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Newcastle United showed during the previous January transfer window that they aren’t against approaching other Premier League clubs to try and sign their players.

During the winter window, the Toon brought in the likes of Dan Burn, Chris Wood and Matt Targett, all from fellow top-flight sides to help them avoid relegation.

Now that the summer transfer window has opened for business, this could give the Tyneside club and PIF to flex their financial muscles once again and bring in some more players to strengthen Eddie Howe’s squad.

One other Premier League player that the Magpies have been linked with recently that could follow in the footsteps of Burn, Wood and Targett by making a move to St. James’ Park this summer is Leeds United winger Jack Harrison.

In 165 senior appearances for the Yorkshire club, the Englishman has scored 28 goals and delivered 22 assists.

To further highlight his attacking talent, in the 35 league appearances he made for the Whites last season, no other Leeds player delivered more crosses (92) than any other player in the squad.

In addition to the 44 shots at goal he had, only Raphinha made more dribbles and shot-creating actions than the 25-year-old.

Labelled as a player who “works his socks off” by David Prutton, Harrison also made 41 interceptions and won 32 tackles for his side.

According to Football Transfers, another recognisable name that is included in a list of similar players to the Leeds star is Crystal Palace attacker Wilfried Zaha.

Taking into account how the Ivory Coast international has scored 61 goals and delivered 41 assists in 277 Premier League games, the prospect of Howe having his own version of the Palace star in the form of Harrison could be a very exciting one for the Toon supporters.

To compare the duo from their latest Premier League campaigns, both wingers attempted over 100 dribbles, which shows just how much their teams value their individual talent on the ball and running with it towards goal.

With a reported price tag of £30m, this could be an investment worth taking for Newcastle and their owners this summer, as Harrison’s clear talent with and without the ball would undeniably make him a useful asset for the Magpies.

AND in other news: Bid incoming: PIF could land Saint-Maximin 2.0 as NUFC now plot move for £43m talent

Glasgow Rangers are reportedly now fighting a club in the Premier League to bring Ivan Lepinjica to Ibrox this summer.

The Lowdown: Defensive midfielder needed

Giovanni van Bronckhorst is lacking a natural defensive midfielder in his squad at the moment, and so this is an area of the pitch that the Gers will be expected to strengthen in this summer’s transfer window.

Although Lepinjica can play in more advanced roles too, he is naturally a holding midfield player, and so would fit the profile needed.

The Latest: Wolves interest

As per Football Insider, Wolves are now working on a deal to sign Lepinjica, who is a ‘hugely regarded talent’ in Croatia.

The Light Blues have also been tracking the six-foot-three colossus however, after first considering a move back in 2021.

The Verdict: Get it done

The lure of the English top flight will certainly attract Lepinjica, and so the Teddy Bears need to get this deal done as soon as possible.

He is a real leader on the pitch despite being just 22 years of age, evidenced by him captaining Croatia at youth level, and is part of a ‘very talented’ generation of Croatians, according to renowned Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig.

Kulig highlights Lepinjica’s strengths as passing, vision, positioning, tackling, heading and anticipation, and so he seemingly has everything needed both on and off the ball to succeed as a holding midfielder.

This is certainly one to look out for as the window progresses.

Everton have been linked to Levi Colwill for a while now as they attempt to improve their squad ahead of next season, and a new update has emerged from a reliable source.

What’s the latest?

The Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor took to Twitter to confirm that Frank Lampard “wants to land” the signing of Chelsea youngster and Huddersfield Town loanee Levi Colwill.

Taylor tweeted:

“Everton boss Frank Lampard wants to land Levi Colwill from Chelsea this summer – whether loan or permanently. Thomas Tuchel expected to keep him for pre-season before deciding future.”

Everton need him

After a difficult season at Goodison Park, Lampard will surely be looking to take full of advantage of his first full transfer window as Everton manager and there’s no doubt that Everton need to improve their defence, so Colwill could be the perfect signing.

Everton struggled in a relegation battle throughout last season in the Premier League, which led to Jamie Carragher branding the Toffees’ defence a “Championship back four” after a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

Lampard’s side conceded 23 more goals than they scored and conceded the fifth-most goals in the entire league (66), so identifying defenders who can come in and make an instant impact on the side to improve their collective defence record next season should be a huge priority.

Colwill who was dubbed “outrageous” and a “huge talent” by scout Jacek Kulig joined Huddersfield Town on a season-long loan deal and made a massive impact on their efforts in the Championship for promotion, with the side only missing out on a rise to the Premier League in the play-off final against Nottingham Forest.

The £4.5m-rated gem scored two goals and delivered one assist, making 1.8 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 4.1 clearances on average per game, winning the majority of his duels and completing the majority of his dribbles in 29 league appearances.

The 19-year-old centre-back has proved in his Championship performances that he is a real solid presence as well as being progressive on the ball in attacking play but now Lampard could offer him the next step in his career to earn Premier League experience.

With that being said, the Toffees boss is clearly keen to sign Colwill at any cost whether that be on loan or in a permanent move so will need to use his Chelsea connections to his advantage this summer to get the deal done.

AND in other news: Moshiri eyes Everton bid for “fantastic” £10.8m-rated “talent”, he’s better than Allan…

Aston Villa have been heavily linked with a move for Aaron Hickey, and after a new update emerged on the player’s future, the Midlands club may need to ramp up their interest if they intend to sign the defender this summer.

What’s the latest?

According to the Daily Mail, Brentford have now approached Bologna with a view to signing the Scottish left-back.

The report claimed that Newcastle United, Arsenal and Aston Villa are also interested in the player but will now need to act upon their interest to beat the west Londoners to the signing of Hickey during the transfer window.

Gerrard’s Andy Robertson

With Matt Targett moving to Newcastle on a permanent deal this week, there is an opportunity for Steven Gerrard to sign Hickey and unearth his very own Andy Robertson at Villa Park next season.

The youngster, who has been compared to the £58.5m-rated Liverpool and Scotland left-back by sections of the media, has been attracting attention from Premier League clubs for his impressive performances in Serie A with Bologna.

As per SofaScore, the 20-year-old scored five goals, contributed one assist and created two big chances this season, making 1.3 tackles and one clearance per game. He also won the majority of his ground and aerial duels combined (57%) and successfully completed the majority of his dribbles (61%).

The youngster was called a “special talent” by his former Hearts coach Daniel Stendel, who said (via Daily Record): “Aaron was by far the most interesting player in my squad and the one who had the greatest potential.

“He reads the game very well and was lightning fast at reacting to things on the pitch. All of that makes him a special talent.”

According to Birmingham Mail, the Villains are now prioritising the signing of a left-back, so it would be a great piece of business for Gerrard if he can seal a deal for Hickey this summer, as the youngster could make a great impact and add depth to Villa’s defence ahead of next season.

However, now that Brentford have made an official approach for the 20-year-old, Villa will need to act fast if they want to complete the signing of the Scottish youngster. Otherwise, they risk missing out on the player and would need to look elsewhere to fill a position that they need to cover.

AND in other news – “Official proposal…”: Romano drops big Villa transfer update, supporters will love it

Aston Villa could use Douglas Luiz to sign Moise Kean from Juventus, Italian journalist Marcello Chirico has claimed. 

The lowdown

Last summer, Juventus signed Kean on loan from Everton with an obligation to buy him for £24million.

Kean did make 44 appearances in 2021/22 but starting opportunities proved to be limited. Max Allegri selected him from the off in just 12 Serie A matches, and one Champions League fixture.

The Athletic’s Gregg Evans reported in May that Steven Gerrard may look to add ‘another forward option’ to his squad during the summer transfer window.

And transfer insider Dean Jones recently suggested that Villa might look to move Luiz on.

The latest

Chirico tweeted on Monday afternoon that ‘Aston Villa is interested’ in signing Kean this summer.

They have apparently ‘offered’ midfielder Luiz to the Bianconeri as part of the deal.

The verdict

Transfermarkt value Luiz at £31.5million, £7.5million more than Juventus have agreed to pay for Kean. And given that the Italian is clearly a little way down the pecking order at the Allianz Stadium, it seems unlikely that they would demand cash in addition to Luiz.

That, then, raises the prospect of a straight swap, an ‘unusual’ occurrence in football.

Is Kean the kind of no. 9 Villa should look for?

Well, his return of six goals last season is underwhelming, but remember, he rarely started games.

And the previous season, at Paris Saint-Germain, Kean commendably bagged 17 goals, with manager Thomas Tuchel dubbing him ‘fearless’ and former PSG player Eric Rabesandratana also praising his Edinson Cavani-esque work-rate.

Signing the seven-time trophy-winner would still be a risk, though, given that he struggled in his previous stint with an English club, netting only four times in 39 outings for Everton.

In other news, one pundit thinks this £120k-p/w star may have fallen out with Villa after he was transfer listed.

West Ham United are reportedly set to offer a new deal to forward Jarrod Bowen, following his sparkling recent form for the club.

What’s the word?

As per 90min, the Hammers are ‘readying a bumper new contract’ for the 25-year-old as a statement of his growing importance to the club, as they also look to ward off any potential interest, notably from Liverpool.

The report suggests that discussions had been had in east London back in December regarding an extension to his existing deal – which currently runs until 2025 – although his impressive form and recent England call-up have heightened the desire to tie him down to improved terms.

This news comes following recent reports that suggested teammate Declan Rice won’t be signing a new deal this summer, with that fact potentially putting greater emphasis on the need to commit the former Hull City man long-term.

Signing of the summer

For all the business that David Moyes may undertake this summer, the key transfer dealing could well be hanging on to the £80k-per-week sensation, with securing that new deal likely to be a top priority for the former Manchester United boss.

Managing to do so would be like a signing in itself, particularly with Bowen now believed to be valued at roughly £75m, with it unlikely that GSB would be able to find a suitable replacement who would make an equally as instant impact.

Plucked from the Championship on a £20m deal in January 2020, the Leominster-born gem has gone on to score 27 goals and register 23 assists in all competitions for the Irons thus far, having previously netted 54 goals and provided 14 assists at his former club.

The most recent campaign proved particularly profitable as he provided 29 goal contributions in all competitions, coming out on top among the Hammers squad for both goals (18) and assists (11).

Those statistics have underlined his importance to Moyes’ machine, with supporters likely desperate to see him commit himself to the club for the long haul, particularly amid those doubts over Rice’s future.

Having been recently handed a long-awaited international nod by Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate, the forward will likely be hoping to force his way into the manager’s reckoning for this year’s World Cup in Qatar, despite the intense competition for places.

The fact he is even in the conversation is a marker of just how far he has come since life in the second tier, with both the club – and supporters – praying that he recognises the role that West Ham has played in his development by signing a new deal.

Should he do so, it would likely eclipse any other dealings that the club does this summer.

IN other news, “Another target…”: Ex drops big WHU summer transfer claim that supporters will love

Manchester United’s move for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber is ‘practically closed’, according to Portuguese journalist Pedro Almeida.

The Lowdown: Timber talks

Erik ten Hag has seemingly made the 20-year-old his first major target as United manager. The Red Devils first made contact over a possible move at the end of April, and a transfer has slowly gathered pace with the defender’s representatives in England last weekend.

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Timber, described as a ‘top talent’, as per the official UEFA Champions League Twitter channel, can play anywhere across the back four and is valued at a career-high £27m by Transfermarkt.

The Latest: Almeida’s update

Almeida took to Twitter on late on Friday evening to provide a Manchester United transfer update.

He revealed that a move for Timber is ‘practically’ done, adding that the club are now turning their attention to Villarreal’s Pau Torres.

The Verdict: New partnership?

Although Timber can play as a full-back, Ten Hag mainly used the Netherlands international at centre-back last season. He made 38 appearances at the heart of the defence and just five at right-back, helping Ajax to the Eredivisie title, conceding just 19 times in 34 games.

It looks as if he will become the club’s first major signing of the Ten Hag era, and with United now looking at a move for another centre-back in Torres, that could spell trouble for the likes of Harry Maguire, who was heavily criticised last season.

In other news: Reliable journalist leaks Man Utd talks as Ten Hag now eyes ‘terrific’ Englishman. 

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ proposed signing of RB Leipzig loanee, Hwang Hee-chan will become permanent in the summer.

What’s the word?

That is according to a report from Birmingham Mail, who have relayed Lage’s verdict on Hwang ahead of the South Korean’s permanent move to Molineux in July.

The 26-year-old joined Lage’s side last summer and it was announced in January that the club would indeed exercise their option to buy, consequently activating the £14m clause in his contract that would see him become an official Wolves player on July 1st.

Lage, by his own admission, has revealed that he will take inspiration from Manchester United icon Sir Alex Ferguson when he oversees Wolves’ rebuild this summer.

As per Birmingham Mail, he said: “I remember maybe 10 years ago, when I read Sir Alex Ferguson’s book, he said something like that. ‘I love my players as sons, but when they drop their performance I am the first guy to go there, shake their hands, it’s time to move, and we need to replace him to continue.’

“I want that pressure. When the players are there you give him respect and pay the salary, so when they don’t give the same things you need to find solutions. That’s why he was in that position for 20 years and he won titles every time. He did that with a lot of players.”

Wolves’ Ji-Sung Park

With the shared South Korean nationality, esteemed work rate and selflessness for the team in the form of versatility, the comparison between Ji-Sung Park and Hwang writes itself.

It’s of course emphasised further by Lage’s inspiration from Ferguson, who notoriously used Park as a key utility tool in United’s most successful spell.

The Wolves boss has already been waxing lyrical over Hwang as a player, saying this on the eve of the final Premier League game of the season:

“For Hwang, the way he came with the impact he gave us, it was very good. It was so easy for him to fit in the team. After that he had a big injury and stayed out for five or six games. Since then he has had good moments and bad moments.”

Hwang, who was said to have sent Virgil Van Dijk “out for a hotdog”, has made 31 appearances for Wolves this season and is the Old Gold’s second-highest goalscorer with five goals scored.

Though like Park, his game is much more than just end product, with the forward producing 86 pressures in the attacking third this term, the fourth-highest in the Wolves squad.

In other news: In talks: Lage can unearth Wolves’ new Neves & Moutinho in double swoop for £12.8m duo 

Manchester City defeated Aston Villa 3-2 to finally be crowned Premier League champions in a thrilling encounter at The Etihad Stadium today. Ilkay Gundogan grabbed the headlines with two goals that made sure City were victorious, but it was “monster” midfielder Rodri who stole the show and was key to them winning the title.

A player that’s often overlooked, the Spaniard has been pivotal for City this season and is the natural successor to the outgoing Fernandinho.

The 25-year-old moved to Manchester back in 2019 for £62.8m joining from Atletico Madrid as a relatively unknown player. However, like many others, he has been moulded into a world-class superstar by manager Pep Guardiola.

With City 2-0 down at the break his aggression one on one and ability to recover the ball ensured that City had enough time to score the goals they needed to. He also got himself on the scoresheet netting the equaliser.

When you look at his statistics in more depth his incredible work rate is proven. He won over half of his duels and made nine ball recoveries in the game.

As well as working hard at recovering possession for the Citizens he also had the composure to find a man when he had the ball with an overall pass accuracy percentage of 92%.

Rodri also made one key pass and had the fourth most touches out of anyone on the whole pitch.

He was given a score of 7.6 by SofaScore which was perhaps harsh given how much his performance meant to the victory and therefore City’s season. He’s made 32 appearances in the Premier League this season and despite playing a deep role has managed to score six times and get two assists.

He is one of the most important players at the club and his quality is appreciated by the fanbase but needs to be appreciated more by those outside the club.

The win means that City don’t end the season trophyless and retain the title for the first time since 2019 and secure their 4th title in five years.

They will head into next season full of confidence that they can do it all over again but will face yet another massive challenge from Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool.

IN other news: Huge blow: Big behind the scenes Man City claim emerges, it’s bad news for supporters…

Leeds United will hope they can consolidate themselves as a Premier League club this season, with another promotion hunt on the cards to get up to the top-flight, not the most attractive proposition.

Instead, Daniel Farke’s Whites will pray they can comfortably stay up, despite all the weighty pressure against them, and become a top-flight regular again, much like their heyday in the 90s when Champions League football was even on the menu.

The German is working against his own label as an unproven manager at the very top, too, with a relegation blotting his otherwise sparkling CV in England when at the helm of Norwich City.

Still, the early signs suggest Leeds could be here to stay, with the Whites in a promising 11th spot at the time of writing, after a Sean Longstaff-led effort clinched a 2-2 draw against AFC Bournemouth last time out.

Longstaff's promising start at Leeds

Longstaff nearly held the individual honour of being Leeds’ match-winner against the Cherries, with his fierce effort that cannoned in off the post, gifting his new employers a slim 2-1 lead.

Unfortunately, Bournemouth had other ideas late on when Eli Kroupi scored a last-gasp equaliser, but Andoni Iraola’s men snatching a share of the points shouldn’t detract too much from Longstaff’s sublime showings all season long.

Up against their South Coast visitors, the former Newcastle United man would amazingly notch up seven key passes.

One of those passes saw Joe Rodon head home from an inch-perfect corner kick delivery – while also showing off a fiery side to his game when winning a high ten duels to keep plugging away up against the likes of former Leeds man Tyler Adams, lining up for the away team.

It will just be up to the brand new Leeds number 8 to keep up this sterling, having often fallen victim to recurring injury issues at St James’ Park that saw him fade into the background under Eddie Howe.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

For just £12m, however, Leeds look to have struck gold on an instant bargain. Yet, it could be argued that the Whites gave up an even bigger talent than Longstaff last summer, when parting ways with a midfielder for a mere £3.7m.

Former Leeds star is now better than Longstaff

Leeds have fallen foul of many blunders in recent transfer windows, with their summer activity before their relegation out of the top-flight come the end of the 2022/23 season seeing them purchase many a half-hearted presence.

Faces such as Rasmus Kristensen, Luis Sinisterra, and the aforementioned Adams would all down their tools after their demise to the Championship was confirmed, with Marc Roca also falling into this bracket of failed signings who then shied away from the intense battles to follow in the EFL.

The seven-time Spain international would only go on to make 36 first-team appearances in West Yorkshire before then packing his bags to head to his native country initially on loan, after the Whites crashed out of the promised land.

He did show signs of his top-flight quality for Leeds, even if he did sour his relationship with the club when exiting at the first possible chance after relegation, with one goal and two assists being notched up by the 28-year-old in Premier League action sticking out, alongside winning a high 4.1 duels per game

Former Leeds favourite Tony Dorigo would even hail Roca as a “wonderful” talent when displaying these bursts of quality, with the Real Betis number 21 further validating that his stint in England was an off-spell by starring in La Liga consistently.

Indeed, when looking at the table in greater detail, it’s clear that Roca is a similar level talent to Longstaff or even greater, with 5.7 ball recoveries on average sticking out during his debut season back on Spanish soil. Longstaff, despite his energetic Yorkshire beginnings, has only averaged 2.7 to date.

He even reminded English crowds of what he is capable of recently when assisting Antony’s leveller in the Europa League against Nottingham Forest.

With the Spaniard also capable of slotting in at left-back or as a centre-back if needed, it could well be now that Leeds look back on the sale of the “outstanding” – as he has been labelled by journalist Jose Rodriguez for his efforts in La Liga – Catalonian as one they regret, especially for such a low amount at £3.7m.

Still, the proof will be in the pudding as to whether Roca is a stronger talent than Longstaff or not come the end of the season, as the Newcastle-born number eight attempts to make his showing against Bournemouth a commonplace expectation.

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