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According to transfer insider Dean Jones, Wolverhampton Wanderers are ‘definitely looking’ at potential moves for duo Haris Seferovic and Goncalo Inacio.

The Lowdown: Inacio signing a possibility

According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Bruno Lage recently met with Seferovic to discuss the possibility of signing a deal at Molineux, but it appears as though it’s actually Inacio who could join the Wanderers as early as next week.

In an article published by The Mirror, it’s reported that the Midlands outfit are now ‘closing in’ on the 20-year-old, with the source stating that the defender is keen for the move to happen and that both parties are expected to soon meet to arrange details.

The centre-back remains under contract at the Jose Alvalade until 2026, but has a £39m buyout clause included as part of his deal at Sporting CP, allowing potential suitors to take him off their hands earlier than anticipated.

The Latest: Jones confirms Wolves interest

Jones confirmed that Wolves are currently ‘looking’ at both Inacio and Seferovic, but believes that it’s the Portugal U21 starlet who the club could swoop for ‘this week’. He told GiveMeSport:

“They are definitely looking at them. And I think Inacio is one to perhaps even look out for this week.

“They’re trying to get a better idea of whether they can make a breakthrough and get this signing done. If not, they want to move on quite quickly from it.”

The Verdict: Positive impact at both ends

If Lage was able to get the signing of Inacio over the line, he would be a fantastic addition to the defensive backline, where he’s proven to be so solid in Lisbon.

This season, the 6 foot 1 colossus, who was once hailed a “quality” player by former Sporting manager Jose Lima, made 28 appearances in Liga Portugal, recording six goal contributions whilst averaging 2.4 clearances and 1.4 tackles per game, via WhoScored, showing his ability to make a positive impact at opposite ends of the pitch.

Whether Wolves will be able to fend off interest from Manchester United remains to be seen, but his potential arrival at Molineux could come as a huge advantage for the club as they look to regain a place in Europe next term.

In other news… Wolves have offered a 22 y/o ace a new contract in a bid to keep him at the club.

Everton and, in particular, Farhad Moshiri have a reputation for making bad transfer decisions with over £500m spent over the last six years and their most recent relegation battle proves they have nothing to show for it.

The Toffees now find themselves in reported financial turmoil as they attempt to pump money into their new riverside Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium whilst trying to keep the club’s neck above water in the top flight, with the side a game away from losing their Premier League status.

As a result, Moshiri, Frank Lampard and the powers at Goodison Park have work to do to ensure they can identify the right players at the right price this summer as they are in no position to be continuing on the path of reckless spending that once was, and instead should be making smart business decisions when it comes to improving the team.

One player that has been recently linked with a move to the blue side of Merseyside is Adama Traore in a deal believed to be worth £20m, and if the reports are true then Everton could be heading for yet another disaster next season.

The 26-year-old Wolves outcast who was slammed for his “poor decisions” by journalist Muhammed Butt, was shipped off to La Liga via Barcelona for the second half of the most recent campaign on loan after failing to make little impact on the team down in the Midlands.

In Traore’s 20 league appearances for Bruno Lage’s side, the Spaniard scored just one goal and delivered no assists to his teammates, hardly living up to his “unstoppable” tag in the words of Darren Bent.

He also lost possession of the ball every 3.1 touches on average per game and missed three big chances, proving that he is not effective in delivering an end product when deployed in the forward line.

One thing Everton are desperate for next season are goals, as Frank Lampard’s side scored 23 fewer than they conceded this season which contributed to putting them in a dangerous position at the bottom of the table. In fact, Richarlison was the side’s top goal-scorer with just 11 strikes in all competitions.

Everton cannot afford to make mistakes of the past, and Moshiri should consider the weaknesses found in Yannick Bolasie that could quickly become a similar scenario with Traore. Bolasie was a prolific dribbler just like the Wolves winger but similarly had no end product when it came to goal contributions.

Bolasie scored just two goals and contributed four assists in 32 appearances for the Toffees after signing a five-year deal with a transfer fee of £25m back in 2016, and after seeing out his contract on various loan deals left the club in 2021 on a free transfer.

With that being said, Moshiri must learn from his mistakes and avoid making any more signings that can’t deliver a reliable impact on the team going forward, otherwise Everton could find themselves in a similar situation as they were last season or worse.

AND in other news: Offer accepted: Everton closing in on 1st summer signing, Lampard will be ecstatic

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring Joakim Maehle to the Premier League this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Danish media outlet Ekstra Bladet (via Sport Witness), who claim that Tottenham scouts were in attendance for Denmark’s 2-1 UEFA Nations League victory over Austria on Monday evening, with the Atalanta wing-back – alongside Christian Eriksen – believed to be the focus of their attention.

Previous reports have suggested that Fabio Paratici and Antonio Conte are both keen on the idea of signing the 25-year-old this summer, with the Italian sporting director said to be willing to make an €18m (£15m) offer for the Denmark international in the coming months – while the Serie A side are thought to be open to the defender’s sale.

The next Jordi Alba

With the signing of a new wing-back reported to be one of Conte’s priority targets in the summer market, it is not difficult to understand why the 52-year-old would be interested in a deal to bring Maehle to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

Indeed, it is clear to see that the £26m-rated talent is extremely efficient going forwards, with FBref ranking the defender in the top 20% of full-backs in Europe’s big five leagues for non-penalty goals per 90, as well as the top 10% for npxG, the top 11% for shots and the top 24% for shot-creating actions over the last 365 days.

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The £22k-per-week wing-back is also evidently a threat with the ball at his feet, with FBref also ranking the Dane in the top 21% of full-backs for passes completed per 90, in addition to the top 25% for progressive carries, the top 29% for progressive passes and the top 11% for touches in the opposition penalty area over the last 12 months.

These metrics see FBref compare Maehle to some of the most recognised full-backs currently playing the game, such as Barcelona’s Jordi Alba, AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez, Real Madrid’s Lucas Vazquez and Borussia Dortmund’s Raphael Guerreiro.

Furthermore, with the former KRC Genk starlet being comfortable operating from either right or left wing-back, the player who Maikel Bill dubbed a “monster” and Joe Short claimed can “run all night” would very much look to be a perfect option for Conte to call upon at Tottenham next season.

As such, should Paratici go on to seal a deal for the Atalanta defender this summer, not only would the Italian have satisfied one of Conte’s biggest requirements, but he also could have unearthed the next Alba at Tottenham – something that is sure to be an incredibly exciting prospect for supporters of the club.

AND in other news: “Paratici spoke to…”: Gold drops big Spurs transfer update that supporters will love

Liverpool will need to ramp up their interest in signing a forward this summer as reports have emerged that Sadio Mane is set to leave this summer, and now a new update has emerged on a potential transfer target.

What’s the latest?

According to Daily Express, Liverpool’s recruitment team have already identified a transfer target in Arnaut Danjuma to potentially replace Sadio Mane and could make a £38.3m bid.

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As per the report, the powers at Anfield are already preparing for the potential departure of the Senegalese winger and the Villarreal player is seen as the perfect candidate for the role to replace him and is someone the club has done extensive research on.

Sadio Mane heir

When it comes to replacing a player like Mane who has had a huge impact and influence on Liverpool’s success over the last six years, it will be a difficult task and one that the club won’t take lightly as they intend to continue to compete for trophies at the highest level.

Jurgen Klopp has had no trouble seamlessly fitting in new players when it comes to adapting and adding strength to his team with Ibrahim Konate and Luis Diaz making a positive impact on the side since their arrival this season, so whoever was to replace Mane in the long term would also need to live up to his high-quality output.

Danjuma has gone from strength to strength with Villarreal. This season he has been a consistent and reliable player for the La Liga club following their Europe League win the season before.

The 25-year-old who was hailed “exceptional” by Jonathan Woodgate, has scored 16 goals and contributed four assists, with six of his strikes making a huge influence on Villarreal’s Champions League campaign.

The Spanish side reached their first semi-final in the prestigious European competition in 16 years with Danjuma scoring against Atlanta three times, as well as finding the back of net against BSC Young Boys, Juventus and netting the winning goal in the first leg of the quarter-final against Bayern Munich.

The Dutchman was dubbed a “nightmare” by pundit Kevin Phillips in an interview with Football Insider, telling the publication:

“On his day he is a nightmare for defenders. He can create and score goals. He can hurt any defence with his pace and directness.”

With that being said, it is no wonder that Liverpool have identified the player as a potential replacement for Mane when you consider the attacking threat he has imposed on opponents this season and the signing would be something worth considering if the Senegalese star does leave Anfield this summer.

AND in other news: FSG could unearth Liverpool’s next Salah by signing “special” 131-goal star

West Ham United are reportedly looking to capitalise on Burnley’s recent relegation and economic woes with a move for England stopper, Nick Pope.

What’s the word?

As per talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, in his transfer notebook, the Hammers are keen to exploit the financial uncertainty at Turf Moor by making a bid for the 30-year-old this summer, with the eight-cap international one few ‘saleable assets’ that the Lancashire club can cash in on.

Mike Jackson’s side are facing a perilous period due to their failure to stave off the drop, with the report outlining that the club now need to pay off a significant loan due to a relegation clause, hence the potential need to part ways with their first-choice ‘keeper.

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Previous reports have suggested that they will still hold firm on their asking price, however, with the east Londoners set to have to fork out around £40m to secure his services.

One of the best

That figure may appear sizeable to those at the London Stadium, although it could prove a relative bargain for a player who has been a colossal figure since establishing himself as the Clarets’ undisputed number one back in 2017.

In 141 Premier League outings, the former Charlton Athletic man has registered an impressive 46 clean sheets, while the most recent campaign saw him finish joint-fourth in the division for saves made (121).

An imposing presence at 6 foot 3, the £13.5m-rated monster has already caught the eye of a notable West Ham figure, with Three Lions colleague Declan Rice dubbing him “one of the best in the world” when it comes to making saves near the top of the goal.

The praise doesn’t end there, however, with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp having described him as “sensational” following a 1-1 draw at Anfield back in July 2020, as the £59k-per-week giant kept the then champions at bay.

Such displays have seeming become the norm for the dynamic shot-stopper, with it no surprise that GSB are eyeing a deal, particularly with current goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski having only recently turned 37 – heightening the need for a younger, long-term option.

Pope has also already proven his quality to David Moyes and co after producing a heroic display when the two sides met back in December to ensure a hard-fought point for Sean Dyche’s side, with that performance rubberstamping Rice’s claim that he is one of the very best in his position.

IN other news, “Another target…”: Ex drops big WHU summer transfer claim that supporters will love

Wolves are plotting a bid for Vitoria Guimaraes midfielder Andre Almeida ahead of a crucial summer transfer window for Bruno Lage.

What’s the word?

Portuguese news outlet Jornal de Noticias (via Sport Witness) claim that Wolves are discussing a deal for Almeida as Lage plans a major summer rebuild for next season.

The player could cost £6.8m and at only 21 years old, would represent a shrewd investment.

With his contract due to expire at the end of next season, Wolves may take advantage and try to secure a bargain deal.

Dream Moutinho heir

Lage has had a very solid first season in charge of Wolves, leading the club to a top-half finish despite a poor final few weeks of the campaign derailing some momentum.

He faces a big summer ahead, with the futures of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho uncertain, fresh faces will be guaranteed.

In Almeida, Wolves could have the perfect heir to the 35-year-old maestro. Almeida plays slightly further forward in an attacking midfield role and despite not scoring any goals this campaign, an 86% passing accuracy stat is solid.

The midfielder can also contribute defensively, making on average 1.4 tackles per game and winning 56% of his total duels.

These are extremely similar to Moutinho’s, who has a slightly better pass accuracy (87%) and wins 2.1 tackles per match, although his dominance in duels isn’t as good as Almeida’s (43%).

With that in mind, it’s easy to see why he’d make such a good replacement for the Portuguese veteran with his easy on the eye and accurate passing a key attribute when assessing the heir to his midfield throne.

For the aforementioned fee, Lage should be going all out to secure the youngster’s services, with Zach Lowy lauding him as “intriguing”, then it could certainly be worth the money.

AND in other news, Wolves can save millions by unearthing 22-year-old “diamond”, Lage will be ecstatic

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has aimed a brilliant dig at the Hoops’ arch-rivals after the end of the Scottish season, one in which the Bhoys reigned supreme domestically.

The Lowdown: Celtic reign supreme in Scotland

Ange Postecoglou’s side endured a tense Premiership title battle with their crosstown adversaries throughout the season, with the pair neck-and-neck going into May.

It was Celtic who prevailed in the end, picking up a vital 2-1 win at Ibrox last month and ultimately regaining their crown after seeing the Gers deny them in the quest for a 10th successive league title last year.

The Hoops also won the Scottish League Cup in what was a superb season under Postecoglou, his first in charge of the Parkhead club.

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The Latest: Sutton aims cheeky dig

Sutton is never one to shy away from confrontation, and taking to Twitter on Saturday, he dropped a nine-word dig in Rangers’ direction in the immediate aftermath of the Light Blues’ Scottish Cup triumph, their only trophy of the season.

The former Celtic striker cheekily stated: “They’ve finished the season in Celtic’s shadow once again…”

The Verdict: Celtic back where they belong

Losing out on the title last season was tough to take, robbing Celtic of 10 league titles in a row, but the Hoops’ response to that disappointment has been incredible.

They are back at the summit of Scottish football again, and it’s all the sweeter that it is at the expense of their bitter Glasgow rivals, to which Sutton alluded in his provocative tweet.

The main thing now is for Postecoglou and his players to kick on from here rather than standing still, hopefully winning many many trophies in the coming years as Rangers resume the role of hunters rather than being hunted.

In other news, Kieran Devlin has talked up one possible Celtic signing. Find out who it is here.

Celtic hero James Forrest has signed a new deal to keep him at the club until the summer of 2025, reliable journalist Anthony Joseph has confirmed.

The Lowdown: Forrest a Celtic ‘legend’

The 30-year-old has enjoyed an incredible Hoops career, making a total of 444 appearances for the club and registering 97 and 98 goals and assists in that time, respectively.

Forrest has also achieved amazing team success during his time at Celtic, winning a remarkable ten Scottish Premiership titles, also being described as a club ‘legend’ by Paddy McCourt.

While the winger’s future has been a little unclear of late, there has been a major development regarding the situation.

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The Latest: Forrest signs new deal

Taking to Twitter, Joseph of Sky Sports confirmed that Forrest would remain at Parkhead for another three years, having signed a new deal:

“James Forrest has signed a contract extension with Celtic until 2025.”

The Verdict: First of many?

This is a wonderful piece of news to add to a hugely positive week, following Celtic’s glorious title win, as Ange Postecoglou’s first season in charge ends now with his first piece of summer business.

At 30, Forrest still has a number of years left in him at this level and he can continue to use his quality and experience to good use, barring any more injury troubles, having been hailed as ‘amazing’ by teammate Mohamed Elyounoussi.

The Scot has 20 appearances in the Champions League too, chipping in with two assists and one goal, so he will believe he can use his know-how to help Celtic leave an imprint in the tournament.

With such a huge step-up to the group stages of Europe’s elite competition, look for Ange to add even more high-level players following the completion of this early business.

In other news, Celtic are reportedly interested in signing an Eredivisie player. Find out who it is here.

Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to return to winning ways against Leicester City on Saturday, having slipped to a disappointing defeat away to Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

That surprise slip-up saw former Spurs youth star Marcus Edwards impress for the Portuguese outfit, with Ruben Amorim’s side clinching victory late on through goals from Paulinho and Arthur Gomes.

Although the manner of that late collapse was no doubt shocking, the north Londoners can have few complaints after what was an underwhelming display on the night, with manager Antonio Conte insisting that his side “can do much better”.

One man in particular who seemingly needs to do better is Heung-min Son, with the South Korea international continuing his recent barren run in that group stage defeat.

The 30-year-old is yet to score and has registered just a single assist in eight games in all competitions so far this term, with that dry spell a far cry from the explosive and consistent form that he showcased throughout the 2021/22 campaign.

The dynamic ace clinched the Premier League’s Golden Boot alongside Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah, having netted 23 times in the top flight alone, while he also chipped in with seven assists to cap a remarkable individual season.

Such explosive form has seemingly been the norm for the £67.5m-rated ace during his time with the Lilywhites to date, with his total tally currently standing at 131 goals and 75 assists in 333 games since joining from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015.

Quite why there has been such a notable drop-off in the early weeks of the current campaign is hard to fathom, with even a player of his undoubted quality unable to escape the axe if Conte does decide to make a change sooner rather than later.

While BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand has suggested that it is “blasphemy” for supporters to call for the £192k-per-week winger to be dropped, it may well have come to a point where the 30-year-old simply needs to be taken out of the firing line.

As the Spurs boss himself recently suggested, Son – as with any player – is not “undroppable” despite his years of sparkling form for the club, with it perhaps time for a change to be made ahead of this evening’s clash against the Foxes.

Unlike in previous years, Tottenham finally have genuine competition in the forward ranks in the form of Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison, with that duo both chomping at the bit for a regular run in the team at the Korean’s expense.

It would be no surprise to see the one-time Hamburg star come good, although Conte could well have been left with no choice but to ditch him against Brendan Rodgers’ side.

Celtic were left to reflect on what might have been on Wednesday evening, as the Parkhead outfit were held to a 1-1 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk in what was a lively Champions League group stage encounter.

Although Ange Postecoglou’s side were finally able to get a point on the board after having slipped to a 3-0 defeat at home to 14-time champions Real Madrid last week, the overriding feeling will have been one of frustration, with the Hoops once again coming up short in front of goal.

As was the case against Los Blancos, last night’s clash in Warsaw saw the Old Firm side spurn a number of clearcut chances to surge ahead, after the explosive Mykhaylo Mudryk had cancelled out an early own goal from Artem Bondarenko.

Both Daizen Maeda and Giorgos Giakoumakis inexplicably fired wide late on with the Glasgow side having firmly taken control of proceedings, as the ‘visitors’ were ultimately forced to settle for a point against the Ukrainian outfit.

The aftermath of that stalemate has seen skipper Callum McGregor criticised for his “terrible decision” to chase the ball in the build-up to Shakhtar’s equaliser – in the words of Chris Sutton – although one man who also somewhat underwhelmed was usual talisman, Jota.

While the Portuguese magician did offer a typically devastating threat off the flanks, the 23-year-old was arguably far more wasteful in possession than usual, notably squandering possession on 20 occasions in his 90-minute outing – the most of any player on the night.

Arguably the most “infuriating” element of his performance, however – according to journalist Sam Tabuteau – was the former Benfica man’s failure to “pull the trigger” despite having a clear sight on goal, having twice fashioned a brilliant opening for himself.

In two almost identical scenarios, the fleet-footed gem had majestically weaved his way into the opposition box, only to then belatedly decide to shoot after seemingly doing too much to try and deceive the opposition.

While it may be somewhat harsh to criticise a player who has sparkled for the Hoops to date – with 35 goal contributions in just 48 games thus far – the £6.75m-rated man appears to still have a way to go to truly become the finished article.