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Leeds United are interested in a deal to bring Arnaud Kalimuendo to Elland Road in the summer transfer window.

What’s the word?

That’s according to a report by Tutto Mercato Web (via Sport Witness), who claim that Victor Orta is making strong moves for the Paris Saint-Germain centre-forward this summer, with the Ligue 1 champions believed to be willing to part with the 20-year-old for a figure in the region of €20m (£17m).

An earlier claim made by Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna suggested that the Spanish director of football has even gone as far as to make a bid offer for the France U21 international, although the French reporter claimed that it would actually take an offer of €22m (£19m) in order for PSG to part ways with the young striker in the current market.

“Beautiful palette”

Considering the sheer amount of potential Kalimuendo quite clearly possesses, in addition to the signing of a new centre-forward reported to be one of Orta’s priority targets in the summer transfer window, it is easy to see why the Spaniard is believed to have made contact with PSG regarding a deal for the 20-year-old.

Indeed, over his 34 Ligue 1 appearances while on loan at RC Lens in 2021/22, the £17m-rated forward was in spectacular form, scoring 12 goals and creating three big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.8 shots, making 0.6 key passes and completing 0.8 dribbles per game.

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Furthermore, according to FBref data, the £6.6k-per-week forward also ranks in the top 28% of centre-forwards in Europe’s big five leagues for non-penalty goals per 90, in addition to the top 1% for pass completion, the top 19% for progressive carries and the top 11% for progressive passes received over the last 365 days.

These metrics saw the French youth international come in for a considerable amount of praise last season, none more so than from Lens head coach Franck Haise, who stated of Kalimuendo earlier this year:

“He is already the prototype striker of the present. From 18 to 20, he not only showed that he held his place in Ligue 1, but he continued to score in a team which evolves in the first part of the classification.

“He is an attacker for the future because he feels the blows and is clever in the finish. He is able to keep his back to the goal, attack the depth, to de-zone to create spaces for the others. He is already a beautiful palette that will be enriched.”

As such, with the PSG starlet evidently being a player who knows how to find the back of the net, boasts the potential to flourish into an exceptional top-tier striker and is available for an extremely reasonable £19m this summer, a move for the 20-year-old would appear an extremely smart one for Orta to make in the coming weeks.

AND in other news: Victor Orta now working on fourth summer signing, Leeds supporters will be buzzing

An update has emerged regarding Newcastle United’s interest in Nathan Ake in the summer transfer window…

What’s the talk?

Transfer insider Dean Jones has revealed that the Magpies head coach is a big fan of the Netherlands international, having worked with him at Bournemouth. The reporter also added that the Tyneside club are likely to make a move if Manchester City give teams the green light to come in for the 27-year-old.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT about Ake: “Eddie Howe loves him, he’s had him on his mind for quite a while now.

“He recommended him as a signing for the summer and he’s potentially going to be available, so of all the people being mentioned, look out in the background, if anything starts to happen with Nathan Ake, Newcastle will probably be in the conversation.”

Howe’s own Ruben Dias

If the Premier League champions decide to cash in on the £41m tank, the Magpies must snap him up as he can be Eddie Howe’s own version of Ruben Dias, who is listed as a similar player to the former Cherries defender on FBRef.

The Portugal international was named the English top flight’s Player of the Season for the 2020/21 campaign, as his impact at centre-back was judged to have played a big role in City winning the title after losing out to Liverpool in the previous campaign.

Whilst Newcastle may not be expecting to win the league next term, they can land their own transformative centre-back signing in the sense that Ake could elevate the style of play that they are able to deploy next season.

The gem, who was dubbed “underrated” by Liverpool machine and international compatriot Virgil van Dijk, is a ball-playing defender who can use his quality to build play out from the back for the Magpies. 

In Europe’s top five leagues over the last 365 days, Ake rank in the 96th percentile amongst centre-backs for progressive carries, the 98th percentile for passes attempted, the 93rd percentile for pass completion percentage and in the 99th percentile for non-penalty Expected goals and assists, as per FBRef.

Meanwhile, Dan Burn ranks in the 58th percentile or lower in those statistics, which includes him being in the 19th percentile for pass completion percentage. This suggests that, whilst the January signing from Brighton has been a rock in defence, he does not have the quality to progress the play out from the back to a high standard.

On the other hand, Ake’s statistics show that he is exceptional at carrying and passing the ball out from defence to initiate attacks for his team.

Therefore, the Dutchman could transform the way that Newcastle play and have a major impact on Howe’s team next season, much like the signing of his current team-mate Dias had on Pep Guardiola’s side. The 27-year-old can instigate moves from centre-back and quicken their build-up through the thirds when needed, allowing Newcastle to play a more possession-based style.

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

Reliable journalist Pete O’Rourke has backed West Ham to complete the signing of Manchester United forward Jesse Lingard this summer.

The Lowdown: Hammers reignite interest

The 29-year-old spent the second half of the 2020/21 season out on loan at the London Stadium after receiving a considerable lack of game time with the Red Devils, and impressed with what he saw, David Moyes has been trying to secure the Premier League ace permanently ever since.

The Scot failed in his attempts back in January as a result of United refusing to let him go, but his contract at Old Trafford has now expired, meaning the Irons no longer have to negotiate with the Manchester outfit.

It was reported by Sky Sports just last week that the Hammers have now tabled an offer to the winger’s representatives in a bid to bring him back to East London for good.

The Latest: O’Rourke confident of Lingard deal

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke admitted that he is confident that Lingard will re-join West Ham and that it’s simply a matter of time. He said:

“You would expect this one to finally get done. Many people expected it to happen, but it’s dragged on and dragged on.

“We all know Jesse Lingard had a great spell on loan at West Ham and David Moyes is a huge fan of him as well. He’s now a free agent, so all roads point to West Ham now for Lingard, with other options seemingly gone away for Lingard as well.”

The Verdict: Guaranteed starter?

If Lingard were to put pen to paper and commit his future to the Irons, there’s no reason as to why he wouldn’t walk straight back into Moyes’ starting XI given the impact he had on loan in such a short amount of time.

The 32-cap international, who was once dubbed a ‘top class’ player by former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, made an outstanding 14 goal contributions in just 16 appearances during his time at the club, via Transfermarkt, showing just how much of a difference to a team with little goalscoring threat outside of Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen.

With West Ham no doubt fully focused on trying to regain a place in the Europa League next season, the return of Lingard alongside the likes of Bowen and Antonio in the final third could be just what they need to achieve their ultimate goal.

Sunderland are reportedly now ‘interested’ in signing Jack Rudoni, and have already made a bid for the AFC Wimbledon midfielder.

The Lowdown: Standout season

Rudoni enjoyed a standout season at Wimbledon, where he was voted as their Player of the Year (POTY).

Dubbed an ‘excellent‘ player by former Dons manager Mark Robinson, the six-foot-one maestro managed 12 goals and a further seven assists in total over all competitions (Transfermarkt), impressive numbers indeed from the middle of the park.

The Latest: Bid made

Taking to Twitter, South London Press journalist Richard Cawley has revealed that the Stadium of Light outfit are ‘interested’ in signing Rudoni, and have already made a bid for the Englishman:

“Biggest bid for Jack Rudoni in this window has been around £500k + add-ons. Sunderland and Huddersfield have both made bids. Bristol City and Blackpool are also interested.”

The Verdict: Get it done

Given the competition from a number of their Championship rivals for his signature, Rudoni is a deal that Alex Neil’s side simply need to get done as soon as possible.

Having come up against him in League One last campaign, they will already have an idea of how he can slot into the side, and his 19 goal contributions were more than any Black Cats midfielder managed.

Considering Rudoni was playing in a team that got relegated as well, it is further testament to how impressive the 21-year-old was.

Nonetheless, SAFC will not want this deal to drag on into the start of the new season, and so will want to get it wrapped up straight away.

Every transfer window throws up something of a left-field rumour, with Premier League outfit Aston Villa currently at the centre of the latest, surprise transfer claim, amid reports that the Midlands side are interested in Inter Milan forward, Alexis Sanchez.

According to La Tercera, Villa have been named as one of the clubs who are believed to be keen on signing the 33-year-old, with the Chilean ace set to be allowed to depart the Serie A side this summer despite having a year remaining on his existing deal.

Having already wrapped up four major deals in the current window, manager Steven Gerrard and owners NSWE could be set for their next marquee addition in the form of the former Arsenal man, with the veteran attacker potentially the solution in their quest to add an experienced forward this summer.

Although it may be a bold move to recruit an ageing, £175k-per-week asset, the one-time Barcelona man has seemingly done enough in his career previously to warrant the gamble – particularly if he is to be available on a free transfer.

Much like the recent capture of Philippe Coutinho – who has signed on a permanent deal after a six-month loan stint last term – Sanchez’s arrival could help rejuvenate a once-great figure who has perhaps fallen by the wayside in recent years.

The £3.15m-rated “maverick” – as described by one source – has previously set the Premier League alight during his time at the Emirates Stadium, having joined the club on a £35m deal from Catalonia in the summer of 2014.

Under the guidance of Arsene Wenger, he would go on to score 80 goals and provide 45 assists in 166 games in all competitions for the Gunners, proving a constant menace from his left-wing berth.

Once dubbed a “warrior” by Liam Canning, the 148-cap maestro was able to combine his devastating attacking output with a humble, hard-working approach, emerging as something of a talismanic figure in north London as a result.

With his subsequent move to Manchester United in January 2018 failing to work out – as he scored just five goals and laid on nine assists in 45 games in total – the fleet-footed forward was shipped off to Italy just 18 months later, although has again been reduced to just a bit-part role at the San Siro.

That being said, he has still chipped in with 20 strikes and 23 assists in all competitions for the Serie A side thus far, while he also ranks highly in a string of attacking and defensive metrics, as per FBref, most notably in the top 1% for progressive carries and the top 2% for dribbles completed among those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues.

Although his lack of game time is a factor in that favourable comparison, it perhaps illustrates that the diminutive gem can still provide lethal, brief cameos when required.

That may be all Villa are potentially in need of, a player to come on and impact the game in the closing stages, particularly when a figure is needed to create a moment of magic to unlock the door.

Coutinho has already shown early signs that he can do just that, perhaps Sanchez can follow suit.

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

According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham Hotspur are not prioritising a move for Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans this summer.

The Lowdown: Tielemans a wanted man

The Belgian has been linked with a move away from the King Power Stadium for most of the summer, with his contract with the Foxes set to expire in just under 12 months’ time. Tottenham’s Premier League rivals Arsenal said to have been very keen on a deal, until it was revealed that they have since cooled their interest.

It was reported by Football.London that the Lilywhites were planning on hijacking the Gunners’ bid for the 25-year-old, but nothing ended up materialising. After a fresh update, it looks as though Conte’s focus now lies elsewhere.

The Latest: Romano drops Tielemans update

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Romano revealed that Tottenham will be pursuing their other targets rather than Tielemans in the coming weeks.

The Italian transfer guru said: “I see a lot of stories but at the moment I don’t have any confirmation on Tottenham [the club’s links with Tielemans] and I think they’re focused on signing a right-back and centre-back with [Clément] Lenglet after also signing Richarlison, so it’s not a priority for them.”

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The Verdict: Conte’s already done plenty

Conte has already secured the signing of Yves Bissouma, so it’s understandable that a move for Leicester’s £49.5m-rated Belgian – who was once dubbed a ‘sublime’ player by sports journalist Josh Bunting – would be highly unlikely.

Having captured a goalkeeper in Forster, a winger in Perisic, a forward in Richarlison and soon-to-be a centre-back in Lenglet, the Spurs manager has already done a great job in splashing the cash in various positions, and this is what he needs to continue doing in order to maximise his squad depth.

The 52-year-old clearly isn’t afraid to go after exactly who he wants as he assembles his new-look squad ahead of the start of the new season, but at this moment in time, it seems that one of those players isn’t Tielemans.

Celtic are reportedly set to secure a free transfer for Australian midfielder Aaron Mooy.

What’s the news?

In a recent Twitter post from journalist Mike McGrath, the midfielder is about to “disappoint a host of Championship clubs to secure a dream move” to Celtic.

He then added that “talks have progressed” over the potential deal that would see the 31-year-old make a move to Parkhead this summer.

After making a combined total of 152 appearances for Huddersfield Town and Brighton & Hove Albion, in which he scored 13 goals and delivered 17 assists, the midfielder made a move to China and joined Shanghai Port back in 2020.

Since then, Mooy has found the net six times and supplied three assists in 31 appearances for the Chinese club, where he was picking up a weekly wage of £52k-per-week.

Postecoglou will be buzzing

Securing a free transfer for the former Huddersfield star would not only be a great deal for the Hoops from a financial point of view, but also for many footballing reasons as well.

Firstly, having seen the likes of Tom Rogic, Nir Bitton and Ismaila Soro wave goodbye to the Parkhead club in recent weeks, this highlights the need for Celtic to bring a new midfielder in.

Then, with Mooy’s clear knack for being an attacking nuisance in front of goal, this shows what he’d be able to offer the team.

Additionally, having made a decent number of appearances for Australia under the management of Ange Postecoglou, this will give him an idea of what the Bhoys manager will want from him on the pitch, which could make it easier for the player to settle in at Celtic Park.

Bearing in mind how McGrath mentioned that numerous clubs in the Championship were reportedly after Mooy’s signature, this also shows what a great bit of business it could be from the Hoops and why seeing him at Parkhead will surely have Postecoglou buzzing.

Hailed as an “extraordinary” player by David Wagner, the Australian would surely add some serious quality to Celtic’s squad and strengthen their midfield.

If the Bhoys can wrap up this reported deal for the 31-year-old as soon as possible, this will then give them the opportunity to focus on other potential deals they may want to secure before the summer window ends.

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

Journalist Dean Jones, speaking to GiveMeSport, has made a promising Tottenham Hotspur transfer claim involving Leicester City playmaker James Maddison.

The Lowdown: Paratici eyeing attacker?

After sealing a plethora of deals already this summer transfer window, despite seemingly focusing on outgoings this week, it is believed that Spurs may not be done in trying to bring more players through the door.

Indeed, The Evening Standard suggest that while sales are currently priority, sporting director Fabio Paratici could yet target another central defender and creative attacker for manager Antonio Conte.

Foxes star Maddison has been mooted as a Premier League target recently with reporter Jones now hinting that the Lilywhites could well pull a deal off before deadline day.

The Latest: Jones drops Maddison hint…

Speaking to GMS, the journalist claims Spurs have made contact over Maddison, who would come at a marquee cost, but a deal for the player ‘would not be impossible’.

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He explained:

“I’m told Spurs have touched base over Maddison and a deal would not be impossible but it would cost them a lot of money. Probably more than they would want to spend. But you never know, the door isn’t closed.”

The Verdict: Make the move?

Described as ‘unplayable’ on his day by pundit and former Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves, the Englishman would be a stellar capture for Spurs on top of an already impressive window.

According to WhoScored, Maddison stood out as manager Brendan Rodgers’ best-performing regular over 2021/2022 whilst making more key passes per 90 than any of his teammates.

The 25-year-old’s productivity in the final third is further backed by his 12 goals and eight assists last campaign, and depending on the specific price tag, Maddison may well be worth the effort to sign.

There has been an update regarding the future of Celtic defender Stephen Welsh…

What’s the word?

According to Football Scotland journalist Mark Hendry, while the Parkhead outfit have been approached by Toulouse regarding the 22-year-old, the discussions have not progressed past an initial enquiry.

Writing on Twitter about the situation, the respected source stated:

“As for Stephen Welsh, for those asking, there was a call made by Toulouse but that’s as far as it’s gone.”

This follows a report from Sky Sports which revealed that the Ligue 1 side had enquired about taking the Scotsman on loan for the upcoming campaign, albeit with manager Ange Postecoglou said to be unwilling to let the youngster depart.

The promising centre-back – who still has three years remaining on his existing deal – had been the subject of interest from Serie A side Udinese in January, although the offer was rebuffed by the Hoops.

Huge relief for supporters

That news will no doubt come as a huge relief to supporters, with it a welcome boost to know that there has been no real development in Welsh’s potential move to France, heightening the possibility that he will remain at Celtic Park this summer.

In truth, it would seemingly make little sense to sanction the loan departure of a player who had been a valued figure under Postecoglou last term, making 24 appearances in all competitions as the Old Firm giants claimed the league title.

While he was unable to dislodge the “immense” first-choice defensive pairing of Carl Starfelt and Cameron Carter-Vickers – as described by Chris Sutton – for much of the season, the £3.6k-per-week gem solidified his status as the third centre-back option, maintaining that role even after Christopher Jullien’s return from injury.

The recent arrival of German defender Moritz Jenz has undoubtedly provided increased competition, although ahead of a campaign that will see the club juggle domestic and European duties once again, having quality depth could prove integral.

Welsh, then, still seemingly has a key role to play next season for the champions, with it not beyond the realms of possibility that he could usurp one of his teammates in the starting XI, having averaged an impressive 2.2 clearances and 1.7 interceptions per game from his ten Scottish Premiership outings last term, recording three clean sheets and winning a solid 63% of his aerial duels.

A player who will seemingly only progress in the coming years, supporters will no doubt be desperate to see his development continue Postecoglou, rather than be shipped out on loan elsewhere.

At present, it looks as if there is no need for concern, with a departure not looking likely.

AND in other news, “Celtic were..”: Sky Sports journalist drops transfer claim that supporters will love

Celtic not only managed to end their previous season with the Scottish Premiership title in their hands, but they also managed to rack up the best defensive record in the division.

With 38 games played, the Hoops only conceded 22 goals in total, which is nine fewer than their Old Firm rivals Rangers conceded.

One player that had a massive part in this aspect of the Hoops’ impressive campaign was Cameron Carter-Vickers.

After joining on a season-long loan deal from Tottenham Hotspur in the 2021 summer transfer window, the centre-back went on to make 46 appearances for the Hoops across all competitions, with 33 of them coming in the league.

Having now secured the American on a permanent basis, this proves just how impressive he was last year and how eager the Parkhead club were to bring him back.

Even though the Hoops have also signed Moritz Jenz to help strengthen their squad, the remaining weeks of the summer transfer window could see the Bhoys add some extra depth and quality to their backline.

One player that has been mentioned with a move to Glasgow that could also be an upgrade on Carter-Vickers is KAA Gent defender Joseph Okumu.

Last season saw the 25-year-old make 49 appearances for the Belgian club after joining from IF Elfsborg in the previous summer window.

To compare his debut season in the Belgian league with Carter-Vickers’ efforts in the SPFL last year, the Gent star racked up more interceptions and successful tackles than the Celtic defender, despite making six fewer appearances than him.

Okumu also committed fewer fouls than the former Spurs figure, showing that he isn’t as much of a potential liability as the Celtic defender.

Hailed as a “tremendous” player by Dan Egner, the Gent star would definitely be a useful addition to Ange Postecoglou’s squad at the back, especially if Christopher Jullien ends up leaving, and could even rival Carter-Vickers for a place in the team.

Moving forward, with Jullien and Stephen Welsh being linked with moves away from Parkhead, should either of them do so, launching a move for Okumu should be at the top of Celtic’s priority list for the remainder of the transfer window.

AND in other news: “On the radar”: Journo drops behind-scenes transfer claim Celtic supporters will love