Leeds United are now thought to be in talks with Club Brugge over a move for Charles de Ketelaere.
The Lowdown: Phil Hay update
The Belgium international has been linked with a move to Elland Road over the last seven days, with reports suggesting that Leeds were willing to pay big for the 21-year-old’s services.
Phil Hay provided an update on Saturday, claiming that the Whites are ‘serious’ about signing the Belgian with a view to utilising him as a forward.
The 21-year-old enjoyed his best season in front of goal in 2021/22 with 18 goals and 10 assists in 49 matches, and it looks as if Leeds have now taken the next step in their bid to secure his services.
The Latest: Talks open
MOT Leeds News relayed an update from Monday’s print edition of The Daily Mail [27 June, pg. 63].
They claimed that Leeds are now ‘in talks’ with Club Brugge over a move for De Ketelaere, citing a £26m fee.
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The Verdict: Fingers crossed
De Ketelaere appears to fit the bill at Elland Road and could form a partnership with Patrick Bamford in a 4-2-2-2 system under Jesse Marsch, should a move go through.
He also has experience of playing anywhere in behind, on the wing or in midfield, so his versatility could be a real bonus for the Whites.
A £26m fee could also be a great piece of business when you consider that his Transfermarkt valuation has risen from £4.5m to £27m in just over two years, and with talks now underway, we could see further developments regarding a move this week.
Leeds United can sign midfielder Sander Berge from Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United for a fee of £35m this summer.
The lowdown
Transfer insider Dean Jones wrote in a column for GiveMeSport last week that Leeds had identified Berge as a potential successor to Kalvin Phillips.
There is an increasing expectation that Phillips will leave Elland Road to join Manchester City, as per The Athletic’s Phil Hay.
Jones reported that the Blades valued Berge at around £25m, adding that Leeds do not see new signing Marc Roca as a sufficient replacement for Phillips alone.
The latest
Sheffield Star journalist James Shield has now shared some insight, having spoken to sources at Bramall Lane.
The Championship club are aware that ‘agents acting on the Norway international’s behalf’ are trying to arrange a move but they have yet to receive any formal approaches from Leeds, or any indeed any other prospective suitors.
Shield said that interested parties ‘could be forced’ to pay Berge’s full £35m release clause, but he suspects that the Blades are ‘unlikely to demand’ the full amount.
Intriguingly, he also raises the possibility that Leeds could offer Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom the chance to sign defender Charlie Cresswell on loan, addressing one of his transfer priorities.
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The verdict
Berge may be looking for a way out of Bramall Lane after the Blades lost to Nottingham Forest in the playoff semi-finals, consigning them to another season of Championship football after their Premier League relegation in 2021.
Would he be a smart Phillips replacement? It’s interesting to note that he played most of his football last season as a central rather than a defensive midfielder.
He offers his own unique qualities, recording 10 goal contributions (six goals, four assists) last term and averaging 1.3 successful dribbles per 90 minutes (via WhoScored), although it’s worth noting that he’d be arriving in tandem with Roca, so wouldn’t necessarily need to be a like-for-like heir to Phillips.
Indeed, surrounded by midfielders who complement his skill set, he could thrive. Indeed, The Athletic’s Richard Sutcliffe previously described the combination of Berge, Morgan Gibbs-White and Iliman Ndiaye as a ‘Holy Trinity’ at Bramall Lane.
In other news, this Leeds podcaster reacts to Fabrizio Romano’s Raphinha update.
Everton are reportedly now eyeing up a second centre-back on a free transfer after James Tarkowski.
The Lowdown: Tarkowski transfer ‘done’
As per the Liverpool Echo, the deal to take the 29-year-old to Goodison Park is now ‘done’, although it is not expected to be officially announced until the end of the month.
The defender will join the Toffees as a free agent, having let his contract at Burnley run down this summer.
The Latest: Mbemba eyed by Everton
As per A Bola (via Sport Witness), Everton are now eyeing up a move for Chancel Mbemba, who is also out of contract at the end of the month as his time with FC Porto comes to an end.
Fiorentina, Trabzonspor, Lyon, Marseille, AC Milan and Real Betis are also thought to be interested in his signature, although the Toffees are said to have an advantage in that the 27-year-old would prefer a return to England, where he used to play for Newcastle United.
Even though they would be signing him on a free, bringing Mbemba to Goodison Park would be a risky move by Everton.
His last spell in English football did not really work out, as he was part of a Magpies team which were relegated from the Premier League in the 2015/16 season, and he only played 59 times over three years at St James’ Park (Transfermarkt).
However, he was a domestic double recently, and has been described as a ‘fast’ and ‘tough’ defender by former Anderlecht team-mate Steven Defour, qualities that Frank Lampard will surely be seeking in his backline.
Mbemba has had a troubled past in England, but given that he is currently rated at £15.3m by Transfermarkt, signing him for free could be worth the risk.
In other news, find out what big Farhad Moshiri update has now emerged
Aston Villa target Calvin Bassey looks set to make a decision on his Rangers future after he returns from international duty.
What’s the word?
That is according to a report from Daily Record who claim that Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard is keen on a reunion with the 22-year-old former Leicester City youth prospect, with the player set to decide before returning to Rangers for pre-season.
Amidst Gerrard’s desire to coax Bassey out of Ibrox, the report states that the Nigerian is attracting interest from across Europe, after what was an impressive end to the season with a stellar performance in the Europa League final.
As per a report from Birmingham Mail, it is said that a £25m asking price could be enough to dissuade Villa from a deal, with the club weighing up other options for the man who is rated at £900k as per Transfermarkt.
Best business of the window
The signing of Bassey could be Aston Villa’s best piece of business of the entire summer window.
He’s an astute and versatile defender who has shared duties as a left-back and a centre-back this season, playing the most vital game in the Europa League final as a left centre-back, and doing so extremely well.
Defensively speaking, he is more than sound, hence being dubbed “The Great Wall”, offering up numbers that place him in and around the elite category amongst positionally similar players, with his average of 2.45 tackles and 8.11 pressures in the defensive third further evidence of the stability he offers.
Whilst he could turn out to be the long-term successor of Tyrone Mings, he will most certainly provide much-needed competition for Lucas Digne at left-back after the sale of Matt Targett to Newcastle.
His versatility is attractive, but his defensive dominance is what has made him the sought after prospect we see today.
The Villans have landed the signings of Boubacar Kamara, Philippe Coutinho and Diego Carlos but such is the potential of Bassey and his familiarity with Gerrard that this could well be their most shrewd deal yet.
In other news: Lange could land the new James Milner as AVFC plot bid for “athletic” £14.4m-rated gem
Celtic’s heavy amount of business during the previous summer transfer window ended up paying dividends for the Bhoys as Ange Postecoglou guided the club to the SPFL title.
Heading into the upcoming summer window, it seems as though a clue has emerged regarding the possibility of one particular transfer deal taking place at Parkhead that would surely have lots of fans jumping for joy.
What’s the talk?
Speaking to Football Insider, Noel Whelan had this to say about the current situation surrounding the possibility of Celtic securing a permanent deal for the centre-back.
“I think happiness to a player is very important, feeling wanted and belonging in a place. I think he’s definitely got that from Celtic as a football club and the fans.
“I think Celtic and Carter-Vickers will be trying to do everything to make it happen, for him to stay there.”
Great news for Celtic fans
The Hoops signed the defender on a season-long loan deal from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur back in August.
With 45 appearances under his belt across all competitions, more than any other team he’s played for throughout his career, the American chipped in with four goals and one assist.
However, it was his defensive work that made him a crucial figure for Postecoglou in their title-winning campaign.
In 33 league appearances, the 24-year-old made more interceptions (43) than any other Celtic player and ended the campaign with a higher average of clearances per game (4.2) than anyone in Postecoglou’s ranks.
His overall performances earned the Tottenham loanee an impressive season rating of 7.36/10 from WhoScored, making him the fourth-highest rated player currently in the 56-year-old’s squad.
Earlier this month, Carter-Vickers shared his wishes that he wants to bring an end to his time as a Spurs player once and for all this summer, which could be why Whelan has said the player will be doing everything he can to join Celtic permanently.
This could then give the Parkhead club a great chance to secure the defender on a permanent basis.
Now that Whelan has suggested that both Celtic and the player will be doing all they can to make this deal come to fruition, this will undeniably be great for the Hoops fans to hear.
Should the league champions secure the defender’s signature in the coming weeks, this would surely give the team a great chance of regaining the title and potentially being successful in Europe given his clear defensive talent.
In other news: Deal close: Big transfer update emerges that’ll have many Celtic supporters buzzing
Rangers’ hopes of signing Mateo Cassierra this summer have been handed a boost after the striker reportedly revealed he was keen on a move to Ibrox.
What’s the word?
Rangers have been heavily linked with the Colombian striker in recent weeks and according to the 4th Official, a trusted insider, on Twitter, he wants to join Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side ahead of next season.
They tweeted: ”When pressed on how close the move is in reality, I was told that the player has several options but Rangers is where Cassierra wants to move. But, Rangers would not be paying anywhere close to £8.5m for the striker.”
A big boost for Rangers?
The 25-year-old has enjoyed a fruitful spell during his time at PF Sochi, contributing 14 goals and six assists in just 23 appearances for the Russian League side.
Recent reports have suggested that they value him at £8.5m but given that his Transfermarkt value stands at just £4.05m and his contract is set to expire next summer, Rangers will surely be looking to negotiate a lower price.
Both Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe only just hit double figures in the league for Rangers last season and after injury problems, van Bronckhorst was forced to start Joe Aribo up front for the Europa League final loss against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Therefore, a clinical striker could make all the difference for the Teddy Bears next season as they aim to go one step further in Europe, as well as reclaiming their place at the top of domestic football after relinquishing their Premiership title last season.
As well as impressing at Sochi, the 25-year-old forward has also enjoyed impressive spells with Deportivo Cali and Ajax’s youth sides, where he was prolific with 42 goals, so he clearly knows where the back of the net is and could be a superb addition to van Bronckhorst’s attacking options next season.
If Cassierra is indeed keen on a switch to Ibrox, then director of football Ross Wilson should act quickly to bring him in, before other European sides begin to take notice of the Colombian’s impressive form in Russia.
And, in other news… After Goldson: Mark Guidi promises more good news for Rangers supporters
An update has emerged on Rangers and their interest in signing a new winger to bolster Gio van Bronckhorst’s squad in the summer transfer window…
What’s the talk?
According to TEAMtalk, the Light Blues are among a number of clubs monitoring Tom Lawrence ahead of a potential swoop for his services.
Ross Wilson is eyeing a deal for the Derby County gem and will need to fend off the likes of Leeds and Celtic – among others – in order to snap him up.
The Wales international is out of contract at the end of next month and there is set to be a scramble over who will be able to sign him on a free transfer.
Ryan Kent 2.0
A left winger with English Championship experience who likes to cut inside onto his favoured right foot? That sounds familiar…
Wilson can land the next Kent for the Light Blues by securing a swoop for Lawrence this summer, although whether that means him coming as competition for the ex-Liverpool forward or as a straight-up replacement remains to be seen.
Lawrence has been labelled a “fabulous talent” in the past by Gary Bowyer, while Steve Evans has previously dubbed him “unplayable”. The winger’s statistics in the Championship for Derby back up those claims, as he impressed despite the club’s relegation to League One under Wayne Rooney.
The £27k-per-week dynamo produced 11 goals and five assists in the second tier of English football as his side finished 23rd in the league.
Lawrence averaged an impressive SofaScore rating of 7.08 as he turned in consistently good performances whilst chipping in on a regular basis in the final third. At the age of 28, he is also in the prime years of his career and would be a player with the quality to step straight into the first-team to make an impact, given his age and form in England.
Meanwhile, Kent scored two goals and provided eight assists in the most recent league campaign for Rangers, helping the team to finish second in the Premiership, as he averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.06. However, he did register 10 goals and nine assists in the 2020/21 title-winning campaign, so his output has diminished in recent months.
This shows that both players, whilst also being similar in their positions and style of play, are capable of scoring and creating goals. Therefore, Lawrence can be the new Kent at Ibrox and provide a big lift to Van Bronckhorst’s attacking options next season.
AND in other news, Huge boost: Gvb set for big Rangers contract lift that’ll leave supporters buzzing…
An update has emerged on Rangers and Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s pursuit of a goalkeeper to bring to Ibrox in the summer transfer window…
What’s the talk?
According to Glasgow Times, Rangers have identified a player to potentially replace Allan McGregor for the 2022/23 campaign.
The report claims that the Gers want to bring in Bosnian shot-stopper Vladan Kovacevic, with the current Light Blues number one ‘certain’ to retire with his contract expiring this summer.
Polish outfit Rakow are said to be willing to cash in on Kovacevic in the coming months, and it is stated that Champions League football may be a draw for the goalkeeper.
Gio van Bronckhorst needs him badly
Van Bronckhorst will be delighted with this news, as he badly needs a new number one heading into next season.
If McGregor decides to hang up the gloves, that would leave 35-year-old Jon McLaughlin as the only senior option in that position next term. The ex-Burton Albion man only played eight times in the Premiership and once in the Europa League and seems best suited to playing a backup role.
Promoting a 35-year-old to being the number one would be short-term thinking and would suggest that the club are not building a squad to develop over time. This is why bringing in a younger goalkeeper to come in and compete with McLaughlin is crucial for Rangers.
Kovacevic (24) fits into this mould, and his statistics in the 2021/22 season suggest that he would be an excellent addition to Van Bronckhorst’s team. The Bosnian recently won the award for being the best goalkeeper in the Ekstraklasa as he enjoyed a fine campaign in Poland.
In the Polish top flight, the 6ft 3 colossus kept 11 clean sheets in 27 matches and averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.93 as he made just one error leading to goal. He proved that he can deliver impressive performances on a consistent basis and was rewarded for his efforts by being named as the best in his position in his domestic league.
At the age of 24, he is a full 16 years younger than McGregor and can be the Rangers number one for many years to come if he moves to Glasgow and is able to adapt to Scottish football. This means that signing him could result in Van Bronckhorst not having to worry about the number one position for several years, which is why this is a much-needed prospective signing for the club.
AND in other news, Rangers can finally replace Defoe in deal for lethal 29 G/A gem who “never gives up”…
Nottingham Forest are interested in signing Blackburn Rovers midfielder Joe Rothwell, according to a report from the Lancashire Telegraph.
The lowdown: Rothwell’s career so far
Formerly of Manchester United, Rothwell arrived at Ewood Park in 2018 and has since become a mainstay for the Lancashire side, amassing 161 appearances.
However, the 27-year-old is out of contract at the end of June (Transfermarkt), and it appears as though a move could be on the cards for the former England youth international.
It now seems as though Forest could be among the interested parties ahead of a crucial week…
The latest: Forest keen on Rothwell
As per the Lancashire Telegraph, Steve Cooper’s side, along with Sheffield United and already-promoted Bournemouth, are in the mix to sign Rothwell.
It is claimed that the Rovers midfielder is ‘expected to receive offers’ this summer from the aforementioned clubs.
The report stated that the man for whom Cooper admitted a ‘love’ following a 2-0 Forest victory at Ewood Park earlier this season is set to ‘leave’ the Lancashire club at the end of his current deal.
The verdict: Make it happen
Regardless of what happens next week at Wembley against Huddersfield Town in the play-off final, adding Rothwell to the City Ground ranks would be a smart move from Cooper.
During the 2021/22 campaign, the energetic midfielder scored three times and provided 10 assists in 41 Championship outings, earning an outstanding 7.08 Sofascore rating whilst winning three duels, making 1.7 key passes and playing on average 77 minutes per game.
Valued at £3.15m by Transfermarkt, signing Rothwell – who has been tipped to become a ‘top player’ by his manager Tony Mowbray – for free would have to be regarded as a superb piece of business to kickstart what could be an exciting summer on the transfer front at the City Ground… especially if there is a Premier League campaign for which to prepare.
Over recent years, Tottenham Hotspur have been lucky enough to have multiple top-level strikers on their books, subsequently giving the fanbase numerous incredible memories.
Harry Kane undoubtedly tops that list, scoring 280 times for the Lilywhites – cementing himself as the highest goalscorer in their history, taking the record off the late Jimmy Greaves.
However, other players haven’t been as impressive, with Roberto Soldado struggling to produce the goods during his own stint in the first team in North London.
The Spaniard joined the club back in the summer of 2013, costing a whopping £26m – a figure that was a club record during those years under Daniel Levy.
However, he only scored 16 times in his 76 appearances for the club, leaving two years later for a measly £10m and losing £16m on their previous investment.
This summer, current boss Thomas Frank has made a move to land his own centre-forward, but the player will undoubtedly be hoping to have a similar impact to the former rather than the latter.
What Spurs can expect from Kolo Muani
In a summer transfer window littered with multiple £50m+ additions, Spurs also made various loan deals to help make an immediate improvement to the current squad.
Joao Palhinha was added to the midfield department earlier in the transfer window, joining on a season-long loan with an option to buy from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
However, on deadline day, Frank’s side also clinched the signing of PSG striker Randal Kolo Muani on loan – despite huge rumours linking him with a return to Juventus.
The 26-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at the Serie A outfit, netting 10 goals in just 22 appearances – subsequently getting his career back on track.
He joined PSG in a £76m deal back in 2023, but only scored 11 times in two seasons, before falling down the pecking order – leading to his temporary spells away from the Ligue 1 outfit.
However, he’s showcased in his recent spell in Italy that he’s capable of thriving with regular minutes, registering 70 goals in the professional game over the last five years.
The former Spurs player who’s outscored Kolo Muani
As previously mentioned, the centre-forward position has been a troubled one for Spurs since Kane departed in 2023, with record-signing Dominic Solanke struggling with his fitness since his own move in 2024.
The Lilywhites forked out £65m for his signature, but he’s only managed 16 goals for the club to date – with injuries halting his progress in North London.
The Englishman has been restricted to just 31 minutes of Premier League action so far in 2025/26, opening the door for Kolo Muani to stake his claim for a regular starting role.
However, former strikers at Spurs have also struggled to match the expectations put upon them, given the stature of the club – none more so than Vincent Janssen.
He joined the club in a £18.6m deal from AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2016, with such a move generating excitement after the Dutchman ended the previous year as the Eredivisie’s top scorer.
Tottenham flop Vincent Janssen.
During his first campaign in England, the striker only managed to net six goals – only two of which were in the Premier League – ultimately struggling to match the expectations he arrived with.
Janssen would subsequently be sent out on loan to Turkish side Fenerbahce, a move that would spell the end of his stint with the Lilywhites – only making three appearances upon his return to the club.
The stats & finances of Vincent Janssen’s Spurs career
Statistics
Tally
Transfer Fee
£18.6m
Wages
£2.75m
Total
£21.3m
Appearances
42
Cost per appearance
£507k
Goals
6
Cost per goal
£3.5m
Assists
4
Cost per assist
£5.3m
Goal involvements
10
Cost per goal involvement
£2.1m
Stats via Transfermarkt & Capology
Such failures in England led to former striker Gary Lineker dubbing the Dutchman as “ a poor man’s Roberto Soldado” – a damning statement given the Spaniard’s own failures in North London.
However, in recent years, the 31-year-old has recaptured his best form away from England – now plying his trade for Belgian side Royal Antwerp, helping his current employers qualify for the Champions League.
He registered 13 goals across all competitions in 2024/25, subsequently outscoring new addition Kolo Muani (12) – highlighting his impressive form after his failed stint in the Premier League.
There’s no denying that the hierarchy made the right call in allowing Janssen to depart the club, with his transfer certainly one to forget given his lack of tangible impact.
However, Kolo Muani will be hoping to not emulate his disappointing spell in North London, undoubtedly wanting to hit the ground running in the clash against West Ham United on Saturday night.
Worth more than Kudus: Spurs have hit the jackpot on Postecoglou signing
Tottenham Hotspur’s excellent work in the market has previously been evident during Ange Postecoglou’s reign.