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Manchester United are monitoring Royal Antwerp midfielder Arthur Vermeeren for a transfer swoop, according to a report.

The Lowdown: Midfielder needed?

Reporter Ben Jacobs has recently told GIVEMESPORT that Scott McTominay is expected to leave the club at the end of the season, amid interest from Newcastle United.

Fred’s long-term future at Old Trafford is no guarantee, given that his contract will have just one year left on it at the end of the season, while Donny van de Beek has been criticised for his performances this campaign.

As such, Erik ten Hag could do with a new option in the engine room, with Vermeeren now being linked with a move.

The Latest: Vermeeren monitored

According to a report from the Daily Mail, Man United are monitoring the 18-year-old, although they will face competition for his signature, given that Newcastle United and other unnamed Premier League clubs are said to be interested.

However, he will not come cheap, with Antwerp valuing the youngster at £20m, in light of his recent performances.

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The Verdict: Get it done?

Given that the starlet has only made 16 first-team appearances with his current club, it is too early to say for certain whether he would be a success at Old Trafford, but he is exhibiting all the right signs to go on to be a future star.

Hailed as a ‘sensation’ by football scout Jacek Kulig, the teenager is yet to score a league goal for Antwerp, but he excels in the defensive side of the game, averaging 2.9 tackles per match in the Jupiler Pro League this season, as well as one interception.

This ability to cut out opposition attacks could make Vermeeren a fine replacement for McTominay, given that these statistics are better than those recorded by the Scotland international in the same areas this season, and Man United should continue to monitor his progress in the second half of the campaign.

Tottenham ‘could now turn attention to signing’ Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij after missing out on Milan Skriniar.

The Lowdown: Spurs chase central defender?

The north Londoners are reliably thought to be targeting new central defenders this summer with the likes of Marc Guehi and Alessandro Bastoni on their agenda.

Antonio Conte’s side have shipped more Premier League goals than any side in the top half, highlighting the real need for defensive reinforcements.

Spurs were linked with a move for Skriniar, but after the Slovakian’s decision to join Ligue 1 giants Paris-Saint Germain on a free deal, it appears the north Londoners could target his teammate instead.

The Latest: Lilywhites turn towards de Vrij?

According to Football Insider, Netherlands international de Vrij may now become a transfer target for Spurs and sporting director Fabio Paratici.

It is claimed that Tottenham ‘could now turn attention to signing’ the 31-year-old who, like Skriniar, also sees his Inter deal expire at the end of this season.

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The Verdict: Get it done…

On a free transfer, de Vrij represents real value for money in a very similar vain to Skriniar.

The colossal centre-back has attracted huge praise in recent seasons for his Serie A performances and is also very familiar with Spurs boss Conte.

The pair worked together at Inter during the Nerazzurri’s 2020/2021 title-winning campaign, and if Conte stays past this season, de Vrij could certainly contribute towards reinforcing Tottenham’s backline.

According to WhoScored, while the player hasn’t featured as regularly as in previous seasons, he has impressed statistically when available.

Indeed, de Vrij has averaged more interceptions and clearances per 90 than any Inter player this campaign, backing the real endorsements he’s received over the last few years.

Members of the media, like podcaster Alex Donno, have even once called him ‘Europe’s most underrated centre back’.

Former Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson, meanwhile, said de Vrij is the ‘absolutely perfect fit’ for Conte’s side.

Journalist Jordan Cronin believes Newcastle United losing tactician Mark Leyland will be a huge blow for Eddie Howe.

The Lowdown: Newcastle’s progress not going unnoticed

Newcastle appeared to pull off a major coup at the end of 2021 by luring the highly regarded Leyland to Tyneside to help Eddie Howe get the Magpies firing and moving in the right direction.

Having arrived from Liverpool, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp even spoke highly of Leyland as he left Anfield to join the Magpies, who were just at the start of their current journey, and he has helped Howe guide the team to a Carabao Cup final.

However, just one full season looks to have been enough for Leyland to prove he’s one of the best tactical brains in English football, as it’s been reported that Manchester City have managed to convince him to join the Citizens after this campaign.

The Latest: Losing Leyland will be huge for Howe

While many may not know of Leyland as he never gets much praise on camera, the fact that Howe has openly praised him in recent times and that the champions of England want him shows how great he is at his job, which Cronin spoke about on the Loaded Mag YouTube channel.

He said: “It’s a massive blow because the way Newcastle have set up tactically against sides has been because of Mark Leyland. Eddie Howe has spoken about him publicly and really praised him, and he also received a lot of praise from Jurgen Klopp when he first left Liverpool to come to Newcastle, so I think when two managers of their calibre speak about a person like that, he obviously has a lot about him.

“It’s a massive blow in terms of losing someone like him on the backroom team, but the good thing with Newcastle now – you’d certainly go and back Eddie Howe to go and find a good replacement [for] Mark Leyland.”

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The Verdict: Big shoes to fill

Many people may see Howe and Jason Tindall as the brains behind Newcastle’s rise to the top four in England, but for Leyland to be poached by Man City would suggest he has also played a huge role in their recent success.

However, as Cronin spoke about, with the likes of Howe and Dan Ashworth working on Tyneside and the success that’s been brought about under their stewardship, fans shouldn’t worry about them finding a suitable replacement.

Leyland isn’t leaving until the summer, so Newcastle and their fans have no need to worry at the moment, especially with a lot of the club’s focus on the Carabao Cup final this Sunday as they look to finally end their trophy drought.

Leeds United correspondent Phil Hay has revealed that Chris Armas is still at Elland Road following Javi Gracia’s appointment.

The Lowdown: Gracia’s backroom staff

The Whites confirmed on Friday lunchtime that new head coach Gracia has obtained a work permit.

As a result, he looks set to take charge of this afternoon’s meeting with Southampton, with Leeds adding that Zigor Aranalde and Mikel Antia will be his assistants.

Juan Jose Solla has also arrived as a fitness coach, whereas Michael Skubala will remain a part of the first-team setup.

The Latest: Hay’s update

Hay took to Twitter to share more news following the club’s backroom staff announcement, touching on Armas, who only arrived at the club at the end of January.

His name wasn’t mentioned in the official update to supporters, but Hay says that Armas is ‘still with the club’.

The Verdict: One to watch

Armas, Skubala and Paco Gallardo were the three to take caretaker charge following Jesse Marsch’s absence, with Leeds putting in two positive performances against Manchester United. Last weekend’s trip to Goodison Park wasn’t as good, though, but Skubala and Gallardo already know their futures, with the latter taking over at U21 level from the former.

Therefore, it’ll be interesting to see whether or not Armas is around Elland Road this afternoon, and if he isn’t, you’d expect that he could soon depart after just a month in Yorkshire, making this one to keep an eye on.

Leeds United are ‘still in pursuit’ of Coventry City attacker Viktor Gyokeres ahead of the summer transfer window, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Gyokeres linked with Leeds move

The 24-year-old has arguably been one of the Championship’s outstanding attacking players this season, scoring 15 goals in 31 starts in the competition.

He scored and assisted in Saturday’s important 2-1 victory at home to Sunderland and his performances have seen him linked with a move to Leeds recently.

Now, a new update suggests that the Whites’ interest is not going away any time soon.

The Latest: New update emerges

According to Football Insider‘s O’Rourke, Leeds want to add Gyokeres to the January capture of Georginio Rutter:

“Leeds United want more firepower despite signing Georginio Rutter for a club-record £35million in the summer. Sources tell me that the Yorkshire club are still in pursuit of Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres.

“Leeds were interested in signing the 24-year-old over the January window but will return in the summer with refreshed interest.

“The Coventry star’s contract expires next summer, and therefore the Championship side have slashed their asking price down to £10-12million. It is understood that the Whites will attempt to sign Gyokeres in the summer even if the club are relegated.”

The Verdict: Make it happen

There are some who may turn their noses up at Leeds wanting to sign a Championship player, but Gyokeres has been superb this season, being described as a ‘very strong striker’ by Slaven Bilic.

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At 24, he still has many years in which to improve but he could come in as a key man from the off, acting as a potential upgrade on the struggling Patrick Bamford, who has scored just once in 17 Premier League appearances this season.

Gyokeres has scored twice in 11 caps for Sweden, showing that he can cut it at international level, and Javi Gracia may feel he can turn him into an even more formidable player with better individuals around him.

A number of clubs from the Bundesliga have reportedly registered their interest in signing Glasgow Rangers central midfielder Ryan Jack this summer.

The Lowdown: Out of contract

Jack is out of contract at Ibrox this summer, and so as it stands he will be leaving as a free agent at the end of the season.

They have recently been linked with a move for Panathinaikos midfielder and captain Dimitrios Kourbelis, who is seen as Jack’s potential replacement.

The Latest: Approaches made

As per Football Insider, some teams from the Bundesliga have made approaches to try and sign Jack on a free transfer this summer.

The Scotsman is thought to be ‘keen’ on remaining at the club however, and Michael Beale still thinks of him as a ‘key’ member of the squad.

The Verdict: Sign him up!

The Gers simply cannot let Jack leave on a free transfer, and so should be looking to tie him down to a new deal if possible.

Despite not being a regular starter at times this season, the 31-year-old has still made 27 appearances in total over all competitions, scoring two goals and making a further two assists (Transfermarkt).

Beale has even claimed previously that Jack is in the ‘best eleven‘ players at the club, and so losing him for free this summer just does not seem like a smart move at all, especially if an adequate replacement is not brought in.

Glasgow Rangers defender Filip Helander is being monitored by one of his former clubs ahead of the summer, according to their sporting director.

The Lowdown: Uncertain future

The Swedish international first arrived in the Scottish Premiership from Bologna back in 2019 but will be out of contract at the end of the season, leaving his future up in the air.

The Light Blues centre-back has been sidelined for almost 12 months after sustaining a serious foot injury so is yet to be given a chance to prove himself under Michael Beale.

Football Insider reported in February that it’s unlikely that the 29-year-old will play for the club again, but it sounds like he won’t be short of a potential suitor should he depart.

The Latest: Malmo eyeing Helander?

Speaking to Fotbollskanalen, Malmo’s sporting director Daniel Andersson hinted that they are keeping a close eye on Helander, who used to play for them, ahead of the upcoming window.

The Daily Record quote him as saying:

“We have had little contact during these years, but we’ll see how the situation is. He is still quite young.

“Like I said, we’ll see. We keep in touch with all interesting old Malmo players.”

The Verdict: Offer a new deal?

Helander has been dubbed a ‘leader’ by former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard and despite him being sidelined for so long, he should be offered a new contract.

The 6 foot 3 colossus was averaging three aerial wins and 2.8 clearances per league game prior to his injury, highlighting the rock he can be at the heart of the backline (WhoScored).

The Teddy Bears ace can also be a threat in the final third having scored seven goals and provided one assist since joining so Beale should recognise that he’s still got so much to offer.

Sky Sports contributor Joshua Barrie has claimed that Rangers defender Ben Davies will likely be fit for the club's next game despite a possible injury concern suffered on Sunday.

What's the latest on Ben Davies and Rangers?

The Ibrox outfit picked up a solid win at home against Raith Rovers on the weekend to progress into the semi-final stage of the Scottish Cup.

Connor Goldson opened the scoring shortly before half-time before Ryan Nolan netted an own-goal while Scott Arfield added a third late on to seal the victory.

No doubt manager Michael Beale would have been delighted with the performance but he may have had some concern when Davies seemed to suffer a knock late on.

Indeed, while speaking on the Rangers Review podcast, Co-host Derek Clark said (9:21): “You can understand a bit of anxiety from supporters when you see Ben Davies come down.

However, Barrie put any concerns to bed as he replied: “Yeah, I think it's really December since he's had any of those issues. He’s really played every game since under Michael Beale and played it really well.

"I mean, it's a conversation we can have at some point, Derek, but I think you're starting to see the best of Ben Davies and how much he can bring on the ball.

"But no, there's no mention at that [injury] post-match or anything. So I'm sure he'll be fine going into next week's game."

How important is Davies for Beale and Rangers?

The 27-year-old struggled for fitness in the early stage of the season and played in just one of the club's first seven Scottish Premiership games this term.

It's safe to say, however, since Beale has come in, Davies has avoided any further injury setbacks and has established himself as a key part of the team, starting every game in all competitions throughout 2023 so far.

With that in mind, it's easy to understand why some supporters may have been fearing the worse when he looked to have potentially suffered a fresh fitness setback.

However, by the sounds of it, Davies should be fit and ready to continue his run of starts when Rangers take on Motherwell next Saturday away from home in the league.

Fabrizio Romano has said that ‘many clubs’ are scouting Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier ahead of the summer window.

The Lowdown: Meslier planning to quit?

The French goalkeeper has been a regular at Elland Road in recent years and became the youngster goalkeeper in Premier League history to reach 100 appearances. The 23-year-old helped the Whites to a much-needed 4-2 win over Wolves on Saturday, a result that lifted Leeds up into 14th place in the table.

However, with relegation a real possibility, there have been some worrying reports regarding Meslier’s future. The Leeds ‘keeper, along with Robin Koch and Jack Harrison, is already allegedly ‘planning to quit’ Elland Road and find a new club if Championship football comes the Whites’ way at the end of the season.

Chelsea have become the latest side to show a real interest in Meslier, as per Football Insider, and are ‘prepared to out-bid their rivals in order to secure his signature’.

The Latest: Romano’s comments

Romano provided an update on Meslier in his daily column for CaughtOffside, saying that ‘many clubs have sent their scouts to follow him’, but ‘Leeds want to keep things quiet and not to open any negotiation’ at this moment in time.

“Links with someone like Illan Meslier and a top club like Chelsea are normal, he’s a very talented goalkeeper and many clubs have sent their scouts to follow him.

“But at the moment, Leeds want to keep things quiet and not to open any negotiation now. Chelsea are yet to make a decision on the goalkeepers situation.”

The Verdict: One to watch

Should Leeds suffer relegation, then it looks almost certain that Meslier would depart Yorkshire. However, if Javi Gracia keeps Leeds up, the club would be under no pressure to sell Meslier, who is under contract until 2026.

He has been a brilliant performer for Leeds under a number of managers and was praised by teammate Brenden Aaronson earlier in the season, who said:

“You see it from him every single day. I think there was one day last week where he was saving everything and we were just shooting on him. He has so much quality in goal. He’s such a great goalie.”

Meslier also already ranks 39th in the all-time Premier League saves list with 365, so if Leeds manage to avoid the drop, they could keep hold of one of their star players, making the next few months crucial both on and off the pitch.

Liverpool have long been linked with a move for Ruben Neves and now a new update has emerged on the club's pursuit of the player.

What's the latest on Liverpool's interest in Ruben Neves?

According to journalist Pete O'Rourke (via Football Insider), Liverpool lead the race alongside Manchester United to sign the Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder.

As per the report, it is claimed that the bitter Premier League rivals are ahead of Barcelona in their efforts to secure the signature of Neves this summer as the La Liga giants are still struggling to get on top of their financial issues.

Will Liverpool sign Ruben Neves?

There is no doubt that Liverpool are in desperate need of a midfield rebuild this summer which is not only prompted by the poor form the team has displayed this season, but also due to the number of outgoings in the centre of the pitch.

Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner are all set to leave this summer upon the expiry of their contracts and as it stands, all three midfielders will not be offered an extension to remain at Anfield beyond the current campaign.

Not only that, both club captain Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara are well into the latter stages of their career, past the age of 30, so not only will the Liverpool hierarchy be looking to replace the departing personnel but should also be focusing on bringing in more youthful prospects for the future of the midfield.

As a result, the signing of the 26-year-old Wolves maestro – hailed "absolutely class" by reporter Alex Dicken – could be a worthwhile investment, one that would ultimately give the club a player who could become Thiago's replacement in the midfield three.

The Portuguese talent – who once had a reported price tag of £70m in January – ranks in the top 20% of his positional peers across the top five European leagues for shots on goal, passes attempted, interceptions, blocks and clearances.

When comparing Neves' output to Thiago this season, the Wolves midfielder has actually outperformed the Liverpool sensation in many attributes including goals scored (5 v 0), progressive passes (175 v 107), shot-creating actions (58 v 39), tackles and interceptions combined (105 v 59) and ball recoveries (190 v 104).

Indeed, the highly-rated pair are similar in some ways, particularly with their passing range and the way they can dictate matches.

That said, they are extremely different in other facets of the game with Neves more of an explosive risk-taker than Thiago, but moving forward this could be hugely valuable to Klopp.

Indeed, he would have a player equally capable of providing defensive cover and an attacking threat, especially with Fabinho's rapid decline this season, having run 'out of gas' in the words of Sachin Nakrani.

If Liverpool could strike a good deal for Neves it could give them a midfielder who not only possesses a wealth of Premier League experience, but a more versatile presence in the centre of the pitch for the future. As such, he must be signed.