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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is not giving up on his pursuit of FC Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong and remains determined to bring him to Old Trafford.

What’s the latest?

According to a report in The Guardian, the United boss has told the club’s football director, John Murtough, that even if De Jong isn’t signed in time for their first game of the Premier League season against Brighton & Hove Albion, they should continue to chase him.

The Red Devils have already agreed to a €75m (£63m) fee with Barcelona for the player, and the Spanish giants are keen for him to leave as they need the funds to help aid their financial instabilities.

However, the Dutchman has no desire to leave and has been named as part of their pre-season squad for their summer tour.

Is this latest move by Ten Hag a show of defiance to the player’s wish to remain in Catalonia, or does he fear that backing out now would just add to the embarrassment?

He’ll be Di Maria 2.0

United need to be careful if they’re to avoid a repeat of 2014 and the signing of Angel Di Maria. The Argentine moved to Old Trafford from Real Madrid for a then British record £59.7m, at the start of United’s last dutch manager Louis van Gaal’s reign.

It was clear that he didn’t want to be at the club after he wrote an open letter to Madrid fans explaining that he never wanted to leave. It was a disastrous signing, with the player having trouble on the pitch making just 32 appearances, and off it where he was the victim of a break-in.

He was subsequently sold to Paris Saint-Germain just 12 months later.

The deal for De Jong bears many similarities, and if anything has changed at the club, then United should think twice about continuing with trying to persuade the player to join.

The 25-year-old has worked with Ten Hag before so you might think he’d be keen, but he is a key part of Barcelona’s team, with manager Xavi describing him as a “genius”.

De Jong is also owed a colossal £17m in deferred wages, so unless that can be sorted it’s likely he won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

AND in other news: Ten Hag can finally axe £110k-p/w “waste of time”, Man Utd supporters will be buzzing

Journalist Paul Brown of The Daily Star has now made an exciting West Ham United transfer claim involving Lille starlet Amadou Onana.

The Lowdown: Irons in talks…

As reported, manager David Moyes and the Hammers have been in talks for multiple players this summer as they reportedly close in on a deal for Sassuolo striker Gianluca Scamacca.

Some journalists like Jacque Talbot have also claimed that there have been discussions for three targets simultaneously with Chelsea forward Armando Broja, Scamacca and Onana all at the centre of West Ham’s interest.

The latter, who is thought to be valued at around £50m by Lille, could arguably be the most difficult transfer to pull off given his seismic price tag and the fact his contract doesn’t expire until 2026 – gifting his side plenty of leeway in negotiations.

The Latest: Brown makes exciting Onana claim…

Perhaps sharing some real hope for Hammers supporters, Brown of The Star has made quite an exciting claim.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, the reporter believes Onana wants to join Moyes at West Ham and says it is only a ‘matter of time’ before the transfer could happen.

He explained: “That one seems to have gone a little bit quiet, but he’s a player who seems to want to come to West Ham. I think it’s only a matter of time before it gets done, essentially.”

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The Verdict: Very promising…

The colossal 6 foot 4 midfielder wanting to join West Ham is certainly promising on it’s own and West Ham will be hoping Brown is correct and the transfer is indeed a matter of time.

Still just 20-years-old, the Ligue 1 prodigy has already earned one international cap for a star-studded and very competitive Belgium team.

This could be an indicator of Onana’s quality and real potential, yet it will be interesting to see if Lille and the Premier League side can find middle ground when it comes to reaching an agreement.

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has provided a transfer update for supporters, suggesting that their business in the transfer window isn’t yet complete.

What’s the latest?

In an interview with Sky Sports about the club’s new signing Sekou Mara, Hasenhuttl said:

“It is not the only offensive player we want to bring in. There will still be somebody else to come, but in the end, we need the guys to make the difference up front.”

This suggests that the club will continue to be in the market for a striker despite signing the youngster on a four-year deal from French side Bordeaux.

Saints seem to be committed to replacing both Armando Broja and Shane Long who were part of their squad for the campaign last season.

Supporters will love the news

Supporters of the south coast club will love to hear the news that Hasenhuttl wants to further reinforces his options going forward. It’s better to be overprepared than under heading into what will be a tough season for the club.

Chelsea star Broja contributed six goals and created two big chances during his time on loan at the clubs last season according to SofaScore.

Saints need to make sure that they replace these numbers if they’re to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle. Sides they are set to compete with next season have also been strengthening.

Newly promoted Nottingham Forest have raised eyebrows with the huge signing of Jesse Lingard and are set to continue spending.

Hasenhuttl recently commented on his club’s spending power and ability to match those around them saying they are “miles away” from other clubs in terms of fees they can afford to pay.

The focus appears to be on youth with the club also linked to Manchester City’s Liam Delap, who they are preparing to make a £23m bid for having had one initially rejected.

Last season Saints scored just 43 goals in their 38 Premier League games showing a need to improve their quality in attack. Just six other sides scored less including the three that went down.

If they’re not careful then they could find themselves back in the Championship for the first time since 2012.

AND in other news: Saints can form deadly duo with bid for “exceptional” £23m target, imagine him & Sekou…

Celtic have been handed an injury boost ahead of their first away clash of the new Premiership season against Ross County on Saturday.

What’s the news?

In a recent post on Twitter, Sky Sports journalist Alison Conroy revealed that Hoops defender Carl Starfelt will be available to play at Dingwall following his recovery from an injury that he picked up over the summer.

Celtic signed the centre-back from Rubin Kazan last summer for a fee of £4m. His debut season at Parkhead saw the defender play a big role in seeing the Hoops secure the league title as he racked up more league minutes (3,015) than any other outfield player at the club.

In terms of his defensive output, the Sweden international ended the campaign with the second-highest number of interceptions (42) and successful tackles (30) at the club, along with the second-highest average for clearances per game (3.6)

Big boost for Postecoglou

His overall performances throughout the campaign earned him a solid season rating of 7.19/10 from WhoScored, making him the sixth-highest rated Celtic player currently at the club.

This shows just how important he is for the Hoops and why his return to fitness could provide a massive boost for the team and Ange Postecoglou.

Celtic’s opening match of the new campaign saw them secure a 2-0 win over Aberdeen, in which Stephen Welsh started next to Cameron Carter-Vickers in Starfelt’s absence.

Not only did the Scotsman help the Bhoys to keep a clean sheet by making two tackles and two clearances and winning six duels, he also scored his team’s first goal of the afternoon.

This could duly give Postecoglou a headache over whether or not he decides to give Starfelt his first appearance of the season against Ross County on Saturday or reward Welsh with another start after making such a big impression last weekend.

Either way, that the 27-year-old is now fully recovered from his injury will still be a huge positive for the club, especially with the number of games ahead of them across all competitions this term.

Irrespective of whoever Postecoglou decides to select at his starting centre-backs on Saturday, the main objective will undoubtedly still be to pick up another win, along with another clean sheet if possible.

Italian broadcaster Radio Radio have made an exciting Tottenham Hotspur transfer claim involving Roma star and Lilywhites target Nicolo Zaniolo.

The Lowdown: Spurs begin…

The north Londoners have got off to a brilliant start this season, opening their Premier League campaign with a comfortable 4-1 demolition at the expense of Southampton.

Antonio Conte’s side put the Saints to the sword on Saturday afternoon courtesy of goals from Ryan Sessegnon, Eric Dier, Mohammed Salisu (own goal) and Dejan Kulusevski, with the quartet of strikes cancelling James Ward-Prowse’s opener.

Despite their fantastic first game of 2022/23, if reports are anything to go by, Spurs are still eager to strengthen, with sporting director Fabio Paratici appearing to be busy behind the scenes.

The Latest: Zaniolo talks advance…

Indeed, reports from Italy over the weekend have shared a potentially exciting development as the Lilywhites continue their pursuit of Zaniolo.

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As shared by fantacalcio.it, broadcaster Radio Radio claim that Tottenham have become ‘very close’ to signing the 23-year-old ‘in recent days’.

It is believed that negotiations have not only ‘just begun’ but are in fact ‘well advanced’ and Zaniolo’s future could well be in England, with the report going on to advise Spurs supporters to ‘watch out’.

The Verdict: Exciting claim…

If this rather promising claim comes to fruition, it’s safe to say sealing a move for the Italy playmaker would perfectly round-off an already impressive window for Spurs.

As per WhoScored, Zaniolo finished 2021/22 as one of Jose Mourinho’s brightest attacking players, completing more successful take-ons per 90 (two) than any of his team-mates whilst drawing the most fouls per game (2.3).

Compared to Tottenham’s squad from last season, no member of Conte’s team matched or bettered those figures in the English top flight.

It’s clear that the exciting midfielder could gift Spurs another option and avenue of creativity in the final third, with journalist and Serie A critic Carlo Garganese even branding Zaniolo a ‘beast’.

Leeds United may have been dealt a setback in their bid to bring Ismaila Sarr to Elland Road this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to Graeme Bailey, with the 90min journalist revealing in a recent post on Twitter that, after Manchester United decided to back away from a move for Marko Arnautovic, Erik ten Hag’s side have now turned their attention towards the Watford forward – for whom the Championship side are reported to be demanding a figure in the region of £29m.

This news is sure to come as a blow to Victor Orta and Jesse Marsch alike, as Leeds have also been credited with an interest in the Senegal international’s signing prior to the closure of the summer transfer window at the start of September.

In his tweet, the journalist said: “Another attacking option now under consideration for Man Utd is Watford’s Ismaila Sarr. Previously linked to Old Trafford. Has a lot of Premier League interest in taking him back to the top-flight.”

A blow for Orta

Considering just how exciting an addition Sarr would have made to Marsch’s attacking options at Elland Road, the news that Manchester United have now entered the race for the 24-year-old will undoubtedly have come as a setback to Orta.

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Indeed, the £24.3m-rated talent boasts a wealth of Premier League experience, having scored an impressive ten goals and registered eight assists over his 50 outings in the top flight of English football for the Hornets.

What makes these returns all the more impressive is the fact that, in both of the two campaigns Sarr’s 50 Premier League fixtures have come over, Watford have finished the season in the bottom three – demonstrating that the winger can still return decent numbers even while playing for a team struggling towards the foot of the table.

As such, were the former Stade Rennais starlet who Troy Deeney dubbed “unbelievable” to secure a move to a side with greater resource than the Hornets – which Leeds very much currently represent – it can reasonably be assumed that the Senegalese sensation’s returns in the final third would only improve.

However, with Manchester United likely to be able to offer the £63k-per-week attacker a much larger salary than the one Orta would be able to put forward, in addition to possessing the further lure of European football, the Whites’ sporting director will certainly have his work cut out if he is to convince the Watford forward of a move to Elland Road ahead of one to Old Trafford this summer.

Leeds United could reignite their interest in Che Adams before the summer transfer deadline, according to The Athletic’s Phil Hay…

What’s the word?

“He’s been linked. It’s not a secret that Leeds like him, or liked him – going back to 2020 when they did Jean-Kevin Augustin, it was Adams who they would have done and thought they were going to do earlier in the month, only for Southampton to about-turn and decide to keep him,” the reliable journalist told his podcast.

“It’s a possibility, and he looks to me like the type of player who, if at the end of the month, Leeds suddenly decided they needed a striker, [and] weren’t quite sure how much they wanted to invest, [and] didn’t want to necessarily block Gelhardt’s pathway with somebody who is a similar sort of age, then Adams falls into the category of players who might fit.”

It remains to be seen how much the Scotland international would command, having cost the Saints around £15m back in 2019. CIES Football Observatory, assess the transfer value of professional footballers on a scientific basis, currently value him at €20m (£18m).

Marsch badly needs him

The 26-year-old started Saturday’s clash between Leeds and Southampton and was unable to influence the game, though that shouldn’t put director of football Victor Orta and manager Jesse Marsch off from making a move.

In the very same game, Patrick Bamford was withdrawn early through injury, leaving a worrying outlook on the remainder of the campaign, seeing as Leeds suffered from his absence for the bulk of 2021/22.

Indeed, the England striker was restricted to just nine appearances, thanks to a range of injury concerns and this latest setback only further highlights the desperate need for further options up top.

In his absence, only Raphinha – who has since moved on – hit double figures with the likes of Dan James, Rodrigo and Joe Gelhardt combining for a total of 12 goals, as per WhoScored.

Adams himself, meanwhile, provided the Saints with seven goals but all of those came between the end of October and the end of February, meaning he is capable of going on a streak and perhaps that is something that Marsch can bring out of him.

That built on returns of nine goals and five assists a season earlier, so he’s certainly capable of finding the net in the Premier League.

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Once described as a “ketchup bottle phenomenon” by manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, Adams would be the perfect alternative to Bamford heading into the remainder of the season.

He would need little time to settle in, given his past three years in the big time, where he has scored a total of 20 goals.

Marsch badly needs a new frontman to provide valuable backup to Leeds’ star man and Adams is certainly in the right profile to provide that, as such, Orta and co must get this deal over the line before September 1st.

AND in other news, Phil Hay drops transfer update…

Arsenal have Youri Tielemans at the top of their list, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano…

What’s the word?

The Italian journalist was appearing on a recent episode of the Que Golazo Podcast, where he delivered an update on the Gunners’ plans before deadline day.

He said:

“The midfielder, it has always been Tielemans at the top of the list for Arsenal, but still no official bid to Leicester. I’m told Arsenal are still focused on outgoings.

“The roles they have been following are a midfielder and a winger but it depends, Arsenal have a very good strategy.

“For example, if you asked me the same question in January I’d say they wanted a striker, but they didn’t waste money on a player they didn’t trust because they couldn’t get [Dusan] Vlahovic, they waited and got Gabriel Jesus in the summer.”

Arteta needs him

If Arsenal are keen on the player, then technical director Edu Gaspar must act sooner rather than later as time is running out for him to join the club in this current transfer window.

Some reports have suggested that personal terms have already been agreed with the Belgium international and others claim that it’ll only cost them around £25m, so you have to wonder what the wait is for.

Tielemans is a vastly experienced Premier League talent and one that Arteta desperately needs if his side are to remain competitive in this campaign.

They narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification due to a late collapse last season and right now, the engine room looks particularly weak behind his first-choice duo of Thomas Partey and new vice-captain Granit Xhaka.

The 25-year-old maestro could rival the pair to a starting berth under Arteta and that would surely elevate both of their games. Meanwhile, the Foxes star would be a considerable upgrade on those behind them, notably Albert Sambi Lokonga and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Once described as a “phenomenon” by former Sweden international Par Zetterberg, Tielemans provided Leicester with seven goals and five assists in 2021/22, making it a total of 48 goal contributions in 160 appearances from central midfield, as per Transfermarkt.

FBref.

Evidently a key threat in the final third, Tielemans could be the missing piece of the puzzle for Arteta heading into the remainder of the season, so it’s on Edu and co to get this deal over the line before it’s too late.

There are less than two weeks left in the window and the Spaniard is no closer to adding depth to his threadbare engine room.

AND in other news, Edu could repeat Arsenal’s big N’Golo Kante transfer blunder with “outrageous talent” Arteta wants…

West Ham United are preparing a third offer for Club Brugge midfielder Hans Vanaken, according to the Daily Mail. 

The lowdown: One in

This comes after the Hammers all but completed the arrival of Lucas Paqueta in a £51million switch from French Ligue 1 outfit Lyon (Sky Sports).

The 24-year-old looks set to become the eighth new arrival of the summer into David Moyes’ ranks as the Scot looks to kickstart a dismal Premier League campaign so far.

However, the incomings may not be finished there as a fresh claim has emerged suggesting that the Irons won’t give up their pursuit of Vanaken despite the capture of Paqueta…

The latest: Third bid

As per the Daily Mail online, West Ham are understood to be readying a third offer to sign the 30-year-old Belgium international as their ninth addition.

It’s claimed that Vanaken is ‘desperate to link up’ with Moyes in east London and as such, an improved bid is in the offing having previously seen £11million rejected.

The report states that the Brugge club captain – who was hailed as an ‘incredible player’ by coach Carl Hoefkins – ‘wants the chance to play in the Premier League’ and could be on the move before the September 1 deadline.

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The verdict: Go for it

Although the work done by Moyes since his reappointment has been nothing short of miraculous, one criticism has been a lack of recruitment in order to improve the strength in depth at the London Stadium.

Should Paqueta arrive as is now expected and Vanaken follow suit, then the midfield department at least would be well-stocked and ready to take on the entire 2022/23 campaign and any challenges it has to offer.

So far this term, the towering Belgian has earned a superb 7.22 SofaScore rating whilst winning 6.8 duels, successfully completing 1.3 dribbles and making 2.5 key passes on average per game in the Jupiler Pro League, demonstrating impressive defensive and attacking acumen.

That form, combined with 523 domestic matches worth of experience and a relatively low fee, makes Vanaken a potentially brilliant signing for West Ham.

West Ham United will ‘probably’ make two more signings along with Lucas Paqueta before the transfer window closes on Thursday night, according to transfer insider Dean Jones. 

The lowdown: Paqueta close

This comes as the Hammers get closer to the capture of Paqueta from Lyon, a deal that David Moyes himself discussed off the back of the 1-0 victory over Aston Villa this weekend.

The Scot confirmed that the move was close as the 24-year-old, described as an ‘exciting player’ by the Irons manager, prepares to undergo a medical before completing a £51m switch to the London Stadium (Sky Sports).

Despite the impending club-record transfer, one well-informed onlooker has suggested that there remains money in the GSB coffers for further incomings before Thursday’s deadline…

The latest: ‘Probably two more’

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones claimed that there are two more names in the mix to arrive at the London Stadium this week.

When asked about the possibility of further signings by West Ham before the transfer cut-off, the Eurosport journalist replied: “Probably two more. They’re going to ask about Vanaken and Gallagher.

“That gives you an idea of where we’re at and these are the key areas of the field that they’ve got to sort out in the coming days. They see it as realistic that three players will sign before the deadline.”

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The verdict: Fingers crossed

Signing Paqueta along with the two players mentioned by Jones would mark an exceptional end to what has already been a relatively successful window for the east Londoners.

Conor Gallagher made his mark in the Premier League last term, scoring eight goals on loan at Crystal Palace, while fellow Irons target Hans Vanaken went even better, netting 15 times in all competitions for Club Brugge.

Having perhaps run out of steam towards the final few weeks of a hectic 2021/22 campaign, squad depth is going to be more important than ever for the Hammers, who have Premier League, domestic cup and European challenges on the horizon once again this term.

If indeed Moyes and co can get deals over the line for Paqueta, along with Gallagher and Vanaken, then West Ham would be far better placed to at least replicate the tremendous showings they enjoyed domestically and in Europe last season.