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Wolves midfielder Joao Moutinho is reportedly close to agreeing to a new deal at Molineux, which will surely delight Bruno Lage.

What’s the word?

According to Express and Star journalist Liam Keen:

“Wolves are getting closer to signing Joao Moutinho to a new deal. Talks progressing well and remain positive.”

The 35-year-old’s contract with the Old Gold is currently set to expire at the end of this month but it seems likely that the Portuguese maestro will be extending his stay with the club, which can only be good news for Wolves considering his performances in recent seasons.

Wolves supporters will be buzzing

Since signing from Monaco in 2018, Moutinho has gone on to make 176 appearances for Wolves, in which he has contributed five goals and 23 assists.

Despite his age, the veteran midfielder was a consistent first-team regular in Lage’s side last season, making 39 appearances in all competitions, popping up with two goals and one assist.

This emphasises that Lage still sees him as an important member of the squad, and it is no surprise that Wolves are keen to offer him a new deal, especially if his Portuguese compatriot Ruben Neves completes his likely move away from Molineux.

Danny Murphy was full of praise for Moutinho after he scored in a win against Brentford last season, saying:

“I think he’s missed five games in three and a half years which is some going. That’s durability for you. He’s such an intelligent footballer.

“His goal, what a goal… 35 years of age, to be playing so consistently at that age in the Premier League week in week out, it says a lot about the way he looks after himself. His goal was beautiful, as was his performance.”

Given how important the former Porto man has been for Wolves since their promotion to the top flight, supporters will no doubt be delighted with this update from Keen and will be hoping that Moutinho’s new contract is confirmed as soon as possible.

And, in other news… Lage can sign the next Busquets with Wolves bid for “highly gifted” £18m-rated gem

Liverpool are reportedly willing to sanction the departure of Ben Davies this summer, according to Football Insider. 

The lowdown: A transfer misfit

Signed as part of a double deadline day swoop in January 2021, he arrived on Merseyside alongside Ozan Kabak as Jurgen Klopp addressed the urgent need for defensive reinforcements.

However, following his £1.6m move from Preston North End having seemingly been bound for Celtic (Sky Sports), the 26-year-old only made the bench on eight occasions, failing to even be handed a senior debut for the Reds.

Despite being talked up by Klopp, the lesser-seen centre-back was subsequently sent on loan to Sheffield United for the 2021/22 campaign and looks certain to leave Liverpool permanently this summer…

The latest: Liverpool happy to let Davies leave

As per a ‘Liverpool source’ for Football Insider, the Merseyside club have already informed Davies that he will be free to leave Anfield in the upcoming transfer window.

It’s claimed that the Reds will ‘listen to permanent and loan offers’ for the man who was described as ‘really good’ by Klopp following his arrival at the club last year.

The report claimed that a loan switch is ‘more likely’ due to Davies being under contract until 2025 (Transfermarkt), whilst also earning a lucrative £60,000-per-week salary.

The verdict: Simple decision

Coming into the job amidst the exit of Divock Origi, a backdrop of Sadio Mane exit rumours and contracts shrouded in speculation, new sporting director Julian Ward at least has one simple decision to make when it comes to Davies’ future at Liverpool.

Having been overlooked in favour of Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams initially, the English defender was rendered further surplus to requirements by the return to fitness of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip, as well as the sensational debut campaign from Ibrahima Konate at Anfield.

During 2021/22, Davies earned a 6.97 average Sofascore rating from 22 Championship outings, form which will hopefully have sufficiently impressed any prospective suitors to drum up interest in signing the £2.25m-valued man on a permanent basis.

In other news: A fresh transfer rumour has emerged about a possible replacement for Mane

Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has been reacting to the club’s proposed move for RB Salzburg right-back Rasmus Kristensen, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Kristensen close

The Whites have already brought Brenden Aaronson to Elland Road from the Austrian giants and have now held more talks over a move for Kristensen.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed on Thursday morning that the 24-year-old is ‘expected to join Leeds in the coming days’.

Kristensen is due to undergo medical tests after international duty with Denmark and then a full agreement is set to be reached.

The Latest: Kenny’s comments

Kenny, formerly of Leeds, was talking to FI regarding the club’s next summer swoop.

He said that Kristensen ‘sounds like a quality player’ and praised Leeds for not hanging around.

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“I have touched on this with Leeds plenty of times.

“By not signing anyone in January they put themselves in a position they should not have been in.

“The squad was so thin and it nearly cost them their Premier League status.

“It makes sense for the squad to be made bigger and to have people fighting for positions.

“That means they actually have replacements when there are injuries and suspensions.

“It’s another early signing as well so they aren’t waiting around which is what you want to see from Leeds now.

“He sounds like a quality player so I’m looking forward to seeing him play.”

The Verdict: Good start

Aaronson has become the club’s first permanent senior midfield signing since 2018 and Kristensen looks set to take over from the injured Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas at right-back.

It’s a positive sign knowing that Andrea Radrizzani, Victor Orta and Jesse Marsch are looking to get deals finalised quickly following a serious scare last season.

However, more is required after Kristensen, with a new striker and central midfielder two more areas where the club want to add to, along with an experienced goalkeeper to help Illan Meslier.

In other news: ‘Sources…’ – Journalist drops news on ‘quality’ Leeds striker target; ‘club reps’ in country. 

Manchester United are keen on securing a summer transfer for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from Spanish outlet Sport, United are gunning after the 24-year-old more than any other club at the moment and have been in contact with the player over a potential summer move to Old Trafford.

After making 89 senior appearances for Ajax, the midfielder joined Barcelona in the summer of 2019 as the Spanish giants secured a January deal for him worth a reported £65m.

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Since joining the La Liga giants, the Dutchman has gone on to make 139 appearances across all competitions, scoring 13 goals and delivering 17 assists along the way.

Labelled a “genius” by current Barcelona boss and former player Xavi, De Jong reportedly has a price tag of £85m.

Fans would be thrilled

This season has seen the 25-year-old play in all but six of Barcelona’s matches across all competitions, showing just how important he is to the team and why they may be reluctant to let him leave this summer.

To highlight the talent that he has, no other midfielder in Barcelona’s squad with more than 1,000 passes in the league can boast a higher pass completion percentage than De Jong (89.9%). He is also listed in the top five for shot-creating actions (73) and successful pressures (89) for Barcelona in the league this season, once again highlighting his effectiveness on and off the ball.

Taking this into account, and with United having a lower passing success percentage than the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur this season, it’s easy to see why the Red Devils and Erik Ten Hag would be so eager to have such a capable ball-playing midfielder like De Jong in their team.

This reported contact to the player should fill a lot of United fans with excitement over the level of player that the club are looking to sign this summer.

It would be even better for them if the Red Devils are able to bring the Netherlands international to Old Trafford and see him pit his wits against some of the Premier League’s top midfielders.

In other news – Bid incoming: Sky Sports journalist drops MUFC transfer update, Ten Hag will be thrilled

Everton are plotting a move for Burnley centre-back James Tarkowski as Frank Lampard looks to strengthen his defence ahead of next season.

What’s the word?

According to 90min, Everton and Leicester City have joined the chase for the Burnley defender following their Premier League relegation.

The 29-year-old is out of contract this summer and will surely remain in the top flight following the events of Sunday which confirmed Burnley’s exit after seven years.

Everton could face a mighty battle to secure his signature, with the events that happened this season, the Englishman may fancy a side that has a greater chance of European football.

Tarkowski can be an upgrade on Michael Keane

Everton conceded 66 goals in the league this season, the fifth-worst total and this is something both Farhad Moshiri and Lampard urgently needs to address if they don’t want a repeat of this season’s relegation battle next year.

By signing Tarkowski, they could get an immediate upgrade on fellow Englishman Keane. The Burnley defender has made and won more tackles (71 and 42) compared to Keane (49 and 35), whilst also applying more pressures (261 to 228).

With almost double the numbers of blocks (92 to 51) and more interceptions (72 to 62) it’s clear to see why the 29-year-old would be a better option than Keane.

Keane has a WhoScored average rating of 6.72 and wins on average, three aerials per match. Tarkowski on the other hand is ranked first in the Burnley squad on the average rating (6.97) and wins a mammoth 4.4 aerials per match.

The stats prove that on a free transfer, Tarkowski would represent a wonderful piece of business, especially with Everton’s defensive woes this season.

He has been described as a “rock” by Alex James in the past and if he does want a move to Goodison, he could well ask for a pay rise on his current £70k-per-week deal he has at the moment.

AND in other news, Lampard plotting Everton bid for £158k-p/w dynamo, he’d be a “joy to watch”

Serie A giants AC Milan are reportedly interested in signing Wolves youngster Morgan Gibbs-White this summer.

The Lowdown: Gibbs-White’s superb loan spell

The 22-year-old was loaned out to Sheffield United last summer and it proved to be a fantastic move for him, as he helped them reach the Championship playoffs.

Granted, Gibbs-White missed a decisive penalty in Tuesday’s penalty shootout defeat to Nottingham Forest, but he scored 12 goals and registered ten assists in the league in 2021/22.

The midfielder will now return to Wolves full of confidence, but it could be that his future lies elsewhere.

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The Latest: Milan make contact

According to The Athletic‘s Tim Spiers, Milan have ‘lodged a tentative inquiry’ regarding the signing of Gibbs-White, although no significant progress has been made.

It is stated that Gibbs-White will want to test himself at the ‘highest level’ and that Wanderers will demand a huge fee and a ‘hefty’ sell-on clause if he does leave.

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The Verdict: Potential huge blow

Gibbs-White is a special young talent – Billy Sharp called him ‘instrumental’ at Sheffield United – so the idea of Wolves losing him just when he looks to have found his stride in senior football is hugely worrying.

With Ruben Neves looking highly likely to leave this summer, the Englishman may have an opportunity to make a central midfield spot his own at Molineux, although the lure of Milan could be great.

They are on the verge of being crowned Serie A champions and will be playing in the Champions League next season – something that could appeal greatly to Gibbs-White.

In other news, a journalist has delivered a Wolves transfer update. Read more here.

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins only has an outside chance of featuring against Crystal Palace this afternoon due to injury.

The Lowdown: Injury scare

Watkins, who Gregg Evans labelled as the ‘real deal’ back in 2020, has been a regular this season, missing just one Premier League game under Steven Gerrard.

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The 26-year-old has attracted interest from West Ham as a result of his displays this season, scoring 10 times in 32 top-flight fixtures.

The England international picked up an ankle injury in the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on Tuesday, and it looks as if he may not recover in time for the clash with Patrick Vieira’s side this afternoon.

The Latest: Preece’s post

Villa correspondent Ashley Preece relayed injury updates from Gerrard’s pre-match press conference on Twitter, one of which was on Watkins.

The forward was yet to train as a result of his ankle issue and only has an outside chance of featuring against Palace. However, there was some good news, with Jacob Ramsey set to be back in the squad following a groin problem.

The Verdict: Options

Gerrard has gone with three different systems in Villa’s last four Premier League games, and this update on Watkins could result in more tactical changes.

He stuck with a 4-3-1-2 formation against Liverpool, however, with Watkins a doubt, he may have to resort back to either a 4-3-3 or 4-3-2-1, with a winger coming in for Watkins and Danny Ings going as a lone striker.

Club-record signing Emiliano Buendia was on the bench last time out, so perhaps he’ll come back into the XI, or Bertrand Traore is another option after replacing Watkins in the week.

In other news: NSWE now close to agreeing deal for another midfielder alongside Coutinho.  

Tottenham Hotspur have set their sights on a dream signing in Bayern Munich star Serge Gnabry this summer, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Conte pushing for move…

The sensational Bundesliga forward, out of contract in 2023, has been at the centre of exit reports recently as his club still fail to agree terms over an extension.

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Bayern, as a result, are currently under some pressure and face the possibility of having to sell him for a profit in the next transfer window while they still can.

Gnabry has no shortage of Premier League suitors, including Spurs, with manager Antonio Conte personally holding a serious interest in the former Arsenal ace.

According to a report by The Daily Star, Conte is ‘pushing’ transfer chief Fabio Paratici and the north Londoners to ‘table a cut-price deal’ for Bayern’s star given his contract status.

The Star believe that Tottenham, as a result, are ‘plotting an ambitious swoop’ to appease the Italian with an update now emerging from Spain.

The Latest: Gnabry ‘most dreamed of’ at Spurs…

Indeed, according to Spanish sources, Gnabry is now the ‘most dreamed of’ signing for Spurs this summer amid reports Conte seriously wants it done.

However, despite his contractual situation, it is believed the Lilywhites ‘would still have to pay a large amount’ for the 26-year-old.

As Paratici and co eye a number of reinforcements in other key areas, this report claims a formal bid is fairly unlikely despite Conte’s affection for the player.

The Verdict: Perfect but uphill battle…

The serious competition for Gnabry’s signature could certainly drive up his price tag with interest also coming from European heavyweights Real Madrid, Liverpool and Juventus.

Regardless of the £63 million-rated Germany ace entering the final year of his deal, it may still be an uphill battle to seal and agreement at Spurs.

If Conte does get his alleged wish, though, and Spurs do attempt a cut-price move, there is little arguing he would be a serious upgrade.

Former Spurs keeper Paul Robinson has recently urged the Lilywhites to get a deal done, calling Gnabry a ‘world class’ player, and the fact he has hit double figures for goals in every single one of his Bundesliga seasons is real evidence of this (Transfermarkt).

While unlikely, it is little wonder the former West Brom winger is seen as a dream signing.

In other news: Fabrizio Romano says ‘monster’ Spurs player is now ‘expected to leave’ this summer! Find out more here.

West Ham have had a wonderful season despite their defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League semi-finals.

A seventh-place Premier League finish would see David Moyes’ men secure another shot at European glory next year, albeit in the Conference League, and this could be crucial in their pursuit of players who want to showcase their skills on the continent.

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Howeve, the Scot already has some excellent youngsters at the club and could save a fortune by developing and unleashing them next season to see if they are up to the demands of Premier League football.

One such player is left-back Emmanuel Longelo who has been performing well for the under-23s in Premier League 2 this season, contributing one goal and four assists in 17 appearances.

Roshane Thomas declared the 21-year-old as a player to ‘watch out for’ in 2019, and his stellar performances this year have led many to believe that a stable first-team berth might not be far away.

In fact, he even made his full first-team debut against Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League group stage, with his performance being lauded as “very impressive” by Jack Rosser, and this led to interest from Nottingham Forest during the January transfer window.

Nothing materialised on that front, though, and this could well please Moyes, who will surely be on the lookout for a long-term replacement for Aaron Cresswell, who will turn 33 before the year is out.

The manager won’t have far to look in Longelo, who appears to have the necessary skills and attributes which are required for success at the top level. With a European appearance in his back pocket already, a full pre-season amongst the first team would be a massive boost to his confidence, and he could be a capable and financially sensible solution to the post-Cresswell dilemma.

AND in other news, Forget Rice: Moyes now set for West Ham disaster on “remarkable” £125k-p/w giant

Rangers came from behind to avoid defeat in their latest Old Firm clash away from Ibrox in the Premiership on Sunday.

It was a tale of two halves as the Gers were 1-0 down and flat at half-time before dominating the second 45 and being unlucky not to win the match late on.

Jota had given the hosts the lead in the first half as he got ahead of Borna Barisic at the back post to tap in a cross and Ange Postecoglou’s side also spurned a number of big chances to double their advantage.

Rangers then came out firing in the second half and found the equaliser through Fashion Sakala as he powered a strike in at the near post to make it 1-1 after Ryan Kent played him in down the left of the box.

The Zambia international then had the chance to win all three points for the Gers as he raced clear through on goal but saw his effort crash back off the post with Joe Hart beaten.

Whilst it was a spirited effort in the second half for the Light Blues, there were some disappointing displays for van Bronckhorst to watch. One player who let the head coach down was experienced central midfielder Scott Arfield.

The Canada international came off the bench to score a crucial goal in the Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic last month and was given the opportunity to show what he is capable of doing from the start. Instead of showing that he deserves more games, his performance suggested that he is better off coming on as a substitute.

Off the ball, he was a lightweight. Via SofaScore, he lost 50% of his aerial duels and four of his seven ground duels throughout the match. He did make two tackles and one interception but he allowed the Celtic players to get the better of him more often than not and that was one disappointing aspect of his play as he did not impose himself on the match from a physical standpoint.

In possession, he struggled. As per SofaScore, he only completed 62% of his attempted passes and missed a ‘big chance’. He also failed with all three of his attempted dribbles and gave possession away 19 times, which shows that he did not provide much quality on the ball in the middle of the park.

Therefore, he let van Bronckhorst down badly as he faltered at both ends of the pitch and did not do enough to justify his start.

AND in other news, Wilson must reignite Rangers swoop for “impressive” 28 G/A flier, GvB needs him…