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With a good 2021/22 campaign behind them, it is going to be another big summer for Liverpool and manager Jurgen Klopp in the transfer window if they are looking to better this year’s exploits.

Having almost run Pep Guardiola’s expensively assembled Manchester City right down to the line, Liverpool lost out by a single point owing to the events in the final ten minutes of both sides’ final game of the season – despite at one point trailing them by 14 points – the joy at lifting both domestic Cups earlier in the season (the EFL Cup and the FA Cup) was eventually tempered by that disappointment, added to losing out on the Champions League Final to Real Madrid.

It could also shape up to be a disappointing summer when it comes to outgoing’s. Some fans are already preparing themselves for Mohamed Salah’s exit when his current contract expires next summer, but the Egyptian ace has already committed to staying for at least the final year of his deal, however, Senegal star Sadio Mane has seemingly been angling for a move to German Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and former Liverpool striker David Mellor was recently chatting to BookiesBonuses.com about what might happen this summer.

Liverpool have already rejected two offers from the side, the last coming on Wednesday and reported to be in the region of £30 million, but speculation suggests they are holding out for around £42.5 million and that would certainly explain the up tick in transfer rumour mill reports linking us with an interest in young Uruguayan international striker Darwin Nunez.

The 22-year-old Benfica talent is apparently valued at around the £85 million mark and the signing would undoubtedly be a coup for Klopp, particularly if Liverpool’s future does see Mane head out this window, followed quickly by Salah in 12 months time.

Mellor certainly feels his arrival at Anfield would be a tantalising prospect and a good statement to make given all the out going talk at the moment.

“What a player! I watched him in the Champions League for Benfica and I was thinking, ‘Wow!’ He’s only young – what is he, 22? He’s an international already with Uruguay. I watched him, and I was thinking he’s an absolute handful. He’s got the lot in terms of the movement, the finishing, and the pace as well. He is an exciting young talent, and there’s no doubt about it – he is going to be in big demand this summer, so whoever is his most likely option – I think there is a big player and a big future there for him. I was impressed with what I saw. If Liverpool are in for him, then Liverpool are an appealing option for any top young player at the moment, and he would certainly be one of those.”

Nunez, of course, is not the only attacker linked with a switch to Klopp’s side. The club have already completed the capture of highly rated Fulham talent Fabio Carvalho, and having looked very bright in his recent England debut, 25-year-old West Ham United attacker Jarrod Bowen in another potential name being linked given his own impressive Premier League goalscoring record, and Mellor believed a big pull for him will have been in seeing what Klopp helped turn Mane into following his own arrival at the club a few years ago.

“The manager improves these players. We talked about Mane – taking him from a top player to a world-class player – Liverpool give these players the platform to do that and it’ll be so appealing for so many players to want to come to Liverpool. Bowen has been outstanding for West Ham – a very important player for West Ham – they’re not going to want to lose him. But it’s a question of who the manager would want through the door because there is no doubt about it – Liverpool are a very appealing option for players in Europe at the moment.”

It is going to be a good few hectic weeks for fans with the window now open, but whatever happens, few will doubt that Liverpool will be looking to improve further this window and go into the next campaign stronger in the search for more success.

Photo by Unsplash

Rangers have been linked with a move for a player who could prove to be the next James Tavernier in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side at Ibrox.

According to the print edition of The Sun (via The Boot Room), the Light Blues manager is keen on signing a 23-year-old full-back from the English Championship this summer.

Stoke City’s Josh Tymon has recently been linked with a move to Rangers, but any such transfer will have to wait until either Borna Barisic leaves or Champions League qualification is potentially secured, as the Potters value him at £5m.

Last season was Tymon’s best in a Stoke shirt since he joined the club in 2017. He made 44 appearances in the Championship, contributing one goal and four assists and averaging a solid 6.73 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

At 23, the left-back still has plenty of time to improve. If he joins Rangers, he could even have a similar impact to Tavernier, who was playing in the English Football League before his move to Glasgow in 2015, with the right-back arguably securing legendary status at Ibrox with his performances in the seven years since.

In 347 appearances for the Teddy Bears, the former Wigan Athletic man has gone on to contribute an extraordinary 83 goals and 107 assists from right-back, with the 30-year-old remarkably finishing as the top scorer in the entire Europa League last season with seven goals in 14 appearances.

According to Football Transfers, Tymon is a stylistically similar player to the Rangers captain, with both full-backs loving to get forward and put in crosses; while WhoScored suggests that both Tymon and Tavernier’s strengths include key passes and concentration.

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One of Tavernier’s most impressive attributes is his athleticism and physicality, and Tymon certainly doesn’t seem to be short of that either.

Stoke manager Michael O’Neill praised the 23-year-old in that respect last season, saying: “He never lost what he had, his natural attributes: athletically very, very good, quick, left-sided. What he’s got now is that his confidence and belief has grown.

“He understands the game. He’s got good game intelligence and he’s easy to work with. I always felt from a manager’s point of view that there was a player in there but he had to get it out of himself as well.”

The full-back also has an element of flair to his game, being crowned a “nutmeg king” for his efforts in the English Championship last term.

If Tymon were to achieve even half of what Tavernier has at Rangers, then he would surely be worth the £5m fee this summer, so Van Bronckhorst should definitely look to bring him in at Ibrox.

In other news… Rangers could repeat Ryan Kent masterclass with swoop for “bullish” £5.4m-rated gem

Having only staved off the drop in the final week of the 2021/22 campaign, Everton are now plotting to try and avoid a similar story next term, with the opening up of the transfer window offering the chance for manager Frank Lampard to drastically alter his squad.

The past few days has already seen the confirmation that a handful of players will be heading for the exit door, following the expiry of their contracts, although at present there has been relative inaction with regards to incomings, albeit with soon-to-be free agent James Tarkowski one name that been heavily linked with a move to Goodison Park.

Another figure who has also recently cropped up onto the radar is Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard, with the Englishman also set to be available on a free this summer, with the Red Devils having recently confirmed his impending departure from Old Trafford.

The 29-year-old endured a torrid campaign back at his parent club having previously impressed on loan at West Ham United during the 2020/21 season, making just two Premier League starts under both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick combined in what proved to be another wasted year in Manchester.

After reinvigorating his career with the Hammers – where he provided nine goals and four assists in just 16 games – the decision not to leave the Theatre of Dreams on a permanent deal last summer has backfired, with the United youth product now once again out of the England reckoning in what is a pivotal, World Cup year.

A host of clubs – such as the Toffees – are likely to be battling it out for his signature in the coming months, with all hoping he can replicate the form he showed both at the London Stadium and in previous years with United.

However, amid talk that he could be demanding as much as £180k-per-week – having reportedly been on £80k-per-week at United – it begs the question as to whether it is wise for Lampard and co to pursue the deal, particularly for a player who has only once reached 20 top-flight starts in his career – that coming in the 2017/18 season.

Any deal would also seemingly mirror the decision to bring in Dele Alli back in January, with the 26-year-old joining on an initial free transfer deal from Tottenham Hotspur – albeit with the fee potentially set to reach as much as £30m based on a number of performance-related factors.

Just six months into his stint, there has already been suggestion that the one-time MK Dons man could be moved on this summer, having failed to make any sort of mark thus far, earning just one league start for the Merseyside outfit in the 2021/22 campaign.

Once dubbed “one of the best in Europe” by former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, the former prodigy has endured a real career nosedive in recent seasons, with a return to the international fold under Gareth Southgate now seemingly a long shot.

Do Everton and Lampard really want to be saddled with another player on the decline in Lingard?

Yes he was once labelled a “nightmare” by Ryan Giggs for his exciting talent, yet he has only managed to show flickers of his quality in the past four years or so, with the Toffees simply unable to afford another expensive mistake.

Owner Farhad Moshiri has already pointed out that the club have spent unwisely in recent years, yet they must learn from previous mistakes and not pay over the odds – this time in wages – for a player who has rarely ever produced the goods consistently.

The club – and Lampard – can be forgiven for thinking they could resurrect Alli’s career, yet they will have nowhere left to turn if they repeat their error with Lingard.

IN other news, “Everton want..“: David Ornstein delivers huge transfer update, Lampard will be fuming 

Tottenham are set to launch a £60m bid for Leeds United winger Raphinha, according to Gianluigi Longari.

The Lowdown: Arsenal offer

The Brazil international is becoming a man in demand this summer, with a move to Barcelona now looking less likely due to their financial issues.

Arsenal submitted a formal bid on Tuesday evening for the 25-year-old, according to David Ornstein, which fell well short of the Whites’ valuation.

Phil Hay previously stated that it could take an offer of between £60m and £70m to get the winger out of Elland Road, and it looks as if Leeds are set to receive one from Spurs.

The Latest: Longari’s update

Longari took to Twitter on Tuesday morning to provide an update on Raphinha’s situation.

He stated that Tottenham ‘also’ want the Leeds winger and are ‘ready’ to submit an offer worth £60m in total (£50m + £10m in add-ons).

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The Verdict: Bidding war?

Those inside Elland Road may well be resigned to losing Raphinha this summer, so they could be hoping for a bidding war between the two London clubs.

Should one materialise, a transfer could get closer to £70m, which many would see as a respectable fee for the 25-year-old. However, it looks as if the Whites may receive another offer from Spurs which matches their valuation, so it’ll be interesting to see what they decide to do next.

Arsenal could well look to match Spurs’ incoming bid, and with Raphinha undecided on his future at this moment in time, it could be an intriguing few weeks.

Leeds United conceded their fair share of goals during the latest Premier League campaign.

With 38 games played, the Whites ended up conceding 79 goals, leaving only Norwich City with a worse defensive record.

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Despite this unwelcome statistic, the Yorkshire club managed to keep their place in the Premier League, unlike the Canaries.

One figure in Leeds’ squad that helped keep the club in the top division is Diego Llorente.

Signed from Real Sociedad back in September 2020 in a deal worth £18m, the Spaniard has made 45 appearances for the Whites across all competitions.

Last season saw the centre-back win 35 tackles and make 61 blocks, 61 interceptions and 104 clearances in 28 league games.

With that in mind, it’s safe to suggest that had Llorente not been as prominent in the team as he was, Leeds may not have been able to avoid relegation.

Taking this into account, the Yorkshire club should be using the summer transfer window to reinforce their defence and make sure they don’t concede as many goals as they did last time out.

One figure that the Whites have been linked with recently who could help out in that regard and give Jesse Marsch the chance to form a tough defensive duo alongside Llorente is Gerzino Nyamsi.

During his debut campaign with Strasbourg last season, the 25-year-old won 23 tackles and made 47 blocks, 42 interceptions and 121 clearances over 34 league appearances.

This shows how capable he is at the back and why the £6.75m-rated centre-back would be a useful asset for Leeds in their efforts to strengthen their defence.

In fact, his performances throughout the season were described as “outstanding” by journalist Robin Bairner on Twitter.

With all of this in mind, having a player like Nyamsi in the team alongside Llorente could be just what Marsch needs to make sure his side aren’t involved in another relegation battle next season and beyond.

Moving forward, even though he’s only had one season at Strasbourg, if the French club are willing to negotiate a deal for him this summer, then Leeds should have no doubts over launching a move to bring him to Elland Road.

AND in other news: Orta now plotting offer for “extraordinary” £20m Leeds target, imagine him & Bamford

Sunderland are hoping to land the signature of Leeds United youngster, Charlie Cresswell.

What’s the word?

That is according to a report from TEAMtalk editor James Marshment who claims that the Black Cats have joined the hunt for Cresswell’s temporary signature.

Marshment states that the Leeds United youth product is holding talks over a potential loan move to Millwall, but Sunderland’s late surge of interest means that they too are hoping to land the defender.

Taking to his personal Twitter account to reveal the interest surrounding Cresswell, Marshment said:

“Charlie Cresswell is holding talks over a potential loan move to Millwall – but TEAMtalk understands that Sunderland are also hoping to land the Leeds United defender.”

Alex Neil will love him

The news surrounding Sunderland’s latest endeavour in the transfer market will be like music to Sunderland boss Alex Neil’s ears.

At 19 years of age and already a regular on the Leeds United bench, the England U21 international has a lot of potential and is clearly respected.

However, despite being a regular squad member in the first team, the centre-back has made just 228 minutes of football played is no where near good enough. And despite featuring regularly for the under-23s, he now needs consistent minutes for a competitive senior side.

It’s something that Cresswell’s agent Hayden Evans made clear back in May, as per Leeds That Podcast:

“You get the frustration of certain fans who say ‘if they’re good enough they’re old enough’ and they should be given opportunities, but there is a reasonable understanding about why he’s not getting the minutes when you see who is in front of him.

“But he has to get more football soon. We’ll have the usual conversations in the summer and see where it goes from there,”

A move to Sunderland would benefit both club and player and from the perspective of Neil who will most certainly love his style as a physical yet elegant central defender, it’s a move that has to happen.

AND in other news: “Completing a move..“: Reporter drops huge SAFC transfer update, Neil surely elated 

Nottingham Forest have been heavily linked with signing Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White in recent weeks and the 22-year-old would arguably be an upgrade on James Garner in Steve Cooper’s side next season.

Reports have suggested that Forest, along with Everton and Crystal Palace, are interested in the £30m signing Gibbs-White following his impressive performances out on loan at Sheffield United last season.

After the loan signing of Dean Henderson from Manchester United, Forest fans have been consigned to the knowledge that Garner won’t be returning to the City Ground again next season, unless the Red Devils can be convinced to let him go permanently, which seems unlikely at this stage.

Premier League rules mean that you can only loan one player from another side and thus Cooper must look for a replacement for Garner in his midfield after the 21-year-old played a huge part in Forest’s promotion last season.

The United academy graduate would make 44 appearances in the Championship, contributing four goals and eight assists, averaging an impressive WhoScored rating of 7.09 for his performances, which were enough to establish him as a fan favourite at the club.

However, while he was undoubtedly superb, Gibbs-White enjoyed arguably a better season with the Blades, and could be a better long-term addition if he joins on a permanent deal.

The Wolves man would contribute 12 goals and 10 assists for Paul Heckingbottom’s side in the Championship, while also impressing in the playoff semi-final game at the City Ground, with WhoScored awarding him a 7.14 average rating for his performances.

While Garner is arguably better at the defensive side of the game, Gibbs-White can definitely offer more going forwards and also has far more experience in the top-flight, having made 46 appearances in the Premier League with Wolves.

Therefore, now that a move for Garner is off the table, Cooper should definitely push to bring the “outstanding” Gibbs-White to Nottingham this summer.

AND in other news: Cooper plotting NFFC bid for £15.3m-rated “incredible talent”, he can replace Garner

Newcastle United have been busy in the summer transfer window and have brought in several players to bolster their squad.

Matt Targett, Nick Pope and Sven Botman have all arrived on permanent deals and the club are still in the market to improve their attacking options.

It has been reported that the Toon may look to make a “statement” signing at the top end of the pitch after their top scorer Callum Wilson managed eight goals in the Premier League last term.

One player who Dan Ashworth must now look to sign is Manchester United winger Marcus Rashford. Earlier this year, journalist Dean Jones named the Magpies as one of the clubs interested in snapping up the 24-year-old if he becomes available ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I think as soon as Rashford’s future came into doubt, we did a story on the fact that Arsenal and Newcastle would be the two teams expected to lead the chase for Rashford, and I think that is the case.”

Manchester Evening News reporter Rich Fay once dubbed Rashford a “joy to watch”, and that is exactly what he would be for Toon supporters if Howe can get him back playing at his best.

A change of scenery could inspire the England international to rediscover his best form, while Newcastle would be landing a huge upgrade on Allan Saint-Maximin if he is able to do so.

Their respective statistics over the last three top-flight seasons suggest that Rashford would offer far more than the Frenchman in front of goal, whilst creating a similar amount.

Both of them have the quality to provide their team-mates with chances to score on a regular basis and that is evidenced by their statistics. However, the Red Devils man has the edge when it comes to finding the net.

Saint-Maximin has never scored more than five goals in a Premier League campaign, whilst the England international has netted 10+ goals in three of his last four.

In 2020/21, Rashford produced 11 goals and nine assists in 33 starts as he showed that he the quality to score and set up goals consistently. However, the £180k-per-week magician’s form dipped in 2021/22 as he scored just four times and managed two assists in 13 starts.

His impressive numbers in the seasons leading up to the last one suggest that it is just a blip for the Red Devils forward, and that is why Ashworth can land a huge upgrade on Saint-Maximin by signing the left winger this summer.

Newcastle must snap up Rashford from Old Trafford and offer him a chance to revive his career so that he can get back to scoring 10+ goals in the Premier League next term.

AND in other news, “Lots of talk..”: Keith Downie drops exciting NUFC transfer claim that’ll elate Howe…

Manchester United reportedly want to unveil Christian Eriksen as a new signing during their pre-season tour of Australia.

The Lowdown: One in, more to come?

The Red Devils made left-back Tyrell Malacia the first signing of the Erik ten Hag era earlier this month, and it looks as if more new arrivals could be on the way.

A move for Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez appears to be in the pipeline, with Fabrizio Romano revealing that United hope to seal a deal in the coming days. Romano has also added that a full agreement has now been reached with Barcelona for Frenkie de Jong.

Free agent Eriksen has also been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford, and it looks as if the player who Antonio Conte hailed as ‘amazing’, is also on the way.

The Latest: Eriksen update

The Daily Express relayed an update from ESPN regarding Eriksen and Manchester United on Wednesday.

They claimed that the Red Devils are hopeful that the 30-year-old can link up with the squad in Australia and that an announcement could be imminent following the completion of a medical and a verbal three-year agreement.

The Verdict: Good move

Eriksen shone upon his return to the Premier League with Brentford last season, with 11 games.

The Bees won an impressive attacking midfield role or out wide.

The Denmark international even lined out in a deeper midfield role in west London last season, so he should bring plenty of versatility and top-flight experience to Old Trafford, which could be extremely handy in Ten Hag’s first season in Manchester.

Still just 30 years of age, you’d like to think that Eriksen still has plenty left to give at the highest level, so securing his services for nothing until 2025 could turn out to be an inspired piece of business by the Red Devils.

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their pursuit of Moussa Diaby in the summer transfer window… 

What’s the talk?

Journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed that the attacker is interested in making the switch to St. James’ Park ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

The reporter has also stated that a wide player is not the only position that PIF are looking to strengthen in between now and August.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “Newcastle are really keen on signing a winger and a striker. Diaby is possible, he’s open to the move, but it remains to be seen whether Bayer Leverkusen will sell. Newcastle also won’t overpay for Diaby.”

Just imagine him & Callum Wilson

Craig Hope has claimed that the attacker is “too expensive” for the club and a fee of £60m has been touted but this latest update gives the Magpies a glimmer of hope, pardon the pun.

Whilst Leverkusen are sticking to their guns, for now, the German outfit may be forced to reconsider their position if Diaby gets itchy feet later in the window and decides that he wants to act on his interest in the Toon army.

Now, imagine the partnership Newcastle could have in Diaby and Wilson if they are able to pull off a deal in the next six weeks or so.

Chronicle editor Aaron Stokes recently hailed the Frenchman as “electrifying” and his statistics in the Bundesliga last term back up that claim. He was constantly lighting up matches with his impressive ability in the final third, scoring and creating goals to win games for Leverkusen.

The 22-year-old ended the campaign with 13 goals and 12 assists in the division, creating 15 ‘big chances’ for his teammates in total. This highlights the potential impact he can have for the Magpies as their star man out wide.

In Wilson, Newcastle already have a player who can thrive off Diaby’s creativity and take his own game to another level. The Englishman scored eight goals in 16 starts last term and 12 goals in 23 starts in 2020/21 – finding the back of the net more than once every two starts in the Premier League for the club.

He has the quality in front of goal to score on a regular basis when fit and the Leverkusen man has shown that he can consistently put chances on a plate for his teammates. This suggests that they could be a terrifying duo at the top end of the pitch – linking up with each other to punish opposition defences.

AND in other news, Howe can finally axe “struggling” flop with Newcastle bid for “humble” £30m “lion”…