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Enzo Maresca insists he wants to keep Christopher Nkunku amid links to Manchester United, as he has explained his lack of league minutes this season.

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• Nkunku has struggled for minutes
• Linked with shock move to United
• Maresca explains lack of playing time

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Nkunku has been linked with a potential move to United after a struggle for minutes under Maresca. The 27-year-old has made 18 appearances in all competitions, but he has made just one Premier League start, which came on the opening weekend of the season. Since then, he has not played more than 26 minutes in the league.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Maresca has now explained that the playmaker is not playing regularly because of a need for "balance" in midfield, given the richness of options in attack at Stamford Bridge. In other competitions, the 27-year-old has been productive, scoring six goals in the Conference League and three in two EFL Cup fixtures.

• WHAT MARESCA SAID

  Maresca told reporters when asked if Nkunku was unhappy: "Not at all. I spoke with Christo days ago – he did not say he is not happy."

  He added: "Absolutely [he is not for sale], yes.

  "The problem with Christo, not the problem but the same issue we have mentioned many times; if you play with Cole (Palmer), Joao (Felix), Christo, Jadon (Sancho) or Noni (Madueke) – who is defending? Their skill is not defending. The last game, we tried with Joao and Cole together.

  "Probably the best moment for Christo with us has been in pre-season, playing in his position. Since we started, he is playing as a nine for us. Against City, he played as a winger; knowing this is not his best position. His best position is as a 10 but Cole is playing there. We need balance."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Chelsea face Heidenheim in the Conference League later this week – a game that Nkunku will expect to start. Then, they take on Aston Villa on Sunday in the Premier League.

With Amadou Onana already heading for the exit door, Everton could yet lose another player amid surprising Champions League interest just one year on from his arrival.

Everton transfer news

The Toffees' transfer window was going a little too well. Jack Harrison returned, whilst Iliman Ndiaye and Tim Iroegbunam arrived. Those at Goodison Park were left waiting for the penny to drop on their summer that was too good to be true and, as it happens, that penny looks set to be worth £50m and cost them Onana with the Belgian set to swap Goodison Park for Aston Villa in a major blow for Sean Dyche.

His exit will at least add to Everton's summer budget, however, which could yet see them land a replacement in the form of Kalvin Phillips before the transfer window slams shut at the end of next month. In pursuit of replacing Onana, they could also raise funds through the sale of another player.

According to Sky Sports' Dharmesh Sheth, via Goodison News, Bologna are now exploring a deal to sign Beto from Everton this summer just one year on from his arrival worth a reported £26m. The forward could somehow fall upwards after a debut campaign to forget and become Bologna's Joshua Zirkzee replacement following his recent move to Manchester United.

Napoli contact Everton to gather information on £58,000-p/w Dyche favourite

Some of the Toffees’ top stars are attracting interest from other clubs.

By
Tom Coates

Jul 17, 2024

In quite the domino effect, Everton could show their expensive transfer flop the door once and for all in hope of at least making back close to the hefty fee they paid Udinese last summer.

Everton need to move Beto on

Whilst he did manage 10 Serie A goals in 33 games in the season prior to his Everton move, Beto has shown little signs of bursting into similar form at Goodison Park, and after costing £26m whilst earning a reported £50k-a-week, the Toffees have the right to expect a little more. The signs were positive when he first arrived – he even earned the praise of Dyche – but he has since failed to kick on.

Dyche said via The Independent after Beto's debut from the bench against Doncaster Rovers: "We only got his clearance this morning, so we’d already set the team up. I had it in my mind to put him on at half-time regardless.

“He’s adapted very quickly, done very well tonight. With all due respect, the Premier League is different, but he’s shown the rawness, the pace and the effect that he can have on a team. It gives us something different, which is what we brought him here for.”

Alas, after just three Premier League goals in 30 appearances, that "something different" is yet to steal the headlines and if the right offer comes in this summer, Everton should cash in on Beto, even if it means cutting their losses in the process.

It was the Lucas Digne and Adrien Rabiot show at San Siro on Sunday as France downed Italy 3-1 to top their Nations League group.

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• France win 3-1 against Italy at San Siro
• Digne has a hand in all three goals
• France top group over Italy on goal difference

• TELL ME MORE

  France and Italy entered their final Nations League A Group 2 clash knowing that they had already secured their place in the two-legged quarter-final of the tournament set to be played in March. However, both sides knew top spot was still up for grabs. While Italy entered the clash with a three-point lead over France, Didier Deschamps' men knew that a two-goal win at San Siro would see them finish first.

  France made a perfect start as Adrien Rabiot scored in the second minute of the game after heading Lucas Digne's corner past Guglielmo Vicario. Despite the shaky start, Italy soon started to attempt to control the game, however, France's heavy press meant Gli Azzurri were unable to do so.

  After a scruffy 30 minutes of play, Christopher Nkunku was brought down by Davide Frattesi outside the Italy box, which prompted France to have their first real attack since Rabiot's goal. Digne stepped up and struck an almost perfect free-kick which hit the underside of Vicario's goalpost, ricocheted into the Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper's back and then pinged into the net to give the visitors a two-goal lead.

  However, the healthy advantage didn't last too long as Dimarco and Sandro Tonali combined. The former let in a perfect cross from the by-line which just went over the head of Frattesi but was met by Andrea Cambiaso, who perfectly slotted a volley past Mike Maignan. What followed was a barrage of Italian attacks, however, Luciano Spalletti's men failed to equalize before the half-time whistle.

  And in the second half it was yet another set-piece situation that broke Italy down yet again. Digne and Rabiot recreated a similar move as they had in the second minute of the clash as the defender's pinpoint cross was able to find the Marseille midfielder, who headed the ball past a stranded Vicario.

  The game was then a case of Italy going gung-ho at Maignan's goal as Gli Azzurri knew that reducing their goal difference would mean Italy could take the top spot, however, it wasn't to be as France's 3-1 win was enough for them to finish first.

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  THE MVP

  Deschamps has Digne to thank for the victory over Italy. The Villa star racked up two assists and was very solid defensively against Frattesi and Cambiaso. The Aston Villa left-back has been in top form for Unai Emery's side as well this season and was given a run out at left-back for Les Bleus ahead of Theo Hernandez. The former Barcelona and Everton star may now have put some pressure on Deschamps to consider him as a potential number one for the left-back spot.

• THE BIG LOSER

  Italy's set-piece coaches will need to have a long hard look at the set-up Gli Azzurri use when defending dead-ball situations. The last six goals that Spalletti's team has given up, including all three against France tonight at San Siro, have come from set pieces. Spalletti will need to work out a way to iron out such a big flaw in his team before they take on their quarter-final clash in March.

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• WHAT COMES NEXT?

  Italy and France will now have to wait until November 22 to figure out who they will face off against next in the quarter-final of the Nations League. Thanks to their group win, France will play at Stade de France in the second leg. Meanwhile, Italy will have to play at San Siro in the first leg as they finished as runners-up.

Lauryn Goodman revealed that she "didn't want to go" out on the night she conceived her daughter with Manchester City star Kyle Walker.

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• Walker started dating Goodman in 2019
• Their second child was born in August 2023
• Walker's marriage with Annie Kilner on the rocks

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  In 2020, Lauryn gave birth to her and Walker’s son, Kairo, marking the beginning of an intense co-parenting relationship. Then after a brief pause in their romance, the pair reportedly rekindled their previous connection in 2022, with the defender wanting to spend more time with Kairo.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The relationship grew intense once again and in August 2023, Lauryn gave birth to their daughter, Kinara. Annie Kilner, wife of Walker, learnt about Kinara from Lauryn during Christmas last year, when pregnant with her fourth child. In light of these revelations, Walker’s personal life went downhill and his marriage has hit the rocks.

• WHAT LAURYN SAID

  Lauryn on her new podcast, , in a candid conversation with her friend and co-host, Lisa Andrews, discussed her relationship with Walker at length detailing how their connection went beyond mere chance encounters. Addressing assumptions that her pregnancies could have resulted from brief encounters, Goodman disclosed that her diagnosis of endometriosis, a condition that often impacts fertility, made conception difficult and unlikely to occur after a single interaction as she went on to emphasize that her relationship with Walker was a long-term affair.

  Discussing the night she became pregnant with Kinara, Lauryn noted her initial reluctance to see Walker. She explained to her friend Andrews, “The night we conceived Kinara, I actually didn’t want to go meet him. I remember saying to my friend, ‘I really can’t be bothered to go and see him.’”

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Walker and Lauryn's relationship has been fraught with legal disputes and consistent clashes. Although Walker currently pays child support for Kairo and Kinara, the arrangement has seen its fair share of contention. As they navigate the legal system and co-parenting dynamics, their personal lives have often captured the attention of fans and tabloids alike.

Celtic reportedly could lose a "quick" and "strong" player in the summer transfer window, having rejected the chance to sign a new deal at the club.

Celtic transfer news

The Hoops have made a quiet start to their summer so far, not making a single signing, while rivals Rangers have added significant numbers to their squad. That's not to say that additions won't come in between now and the start of next season, however, and various reports are linking them with players.

Celtic have been urged to hijack a potential deal for Valencia and Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili this summer, with the 23-year-old seen as the perfect successor to Joe Hart. It would be an audacious swoop, with former England stopper Paul Robinson hailing him recently, saying: "He played for Valencia last season, and for me, he was probably La Liga’s goalkeeper of the tournament. The way he’s played in this tournament for Georgia, I think there’ll be a lot of teams around Europe standing up and taking notice. "

Teenage BK Hacken ace Pontus Dahbo is another player who has been backed to complete a move to the Hoops in the coming months, with the 18-year-old considered one of the most exciting prospects in his homeland of Sweden.

While a number of players are expected to come in and bolster the options at Brendan Rodgers' disposal this summer, it looks as though one Celtic ace is likely to be heading in the opposite direction.

Celtic could lose "quick" player this summer

According to a new update from Football Insider, Celtic could now accept an offer for youngster Rocco Vata in the summer window, with a bid of £2-3m potentially enough to prise him away.

The 19-year-old midfielder has already turned down a contract extension at Parkhead, and the likes of Watford and Bologna are eyeing a move for him, as well as Nottingham Forest. Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph has since said that Watford are in advanced talks to sign Vata.

Losing Vata at his current age would be an undoubted blow for Celtic, considering how much more there is to come from him in his career. Rodgers is clearly an admirer of his, too, saying of him last year:

"I remember Rocco as a young player when I was here last. He’s developed physically. There are aspects of his game that he needs to work on to make the next jump but his attitude is good. He’s strong, quick, he wants to score goals. There is lots of development he needs, if he’s willing to do that."

Vata may simply feel that a new challenge is needed, in terms of enjoying more regular playing time, with only six appearances coming his way for Celtic to date. He scored twice in his only cap for the Republic of Ireland's Under-21s, and may think that he could feel more wanted elsewhere.

The hope is that the young Hoops attacker has a change of heart, but the fact that he isn't interested in signing an extension suggests that his mind could already be made up.

The Apple TV studio analyst joins Mic'd Up to discuss the MLS postseason, Miami and Messi, and Wilfried Nancy's future

Major League Soccer’s 2023 decision to partner with Apple TV to carry its matches was groundbreaking, marking the first time a professional league moved most of its games to a streaming platform. This shift has since inspired other leagues, such the NBA, which will stream 66 games on Amazon Prime next season.

Andrew Wiebe, who has been with Apple TV's MLS Season Pass since its launch, serves as a studio analyst for and . The long-time podcast host has enjoyed seeing the programming evolve in just one year.

“We need people to walk away from any show… with excitement, with anticipation, and a tangible reason to care," Wiebe told GOAL. "I want people to be as juiced about the games, the players, the managers, stories, fan culture in the same way I am. I think we're finding ourselves with every step. And what encourages me is that this is just the beginning."

Wiebe credits the strong chemistry between himself and colleagues Kevin Egan, Sacha Kljestan, Kaylyn Kyle, and Bradley Wright-Phillips, as well as the producers, for the show's success. He pointed to their hard work behind the scenes as key to their standout Decision Day coverage.

“I was a little nervous about Decision Day… all these dominoes had to fall to give us an exciting day,” Wiebe said. “We were fortunate to hit fever pitch. Decision Day is about one thing: setting up the playoffs, and the bigger the bang the better.”

The First Round of the MLS Playoffs kicks off Friday with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami hosting Atlanta United. What is Messi's future in MLS? What's next for Columbus coach Wilfried Nancy? Who will win the MLS Cup? Wiebe discusses all of that and more in this edition of Mic'd Up, a recurring feature in which GOAL US taps into the perspective of broadcasters, analysts and other pundits on the state of soccer in the U.S. and abroad.

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  ON THE MLS CUP

  GOAL: The First Round of the MLS Playoffs starts Friday. Who do you have winning the whole thing?

  Wiebe: In the modern era, great teams with great players win the MLS Cup. In terms of MLS Cup, there are no lucky winners. So all of which is to say, I have a hard time believing Inter Miami won't pay this project and this season off without the MLS Cup. Messi is in nuclear form, and they get to do the whole thing in South Florida, apart from one game in Atlanta. The only thing that can stop Miami is themselves, and that's been true all year. Nobody in MLS can compete [with them] on just attacking talent and championship pedigree.

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  ON INTER MIAMI'S HISTORIC SEASON

  GOAL: A debate that is picking up steam is whether or not Inter Miami is the greatest team in MLS history. What are your thoughts?

  Wiebe: Inter Miami is the single greatest collection of talent MLS has ever seen, that much, I'm sure of, and yes, that's sort of a cop-out to your question. Are they the greatest team? Not yet. To be the greatest team, you need more than ability and the on paper side of it, you have to pay it off. Messi is the GOAT, not just because of the goals and historic, absurd stuff that we've seen for years and years and years, but because all those individual moments resulted in trophies and collective history. I mean, he's like counting up to 50 trophies all-time.

  I think of the Barcelona motto when I think of what's at stake for inter Miami, (More than a club). For Messi and Miami, these years are about making Miami more than just a soccer club in South Florida with big players. It's about making Inter Miami an institution. It's about making Inter Miami a club that represents something bigger and grander, something that people can't take away and doesn't shift year to year as coaches and players change. And to do that, Miami have to win, and they have to do it repeatedly…Anything short of historic greatness is below par for this group. So they've got to win MLS Cup.

  GOAL: And if they win?

  Wiebe: If Miami win the double, I think you'd have to argue they're the greatest team of all time on two fronts, on results and on talent.

• ON MESSI'S FUTURE

  GOAL: One thing that's already being discussed is what is MLS and Inter Miami's future going to look like without Messi in it. He can't play forever and when David Beckham left the league, there was a lull for a few years after he left. How does MLS combat that?

  Wiebe: Messi is not replicable. So forget replicating Messi or what he brings. The goal of these years with Lionel has to be to set the foundation for the club, and that's what I mean when I say Més que un club. The club has to take on a bigger place than just where Messi played. The beauty for me is that Messi will be part of that project to continue [due to him being a part-owner of Inter Miami]. He has draw and a magic to him that nobody else in this game has.

  So I think the challenge for Miami is, how do you rechannel that ambition? Who represents that who can take it into the next phase? And they've got to identify those players. It's not going to be easy, and it's certainly not going to be cheap, but having their own Stadium in Miami will help in having a legacy and a foundation laid by Messi is a head start that almost no other club in the world gets.

  GOAL: Does that mean signing global stars in their prime?

  Wiebe: I mean, straight up, why couldn't they sign anybody? Why should Inter Miami limit themselves in terms of any signing after signing Leo Messi, they should believe that literally everything is possible. If MLS wants to grow into the places that it envisions, it has to mean signing top-level players in their prime. That goes for Inter Miami, that goes for the rest of the league.

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  ON THE MVP RACE

  GOAL: Who do you have for MVP?

  Wiebe: I voted for Cucho Hernandez. He earned the award this year. I know Messi's per-90 numbers are better, but come on, it's Messi. He's a human cheat code… To me, crucially, Cucho played eight more games. He has 12 game-winning goal contributions to Messi's six. That speaks to results. It speaks to the impact of the course of the whole year. And the Crew can play arguably the most aesthetically pleasing and effective brand of soccer the league has ever seen, because Cucho can play all three spots across the front line at best-in-class levels.

Whilst bringing new players in will be vital if Rangers are to improve next season, it now appears that one of their most promising talents is set to depart Ibrox this summer.

Rangers plotting busy transfer window

After missing out on the Scottish Premiership to Celtic, it is clear that new signings will be important if Rangers are to get the better of their city rivals next season.

Rangers ready to accept £5m bid to sell £22,000-a-week player

He cost the Gers nothing.

By
Josh Barker

Jun 17, 2024

One name linked with a move to Ibrox is FAR Rabat and Morocco U23 international Hamza Igamane. Rangers have reportedly agreed to sign the striker in a deal worth £1.7m with the transfer expected to be finalised before the player travels to the Olympics in Paris.

Rangers are also one of many clubs pushing to sign Hearts talisman Lawrence Shankland. The Glasgow-born centre-forward racked up a staggering 31 goals and eight assists in all competitions last season, making him a target for top sides in both Scotland and England.

This summer is also likely to see a slew of outgoings at Ibrox. The most notable of these potential departures could well be Connor Goldson and James Tavernier. It has been reported that former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard is eager to bring the duo to Al-Ettifaq this summer which would be a major blow for the Glasgow outfit.

Whilst losing Goldson and Tavernier would be far from ideal for the Ibrox faithful, it now appears that another Rangers star is being watched for a reunion with a former boss.

Van Bronckhorst wants Yilmaz reunion

As reported by Sport Witness, the Turkish media are stating that Besiktas have held talks to sign Rangers' defender Ridvan Yilmaz. This news follows reports that FC Nantes are keen on signing Besiktas' current left back Arthur Masuaku, meaing that they will be in need of reinforcements in this area.

The Turkish club are eager to use the funds raised by the sale of Masuaku to sign Yilmaz. with current Besiktas boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst personally sanctioning the deal. The Dutchman was the one who initially brought the 23-year-old to Ibrox from Galatasaray back in July 2022.

Following the £3.5million deal, Yilmaz has battled a number of injury issues during his time in a Rangers shirt. Despite this, the 23-year-old managed to overcome some of his issues making 32 appearances for the Glasgow outfit over the course of last season.

Speaking on his improvements over the last twelve months, former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson sang the praises of Yilmaz telling the press back in March: “The little man has made a huge impression ever since the winter break and has nailed down the left back berth for himself.

“He’s been a slow burner. And that can happen with any young player adjusting to life in a new country. But he’s a proper Rangers player now and I’m sure the manager will want him back fit as quickly as possible."

Following his recent uptick in form, many Rangers fans may be reluctant to let Yilmaz leave. Despite this, a reunion with the manager who first brought him to Scotland may be too good for the 23-year-old to turn down.

Steve Cooper will now be eyeing up various different signings to make having arrived in the Leicester City hot seat, to ensure the Foxes don't immediately slip back down to the Championship.

The one-time Premier League title-winners will, arguably, be the most confident of the trio that won promotion from the second tier up to the promised land of the top flight, after lifting the title in the division below as well with an impressive 31 wins registered.

The mastermind in the dug-out behind this success is gone now, however, with Enzo Maresca leaving for the allure of Chelsea after promotion was sealed, as Cooper now has a point to prove at the King Power Stadium, after leaving Nottingham Forest on sour terms in the Premier League.

Whether the Welshman is a success or not could rest on the incomings that Leicester are able to attract this summer, not wanting to rip apart the synergy of the squad from last season, but just adding in sprinkles of quality that can help make the East Midlands side an established top-flight team again.

Here is what next campaign's dream Leicester team could look like, therefore, with a face that has played under Cooper previously lined up to join the Foxes, amongst other notable deals…

1

GK – Mads Hermansen

Mads Hermansen will hope he can follow in the footsteps of fellow compatriot Kasper Schmeichel moving up to the Premier League with Leicester, with the 37-year-old an immortalised great at the King Power now, after competing in the EFL for large patches of his early footballing education.

The current Foxes shot-stopper was solid for the title-winners last campaign and will be trusted in-between the sticks moving up a league, amassing 13 clean-sheets from 44 second-tier clashes.

2

RB – Ricardo Pereira

Despite worries that Ricardo Pereira's head could potentially be turned in the midst of Leicester's relegation, the Portuguese defender remained situated in the East Midlands, even whilst playing in the division below, and shone.

Pereira would pick up three goals and three assists from the right-back spot, and will be eager to get going again in the Premier League now, having accumulated 102 appearances for his team in the elite division already.

3

CB – Joe Rodon

The first foray into the transfer market by the Foxes could see Cooper reunite with a former Swansea City face in Joe Rodon, with Rodon a wanted man currently, after a stellar loan spell with Leeds United.

He will be champing at the bit to test himself in the Premier League, and with Leicester needing more centre-back recruits arguably, the Welsh warrior could be the best possible buy available.

Rodon would take the Championship by storm last season, as his confidence on the ball stood out with 66 accurate passes averaged per match, alongside his no-nonsense ability to win duels, with 4.7 won on average.

4

CB – Jannick Vestergaard

Rodon could form a daunting duo with Jannick Vestergaard next campaign, as the towering Dane aims to rebuild his reputation in the top division with his employers, after making zero league appearances during the 2022-23 season.

He was a crucial figure at the back in the league below regardless, however, as the 31-year-old beat Rodon's average duels total per game at 4.6 successful duels per match.

Cooper will hope he can be as forceful in the Premier League, as Leicester aim to shut up shop in certain games, to get crucial points on the board.

5

LB – Wout Faes

Wout Faes could be permanently pushed out to the left-back spot next season to accommodate for the arrival of Rodon, with the Belgium international shining as a makeshift full-back in the Championship on occasion.

The 26-year-old played here six times on the way to the second-tier title being lifted, with three of those appearances coming during crunch games towards the very back end of the campaign.

He especially shone in this role during Leicester's penultimate league clash away at Preston North End, amassing 113 touches of the ball in the 3-0 victory, which saw him also whack the woodwork with an effort on goal.

6

CM – Harry Winks

The former Tottenham Hotspur central midfielder was key in the middle of the park for the promotion-winners last season, feeling revitalised and rejuvenated at the King Power in the process, after his time in North London fizzled out.

The calm 28-year-old missed just one Championship game all campaign long, and with 128 Premier League games under his belt across his full career, his importance to the cause could only be elevated if Leicester find themselves scrapping for their lives at the foot of the table.

7

CM – Sean Longstaff

Whilst Leicester will be pleased to have Winks around for the journey up a division, it looks increasingly likely that the Foxes won't be able to keep a firm grip on Wilfred Ndidi, who continues to be linked with a move away as his contract nears to its expiry date.

Leicester could go after Newcastle United man Sean Longstaff to fill a gap in the midfield department, therefore, having previously been rumoured with the £15m-rated talent.

Even with the injected riches of Saudi Arabia on side, Longstaff has remained in and around the Magpies first-team for longer than anticipated.

He would make 35 appearances last season in the league, scoring an impressive six goals along the way, and might be another smart buy to complement Winks' experience in the division.

8

CM – Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Cooper will hope the only central midfield casualty his new side suffers is in the form of Ndidi, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall always touted for a major move away from the King Power when a transfer window comes into view.

In all competitions last campaign, the former Liverpool target would accumulate a staggering 27 goal contributions from just 49 games, with those at the King Power excited now to see how he can strut his stuff in the Premier League, if he sticks around.

9

RW – Abdul Fatawu

Leicester will want to make their loan capture of Abdul Fatawu a permanent one this transfer window, with talk suggesting such a deal will be done soon.

Fatawu shone in glimpses for the Foxes down the right wing in the Championship, with his most memorable showing coming against Southampton in April, bagging a hat-trick to help sink Russell Martin's Saints 5-0.

10

ST – Tammy Abraham

As much as Jamie Vardy is still blowing off the cobwebs with every season that comes his way for Leicester, the Foxes will need some reinforcements in the striker positions this summer, if they want to terrorise Premier League defences more, away from relying on their aggressive veteran.

Leicester have been linked with a swoop for AS Roma centre-forward Tammy Abraham, who – when fully fit – scares Serie A defenders with his goalscoring prowess, netting 17 goals during his debut season out in Italy.

The £26m-rated striker could be a worthwhile addition, therefore, if Cooper can get him firing on all cylinders again, after an injury-disrupted 2023/24.

Leeds United could look to reignite their interest in Ajax left-back Nicolas Tagliafico this summer.

The Lowdown: Left-back move

The Whites have been hard at work already in the transfer market, bringing in six new players at a cost of £95m.

Victor Orta and Jesse Marsch aren’t planning on stopping there, though, with a new forward, a left-back and an experienced goalkeeper on the agenda.

A new left-back could be even higher up on Orta’s wish list following an injury to Junior Firpo, and Tagliafico – who was linked with a move to Elland Road last year – has come back up in conversation.

The Latest: Tagliafico claim

Leeds Live journalist Kyle Newbould looked at four left-back options that the Whites could target following Firpo’s latest injury. One of those was Tagliafico, who he claimed is still looking to leave Ajax in what could be a potential ‘bargain’.

The report states that the defender ‘could be signed for just £4-5million – although the left-back has plenty of suitors including Chelsea, Brighton and Barcelona’.

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The Verdict: Yes please

Tagliafico, who Kevin Campbell dubbed a “top-quality player”, is a 40-cap Argentina international who has plenty of experience at the highest level for club and country.

The 29-year-old is into the final 12 months of his Ajax contract and can also play as a centre-back or left midfielder if required.

Marsch appears to want his full-backs to chip in going forward, and with Tagliafico having 48 club goal contributions to his name, a move for him could be a brilliant piece of business by Leeds.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has voiced a teasing update regarding the Tyneside club’s transfer aims for the remaining weeks of the summer transfer window.

What’s the news?

Relayed on Twitter by the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope, the Magpies boss spoke about the current transfer situation after seeing his side secure a 3-0 pre-season win over 1860 Munich on Friday.

The 44-year-old said: “We are keen to add strength to certain areas. It remains to be seen whether we can get a deal done. It’s a difficult window, a difficult market, high prices & very limited availability. I’m sure we can hopefully a land a player who can make a difference.”

So far in the summer transfer window, the Toon have secured a permanent deal for Matt Targett following his loan spell at St James’ Park last season, along with bringing in Nick Pope and Sven Botman.

This shows that the Magpies have been keen on strengthening their defence ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign.

Bearing in mind how Newcastle conceded 62 league goals last season, it’s easy to see why Howe has been eager to add some strength and depth to that area of his squad.

Newcastle supporters will be buzzing

Now that the Magpies boss has shared his hopes of seeing a new player make their way to Tyneside this summer, this should surely have lots of Newcastle fans jumping for joy.

In terms of what sort of player the club could look to bring in before the transfer window shuts, the fact that the club have been entangled in a saga over a potential move for Reims striker Hugo Ekitike – who has now been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain – could suggest that the Toon want to sign a new attacker this summer.

Should the Magpies end up missing out on securing a deal for the Frenchman, this would allow the club to focus on other potential attacking transfer targets that they may want to sign.

If Newcastle end their latest transfer window with another player through the door who can improve Howe’s squad, this would surely tie up their summer transfer activity nicely and put them in good stead to attack their upcoming Premier League campaign.

AND in other news: PIF plotting Newcastle bid for £211k-p/w target, he’d be “one of the best” summer signings