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A big update has emerged regarding Newcastle United’s plans for the summer transfer window after agreeing a deal to sign Nick Pope… 

What’s the talk?

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the Magpies have made an official move to sign Sven Botman ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

Speaking on the Qué Golazo Podcast, the reporter has claimed that the Tyneisde club submitted a €36m (£31m) “proposal” to Lille for the Dutch defender.

Romano stated that Newcastle are in a battle with Serie A giants AC Milan to land the centre-back, although he did not say how much the Italian champions are willing to put on the table.

Howe will be buzzing

Magpies head coach Eddie Howe will be buzzing with this news for multiple reasons.

Firstly, he will be delighted with the pace at which Newcastle are moving to land their targets this summer. Matt Targett has already joined on a permanent deal from Aston Villa after his loan spell last term, while Pope is now set to follow him in a move from Burnley.

Whilst the latter is yet to be officially completed, Newcastle have now submitted a bid to land another addition to the squad in the form of Botman.

If they are successful with those swoops, then Howe will have three new additions with which to work for the start of pre-season. This will give the newcomers plenty of time to get to know their new team-mates and adjust to the club, giving them the best possible chance to hit the ground running once the campaign gets underway.

The Magpies manager will also be buzzing because Botman has the potential to be a sublime signing. In the last two Ligue 1  campaigns, the former Ajax man has shown that he has the maturity – despite being just 22 – and the quality to be a top performer.

He averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.08 as he made 37 appearances in his debut season in France before averaging a score of 7.10 in 2021/22 across 25 starts. Meanwhile, no Newcastle centre-back averaged a rating of higher than 6.98 in the Premier League last term.

These statistics suggest that the Dutchman would be an upgrade on the current options in his position at St James’ Park, whilst also holding the potential to improve and develop even further over time as he is still in the early stages of his career at first-team level.

Therefore, Howe will be over the moon with the club’s efforts to land Botman and will be hoping that they can get a deal over the line in the coming days.

AND in other news, Forget Ekitike: Newcastle now “close to” landing second summer signing, Howe will be elated…

TalkSPORT Journalist Alex Crook has claimed that Manchester United are ‘working hard’ on signing Ajax forward Antony.

The Lowdown: Transfer movement

The Red Devils are finally making progress in their attempts to bring in new players for Erik ten Hag, with the new season fast approaching.

United have reportedly agreed deals in principle for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong and Feyenoord left-back Tyrell Malacia.

Antony, labelled as a player who gives defenders ‘sleepless nights’, has also been linked with an Old Trafford move in recent weeks.

The Latest: Crook’s comments

Talking to GiveMeSport, Crook said that he knows United have been ‘working hard’ on signing Antony but added that agreeing on a fee could be an issue.

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“I know United have been working hard on Antony, but the fee that I was given was £40million.

“I think their asking price is nearer £60million so, obviously, there’s negotiating to be done there.”

The Verdict: Fingers crossed

United could do with attacking reinforcements over the coming weeks, especially on the right-hand side. Ten Hag doesn’t have a senior right-winger to choose from at this moment in time, so bringing in Antony, who is still just 22 years of age, could be a brilliant move.

The Brazilian starred under Ten Hag last season, contributing to 22 goals in 32 games solely as a right-winger, so he could solve United’s shortages in that area with a big-money move.

Everton are in desperate need of improvements in their squad following a disastrous relegation scrap in the Premier League last season, and now a reliable source has given a behind-the-scenes update on the side’s progress in the transfer window.

What’s the latest?

Everton insider and journalist Alan Myers has responded on Twitter to questions from supporters about Everton’s intentions in the summer transfer window.

Myers gave a reassuring seven-word update in reply to a supporter’s tweet revealing: “Work is ongoing to bring players in.”

Supporters will be excited

The Toffees are yet to officially announce a new signing, with James Tarkowski expected to be revealed as an Everton player when his contract expires at Burnley tomorrow, however, supporters will be excited by Myers’ update in terms of things to come.

Everton finished 16th in the Premier League, only managing to secure survival in their penultimate game of the season against Crystal Palace and finishing the campaign on the joint-worst points per game in the club’s history, so there is clearly work to do at Goodison Park to ensure the mistakes of the past aren’t repeated.

It has been widely reported that Richarlison could be heading for a move away from Merseyside this summer with Tottenham Hotspur keen to sign the Brazilian to strengthen their forward line next season at the cost of weakening the Toffees, something Farhad Moshiri will need to address immediately.

Richarlison was crucial in the Toffee’s Premier League survival with six goals and two assists in the last 11 games of the season, which helped the side pick up enough points to remain in the top flight, proving that he is a key player that will leave a massive hole in the front three should he complete a move away.

It is no secret that in terms of their financial position when it comes to determining a transfer budget the days are gone where Moshiri can recklessly spend without a care for the consequences and it is reported that Everton will be tightening their belts this summer and make smarter moves in the transfer window by capitalising on free transfers.

With that being said, Myers’ update will give supporters the hope that they need to have faith in the team’s ability to go into next season able to compete and put in better performances to ensure they don’t find themselves in a battle at the bottom of the table again.

AND in other news: Sky Sports reveal huge Everton summer transfer development, supporters will be gutted

Leeds United have asked about a loan move for Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic, according to 90Min journalists Graeme Bailey and Jack Gallagher.

The lowdown

Jovic is reportedly set to join Fiorentina on a temporary basis, his second loan spell away from the Santiago Bernabeu. Los Blancos loaned him back to former club Eintracht Frankfurt in the second half of the 2020/21 season.

They had paid £56.7million to sign him from the Bundesliga outfit in the summer of 2019. But for that investment, they’ve received a pretty dismal return of just three goals in 51 appearances.

Transfer insider Dean Jones told GiveMeSport ahead of the window that Leeds ‘are going to go for a striker’.

The latest

Leeds are apparently one of three Premier League sides to enquire about a deal for Jovic, alongside West Ham United and Brentford.

However, the player is apparently ‘unconvinced’ by the idea of a move to the English top-flight, and looks set to move to Serie A.

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The verdict

You may question Leeds’ interest in a player who’s scored just seven goals since his blockbuster move to Real Madrid (if you include the four he netted on loan).

However, Jesse Marsch will surely be looking back at the player he was in 2018/19, when he bagged 27 goals in all competitions (nearly half his career total of 60) and made both the Bundesliga and Europa League Teams of the Season.

Mladen Krstajic, the then Serbia boss, even compared him to Luis Suarez at that time.

You’d imagine that the player’s confidence has been severely damaged by the events of the past three seasons – he wouldn’t be the first to suffer such a fate in Madrid – and so Marsch would have had to build that back up if he was to unlock anything like his best form.

Leeds are clearly fans of the £14.4million-rated 24-year-old, so it’s possible that they will renew their interest at the end of his loan period with Fiorentina, depending on how he fares. The door isn’t necessarily closed on this one yet.

Sky Sports journalist Tim Thornton is expecting Leeds United winger Jack Harrison to remain at the club despite conversations over a possible exit from Elland Road.

The Lowdown: Newcastle linked with Harrison

Harrison is part of the 26-man Leeds squad who have headed to Australia for three pre-season fixtures, whereas Raphinha has remained in England looking to resolve his future.

The Englishman has been a regular over the last four seasons, contributing to 50 goals in 166 appearances for the Whites. However, he has recently been linked with Premier League rivals Newcastle, with Eddie Howe’s side weighing up a move for the 25-year-old.

Harrison is entering the final two years of his contract at Elland Road and Thornton thinks that he will remain at the club ahead of Jesse Marsch’s first full season in charge.

The Latest: Thornton’s comments

Talking to GiveMeSport, Thornton said that there ‘have been conversations’ regarding a potential exit for the winger, but he added that Harrison is ‘happy’ in Yorkshire and expects him to stay put.

The Sky Sports reporter said of the 25-year-old:

“I would expect him to stay. There have been conversations; there’s been interest.

“I think there was a bit of interest back in the January transfer window as well, but I think Jack’s happy at Leeds. His stats are good, his goals record; his assists.”

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The Verdict: Need to keep him

With Raphinha seemingly closing in on a move to Barcelona, it is vital that Leeds keep hold of another attacking regular in Harrison.

He has been a reliable member of the squad, missing just two games through injury over the past four seasons, and he appears to be happy at Elland Road judging by Thornton’s insight.

The winger has also gone from strength to strength, with his Transfermarkt valuation rising from £3.15m in 2018 to a career-high £16.2m at Leeds, so it makes sense to resist any potential offers from Newcastle over the coming weeks.

Leeds United are closing in on a deal which will see Joe Gelhardt extend his stay at Elland Road.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football Insider, who claimed that, after highly impressing in his breakthrough season in the Whites’ first team, Victor Orta is now in advanced negotiations with the 20-year-old and his representatives regarding a new contract.

The report added that the England under-21 international is not only set to see his deal extended beyond its current June 2024 expiry, but he will also receive a huge pay rise on his current £16.5k-per-week salary.

Supporters will love it

Considering just how exciting a prospect Gelhardt more than proved himself to be last season, the news that the Whites appear to be closing in on a deal which will see the centre-forward remain at Elland Road for the long-term is sure to be an update that supporters will love.

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Indeed, despite starting just five of his 20 Premier League appearances last season, the £5.4m-rated talent still managed to catch the eye, scoring two goals and registering four assists for Jesse Marsch’s side and averaging a direct goal involvement for every 122 minutes of top-flight football played in 2021/22.

Furthermore, according to FBRef, the 20-year-old – who CBS Sports’ Jake Winderman dubbed a “special talent” – also ranks in the top 1% of forwards in Europe’s big five leagues and European competitions for pressures per 90 minutes, along with the top 4% for tackles, the top 9% for dribbles completed, the top 15% for assists, the top 16% for progressive carries and the top 24% for progressive passes over the last 365 days.

As such, it is clear to see just how promising an attacker Gelhardt undoubtedly is. We believe that, should Orta manage to get a new deal over the line for the former Wigan Athletic starlet this summer, it could well be one of the Spaniard’s signings of the summer at Elland Road.

AND in other news: Orta now plotting Leeds bid for “superb” £15m “playmaker”, he’s the “king of assists”

Tottenham Hotspur, and by extension sporting director Fabio Paratici, are ‘at the window’ to sign Real Madrid forward Marco Asensio, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Spurs eyeing more moves?

Spurs manager Antonio Conte could yet see even more signings at the Premier League club after a flurry of transfer activity over the summer so far.

Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison, Clement Lenglet (loan) and Djed Spence have all linked up with the Italian at Hotspur Way, but the Lilywhites apparently remain in the market for a creator.

Paratici could also still sign another right wing-back or central defender despite the arrivals of both Lenglet and Spence.

The Latest: Asensio targeted…

According to reports from Italy, it now appears that the north Londoners are eyeing a move for Asensio amid Real Madrid’s desperation to offload the 26-year-old.

Indeed, according to Calciomercato Web, Spurs and Paratici are ‘at the window’ to sign the Spaniard as they enter contention for his signature alongside Chelsea and AC Milan.

It is also believed that the Galacticos could offer a discount on his mooted €40m (£34m) asking price.

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The Verdict: Advance?

The 26-year-old, who was once likened to superstar Lionel Messi by former Real Madrid director Jorge Valdano, had been taking the world by storm when he burst onto the scene.

Despite things going quiet since then, Asensio could still offer Spurs some real quality, with pundit Kevin Campbell explaining that the Spaniard has been an ‘excellent’ squad player for Los Blancos.

As we’ve seen with both Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus, the £138,000-per-week attacker could be transformed under Conte at Tottenham, but it remains to be seen whether the north London club will push their reported interest further.

Nottingham Forest are still keen on signing Real Betis left-back Alex Moreno this summer, according to an update from Sky Sports News presenter Dharmesh Sheth.

The Lowdown: Moreno linked with Forest move

The Reds have enjoyed an excellent summer ahead of their return to the Premier League, bringing in a host of players to strengthen Steve Cooper’s squad.

One individual who has been linked with a move to the City Ground is Moreno, who is seen as a strong option at left-back, providing competition for new signings Omar Richards and Harry Toffolo.

It looks as though Forest are still working hard on getting their man, following an update regarding their interest in him.

The Latest: After Mangala

According to Sky transfer guru Sheth, sharing an update on Orel Mangala on Twitter, the Reds are ‘still working on a deal’ to sign Moreno after the Stuttgart midfielder.

The Spaniard’s current deal doesn’t expire until 2025, however, meaning he may not be able to arrive on the cheap.

The Verdict: Is he needed now?

While Moreno is a very experienced player at the top level, making 131 La Liga appearances in total, this does feel a little like left-back overkill if Forest sign him as well.

As mentioned, Richards and Toffolo have already come in this summer, so having three strong options in the same position could make it hard for Cooper to keep them all happy.

Should Moreno end up joining, it certainly wouldn’t be anything to complain about given his pedigree – he scored five goals and registered three assists in the league last season – but there are strong options there without him.

Aston Villa have been handed a big boost ahead of Saturday’s Premier League season opener against newly-promoted Bournemouth…

What’s the word?

As per Birmingham Mail, the Cherries have been dealt a major injury blow for that upcoming meeting at the Vitality Stadium, with manager Scott Parker set to be without two of his three summer signings due to injury.

The former England international revealed that former West Ham United defender Ryan Fredericks and midfielder Joe Rothwell – who signed from Blackburn Rovers on a free transfer – will be absent from this weekend’s encounter:

“In the last game, he [Rothwell] did a sprint and just felt something in his quad. He won’t be ready for the start of the season. It wasn’t as bad on a scan as maybe we initially thought, but he will be missing at the start of the season.

“Ryan Fredericks is on the grass again. Again, next weekend comes a bit too quick for him, but he is on the right track.”

Gerrard will be buzzing

While those at Villa Park would not wish ill on the opposition with regards to injury, Steven Gerrard will no doubt be buzzing to see Saturday’s opponents disrupted by those two notable absences.

Although Parker will likely have new arrival Marcus Tavernier to call upon, having both Fredericks and Rothwell on the treatment table will ensure that the 41-year-old is left with essentially the same squad that had secured promotion out of the Championship, with little significant improvement having been made.

The one-time Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has only recently vocalised his concern at the lack of incomings, with doubts creeping in as to whether the south coast side have the quality needed in their ranks to compete back in the top flight.

That frustration and uncertainty will seemingly only hand the ascendancy to the Villans this weekend, with Gerrard’s men looking to make a fast start after last season’s disappointing 14th-place finish.

A strong summer of recruitment thus far – which has seen five major signings made by sporting director Johan Lange – has provided the Midlands outfit with all the tools needed to drastically improve upon the 2021/22 campaign.

The Villa boss will be taking it one game at a time, however, although he seemingly can’t have been handed a better start than facing a depleted and under-strength Bournemouth side.

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

Everton have been linked with a move for Conor Coady this week, and a reliable source has given an update on the player’s future ahead of the final few weeks of the transfer window.

What’s the latest?

According to BBC journalist Fraser Fletcher, the Wolves captain “would like” a move to Goodison Park this summer.

Fletcher tweeted: “Conor Coady has told Wolves he would like move to Everton. Wolves are willing to sell the club captain and Everton confident of striking deal quickly.”

Lampard will be delighted

There is no doubt that Frank Lampard will be delighted to find out that Coady wants a move to Merseyside this summer, as the Liverpudlian defender could be a great addition to the team in order to strengthen the Everton back-line this season.

The Wolves star has been a consistent and reliable performer for his current club and has been lavished with praise for his leadership from the back by his manager Bruno Lage.

The 46-year-old has said of his skipper (via Molineux News): “He is one of the best guys I know in football. Every time with the big ambition, every time first in the building in the morning.

“Every time, bringing motivation to everyone. The leadership is by example. He is one of the best and I am very happy to work with him.”

In 2021/22, Coady made the second-most successful dribbles and ranked fourth for blocked shots and third for conversion of big chances in the Premier League, along with scoring four goals, tallying a 90% pass completion rate and winning 53% of his duels.

Lampard can strike a formidable centre-back partnership between Tarkowski and Coady to improve Everton’s defence this season after the Merseysiders conceded the fifth-most goals in the top flight last term, and the £62k-per-week target could be the perfect signing to enhance the back-line.

Everton have made three signings so far this summer, with James Tarkowski, Ruben Vinagre and Dwight McNeil all coming in, but they have only a few weeks left in the current transfer window to continue improving their squad to ensure that they don’t endure another disastrous Premier League campaign like last time around.

There are many areas that Lampard will surely want to improve to give Everton their best chance of competing in the top flight this season, but if Coady comes to Goodison Park and leads from the back like he has at Molineux, it would be a serious coup for the Merseyside club.