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Manchester City will be welcoming two new attacking players to their ranks in the coming weeks in the shape of Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland.

With the summer transfer window set to open in a matter of days, the Citizens have the chance to make it a hat-trick of attacking recruitments.

Last month, one journalist revealed on Twitter that City had started talks with Jorge Mendes, the agent of AC Milan winger Rafael Leao, some weeks ago over a potential summer switch to the Etihad Stadium.

The recently crowned Serie A champions signed the winger from French club Lille for a fee of £32m.

Since then, the 22-year-old has gone on to score 27 goals and deliver 21 assists in 115 appearances across all competitions.

Labelled as a “diamond” by Paolo Maldini, the £45m-rated youngster has also been praised for his “spectacular” performances on the international stage by Rolando Bianchi.

In 34 league appearances this season, the Portuguese attacker scored 11 goals and provided eight assists for his teammates, leaving him with more goal contributions than any other Milan player including Olivier Giroud and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

To further highlight his attacking talent, no other player at his current club managed to make as many successful dribbles (95), shot-creating actions (105), goal-creating actions (21), shots at goal (97) and shots on target (38) as the youngster.

His overall performances earned him an impressive season rating of 7.37 from WhoScored, making him the highest-rated player at his current team and the second-highest rated player in the entire Italian top flight.

The winger has also been likened to Brazil’s legendary striker Ronaldo in terms of his “pace, technique and the quality of his finishing,” according to Leao’s former youth coach Tiago Fernandes.

Taking all of this into account, the prospect of giving Pep Guardiola his own version of Ronaldo alongside the likes of Haaland and Alvarez could be a frightening prospect for City’s opponents in the future.

While it would be safe to assume that the Serie A champions would rather keep hold of their star winger, City should do all they can to convince Milan to sell Leao and give him the chance to shine in the Premier League.

In other news: Pep can replicate Walker masterclass as Man City plot bid for £18m-rated “class act”

Two years ago, selling Adama Traore might well have been unthinkable for a lot of Wolves fans.

However, given his disappointing form since then, Bruno Lage’s reported decision to sell the Spain winger this summer might well be the right one.

What’s the word?

According to Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor, the Old Gold will look to cash in on the 26-year-old this summer, with Barcelona set to turn down their option to purchase him after his loan spell at the Nou Camp this season.

Taylor told GiveMeSport: “I couldn’t rule it out [Traore staying] because, technically, Barcelona are not going to sign him and he’s going to return.

“But I think he’s only got a year left on his contract, so Wolves will be looking to move him on and use that cash to sort of bolster the options within their squad.”

Should Lage axe Traore?

Since joining Wolves from Middlesbrough in 2018, Traore has gone on to make 154 appearances for the Old Gold, in which he has contributed just 11 goals and 18 assists.

Other than a strong run of form in the 2019/20 season, when he managed four goals and nine assists and averaged an impressive 7.49 rating from WhoScored for his performances, the 26-year-old has been wildly inconsistent at Molineux.

His pace and power make him a serious threat on the counter but, on far too many occasions, his final ball was lacking in quality as he found himself in good positions out wide, with his disappointing 1.2 crosses per game average in 2019/20 his best return as a Wolves player.

Therefore, given the interest being reportedly shown in him by Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Leeds United, this summer represents the ideal time for Lage to cash in on Traore.

The former Aston Villa man is valued at £18m by Transfermarkt and his contract with Wolves expires next season, so the Old Gold would surely be best cashing in on him now rather than potentially losing him for nothing in 12 months’ time.

While he has certainly excited opposition managers and players during his time at Molineux, with Jurgen Klopp labelling him “unplayable” and Southampton’s Che Adams dubbing him a “monster”, Traore has sadly been far too inconsistent, and cashing in on him now would be the right decision by Lage.

In other news… Wolves are targeting this prolific Championship striker

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta could well prove to be the deciding factor in any move for Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

What’s the word?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the respected insider suggested that Arteta’s links to the forward – having previously worked under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad as assistant manager – may well help tempt the 25-year-old into a move to north London.

Amid reports linking the 54-cap international to the Emirates, O’Rourke revealed that both the Gunners boss and their Brazilian contingent could have an impact on the move going ahead: “I think the opportunity to work under Mikel Arteta again would be a big factor in any decision from Jesus and there’s quite a few Brazilian players at Arsenal as well, which would maybe make it easier for him to settle in if he were to leave the Etihad for the Emirates.

“Arsenal are going the right way under Mikel Arteta, I think it’s fair to say, so I’m sure it’s something that he would definitely consider if Arsenal do follow up their interest.”

This latest claim follows centre-back Gabriel teasing a move for his compatriot to join him at the club, with a new striker seemingly on the agenda despite Eddie Nketiah nearing a contract renewal.

Supporters buzzing

That update from O’Rourke will only get pulses racing among Gunners supporters, with Jesus an ideal fit to solve their centre-forward woes, particularly with experienced marksman Alexandre Lacazette looking set for a departure.

In truth, while it had been a turbulent last 18 months or so prior to his eventual exit in January, former skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has no doubt left a notable void in Arteta’s squad, with the Gabon international having scored 68 Premier League goals during a four-year spell at the club.

In the most recent campaign, the squad’s highest scorer was Bukayo Saka with 12 goals in all competitions, although only two other players got into double figures, with that shortage of goals potentially proving costly in their failure to secure a top-four berth.

That is where the City gem comes in, with the £45m-rated hotshot having scored 13 goals and registered 12 assists across all fronts in the 2021/22 season for the title winners, notably bagging four in a brutal dismantling of Watford back in April.

As well as offering versatility, having featured on either flank or through the middle during his time in England, the 5 foot 9 speedster also offers a wealth of experience when it comes to lifting silverware, including winning four league titles in just the last five seasons.

In what remains a youthful squad in north London, adding a player of such elite calibre could well prove a real masterstroke, with supporters set to be ecstatic at managing to pluck such a gifted asset from a Premier League rival.

Although it is perhaps a worrying thought that City are so well-stocked that they are potentially happy to cash in on a player who has scored 95 goals in 236 games for the club since his £27m arrival back in 2016, it would remain a coup for Arsenal nonetheless.

Having fallen short in their bid to secure Champions League football for the first time since 2017, the club – and its supporters – will no doubt be optimistic that Jesus can finally get them over the line next term.

IN other news, Vieira 2.0: Arsenal gifted chance to sign “top-class” £25m ace, he could guarantee UCL…

Youri Tielemans could provide Tottenham Hotspur with the goals and assists that they have been lacking since the departure of Christian Eriksen…

What’s the word?

According to transfer insider Dean Jones, the Leicester City dynamo has been put on a shortlist of potential midfield options, with the former Danish playmaker also among the options.

Signing another midfielder, following the arrival of Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus in January, appears to be one of four main areas that the club is looking to strengthen.

Arch-rivals Arsenal have also been linked with a move for the Belgian, who is thought to be expendable at the King Power Stadium this summer. He could command a fee in the region of £25m.

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 Midfield monster

Indeed, the north Londoners have struggled to provide creativity and threat from attacking midfield ever since Eriksen swapped N17 for Inter Milan – indeed, it was Conte who signed him at the San Siro.

Whilst a romantic return would be of appeal to many associated with Tottenham, it is perhaps Tielemans who the club should opt for instead.

The Italian’s current system does not cater for an out-and-out no.10 but rather two deeper-lying midfielders, one of which could be more of a roaming playmaker or a box-to-box type.

This is where the Foxes man fits the bill more than Eriksen.

The £49.5m-rated maestro ended the 2021/22 campaign as Brendan Rodgers’ sixth-best performer in the Premier League, whilst across all competitions, he delivered seven goals and five assists, adding to his total of 15 goal contributions last term, which included an FA Cup final game-winning effort.

According to The Athletic’s Rob Tanner, Tielemans has often been regarded as a “creator” in this Leicester side, whilst former Anderlecht and Sweden midfielder Par Zetterberg once dubbed him a “phenomenon”.

Comparisons to players like Frank Lampard only reinforce his credentials as a player capable of influencing the game at both ends of the pitch and for Conte right now, that has to be a mouth-watering prospect.

On the above evidence, Tielemans would be a very worthy signing and one which could add an enormous amount to the Italian’s engine room.

AND in other news, Reliable journo: Spurs now gifted huge boost after £150m reveal, Conte will be buzzing…

Liverpool are having a phenomenal season already winning the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup, with the chance to win both the Premier League title and Champions League over the next few weeks too, so it will surely be an exciting time to be a player or a supporter of the club.

With that being said, to stay on top you must keep strengthening, improving and developing the squad and with many of Liverpool’s side already in or entering their 30s this year, it would be a good idea for Jurgen Klopp to start considering the next generation of talent he can develop into superstars.

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Roberto Firmino, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane all have contracts ending in just over 12 months, with the Egyptian winger’s contract, in particular, being a highly speculated subject ahead of the summer transfer window.

Liverpool’s top goal-scorer has been one of the side’s best players over the years but it seems that his contract is at a stalemate, with Caught Offside reporting two weeks ago that a source has told them the negotiations have not progressed any further and the Reds are not interested in budging when it comes to their strict wage structure.

If the powers at Anfield and Salah can’t come to an agreement it could see the player leave the club, whether that means he will be sold for a profit this summer or allowed to see out his last 12 months at the club and leave on a free transfer next summer.

Regardless of the outcome, Klopp must start preparing for the worst-case scenario and could be eyeing up his replacement who already plays in the Premier League with Bukayo Saka heavily linked with Liverpool for a while now.

The £150m ace who was hailed a “wonderkid” by journalist James Benge has been impressing for Arsenal and England over the last 12 months, playing his part in the Euro 2020 final last summer and being part of Arsenal’s impressive season that has kept them in the top four race for months.

Saka has scored 11 goals and contributed six assists for the Gunners in 37 Premier League appearances, creating eight big chances, making 1.8 key passes and 1.1 tackles, proving how effective and creative he can be in attacking play.

Podcaster Ian McGarry even claimed back in January that the youngster fits into Liverpool’s system in an interview with talkSPORT:

“Saka is someone who is a player who suits Liverpool’s style.

“Liverpool would provide the opportunity and platform for him to play and compete at the highest level. And that would certainly be something that I’m told he and his representatives are very interested in.”

Ultimately, Saka will likely want to continue to play first-team football and get regular game time whether he stays at Arsenal or moves on, so if FSG are seriously interested in the young talent they will need to sacrifice a position in the attacking rotation to provide him with a regular spot in the team.

Perhaps they ought to wait until Salah really has had enough of Merseyside before making a move.

AND in other news: Huge boost: James Pearce delivers four-word injury update that’ll delight supporters

Journalist Dean Jones has now made a promising Tottenham Hotspur transfer claim involving Villarreal star and Spurs centre-back target Pau Torres.

The Lowdown: Spurs eye move for Torres…

The 25-year-old is said to be a primary target for the Premier League club this summer as Spurs manager Antonio Conte prioritises the signing of a central defender.

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It is believed that securing a new defender is one of the Italian’s transfer wishes as he eyes a major north London overhaul, with The Daily Mail previously reporting that Tottenham are confident they can strike a deal.

Torres is apparently eager to leave Unai Emery’s side this summer, with Football Insider also claiming that the Lilywhites believe they can sign him for £10m less than the 25-year-old’s release clause of £55m.

The Latest: Jones makes promising Torres claim…

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones has now made a promising claim, stating that a move away for Torres ‘seems imminent’ and that he ‘will now become available’ as Spurs eye a move for the defender.

The journalist explained:

“Pau Torres is good value at £45 million, to be honest. It’s really hard to find centre-backs that have been tested at European level and are available.

“I believe that Torres will now become available, he’s been mooted for a transfer for so long that it seems imminent. So, I think Tottenham should push for him and look to get that perfect partner for Romero.”

The Verdict: Get it done…

Speaking to the same outlet, Journalist Pete O’Rourke also believes that Torres would be a ‘great signing’ for the north London club.

We wholeheartedly agree with both reporters that Spurs may need to get a deal over the line for Villarreal’s star defender, especially considering just how much of a mainstay he has been for them in La Liga.

Only goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli has played more league minutes for the Yellow Submarine over 2021/22, with Torres also making the second-most clearances and winning among the most aerial duels per 90 (WhoScored).

With numbers like these, he could well be Romero’s ‘perfect’ ally at the back for Tottenham.

In other news: Paratici tables crucial bid as Conte personally pushes for Spurs signing, find out more here

Dan Kilpatrick has dropped an update on the reported Tottenham Hotspur interest in Youri Tielemans.

What’s the word?

In a recent post on Twitter, the Evening Standard journalist confirmed that, following reports of Arsenal’s interest in signing the Leicester City midfielder this summer, Antonio Conte’s side are also monitoring the situation of the 25-year-old ahead of a potential swoop at the end of the current campaign.

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After quote-tweeting Simon Collings stating Arsenal’s interest in a move for the Belgium international, Kilpatrick added: “Also being monitored by Spurs.”

Supporters will be buzzing

Considering how impressive Tielemans has been for Leicester following his £40m move to the King Power back in 2019, the confirmation that Fabio Paratici is plotting a move for the playmaker this summer is sure to have left the Tottenham Hotspur faithful buzzing.

Indeed, despite the Foxes’ struggles in the league this season, the £49.5m-rated talent has been one of Brendan Rodgers’ few shining lights over his 29 Premier League outings, scoring six goals, registering three assists and creating four big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.9 shots, making 1.2 key passes and completing 0.8 dribbles per game.

The £120k-per-week midfielder has also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 0.7 interceptions, 2.1 tackles, 43.3 passes and winning 4.7 duels per fixture.

These returns have seen the 49-time capped international average an extremely impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.07, ranking him as Leicester’s second-best performer in the English top flight.

As such, with it being reported that a new central midfielder is one of Conte’s priorities in the summer transfer window, when taking into account Tielemans’ proven Premier League ability coupled with his extremely reasonable £25m asking price, Paratici simply must make a move to beat Arsenal to the signing of the Belgian sensation ahead of Spurs’ 2022/23 campaign.

AND in other news: Huge blow: Spurs deal setback as early Arsenal team news emerges, Conte will be fuming

Former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Paul Robinson has heaped praise on Rodrigo Bentancur after Saturday’s 6-2 victory over Leicester City.

The Lowdown: Spurs’ win against Leicester

The 25-year-old played the full 90 minutes for the Lilywhites at the weekend as they ripped a struggling Foxes side to shreds at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Uruguay international bagged his first goal for the north London club since arriving at Hotspur Way in January, also adding an assist to his emphatic performance.

After the game, Spurs teammate Eric Dier showered praise on the 25-year-old, saying the “biggest compliment” he could pay Bentancur was “we play well when he plays well” (via football.london).

The Latest: Robinson full of praise

Robinson, who made 175 appearances for the Lilywhites, has hailed Bentancur for his incredible start to life in a Tottenham shirt, impressed by his recent performance against Leicester.

Speaking with Football Insider, the former goalkeeper said:

“He has been amazing since he has come in. Him and Kulusevski have been fantastic signings.

“Players take different amounts of time to settle into the Premier League. Bentancur was given a birth in the team early and has since made himself undroppable. He is one of the first names on the teamsheet. He has offensive and defensive capabilities.

“The team has improved a lot under Antonio Conte and Bentancur is a big part of that.

“Everyone thought [Yves] Bissouma would come into the team when Spurs signed him in the summer but Bentancur and [Pierre-Emile] Hojbjerg have been that good.

“Bentancur is a player that goes under the radar, but he’s been sensational. His all-round performance is excellent, it really has.”

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The Verdict: Bentancur flying

As per FBRef, compared with positional peers across Europe over the past year, the midfielder ranks in the 88th percentile for pass completion, in the 85th percentile for pressures and in the 82nd percentile for assists.

These wide-spread attributes illustrate why Bentancur has been such a good fit for the Premier League, especially considering he was used to player at a slower pace in Serie A.

With statistical comparisons made to the likes of Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets, Liverpool’s Fabinho and Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga, it is little surprise to see such praise for the Uruguayan, who is proving to be a great signing for Tottenham.

West Ham’s centre-back woes from last season have continued into the new campaign, with the latest news confirming that Craig Dawson’s thigh injury will rule him out for at least another couple of weeks.

Last season saw the 32-year-old defender hold together a defence that was missing Kurt Zouma, Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna at various points in the season through injury, as he made 34 appearances in the Premier League and earned a spot in the Europa League team of the season for his performances.

David Moyes looked to amend that problem this summer with the signings of Nayef Aguerd and Thilo Kehrer but the former picked up an injury in pre-season, while Issa Diop was sold to Fulham, which has once again left the Scottish manager short at the back.

Dawson has yet to feature this season because of an injury that he was seemingly carrying for a lot of last season and Claret and Hugh have now confirmed that he is likely to miss the next four fixtures as he continues to be absent from training.

Moyes should be worried

While the signings of Aguerd and Kehrer might have moved Dawson down the pecking order, he has proved himself to be an extremely reliable member of Moyes’ squad during his time at the London Stadium and the manager will no doubt be worried about his continued absence from proceedings.

Noel Whelan was full of praise for the former Rochdale man last season, saying:

“Even though they’ve got Kurt Zouma as a record signing, I think Dawson is the main man at the back. That has been an incredible signing by David Moyes.

“You’ve got Dawson on the scoresheet, Bowen on the scoresheet. There are certain players in that side who they can not do without. Those two are massive for that football club.

“Dawson is like a captain at the back, he’s a leader and he brings out the best of any centre-half who plays next to him.”

Kehrer has endured a difficult start to life with the Hammers, averaging a shocking 6.01 rating from WhoScored for his performance, which is significantly lower than the 6.70 rating Dawson averaged last season.

The defender impressed in a number of metrics, making 0.9 tackles per game which was the highest of any natural centre-back at West Ham last term. He was only dribbled past 0.3 times per game too, the second-best rate in the squad. Those numbers illustrate just how important a part of the squad he has been and with a lack of points on the board early in the season, his influence would be vital.

Indeed, West Ham have managed just one win and one clean sheet in the Premier League this term, which suggests that defensive improvements are required if they are to challenge for Europe once again this season.

Therefore, the fact that Dawson is still struggling with injury is undoubtedly a big worry for Moyes, especially as he will want more squad depth as the Europa Conference League kicks off this week, and the Scottish manager will be hoping that he returns to full fitness as soon as possible.

Reliable journalist Graham Smyth says it would be a big shock if Leeds United sign a free agent at left-back before the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Free agents available

The summer window is now closed for another year, with the Whites now focusing on Premier League commitments as they look to respond after last weekend’s 5-2 defeat at Brentford.

That being said, there are still free agents available who could be signed at any point – Wolves look set to tie up a deal for Diego Costa for example.

Leeds had an impressive summer, splashing the cash after losing Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips, but left-back is an area of the pitch where the squad still looks light, and a host of free agents in that position have been linked with a move.

The Latest: Smyth rules out signing

Writing in a Q&A for The Yorkshire Evening Post, Smyth was asked by one supporter if Victor Orta and Jesse Marsch may look into the unemployed market to find their solution at left-back:

“I would be stunned if they dipped into the free agent market for any signing. It just doesn’t feel like the kind of thing Leeds do. They had quite specific plans going into the summer transfer window, for each position, and had there been someone available on a free it would have happened long before now.

“If you’re fishing in that pond it suggests something has likely gone awry and while I believe they are a little light in that position, Marsch and Orta are content with what they have at left-back, in Junior Firpo, Pascal Struijk and Leo Hjelde.”

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The Verdict: Enough depth to get by

While Leeds’ left-back options aren’t necessarily perfect – Junior Firpo has been inconsistent, Stuart Dallas is injured and Pascal Struijk is better centrally – there is enough quality to get by for the time being.

Signing a free agent would feel a little like a panic buy when one isn’t required and Marsch will have complete faith in the options at his disposal currently, especially with youngster Leo Hjelde continuing to mature.

Come January, the manager may return to the market to sign a left-back, but that is likely to depend on Firpo’s performances and the injury situation at that point.