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Tottenham Hotspur are among the multitude of teams interested in signing Josko Gvardiol, who was one of the standout players of the World Cup group stages.

Tuttomercatoweb reported last month that current Lilywhites star Ivan Perisic had been tasked with convincing the 20-year-old that his future should lie in north London.

During the summer window, RB Leipzig’s asking price was thought to be in the region of £70m and that would have only increased after announcing himself on the world’s biggest stage, with the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid also keen on his signature.

Whilst he would cost sporting director Fabio Paratici a club-record fee, it should not put the Italian off from sealing a real piece of the future. Gvardiol could be one of, if not the, best centre-back in the world considering he’s already delivering at just 20.

And by winning the race to land him, Spurs could well eclipse the signing of Heung-min Son, who has undoubtedly been one of the Lilywhites’ best-ever deals. His returns of 136 goals and 76 assists for just £22m have been unmatched.

Croatia kept two clean sheets across their three matches, despite being in Group F with Belgium, one of the favourites for the tournament, though they didn’t qualify for the knockout stages.

Gvardiol played an integral role for the Vatreni, combining his frightening physicality with his deft touch on the ball – form that led transfer guru Fabrizio Romano to laud him as a “monster”.

Across those three matches, the Croat colossus has averaged a 90% passing accuracy, despite managing near 70 attempts per game, via Sofascore. A feat that outranks every one of Spurs’ current starters, including Eric Dier, who averages an 87.6% accuracy rate from 66.7 passes per game.

Gvardiol has also managed a whopping 5.7 clearances, 1.7 interceptions and 1.3 tackles per game at the World Cup too. By comparison, not even Cristian Romero has averaged more interceptions, whilst the Leipzig titan would also lead the way for clearances.

Meanwhile, his performances have also seen him dubbed as the Erling “Haaland of defenders” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, only further emphasising just how much of an instant impact he has made.

Journalist Zach Lowry even praised him as a “Rolls-Royce” and as a “sensational centre-back,” having been the best player on the pitch despite sharing it with Kevin De Bruyne and Luka Modric.

With Romero now a permanent presence at Hotspur Way, Paratici and co could really land their best-ever signing by luring the Leipzig superstar to north London in 2023. They may need to wait until the summer and fork out in excess of £70m but he’d be worth every penny and more.

AND in other news, Conte could land dream Maddison alternative in Spurs move 22 y/o World Cup “superstar”…

Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a huge injury blow ahead of their crucial Champions League meeting with Olympique de Marseille this evening.

What’s the latest?

Speaking to SPURSPLAY ahead of the match, Antonio Conte’s assistant, Cristian Stellini, confirmed that Cristian Romero – who was left out of Spurs’ squad to face AFC Bournemouth on Saturday as a precaution – will be unavailable for the trip to the Orange Vélodrome on Tuesday evening, as the centre-back is reportedly suffering from muscle fatigue.

Regarding the 24-year-old, Stellini said: “The only news is that Cuti Romero is not available for the match tomorrow. We are sorry, but it is what it is. We have other players available, we have a good squad and we are well prepared to play a tough game, a knockout game like tomorrow.”

Huge blow

Considering just how influential a part of the Spurs side Romero has become since his move to north London last summer, the news that the Argentina international will not be available for such a crucial Champions League fixture will undoubtedly have come as a huge blow to Conte.

Indeed, over his eight Premier League appearances so far this season, the £69m-rated talent has been a rock at the back for Spurs, helping his side keep one clean sheet, as well as making an average of 2.4 tackles, 1.4 interceptions, 2.8 clearances and winning 5.4 duels – at a success rate of 59% – per game.

These returns have seen the 23-year-old average an extremely impressive SofaScore match rating of 6.94, currently ranking him as Conte’s eighth-best performer in the top flight of English football.

Furthermore, the £165k-per-week defender has also caught the eye over his five Champions League fixtures this term, helping the Lilywhites keep one clean sheet, in addition to making an average of 2.6 tackles, 1.8 interceptions, 1.4 clearances and winning 4.8 duels – at a success rate of 63% – per match.

These metrics have seen the 12-cap international average an even more impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.02, again ranking him as Tottenham’s eighth-best player in the European competition.

As such, it is clear to see that Romero’s loss ahead of a game in which Spurs must take at least a point in order to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition is a huge blow for Conte – who will be hoping that Davinson Sanchez can improve on his disappointing performance against Bournemouth on Saturday when filling in for the Argentine this evening.

Manchester United are interested in making a move for Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams, according to a new transfer rumour that has emerged.

The Lowdown: Adams impressing at Leeds

The American made the move to Elland Road during the summer transfer window, joining from RB Leipzig after three years in Germany.

Adams has made an impressive start to life at Leeds, standing out as one of their best players and starting a total of 10 Premier League matches to date.

It could be that Leeds have to battle to keep hold of Adams no sooner after he has arrived, however, following a new update.

The Latest: United keen on signing

According to Football Insider, United are ‘keeping close tabs’ on the 23-year-old currently, as they weight up whether or not to make a move for him.

It is stated that they have a ‘long-time interest’ in Adams and he is considered a player who could come in and bolster their midfield options.

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The Verdict: Could be a strong option

Adams has the potential to be an excellent signing by United, possessing the kind of technical quality and energy that Erik ten Hag wants in his midfielders.

The 19-time capped USA international has averaged a hugely impressive 4.1 tackles per game in the league this season – no Leeds player to have started one game or more has a better average – and his ability to break up play can be priceless. Journalist Tim Thornton thinks he has ‘done brilliantly’ in 2022/23 to date.

Adams would arguably prove to be an upgrade and more of a long-term prospect than the likes of Fred and Scott McTominay, both of whom are seen their limitations exposed this season.

New York City forward Talles Magno has hinted he would be open to joining Manchester City in a recent interview.

The Lowdown: City flying high…

The Premier League champions have been flying high under manager Pep Guardiola as they seek to retain their domestic crown for a third successive season.

City are the only remaining side unbeaten in the top flight thus far with no side scoring more goals or conceding less than the Sky Blues (premierleague.com).

Guardiola’s side boast the unplayable Erling Haaland as part of their imperious frontline and it appears they are set for an entertaining title race with Mikel Arteta’s in-form Arsenal side.

As such, their pulling power keeps growing and growing, with New York forward Magno now hinting he would be open to making a move to Manchester.

The Latest: Magno drops City transfer hint…

Speaking to Super Vasco, as also shared by Sport Witness, the Brazilian has given an enthusiastic reply when asked if he dreams of a switch to Man City from their MLS sister club.

He stated:

“For sure, all of us who have plans and dreams to be achieved, when we lie on our pillows, we dream of it.

“I’m focused on my team, wanting to grow, focused, to win titles, but I have my dream of playing in Europe. It certainly crosses my mind, yes.”

The Verdict: One to watch?

Bagging eight assists and seven goals over the 2022 MLS season, the 20-year-old has been making waves across the Atlantic and he could be one to watch.

The former Brazil Under-17 international, valued at £9 million by Transfermarkt, is still very young and has been praised by MLS experts for his displays at NYC.

Forbes writer James Nalton, for instance, described Magno as ‘one of the best forwards in the league’ and ‘one of the best’ Under-23s players in the American division (Twitter).

If Guardiola sees a real player in the South American, it appears the door is open to make a potential move going by Magno’s latest hint to the press.

Liverpool haven’t enjoyed the best start to their Premier League campaign this season, dropping nine points over their first six outings, and this poor form hasn’t been exclusive to league performances.

Indeed, Jurgen Klopp’s side also endured a disastrous start to their Champions League campaign, with a humiliating 4-1 defeat in Naples matching their joint-heaviest loss in the competition.

As such, it is safe to say that the German manager will be hoping that the extended break, alongside a number of his players returning from injury, will make a difference when they return to action against Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend.

Liverpool will host their first game at Anfield since September 13 when they welcome Roberto De Zerbi’s side on Saturday afternoon, and three points are non-negotiable for the Reds if they are to have any hope of competing for the title – as they currently sit eighth in the league.

As a result, it could be the perfect opportunity for Klopp to freshen up the team by deploying a different perspective in the back-line, with Ibrahima Konate finally available for selection following a pre-season injury that has seen him unavailable so far this term.

The talented 23-year-old Frenchman who was hailed an “absolute dream” by Phil Thompson proved his worth to Liverpool last season when he played a vital role in the team, stepping up when it mattered most – especially in the Champions League.

Konate found the back of the net twice in the prestigious competition, as well as offering a solid defensive presence, making 1.6 interceptions, two tackles and 2.9 clearances per game, in addition to winning 59% of his duels – with these returns earning a spot in the starting line-up against Real Madrid in the final.

It would be hard for Klopp to ignore the young centre-back’s record with Liverpool in the Premier League too, as Konate has not lost a single league game he has started since he joined the club in the summer of 2021.

With that being said, it could be a great chance for the 6-foot-3 defender to make his first appearance of the season, as he would undoubtedly terrify Brighton and could help Liverpool take a much-needed three points from the occasion.

Manchester United could be set to make a late move for Barcelona defender Sergino Dest, with Erik ten Hag keen on a reunion with the promising full-back.

What’s the word?

That’s according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, who revealed that the Red Devils could swoop for the 21-year-old should £50m flop Aaron Wan-Bissaka depart, although will face competition from La Liga side Villarreal for the United States international’s signature.

Writing on Twitter about that interest, the transfer guru stated: “Excl: Sergiño Dest’s now considering a loan proposal from Villarreal, he’s open to discuss about it. Talks on with Barça — it’s up to the player. Manchester United manager ten Hag wants Dest, it’s a possibility but it can only happen if Wan-Bissaka will leave.”

Manchester Evening News have also reported that United have held talks regarding taking the highly-rated right-back on a season-long loan deal, with the Netherlands-born gem having worked under Ten Hag at Ajax.

There had been previous suggestion that a swap deal could be on the cards involving the 17-cap gem and Wan-Bissaka, with the latter man also attracting interest from the likes of West Ham United and former club Crystal Palace.

Hakimi alternative

While Diogo Dalot has been much improved in recent weeks – notably registering an assist in the 1-0 win over Southampton at the weekend – the right side of the defence remains something of a problem area for the Old Trafford outfit, hence turning to Dest as a solution.

The “special talent” – as described by broadcaster Ives Galarcep – is yet another name with an Amsterdam connection to Ten Hag, with the Dutchman having already brought in Lisandro Martinez and Antony so far this summer.

Indeed, the Dutch boss would surely love to sign him given the £16.2m-rated ace can help the 52-year-old smoothly implement his style of play, having enjoyed a breakthrough campaign under his former manager during the 2019/20 season at the Eredivisie outfit.

That form alerted the attention of those at the Camp Nou, with the 5 foot 9 menace having gone on to rack up 72 appearances in all competitions for the Catalan giants, scoring three goals and providing five assists in that time.

A forward-thinking, attack-minded full-back, the £99k-per-week sensation could well prove to be an astute alternative to that of another reported target, Achraf Hakimi, with the latter man likely to prove far more costly having signed for current club Paris Saint-Germain for £60m just last summer.

The pair are believed to share a number of stylistic and statistical similarities, as per FBref, with Dest averaging 3.13 touches in the attacking penalty area and 3.43 progressive passes received per 90, with Hakimi almost mirroring that record as he averages 2.94 and 3.85 for the same two metrics, respectively.

Both clearly intent on impacting the game in the final third, the duo are also hugely comfortable in possession, with the latter man ranking in the top 1% for pass completion among those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues, while Dest is not far behind as he ranks in the top 5%.

It bodes well for those at the Theatre of Dreams to think that they could have a Hakimi-esque figure on their hands on a bargain, loan deal, with the PSG man having proven his talents at a string of top clubs across the continent – notably recording 13 goals and assists in just 46 games at the Parcs des Princes.

While Dest is still to truly hit those heights, the statistical evidence would suggest that he does possess a similar attacking quality, with his arrival in Manchester also potentially a better fit as Hakimi is typically at his best in a wing-back role.

It will require a lot of moving parts to get the deal over the line, although Ten Hag will no doubt love it if his new club can pull off a much-needed late addition.

Newcastle United have not been shy when it comes to signing players from fellow English clubs in recent years.

One player for whom the Toon shelled out a significant amount of money to sign from a rival Premier League club is Joe Willock.

After originally joining the Magpies on loan from Arsenal in January 2021 January, the midfielder signed for the Tyneside club on a permanent basis when they secured a six-year deal for him worth in excess of £20m.

Overall, the 23-year-old has made 47 appearances in a Newcastle shirt and scored 10 goals in the process.

With the summer transfer window set to close in the next two weeks, this period gives PIF the chance to bring in someone who could be the Toon’s next version of Willock.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the Magpies are keen on securing a move for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher.

As another young English midfielder who has worked his way through the youth ranks at one of London’s biggest clubs, this mirrors the journey that Willock had with Arsenal before starting his new chapter at St James’ Park.

To further highlight the similarities between the two midfielders, both players ended up making 69 tackles throughout their 2021/22 domestic campaigns, succeeding with 44 each.

However, Gallagher had more shots at goal, shot-creating actions, crosses and successful dribbles than the current Newcastle midfielder, showing just how dangerous he can be in an attacking sense.

In fact, one of his eight league goals for Crystal Palace, where he spent last season on loan, was hailed as “outrageous” by podcaster Dan Cook on Twitter.

With a reported price tag of £50m, it would certainly take a big investment from PIF to secure a deal for the England international this summer.

Bearing in mind how the midfielder has only played six minutes of league action for the west London club so far this season, a move to Newcastle – where he’d potentially have a better chance of playing regularly – could be a tempting prospect for the 22-year-old.

With all that in mind, landing a deal for Gallagher should be at the top of PIF’s priority list for the remainder of the summer transfer window.

Sunderland are believed to be closing in on the signing of highly-rated Morecambe defender, Connor Pye, according to recent reports.

What’s the word?

As per Football Insider, the Black Cats are said to have ‘agreed a deal’ for the 18-year-old, having secured a ‘breakthrough’ in negotiations with the League One outfit for the promising left-back.

The report suggests that the teenager – who is said to have two years left on his current deal – is seemingly a player for the future at the Stadium of Light, as he is ‘unlikely’ to go straight into manager Alex Neil’s plans at senior level.

As per the report, the full-back was one of a number of players made ‘available for transfer’ by the shrimps earlier this summer due to financial restrictions, thus allowing the northeast side to pounce.

Neil should love it

Managing to secure the signing of a player who has been likened to Liverpool ace Andy Robertson would no doubt be a great source of delight for the Sunderland boss, with Neil set to love securing what would be a seventh major signing of the summer thus far.

Although Pye – who has made just a solitary senior outing for his current side – appears unlikely to make an impact for the Championship side this season, his capture could prove to be a notable coup in the longer term, having previously been linked with a move to Premier League outfit, Everton.

With Dennis Cirkin currently the only recognised left-back option in the first-team squad, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that the impressive starlet could force his way into the manager’s plans sooner rather than later, with depth undoubtedly needed in what will likely be a gruelling season.

A move for the Englishman will also help the club to move on from the disappointment of missing out on former loanee Nathan Broadhead, with the 24-year-old recently opting to join Wigan Athletic on a loan deal from the Toffees.

The forward had reportedly been targetted by Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman ahead of a potential return to the club, although has favoured a move to the Latics in search of more regular game time.

Getting another new arrival in the door in the form of Pye, however, could ensure that transfer failure is swiftly forgotten about, with Neil no doubt set to love the chance to help nurture such a well-regarded young talent.

Injury expert Ben Dinnery has delivered his verdict on the Wolverhampton Wanderers’ transfer plans after the injury suffered by Chiquinho.

The lowdown: Cruel loss

This comes after Chiquinho picked up an anterior cruciate ligament injury during a 3-0 behind-closed-doors friendly win over Burnley last Saturday at the Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground.

The 22-year-old winger scored in the match before being involved in a collision that caused the Portugal youth international to require surgery and face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Having completed the first summer signing in the shape of Nathan Collins from Burnley, one well-informed onlooker has suggested that Chiquinho’s injury could force Bruno Lage to enter the market once again…

The latest: ‘Huge blow’

Speaking to Football Insider, Dinnery – who runs the Premier Injuries site and contributes for Sky Sports – has claimed that Wolves may need a replacement for the one-cap Portugal Under 21 starlet for the entire upcoming season.

He said: “This will really smart for them. He is a player with a big reputation and they expect big things from him in the upcoming season. Potentially, this may alter any transfer plans that they had.

“As we know with ACL injuries, we’re looking at a minimum of six or seven months, but that can extend to nine or ten months. That’s if things go really, really well in that rehab and recovery process.

“So, they are losing a player in July who may not play again for the whole of the season. That’s a huge blow for them.”

The verdict: Signing needed

Signed from Portuguese top-flight outfit Estoril in January, Chiquinho provided three assists in eight Premier League outings for the Old Gold to add to the four goals and six assists yielded prior to making the switch to Molineux.

The impact made by the dynamic wide-man was clear for all to see and his lengthy absence leaves Lage with only Pedro Neto, Daniel Podence and an out-of-favour Adama Traore to call upon in the wide areas heading into the 2022/23 campaign after Francisco Trincao returned to Barcelona before signing for Sporting CP.

Not replacing Chiquinho is therefore a non-starter as at least one addition is required for a depleted squad, and Fosun should have no issues sanctioning any moves given the lack of activity in terms of incomings so far and the potential financial windfall from the sales of Morgan Gibbs-White and Ruben Neves on the horizon.

Leeds United have been handed a huge boost in their bid to bring Cody Gakpo to Elland Road this summer.

What’s the talk?

In a recent post on Twitter, Voetbal International journalist Marco Timmer revealed that, despite the PSV Eindhoven winger having previously held talks with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City regarding a summer move, the 23-year-old is now becoming increasingly open to the idea of a move to Leeds – with Victor Orta said to be in talks with the player’s representatives.

Timmer goes on to state that the Eredivisie side are demanding a figure of around €40m (£35m) in order to part with the Netherlands international – who is now said to be considering taking a similar route to that of Georginio Wijnaldum in order to secure a move to one of Europe’s elite clubs further down the line.

In his tweet, the journalist said: “The management of Cody Gakpo speaks with Leeds United as it has previously spoken with, among others, Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal. PSV want about €40m for Gakpo. He now also sees a route a la Wijnaldum via the foreign sub-top to the top.”

Massive coup

Considering the sheer level of interest in Gakpo’s services this summer, in addition to the fact that the 23-year-old very much looks to be one of the most exciting prospects in European football, should Orta manage to convince the Dutchman of a move to Elland Road in the coming weeks, it would undoubtedly represent a massive coup for the Spanish sporting director.

Indeed, over his 27 Eredivisie appearances in 2021/22, the £27m-rated forward was one of the stories of the season, scoring 12 goals, providing 13 assists and creating 11 big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 3.0 shots, making 2.6 key passes and completing 2.9 dribbles per game.

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These metrics saw the £7.4k-per-week talent average a simply sensational SofaScore match rating of 7.51, not only ranking him as Roger Schmidt’s best performer in the division but also as the fourth-best player in the league as a whole.

The winger who Pain in the Arsenal dubbed a “supreme talent” also caught the eye over his four Europa League fixtures, bagging two goals and creating two big chances for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 3.0 shots, making 2.8 key passes and completing 4.0 dribbles per outing – with his average SofaScore match rating of 7.47 ranking him as the fourth-best player to feature in the competition.

Further still, Gakpo also played a key role in PSV’s run to the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League, scoring three goals, registering one assist and creating one big chance over his five appearances in the tournament – with his average SofaScore match rating of 7.42 ranking him as the joint 10th-best player in the competition.

As such, it is clear for all to see just how exciting a prospect the 23-year-old is, leading us to believe that, should Orta indeed manage to get a deal over the line for the flying Dutchman ahead of the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City this summer, it would certainly be one of the most impressive signings of the window.

AND in other news: “It’s done”: Fabrizio Romano drops big transfer update, Leeds supporters surely gutted