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Leeds United could be set to see Kalvin Phillips wave goodbye to his boyhood club during the current summer transfer window.

What’s the news?

A recent report from The Athletic by Phil Hay, alongside Manchester City journalist Sam Lee, had this to say about the current situation regarding Phillips’ immediate future amid links to Pep Guardiola’s side.

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The report says: “Sources on both sides of the Pennines believe an offer for Phillips from City is coming.

“City visualise a closing agreement of between £45 million and £50 million and there is confidence in Manchester that Phillips would push to take up the opportunity to join them if it’s presented.”

“City would tick the right boxes. It’s a move Phillips would be open to, and a move Leeds would struggle to resist.”

Leeds fans will be gutted

Having only ever played for the Yorkshire club throughout his career, the 26-year-old has made 234 appearances for the Whites across all competitions.

In those appearances, the Englishman has scored 14 goals and delivered 13 assists along the way.

Taking into account just how much Phillips has done for the club and how he’s helped them get into the Premier League after a 16-year absence and helped them stay there over the past two seasons, it’ll surely be gutting for the Leeds fans to see him leave.

To highlight his importance to the team, particularly from a defensive point of view, in the 49 Premier League games he’s played, the 26-year-old has won 87 tackles, made 342 successful pressures, made 103 blocks, 83 interceptions and 89 clearances.

With that in mind, it’s safe to say that without Phillips in their ranks, Leeds could well have been back in the Championship by now.

If the England international were to make a move to the Etihad Stadium this summer, earning the chance to play alongside the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland, Leeds may have to then rely on reported incoming signing Marc Roca to step into Phillips’s shoes.

While some Leeds fans may be accepting of the prospect that their youth graduate will leave the club to potentially be successful at one of Europe’s top sides, there will undeniably be others that would be heartbroken to not see him donning a Leeds shirt.

In other news: Orta now eyeing Leeds move for “electrifying” £11m starlet, he’s their next Dan James

Wolves have been speculated about a move for Goncalo Inacio ahead of the summer transfer window, however, a new update has now emerged from a reliable source that could squash the rumours of the potential signing.

What’s the latest?

Italian journalist and transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has now revealed a transfer update on Inacio and detailed Wolves’ current situation with the player.

Romano tweeted;

“Gonçalo Inácio has chances to leave Sporting this summer, after new contract with release clause for €45m.

“Wolves are not in talks to sign him as of today. No proposal on the table, despite rumours. Many other clubs in the race. #Wolves”

Supporters will be annoyed

This summer, Bruno Lage has promised big things at Wolves, so supporters will surely be annoyed that a speculated target has not even been approached by the club ahead of the transfer window.

Inacio has had an impressive season for Sporting CP offering both brilliant defending and attacking attributes to his Portuguese club in the Liga Portugal.

The 20-year-old has scored four goals, contributed two assists and created one big chance, making 1.4 tackles and 2.4 clearances, as well as winning 56% of his aerial and ground duels combined and successful in the majority of his dribbles (78%) in 28 league appearances, proving that despite his age he is a complete nuisance for opponents in his position.

To accompany Inacio’s high quality output, Sporting boss Ruben Amorim has sung the player’s praises for his all-round qualities that he has brought to the team since his arrival (via The Mirror);

“[Goncalo] Inacio can play on one side and then come back in, [making it unpredictable for our opposition] so we have been making some good use of his characteristics. Inacio is very fast as well, offers long passing, can play inside and can even get to the top of the pitch before other players, giving [Pedro] Porro more freedom.”

Thanks to the youngster’s fantastic performances he has reportedly attracted attention from some of the biggest clubs in English football with Manchester United and Newcastle United both named as potential suitors for the defender this summer, so if the rumours that Wolves are interested are true they will need to act fast.

AND in other news: Tim Spiers now reveals major Wolves transfer twist, supporters will be buzzing

Leeds United are closing in on their second signing of the summer…

What’s the word?

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the Yorkshire giants have struck a deal to sign RB Salzburg full-back Rasmus Kristensen, having already clinched a £25m move for his teammate Brenden Aaronson, who has joined on a five-year deal.

“Full agreement set to be reached between Leeds and RB Salzburg for Rasmus Kristensen. Danish right-back’s expected to join Leeds in the coming days, once final details will be resolved,” he tweeted.

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“Kristensen will be able to undergo medical tests after international duty.”

Sky Sports believe it could cost the Whites in the region of just £10m to secure the 24-year-old, something of a bargain as Transfermarkt currently value him at £13.5m.

Marsch will be elated

If the club’s ambition wasn’t obvious already, it is now and a move for the impressive right-back is sure to leave manager Jesse Marsch absolutely delighted.

Whilst Aaronson adds a much-needed and threatening option to a threadbare engine room, Kristensen will help bolster one of the Premier League’s leakiest defences, and he is a surefire upgrade on the struggling Luke Ayling.

Indeed, the side conceded a whopping 79 goals from their 38 matches (2.07 each outing), a feat that only relegated Norwich City (84) were worse for.

Meanwhile, the long-serving vice-captain’s season ended in disgrace after he was sent off for a needless and reckless challenge against Arsenal, leaving his club in the lurch heading into the final few games.

He was brandished as an “idiot” by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher, who also suggested that it could be his last-ever game in the Premier League.

Kristensen is a player that Marsch knows very well. The American head coach was in charge of 64 of his 107 appearances for the Austrian champions. During that time, the attack-minded full-back provided 13 goals and 19 assists, so it’s easy to see why he’s being brought in.

The Denmark international was Salzburg’s best-performing player in the Champions League this term, averaging a WhoScored rating of 6.91. He also led the squad for tackles (a whopping 4.6 per game) and also managed 1.1 shots and one dribble per game, too.

“He is an absolute leader on the pitch. His emotions push the whole team. As a right-back, he has a very strong offensive drive, marches up and down the line and is also a goal threat,” his current boss, Matthias Jaissle, once said of Kristensen.

On the above evidence, Leeds and Marsch will be getting a reliable upgrade at right-back heading into next season, where they must avoid a disastrous repeat of 2021/22.

AND in other news, Orta given green light for “unstoppable” £21m signing, it’d be a huge coup for Leeds…

West Ham have been linked with a move for Burnley star Maxwel Cornet recently and the 25-year-old could solve a key issue for David Moyes at the London Stadium ahead of next season.

What’s the word?

According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, the Hammers could ‘definitely’ make a move to sign the Ivorian this summer, following Burnley’s relegation to the Championship.

He told GIVEMESPORT:

“I could definitely see West Ham making a move for Cornet. This relegation release clause makes Cornet very attractive to a number of clubs, not just in the Premier League but probably abroad as well.

“I think Cornet had a good debut season in the Premier League for Burnley; he was one of their better players.”

Although he only joined Burnley last summer, the former Lyon man will surely be keen to continue his stay in the Premier League after a standout season that saw him finish as the Lancashire side’s top scorer in the top flight.

He is also reportedly available for just £17.5m due to a relegation release clause in his contract, so would represent a fairly cheap option for the Hammers this summer.

Solving a key headache:

It is a common consensus among West Ham fans that their season dropped off last year due to a lack of squad depth and January signings, as players were regularly forced to play twice a week after their run to the Europa League semi-final.

Moyes lacked a backup striker to Michail Antonio and with the Jamaica international sadly quite injury-prone, it was always going to be difficult for the Hammers to maintain their early season form throughout the campaign.

They could also be said to lack depth at left-back, with Arthur Masuaku inconsistent at the best of times, and Aaron Cresswell showing his vulnerability with costly red cards against Lyon and Eintracht Frankfurt.

Cornet’s performances last season earned a lot of plaudits, including from Roy Keane, a man who is notoriously difficult to impress.

He said: “He started the season really well with some real quality goals.

“Brilliant strike rate and technique. He is obviously a big plus to Burnley. He hit the ground running, with some brilliant strikes. Fantastic.”

Therefore, signing someone as versatile as Cornet, who is more than capable of playing as a left-back, winger or striker, would make a lot of sense for Moyes and would give him a lot more depth and cover ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

And, in other news… West Ham could land next £75m star in 30-goal gem who’s “similar to Hazard”

Newcastle United are reportedly preparing a bid to sign Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson during the summer transfer window…

What’s the talk?

According to the Northern Echo, the Magpies are confident of securing a deal to sign the England international in the coming weeks.

The report claims that the club are set to make an offer of £15m and believe that it will be enough to wrap up a transfer upon the opening of the window next week.

Henderson is said to have decided that he needs to leave Old Trafford to further his career and Newcastle are looking to pounce on the opportunity to sign him.

It is also stated that the Toon are not looking to cash in on current stopper Martin Dubravka as he is set to provide competition for the jersey next season.

Eddie Howe would love him

The Magpies’ head coach would love him at St. James’ Park as he is a young shot-stopper with the potential to improve in the years to come.

Henderson is eight years younger than Dubravka and this means that he can be the long-term replacement for the Slovakian on Tyneside. He is still very young in goalkeeping terms and has the scope to be Newcastle’s first choice for a large number of years.

The 25-year-old is also a proven Premier League performer who will not need a period of adaptation to adjust to playing in England. He has played in two top-flight campaigns for Sheffield United and Manchester United combined and kept an impressive 17 clean sheets in that time – averaging an excellent SofaScore rating of 6.94.

Toon legend Alan Shearer previously lauded the shot-stopper as he named him in his 2020/21 Team of the Season. He said: “It was tough to leave out Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, but Sheffield United’s season has been one of the best stories of the campaign and Henderson has been key to their success.

“The Manchester United loanee has kept 10 clean sheets and his bravery and confidence beyond his 23 years. He is a star in the making.”

The Premier League’s all-time top scorer believes that the Englishman has huge potential and that is why this is an exciting target for Newcastle to have. Howe will love to work with him to help the gem fulfil his potential and, hopefully, become the club’s number one for the foreseeable future.

AND in other news, Newcastle now plotting bid to sign maestro with 128 PL apps, just imagine him & Bruno…

Rangers striker Cedric Itten could be on his way out of Ibrox during the summer transfer window…

What’s the talk?

One side is reportedly interested in the Gers outcast and with one Swiss team’s sporting director, Christoph Spycher, refusing to rule out a deal with a non-committal statement.

The Glasgow Times quotes the Young Boys chief as saying this in response to the link: “We never comment on speculation. Sometimes the rumours are the truth, sometimes they are completely wrong.

“You’ll know when something happens.”

Gio van Bronckhorst must axe him

The Ibrox head coach must pounce on this opportunity to brutally axe Itten from his squad ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

If Young Boys are interested in a deal for the attacker then van Bronckhorst and Ross Wilson must agree to let him go, for as much of the £2.7m they paid for him as they can recoup.

He is nowhere near good enough for Rangers and this has been proven in the second half of the season since he returned from his loan spell with Greuther Furth.

In the Premiership, he scored once – against Hearts on the final day – in six appearances and failed to provide any assists. He lost a whopping 74% of his duels in the division as he was a liability on the pitch for the club when he played.

The Switzerland international did not offer enough in the final third and his lightweight play out of possession meant that his teammates needed to carry him through matches as he struggled with the physicality of the games.

Scottish journalist James Black dubbed him “out the picture” recently and his measly return of six outings in the top-flight shows that he was not trusted to play on a regular basis. He was also left out of the Europa League run as he did not play a single minute in the competition.

Van Bronckhorst seemingly did not see enough from him in training or on the pitch to suggest that he would be a useful player to call upon week-in-week-out. His statistics when he did play back this up and indicate that he is not good enough to be a regular for Rangers.

This is why the Dutch head coach must now wield his axe on the 25-year-old and allow him to join Young Boys, or any other club interested in him, this summer.

AND in other news, Enquiry made: Rangers avoided disaster with “annoying” dud whose value dropped £8.4m…

Celtic are interested in signing exciting yet unseen Shrewsbury Town talent Ben Crompton this summer, according to a new transfer claim.

The Lowdown: Crompton impresses for Shrewsbury U18s

The 18-year-old has not yet been handed a chance in senior football, but that hasn’t stopped his reputation from growing.

Crompton has shone in midfield for Shrewsbury’s Under-18s, with his 6 foot 1 frame allowing him to be a dominant figure in the middle of the park at the youth level, while he can also feature at centre-back.

Having not yet signed a professional deal at his current club, it could be that he is snapped up during the summer transfer window, with some transfer news emerging from a local outlet on Tuesday morning.

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The Latest: Celtic & Ange scouting

According to The Shropshire Star, Celtic are interested in making a move for the ‘highly rated’ Crompton and he has now turned down two contract offers from the Shrews.

Ange Postecoglou’s scouts are believed to have ‘tracked his progress’ all season after he was originally ‘extremely highly-regarded’ during his youth career at Wolves.

There are no other teams mentioned in connection with the youngster, which is surely a big plus for Ange.

The Verdict: One for the future

While Crompton clearly wouldn’t come in as an immediate key player under Postecoglou, it is encouraging to see long-term planning being made by the club.

It is vital that the Hoops try to build a dynasty again after recapturing the Scottish Premiership title from Rangers – one that will last for many years – and bringing in top young players could be key to that.

It will be exciting to see Crompton develop if he does make the move to Parkhead and he could learn a huge amount from more senior midfielders such as Callum McGregor and Tom Rogic, should the latter stay put.

In other news, Kieran Devlin has been blown away by one Celtic hero. Find out who it is here.

Celtic saw a significant number of players make moves away from the Parkhead club during the previous summer and winter transfer windows.

The Hoops cashed in on the likes of Odsonne Edouard, Kristoffer Ajer and Ryan Christie whilst also seeing many other figures leave on loan deals.

Another figure that left the club was midfielder Scott Brown who joined Aberdeen on a free transfer after spending 14 years at Celtic.

Now that the next summer transfer window is around the corner, it seems as though the Bhoys could be set to see another player that has been at the club for a significant period of time make a move.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from Sport5, Maccabi Haifa and Maccabi Tel Aviv are eyeing up a potential summer move for Celtic midfielder Nir Bitton.

The Bhoys signed the midfielder back in the 2013 summer transfer window from Israeli club FC Ashdod.

Since then, the 30-year-old has gone on to make 270 appearances for the Hoops across all competitions, scoring 15 goals and delivering 16 assists along the way.

Time to get rid of Bitton

Even though he’s been at the club for a long time, this summer would be the ideal time for Celtic and Ange Postecoglou to finally axe him from the club.

With his current contract due to expire in May 2023, this summer is potentially the last time the Hoops can pick up some sort of transfer fee for him rather than seeing him leave on a free when his deal comes to an end.

This season has seen the veteran start 11 league games for his side and earn himself a rather uninspiring performance rating of 6.6 from WhoScored, making him one of the lowest-rated Celtic players still in the squad to start more than two league games.

This shows that not only is the £14k-per-week midfielder not at the top of the pecking order for Postecoglou but also that he hasn’t been making the most of his chances when he has had the opportunity to play.

Furthermore, he is prone to a reckless mistake, with his red card at the beginning of the term against FC Midtjylland arguably costing them a place in the Champions League, an eventuality that would have presented Celtic with a significant windfall of cash.

Having been slammed for his “daft” decision making in the past by Frank McAvennie as well as being labelled as a “walking joke” by Bhoys Analytics on Twitter, Bitton should not be in Postecoglou’s plans for next season if the Hoops boss wants to progress and push his side further.

In other news: “Celtic will be..”: Insider drops exciting transfer claim that’ll leave Ange buzzing

Everton are among the clubs interested in Bologna midfielder Mattias Svanberg, according to local outlet 1000 Cuori Rossoblu (via Sport Witness). 

The lowdown

Svanberg is a 23-year-old central midfielder who can also play just in front of the back four or in a more advanced role.

The Swede, who only didn’t feature in last summer’s European Championships due to testing positive for Covid-19, is now approaching the final year of his contract with the 13th-place outfit.

He’s started 31 of their 36 league matches so far this season and made 117 Serie A appearances overall.

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The latest

Svanberg, the report says, doesn’t intend to renew his deal, and so he’s the ‘most likely’ asset to be offloaded in a ‘profitable sale’.

This sends a ‘loud and clear’ message to his Premier League suitors, including Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United. Serie A sides Napoli and Fiorentina are apparently in the running too.

In terms of a price tag, Bologna will find it difficult to turn down offers nudging €20milllion (£17million).

The verdict

What kind of midfielder is Svanberg? Well, first and foremost, he is someone who can augment the attack.

He’s scored three goals, one of which was called ‘phenomenal’ by talent scout Jacek Kulig, and also provided three assists in the league this season.

Svanberg is also above average when it comes to receiving progressive passes – a marker of positional intelligence – and blocks, a testament to his off-ball contribution (via FBRef).

He boasts a similar profile to the likes of Youri Tielemans and John McGinn, two Premier League midfielders with whom Everton supporters may be more familiar.

Notably, he carries the implicit endorsement of compatriot Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who reportedly asked AC Milan to snap him up last year.

This could be a reasonably good bit of business from director of football Kevin Thelwell.

In other news, Tony Scott has been left in disbelief after this Everton footage emerged.

Journalist Matteo Moretto, formerly of Sky Sports, has now shared an exit update out of Tottenham Hotspur involving current Villarreal loanee Giovani Lo Celso.

The Lowdown: Lo Celso shines…

The Argentine has been shining at the Estadio de la Cerámica under Unai Emery after being unable to cut it at Spurs over the first half of the 2021/2022 Premier League season.

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Spanish media have hailed the performances of Lo Celso, even calling him a ‘giant’ during his time at Villarreal, prompting the La Liga club to set their sights on a permanent deal.

Tottenham are apparently confident they can agree a fee around the £30 million mark, according to Football Insider, with former Sky journalist Moretto sharing an update.

The Latest: Lo Celso update emerges…

According to the reporter, speaking to Twitter page ‘All About Argentina’, Villarreal will indeed try to buy Lo Celso following his brilliant spell on loan.

It is also believed that talks with Tottenham are imminent with negotiations set to begin ‘soon’.

The Verdict: Time to go?

Lo Celso’s quality has been highlighted by his stellar spell at Villarreal and it will be slightly disappointing to see a clearly capable player leave north London, if they can agree terms.

Villarreal shot stopper Geronimo Rulli recently claimed that his compatriot is ‘a top player in the world’ and you could argue that claim has been backed by his recent displays.

However, the South American simply didn’t turn it on often enough, with Spurs critics even branding Lo Celso a ‘passenger’ earlier this season.

Villarreal seems like a great match and it’s now up to Fabio Paratici to negotiate terms suitable for both Spurs and the Europa League winners.

In other news: Tottenham expected to move for ‘phenomenal’ £101m star after Conte request, find out more here.