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Aston Villa have been tipped to make a move for West Ham United midfielder Tomas Soucek in the current window, amid uncertainty over the player’s future at the London Stadium.

What’s the word?

The Midlands outfit are believed to be on the hunt for a new midfield addition this summer, despite having already brought in Marseille’s Boubacar Kamara, with recent weeks seeing the Hammers man emerge as a potential target.

The suggestion is that the Czech international – who could cost in the region of around £40m – could be moved on by David Moyes and co this summer, with negotiations having hit an impasse regarding a contract extension for the 27-year-old.

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has now delivered his verdict on the situation in an interview with Football FanCast, revealing that Villa are “monitoring” the 52-cap gem: “I think obviously Villa and a number of clubs will be monitoring Soucek’s contract situation at West Ham. He’s still seemingly no nearer to signing a new deal.”

He went on to state that: “West Ham might have a decision to make on Soucek’s future if he’s not going to sign a new deal”, before adding, however, that: “I’m sure West Ham will be hoping to make a breakthrough in negotiations with the Czech Republic international as he’s been such a key player for David Moyes over the last couple of seasons.”

Laimer alternative

With the 6 foot 4 giant’s future still clearly up in the air, it could be a perfect time for sporting director Johan Lange to pounce, particularly amid reports that fellow target Konrad Laimer could well be set to join Bayern Munich this summer.

The versatile, RB Leipzig ace – who has drawn comparisons to Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante – had emerged as a potential option for the Villans of late, although it would seem that Steven Gerrard will be forced to look for alternatives to the Austrian international.

The Liverpool legend could well have found an ideal man to sign instead of the 25-year-old, however, in the form of Soucek, with the two men having been noted as similar players according to Football Transfers.

While Laimer is perhaps a more front-foot, relentless midfield presence – ranking in the top 1% for pressures made among those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues – the West Ham man is also a defensive asset in his own right, ranking in the top 1% for clearances made and the top 2% for aerial duels won.

Equally, the latter man also provides perhaps a greater goal threat, having netted 18 league goals over the past two-and-a-half seasons at the London Stadium, while the Salzburg-born menace has only netted seven league goals during his five-year spell in the Bundesliga.

Throw in the fact that Soucek already has that vital Premier League experience and it could well prove something of a blessing in disguise if their failure to land Laimer leads to the signing of the former Slavia Prague brute, with the £40.5m-rated ace offering a destructive and devastating presence at both ends of the pitch.

The £47k-per-week star may still have two years, plus the option of a one-year extension, on his current deal with the Hammers, although the signs are that an exit could well be on the cards sooner rather than later, allowing Gerrard and co the chance to strike.

AND in other news, Lange eyeing Villa move for £30m “goalscoring machine”, he’d be their own Darwin Nunez

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their interest in Jules Kounde in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

Daily Star journalist Paul Brown has revealed that the Magpies are keen on a deal to sign the defender, with PIF now plotting a swoop to beat Chelsea to his signature.

He Tweeted: “Sevilla sporting director Monchi on CFC interest in Kounde: “They have to look for two or three central defenders. They don’t have many, but there are also more English clubs and clubs from other countries that are looking for central defenders.”

Brown ended the tweet by saying: “NUFC also interested.”

It has previously been reported that the Spanish outfit may be willing to part ways with him for a fee in the region of £60m, whilst his release clause is €90m (£76.6m).

Imagine him & Sven Botman

By securing a deal to sign Kounde, Newcastle can form a rock-solid centre-back partnership by playing him next to Sven Botman.

The Magpies signed the Dutch defender from Lille earlier this summer and PIF can now find him an excellent partner at the back.

Spanish football expert Euan McTear previously hailed Kounde, saying: “He’s still so young, he’s got energy, great positioning too. All the centre-backs, not just in Spain I think, but if you look around Europe, he’s got to be one of the highest prospects.”

Football Espana editor Alan Feehely dubbed him a “baller” and  European football analyst, Marcus Bring described him as “sensational”, which shows that he has been catching the eye in La Liga in recent seasons. 

His statistics in the 2021/22 campaign suggest that he deserves praise for his displays, as you can see in the graphic below…

The Frenchman also enjoyed a strong campaign in 2020/21 as he averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.08 in La Liga, winning 61% of his duels.

This shows that the 23-year-old has the quality to perform to a high-level week-in-week-out in a major European league, which is something Botman has also proven himself to have.

In the 2021/22 Ligue 1 campaign, the former Ajax man averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.10 as he won 66% of his individual battles. He also averaged a score of 7.08 in the previous term – proving that he is not a one-season wonder.

Therefore, both players are young, consistent, strong, centre-backs and can form the backbone of Eddie Howe’s team for many years to come.

PIF must now work hard to beat off interest from Chelsea in order to land a deal for the Sevilla defender before the end of the window.

AND in other news, NUFC may pursue “big money” move for “frightening” £80m gem, supporters surely excited…

Former Scotland and Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has backed Celtic left-back Greg Taylor to react positively to the signing of Alexandro Bernabei.

The lowdown: Pressure on

The Hoops confirmed the capture of Bernabei from Lanus on a five-year deal and the 21-year-old is expected to push Taylor for a regular starting berth in Ange Postecoglou’s side.

Last season, the 24-year-old Scot was a key figure for the Bhoys and ’embraced’ the new system under the Greek-Australian as the Scottish Premiership title returned to Celtic Park.

And one invested onlooker believes that Taylor will thrive under the pressure of being under scrutiny to keep his place in the first XI…

The latest: ‘Only a good sign’

Speaking to Football Insider, ex-Hoops frontman McAvennie reacted to the confirmed transfer news of Bernabei’s arrival.

The 62-year-old said: “Juranovic came in at right-back and it totally transformed Anthony Ralston because he’s now got competition. Now Greg Taylor’s got competition. That’s only a good sign for Celtic.

“I can’t stress enough how important it is to have competition for places. If you’ve not got that then players can sometimes drop below standards. Through no fault of their own, it’s not that they want to, it’s just that if they’ve not got any competition they don’t have to play to as high a standard.

“Competition is great so I’m delighted the boy has confirmed and he’s coming in.”

The verdict: Spot on

A similarly attack-minded operator from left-back, Postecoglou won’t need to reinvent the wheel in order to give Bernabei opportunities – given the amount of football coming up, Celtic can only benefit from having additional options throughout the season.

During 2021/22, Taylor ‘phenomenal’ following a 7.0 Sofascore rated display against St. Mirren recently – form that is certainly deserving of the seven-cap Scotland man at least starting the new campaign in the box seat.

All of that said, should the Greenock-born ace drop off even slightly, Postecoglou won’t hesitate to turn to Bernabei if he believes it’s for the betterment of the team.

Leeds United will reportedly look to secure a deal with fellow Premier League club Wolves this summer which would see Adama Traore move to Elland Road.

What’s the talk?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist and transfer insider Dean Jones gave some insight on the transfer link from Football Insider.

He said: “There’s definitely some negotiating to be done. Wolves are going to try and push the price up as high as they can, and they’re not going to get what they want. So, Leeds are basically going to try and get Traore at a really good price.”

After scoring five goals and providing 13 assists in 71 appearances for Middlesbrough, the winger joined Wolves four years ago after the Old Gold triggered his £18m release clause.

Having found the net just 11 times and delivered 18 assists in 154 games for the Midlands club, Traore joined Barcelona on loan in January.

During his recent stint at the Nou Camp, the Spaniard made 17 appearances across the Europa League and La Liga, supplying four assists in the process.

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Leeds fans will be delighted

Even though Traore temporarily waved goodbye to Molineux in January, only two other players in Bruno Lage’s squad ended the season with a higher rate of shot-creating actions made per 90 minutes in the Premier League than the 26-year-old’s 4.22.

Despite not being a regular goalscorer, the winger has proved that he has what it takes to be a nuisance for opposition defences and create goalscoring opportunities for his team-mates, duly showing how he could be a useful asset for the Whites.

In a recent poll by Football FanCast, 55% of Leeds fans claimed they would take the Wolves attacker at Elland Road, so it’s clear to see that the player would need to convince the other 45% that he has what it takes to be a good prospective signing for Jesse Marsch’s side.

However, with Jones suggesting that the Yorkshire club are looking to negotiate a suitable price with Wolves behind the scenes to sign the winger, this should delight Leeds supporters, especially if the club end up getting him for a fairly cheap price.

This would then give Marsch the chance to get Traore’s Premier League career back on track and potentially turn him into a vital player for the Whites, which would surely please the Elland Road faithful.

In other news: Leeds in the mix to sign £19.8m-rated “pure talent”, Marsch would love him

Nottingham Forest are preparing this summer for their long-awaited return to the Premier League next season, and now a new potential transfer target has been identified.

What’s the latest?

According to The Athletic, Nottingham Forest have held talks with Union Berlin in regard to signing Taiwo Awoniyi this summer.

As per the report, the striker is keen to make a move back to the Premier League just 12 months after he left Liverpool on a permanent move to the Bundesliga.

The Nigeria international has a release clause of €20m (£17.2m) in his contract.

Grabban heir

Nottingham Forest could definitely strengthen their forward line this summer, especially with Keinan Davis returning to Aston Villa following his loan spell at The City Ground, and Awoniyi could be a worthy Lewis Grabban upgrade.

The 34-year-old Forest captain scored 13 goals and contributed four assists in 31 appearances last season, and whilst his output remains consistent for the club, Steve Cooper needs to start considering the future of the forward line in the Premier League with Grabban out of contract and coming to the end of his career.

Awoniyi has had an impressive season in the Bundesliga with Union Berlin scoring 20 goals and contributing five assists in all competitions for the side, but it’s not just his goal contributions that make him the perfect young replacement for Grabban.

The 24-year-old who was hailed “selfless” and a “nuisance” by Jay-Jay Okocha created four big chances and took 2.2 shots on average per game, as well as successfully completing the majority of his duels in his 31 Bundesliga appearances last season.

Awoniyi also impressively ranks first for the most tackles attempted (332) in the entire top five European leagues living up to Okocha’s claims that he is a nuisance, clearly getting stuck into games and making his presence known to his opponents.

With that being said, the signing of Awoniyi could be a major coup for Forest and if he can emulate his impressive form in Germany could be a huge asset in the Premier League for the newly-promoted side to replace Grabban in the striker role next season.

AND in other news: Cooper eyeing Forest swoop for “prolific” £34m phenomenon, he’s a big Taylor upgrade

Manchester City have made further headway in their bid to secure the signing of Leeds United talisman, Kalvin Phillips.

What’s the word?

That is according to transfer insider Dean Jones, via GIVEMESPORT, who claims that the Cityzens have completed their “background checks” which have lead to “positive” signs around the possibility of the capture.

As per The Athletic, it is said that Manchester City appear as though they are in pole position to secure the signing of Phillips, with a £50m proposal more than likely enough to tempt Leeds to cut ties with the midfielder.

Insider Jones revealed further clarity on City’s chances, telling GIVEMESPORT: “All the background checks on this deal are now done and talks are continuing.

“This sounds like a really promising time for Manchester City in their move to sign Kalvin Phillips. The signs are positive so far.”

Pep surely delighted

The latest update surrounding the future of Phillips bodes entirely well from a Manchester City perspective with a move for Phillips set to leave their manager delighted, especially considering the impending departure of Fernandinho, whose contract is set to expire within the next eight or so days.

As of right now, Guardiola may be left with a conflicting decision in the holding midfielder role.

Rodri has proven himself as somewhat of a maestro in possession. And whilst he’s drummed up an astonishing return of seven goals and two assists from defensive midfield, his defensive numbers have taken a slight hit, with one-on-one defending scenarios an ongoing concern from a City perspective.

His creative efforts may have given the 51-year-old something to think about in terms of which position the 26-year-old will occupy next season.

And if the City boss is thinking of pushing Rodri up to the role of a number 8 box-to-box midfielder, then Phillips would slot straight into the holding role for the Premier League Champions.

Having registered an average of 3.67 tackles and 1.92 interceptions per game. Phillips is an asset who is willing to stay back and dictate play from deep, representing a perfect option for Manchester City having once been described as a “destroyer” by Steve McClaren.

For comparison, Rodri, especially this season, has not been as prominent out of possession, with an average of just 2.20 tackles and 1.57 interceptions achieved per game.

This will certainly give Guardiola and co something to think about.

In other news: Man City can land their own Alexander-Arnold as Pep eyes move for £18m-rated “engine”

Arsenal are reportedly in the running to sign Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio, with the player facing an uncertain future in the Spanish capital.

What’s the word?

As per the Mirror, the Gunners have emerged as one of the clubs who are ‘monitoring’ developments regarding the 26-year-old, with the player currently having just a year remaining on his existing deal.

The report suggests that Madrid are set to demand an answer regarding the Spaniard’s future by June 20, having offered the player a contract extension, although there is a ‘belief’ that the former Mallorca man is keen to leave on a free next summer.

As for the north Londoners, they have contracted the player’s representatives to ascertain what his demands are, with the report suggesting that the £36m-rated gem’s primary concern is game time, with the lack of Champions League football ‘not a deal breaker’.

Cazorla 2.0

While the Emirates outfit are likely to face intense competition in their bid to pluck the 26-cap international from the European champions, news of their interest will no doubt generate huge excitement among the club’s support.

The “special” talent – as he has been dubbed by Joey Barton – has played a prominent role for Los Blancos since joining the club in 2016, going on to net 49 goals and register 24 assists in 235 games in all competitions since then, winning a host of major honours in that time.

Although the £117k-per-week ace has struggled to truly establish himself as a regular starter of late – hence his potential desire to depart – he still managed to score an impressive ten La Liga goals last term for the eventual title winners in just 19 starts.

A skilful, fleet-footed talent who has the ability to feature all across the front three and in an attacking midfield role, Asensio has the versatility and quality needed to be a success in Mikel Arteta’s side, having also been previously dubbed a “genius” by one journalist.

That word was so often attributed to another Spaniard to have adorned the red jersey, with the Madrid man potentially set to follow in the footsteps of a real club icon in Santi Cazorla.

Like Asensio, the diminutive playmaker was comfortable in a variety of attacking positions, dazzling the home support with his creative nous and seemingly unique ability to deliver wicked set-piece deliveries with both feet.

Signed from Malaga in 2012 for what proved to be a bargain fee of just £15m, the midfield maestro went on to spend six years with the Gunners, chipping in with 29 goals and 44 assists in 179 games in all competitions.

Beyond the statistics, however, the now 37-year-old was – and still is – a simply joyful player to watch with the ball at his feet, combining delicate artistry with a lethal finishing technique, epitomised by that stunning free-kick against Hull City in the FA Cup final in 2014.

Although possessing a somewhat different physique, Asensio has a similarly agile and instinctive way of playing, with a move to England likely set to allow him to truly showcase just how much of a talent he is.

Arteta knows first-hand how good his former teammate – Cazorla – was, he can’t pass up the chance to sign his heir apparent.

In other news, Arsenal eye bid for £76.5m-rated “fighter” who “always creates”, he’s better than Saka

Nottingham Forest are now looking to the transfer window to strengthen their team ahead of their new chapter in the Premier League, and a reliable journalist has given an update on the club’s pursuit of a potential target.

What’s the latest?

According to Sunday Mirror Sports news editor Darren Witcoop, Nottingham Forest are “leading the race” to sign Lucas Joao.

Witcoop tweeted:

“Reading resigned to losing star man Lucas Joao this summer. Nottingham Forest leading the race for the Portuguese striker. Watford also in the hunt for his signature.”

Keinan Davis upgrade

Nottingham Forest will be in the market for a striker this summer as loanee striker Keinan Davis will return to parent club Aston Villa, but they could be about to sign a massive upgrade on their current number nine as Joao has been much more prolific in front of goal.

Davis scored five goals and contributed two assists this season in 15 Championship appearances, but was only part of the team on a six-month loan.

Joao, however, has been a goal machine for Reading over the last three years scoring 38 times and contributing 14 assists in 83 appearances, with a goal contribution every 116 minutes, proving that he could add a real attacking threat for Forest in the striker role next season.

It’s not just his goals and assists that have caught the attention of Forest, as the 28-year-old has been a force in all areas of his game this season in the Championship winning 4.7 duels and proving successful in the large majority of his dribbles (63%), according to SofaScore.

The 6 foot 2 forward was hailed by former teammate Jose Semedo, who was full of praise for the striker after Joao’s international debut for Portugal.

Semedo told BBC Radio Sheffield: “He’s remarkable. I don’t remember any other player playing second division and getting picked by Portugal.”

“I love the way he plays. He combines power, pace, skill and he’s a big guy.”

With that being said, if Forest could secure the deal for the £5m striker it would be a major signing for the club ahead of next season in the Premier League and would give them more depth in terms of goal contributions.

AND in other news: In talks: NFFC plotting bid for “exceptional” £12.8m dynamo, he can be Cooper’s Tevez

Glasgow Rangers insider The 4th Official has provided an update on the Gers’ pursuit of FC Sochi forward Mateo Cassierra.

The lowdown: On the move

Amidst turmoil in Russia, Colombian attacker Cassierra has recently spoken out about a desire to find a new club prior to the 2022/23 season, citing a pre-existing relationship with Ramgers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst in the process.

This followed links with the 25-year-old former Ajax man as Van Bronckhorst attempts to supplement the Ibrox squad after the departure of Cedric Itten to Young Boys.

Now, an informed insider has shed more light on the potential of the Colombian youth international arriving in Glasgow…

The latest: ‘I was told…’

Taking to Twitter, The 4th Official, a respected podcaster who actually broke the GvB news way back in November, confirmed Rangers are amongst multiple suitors for Cassierra.

They Tweeted: “When pressed on how close the move is in reality, I was told that the player has several options but Rangers is where Cassierra wants to move.

“But, Rangers would not be paying anywhere close to £8.5m for the striker.”

The verdict: Star signing

Having made the switch from Portuguese Primeira Liga side Belenenses SAD in 2021, Cassierra scored 14 times and provided six assists in just 22 Russian top-flight outings this term – including a recent hat-trick against Dynamo Moscow. He earned a superb 7.29 Sofascore rating whilst finding the target with 1.4 shots on average per game in the process.

Standing at 6 foot 1 and possessing a strong variety of key attributes that make him the ideal frontman for Van Bronckhorst’s target man led system, it’s evident to see why the Dutch boss would be keen to sign the man praised for his ‘excellent’ form in Portugal by journalist Jamie Farr.

Despite the obvious need for support for Kemar Roofe and Alfredo Morelos, particularly evident at the end of the season, out of contract in 2023 (Transfermarkt), the mooted £8.5million asking price for Cassierra is somewhat farfetched and the Rangers hierarchy would be wise to stand their ground on achieving a reduced fee.

In other news: Rangers: Pete O’Rourke drops Aaron Ramsey claim

Celtic defender Christopher Jullien has been touted to leave Parkhead during the upcoming summer transfer window.

What’s the news?

Speaking to Football Insider, former Hoops striker Frank McAvennie did not mince his words about the defender’s current situation at the club and what the immediate future could hold for the Frenchman.

He declared: “It’s clear that Ange doesn’t like him [Jullien]. There were so many games to play last season and he never got a look in, that tells me he’s pretty much finished at Celtic.

“[Cameron] Carter-Vickers and [Carl] Starfelt played every game. I think one of them needs a big, powerful defender to partner them at the back and you would think Jullien fits that mould.

“But he hasn’t played and it doesn’t sound like he’s injured again so Ange clearly doesn’t like him as a player.  I expect he will leave this summer because Ange won’t keep anyone who isn’t contributing.”

Fans will be buzzing

Celtic signed the centre-back from French club Toulouse during the 2019 summer transfer window in a deal worth a reported £7m.

Since then, the 29-year-old has gone on to make just 62 appearances for the Hoops across all competitions (47 of those in his first season at the club), chipping in with 10 goals and four assists over the three years.

After being sidelined for the best part of a year as a result of a serious knee injury, the defender only played 16 minutes for Celtic this season once he recovered, which makes it easy to see why McAvennie thinks Ange Postecoglou doesn’t view Jullien as a credible squad option.

With the defender’s current contract at Parkhead set to expire in the summer of 2023, if what McAvennie says is true and the Celtic manager isn’t a fan of the Frenchman, the upcoming transfer window could give the Hoops the best chance to cash in on the 29-year-old.

Taking this into account, if Jullien isn’t likely to have a future at Celtic, then the club getting as much money as they can for him this summer would surely be the best option for all parties. That scenario would likely have lots of Hoops fans buzzing, especially if the club can find a suitable replacement for the forgotten French defender.

In other news: “Celtic have..”: Transfer insider drops exciting claim that’ll have supporters buzzing