West Ham United’s pursuit of Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins may have been given a slight boost, according to journalist Paul Brown.

The Lowdown: Hammers eye move…

The Hammers and manager David Moyes are reportedly watching Villa’s forward ahead of the 2022 summer transfer window with a new striker firmly on West Ham’s agenda.

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It is believed that the club want to add an out-and-out centre forward to Moyes’ ranks alongside the potential additions of a central defender and new midfielder (The Times).

Michail Antonio is currently the Irons’ only natural senior option in the striker role, and with an interesting 2022/2023 season around the corner, West Ham simply must add an alternative at long last.

The Latest: Brown makes Watkins claim…

Speaking to GiveMeSport, journalist Brown of The Daily Star has claimed that Watkins could have his head turned by West Ham – especially if they manage to secure a Champions League spot either through the top four or winning the Europa League.

He explained: “Would Ollie Watkins leave Villa? It depends. If West Ham were to do something special and really get in the top four or get into the Champions League, that might turn his head. But he’s kind of Villa’s crown jewel, so it would be hard for them to let him go.”

The Verdict: Promising?

You would imagine, like many of West Ham’s targets, a place in Europe’s most coveted competition would be a major pull for them.

Much could ride on their potential place in the Champions League next season but, if Moyes’ men were to seal a place, there is little doubt Watkins would upgrade the forward line.

A serious homegrown talent, the England international is pivotal for Villa, scoring more goals than anyone in Steven Gerrard’s squad – while only Philippe Coutinho has averaged more shots at goal per 90 in the Premier League (WhoScored).

Former West Ham striker Frank McAvennie is certainly a fan, branding Watkins a ‘massive player’ and ‘brilliant’.

Indeed, he could be the ideal striker signing for Moyes this summer, but much will depend on Villa’s selling stance.

In other news: ‘He will…’ – West Ham source shares major Rice update from the last 48 hours, find out more here.

Fabrizio Romano has dropped a transfer update on Leeds United winger Raphinha, who has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona.

The Lowdown: Deco talks

Reports earlier this month suggested that Deco, Raphinha’s agent, jetted out to Barcelona looking to progress talks over a summer transfer.

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Both Deco and the Catalan giants were looking to finalise personal terms in what could be a five-year deal at the Nou Camp.

Raphinha has remained fully focused at Elland Road, with Jesse Marsch’s side five points clear of safety after picking up 11 points from a possible 15.

The Latest: Romano’s reply

Romano, who has 7.6m Twitter followers, took to the platform on Wednesday morning to reply to rumours regarding Barcelona and Raphinha.

He clarified the situation when responding to a fan, saying Barcelona and Leeds haven’t spoken over a move as of yet, with the only talks involving Raphinha’s representatives themselves.

The transfer expert’s reply went under the radar due its place mid-way through a conversation between other users, receiving just over 1,100 likes – about 0.014 per cent of his following.

“Still no talks Barça/Leeds – it’s only on player side. Too early to say he’s close to join FCB – even because he’s focused on Leeds now, important games are coming.”

The Verdict: Exit inevitable?

Even though Leeds are yet to discuss a move with Barcelona in regards to Raphinha, it does appear that a summer exit from Elland Road is inevitable.

The Whites will want to ensure they get the best possible deal, should they decide to sell, making Premier League safety even more important.

There is apparently a €25m relegation release clause in the 25-year-old’s deal but no release clause if Leeds remain in the top flight, so the Whites could bring in a huge fee if they stay up.

In other news: Radz and 49ers will now reward Marsch if he keeps Leeds up by moving for 29-goal forward. 

Jurgen Klopp will make a late decision over Roberto Firmino’s involvement in Liverpool’s crucial Premier League clash with Tottenham this weekend.

The Lowdown: Massive game at Anfield

The Reds are looking to return to the top of the table on Saturday evening, for the time being at least, as they welcome Spurs to Anfield for one of the biggest games of the season.

Antonio Conte’s side are battling for a top-four finish with rivals Arsenal, so the eventual outcome on Merseyside could be enormous for both sides.

Firmino has been Liverpool’s only injury absentee of late but a key update has now emerged regarding his fitness ahead of the match.

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The Latest: Late call on Firmino

Taking to Twitter, journalist James Pearce relayed Klopp’s words on the Brazilian, saying he will decide whether or not to include him in the squad on the day:

“Klopp on Firmino: “He’s back in training so now we have to make a decision. It might make more sense for him to just train through the weekend and then he’ll be a big stop closer for Tuesday.”

The Verdict: No need to risk him

There was a time when an injury to Firmino felt disastrous, with Klopp so reliant on him staying fit for long spells, along with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

Liverpool have incredible attacking depth after signing Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz, however, so there is no need to rush back a potentially undercooked player.

Divock Origi is an option from the substitutes’ bench, too, given his penchant for scoring important goals, so it would make more sense to allow Firmino to continue his recovery over the weekend, potentially featuring at Aston Villa on Tuesday night.

In other news, a pundit has torn into one ‘shocking’ Liverpool player. Find out who it is here.

Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie believes that Hoops defender Christopher Jullien could leave the club at the end of the season.

The Lowdown: Jullien out of favour

The 29-year-old has suffered terrible luck with injuries in recent years, stunting his progress at Parkhead and seeing him slip down the pecking order.

In fact, Jullien has been limited to just one appearance in all competitions this season, not playing a single minute of Premiership action.

The Frenchman’s current Celtic deal expires in 2023 and it could be the case that he is sold this summer in order to receive a fee for him.

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The Latest: Jullien tipped to leave Celtic

Speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie claimed that Jullien could leave Celtic once the campaign reaches its conclusion. The 62-year-old stated:

“He’s played once this season so you do wonder if Ange has decided he isn’t good enough. To not even have had some sub appearances at the end of games, that speaks volumes for me.

“So, he’s one who could go this summer because he hasn’t played regular football for so long now. It’s probably better for everyone that he is moved on because I’m sure if Ange rated him then he would be playing.

“I just get the feeling he’s not in Ange’s plans because there was a big deal maced about him coming back and now there is nothing.”

The Verdict: Makes sense for all concerned

In truth, it makes complete sense for Jullien to find a new club ahead of next season, allowing Celtic not to lose him for free next year and also giving the player himself a better chance of regular football.

It seems clear from the Frenchman’s lack of game-time that Ange Postecoglou doesn’t see him as a key player moving forward, with Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt indisputably the first-choice centre-back pairing.

Jullien has been hugely unlucky with injuries, missing so much action in the process, and it simply has to be viewed as a move which ultimately hasn’t worked out how he or the club would have wanted, despite making 62 appearances in total.

In other news, one Celtic played has been tipped to finish his career at Parkhead. Find out who it is here.

Sunderland’s Lynden Gooch is reportedly attracting interest from Portsmouth ahead of the expiry of his contract. 

The lowdown

Gooch has been with Sunderland since 2012, having joined from the Santa Cruz Breakers Academy in his native United States.

He penned a contract extension in December 2018, but that deal only runs until the end of the current season.

Gooch, who’s valued at £540,000 by Transfermarkt, has made 211 appearances for the Black Cats overall, scoring 23 goals and providing 35 assists in that time.

The latest

BBC Sport reporter Andrew Moon tweeted the news about Gooch on Thursday evening.

“I’m told that out of contract SAFC winger Lynden Gooch is a player that would interest Pompey should he become available,” he wrote. 

It remains to be seen whether Sunderland agree fresh terms with the American, or allow him to seal a free transfer to Fratton Park.

The verdict

Sunderland will hope that this story doesn’t serve as a distraction for Gooch ahead of next Saturday’s League One play-off final against Wycombe Wanderers.

The 26-year-old looks almost certain to start at Wembley, having played every minute of the two-legged semifinal against Sheffield Wednesday and started ten of the last 13 in the regular season.

Gooch, who has four caps for his country, is a useful asset for any manager given his capacity to play in multiple positions. This season, alone he’s operated in both full-back positions and wing roles.

His former manager Lee Johnson described him as a ‘bustler’ and a ‘pocket dynamo’, marvelling at his energetic presence.

The arguments for extending his stay, then, are pretty compelling.

In other news, an insider has dropped another key transfer update.

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

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring Jonas Hofmann to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by German publication SportBILD (via Sport Witness), who claim that Fabio Paratici is in regular contact with Borussia Monchengladbach concerning a potential move for the versatile right-winger, who looks set to leave the Bundesliga side this summer.

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The report goes on to state that, with the 29-year-old’s current deal at Borussia-Park due to expire in June of 2023, the midfielder is set to make a decision on his future in the coming weeks, with a concrete offer from either Tottenham or Atletico Madrid – who are also keeping tabs on the Germany international – expected to be accepted by Gladbach.

Imagine him & Dejan

With Hofmann being an attack-minded, incredibly versatile and extremely hard-working midfielder, it is easy to see why Antonio Conte would be interested in a deal for the Monchengladbach maverick this summer.

Indeed, over his 24 Bundesliga appearances this season, the £14.4m-rated dynamo has been one of the standout performers in the German top flight, scoring ten goals, registering four assists and creating five big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.1 shots, making 2.8 key passes and completing 0.8 dribbles per game.

These returns have seen the £53k-per-week talent average a quite remarkable SofaScore match rating of 7.33, not only ranking him as Adi Hutter’s best performer in the league but also as the joint eighth-best player in the division as a whole.

Aside from his impressive form this season, the 29-year-old’s characteristics on the pitch would also appear to match Conte’s own philosophies perfectly, as well as being something that would seem to draw comparisons between Hofmann and Spurs’ Dejan Kulusevski.

Indeed, the Bundesliga website state of the “outstanding” – in the words of Dieter Hecking – German’s traits: “There’s only one thing on Hofmann’s mind when he gets on the ball: to attack the opposition as quickly and directly as possible.

“Able to play on either flank, he is blessed with pace and a ballerina’s balance, allowing him to quickly change direction and dart past defenders. Hofmann has switched to a more central role in recent seasons, able to operate as a wily playmaker just behind the strikers.”

As such, the prospect of Hofmann linking up with the likes of Kulusevski and Son Heung-min behind Harry Kane in the Tottenham attack next season will certainly be a mouthwatering prospect for supporters and Conte alike, leading us to believe that Paratici simply must do everything he can to land the Monchengladbach maestro this summer.

AND in other news: Paratici keen on “exciting” £25m Spurs deal, he’d be a “difference maker” for Conte

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

Liverpool could make a swoop for Dutch winger Cody Gakpo after he has recently been talking about his future.

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Mail, the 22-year-old is ready to assess his future this summer as he looks increasingly likely to leave PSV Eindhoven for pastures new.

Gakpo told Dutch outlet De Telegraaf that “anything can happen this summer”, putting Liverpool on standby alongside other suitors.

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Arsenal and Manchester United have also been linked with the winger, and the Reds could face a battle for his signature.

Imagine him and Salah

Liverpool have had a remarkable season, and it could get even better. They are in the Champions League final and could snatch the Premier League title away from Manchester City on the last day of the season.

Jurgen Klopp is seemingly keen on adding to his squad and planning for the future despite that success. His diligent transfer business over the last couple of years, such as bringing in Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz, has rejuvenated the title-winning team from 2019/20.

Gakpo, who could be available for just £42m this summer, would be an excellent addition to the squad. Journalist Valentijn Driessen described the winger as “constantly threatening” after he scored the winner in the KNVB Cup final against Ajax last month.

With 21 goals and 15 assists in all competitions this season, it’s hard to think that he wouldn’t add something to the Liverpool side. Although Diaz also plays in Gakpo’s preferred left-wing position, the Dutchman can operate on the right or even as a centre-forward if necessary.

This versatility will only please Klopp further and added competition isn’t a bad thing, especially when the German wants the team to challenge for every competition they enter.

Liverpool fans will surely be excited to think of a wide comprising of serial goalscorer Mohamed Salah and Gakpo, and it may just become a reality this summer.

AND in other news, Klopp eyeing £150m “wonderkid” who “suits Liverpool’s style”, it may be bye-bye Salah

Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge has now backed some big recent transfer claims involving Tottenham Hotspur and Pau Torres of Villarreal.

The Lowdown: Spurs in the mix for Torres?

Spurs head coach Antonio Conte is allegedly setting his sights on the signing of a central defender and has apparently earmarked the Spaniard as a primary summer target.

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Torres has been a mainstay under Unai Emery over the 2021/22 La Liga season, and Tottenham transfer chief Fabio Paratici has actually tried to bring him to the Premier League before, as confirmed by the player himself.

Reports have indicated that Spurs are now confident that they can strike an agreement for the 25-year-old, who wants now wants to leave Villarreal.

Indeed, the Lilywhites hold a serious interest in Torres, as now backed by Sky Sports reporter Bridge.

The Latest: Bridge backs Torres reports…

Speaking to GiveMeSport, the journalist claimed that there is ‘no doubt’ that Tottenham are eyeing a move for Torres.

Bridge explained: “He is definitely on their radar – there’s no doubt about that. But he would probably be one of the more expensive options in a long list of defenders they’re looking at.”

The Verdict: Time to advance…

While there are many promising candidates to become a member of Conte’s back three, we believe that Torres stands out as one of the more elite targets.

Spain manager Luis Enrique reveres the defender’s partnership with Aymeric Laporte at international level, perhaps best summed up by his description of the Villarreal titan as ‘sensational’.

As ever, the only sticking point for Spurs is the finances involved, but reports have suggested that the club are confident they can sign him for less than his £55m release clause.

Going by the plethora of reports, now backed by a reliable source, this may well be one to keep an eye on.

In other news: Paratici tables crucial bid as Conte personally pushes for Spurs signing! Find out more here.