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As per West Ham United insider Claret & Hugh, there has been an exciting update regarding on-loan Southampton striker Armando Broja. 

The lowdown: Breakthrough campaign

Since joining Southampton from Chelsea at the start of the 2021/22 season, Broja has caught the eye on the south coast, scoring nine times for the Saints.

Arsenal have been linked with a move for the 20-year-old Albania international as his parent club go through a protracted off the field takeover turmoil.

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Having previously been tentatively credited with an interest in the powerful youngster, it now appears that the admiration from east London could be turned into something more tangible…

The latest: C&H make a big claim

Reputable Irons insider C&H have claimed that West Ham are ‘considering a potential loan swoop’ for Broja this summer.

The report states that the Hammers have a ‘very real interest’ in the 12-cap ace and will look to put together a package that includes the option to buy at the end of a temporary spell.

Furthermore, it’s suggested that Chelsea ‘might be willing’ to allow the man dubbed ‘dangerous’ by Ralph Hasenhuttl following a goalscoring display against Brentford to leave on loan once again.

The verdict: Make it happen

David Moyes, alongside recruitment chief Rob Newman, desperately need to address the current lack of a natural understudy for Michail Antonio at the London Stadium during the upcoming window.

Whilst on loan at Dutch Eredivisie side Vitesse Arnhem in 2020/21, Broja netted 11 times and registered three assists in 34 appearances across all competitions, so he has now shown in multiple leagues he knows where the back of the net is.

Goals aside, the 6 foot 2 powerhouse has won 4.8 duels and taken 1.5 shots on average per game this term whilst earning a 6.69 rating (Sofascore), highlighting a willingness to complete against defenders and attacking prowess that would make him ideally suited to bolster Moyes’ attacking options.

In other news: Talks held: West Ham meet with club chief as he offers chance to sign five players! Find out more here.

Sunderland have been handed a major boost ahead of the League One Play-Off Final game against Wycombe Wanderers.

What’s the latest?

As per Sunderland Echo, Alex Neil has issued an update on the health of his squad and it is entirely positive from a Sunderland perspective.

Neil said: “We’ve got a clean bill of health I think for the first time [since I’ve been here].

“People we didn’t expect, who we thought might not be able to make it, [could be available]. People like Winny have been in training.

“So at the moment, we’re looking good.”

Sharing more on the fitness of Carl Winchester, Neil stated: “I think we’ll have a better idea of exactly where he’s at after today and tomorrow.

“He’s been on the grass, and he’s done a little bit, but today and tomorrow will have a big bearing on how close he actually is.“It’s pleasing for Winny as well because he has had a big contribution since I’ve been here to get us to where we are. It’s a good situation.”On the status of Nathan Broadhead, who returned from injury in a one-minute cameo in the last game against Sheffield Wednesday, Neil added:”Nathan’s been fine. He had limited time at the weekend (in the second leg) but the difficulty I had there was because of the way we played the game and the shape we adopted, he’s a natural centre-forward and we were only playing with one in the game.”A major boostThe return of Winchester, who has not featured since the game against Cambridge United on the 23rd April will come as a big boost for Neil who will undoubtedly be elated to see him back.The 29-year-old has featured 40 times for Sunderland in League One, in what has been a seamless transition from League Two football for the Northern Irishman in his first full season for Sunderland.His versatility is his greatest asset in this side. He is a true utility man, having played at right-back, centre-back, centre midfield and defensive midfield on more than one occasion for the Black Cats this season.Boasting what he claims to be “a clean bill of health”, the Black Cats boss and his squad will fancy their chances against Wycombe on Saturday.Additionally, the return to full fitness of Broadhead is also a big boost with the Everton loanee scoring ten goals in the third-tier this term. That’s exactly the sort of potency that could lead Sunderland back to the Championship this weekend.

In other news: Sunderland keen to sign 15-goal gem who’s “perfectly placed”, Imagine him and Stewart 

Everton are in need of making some big changes at Goodison Park this summer after a troubling season and now a former transfer target has been speculated with a move to Merseyside ahead of the window opening.

What’s the latest?

According to Portuguese news outlet Record (via Sport Witness), Everton are reigniting their interest in Sporting CP midfielder Joao Palhinha this summer.

As per the report, Everton and Leicester City are ‘following the midfielder’ as it was revealed that the player is looking to leave his current club, and he is currently protected by a €60m (£51m) release clause, but the minimum the club would be willing to accept is €25m (£21m).

Miles better than Allan

There is no doubt that improvements must be made at Everton to ensure they don’t find themselves battling relegation next season and upgrading certain key positions will make a huge difference to how they compete in the Premier League next season for a much more comfortable spot in the league table.

When you compare Palhinha to current midfielder Allan who has been linked with a move to Lazio this summer, the Portuguese ace is clearly an upgrade in terms of reliability and ability to look after the ball better when holding possession in the centre of the pitch.

According to Squawka, Palhinha has scored more goals, completed more passes, has a better pass accuracy, made more tackles and has been victorious in more aerial and ground duels than Allan this season in one less league appearance.

The midfielder was hailed “special” by Sporting boss Ruben Amorim in an interview with Record, who told the publication:

“The credit belongs to Palhinha, that grew up that way. I often tell Palhinha that he is very good without the ball and with the ball. More than a tactical coach, I get it in Palhinha’s head that he is a special player.”

With that being said, Lampard will need to make an attractive offer to secure the signing of the 26-year-old midfielder over Leicester and will likely ramp up the interest depending on the situation with Allan when the transfer window opens next week.

AND in other news: Forget Richarlison: Everton eye move for “fantastic” £60k-p/w gem, Lampard loves him

Leeds United are confident of signing RB Salzburg defender Rasmus Kristensen, according to The Yorkshire Evening Post.

The Lowdown: Kristensen links

Phil Hay was the man who broke the news regarding the Whites and Kristensen on Tuesday morning.

The reliable reporter stated that the club have been following the 24-year-old, who Jesse Marsch signed for Salzburg back in 2019.

Kristensen is expected to leave Austria over the coming months for a fee of around £10m, however, Leeds could face competition from Borussia Dortmund and Brentford.

The Latest: Transfer update

The YEP shared an update regarding Kristensen on Tuesday afternoon.

They claimed that Leeds are ‘confident of moving forward with negotiations for the Denmark right-back’.

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The Verdict: Perfect

With Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas sidelined for the foreseeable future, a right-back appears to be needed at Elland Road, and Kristensen looks like the ideal target.

Able to play further forward as a right-midfielder, Kristensen has plenty of experience and success working under Marsch and likes to get forward with an eye for goal.

Described as an ‘aggressive but athletic’ defender, it looks as if he has the qualities to fit in at Elland Road, and by the looks of it, Marsch is on course to get his way when it comes to a reunion with the full-back.

In other news – £34m release clause: Leeds now interested in move for ‘special talent’ who Marsch loves

Sadio Mane has ‘waved goodbye’ to Liverpool fans but he won’t be allowed to leave on the cheap, journalist James Pearce has claimed.

The Lowdown: Mane on the move?

It could be the end of an era at Anfield in the coming weeks, with the Senegal forward reportedly deciding to leave the Reds over the summer transfer window.

The 30-year-old looks most likely to join Bayern Munich, following six memorable years in a Liverpool shirt which have seen him become a genuine club legend, netting 120 goals to rank 14th in the all-time scoring charts ahead of the likes of Ian St John, Kevin Keegan and John Barnes.

It is clear that the Reds will only allow Mane to leave for the right amount of money, though, following a fresh claim from a renowned source.

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The Latest: Pearce makes Mane observation

Taking to Twitter in sharing a corresponding article for The Athletic, Pearce noticed that Mane was seemingly saying his goodbyes during Sunday’s open top bus parade to mark the two trophies that Liverpool won this season.

However, the journalist added that only the right fee will see the Reds sanction the 30-year-old’s exit, tweeting:

“Sadio Mane waved goodbye on yesterday’s open-top bus parade – but it will take a lot more than €30m for Bayern to get their man. If Mane is granted his move #LFC will have some big boots to fill. He’s not a fading force, he’s a resurgent one.”

The Verdict: Big boots to fill

While it would be better to see Mane stay at Liverpool, given his resurgence this season – he ended the campaign with 23 goals in all competitions – it seems as though he has made up his mind.

The crucial thing now is to replace the Senegal superstar with someone who is both younger and capable of filling the sizeable void that he leaves in Jurgen Klopp’s attack.

Darwin Nunez is a player who has been linked with a move  to Anfield and he could be a superb option, having scored 32 times for Benfica in 2021/22. At 22, he would also be a long-term acquisition with immense potential, so he could be a worthy transfer target to pick up where Mane is seemingly set to leave off.

In other news, Liverpool are reportedly ‘willing’ to trigger one player’s release clause. Find out who it is here.

Manchester United are edging closer to the signing of Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona according to the latest reports from Spain, and the Dutchman would be a sensational addition to Erik ten Hag’s side.

What’s the word?

According to Sport (via Sport Witness), ten Hag is ‘seducing’ the former Ajax man with his new Manchester United project and that the two parties are now ‘very close’ to a full agreement.

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They cite Barcelona’s financial woes as a key reason for the midfielder’s potential exit and claim that he is ready to pack his bags and move away from the Nou Camp this summer, with ten Hag keen to convince him to make the move to Old Trafford.

Magic for Ten Hag?

There is little doubt that United need reinforcements in midfield if they are to improve on their disappointing sixth-place finish from last season.

The effectiveness of a Fred and Scott McTominay double pivot has regularly been questioned, while ten Hag will also be without Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Juan Mata after their contracts with the Red Devils came to an end.

De Jong was one of ten Hag’s key players in 2018/19, when the Eredivisie side reached the Champions League semi-final, as he made 11 appearances in the competition, averaging a superb 7.03 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

The Netherlands international is extremely adept with the ball, averaging an impressive 91.7% pass accuracy in La Liga last season, which was comfortably better than any of United’s regular starters.

Journalist Muhammad Butt waxed lyrical about the young midfielder after his switch to Barcelona, saying:

“Frenkie de Jong though… What an unreal player. He is absolute magic. He’s gone under the radar since signing for Barcelona but he is absolutely on a whole another level to every other young midfielder around. A pure genius.”

Previous reports have suggested that he would be available for £67m this summer and while that represents a significant outlay for United, they are desperate for some quality in midfield and ten Hag already knows how to get the best out of De Jong.

If he can replicate his form for Ajax in a United shirt, perhaps even re-establishing his connection with Donny van de Beek in United’s side, then he would surely be worth every penny.

And, in other news… Bye-Bye Maguire: Glazers must swoop for Spanish defender…

A big transfer tease has emerged over Christian Eriksen’s future amid speculation that Tottenham are interested in signing him… 

What’s the talk?

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the player is set to make a final call on where he will be playing his football next season.

He Tweeted: “Brentford have submitted a serious, important personal terms offer to Christian Eriksen – but the player is considering his options with many clubs interested. Eriksen will make his decision on the future club in the coming days.”

It has previously been reported that the midfielder wants to play Champions League football in 2022/23, with Antonio Conte keen on reuniting with him.

Supporters will be excited

Spurs supporters will be excited by this claim from Romano as it suggests that a decision is now imminent from the player.

Brentford making a ‘serious’ offer will not concern Tottenham at this moment in time if the reports of him wanting European football are to be believed. The Bees do not have Champions League, or even Europa League, football to offer him and this is where Spurs may have a huge edge on their opponents.

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Although, Thomas Frank’s side are the ones that offered Eriksen a chance to return to the Premier League after his cardiac arrest last year and his gratitude for that may make him consider re-joining them.

Tottenham, however, also have a strong connection with him as he played 304 times for the club earlier in his career before joining Conte at Inter. This means that he has a pre-existing relationship with both the team and the manager, which is a boost for the north London side.

These factors all point towards a return to Spurs being on the cards for Eriksen and that is why supporters will now be excited by the prospect of the Dane making a decision in the next few days.

The 30-year-old has proven that he still has what it takes to be a significant player in the Premier League as he showcased his quality with Brentford this year.

In 11 top-flight outings, he averaged an exceptional SofaScore rating of 7.53 as he chipped in with one goal and four assists. He created an eye-catching 2.8 chances per game and Spurs fans will be buzzing with the thought of him being back at the club and delivering teasing crosses for Harry Kane and Heung-min Son.

AND in other news, Paratici and Conte now eyeing Spurs swoop for £45m-rated “machine”, he’s Eriksen 2.0…

Leeds United are now looking to sign FC Schalke forward Rabbi Matondo, according to Bild.

The Lowdown: Matondo profiled

Matondo is a Wales international who can play anywhere across the front three. The 21-year-old left Manchester City for Schalke back in 2019 in a deal worth £8.1m and has made 32 appearances for the German side.

He spent last season on loan in Belgium with Cercle Brugge and now has 13 senior career goals to his name. A return to the UK appears to be a real possibility this summer, though, with Elland Road a potential destination alongside fellow countrymen Dan James and Tyler Roberts.

The Latest: Leeds links

German outlet Bild shared a transfer update regarding Matondo on Tuesday evening. They claimed that Leeds are one of three Premier League clubs keen on the attacker after Cercle Brugge refused to make a loan move permanent.

Matondo would cost in the region of €4m (£3.4m), with Schalke open to a quick transfer to give them some ‘financial leeway’.

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The Verdict: Worth a punt?

Pep Guardiola previously hailed Matondo when he was coming through at the Etihad, so a low-risk move could be a shrewd one by Leeds chiefs due to his age, versatility and impressive plaudits.

Matondo is actually represented by the same agency as six Leeds players, so should the Whites agree to fork out £3.4m, a transfer could perhaps be wrapped up in quick time, which would suit Schalke.

Victor Orta is closing in on a third signing of the summer in Bayern Munich midfielder Marc Roca, and it looks as if Matondo is on the radar to possibly become the fourth.

In other news: Next step now taken on Kalvin Phillips leaving Leeds in big development. 

Manchester City may have just taken one big step in talks to sign Brighton and Hove Albion star and top target Marc Cucurella, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Guardiola’s top target…

The Premier League champions are now gearing up to defend their domestic crown yet again after a whirlwind finish to the 2021/2022 campaign.

Three goals in five minutes late on the final day secured City their fourth title in five seasons under manager Pep Guardiola and it’s safe to say he’s now set the standard.

A real summer of change is possible at Eastlands, however, as a plethora of first-team stars become linked with a potential exit.

In terms of incomings, both Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips and Brighton sensation Cucurella are believed to be Guardiola’s top targets.

The Latest: Report shares big Cucurella update…

According to Football Insider, a major update has come to light on City’s chase for the Seagulls defender.

Indeed, according to their information, Cucurella has now ‘accepted’ the Sky Blues’ contract offer as he shakes hands on personal terms.

This comes as Guardiola’s side are also in ‘advanced talks’ to ‘finalise a fee’ with Brighton – though a valuation is not agreed yet.

The Verdict: Exciting…

As City seemingly take a step forward in their bid for Cucurella, we believe he is the ideal candidate to shore up their left flank.

Still just 23-years-old, the Spaniard would come with a long shelf life after enjoying a stellar debut campaign at the Amex Stadium.

As per WhoScored, Cucurella finished 21/22 as their second-best performing regular behind Yves Bissouma whilst even managing the second-highest rate of tackles and third-best number of key passes made per 90.

It’s clear the starlet is a real all-rounder, leaving little wonder Sky Sports Analyst Statman Dave called him ‘unbelievable’ both going forward and at the back.

Everton can sign left-back Luca Pellegrini from Juventus, according to Corrierre dello Sport (via Sport Witness). 

The lowdown

Juventus shelled out £19.8million to sign Pellegrini from Roma in the summer of 2019, but three years on, after spells on loan at Cagliari and Genoa, he’s up for sale.

It was only last season that he made the first of his 21 appearances for the Bianconeri. He made 15 Serie A starts, battling with Brazilian defender Alex Sandro for the first-choice role.

Pellegrini is still under contract for another three years, but he’s valued at just £8.1million by Transfermarkt.

Style wise, FBRef mark the Italy international out as a similar player to Norwich City’s Max Aarons, who was heavily linked with a Goodison switch last season.

The latest

According to the report, Juventus have told the player’s camp to find him a new club by scouring ‘the Italian and foreign markets to seize new opportunities’.

Pellegrini has been offered to three English sides: Everton, West Ham United and Fulham.

In terms of domestic candidates, local rivals Torino are ‘tempted’ but have yet to formalise their interest.

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The verdict

Based on links with Owen Wijndal and Oleksandr Zinchenko, Everton certainly seem to be on the hunt for a left-back this summer, even though they added Vitalli Mykolenko in January.

And the Juve player’s entourage may have caught wind of that, prompting them to offer him to the Toffees.

Pellegrini can also play in a more advanced role, so could perhaps come in to play in front of Mykolenko rather than instead of the Ukraine international.

Available for a reasonable price given Juventus’ desire to get rid, he could be a good pick-up for Everton, adding to the depth of Frank Lampard’s squad while saving funds for more significant first XI signings.

In other news, Everton are now the leading candidates for this signing.