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Journalist and Sunderland supporter Josh Bunting has been left thrilled by the signing of Daniel Ballard.

The Lowdown: Ballard signs

As confirmed by the official website of the Stadium of Light outfit, Ballard has signed a three-year deal with the option of a further year, and arrives from Arsenal for an undisclosed transfer fee.

Manager Alex Neil stated upon making the signing that he wanted to add ‘competition’ in the centre-back area after Arby Xhemajli left the Wearside club, and Ballard will certainly provide that.

The Latest: Bunting thrilled

Taking to Twitter, Bunting was left thrilled by the transfer news, claiming that he was ‘absolutely buzzing’ with Ballard’s signing:

“Absolutely buzzing with the Daniel Ballard addition, developing into a top young centre-back. Reads the game very well, in the air that’s his main strength absolutely outstanding in those battles. He’s mobile and can carry a lot of ground. Certainly makes that area much stronger.”

The Verdict: Exciting

Bunting’s analysis of what Ballard will bring to the team is certainly exciting for the Black Cats supporters.

On loan at Millwall last season, the Northern Ireland international was their fourth-best performer in the Championship, and ranked highly among his teammates in terms of aerial duels won and average tackles, interceptions, clearances and blocks per match (WhoScored).

His added experience in the second tier will certainly help, and having never made a senior appearance for the Gunners in his time there, the 22-year-old will certainly have a point to prove as he looks to eventually take SAFC back up to the Premier League.

Everton have only made one signing so far this summer with James Tarkowski confirmed, and now a new update has emerged from a reliable source on the club’s move for a transfer target.

What’s the latest?

According to journalist Sascha Tavolieri, Everton have made an offer for Lille OSC midfielder Amadou Onana.

Tavolieri tweeted:

“The battle between clubs is becoming clearer for Amadou Onana! #WestHam, #EvertonFC & #LeicesterCity made an offer. In #Ligue1, the middle of #LOSC is the 1st choice of #ASMonaco but Lille will not give a gift to #ASM.”

“Advantage #PremierLeague. To be continued.”

Thelwell must act fast

If the report from Tavolieri is to be believed then it is clear that Onana has a number of clubs interested in signing him, with a reported £19m bid from West Ham United already rejected by Lille this summer, so Kevin Thelwell must act fast if he wants to bring the player to Goodison Park.

The 20-year-old was impressive in Ligue 1 over last season becoming a key player in the team with 32 league appearances.

Onana scored one goal and created three big chances, while making 0.5 key passes and 1.5 tackles on average per game. That’s as well as winning the majority of his duels (59%) and successfully completing the majority of his dribble attempts too (62%), proving that he is shaping up to becoming a great prospect for the future.

However, the £20m gem has only made 11 starts in the team which could give Everton a great opportunity to win the player over with a move to Goodison Park, as they could potentially offer the young midfielder many more minutes on Merseyside.

The Toffees have lost both Fabian Delph and Donny van de Beek this summer and will be wanting to add depth to their squad to improve their chances and quality of performances in the Premier League after their disastrous relegation scrap last season.

With that being said, the signing of Onana could be a great piece of business for Moshiri if he can seal the deal this summer as he is clearly a player with the potential to make a huge impact in the centre of the pitch for Everton.

AND in other news: Offer made: Everton plot bid for “really special” 6ft 1 monster, Frank needs him badly

West Ham have been handed a huge boost in their chances of signing Chelsea forward Armando Broja.

What’s the word?

That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, who wrote on Twitter: “West Ham have submitted two bids in the last 24 hours. Proposal around €35 million for Armando Broja, Chelsea have not decided yet as there are many clubs interested.”

The second bid was for Lille midfielder Amadou Onana, and it seems that David Moyes is looking to complete his transfer business early this summer.

Supporters will be delighted

After a respectable breakthrough season in the Premier League, the Albania international will be looking to build on the six league goals that he scored whilst on loan at Southampton.

Fortunately for him, he has all the attributes to continue striking fear into defenders. His 6 foot 3 frame makes him a huge aerial presence, whilst his blistering speed makes him something of a physical anomaly.

Perhaps with more creative players surrounding him, he really can catapult his goalscoring numbers.

The forward ranked in the 86th percentile for aerials won per 90 last season among positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues, which instantly outlines him as a huge threat from any decent deliveries.

With West Ham already boasting the fifth-best record in the Premier League from set pieces last season, the addition of Broja would only bolster their goalscoring options.

Furthermore, with the open play delivery of Aaron Cresswell, who averaged one key pass and 1.1 accurate crosses per game last term, the 20-year-old is sure to feast on the tantalising deliveries of the English left-back.

Albania’s assistant manager Sergio Porrini was full of praise for Broja, claiming that “his greatest qualities are in progression, especially the ball and chain…in the spaces, he is devastating!”

The 20-year-old could be Moyes’ answer to finding an alternative to the ageing Michail Antonio, with a willingness to run channels but the physicality to win knockdowns and link the play.

West Ham supporters must be buzzing to see the club being linked with such a high-quality forward with almost his whole career still ahead of him.

AND, in other news: Moyes plotting “unbelievable” West Ham move for £49k-p/w machine, he’d be Evra 2.0

This has been a highly exciting summer of transfer activity for Celtic as Ange Postecoglou has continued his trend of relentlessly improving the squad.

Last summer saw 12 new faces arrive while a trio of Japanese additions were brought to Glasgow in January.

What’s the word?

A plethora of new faces have been signed by Celtic this time around as well with Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota both sealing permanent switches.

Aaron Mooy and Moritz Jenz were both confirmed yesterday, adding to prior acquisitions in Alexandro Bernabei and Benjamin Siegrist.

Yet, further business appears to be unlikely. That’s the word of Football Scotland editor, Mark Hendry.

Taking to Twitter, he said: “For now I’m hearing business is finished. Obviously Matt O’Riley in January is proof that things can change but Celtic happy with what they’ve done right now.”

Gutting news?

Celtic have prioritised well over the summer months and have welcomed some fabulous players to Parkhead.

Carter-Vickers and Jota were part of the SPFL-winning side of last term so already know the Postecoglou way.

Furthermore, Siegrist has experience in Scotland, while Bernabei adds to a somewhat problematic area on the left-hand side of defence.

Every area of the first team picture has been strengthened this summer but one; the striking department.

Both Kyogo Furuhashi and Giorgios Giakoumakis had an injury-hit debut campaign with the Hoops while another permanent signing this summer in Daizen Maeda has a tendency to run hot and cold.

As a consequence, the idea of not signing another player, not least one of an offensive persuasion, is something that will undoubtedly leave supporters gutted.

Postecoglou has the perfect opportunity to build on the success of last season by signing a striker who won’t only provide the team with goals, but also a healthy injury record.

With bitter rivals Rangers strengthening in that third of the pitch, adding Antonio Colak and Tom Lawrence to their ranks, it is now of utmost importance that Celtic look to sign a striker.

Of course, the Bhoys still comfortably won the 2021/22 league title but there is a sense that Postecoglou and his transfer team need to add more out and out firepower to continue their dominance again next term.

As such, the idea that their business is now done and dusted will surely leave supporters somewhat gutted.

AND in other news, Postecoglou could unearth the next Wanyama with Celtic bid for “complete” £5.5m target…

Leeds United are interested in a deal to bring Mergim Berisha to the Premier League in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by A Spor journalist Yusuf Basyesil, who revealed on Twitter (via Sport Witness) that Jesse Marsch is keeping a very close eye on the situation of the 24-year-old Fenerbahce SK centre-forward ahead of a potential move this summer.

In his tweet, Basyesil said: “Leeds are interested in Mergim Berisha. Coach Jesse Marsch wants to see his former player in the team. Berisha was in the best form of her career with Jesse Marsch.”

Supporters will be buzzing

Considering just how impressive Berisha was under the management of Marsch previously, Basyesil’s claim that the 48-year-old is keen to bring the striker to Elland Road ahead of the Whites’ 2022/23 campaign is sure to be news that has left supporters buzzing.

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Indeed, over his 52 appearances for RB Salzburg during Marsch’s tenure at the Red Bull Arena, the £5.4m-rated forward highly impressed, scoring 23 goals and registering 14 assists for the Austrian Bundesliga side.

Furthermore, the former Germany U21 international has also proven himself a consistent attacking threat for practically every club for whom he has played, bagging 17 goals and providing two assists over 41 appearances for FC Liefering, netting 16 goals and registering 10 assists over 34 fixtures for SCR Altach, scoring six goals and providing five assists over 20 outings for LASK and notching seven goals and registering three assists over 31 appearances for Fenerbahce.

As such, while the £29k-per-week hitman may not be the most glamourous attacking target linked with a move to Leeds this summer, the 24-year-old would undoubtedly greatly improve the Whites’ depth up front next season, not to mention being a signing who knows exactly how Marsch wants his side to play next term – something that could well see him become an incredibly valuable asset for the American manager.

AND in other news: Victor Orta closing in on “elite” £31.5m Leeds signing, he’s one “worth waiting for”

A big Newcastle United update has emerged regarding the club’s pursuit of Chelsea striker Armando Broja in the summer transfer window… 

What’s the talk?

The Northern Echo reporter Scott Wilson has claimed that the Magpies are now exploring the possibility of an initial loan for the Albania international.

He tweeted: “TRANSFER LATEST: Armando Broja’s future plunged back into uncertainty after West Ham shelve interest in Chelsea striker. #NUFC still keen on a season-long loan, with a view to a permanent switch next summer…”

The accompanying article states that the Tyneside club have made a number of enquiries over a potential swoop for the attacker, whilst West Ham have now dropped out of the race in order to finalise a deal for Sassuolo predator Gianluca Scamacca.

Supporters will be buzzing

This claim will leave Newcastle supporters buzzing, as the structure of that proposed deal would be a dream agreement for the Magpies.

At the age of 20, Broja is yet to prove that he can nail down consistency in his performances and – as with every young player – there is no guarantee that he will continue to develop and fulfill his potential.

There are untold factors which can have an impact on a player’s progress, and the Slough-born attacker may not hit the heights which would be expected of him at Newcastle.

This means that the club could sign him for a mega transfer fee up front this summer and then he goes on to struggle in Eddie Howe’s team and is unable to build upon his time with Southampton.

Instead, an initial loan deal gives all parties involved a chance to evaluate the fit. He could have an outstanding campaign and join the club permanently for the 2023/24 campaign, or he could flop and head back to Chelsea to seal another move.

In the Premier League last term, Broja scored six goals in 21 starts on loan at Southampton as he showed glimpses of what he is capable of producing at the top level, scoring nine goals in all competitions for the Saints.

That return was not an incredible one which suggests that he will immediately be a reliable, 20-goal-a-season striker for the Magpies, but it does highlight his potential and show that he has the scope to reach those heights.

That is why bringing him in on loan – to assess how he fits the team and develops – before making a final decision on him next summer would be a perfect arrangement which will leave Newcastle supporters buzzing.

AND in other news, In talks: NUFC make “contact” for “extraordinary” £25m target, he can be Howe’s Zidane…

A big claim has emerged on Glasgow Rangers gem Alfredo Morelos and his potential return from injury…

What’s the talk?

Giovanni van Bronckhorst has hinted at the striker being available for the second leg of the club’s Champions League qualifying tie with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise next week.

When asked if the attacker will be fit for the match next Tuesday, he said: “Yeah I think that’s realistic.

“He’s been training with us for quite some time and is getting better and sharper every day.

“We also had him in the UEFA list for this round so hopefully he will continue and will be there next week.”

Morelos has been out of action since suffering a thigh injury back in April and now appears to be closing in on his return for the Light Blues.

Van Bronckhorst could axe Antonio Colak

The Gers head coach could now axe Colak from the starting XI with this news, after two worrying performances from the summer arrival.

Ex-Gers man Mark Hateley was strong in his criticism of the Croatian on Tuesday night as they lost 2-0, saying: “Colak, for me, was a waste of time. If Morelos is playing there, the ball goes into him. Colak didn’t demand the ball.”

This came after journalist Andrew Dickson said that he was “anonymous” against Livingston at the weekend, going on to Tweet: “Appreciate Colak needs service but has to impose himself more too. Didn’t think he did very much at all against Spurs either and hope that’s not to be a regular thing.”

In the 2-1 Premiership win, the 28-year-old had just nine touches of the ball and completed only three passes as he failed to register a goal or assist – as per SofaScore.

These quotes and statistics suggest that he needs more time to adapt to the way Rangers play and that is why Morelos, if fit, should start ahead of him next week.

The Colombian predator is a proven performer for the Light Blues who knows exactly what it takes to lead the line up front in this team.

In the Premiership last term, he produced 11 goals and seven assists in 26 appearances as he averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.32.

This, along with his four goals in eight Europa League starts, shows that he has the quality and consistency to make a huge impact at the top end of the pitch. He is a player van Bronckhorst can rely upon in the final third and Colak is yet to prove that he is in that bracket.

Therefore, Morelos coming back from injury should allow the head coach to axe the Croatian from the XI for the second leg, taking pressure off the new signing in the process.

Omar Celikbasli has dropped an update on reported Leeds United transfer target Mergim Berisha.

What’s the latest?

In a recent interview with MOT Leeds News, the SPOR journalist revealed that, following reports of Victor Orta submitting a €2m (£1.7m) bid for the Fenerbahce centre-forward, the 24-year-old is also considering a number of offers from unnamed German clubs alongside the Whites’ proposal.

The reporter went on to state that whichever club can convince the former Germany under-21 international of their project, along with tempting the striker with a decent salary, will most likely be the winner in the race for his signature this summer, with Berisha set to make a decision on his next move soon.

Regarding the Fenerbahce attacker’s current situation, Celikbasli said: “There are also offers from Germany for the player. The club that convinces the player about the project and salary will complete the transfer. But he will be making the decision soon.”

Marsch would love him

Considering just how impressive Berisha was under the management of Jesse Marsch during their mutual time at Red Bull Salzburg, it is easy to see why the 48-year-old is keen on a deal to bring the centre-forward to Elland Road in the summer transfer window.

Indeed, over his 28 Austrian Bundesliga appearances in 2020/21, the £5.4m-rated forward was in sensational form for the American coach, bagging 14 goals, registering ten assists and creating 13 big chances for his team-mates.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-leeds-united-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-and-much-much-more” title= “Read the latest Leeds news, transfer rumours and more!”]

These returns saw the £28.4k-per-week attacker average a very impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.28, not only ranking him as Salzburg’s fifth-best performer in the league but also as the joint seventh-best player in the entire division.

The German hitman also caught the eye over his six Champions League appearances in that season, scoring four goals, registering two assists and creating three big chances for his team-mates. These returns saw the striker average a remarkable SofaScore match rating of 7.18 in Europe’s most prestigious club competition.

As such, should Marsch believe that he could help Berisha rediscover this form after a comparatively disappointing spell in Turkey – scoring seven goals and providing three assists over 31 outings in all competitions last time out – the 24-year-old could well prove to be an incredibly astute signing for Orta to get over the line this summer, not to mention one that Marsch himself would undoubtedly love.

Aston Villa appear to be closing in on signing Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car.

The Lowdown: Diego Carlos injury

Steven Gerrard was handed a nightmare injury blow over the weekend, with summer signing Diego Carlos rupturing his Achilles tendon in the 2-1 win against Everton.

Villa have confirmed that the Brazilian will require surgery, with reports claiming the defender is set to be sidelined for much of the season.

It appears that NSWE want to act fast over a potential replacement and it looks as if Caleta-Car, who has been linked with a move to Villa Park in recent months, could become the club’s sixth signing of the summer.

The Latest: Packing his bags

So Foot shared a story shortly after the news broke on Carlos on Monday, name-checking Caleta-Car.

They were told that the Croatia international ‘has already packed his bags to join his mate Boubacar Kamara’ in the Midlands.

The Verdict: Good news

It’s good to see that the club are willing to act quickly in the market following Carlos’ serious injury, and Caleta-Car could be a shrewd replacement if he comes in.

The 25-year-old is into the final 12 months of his Marseille contract and shares the same agency as five Villa players, so that could make talks fairly straightforward over a deal.

Dubbed an ‘excellent player’ by talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook, Caleta-Car has plenty of experience in Ligue 1 and the Austrian Bundesliga, so he should be able to provide strong competition for Gerrard’s available centre-backs.

Manchester United’s hierarchy are pushing back on Erik ten Hag’s pursuit of Chelsea attacker Hakim Ziyech, according to Samuel Luckhurst. 

The lowdown

It was only two years ago that Ziyech moved from Ajax to Chelsea in a £36million deal, but he’s now fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge.

The Moroccan watched the entirety of the Blues’ opener against Everton from the substitutes’ bench, and only started two of their last nine Premier League games last term.

The Athletic reported earlier this summer that the 29-year-old ‘has not enjoyed a productive relationship’ with manager Thomas Tuchel, and could be available for transfer.

Ziyech was a key part of the Ajax side that reached the semifinals of the Champions League under Ten Hag in 2018/19.

He scored 21 goals and provided 24 assists in all competitions, and netted against Real Madrid (twice) and Spurs in the UCL knockout stages.

All three of United’s signings this summer – Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen – have either worked with Ten Hag or played in the Eredivisie.

The latest

Luckhurst, the chief Manchester United for the Manchester Evening News, told fans on Twitter that the ‘MUFC hierarchy [are] resisting Ten Hag’s interest in Hakim Ziyech’.

The manager views Ziyech as an ‘alternative left-footed attacker to Antony’, who’s been deemed too expensive at €80million (£67.6million).

United have ‘largely backed’ Ten Hag’s moves for familiar players, but this is seen as an exception.

Luckhurst also says the club ‘failed with an approach’ for another Chelsea player in Timo Werner as part of their ‘shambolic window’.

Werner has instead returned to RB Leipzig in a £25.3million deal.

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The verdict

It hasn’t worked out for Ziyech at Chelsea, but you can see why Ten Hag might still push for him.

This is a player who has previously made the Team of the Season for the FA Cup, Champions League and Eredivisie.

The official Chelsea account have previously billed him a ‘wizard’, BT Sport have called his technique ‘insane’ and former United defender Gary Neville has compared him to Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez because of his ‘lovely’ left foot. 

What’s more, The Daily Mail reported last month that he’s available for as little as £8.4million, around eight times less expensive than Antony.

His reported £100,000-per-week wage looks manageable too, with 14 players at United currently earning more than that.