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Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong is reluctant to accept a pay cut at Barcelona, Fabrizio Romano has told GiveMeSport.

The lowdown

The Netherlands international has reportedly been Erik ten Hag’s top target at Old Trafford since early June, but the Red Devils still haven’t made a breakthrough in their pursuit of the 25-year-old.

However, Barcelona are under financial pressure, with president Joan Laporta insisting that he would ‘do everything’ in his power to keep De Jong but admitting that ‘there’s also a salary issue and that would have to be adjusted’.

It has been claimed that the midfielder is currently earning as much as £354,000 per week at Camp Nou.

The latest

Romano admitted that he was slightly baffled by the De Jong situation, which he described as “peculiar”, with Laporta forced to walk something of a tightrope. As it stands, the player has not shown a willingness to accept reduced terms in order to stay with the Blaugrana.

The transfer guru told GiveMeSport: “For Frenkie de Jong, I think the situation is a peculiar one. The president of Barcelona, Laporta, has said that he will try to keep the player, but he wants Frenkie to reduce his salary.

“From what I’m told, Frenkie is not reducing his salary. At the moment, this is not the case.”

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The verdict

This may be music to ears of Ten Hag and Manchester United, as Barcelona might simply be forced to offload De Jong if he is costing them too much money. After all, they’re grappling with £1bn debts and ‘strict controls on recruitment and expenditure’.

In theory, they may not only agree to sell to United, but also on favourable terms.

There will be a feeling of relief if they manage to get this one over the line, with the pursuit already billed as a ‘saga’.

It would also mean that United can focus their full attention on other key targets ahead of Ten Hag’s first season in charge at Old Trafford.

Everton have only made one signing so far and have already lost Richarlison this summer so Frank Lampard will be hoping to identify some more new recruits before the season begins next month, and now a new potential transfer target has been named.

What’s the latest?

According to French news outlet Foot Mercato, Everton are plotting a bid to sign Mohamed Bayo from Clermont this summer.

As per the report, the striker is becoming a hot prospect with Lille OSC, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Frankfurt and Marseille alongside Everton all named as clubs interested in securing his signature.

It is reported further that Clermont wants at least €13-14m (£11.1-11.9m) to sell the player in the current transfer window.

Lampard needs him badly

There is no doubt that Lampard will be wanting to get players in to establish his best team going forward, and the signing of Bayo could be the perfect step forward to move on from Richarlison’s exit ahead of next season.

The 24-year-old who was hailed a “handful” by journalist Andy Brassell, has been impressing over his time with his French side scoring 36 goals and delivering 12 assists over 79 appearances, with a goal contribution every 119 minutes played.

Thanks to Bayo’s 21 goals last season Clermont Foot were promoted to Ligue One last season, and the forward has continued to impress in the top flight of French football this season.

The Guinea international scored 14 goals, delivered five assists and created six big chances, making one key pass and taking 2.1 shots on average per game, whilst also successfully completing the majority of his dribble attempts (53%) over 32 league appearances.

Bayo’s hunger for goals is something Lampard needs badly in his Everton team next season, with the side conceding 23 goals more than they scored last term, which ultimately led to a relegation scrap at the bottom of the table, a situation the Toffees will not want to find themselves in again.

With that being said, the signing of Bayo could be a major coup for Farhad Moshiri, especially if they can secure a deal for the bargain asking price and he can continue to emulate his goal-scoring abilities at Goodison Park.

AND in other news: Everton “trying to sign” £20m maestro who “dominates” games, he can be Arteta 2.0

Nottingham Forest have already made seven new signings this summer and they are showing now signs of slowing down, with a new potential transfer target revealed by a reliable source.

What’s the latest?

According to journalist Loic Tanzi, the Premier League club are interested in signing Wolfsburg midfielder Aster Vranckx this summer.

Tanzi tweeted: “Two clubs advance for Aster Vranckx (2002 – Wolfsburg): Everton and N.Forest hope to be able to sign the Belgian”.

Big Yates upgrade

Although Cooper has made multiple signings already, he is yet to add a new midfielder to the ranks at the City Ground, and the prospective signing of Vranckx could be the perfect upgrade on Ryan Yates ahead of their long-awaited return to the Premier League next month.

The 19-year-old Belgian midfielder has been attracting attention due to his performances and talent displayed in the Bundesliga last season, shaping up to be a promising player.

Over 24 league appearances, Vranckx scored two goals, along with making 1.4 tackles and winning 3.3 duels per game. He was also successful in completing the majority of his dribble attempts, proving that he can offer both offensive and defensive attributes in the centre of the pitch.

Wolfsburg sporting director Marcel Schäfer held high praise for the youngster, hailing him as a “talented player” in quotes from Bundesliga.com.

He described Vranckx as “a very talented player who became a first-team regular for Mechelen at the age of 17, and he can operate in different midfield roles”.

Steve Cooper has confirmed this week that Yates will be out of the squad for at least a month due to an injury sustained after a pre-season friendly. Therefore, if Forest were able to secure a deal for the Wolfsburg starlet, it could give Vranckx the perfect opportunity to supplant the 24-year-old in the newly-promoted side next season.

The signing of the £15k-per-week Belgian could be a major coup for Cooper as he continues to improve and strengthen his team ahead of their Premier League campaign, and it would put them a good position to add quality to the heart of the squad.

AND in other news: Romano claims Forest get green light to sign “fantastic” £5k-p/w warrior, it would be a big coup

Manchester City have been linked with a move for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from Mundo Deportivo (via Daily Mail), the Premier League champions are set to enter the race to sign the defender alongside Chelsea and Barcelona.

After making 70 senior appearances for his previous club Bordeaux, in which he scored four goals, the Frenchman made his way to Sevilla in 2019. Since then, the 23-year-old has made 133 appearances for the Spanish club across all competitions, chipping in with nine goals and three assists.

To highlight his defensive capabilities, in his 150 league appearances since the 2017/18 season, the France international has won 93 tackles and made 201 blocks, 171 interceptions and 646 clearances.

Looking at his La Liga performances last term, only Diego Carlos ended the campaign with a higher average of clearances and blocks per game than Kounde among the Andalucians’ squad.

In terms of his overall performances, the centre-back earned himself an overall season rating of 6.92/10 from WhoScored, making him Sevilla’s second-highest rated player. This shows how capable he is of playing at a high level for one of Europe’s top clubs and why the likes of City, Chelsea and Barcelona are reportedly after him.

Forget Ake

Hailed as a “sensational” player by journalist Marcus Bring, Kounde would reportedly be allowed to leave Sevilla this summer if an offer of €65m (£54m) comes in for him, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Nathan Ake has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea this summer, so should the Dutchman find himself moving to Stamford Bridge this summer, this could clear a pathway for the Citizens to launch a move for Kounde as his potential replacement.

If Ake does end up waving goodbye to the Etihad Stadium in the coming weeks, a move for the Sevilla defender could be a great next step for City so that they don’t go into the new season with one fewer senior figure at the back.

However, with the likes of Ruben Dias, John Stones and Aymeric Laporte at Pep Guardiola’s disposal, any centre-back who potentially joins City this summer would likely have a challenge on their hands in terms of getting regular game-time.

AND in other news: Guardiola can land Aguero 2.0 as Man City eye £154k-p/w dynamo who’s “one of the best”

ExWHUemployee has dropped an update on the future of reported West Ham United transfer target Jesse Lingard.

What’s the latest?

In a recent post on Twitter, the West Ham insider revealed that, following a number of reports suggesting that Nottingham Forest now look to be closing in on a deal for the 29-year-old forward, the former England international’s most likely destination this summer does now indeed appear to be The City Ground.

In response to a supporter asking if there is any truth to the former Manchester United attacker’s links with Forest, Ex said: “Yes, at the moment that seems the most likely destination unless West Ham make one last move – but I can’t see it being successful at this point.”

Indeed, that news was later confirmed by David Ornstein who revealed that Lingard is set to join the Trentside outfit and link up with them in pre-season.

Supporters will be fuming

Considering just how impressive Lingard was during a loan spell at the London Stadium back in 2021, in addition to it previously appearing as if the forward’s permanent move to east London looked to be all but confirmed, Ex’s latest update on the 29-year-old’s future is sure to have left the West Ham faithful fuming.

Indeed, over his 16 Premier League appearances for David Moyes’ side in the campaign before last, the £16.2m-rated talent was in electric form for the Hammers, bagging nine goals, providing five assists and creating three big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.6 shots, making 1.1 key passes and completing 1.1 dribbles per game.

These returns saw the 32-cap international average a simply sensational SofaScore match rating of 7.19, ranking him not only as the club’s best performer in the top flight but also as the 20th-best player in the division as a whole that season.

As such, should Lingard indeed go on to seal a move to the newly-promoted Reds ahead of agreeing a switch to West Ham – who can offer the 29-year-old European football and the chance of a top-six finish in the league – this summer, it will undoubtedly be an incredibly frustrating outcome for all involved with the Irons – not least Moyes himself.

AND in other news: “Another player..”: Sheth reveals big WHU transfer update, it’d “be a dream” for Moyes

Newcastle United are ready to bid for Premier League wingers Jack Harrison, Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes, according to The Northern Echo journalist Scott Wilson.

The Lowdown: Howe wants a new winger

Eddie Howe has set his sights on signing a winger before the transfer window closes later this summer as Newcastle look to bolster their squad options ahead of a push for European football.

Bayer Leverkusen attacker Moussa Diaby has been heavily linked with a move to St James’ Park, but the Bundesliga club’s £60m price tag has proven too much for the Tyneside outfit, forcing them to look elsewhere.

It is reported that the Magpies are hoping to strike a deal for a wide player with a fee around the £25m mark.

The Latest: Wilson’s transfer update

Wilson has shared the latest news on Newcastle’s pursuit of a fresh wide-man for Howe’s squad in a report for The Northern Echo, outlining one significant obstacle that PIF will need to overcome.

Taking to Twitter in sharing a corresponding article, the reliable journalist claimed: “TRANSFER LATEST: #NUFC ready to bid for three different Premier League targets – Jack Harrison, Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes – but none currently fall within their price range and, at this stage, their respective clubs are in no mood to budge…”

The Verdict: Unlikely…

Whilst all three players would appear to be useful additions to the Magpies’ ranks, the proposed transfer fees could force Dan Ashworth to look elsewhere.

With Everton’s stance being that Gordon is not for sale and Leicester valuing Barnes at £50m, this would seem to make Leeds winger Harrison the most attainable target.

However, considering Jesse Marsch’s £35m valuation of the ex-Manchester City forward, this deal will also require lengthy negotiations to get over the line.

Therefore, whilst those could be good signings for Newcastle, a deal may prove to be too difficult to execute, so the Toon should have other targets in mind before it is too late to bring anyone else in.

Newcastle United have reportedly now ‘started talks’ over the potential signing of Callum Hudson-Odoi.

The Lowdown: Chelsea raid?

It was reported by The Daily Mirror on Saturday night that the St James’ Park club have entered advanced talks over signing Timo Werner on loan, with an obligation to buy at the end of the season.

If that deal materialises along with Hudson-Odoi, then it could be a double raid of Thomas Tuchel’s Blues.

The Latest: Hudson-Odoi ‘talks’

Taking to Twitter, journalist Rob Pratley – who has featured on the BBC and is the author of The Chelsea Social – has revealed that Newcastle have now ‘started talks’ over potentially signing Hudson-Odoi, but it would take a ‘significant’ transfer fee to sign the 21-year-old.

Pratley tweeted: “Newcastle have formally started talks with Chelsea over a potential signing of Callum Hudson-Odoi. The fee would be significant, and Chelsea are pondering over trying to include a buyback clause.”

The Verdict: Risky

Signing Hudson-Odoi, especially for a big fee, would be very risky for the Tynesiders.

The Englishman has a bad injury record and earns a whopping £120,000 per week at Stamford Bridge.

Furthermore, his goal contribution record is not great for a winger, with just 16 goals and 22 assists in 126 games for the Blues over five seasons (Transfermarkt).

They should be looking to move on to other targets, with the likes Jack Harrison and Maxwel Cornet also being linked with moves to St James’ Park.

Werner has at least shown that he can score goals regularly from his time at RB Leipzig, so he could be a better option than Hudson-Odoi, especially if he would only be signed on loan.

Sky Sports pundit Kevin Campbell has backed his former club Arsenal to make a move for Lyon midfielder Lucas Paqueta this summer.

The Lowdown: Paqueta linked with Arsenal

Last month, Goal reported that the Gunners had made contact with the 24-year-old’s representatives over a potential move to the Emirates Stadium.

Following this, it was reported that the French outfit have indicated they would be willing to entertain offers for the Brazil international. When quizzed over Paqueta’s future, Lyon’s head of recruitment Bruno Cheyrou claimed: “We are prepared for every eventuality”.

The Latest: Campbell’s claim

Campbell, the ex-Arsenal striker who works as a pundit for Sky Sports, believes that Paqueta would be a fantastic signing for the Gunners.

Speaking with Football Insider, the 52-year-old claimed: “Paqueta looks like a really, really good footballer.

“He is another Brazil international. Hey, come and join the Brazilian revolution! It is happening in London and it is happening at Arsenal.

“Listen, you can never have enough quality players, especially with the five substitute rule now.

“The pursuit of the likes of Paqueta and [Youri] Tielemans could go right to the end of the window. These are the players who are difference makers.

“The team is performing now. Could you imagine if you bolster that with two, three, four of the players we are talking about? All of a sudden people would be like, ‘Hold on a minute, something it really happening at the Emirates.’

“I like what I am hearing and I like what I am seeing. Paqueta would be a brilliant signing.”

The Verdict: Would be a huge signing

When looking at Paqueta’s underlying statistics, it is easy to see why Mikel Arteta would be keen on welcoming the midfielder to the Emirates.

As per FBRef, compared with positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year, the 24-year-old ranks in the 99th percentile for tackles, the 94th percentile for pressures and the 93rd percentile for progressive passes received.

However, with a current market value of £31.5m, this seems to be an unlikely signing for Arsenal, given that Lyon are expected to command a much higher fee than this, with sums of €80m (£67.5m) having been mooted.

Therefore, whilst this would be a fantastic signing for the Gunners, it also appears to be somewhat unlikely.

Fulham came away with a point in their first Premier League game of the season as a result of a 2-2 draw against Champions League finalists Liverpool.

The Cottagers took the lead on two occasions only to be pegged back by Jurgen Klopp’s side, ultimately ending with both teams sharing the points.

Using this match as an example, it’s easy to see why the west London club have looked to strengthen their defence by not only signing Shane Duffy on a season-long loan deal, but also with a reported deal for Issa Diop now looking likely.

Should Marco Silva feel the need to add even more strength and depth to that area of his squad, one figure they were said to have made an offer for last week is Leicester City centre-back Jannik Vestergaard.

If Fulham are able to bring the Foxes figure to the club, this could give Silva the chance to form what could be a formidable defensive duo at the back between Vestergaard and Duffy.

Having only played in ten league games last season, the 30-year-old still managed to show off his defensive talent by racking up more clearances (41) than the majority of other players in Leicester’s squad.

Similarly with Duffy, in the 18 league games he play for Brighton last season, he made 91 clearances in total, leaving only two other Seagulls players with more.

This shows how dominant the duo are in the air as they both adopt a classic no-nonsense approach to the defensive side of the game. It also suggests that a partnership between them could cause problems for any side trying to score or defend a corner, for example.

Hailed for his “outstanding” performances in the past by Alan Shearer, Vestergaard was not included in the squad for Leicester’s recent league game against Brentford.

Having fumbled a 2-0 lead to eventually draw 2-2 with the Bees, it seems as though the Midlands club could have done with having him in the team.

If the 6 foot 5 centre-back isn’t likely to be a regular starter for Brendan Rodgers’ side this season, Fulham should do all they can to bring him to Craven Cottage and partner him alongside Duffy at the back.

Should the club end up signing the giant defender, he and Duffy certainly have the defensive credentials to give the Cottagers a good chance of avoiding getting relegated back to the Championship.

An update has emerged on Leeds United and their interest in Kai Wagner in the summer transfer window… 

What’s the talk?

Journalist Manuel Veth has claimed that the Whites are keen on a deal to sign the German full-back before the deadline passes next month. 

He has also revealed that other teams are in the race to secure his signature, whilst it has been reported that he could cost around £2.5m.

Veth tweeted:

“Source! Leeds United remain interested in Philadelphia Union left-back Kai Wagner. But the Premier League club are not the only one interested. Benfica and Dinamo Zagreb have also shown interested in the #DOOP star. This is a decisive summer for the 25-year-old German!”

Jesse Marsch’s own Andy Robertson

By striking a deal to sign Wagner, Leeds could land their head coach his own version of the Liverpool full-back, who has proven himself to be an impressive player in the top-flight in recent years as he has caught the eye with his attacking thrust.

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In the last two campaigns combined, the Scottish international has racked up 17 assists for the Reds in the Premier League. He delivered 1.7 and 1.9 key passes per game respectively in the two seasons, which shows that he offers a big creative threat to Jurgen Klopp’s team from left-back. 

The gem ranked in the top three for chances created per game in the Liverpool squad in that time and Wagner could now come in at Leeds and have a similar impact, in terms of his importance to the team when it comes to unlocking the opposition.

In the 2022 MLS campaign, the German has averaged 2.7 key passes per match across 24 outings. This comes after the 1.7 he produced per game in the division throughout 2021. 

Meanwhile, no Leeds player managed more than 1.9 per game last term and Raphinha was the only player with more than 1.2.

The season before that, the Brazilian topped the pile with 2.1 and Jack Harrison was second with 1.6 per match, which means that Wagner – like Robertson for Liverpool – would have placed in the top three in that statistic in both campaigns. 

He was dubbed “fighter” by ex-Philadelphia Union defender Aurelien Collin and hailed as a “very unique” by Union boss Jim Curtin, with the latter describing exactly what he could be for Leeds as his creativity from left-back could offer something different to Marsch’s team.

If he is able to adapt to playing in England then his numbers suggest that he has the potential to provide Robertson levels of chance creation to the team whilst playing at left-back.

Whereas, Junior Firpo created 0.9 chances per match in the Premier League last term, which is why Wagner would be unique for the Whites in that position as he has the ability to unlock doors in the final third.