in their attempts to bring Christian Eriksen back to the club this summer…

What’s the word?

According to the Mirror, Premier League rivals Manchester United have entered the race to sign the Denmark playmaker, with new manager Erik ten Hag joining the north Londoners and Everton in the fight.

The 30-year-old spent seven years at Spurs before moving to Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan for £17m and now could be available on a free transfer this off-season as his contract is set to expire at Brentford, who are thought to have offered him a long-term extension.

Bargain swoop

Conte and co must ensure a sensational return for Eriksen as interest starts to mount heading into next season.

The Lilywhites have suffered for creativity ever since his departure in January 2020, with club-record flops Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso, as well as Dele Alli and many more failing to step up to the mark.

None of those three players remained at the club past the recent winter transfer window, leaving the Italian head coach with very few options in the no.10 role.

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Now, Conte’s current system does not cater for an out-and-out playmaker behind Harry Kane but that doesn’t mean it’s never an option.

And deeper in the engine room, he could do with some further creativity as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Oliver Skipp and Rodrigo Bentancur are all more defensively sound choices instead.

Eriksen still remains one of the best attacking midfielders across Europe – as per FBRef, he ranks amongst the top 1% of his positional peers for assists (0.38 per 90), expected assists (0.35 per 90), and shot-creating actions (5.08 per 90).

None of the aforementioned trio can match these returns, with Dejan Kulusevski and Kane the nearest with an xA of 0.25, also via FBRef.

“He is so special and we always call him Golazo, because he is capable of scoring unbelievable goals. The recognition from us is massive. It is true he is so quiet, so calm. He is a very relaxed person but he loves football,” once claimed his former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino.

Meanwhile, also lauded as a “wizard” by journalist Josh Wright and “dangerous” by Conte himself after the two teams played out a draw earlier this season.

Considering the £13.5m-rated dynamo wouldn’t cost a penny to chairman Daniel Levy, the north Londoners should be going all out for Eriksen’s signature. He could be a huge addition heading into a Champions League campaign next term.

AND in other news, Conte’s wish list: Gold drops “big” Spurs transfer claim, supporters will be buzzing…