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Tottenham Hotspur’s search for a new right wing-back has taken an interesting twist this week…

What’s the word?

According to Spanish outlet AS, Spurs are among the teams interested in signing Shakhtar Donetsk star Dodo, who wants to leave Ukraine this summer.

The north London outfit will have to battle LaLiga giants FC Barcelona, who view the 23-year-old as ‘the next Dani Alves’ to his signature.

It still remains to be seen on how much the Brazilian would command in terms of a transfer fee, with Transfermarkt currently valuing him in the region of £18m.

Bye-bye Emerson?

Lilywhites boss Antonio Conte has long been looking for an upgrade on the right flank. He tried to sign Adama Traore from Wolverhampton Wanderers during his first window in charge, back in January, but his efforts failed to come to fruition with the winger opting for the Nou Camp instead.

The Times also reported at the time that the Italian had little faith in his current options, particularly Emerson Royal and his impact in the final third.

Evidently, not much has changed since, barring a long-term injury to Matt Doherty.

Often, the 23-year-old, who was a summer signing under Nuno Santo, has been lambasted for his performances with former Spurs centre-back Jonathan Woodgate once describing him as “horrendous”, whilst the supporters have deemed him to be a “liability.”

During the games Shakhtar were able to complete in the league this season, Dodo managed four assists in 14 appearances, a feat that took his total tally to 22 goal contributions across 97 matches, via Transfermarkt.

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That average of one goal or assist every 4.4 matches is considerably better than Emerson’s rate of once every 15.5 games.

Given the success that sporting director Fabio Paratici has had with his signings at Hotspur Way, he should be trusted with this one and given the situation over in Shakhtar, Dodo could be allowed to leave on the cheap, thus making him a bargain.

AND in other news, Alasdair Gold drops Conte contract update…

Tottenham Hotspur correspondent Alasdair Gold has shed light on an ‘expected’ development involving wantaway winger Steven Bergwijn.

The Lowdown: Bergwijn on the move?

Much has been made of who could follow Spurs’ first summer signing Ivan Perisic through the door at Hotspur Way as links continue to surround Inter Milan star Alessandro Bastoni among others.

However, in an effort to balance their Premier League books, transfer chief Fabio Paratici must also find a way to offload those who are surplus-to-requirements under manager Antonio Conte.

One of those players in Bergwijn has been heavily linked with a move to Ajax in the last month and has even admitted that he wants to leave north London this summer.

The Latest: Gold sheds light…

Writing on Twitter, sharing a recent article, reliable journalist Gold claims it has been a ‘strange’ time for the Netherlands international with his exit now ‘expected’.

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In the article, football.london’s reporter commented on his odd relationship with Conte and how, despite being a ‘popular player’ within the club and receiving praise, the match minutes just haven’t been there.

There’s also apparently a ‘sense’ among some within the club that Bergwijn took his omission ‘to heart’ when compared to more experienced teammates like Matt Doherty who worked hard and fought their way back into the team.

The Verdict: Loss for Conte?

Bergwijn’s sensational match-winning brace away to Leicester City earlier this year looks like the 24-year-old’s last major contribution in a Lilywhites jersey.

Having displayed his potential in brief flashes, perhaps teasing supporters with the prospect of a future star, a looming departure for the ex-Eredivisie sensation certainly comes as an anti-climax.

Taking into account the lack of match action, it’s perhaps best for both parties to amicably agree a deal for him to leave.

In other news: Paratici opens Spurs talks to sign ‘scary’ £183,000-per-week star once worth £130m! Find out more here.

West Ham United have looked into moves for Aston Villa duo John McGinn and Ollie Watkins, according to The Daily Mail. 

The lowdown

The Hammers finished seventh in the Premier League, securing a spot in the Europa Conference League, while the Villans ended the season in 14th.

McGinn, who is valued at £27m by Transfermarkt, has three years remaining on his contract and is a key player at Villa Park, as evidenced by his 35 Premier League starts in the most recent campaign.

It’s a similar story with the £31.5m-rated Watkins, who is also committed until 2025. The striker, who joined from Brentford in 2020, started 33 top-flight matches in 2021/22.

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The latest

The Daily Mail’s Simon Jones reported that Irons manager David Moyes is ‘juggling’ a ‘number of options’ ahead of the summer transfer window.

Among those in his eyeline are Villa duo McGinn and Watkins, but there’s an understanding at the London Stadium that ‘such deals will be difficult to pull off’.

The verdict

These are two vital cogs in the Villa team, so they should do everything in their power to avoid selling them to a Premier League rival.

McGinn averaged the highest WhoScored rating in Steven Gerrard’s squad last season (7.17), scoring three goals and providing four assists while also ranking in the top three for tackles, key passes, successful dribbles, fouls drawn and accurate long balls (outfielders only) per game.

Meanwhile, Watkins was comfortably the team’s top scorer with 11 goals, four clear of Danny Ings. Since his arrival in the Midlands two years ago, he has impressively bagged 27 goals in all competitions.

Villa sold Jack Grealish in a British record £100m deal last summer and will surely be desperate to avoid losing more star players this summer. Gerrard wants to take the team to Europe, and the best way to do that is by improving on what he’s got rather than the plugging the gaps left by high-profile outgoings.

In other news, read this big Calvin Bassey claim

An ever-reliable source has dropped a major update about Tottenham Hotspur’s summer transfer plans…

What’s the word?

According to football.london reporter Alasdair Gold, the north London outfit are looking to bolster Antonio Conte’s playing squad with two central defensive additions, particularly if either of Joe Rodon or Japhet Tanganga depart on loan in the coming months.

“A big piece on Spurs’ search for new centre-backs this summer, including the latest on Alessandro Bastoni and some of the other names that can be found on [Fabio] Paratici and Conte’s defender transfer wishlist,” he tweeted alongside an accompanying article.

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It’s thought that a left-sided option is the main priority, with Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni and RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol among the top targets.

Other names on Spurs’ shortlist include Villarreal’s Pau Torres, Crystal Palace gem Marc Guehi, Torino’s Gleison Bremer and Barcelona colossus Clement Lenglet.

Exciting options

It’s certainly an exciting time to be a member of the Lilywhites faithful and this latest claim from one of the most trustworthy sources is sure to elevate hopes even more heading into next season.

After qualifying for the Champions League in stunning fashion on the final day of the 2021/22 campaign, Conte will know just how important squad depth will be when trying to compete for three or four different trophies.

Since his arrival in November, the Italian head coach has stuck by a three-man defensive line of Eric Dier, Cristian Romero and left-back Ben Davies, who has done a solid enough job, but in the long run, Conte needs an out-and-out colossus to pair with the other two.

Both Bastoni and Gvardiol are hugely appealing names but they could both prove to be the most difficult of the names on the shortlist to sign – Inter want £51m for the Italy international, who Conte has managed before, whilst the Leipzig star would far exceed that and he’s said to be happy there.

The fallback options aren’t bad at all, though, with Torres probably the pick of the bunch.

He has played a big role in Villarreal’s recent rise in Europe, winning the Europa League in 2021 before a stunning run to the Champions League semi-finals this season.

The £45m-rated titan has been lauded as an “extraordinary talent” by former Yellow Submarines midfielder Javi Calleja.

Many watchers of the Premier League have seen what Guehi has been able to achieve under Spurs’ former foe Patrick Vieira at Crystal Palace, whilst Paratici and Conte will know about Bremer from their time in Serie A.

That then leaves Lenglet, who is perhaps the most uninspiring of the bunch but that said, his experience could prove to be influential to Spurs if it boiled down to him.

All in all, Spurs supporters must be absolutely buzzing by this big reveal. If the north Londoners can seal two solid centre-backs this summer, then you really will have to take them seriously next season – that’s for sure.

AND in other news, Paratici given green light for “unbelievable” £40m Spurs signing, he’s Conte’s “dream”…

Everton journalist Chris Smith has revealed that the Goodison Park club are now ‘willing to entertain offers’ for as many as seven players this summer.

The Lowdown: Disappointing season

Despite surviving relegation from the Premier League, it was ultimately a disappointing season for the Merseysiders, who will not want to find themselves in the same position next year.

There will inevitably be question marks over some members of the squad, while Frank Lampard will now want to put his own stamp on it, given the funds that he’ll have available to spend.

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The Latest: Seven players axed?

Taking to Twitter, 90min reporter Smith has revealed that up to seven players from the first-team squad could now be axed by Everton, although not all of them will end up leaving.

He outlined: “Allan, Michael Keane, Andre Gomes, Tom Davies, Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Andros Townsend and Salomon Rondon are all players #Everton are willing to entertain offers for this summer, I’m told per source. Obviously not all will go as squad depth is needed.”

The Verdict: Overhaul needed

Ultimately, Everton’s squad needs a major overhaul after ending up in a relegation battle, and getting rid of some of the fringe players would help in that regard.

Of the seven players mentioned by Smith, only Keane and Townsend feature in the Toffees’ 10 best performers in the 2021/22 Premier League as per WhoScored, despite the ex-Burnley defender frequently being criticised for some of his performances.

Nonetheless, selling even a few of those will help to raise vital funds for Lampard to go out and strengthen in other areas of the pitch, which the Blues will certainly need to do in order to help climb up the table next season.

In other news, find out who EFC are now ‘at the front of the queue’ to sign here!

West Ham United are now seemingly pushing to sign Watford star Emmanuel Dennis as a big transfer update comes to light in the last 48 hours.

The Lowdown: Hammers eye move…

The forward is reportedly a top target for Irons manager David Moyes as the Scotsman aims to upgrade his squad for next season.

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West Ham are seeking to maintain their remarkable rise over the last two campaigns with the possible signings of one more striker, two central midfielders and some wide players (The Mirror).

Dennis is on the radar, with reports claiming last week that the Hammers have been plotting a £20m bid and that they fancy their chances of signing the Nigerian due to Watford’s relegation (The Mirror).

The Latest: West Ham push…

According to Football Insider, a big update has come to light on the chase, with West Ham ‘stepping up their bid’ to sign the 24-year-old and seemingly pushing for him.

Talks have apparently been held over Dennis already as he becomes a ‘top target’ for Moyes and the Irons, coming as Watford are ‘ready to cash in’ on him.

Indeed, with the relegated Hornets now green-lighting his summer sale, it appears that the east Londoners have wasted no time in pursuing a deal.

The Verdict: Get it done?

Standing out as Watford’s best attacker over the 2021/22 Premier League campaign, finishing it as their top scorer and one of their standouts by average match rating (WhoScored), West Ham’s intense interest in the Nigerian appears to be justified.

Still just 24, Dennis has many years ahead at the top level, with reports also suggesting that his club are ready to sell for £20m this summer.

He has also been called a ‘beast’ by members of the media, with the numbers and acclaim backing that he could certainly be worth a significant push from West Ham.

In other news: Offer ready: Newman preparing bid for ‘standout’ as West Ham eye ‘no-brainer’ signing! Find out more here.

Leeds United have been handed a huge injury boost ahead of their upcoming Premier League meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend.

What’s the latest?

Speaking in his post-match press conference after the 3-0 defeat to Chelsea on Wednesday night (via the Yorkshire Evening Post), Jesse Marsch revealed that Raphinha’s withdrawal in the second half of the fixture was more for precaution than anything else, as the winger was beginning to cramp up.

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Regarding the current condition of the 25-year-old, the American manager said: “Raphinha’s [substitution] I think was more precautionary, he was cramping and I just wanted to make sure that we didn’t push him too much.”

Marsch will be buzzing

Considering the fact that Leeds simply must secure a result against Brighton in order to give themselves any chance of beating the drop on the final day of the season, the fact that a player as important as Raphinha does not appear to have sustained a serious injury is sure to have left Marsch buzzing.

Indeed, over his 33 Premier League appearances this season, £40.5m-rated forward has been the Whites’ most dangerous outlet, scoring ten goals, providing three assists and creating nine big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.4 shots, making 1.8 key passes and completing 1.9 dribbles per fixture.

These returns have seen the £63k-per-week Brazil international average a highly impressive SofaScore match rating of 6.91, ranking him as Jesse Marsch’s second-best performing outfielder in the top flight of English football.

As such, it is clear for all to see that the availability of Raphinha on Sunday will come as a huge boost to Leeds’ chances of picking up a much-needed result against the Seagulls, especially with the likes of Jack Harrison, Tyler Robers, Daniel James and Crysencio Summerville all looking likely to be sidelined for the visit of Graham Potter’s side.

AND in other news: Forget Rodrigo: Orta must ruthlessly axe “inexcusable” £55k-p/w Leeds flop this summer

Jurgen Klopp could be plotting a bid for Carlos Soler as he aims to strengthen his Liverpool squad ahead of next season.

What’s the word?

According to Spanish newspaper Sport (via Sport Witness), the Reds are among the clubs linked with the 25-year-old as they join Barcelona in the chase for the midfielder.

It was claimed earlier this week that the Catalan giants had reached an agreement to sign Soler, which was quickly rejected by Valencia, and his future destination is yet unknown.

The report by Sport has claimed that Soler is upset with his manager Jose Bordalas, and this could be good news for Klopp.

Klopp could find a new Thiago in Soler

With Klopp always aiming to strengthen his squad, regardless of whether or not players are at the peak of their powers, it makes sense to find young hungry talents who want to make a name for themselves in England.

Soler’s market value is currently £45m, but with his contract expiring at the end of next season, Liverpool could grab themselves a “bargain” signing which will only bolster the squad.

The 25-year-old could well be Klopp’s new Thiago, with the two Spaniards displaying similar characteristics. Both play predominantly in the centre of midfield, although Soler appears to be more of a goalscoring threat than Thiago, scoring 11 goals this season compared to just one for the 30-year-old Reds maestro.

The Liverpool player does appear to hold the advantage in terms of passing, completing nearly double the number of passes compared to his younger compatriot (1,174 to 559), although this is a skill where Soler may well improve.

There seems little doubt that the player who former Valencia star Curro Torres recently described as the “complete midfielder” has the necessary skillset to follow in the steps of Thiago at Liverpool and maybe even go on to be even better than the 30-year-old if he too joins Klopp’s Anfield revolution.

AND in other news, Fabrizio Romano claims Liverpool are in talks to sign “extraordinary” £83m machine, Klopp would love him…

Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch now expects Liam Cooper to be fit for Sunday’s trip to Arsenal. 

The lowdown

Leeds travel to North London in desperate need of points, with Everton’s victory over Chelsea last weekend leaving them just two points above the drop zone.

Whites captain Cooper missed last weekend’s 4-0 defeat against Manchester City after suffering an injury in the warm-up.

It had only been a month since he returned to action following a long-term hamstring injury.

Injury expert and Sky Sports contributor Ben Dinnery had listed Cooper as ‘ruled out’ on his Premier Injuries website.

The injury list at Elland Road already includes Tyler Roberts, Patrick Bamford, Adam Forshaw, Stuart Dallas and Crysencio Summerville.

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The latest

BBC Sport journalist Adam Pope relayed an update on Cooper’s fitness ahead of the visit to The Emirates, in quite the twist from Dinnery’s update.

“JM believes Cooper will play at Arsenal on Sunday,” he wrote.

The verdict

Robbie Keane summed up Cooper’s importance to Leeds when news of his injury broke. He described the 30-year-old’s presence as ‘massive’ and hailed him as an ‘instrumental’ in a strong run of defensive form that had seen Marsch’s side concede just once in three games.

You could certainly argue that they missed him, falling to a heavy loss and giving up 3.01 xG against City. He also ranks in Leeds’ top two (among outfielders) for interceptions, clearances and accurate long passes per game.

Their chances of pulling off an upset against the Champions-League chasing hosts might have just improved.

In other news, Leeds are eyeing this Europa League finalist.

A big update has emerged on Newcastle United and their chances of signing Ismaila Sarr from fellow Premier League side Watford.

What’s the talk?

Journalist Jacque Talbot has claimed that PIF have been handed the opportunity to land the Senegalese phenomenon at the end of the season.

He Tweeted: “Exc: Newcastle have been offered Watford’s Ismaila Sarr. Representatives met with club in London. Told his side would want about £40m. Deal makes sense but striker and centre-back (right-sided) are nufc priority.”

Watford are 12 points adrift of safety with four games left to play and this means that they will be relegated from the top flight this weekend if they fail to win and/or Burnley pick up any points. They are set for a drop down to the Championship and it appears as if they are now planning for life beyond Sarr.

Fans will be buzzing

The Newcastle faithful will surely be buzzing with this claim as Sarr would be an exciting addition to the squad this summer.

It remains to be seen whether or not the price is a final valuation, as relegation could change how much Watford are able to demand for him, and this means that it is difficult to judge whether or not he would be worth the money Newcastle would have to pay.

In terms of what he offers on the pitch, Sarr is a direct, young, winger with potential. He has produced five goals and two assists in 20 starts for the struggling Hornets in the top flight, after managing five goals and four assists in the division two years ago.

He caught the eye in the Championship last season as Watford finished second in the table. The attacker found the back of the net 13 times and registered four assists as he averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.21. This, along with his statistics in the Premier League, suggests that he has the potential to be a big threat at the top end of the pitch for the Magpies if they can get the best out of him.

At the age of 24, he has plenty of time left ahead of him to develop. Eddie Howe can work with him to make the most of his talent and that is an exciting prospect for the supporters, given the promising signs Sarr has shown in the top-flight for Watford in recent years.

AND in other news, “NUFC want..”: Mark Douglas drops big Darsley Park transfer claim that’ll delight Howe…