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According to The Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath, Southampton have received an approach from an unnamed Premier League side for striker Che Adams.

The Lowdown: Saints ready to sanction exit

The 26-year-old still has two years remaining on his deal at the St. Mary’s Stadium, but it’s recently been reported that the Saints are willing to listen to offers for him this summer, with a switch away from the south coast now looking possible.

Several clubs, including Leeds United and Nottingham Forest, are believed to be interested in securing the forward’s signature this window, and after a fresh update, it sounds like someone has already made the first official move.

The Latest: Southampton receive approach

Taking to Twitter, McGrath confirmed that Southampton have been the recipient of an enquiry for Adams, though it’s yet unknown as to who that might be. He wrote:

“Southampton have received approach for Che Adams from a Premier League club. Interest in the Scotland striker from a number of teams. Nottingham Forest among those looking at him but there are others.”

The Verdict: The Mara effect

Ralph Hasenhuttl has recently signed French striker Sekou Mara from Bordeaux, and whilst he’s entitled to want cover and competition up top, you would imagine that this only pushes Adams even closer to the exit door.

The Scottish international only made 23 PL starts for the Saints last season, suggesting that the Austrian doesn’t see him as a major part of his long-term plans, especially considering the club are now seemingly open to sanctioning his departure.

Kyle Walker-Peters is another player whose name has recently been linked with an exit, so Southampton will have to decide if they are willing to lose two of their first-team players in one go.

West Ham United are reportedly eyeing a move for Napoli midfielder, Fabian Ruiz, according to reports coming out of Italy.

What’s the word?

As per Il Mattino (via Sports Witness), the Hammers are said to have ‘never stopped thinking’ about the Spaniard – as well as teammate Piotr Zielinski – as manager David Moyes plots a new midfield recruit.

The suggestion is that the east London outfit are yet to tempt the Serie A side into a sale with their offers thus far, with previous reports having revealed that the 26-year-old could be available for a fee in the region of €30m (£26m), with just a year remaining on his existing deal.

Despite having already brought in Flynn Downes from Swansea City so far this summer, the Premier League side are in need of further additions in the centre of the park following the retirement of long-serving skipper, Mark Noble, having also opted against signing Alex Kral on a permanent deal.

Thiago 2.0

Dubbed an “artist” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Ruiz is a gloriously gifted playmaker who simply oozes class when in possession of the ball, helping to keep things ticking over while also providing a cutting edge in the final third.

The £48k-per-week menace enjoyed a particularly impressive campaign last time out in Naples, netting seven goals and providing four assists in 32 league games for Luciano Spalletti’s side, while also averaging an impressive 90% pass accuracy rate per game.

Formerly of Real Betis – whom he left to join his current side back in 2018 – the 15-cap international is comfortable both in a deep-lying or more advanced midfield role, proving himself a hugely versatile and flexible asset who could well thrive in Moyes’ side.

Not only a star at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, the £49.5m-rated gem also compares favourably among those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues, notably averaging 5.74 progressive carries and 5.35 progressive passes per game, while also ranking in the top 3% for attempted passes.

That quality with the ball at his feet sees the “spectacular” ace – as described by former Betis boss Quique Setien –  bare a striking resemblance to that of compatriot Thiago Alcantara, with the pair sharing several statistical and stylistic similarities, as per FBref.

That comparison will set pulses racing at the London Stadium such is the immense talent of the Liverpool man, with the 31-year-old simply a master of his craft and one of the most delightful footballers to watch when in his stride.

Although Ruiz has some way to go to match the consistent brilliance of the former Bayern Munich man – who averages a stunning 9.74 progressive passes and 8.39 progressive carries per game – the signs are that he is a player of similar ilk, with the Irons potentially set to have a real gem on their hands if a deal can be struck.

AND in other news: Moyes can now form “unreal” duo as WHU given green light for “limitless” £13m signing…

A big claim has emerged on Leeds United and their thoughts on potential outgoings in the summer transfer window… 

What’s the talk?

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that he is expecting Jack Harrison to remain at the club beyond the end of August.

Newcastle United are reportedly ready to bid for the attacker but Romano has revealed that the Whites plan on retaining their current squad.

When asked about a potential transfer for the Englishman, he told GIVEMESPORT: “I think it’s not easy. I think Leeds are happy with the team they have right now and they have already sold Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha.

“I don’t see them selling one more player this summer, but never say never. It depends on the proposal but, as of now, Leeds want to keep the same team.”

Supporters will be delighted

Supporters of the Whites will be delighted by Romano’s update as keeping hold of Harrison would come as a major boost to Jesse Marsch heading into the 2022/23 campaign.

The club have, as Romano stated, lost Raphinha to Barcelona and he was the club’s top goalscorer in the Premier League last term. He racked up 11 goals from the wing as the team struggled to find the back of the net consistently enough – hitting the back of the net just 42 times over 38 league fixtures.

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His exit means that Harrison is the current Leeds player with the most league goals (eight) for the club last term and one of only two players – alongside Rodrigo – with more than four league goals in 2021/22. This suggests that Marsch will be keen to keep him as he is one of the few goal threats in the team.

The former Manchester City man is a proven performer in the top-flight who has the quality to be a difference-maker in the final third, as he has shown that he can score and assist goals at that level.

Since Leeds won promotion to the Premier League, Harrison has racked up 16 goals and nine assists from a wide position. These statistics suggest that he will, once again, be a big player for the club next season as he is a known quantity, whereas the new signings are untested and it remains to be seen whether they will be able to adapt to Premier League football.

Therefore, the fans will be buzzing to learn that Victor Orta does not want to cash in on any more first-team players after selling Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips.

AND in other news: Orta could land Marsch his very own Scamacca in Leeds swoop for 56 G/A “wonderkid”

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.

Wolves could make a move for Braga centre-back David Carmo in the summer transfer window, according to transfer expert Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Wolves linked with Carmo

Bruno Lage could look to make defensive reinforcements before the start of next season, with the experienced Romain Saiss moving on from Molineux recently.

Carmo is one player with whom Wolves have been linked in recent weeks, following another impressive season at the heart of Braga’s defence.

The 22-year-old won 3.4 aerial duels per game in the Europa League in 2021/22, along with making a monstrous 6.2 clearances per match.

The Latest: Carmo move to Wolves is quite possible

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones claimed that Carmo joining Wolves is more than possible this summer, as other suitors may have abandoned their interest in the defender due to injury troubles.

The report stated:

“David Carmo obviously is a guy that they’re looking at. And the fact that he had a serious ankle problem not too long ago might actually help them land him because there were bigger clubs having a look who might just have lost focus on him.

“And it might be that they get a player like that at a time when he could have been going elsewhere.”

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The Verdict: Great potential signing

While Wolves were secure defensively last season, conceding fewer league goals than any team who finished outside the top four – they can’t afford to rest on their laurels; and fresh blood is required, especially with Saiss leaving.

Carmo looks like a perfect candidate to come in and make Wolves even more resolute at the back – he has been described as ‘fantastic’ by his manager Carlos Carvalhal – with his aforementioned statistics highlighting the presence that he offers at the back.

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At 22, Carmo is also quite young and should only improve even furthe, so Lage could sign someone who could be a mainstay at the club for a number of years. Partnering him with Max Kilman and Conor Coady, assuming they both stay at Molineux, would make for a dominant back three in Old Gold.

In other news, Wolves are reportedly in pole position to sign one player. Find out who it is here.

Brighton & Hove Albion assistant manager Billy Reid has delivered a promising verdict on what could be to come from Celtic midfielder James McCarthy.

The lowdown: First-year struggles

Having amassed 272 Premier League appearances south of the border across spells with Everton and Crystal Palace, the capture of McCarthy appeared to be a masterstroke from Ange Postecoglou as a first signing.

However, the 31-year-old Republic of Ireland international struggled for consistent form in the first of a four year deal at Celtic Park.

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Despite often being overlooked in favour of Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley, McCarthy has been backed to turn his fortunes around in Glasgow…

The latest: Reid keeps the faith

As quoted by the Daily Record, Reid, the man who gave the 42-cap ace his senior debut for Hibernian when aged just 15, suggested that the experienced midfielder has adapted to do the ‘dirty’ work next season.

The 58-year-old Glasgow born coach said: “There is a role for James at Celtic. He’s not the box-to-box player he was, he’s adapted to become a sitting midfielder where he can do the dirty side. Keeping it simple as a possession-based player, winning the ball back and being that central cog is what he’s so good at.

“There is stiff competition but it doesn’t matter what age you are, age is not a barrier. I look at Mark Noble who I saw when we played West Ham last week, he’s still at the top despite being 35 years old. Scott Brown was being written off every season after he turned 30 but look at the size of his character to show people they are wrong. He always came back stronger.

“Players are always being tested and this is another test for James. I’m just hoping that next season marks a positive turnaround for him as it’s probably fair to say that the last few years have not been where James wanted things to be.”

The verdict: More to come

During the successful 2021/22 campaign, McCarthy made only 22 appearances across all competitions despite remaining fit and available for the most part.

Eight of those outings came in a deeper-lying role, a position Reid has mooted that could be the future for the experienced star ,who was once hailed as ‘real class’ by Roy Hodgson during his time at Crystal Palace.

Following the departure of Nir Bitton and Tom Rogic, Ange Postecoglou may well call upon the services of a McCarthy with plenty to prove more frequently as the Hoops add participation in the Champions League to an already packed fixture schedule.

In other news, Celtic have been linked with another midfield signing. Find out who it is here.

A major Newcastle United transfer claim has emerged on their interest in signing Philippe Coutinho this summer.

What’s the talk?

Transfer insider Dean Jones has revealed that the Magpies will make an offer to the Brazilian in the upcoming window if given the opportunity to do so.

He is currently on loan at Aston Villa from Barcelona and they will need to fight the Villans to land his signature ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “Steven Gerrard still wants Villa to sign Coutinho, but Newcastle are watching this with interest.

“At the end of the month Villa have to tell Barcelona whether they intend to take up the option to buy him – and if they hesitate I’m told Newcastle will look to make a proposal to the player.”

PIF’s best deal yet

Bringing Coutinho in on a permanent deal in the summer would be PIF’s best piece of business so far since taking over the club in 2021.

They brought in a host of players in the January window to bolster Eddie Howe’s squad, including Dan Burn, Chris Wood, Bruno Guimaraes, Matt Targett and Kieran Trippier.

This deal, however, would be their biggest statement to date as they would be signing a top-class player in what should be the peak years of his career at the age of 29. He was previously valued at a whopping £135m by Transfermarkt and this shows how much potential he has.

The Brazilian would also come in with a wealth of Premier League experience. Coutinho has played 167 matches in the English top-flight throughout his career, scoring 45 goals and providing 40 assists as he has proven that he can regularly contribute in the final third.

In his last campaign for Liverpool, he averaged a phenomenal SofaScore rating of 8.01 across 14 matches in the division as he scored seven goals and provided six assists – creating 2.9 chances per game. If Newcastle can get him playing anywhere near this level then they will have an extremely special player on their hands.

He has proven his quality in England and still has plenty left to give at his age. This means that he would be a sublime signing for Eddie Howe’s team and one that would represent a major coup for PIF because of his pedigree.

It would send out a statement to other teams as it would show them that Newcastle mean business in the market and will be able to attract mercurial talents, like Coutinho.

AND in other news, Forget Dubravka: £23k-p/w NUFC lightweight who lost 75% duels let Howe down badly…

We break down the numbers as England’s leading Test wicket-takers reach a combined four figures

Alan Gardner23-Jan-2019With his second wicket during England’s late rally in Barbados, James Anderson claimed a significant – if slightly contrived – landmark for himself and regular new-ball partner Stuart Broad. With 567 and 433 wickets respectively, the English pair had reached 1000 in Tests, albeit with Broad currently out of the team.ESPNcricinfo LtdAnderson and Broad are, by some distance, England’s leading Test wicket-takers and they have taken plenty while on the field together – 851, to be exact, which is behind only two other combos: Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne, and Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas. If we narrow things down to pace partnerships, they are well out in front, having overtaken Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh a while ago.