West Brom To Target Two Markets For Arrivals This Summer

West Bromwich Albion will target free agents and the loan market this summer as Carlos Corberan looks to add to his squad, according to Express & Star reporter Lewis Cox.

What players have West Bromwich Albion been linked with this window?

According to Football League World, West Brom were keen to add free agent Nick Powell to their ranks this summer following his exit from Stoke City; however, the outlet claim that he will now complete a deal to move to EFL League Two side Stockport County.

The former Manchester United ace also had interest from Coventry City, Wrexham and Major League Soccer, though he now looks odds-on to sign for Dave Challinor's men ahead of 2023/24.

Former Portsmouth midfielder Jay Mingi, who is also now a free agent, was on the radar of West Brom in January, though it remains to be seen whether the Baggies can afford to move for him again this off-season.

As per The Telegraph, West Brom are in 'financial peril' and will need to sell most of their prize assets before being able to dip back into the transfer market to acquire players ahead of the new term.

Dara O'Shea has left the club to join Premier League outfit, Burnley, fetching a fee in the region of £7 million to put back into the coffers at the Hawthorns, as per BBC Sport.

Birmingham Live report that several other faces are set to join the cull in the coming weeks. Manager Corberan has revealed his hope that he can add to his squad before taking them to St George's Park next week for a visit, stating: "We are giving a little bit of time to see if we can add some of the new players and then spend time together there, at St. George’s Park.

"It’s not just the football perspective we will be working on, but the human perspective too. Some of the players are going to be new and they’ll need to fight together in the competition, so they’ll be creating a new family and new relationships."

What did Lewis Cox say about West Brom's potential transfer business?

According to journalist Cox, who spoke on the Express & Star YouTube channel, any additions that do come the way of West Brom this summer are more likely to arise from the free agent pool or loan market, according to journalist Cox.

Cox stated: "Finances will surely largely dictate that [scope for recruitment], loans are more likely to happen later in the summer, we know this. I don't think that we can get too hung up on it yet, but obviously, it would've been ideal to have them in. Now, it doesn't mean the window is going to end badly, it could be a positive late July/August with some really encouraging names and frees and the loans come in"

Ultimately, Corberan looks like he will have his hands tied this window and may be completely consigned to completing deals on the cheap or on a loan basis; nevertheless, he will be keen to find a few bargain gems to offer some depth to his side.

The Spaniard is also likely to rely on youth players to supplement his squad and has a positive reputation in developing younger players, which would offer some excitement for Baggies supporters despite their awkward position in the transfer market.

Tottenham: Spurs Expected To Sign £200K-P/W Star

Barcelona club chief Joan Laporta expects to reach an agreement with Tottenham Hotspur over the signing of defender Clement Lenglet this summer.

Who are Spurs signing this summer?

As already confirmed, the Lilywhites have put pen to paper on deals for Dejan Kulusevski – who joins permanently from Juventus after 18 months on loan – alongside both goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and midfielder James Maddison.

The latter duo joined in this transfer window and for bargain fees, with Vicario signing for around £17.2 million and Maddison for £40 million, despite the latter starring for Leicester City last season.

Tottenham are also widely tipped to seal the capture of Manor Solomon on a free transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk, coming after his impressive 23/23 loan spell at Fulham last year.

The Israeli international is set for a medical after travelling to London, according to Fabrizio Romano, whilst Spurs remain locked in talks over both Micky van de Ven of Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba.

A new centre-back features highly on Spurs’ to-do list this summer, coming after a season which saw them concede an unacceptable 63 league goals. Indeed, no other side above Bournemouth leaked more than that, with those numbers potentially concerning manager Ange Postecoglou.

Lenglet, who spent last season on loan at Spurs from Barca, has been linked with a return to north London permanently.

clement-lenglet-tottenham-hotspur-transfer-gossip-itakura-postecoglou

The Frenchman made 26 league appearances and even scored during their Champions League campaign, with reports suggesting he could be available for just £8.5 million.

Catalans chief Laporta, speaking to La Vanguardia (via Romano), has confirmed that Barcelona expect to reach an agreement with Spurs over Lenglet’s transfer.

The 28-year-old, thought to be on around £204,000-per-week, has caps at international level for France and has been seriously endorsed by compatriot Hugo Lloris.

What’s been said about Lenglet?

Lloris, speaking to the media last year, called Lenglet a “modern” defender whilst drawing attention to his physical strength as a centre-back – both aerially and in ground duels.

“He’s a modern defender,” said Lloris.

“Comfortable to be able to play from the back. He has a great left foot and can be very strong in one v one and he’s strong in the air.

“Even if it’s never easy when you arrive in the Premier League and he will have to adapt to the intensity of the games but he is a high level player, with experience.

“I’m even more happy because I have a good connection with him and also a great relationship with him. He has a great personality and he will adapt well to the team.”

Former Barca boss Ronald Koeman, speaking back in 2021, also called Lenglet a “very professional” and “serious” player.

Rangers Interested In Signing "Outstanding" Gem This Summer

Glasgow Rangers are interested in signing midfielder Tom Davies this summer as Michael Beale looks set to continue with his current recruitment spree, having already signed four players for the Ibrox side.

What’s the latest on Tom Davies to Rangers?

According to talkSPORT, Davies will be leaving Everton after 13 years at the club this summer, and the Gers are seemingly interested in luring him north of the border.

He was offered a new contract, yet turned the opportunity down, with director of football Kevin Thelwell saying: “We offered Tom a new contract, but he feels he has reached the stage in his career where he needs regular first-team football.”

In January, the Light Blues were linked with the Englishman, yet no move materialised. Could it be second time lucky for Beale this summer?

Will Rangers sign Tom Davies?

Signing Davies could be worth the gamble, especially as he would join for nothing. And with the midfield needing bolstering, it is certainly a viable option for the club.

Davies struggled during his final year on Merseyside, starting just four Premier League matches all season, so perhaps a fresh start is the best thing for him.

Beale is clearly a big fan, having praised him previously, saying: “Tom Davies, he used to kick my Liverpool Under-23s team all around the place. There’s a bit of John Lundstram about him. But again, two really good players."

Lundstram has developed into something of a “cult hero” at Ibrox according to Ally McCoist, as his Europa League performances during 2021/22 powered the club all the way to the final.

Indeed, he thrived on the big European nights, averaging 56 touches per game while also making 1.6 tackles and 1.7 interceptions each match along with winning an impressive 55% of his total duels, showcasing his abilities in the heart of the midfield.

Davies, with the aforementioned likeness to Lundstram, also tends to thrive in a deep-lying position. During the last season where he made more than 20 appearances, back in 2020/21, the 24-year-old ranked second in the squad for interceptions per game (1.4) and was in the top ten for tackles won (1.2) and big chances created (two), yet a lack of opportunities in recent years has dented his confidence.

Everton's Tom Davies

Before signing Todd Cantwell in January, the midfielder had gone 18 league matches without a goal or an assist for Norwich City, yet in just five months at Rangers, he had registered 11 goal contributions, with Beale transforming his game.

There is no doubt the 42-year-old is capable of doing the same for Davies, boosting his confidence and turning him into the player that burst onto the scene back in 2017. Former professional Trevor Sinclair lauded him as “outstanding” following an Everton win over Tottenham Hotspur in 2021, and the 5 foot 10 gem has all the attributes to be a success in Scotland, potentially becoming their next Lundstram.

Liverpool Make Bid To Sign New £80m Midfield Machine

Liverpool are increasing their efforts to secure one of the signings of the summer transfer window and tie up a deal for Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.

What's the latest on Aurelien Tchouameni to Liverpool?

That's according to reports in Spain who claim that Liverpool have launched an opening proposal of £55m for the France international, who only signed for the Spanish giants from Monaco for €100m (£85m) last summer.

The report continues that after a tepid first year under Carlo Ancelotti's wing, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is hoping to ensnare the 23-year-old after failing in his pursuit one year ago, and while Real are 'open to negotiating', they demand £80m for the ace.

An imposing midfielder and an exquisite talent, Tchouameni would be the ultimate upgrade at Anfield with James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain concluding their contracts this month.

How good is Aurelien Tchouameni?

Such a transfer might seem unlikely, with prominent Liverpool reporter daveOCKOP stating that he "would be surprised" if the Reds succeeded in securing a deal for a player who moved to, arguably, football's most prestigious outfit in Real Madrid just one year ago, but much has changed since.

Jude Bellingham has completed his much-anticipated move to Los Blancos from Borussia Dortmund for an initial €103m (£88.5m) this month, bypassing the likes of Liverpool in their interest, and Tchouameni has endured a disspiriting campaign that has left him on the periphery of prominence at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni.

Joining the fold on Merseyside could prove to be a match made in heaven for someone of Tchouameni's ilk; he is a formidable, prodigious star who will know of the vested attention from Liverpool over the past year or so, and despite Klopp's side failing to qualify for the Champions League this year, there is an expectation that the requisite adjustments in midfield will banish the seeping indifference.

He played regularly this term, clinching 50 appearances for his LaLiga outfit, but was not entrusted with a starting berth in the definitive moments, benched for both Copa del Rey semi-final ties against Barcelona and every knockout phase fixture in the Champions League.

Despite this, the "superb talent" – as dubbed by Rio Ferdinand – ranks among the top 1% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues for pass completion, the top 1% for interceptions, the top 8% for clearances and the top 11% for aerials won per 90, as per FBref.

He could forge a cohesive and frightening partnership with his international comrade Ibrahima Konate at Liverpool, with the "extraordinary" midfielder's robustness and battling mentality exactly what has gone missing for Klopp's team this year, with The Athletic highlighting the inefficacy of the midfield in protecting the defence and subsequently allowing sustained fire on Alisson's goal – with the Brazilian shot-stopper ranking fourth in the saving charts.

Konate is an aggressive and burly central defender, who signed for the club for £36m from RB Leipzig in 2021 and has been praised as "incredible" by defensive partner Virgil van Dijk; the £206k-per-week menace that is Tchouameni would enhance his game with his defensive omnipresence at the nucleus of the pitch.

Konate ranks among the top 10% of centre-backs for successful take-ons and the top 12% for tackles per 90, indicating that he already has the tenacity and vigour to play a central role for Liverpool over the next age, and with an imperious anchor ahead of him, one can only imagine the spectacular success.

Considering the various facets, Klopp must go full ham for Tchouameni this summer and entice him with a package worth taking – he might play for Real Madrid, but at Liverpool he could etch his name into the history books and flourish as the centrepiece as the new chapter under Klopp's sagely stewardship.

West Brom Can Build On Corberan Boost By Signing £4m Ace

West Bromwich Albion can finally gear up for the start of the new Championship campaign with news that head coach Carlos Corberan is no longer a target for Leeds United.

Former Leeds coach Corberan was considered the favourite to succeed Sam Allardyce at Elland Road at one point, but Football Insider reports that the Whites are working to bring in a manager with Premier League experience.

That can only be considered a huge boost for Albion some six weeks out from the opening weekend of the 2023-24 campaign, and it means full focus can now be on transfer activity.

Indeed, the Baggies could make it a double reason for celebration by bringing in one of Corberan's targets, with The Sun reporting last week that they are showing an interest in Blackpool striker Jerry Yates.

Who is Blackpool striker Jerry Yates?

Yates' 20 goals helped fire Blackpool to promotion to the Championship two years ago, and he has since scored 22 goals in the second tier.

As well as netting 14 goals last time out, which were not enough to keep Blackpool up, Yates also chipped in with four assists. It is that ability to both score and create that earned strong praise from his former boss Richie Wellens.

"He's good at everything," Wellens told Quest. "He's got decent pace and he can hold the ball up." Yates' ability as an all-rounder is further reflected when looking at the positions he was fielded last season, courtesy of WhoScored, ranging from a central midfielder to a striker, as well as operating on both flanks.

The 26-year-old can also help out in terms of the defensive side of the game, with FBref ranking him in the top 3% of his positional peers for interceptions and top 7% for blocks.

carlos-corberan-west-brom-leeds-united-49ers-manager-live-updates-rodgers

It is unsurprising, then, that a number of Championship teams are taking a close look at Yates – heavyweights Leicester City among them. The Sun reports that Premier League club Luton Town may also be tempted to make a move for a player valued at £4m by Blackpool.

Yates would undoubtedly be an upgrade on what Corberan currently has available, as his 18 combined goals and assists in the Championship last season are three more than West Brom's best performer John Swift managed.

In fact, Jed Wallace (14) was the only other Albion player to register double figures in that metric, which shows the importance of bringing another talented attacker to The Hawthorns.

Factor in the 1.63 aerial duels per 90 minutes Yates wins, which is more than Swift (0.84) and Wallace (0.48), and it may well be that the Englishman's combination with Corberan next term proves the difference between mid-table obscurity and a serious push at promotion.

Rangers: Gers Make "Interesting Signing" For Beale

Journalist Josh Bunting has praised Rangers and their signing of forward Sam Lammers from Atalanta, calling it an “interesting” move by the club.

What’s the latest Rangers transfer news?

Michael Beale and the Teddy Bears have undergone a major summer overhaul thus far, with many former first-teamers departing Ibrox in late May.

Indeed, ex-mainstays like Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent, Allan McGregor, Scott Arfield, Filip Helander and Steven Davis all departed at the end of their contracts, leaving Rangers with the almighty task of replacing them.

They’ve done an exceptional job of it thus far, completing deals for Kieran Dowell, Dujon Sterling, Jack Butland and now Lammers for a fee of around £3 million.

The Dutchman has put pen to paper on a four-year deal at Rangers, with Beale now signing a replacement for Morelos and potentially astute addition.

Eintracht Frankfurt's former striker Sam Lammers.

Reporter Josh Bunting, writing on Twitter after the Gers confirmed his capture, is completely aware of Lammers’ ability and believes the club have pulled off a major coup.

The journalist detailed exactly what supporters can expect from Lammers, namely his technical ability, sweet left foot and in-game intelligence.

How many goals has Sam Lammers scored?

The 26-year-old, who stands a towering 6 foot 3, could have the physicality suited for Scottish football and some of his past numbers suggest he could do well under Beale.

Lammers spent the 2022/2023 campaign on loan at Sampdoria, where he bagged just one goal and an assist, but his previous spell at SC Heerenveen in 2019 indicates there is a real goalscorer waiting to be unearthed.

During the 18/19 season, Lammers bagged an impressive 16 goals and five assists on loan at Heerenveen in the Dutch top flight, which may have prompted Atalanta to later snap him up from PSV Eindhoven.

While his career arguably didn’t work out there, Lammers has been handed another chance to succeed at Rangers and showcase his true ability.

Heerenveen boss Kees van Wonderen has also praised the attacker.

“What you get from him as a player is first and foremost a superb work ethic. He’s a left-footed striker and is good technically,” said van Wonderen.

“He’s a player who has an eye on the tactical aspects of the game, he appreciates how the game is played, where the spaces are and how to deal with circumstances on the pitch.”

Liverpool Handed Transfer Demand After Mac Allister Signing

Liverpool should focus on bringing in two more midfielders whose main attributes are their dynamism and athleticism according to Redmen TV presenter Ste Hoare.

The club recently confirmed the signing of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton & Hove Albion, and will now push to bolster the midfield further ahead of the next campaign.

Liverpool transfer news – midfielders

Liverpool is set for a major midfield overhaul after a disappointing season which resulted in Europa League football for the first time in eight seasons.

The club has already completed the signing of Mac Allister on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee, but reports state the fee is around £35m as the Reds activated a clause in the Argentines contract.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool is set for talks with the agents of Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram and Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Manu Kone following the completion of the Mac Allister transfer.

kephren-thuram-premier-league-liverpool-transfers

There have also been reports on the Red's interest in Southampton's Romeo Lavia, Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch and Celta Vigo's Gabri Veiga.

It is clear based on the reports and rumors that the Merseyside-based outfit is targeting young midfielders who can come into the current squad and play their part whilst also having the potential to grow into a regular starter.

What does Hoare think of Liverpool's midfield situation?

When asked on the midfield situation, Hoare told Football FanCast: "In terms of who is next, I think they probably need two more midfielders.

"The one thing Mac Allister doesn’t offer that we are probably still in need of is more dynamism and athleticism. He’s a very good player, and he puts in a lot of work, but I think Liverpool probably lacks a bit of physicality still in the midfield, and we saw that at times last season."

Who should Liverpool sign for midfield?

As the Redmen TV presenter stated, Liverpool needs to bring in midfielders that offer more "dynamism" and "athleticism" than the current options at the club, and both Thuram and Kone fit those descriptions.

The 22-year-old from Nice made 35 appearances in Ligue 1, scoring two and assisting four en route to averaging a rating of 6.91 according to WhoScored.

The 6 foot 4 midfielder is a fantastic creative force, averaging 0.18 xAG as well as 3.25 progressive carries and 1.63 successful take-ons per 90, which ranks him alongside some of the best midfielders in Europe, according to FBref.

Kone is a more defensively dynamic option, with the man who was dubbed a "one-man army" making 30 appearances for his club last season and averaging a rating of 6.81 according to WhoScored. The French youth international averages 2.55 tackles per 90 as well as 1.10 interceptions per 90 showcasing his defensive prowess, as per FBref.

If Liverpool are able to bring in both French youngsters, their midfield will arguably be as dynamic and athletic as ever.

One Party Could Pull Out Of Man United Ownership Race

Sheikh Jassim Hamad Bin Al Thani's Nine Two Foundation could walk away from the Manchester United ownership race if they feel that they will not eventually win the battle, journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed.

What's the latest on Man United's ownership situation?

There is still no clear picture on who will eventually win the battle to acquire ownership of Man United, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe's consortium's bid potentially allowing the Glazer family to retain some shares, whilst Sheikh Jassim's bid would see his group complete a full purchase.

It has now been mooted that the Nine Two Foundation, Jassim's group, could eventually pull out of the race, rather than waiting to be rejected, if it does not appear that their bid will be successful.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jacobs revealed that the drawn out process could lead to them ending their pursuit of Man United.

"I don't think the Nine Two Foundation will necessarily want a scenario whereby they're rejected," he stated.

"I think it's more likely that they'll do everything in their power to win. If they feel like the process is just not geared towards them winning because the Glazers want to stay, and with time running out because they don't want this to overshadow the whole of the summer window, at that point I can see the Nine Two Foundation feeling like it's more in their interests to just walk away.

"That would be normal because they're looking at making a world record sale and are pushing to get in as soon as possible because they know how important the early part of the window is.

"If it gets to a point where they no longer feel like they can buy the club because the Glazers are looking in a different direction or the process is just not geared towards getting anything done that benefits them, and quickly, at that point I don't think the Nine Two Foundation would just wait to watch somebody else come in and be rejected. I think they would pull out of the process first."

What next for Man United?

Erik ten Hag's side will be aiming to build upon their season of progress, which has seen them win the Carabao Cup, secure a top-three finish and reach the FA Cup final, but they will need reinforcements in the transfer window.

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag.

The ownership situation will need to be resolved quickly in order to facilitate this, as they aim to complete a number of big signings, and the outcome of the takeover could determine who they target in the window.

Ten Hag's top priority is Harry Kane, whilst there have also been strong links with Mason Mount, and it has been mooted that if Jassim's group wins the battle, the Qatari owners could target Neymar.

A quick resolution from the Glazers is necessary, regardless of the decision, as the process continues to drag on with no end in sight.

Tottenham Formally Offer Job To "Class" Nine-Trophy Manager

Tottenham Hotspur have made a formal job offer to Leicester City’s former manager Brendan Rodgers, according to reports.

What's the latest manager news at Spurs?

Back in March, Antonio Conte was sent packing by the hierarchy following his public outburst during a post-match press conference and was replaced by his assistant Cristian Stellini until the end of the season, but even his reign was ended prematurely after the 6-1 Premier League defeat to Newcastle United, so Ryan Mason is now in charge as interim boss before being succeeded by a new long-term appointment over the summer.

BBC Sport played down suggestions that Bayern Munich’s former coach Julian Nagelsmann is one of the candidates being considered and Daniel Levy’s latest blow has come in the form of Feyenoord’s Arne Slot who has ruled himself out of the running and reaffirmed his commitment to seeing out the project in the Eredivisie.

The Lilywhites have since been linked with several names, including Celtic’s Ange Postecoglou and Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim, but a surprising contender is Rodgers who has been out of work since April having been sacked by Leicester City, and it would appear that he’s already a preferred choice among the board having reportedly been gifted the opportunity to take to the dugout in the capital.

Is Brendan Rodgers joining Spurs?

According to Football Transfers, Tottenham have "formally offered" Rodgers the chance to become the new permanent manager in N17. The Spurs hierarchy are "trying to keep a low profile" by not announcing that they have taken this big step to "avoid any further embarrassment", should the 50-year-old turn them down.

The Northern Irishman is "not a favourite" of Levy, but the rest of the chiefs are "otherwise all for" bringing him on board. Should their new target reject the proposal, it's stated that Graham Potter and Luis Enrique are the two other names on the "shortlist" of options.

Leicester City's former manager Brendan Rodgers.

Tottenham could be better off appointing someone who already has Premier League experience and Rodgers has plenty of that having taken charge of 312 matches in total, and having also been hailed a “class” character off the pitch by journalist Josh Bunting, he may well prove to be an ideal candidate for Spurs to take a chance on ahead of the 2023/24 term.

The Carnlough-born coach, whose preferred formation is a 4-2-3-1, has a solid track record of facing Spurs having won eight and drawn one of 17 meetings, so if he is able to get a visiting team performing like that, imagine what kind of magic he could work with the calibre of players like Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min at his disposal.

Rodgers, who knows what it takes to compete and be successful at the highest level having secured nine trophies throughout his managerial career, is also a free agent on the market, so no compensation would need to be paid to acquire his services, therefore making this even more of a strong case to end the club's lengthy search for a new manager.

Tottenham Hotspur Agree Terms With £21m "Monster"

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly reached an agreement with Galatasaray defender Victor Nelsson, according to reports.

Who is Victor Nelsson?

Nelsson is a Danish international who first arrived at the Nef Stadium from FC Copenhagen back in August 2021 and he’s since gone on to make 78 appearances to date, 31 of those being starts this season from 33 games in the Super Lig.

The Lilywhites have Clement Lenglet out of contract at the end of the campaign upon the expiration of his season-long loan from Barcelona, so should he not make his move permanent, Ryan Mason’s successor could be on the hunt to find a new centre-back, and the 24-year-old appears to have been identified as an ideal target in N17.

Are Tottenham signing Nelsson?

According to T24 (via Sport Witness), Tottenham “came to Galatasaray with a €25m (£21m) offer”, with the Turkish side now “working” on sanctioning his sale. The club's president Erden Timur “made a trip” to London to hold “transfer talks” with several clubs, one of those being Spurs, and despite not wanting to let him go, they have “softened their stance” as a result of him showing his “desire to leave”.

The report adds that Spurs chiefs have had a meeting with the Denmark international, where it has been claimed they have “reached an agreement”, presumably on personal terms.

Galatasaray defender Victor Nelsson.

Prior to joining Galatasaray, Nelsson was dubbed a “monster” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, and considering the extremely high standard of his performances that he's continued into this season, Tottenham could be recruiting a fantastic centre-back should this deal get 100% finalised.

The World Cup participant currently averages 3.4 clearances and 3.1 aerial wins per league game, via WhoScored, so is a real rock at the heart of the backline, but he’s also capable of contributing to his team’s efforts at the opposite end of the pitch.

Nelsson, who has the versatility to operate slightly higher up in defensive and central midfield alongside his natural position in the backline, has scored one goal and also provided an assist across all competitions this term, so can be useful when it comes to set pieces and long balls in the final third.

Whether Tottenham’s new permanent manager will have his eye on the same targets as Daniel Levy is highlighting now when appointed yet remains to be seen, but regardless, Nelsson may make for an impressive signing no matter which candidate finds themselves in the dugout in the capital ahead of the 2023/24 term.

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