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Newcastle United have been linked with a summer move for PSV Eindhoven winger Noni Madueke.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from 90min, the Magpies are one of the clubs – alongside Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City, Leeds United, Everton and Wolves – who are looking to secure a deal for the Englishman this summer.

After spending time in Tottenham’s youth ranks, the 20-year-old joined PSV’s under-17 side four years ago. Since then, the winger has made 114 appearances for the Dutch outfit across their senior and youth teams, scoring 36 goals and delivering 27 assists along the way.

Bye-bye Almiron

In 34 senior appearances for PSV last season, the youngster found the net nine times and supplied six assists, highlighting how dangerous he can be in front of goal.

In fact, only Cody Gakpo (2.9) ended the league campaign with a higher average of dribbles per game than Madueke (2.4), while just three PSV players racked up more shots on target than the ex-Spurs winger (18).

The attacker received praise from Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers earlier this year before his side took on PSV in the Europa Conference League, when the Foxes manager said: “He’s a talented player, he’s physically very good, he’s got a nice left foot, he’s dynamic, he wants to run in behind, so he’s a threat.”

The former Spurs youth prospect was linked with a move back to the north London club last summer, with a reported price tag of £40m put on him.

Should the Tyneside club beat their Premier League colleagues in securing the PSV star’s signature this summer, it could turn out to be bad news for current Magpies winger Miguel Almiron and his future at St James’ Park, which had already been placed in doubt in recent weeks.

Despite playing less than half as many league minutes compared to the Toon winger last season, Madueke still had more attempts at goal and more than double the number of shots on target (FBRef).

This suggests that the Englishman could be a better option for Newcastle than Almiron in an attacking sense.

Should the Toon look to offload the Paraguay international this summer, bringing in Madueke could be the ideal next step for them.

AND in other news – “Have enquired”: talkSPORT journalist drops NUFC transfer claim that’ll excite supporters

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Adrien Rabiot this summer, and a new update has now emerged on a potential deal which could tempt Juventus into selling the player.

What’s the latest?

According to Calciomercato, the Reds are in talks to land a swap deal for the Frenchman which could include either Roberto Firmino or Naby Keita.

As per the report, in conversations between the Merseysiders and the Serie A giants, one of those Liverpool stars could be offered as a bargaining chip to get a deal done to sign the Juve midfielder this summer.

Klopp’s very own Camavinga

With both Keita’s and Firmino’s contracts expiring in a year’s time, it could be a great opportunity to use either of them in a potential swap deal to strengthen the Reds’ midfield with a fresh face.

Liverpool are reportedly making the midfield a priority in the transfer window following the signing of Darwin Nunez. With Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara and James Milner all in their 30s, it is clearly an area that FSG want to address for the future.

Last season, Rabiot delivered two assists and created two big chances in Serie A, along with making two tackles and one clearance per game, winning the majority of his duels (59%) and completing the vast majority of his dribble attempts (77%).

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The £15m-valued Liverpool target was previous dubbed “exceptional” by Zinedine Zidane, who was impressed with Rabiot’s performance again Barcelona in the Champions League in 2017, saying: “It is true that Rabiot was exceptional.”

Klopp could even land his very own Camavinga in the 27-year-old, as the Real Madrid star has been one of the most comparable players over the last season to Rabiot according to FBRef.

Despite the teenager scoring more goals (two) and having a better shots on target accuracy (41.7%), in terms of central midfield attributes the Juventus ace offers better pass completion (861), greater success in his pressures (32.6%) and more touches in every area of the pitch, illustrating that he can provide a complete midfield performance (as per FBRef).

It has been reported that FSG are working on extending Naby Keita’s contract so that he will remain at the club beyond next season, but there has been no word on a new deal for Firmino so far, so the latter could be the ideal player to use in the Reds’ efforts to sign Rabiot this summer.

Signing Rabiot would be a great deal for Liverpool in terms of strengthening their midfield this summer, but they will need to weigh up their options when it comes to including one of their own players in any prospective swap deal.

AND in other news – “I expect…”: Journalist makes big Liverpool transfer claim that’ll delight supporters

West Ham United are reportedly plotting a move for Sassuolo striker Giacomo Raspadori, as David Moyes looks to bolster his attacking options.

What’s the word?

According to 90min, the Hammers have made contact with the Serie A side regarding a potential deal for the 22-year-old – as well as teammate Gianluca Scamacca – with a new centre-forward addition firmly on the agenda.

The east London side have already wrapped up the summer arrival of centre-back Nayef Aguerd, although additional transfers are seemingly in the offing, amid reports that Moyes and co are seeking a further six new signings.

As per this latest report, a new striker is a ‘priority’ this summer, with the club looking to ease the burden on current number nine Michail Antonio, with the 32-year-old currently the only recognised centre-forward in the first-team squad.

Di Canio 2.0

That reported interest in the €35m (£30m) Raspadori comes following what was another impressive campaign for the Italy international, as he netted ten league goals and provided a further six assists in 36 league outings.

The £25.2m-rated gem had burst onto the scene the year prior after scoring six times in 27 league appearances, with that form seeing him thrust into Roberto Mancini’s squad at Euro 2020, where the Azzurri ultimately ran out winners.

Such standout form of late has also seen him receive glowing praise from Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali, who said of the £3.2k-per-week starlet: “Raspadori has one quality that makes him stand out among the others: intelligence.

“Giacomo doesn’t have the intelligence of a champion, he has the intelligence of a super champion. This virtue, combined with a special technical talent, makes him absolutely explosive.”

That high praise will no doubt pique the interest of those at the London Stadium, with the hope being that he can emulate another gifted – and at times ‘explosive’ – Italian to have pulled on the claret and blue jersey, Paolo Di Canio.

The fiery maverick was fond of the odd controversial moment or two, although as with most unique talents that came hand in hand with his undoubted genius, with few having stolen the limelight quite so often.

On the pitch, Di Canio was simply a rare gem and arguably the finest player to have been associated with the club in the Premier League era, netting 47 top-flight goals during a stunning four-and-a-half-year spell and developing into a true, club icon in that time.

Of course, he also netted one of the greatest goals that the competition has ever seen with that scissor-kick volley against Wimbledon in March 2000, although that was just the tip of the iceberg as to what the talismanic forward could produce.

He may have been one of a kind, although West Ham could well find a notable heir to his crown in the form of compatriot, Raspadori.

AND in other news, Moyes plotting move for “special” £45m “baller”, he’d be a “superstar” for West Ham

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a move for Udinese winger Gerard Deulofeu during the upcoming transfer window, according to reports in Italy.

The Lowdown: Deulofeu attracting interest

The 28-year-old first joined the Serie A side on a season-long loan from former Premier League club Watford back in 2020 before making the move permanently last summer, and has quickly racked up 50 appearances.

Even though the Spaniard still has two years remaining on his contract at the Dacia Arena, his impressive performances appear to have caught the eye of some of the biggest clubs around Europe, and following a fresh update, it looks as though one of those is the Lilywhites.

The Latest: Spurs enter the race for Deulofeu

In a new article published by Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness), it’s claimed that Napoli want Deulofeu and currently lead the way, but know they face ‘competition’ from Tottenham, Real Sociedad and Villarreal.

The source continues to say that Udinese ‘hope to make €20m’ (£17.2m) for his sale, but that they would be willing to allow a deal to be ‘closed completely with a handshake’ at €18m (£15.6m), a fee that would be ‘affordable’ for Fabio Paratici and Daniel Levy.

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The Verdict: An absolute bargain

If Spurs could pull off a deal for Deulofeu somewhere in the region of that asking price, they would be getting an excellent player for an absolute bargain given the form he’s been in this season.

Throughout 2021/22, the forward scored 13 goals and provided five assists in just 34 Serie A appearances, as per Transfermarkt. He was the clear standout performer in his side, leading Udinese in goals, dribbles and key passes – he created 83 chances in total, 44 more than his closest teammate, per Whoscored.

The four-cap international was once dubbed an “outstanding” player by his former Everton manager, Roberto Martinez, and is now backing those comments up with his form on the pitch, so he could be the perfect cheap option to supplement the depth in Antonio Conte’s attack.

In other news… a Sky Sports pundit has ‘100%’ backed Spurs to complete a move for a popular transfer target.

Leeds United are interested in a deal to bring Ola Aina to Elland Road in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), who claimed on Thursday that Victor Orta has now made contact with Torino regarding a move for the 25-year-old, whom the Serie A side are desperate to keep “at all costs.”

The report went on to state that the right-back is also being pursued by a number of other English clubs, with the Nigeria international said to be well-known amongst Premier League sides due to his progression through the Chelsea academy, as well as a loan spell at Fulham.

Imagine him & Kristensen

While it is true that Leeds have only recently confirmed the signing of a new centre-back in the £10m Rasmus Kristensen, considering Aina’s extremely impressive positional versatility, it is easy to see why Orta is keen to bring the 25-year-old to Elland Road this summer.

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Indeed, over his 21 Serie A appearances – 15 of which came on the left flank – in 2021/22, the £6m-rated full-back highly impressed for Ivan Juric’s side, creating five big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 0.5 shots, making 0.8 key passes and completing 0.9 dribbles per game.

The £24k-per-week talent who Michael Oti Adjei dubbed “unreal” and Cristian Ansaldi labelled an “animal” also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 1.3 interceptions, 1.3 tackles, 1.2 clearances and winning 4.3 duels – at a success rate of 54% – per fixture.

As such, it is clear to see just impressive a signing Aina would be for Orta to get over the line this summer, with the prospect of the Nigerian lining up on the left and Kristensen starting on the right of Jesse Marsch’s back four sure to be an incredibly tantalising one for both the Elland Road faithful and the American manager alike.

AND in other news: Victor Orta in ongoing talks for “unreal” Leeds United deal, supporters surely buzzing

The Scotsman journalist Barry Anderson has provided an update on the future of Glasgow Rangers youngster Rory Wilson. 

The lowdown: Star in the making

Born in Girvan, the 16-year-old has been making a name for himself in the youth ranks at Ibrox over the last 12 months.

The centre-forward made four appearances for the Gers’ under-19 side in the 2021/22 UEFA Youth League and is already a shining light on the youth international scene.

Having announced his imminent departure from the Glasgow giants, Wilson has been heavily linked with a move to join up with former Teddy Bears manager Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa, and it appears that the proposed move could be edging closer…

The latest: Wilson transfer latest

Taking to Twitter, Anderson reported that the Ibrox teenage sensation is nearing a switch to the Premier League outfit.

He said: “Rory Wilson from Rangers to Aston Villa is progressing. Wilson (16) scored 49 goals at youth level this season for Rangers & Scotland. RFC due a £300,000 development fee. Villa also close to signing Ewan Simpson (15) from Hearts in a £250,000 transfer. #AVFC #Football #Scotland”

The verdict: Blow for Rangers

While it seems almost inevitabile that such a prodigious talent would move on from Ibrox at some stage, losing a talent of Wilson’s quality at such a young age is a blow to the project at Rangers.

With eight goals in just 11 Scotland under-17 outings on top of an astonishing campaign which has seem him score 49 goals between club and country at youth level, the prolific young striker was labelled ‘clinical’ by his coach Brian McLaughlin earlier this year.

Nonetheless, receiving a fee of £300,000 – as suggested by Anderson – would be a boost to the Gers’ coffers for a player who was unlikely to make a direct impact on Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side next season, so long as the money is redistributed to the Dutchman’s own transfer budget.

In other news: Alex McLeish has had this to say on Nikola Katic’s Ibrox return

Leeds United are ‘most interested’ in signing New York City forward Valentin Castellanos, according to 90min.

The Lowdown: Orta and Kinnear spotted in New York

The Whites have been acting quickly when it comes to signings for Jesse Marsch ahead of his first full season in charge.

Leeds have already brought in Brenden Aaronson from RB Salzburg and look to be closing in on right-back Rasmus Kristensen.

Castellanos could now be the club’s next key target, with Victor Orta and Angus Kinnear recently spotted alongside Leeds director Massimo Marinelli just over five miles from New York City’s Yankee Stadium.

The Latest: Smith’s post

90min journalist Chris Smith shared an update regarding Castellanos on Twitter.

He provided a link to his story, claiming that the Whites are the ‘most interested party’ and they do indeed have ‘club reps’ in the US after Manchester City passed up on their option to bring him from a fellow City Group outfit.

“Per sources, Man City have passed up their option on New York City FC striker Taty Castellanos, but have recommended him to a number of other EPL clubs.

“Leeds the most interested party, club reps are in USA.”

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The Verdict: Needed

Reinforcements in attack are certainly needed after Patrick Bamford started just seven Premier League games last season due to injury.

Castellanos, described as a ‘quality player’ and even dubbed the ‘new Didier Drogba’, appears to be an extremely shrewd target, with the Argentinian contributing to 76 goals in 126 games for the MLS side.

Still just 23 years of age, Castellanos can also play on either wing and Transfermarkt have a probability of a move to Leeds United at 68%, so this could be one to watch very closely.

In other news: Phil Hay now drops big update on Raphinha’s Leeds future after what he’s heard from Elland Road. 

Leeds United are interested in a deal to bring Gonzalo Plata to Elland Road in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Bolavip, who claim that Leeds have now joined the race for the Sporting Lisbon winger, who is also a €10m (£8.5m) target of Real Valladolid – the team with whom the 21-year-old spent the season on loan.

The report goes on to state that the Ecuador international’s representatives contacted a number of Premier League clubs regarding the availability of their client in the summer transfer window, with Victor Orta looking to have been convinced by the forward’s impressive campaign in Spain.

Raphinha 2.0

Considering just how much potential Plata evidently possesses, in addition to the fact that Raphinha looks almost certain to leave Elland Road in a €55m (£47m) deal in the coming months, it is easy to see why Orta would be interested in a move for the Sporting starlet this summer.

Indeed, over his 30 LaLiga 2 appearances this season, the £4.5m-rated talent played a pivotal role in Valladolid’s promotion back to the top flight of Spanish football, scoring six goals, registering five assists and creating five big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.5 shots, making 1.4 key passes and completing 2.3 dribbles per game.

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The 21-year-old forward also highly impressed in a defensive capacity, making an average of 1.8 tackles, 0.7 interceptions and winning 6.0 duels – at a success rate of 51% – per fixture.

These returns saw the player who Sam Tighe claimed has a “huge amount of talent” – as well as “lovely dribbling” ability and an “extremely hard” work rate – average an extremely impressive SofaScore match rating of 6.96.

For comparison, over Raphinha’s 35 Premier League appearances this season, the £40.5m-rated winger scored 11 goals, provided three assists and created ten big chances, in addition to taking an average of 2.5 shots, making 1.9 key passes and completing 1.8 dribbles per game – with these returns seeing the Brazil international average a SofaScore match rating of 6.97.

As such, while it is undeniable that the step up from LaLiga 2 to the Premier League will be a difficult one to make, it is abundantly clear that Plata boasts the ability to do so.

And, considering the youngster’s extremely similar profile to Leeds’ current 25-year-old wing wizard, should the Spaniard manage to get a deal over the line for the Ecuadorian this summer, the Sporting starlet could well prove to become Orta’s next Raphinha-style discovery at Elland Road.

AND in other news: “Talks ongoing…”: Romano reveals big Leeds transfer update that supporters will love

The final day of the 2021/22 Premier League campaign certainly turned into a rollercoaster for fans of both Manchester City and Liverpool.

Going into the final ten minutes of the curtain closers, Pep Guardiola’s City were trailing 2-1 to Aston Villa at The Etihad Stadium, whereas Jurgen Klopp’s charges were drawing one a piece with Wolverhampton Wanderers. For those fans who like a flutter, particularly via bitcoin given its 300% increase since Liverpool last faced Real Madrid in the 2018 Champions League Final, those final ten minutes were tantalising. For those playing online via bitcoins fast, simple and no transaction fee, anonymous betting design, those who headed to Cloudbet for the first time would have been met with excellent welcome bonuses as well as no KYC being required.

City ultimately lifted their sixth title having staged a comeback to win, keeping them a single point ahead of Liverpool to end their hopes of a historic quadruple – despite them also taking all three points in their late victory over Wolves.

Klopp and his team will be understandably disappointed with how the final days action went, but they simply have to dust themselves down and prepare properly for the upcoming 2022 Champions League Final clash with Real Madrid once again, as few fans would have turned their nose up at an equally impressive trophy treble at the beginning of the campaign, and that is of course, still potentially on the cards for the German manager and his first team squad.

Given the commanding season that Carlo Ancelotti had led them to in La Liga, Real Madrid will be tough opposition for Liverpool on Saturday, May 28, but with Klopp resting key players like Roberto Firmino, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah against Wolves, they should be fresh and raring to go next weekend, and as everyone knows, an in form Liverpool side with the threats they carry at the top of the pitch are more than a match for pretty much any side in the game.

Undoubtedly the disappointment of missing out on the Premier League title on the final day, having done all they could to almost capitalise on a City slip up, could in fact focus Klopp’s side and drive them on further ahead of the upcoming European clash with the disappointment still being so fresh in their minds.

Although history won’t list them as quadruple winners, it will remember just how close they got and the achievement that this was to potentially have four major trophies up for grabs at this late stage of the season, and ultimately lifting the Champions League trophy now and adding it to the FA Cup and League Cup could really propel them on, as eyes will soon turn to next season and the 2022/23 campaign and what further improvements Klopp plans to make to his already highly talented crop of first team players. There’s also the distraction that the World Cup in Qatar will bring to our domestic campaign, and naturally, some clubs will be impacted more than others when it comes to international call ups.

But for now and ahead of any future flutters, people will just reflect on the words of skipper Jordan Henderson and few will disagree.

“Yeah, the lads have given everything, so you can’t have too many issues. We’ve given absolutely everything all season right until the last day. In January, I think we’d have bit your hand off to take it to the last day. So, I’m very proud of the boys and what they’ve done this season so far, but it’s not over yet. We’ve got another game next week. There’s a bit of disappointment today. We’ve got to say congratulations to City, of course, but then we focus on the job next week. A huge match against a really good side and we’ll have to be at our very best if we want to come away with the trophy.”

Photo by Unsplash

Liverpool forward Divock Origi is absolutely nailed-on to join AC Milan at the end of the season, journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed.

The Lowdown: Origi tipped for exit

The Belgian has long been tipped for a summer exit in recent months, with his current Reds deal expiring once the current campaign is over.

Origi has been continually linked with a move to Milan, with the Serie A giants looking to add more firepower in the attacking third ahead of another year in the Champions League – they often rely on Olivier Giroud to lead the line, who will turn 36 at the start of next season.

The transfer is starting to look like a formality, with Romano giving a fresh update on the matter this week.

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The Latest: Origi to sign contract in Milan

Taking to Twitter, the renowned transfer expert claimed that the deal is now extremely close, even effectively done:

“Divock Origi has no doubts on his next destination: he’s just waiting to complete medical tests and sign the contract as new AC Milan player in the coming weeks.

“Liverpool have already accepted his decision – he’s definitely leaving on a free transfer.”

The Verdict: Smash it, Divock

This is a perfect time for Origi to move on, with the 27-year-old too good a footballer to be sitting on the substitutes’ bench for Liverpool most weeks.

He is in his prime years and a move to Milan could be perfect, as the Rossoneri lie on the cusp of winning the Serie A title, meaning the Belgium international could be joining at a perfect time in their recent history.

For all Origi’s cult hero status at Liverpool, racking up 41 goals across his time at the club, first and foremost he is a very good footballer and someone who could and deserves to thrive with a new challenge at another huge club.

In other news, a journalist has confirmed ‘strong interest’ in one Liverpool player. Read more here.