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According to Yorkshire Live, Sheffield Wednesday are now eyeing up a summer move for Rotherham United defender Michael Ihiekwe.

The Lowdown: Ihiekwe available for transfer

The 29-year-old first joined the Millers from Tranmere Rovers ahead of the start of the 2017/18 campaign, but his contract at the club is set to expire at the end of the month and he is yet to agree a new deal, making him a free agent from the start of July if nothing is concluded between now and then.

League One outfit Derby County are thought to have been previously interested in the colossus, but with the ongoing takeover crisis, transfers and new signings have been put on hold, removing them from the picture.

The Latest: Wednesday interested in Ihiekwe

In a new article published by Yorkshire Live, it’s claimed that Wednesday are ‘interested in signing’ Ihiekwe, who is on Darren Moore’s ‘shortlist’ of centre-back options.

The report states that the boss is keen to bring in ‘two more’ central defenders before the start of the new season, and it looks as though the Rotherham man is someone who he has identified as a top target.

The Verdict: A defensive rock

Having recently completed the signing of Will Vaulks, Moore will now be keen to bolster his ranks even further as Wednesday look to bounce straight back and secure a place in the playoffs again next year, and the addition of Ihiekwe could be exactly what they need to do just that.

The Liverpool-born gem, who was once dubbed an “ambitious” player by his former Tranmere manager Rob Edwards, was an absolute rock at the heart of the Millers’ backline last term, averaging 3.8 clearances and 4.8 aerial wins per game, via WhoScored, displaying his strong physical presence, both on the ground and in the air.

With Rotherham having gained promotion back to the second tier at the first time of asking, Ihiekwe will know exactly what is required to make the jump up, and he could bring that knowledge and experience to Hillsborough to recreate the same success with the Owls in the near future.

The future of Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling looks set to be one of the major stories of the current transfer window, with fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur emerging as a potential destination.

What’s the word?

That’s according to journalist Graeme Bailey – speaking on the Talking Transfers podcast – who revealed that Spurs are still in the equation, despite the recent reports that the Englishman is of interest to London rivals, Chelsea.

Asked about the 27-year-old’s future, he stated: “Tottenham are in this as well. I’m told Harry Kane might be doing some background work here, might be trying to persuade his England teammate,

“They play very well together these two. So if he’s considering Chelsea, why wouldn’t he consider Tottenham. I’d take Tottenham seriously and they can offer Champions League football.”

Previous reports have also suggested that manager Antonio Conte is keen on bringing in the pacy wideman, with the player set to cost in the region of around £50m, despite having just a year remaining on his existing deal.

Explosive duo

Despite previously hinting at his desire to play in Spain, Sterling could well be seriously considering a move to another Premier League club this summer, with it looking as if his hugely successful spell at City is coming to an end.

Signed from Liverpool in a controversial £49m deal in 2015, the diminutive gem has gone on to score 131 goals and provide 95 assists in 339 games in all competitions for his current side, while his total Premier League career tally now sits at 109 goals and 56 assists in 320 games, across his spells at both clubs.

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Transformed from an exciting young talent into a prolific world-beater by Pep Guardiola, the £63m-rated machine has developed into one of the most lethal forwards both in the division and in Europe, having reached double figures for league goals in each of the past five seasons.

Equally, at international level, the “lethal” marksman – as described by Roger Bennett – has plundered 19 goals from his 77 appearances, notably netting three goals in England’s run to the European Championship final last summer.

A star attraction for his country in that tournament, the £200k-per-week predator has since been reduced unfairly to something of a backup role at club level, albeit while proving instrumental in the champions’ final day comeback victory over Aston Villa, registering an assist off the bench to help spark the dramatic turnaround.

Such an impact served as a reminder of his quality, with the “explosive” talent, as dubbed by commentator Glenn Davis, deserving of a more enhanced role elsewhere – something that Conte and co can no doubt offer.

As Bailey alluded to, there could also be the chance to rekindle what has become a blossoming partnership under Gareth Southgate between Sterling and Harry Kane, with the national team having become almost overly reliant on the goalscoring exploits of the pair.

Two of arguably only a handful of almost guaranteed starters for the Three Lions, the pair have dovetailed nicely in attack of late, with the City man providing that dynamic, attacking threat from either flank, while Kane takes on that deeper, playmaking role that has become his trademark.

The chance to replicate that duo for the Lilywhites should be hugely attractive for both Conte and sporting director Fabio Paratici, with signing the Jamaica-born ace set to be another statement of intent in what has already proven an impressive window.

AND in other news: Paratici could seal “unreal” signing as Spurs now plot late bid for £225k-p/w target

Southampton have a track record when it comes to signing young players from fellow Premier League clubs during previous transfer windows, either on permanent or loan deals.

Some recent names who fit into this category include Gavin Bazunu, Valentino Livramento and Kyle Walker-Peters, among others.

One other youngster who started to make a name for himself at St Mary’s after arriving from another top-flight club is Armando Broja.

Signed from Chelsea on a season-long loan deal last summer, the striker went on to score nine goals in 38 appearances across all competitions.

To further highlight his attacking prowess, only James Ward-Prowse (51) and Che Adams (49) racked up more shots at goal in the league than the Chelsea youngster (48).

Should the Albanian not make a return to the south coast next season, one other player with whom the Saints have been linked and who could be seen as their next version of Broja is Manchester City striker Liam Delap.

In 2019, the 19-year-old joined City’s under-18 squad from Derby County’s youth ranks. Since then, the Englishman has made 60 appearances for the Manchester club across their senior and youth teams, scoring 46 goals and providing 16 assists along the way.

Labelled an “exceptional striker” by Pep Guardiola, Delap certainly knows how to find the net, something which often can’t be said of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side given how they only scored 43 goals in the Premier League last season.

Bearing in mind how the Citizens will have Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez in their ranks as their new centre-forward options for next season, this could make the teenager’s chances of getting regular game-time rather slim should their new additions hit the ground running.

Therefore, a move to St Mary’s, where he’d presumably get regular game-time in the Premier League, could be a rather tempting prospect for the player and his development.

With that in mind, if the Broja ship has sailed, Southampton should definitely make an approach to the champions to see if they would be willing to let their young centre-forward leave this summer, either on loan or permanently.

AND in other news – Imagine him and Armstrong: Saints closing in on £18m-rated ace who Ralph will love

Liverpool have been credited with an interest in free agent Ousmane Dembele recently and the Frenchman could be Jurgen Klopp’s own version of Manchester City record-signing Jack Grealish should he make the move to Anfield.

Recent reports in Spain have linked Liverpool with the 25-year-old winger, who is available on a free transfer after his contract at Barcelona came to an end.

Injury problems disrupted Dembele’s spell at the Nou Camp but he would still make 150 appearances in all competitions, contributing 32 goals and 34 assists.

Remarkably, 13 of those assists would come in just 21 La Liga appearances last season, as the former Borussia Dortmund man was revolutionised following the arrival of Xavi as manager.

The Spaniard was keen to keep Dembele at the club but Barcelona’s financial restrictions played their part and he ended up departing, and Liverpool could be the beneficiaries, especially if he can consistently produce the form he showed last season.

FbRef suggests that Grealish is the ninth-most similar player to Dembele in world football, so Liverpool signing a free agent similar to someone who their title rivals landed for £100m would surely represent excellent value for money.

Despite featuring significantly less, Dembele outperformed Grealish in assists, dribbles and shots last season, while his shot-creating actions and assists per 90 were also far better than the England international.

WhoScored suggests that both Dembele and Grealish’s strengths include passing, dribbling, playing key passes and holding onto the ball, so they are clearly very similar players, and Liverpool could be signing a real gem by bringing the Frenchman to Anfield.

They will undoubtedly face competition from Chelsea, as Thomas Tuchel is a huge fan of the winger having managed him at Dortmund, and the German manager was full of praise for Dembele when he joined from Rennes, saying:

“Ousmane is a player who brilliantly combines dribbling passing and making space to a very high level. That’s extraordinary.”

Therefore, Liverpool should definitely consider making an offer to Dembele, as he could be Klopp’s own version of Grealish, without the stumbling block of a £100m transfer fee.

And, in other news… “Liverpool want..” – James Pearce drops update from Anfield that supporters will love

Celtic have completed numerous deals throughout the current summer transfer window so far.

One particular move that would have had plenty associated with the Hoops delighted was last month’s permanent signing of Cameron Carter-Vickers from Tottenham Hotspur.

After enjoying a successful loan spell at Parkhead last season where he ended the SPFL campaign with more interceptions (43) and a higher average for clearances per game (4.1) than any other Celtic player, it’s easy to see why the Hoops were eager to make his temporary stay into a permanent one.

With the new season approaching, the remaining weeks of the summer transfer window could see the Parkhead club add some extra defensive reinforcements to their ranks, thus presenting Ange Postecoglou with the chance to create a formidable partnership alongside Carter-Vickers.

One figure that has been linked with a move to Glasgow that could fit the bill is Schalke’s Malick Thiaw.

Last month, it was reported that the Bhoys were in talks over a potential move for the defender.

With 31 appearances to his name in the German second division last season, the centre-back ended the campaign with more interceptions (55) and more successful tackles (45) than any other player at the club.

The £7m defender also racked up a higher average of clearances (3.4) and blocks per game (0.7) than any of his current teammates.

This highlights his clear defensive talent and why he’d be a good fit at Celtic alongside Carter-Vickers. It also backs up why he was labelled as a “big talent” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig on Twitter.

Hailed for his “excellent” performances by Christian Gross, who also described the 20-year-old as a player that has “great potential,” Thiaw could be a long-term figure at Celtic given his young age and clear talent that he has shown on the pitch.

Having been linked with a £7m move to Liverpool back in 2020, the Schalke starlet would be a solid addition to Postecoglou’s ranks this summer alongside the likes of Benjamin Siegrist and Alexandro Bernabei.

Despite sealing Carter-Vickers’ long-term future at Parkhead earlier in the window, bringing in Thiaw should be very much in the thinking of the Celtic hierarchy.

AND in other news: Ange can seal dream Souza alternative with Celtic swoop for “complete” £5.4m-rated gem

Manchester United are keeping tabs on Brentford striker Ivan Toney ahead of a possible move, according to The Mirror.

The Lowdown: Business gathering pace

Erik ten Hag has brought in two players so far this summer in Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen. Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez is set to be the next man through the door in Manchester, with United finalising a £42m move for the Argentine and the club confirming on Sunday afternoon that an agreement has been reached for his transfer to Old Trafford.

Attentions could soon turn to attacking reinforcements after Martinez, and it looks as if Toney – who was dubbed a player who has the “mindset of a lion” by his manager Thomas Frank – could be of interest.

The Latest: Toney linked with Man United

According to The Mirror, the Red Devils are keeping tabs on Toney’s situation.

They claim that Leeds, Newcastle and West Ham are also keen on the Brentford marksman, with a move to Old Trafford depending on the futures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Anthony Martial.

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The Verdict: Is he needed?

Should Ronaldo and Martial remain at Old Trafford, then you could argue that United would be better off targeting a versatile forward instead of an out-and-out striker like Toney, who has been hailed as “tremendous” by Peterborough chief Barry Fry.

Ten Hag doesn’t have a senior right-winger in his squad ahead of his first season in charge of the Red Devils, so that could be an area which could do with bolstering first.

Ajax winger Antony has been heavily linked with a reunion with Ten Hag, so perhaps he could follow in Martinez’s footsteps by swapping Amsterdam for Manchester before the 2022/23 season gets underway.

West Ham United are increasingly confident that Jesse Lingard will sign for the club, according to Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth.

The Lowdown: Lingard links

According to a report by ESPN, the 29-year-old flew out to the USA last week in order to entertain any offers emerging from the MLS.

However, the same article suggests that there is still interest coming from the Premier League, with the Hammers and Everton both interested in securing the former Manchester United man’s signature.

The attacking-midfielder rejected a contract offer from David Moyes’ side last summer as he preferred to fight for his place in the Red Devils’ side, but he has now left Old Trafford upon the expiry of his contract, making him available on a free transfer.

The Latest: Sheth’s news

Sheth has now shared the latest news on Lingard’s footballing future. Taking to Twitter, the reporter claimed:

“West Ham United in negotiation with Jesse Lingard’s representatives – growing feeling the player will choose to return to the club. Has other Premier League offers. #Lingard #WHUFC”

The Verdict: Great signing

The former England international excelled in his last stint at the London Stadium; in 16 appearances for the club, Lingard netted nine goals and provided five assists (via Transfermarkt).

As a result, the 29-year-old was rated as West Ham’s best player during his time in East London (via SofaScore), making him a core piece of Moyes’ starting XI.

Therefore, it is no surprise that the Scottish boss is back in for his star man, who has been hailed as “one of the best in terms of making runs off the ball” – he’s not too bad on it either.

This feels like a no brainer signing for the Hammers.

Former Ibrox defender Alan Hutton has given his reaction to the now confirmed exit of Glasgow Rangers ace Calvin Bassey. 

The latest: Move imminent

Following days of heightened speciation surrounding the 22-year-old, reputable Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph confirmed that Bassey is leaving leave Giovanni van Bronckhorsts’s squad on a permanent basis.

The Nigeria international has joined Dutch Eredivisie outfit Ajax in a deal that could rise to £22.6million, offering the Gers’ a healthy profit on the £230,000 training compensation fee paid to Leicester City when signing the versatile defender from back in 2020 (Glasgow Live).

However, despite the impressive financial windfall for the Glasgow giants, one invested onlooker has suggested that the transfer will still be detrimental to the UEFA Europa League runners-up..

The latest: ‘Huge…’

Speaking to Football Insider, Hutton, who represented Rangers on 111 occasions and now works for the club’s TV channel, claimed that the six-cap ace’s departure will be a damaging blow to Van Bronckhorst’s plans.

He said: “It’s a huge loss, there’s no getting away from that fact. I think he was just coming into his own last season and we were starting to see the best of him. At only 22 years of age he was only going to get better.

“That being said you know the bigger teams are going to be swooping around him. So to bring in a guy for £230k to then sell him on for add-ons of up to £20m I think it’s great business for the club.

“It’s a shame to see him leave because I think he could’ve been an absolute standout player moving forward but we all knew this was going to happen.”

The verdict: Back the boss

Ultimately, losing Bassey after what was a stellar 2021/22 campaign from the powerful youngster is always going to be a negative, but it’s how Van Bronckhorst can replace the quality and perhaps more importantly, durability that the Italy-born Nigerian star brought to the Teddy Bears ranks.

Last term, the powerful youngster made a mammoth 50 appearances across all competitions, revelling in newfound importance whilst winning 5.2 duels and making 1.2 clearances per game, helping the Light Blues keep 13 Scottish Premiership clean sheets (Sofascore).

Having wasted no time in completing the signing of Ben Davies from Liverpool, the Gers have gone some way to finding an adequate successor when it comes to filling the significant central defensive void left behind by the man described as ‘absolutely sensational’ by talkSPORT pundit Jason Cundy.

Linked elsewhere to Besiktas left-back Ridvan Yilmaz, it appears that the Ibrox hierarchy are also looking to use the funds obtained from the Bassey sale to seek a natural full-back to compete and perhaps usurp Borna Barisic.

A View From The Bullens are delighted by the latest Everton transfer news involving Michy Batshuayi.

The Lowdown: Striker wanted

After the sale of Richarlison to Tottenham Hotspur, the Goodison Park outfit are in the market for a new striker.

The likes of Armando Broja and Alassane Plea have been linked with moves to Merseyside, as Frank Lampard looks to bolster his attack.

Idrissa Gueye has also been linked with a return in the midfield position, so the club’s business looks far from over.

The Latest: Batshuayi talks

As per 90min, the Toffees are now in talks to sign Batshuayi on a permanent deal from Chelsea.

Upon hearing the news, podcast host Lee McClean hailed the potential business, claiming that it would be a ‘sensible’ move:

“Batshuayi is quite obviously a much better option than Rondon. Improves the squad. Sensible again. Yes please.”

The Verdict: Interesting

Batshuayi is certainly an interesting one, as it has not worked out for him at all at Stamford Bridge.

He has been sent out on loan no fewer than five times, and it is unclear whether he will be in Thomas Tuchel’s long-term plans.

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However, he does possess the Premier League experience, having played for Crystal Palace as well as Chelsea, and his goal record for other clubs is not bad at all.

The 28-year-old netted 14 times for Besiktas last season, and scored nine goals in a memorable loan spell for Borussia Dortmund in the 2017/18 campaign (Transfermarkt).

He also has 25 goals in 45 games for Belgium, and will be eager to impress ahead of the World Cup, so signing him could turn out to be a smart piece of business.

Leeds United are interested in a deal to bring Maxwel Cornet to Elland Road in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by 90min, who claim that, despite West Ham United believed to be progressing in talks to sign the Burnley forward, the likes of Newcastle United, Everton and Nottingham Forest have also made contact with the Clarets concerning a deal for the 25-year-old, while Leeds are another side said to be keeping tabs on the Ivory Coast international.

The report continues to state that Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City are also casting an eye over the former Olympique Lyon winger, who it is believed has a £17.5m release clause written into his current contract at Turf Moor.

“Unbelievable”

Considering just how quickly Cornet took to English football following his €15m (£12.5m) move to Burnley last summer, in addition to the fact that the Ivorian is also capable of operating from left-back – a position it is well documented Victor Orta is looking to strengthen – the argument that the 25-year-old would be an unbelievable signing for £17.5m is an easy one to make.

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Indeed, over his 26 Premier League fixtures for the Clarets last time out, despite his side’s struggles in the top flight, the £13.5m-rated forward still managed to catch the eye, bagging nine goals, providing one assist and creating two big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.8 shots, making 0.6 key passes and completing 0.5 dribbles per game.

Compared to those at Leeds, he would have been their third top-scorer behind Jack Harrison and Raphinha, so it’s evident how much he’d give to Marsch’s men if he pens terms in Yorkshire, especially considering the latter has now left.

The above returns saw the £30k-per-week flanker who Maximiliano Bretos dubbed an “unbelievable talent” and Ale Moreno labelled an “explosive player” average an impressive SofaScore match rating of 6.84 – a rating that, were he to have played for the Whites last season, would have ranked him as Jesse Marsch’s joint eighth-best performer in the top flight.

As such, while it would appear as if Orta will face fierce competition from a number of Premier League rivals in pursuit of Cornet this summer, the 25-year-old would very much appear to be worth the fight – as the winger’s versatility, ability in the final third and £17.5m release clause would all look to make him something of an unbelievable signing.