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A big Newcastle United transfer claim has emerged on their plans for the rest of the summer transfer window…

What’s the talk?

Express journalist Ryan Taylor has claimed that the Magpies will be attempting to bring in an attacker to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch.

Dan Ashworth has already strengthened the club’s backline with deals to sign Matt Targett, Nick Pope, and Sven Botman – all on permanent deals – and the reporter is now backing up to look further up the pitch.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I do think there’s scope to recruit another wide attacker as well, but obviously as we’ve seen with Newcastle, their recruitment strategy is actually very calculated, it’s not just throwing money at big names as many expected them to do, it’s smart shopping.

“So, I don’t have any specific names, but I do think there will be an attacking signing on the agenda.”

Eddie Howe will be delighted

The Magpies’ head coach will be delighted by this claim as he will surely be eager to bring in more attacking talent to the team.

PIF sanctioned a spending spree in January and Chris Wood was the only out-and-out attacker amongst the group of new arrivals.

The Burnley man has struggled for form on Tyneside and did not show enough to suggest that he will be the man to fire Newcastle into the top half of the table next season.

He scored two goals in 17 Premier League matches for the Toon and his statistics over the course of the campaign, including his time at Turf Moor, do not make for much better reading. The New Zealand international scored five goals and failed to register a single assist in 34 games, which is why Howe cannot rely on him to find the back of the net next term.

Callum Wilson (eight) was the only Newcastle player with more than five league goals in total and Allan Saint-Maximin (five) was the only one with more than three assists to his name.

These statistics suggest that the Magpies are in desperate need of players who can score and or assist goals as they did not have any regular contributors to rely upon in the 2021/22 campaign.

Therefore, Howe will be buzzing with the suggestion that Ashworth is now set to pursue a deal for an attacker and will be hoping that a top player can be brought in and not another Wood.

AND in other news, Ashworth eyeing NUFC swoop for “dangerous” £30m dynamo, just imagine him & Wilson…

Manchester City have been linked with a summer move for Atletico Madrid attacker Joao Felix.

What’s the news?

Portuguese football journalist Bruno Andrade has shed some light on the matter in a recent tweet, stating: “[Erling] Haaland may not be the only strong reinforcement: Pep Guardiola wants Joao Felix at Manchester City. Trading, however, essentially depends on the departures of Gabriel Jesus and [Raheem] Sterling. It’s about opening up space in attack and, above all, balancing financial fair play.”

After scoring 20 goals in 43 senior appearances for Benfica, Felix joined Atletico in 2019 in a deal worth a reported £113m. Since then, the 22-year-old has found the net 29 times and delivered 15 assists in 110 appearances for the Spanish club across all competitions.

Praised by his manager Diego Simeone for a “complete” performance against RB Salzburg in October 2020, the Atletico star has shown he has what it takes to play for a top club. His latest La Liga campaign saw the former Benfica starlet score eight goals and supply four assists in 23 games.

Imagine him and Haaland

While the £63m-rated forward may not have shown that he has what it takes to be a talisman for a top club in Europe just yet, he can still be considered a more than useful attacking figure. This could duly make him a solid prospective signing for City if he’s able to play next to or around Haaland.

With 83 goals in 87 appearances for Borussia Dortmund and 29 in just 27 games for Salzburg, the Norwegian has already shown by the age of 21 just how natural he is when it comes to finding the net.

Taking into account how Felix has played in every attacking position at times throughout his career, his versatility could make it easier for Guardiola to fit him into the team alongside Haaland, should the Portuguese gem make a move to the Etihad Stadium this summer.

If Atletico are willing to negotiate a deal for their attacker this summer, City should definitely test the waters to find out what it would take to get him to make a move to Manchester and potentially form a scary attacking partnership with Haaland.

In other news – Terms agreed: City now closing in on “refreshing” £30m signing, Pep will be buzzing

Yorkshire Live journalist Dom Howson has delivered an update on Lee Gregory’s future at Sheffield Wednesday during a fan Q&A session.

The Lowdown: Gregory’s debut season

The 33-year-old first made the switch to League One when he joined the Owls in a permanent move from Championship side Stoke City last summer, where he has become a regular feature in Darren Moore’s starting XI in his debut season at Hillsborough, racking up 39 appearances across all competitions.

When the striker put pen to paper on arrival, his contract was set to run until 2023, so with just 12 months now remaining on his current deal, the club will no doubt be sweating over his future after such a successful campaign.

The Latest: Howson drops Gregory update

In a fan Q&A session for Yorkshire Live, Howson was asked by a supporter whether Sheffield Wednesday are in negotiations over a new agreement for Gregory, confirming there are no talks yet but they will be in the pipeline:

“Not sure talks have taken place yet with Gregory but I am sure that is one Wednesday will be looking to sort out sooner rather than later. Gregory was superb in his first year at the club.”

The Verdict: Exciting

The former Potters star was a standout performer for the Owls during his opening campaign in the third-tier, so it wouldn’t come as any surprise to see the club wanting to extend his stay for as long as possible.

Throughout the 2021/22 term, the forward, who was once hailed an “instrumental” player by former Millwall teammate Tom Bradshaw, scored an outstanding 16 goals and provided six assists in League One, as per Transfermarkt, and was a pivotal figure in helping his side reach the play-offs.

Looking ahead to next season, Gregory will be pivotal if the club manage to go all the way and seal promotion to the Championship, so this update that talks are due is certainly an exciting one.

In other news… Sheffield Wednesday are reportedly closing in on the signing of a new defender.

Fabrizio Romano has dropped an update on the future of Tottenham Hotspur winger Steven Bergwijn.

What’s the talk?

In a recent post on Twitter, the Italian journalist revealed that, with the 24-year-old having been heavily linked with a move away from north London this summer, Fabio Paratici will be demanding a figure in the region of €30m (£26m) in order for him to sanction the sale of the Netherlands international.

The transfer insider went on to state that Ajax are currently working on a deal with Tottenham but are yet to come to an agreement, while a number of other clubs are also believed to be keeping a very close eye on the situation of the winger ahead of a potential move of their own in the coming weeks.

In his tweet, Romano said: “Tottenham want around €30m to let Steven Bergwijn leave this summer. Ajax are working on it with an official proposal, still waiting to reach an agreement with Spurs. There are many clubs interested in Bergwijn – but Ajax are on it since January.”

Supporters will be buzzing

While it undeniable that Bergwijn is an incredibly talented player, considering just how little Antonio Conte has utilised the former PSV Eindhoven starlet since his arrival at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last November, Romano’s claim that Spurs could receive as a much as £26m from the forward’s sale this summer is sure to have left supporters buzzing.

Indeed, of the 20 Premier League games in which the £16.2m-rated talent featured under the management of the 52-year-old, the 24-year-old was handed a start just once – playing a total of 275 minutes of league football for the Italian.

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Despite this lack of game time, the £73k-per-week winger still managed to catch the eye, scoring three goals over his aforementioned 20 league appearances for Conte – an average of one every 92 minutes – as well as bagging a further goal and assist over his three outings in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

However, with the joint Premier League Golden Boot winner, Son Heung-min, ahead of him in the manager’s left-wing pecking order, unfortunately for Bergwijn, his route to regular first-team minutes was very much blocked by the South Korean sensation – something that looks unlikely to change heading into 2022/23.

As such, it would appear that a parting of the ways this summer would best suit the player and the club, with the flying Dutchman undoubtedly looking forward to the prospect of becoming an important player for his new side, while Fabio Paratici will certainly welcome an additional £26m to his budget in the transfer market.

AND in other news: Conte could land the next Alba as Spurs now eye £15m “monster” who can “run all night”

Aston Villa are expected to sign Rangers teenager Rory Wilson in the coming weeks, according to The Athletic. 

The Lowdown: Finally!

Wilson, a 16-year-old striker labelled as ‘clinical’ by Brian McLaughlin, has been on Villa’s radar for some time.

Villa were linked with the forward at the end of March and again at the beginning of May, with reports suggesting that Gerrard wanted Villa to pip Liverpool in the race for Wilson’s services.

It looks as if the Villa manager is finally set to get his way when it comes to the teenager regarded as one of the best young players in the United Kingdom.

The Latest: Set to leave Ibrox

The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell provided a Rangers transfer update on Friday, looking at the club’s summer plans.

When it came to youngsters at Ibrox, Campbell stated that Wilson ‘is expected to leave for Aston Villa in the coming weeks’.

The Verdict: Shrewd move

Wilson appears to be a future star and has already been snapped up by Adidas in a boot deal and CAA Base agency, who represent the likes of Heung-min Son and Raphael Varane.

You’d expect that the striker, who scored more than 40 goals at youth level last season, will go into the club’s academy ranks to start with. However, it wouldn’t come as a shock if the Scot impresses at Bodymoor Heath, which could see him make the odd first-team match-day squad from time to time, as we saw with Tim Iroegbunam last season.

In other news: Sky Sports man now drops ‘crazy’ Luis Suarez to AVFC claim after what he’s heard from Villa Park. 

Aston Villa are set to back away from a move for Bologna defender Aaron Hickey, according to the latest rumours.

What’s the word?

As per The Athletic, the Scotland teenager had been a target for the Midlands outfit, although the club have since ‘cooled’ their interest owing to the player’s reported £20m price tag.

The report suggests that Villa are in the market for a new left-sided defender, despite having signed Lucas Digne in January, with Steven Gerrard eyeing a ‘young and progressive’ deputy to the £25m Frenchman.

Sporting director Johan Lange is now set to scour the continent for another possible target, while as for Hickey, the 19-year-old is rumoured to be of interest to fellow Premier League outfit, Arsenal.

The next Lahm?

With the aforementioned Digne on one side and Matty Cash on the other, Gerrard appears well-stocked at present in his full-back ranks, although the addition of the former Hearts starlet would have provided genuine competition and cover, with the £13.5m-rated gem seemingly comfortable on either flank.

The Glasgow-born ace has caught the attention of clubs across Europe in recent times, having made the bold decision to move to Italy at the age of just 18, going on to make 48 appearances for the Serie A outfit over the last two seasons.

Having been eased in during his debut campaign, the 2021/22 season proved a real breakthrough term for the three-cap star, as he went on to score five goals and register one assist in his 36 league outings – 34 of which had come as starts.

The “special talent” – as he has previously been dubbed by former Hearts boss Daniel Stendel – has thrived for his current side of late, with such form even seeing him handed a surprise start in the recent 2-0 defeat for Steve Clarke’s Scotland side in the crucial playoff clash against Ukraine.

Although he struggled on the night – earning a dismal rating of 4/10 from journalist Matt Atkinson – the expectation is that he will go on to remain a regular for his country in the coming years, having been tipped for big things by those who have worked closely with him.

The aforementioned Stendel, in particular, seemingly has a real fondness for the youngster’s talents, once insisting that he is “like Philipp Lahm” amid rumours of a potential move to Bayern Munich.

That is high praise indeed to compare him to the World Cup-winning German legend, with now-retired full-back having claimed almost every prize going in the game, while racking up a remarkable 516 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit during his 15-year senior career.

Dubbed “one of the most intelligent” players in the game by Pep Guardiola, Lahm was also able to convert into a holding midfielder during the Manchester City boss’ time in Germany, with his adaptability and quality making him one of the finest players of his era.

Like the 38-year-old, young Hickey can also be deployed in a midfield role, with his versatility making him a real asset were he to be signed by any side this summer.

At present, it looks like Gerrard and co are nearing almighty mistake if they are to let the wonderkid escape their grasp.

IN other news, Gerrard can land AVFC’s next Southgate with move for “outstanding” £120k-p/w warrior

Manchester United and Arsenal have emerged as suitors for Leeds United winger Raphinha this summer, according to journalist Gianluigi Longari.

The Lowdown: Homage to Catalonia?

The Whites preserved their Premier League status after winning 2-1 away to Brentford last weekend, on what was a huge day for the club.

Raphinha did his more than his fair share throughout the campaign, leading Leeds’ scoring charts with 11 league goals and firing home a vital penalty in the aforementioned victory over the Bees.

It is widely expected that the 25-year-old will depart for Spain this summer, however, having reached a natural conclusion at Elland Road and with Barcelona eyeing up a move.

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The Latest: MUFC and Arsenal twist

Taking to Twitter late on Wednesday night, Longari claimed that Manchester United and Arsenal could throw a twist into the battle to sign the Brazilian:

“Raphinha first offer rejected by #Leeds. Barca have priority but watch out for the Premier (#Arsenal and #Mufc).”

The Verdict: Barca or nothing?

It is wholly understandable why a move to Barca would appeal to Raphinha, with some of his country’s greatest-ever players representing the club, whether it be Ronaldo, Ronaldinho or Romario.

It would be hard to begrudge him a switch to the Catalan giants then, but it is tough to see him heading to United or Arsenal, especially with the former being Leeds’ bitter rivals.

Meanwhile, the Gunners failed to qualify for the Champions League in 2022/23, so Raphinha is unlikely to leave a club he loves only to be plying his trade in the Europa League next season.

Moving to Barca still feels likely but if that doesn’t materialise it could give Jesse Marsch hope of keeping hold of one of his star men.

In other news, a transfer expert has talked up a Leeds signing happening this summer. Read more here.

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is subject to interest from Bayern Munich, according to a report from The Telegraph. 

The lowdown: Difficult season

Rashford endured a tough 2021/22 campaign and finished the season with just seven direct goal contributions in 32 appearances across all competitions.

As a result, the 24-year-old has been left out of Gareth Southgate’s most recent England squad and will miss the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches for the Three Lions.

With Erik ten Hag officially starting at United this week, one of the Dutchman’s first orders of business could be to address the future of Rashford at Old Trafford…

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The latest: Bayern interested in Rashford

As per The Telegraph, Bayern are believed to be keeping a close eye on the situation surrounding the 46-cap England international.

It’s suggested that the Bundesliga champions are monitoring the Red Devils academy graduate, but have seemingly made Liverpool ace Sadio Mane their attacking priority this summer.

The report claimed that the versatile forward, who was once dubbed ‘different class’ by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following a 4-1 victory over Bournemouth in 2018, ‘wants to stay’ in Manchester and will ‘undergo intense warm weather training’ with the squad.

The verdict: Persevere with him, Erik

Learning that Rashford is willing to stay and fight for a place in Ten Hag’s plans should come as music to the ears of United supporters.

Despite the obvious issues faced during the 2021/22 season, the local lad has already amassed 150 direct goal contributions in 303 first-team outings for the club before his 25th birthday, proof of an innate ability to perform at the very highest level.

Moreover, Manchester United across the board were sub-par over the season, and the £63m-valued star wasn’t alone in underperforming, so he should be given the opportunity for a clean slate in what could be a new dawn at the club under Ten Hag.

In other news: Man Utd and Ten Hag launch ‘important offer’ to sign ‘the future’ of football along with De Jong

The glittering early reign of Ange Postecoglou at Celtic has seen the 56-year-old showcase his talent for identifying quality and affordable additions in the transfer market, with the wave of incomings having proven vital in the club’s Premiership triumph.

The same cannot be said of his predecessor Neil Lennon, the Northern Irishman having overseen a dismal end to his second stint in charge at Parkhead, notably making some bizarre signings and missing out on some potentially crucial acquisitions.

One such missed opportunity is that of Amine Gouiri, the 22-year-old having been linked with a move to Glasgow in the summer of 2020 as the club eyed another French success story after bringing in Moussa Dembele and Odsonne Edouard in previous years.

The young forward had previously gained wider attention after his stunning displays at the European Under-17 Championship in 2017 in which he netted seven goals, making his senior club debut just a few months later.

Despite catching the eye of the Glasgow giants in 2020, the deal ultimately fell through as reports at the time suggested that the Hoops were unwilling to fork out the required fee to prise him from Lyon, with doubts over spending that amount on a player who at the time had made just eight Ligue 1 appearances.

As it proved, the “wonderkid” – as he has been described by Opta – made the move to Nice later that summer in a €7m (£5.9m) deal, with that figure now looking like a total bargain, such has been his form in the past two seasons.

The £13k-per-week gem has chipped in with 45 goal contributions in just 83 appearances for his current club and has even been compared to Karim Benzema. His tally includes ten goals and eight assists in Ligue 1 so far this term, while also helping Christophe Galtier’s side to reach the French Cup final, where they were defeated by Nantes.

Such has been his meteoric rise, Gouiri is now valued at a staggering £45m by Transfermarkt, almost eight times more than what Lennon and co could have paid for him less than two years ago.

To rub further salt in the wounds, Celtic did end up splashing the cash on a striker that summer, eventually forking out a reported £4.5m on Albian Ajeti, just a fraction less than what they could have paid for the young Frenchman.

As those at Celtic Park are fully aware, the Swiss marksman has failed to make the grade thus far, with a paltry nine goals in 48 appearances. His valuation now stands at just £2.25m, illustrating just how poorly the club spent their transfer budget in the summer of 2020.

On recent form, it looks as if Gouiri will continue to haunt the Hoops over their misjudgment two years ago.

In other news, Celtic can unearth a new Giakoumakis after submitting bid for “very strong” £2.5m gem

Steven Gerrard could be a ‘big factor’ in Joe Gomez possibly joining Aston Villa from Liverpool this summer, according to Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Gomez links

NSWE have already made a start on their summer spending ahead of Gerrard’s first full season in charge by securing a permanent deal for Philippe Coutinho.

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Barcelona revealed that they have reached a €20m (£16.9m) agreement with Villa to make the Brazilian’s loan spell permanent in the Midlands, and it looks as if defensive reinforcements are next on NSWE’s radar.

Moving on from the little magician, recent reports have now suggested that Gomez is wanted at Villa Park in a defensive overhaul, with the 24-year-old making just ten starts this season.

The Latest: O’Rourke’s comments

O’Rourke, talking to The Transfer Tavern, said the Gerrard factor could play a ‘big’ role in Villa’s chances of signing Gomez, however, he added that the defender is still ‘highly regarded at Anfield’.

“I’m sure it would be a big factor if Villa did go for Joe Gomez to work under Steven Gerrard.

“Villa have been keeping tabs on Gomez for a while now for the last couple of transfer windows but Liverpool have always opted to keep him.

“I’m not too sure Jurgen Klopp will be willing to lose Gomez either who obviously has come back after that serious injury he had last season.

“He’ll find it hard to get first-team chances but I know he’s still highly regarded at Anfield so Klopp will be in no rush to send him out the exit door. I think Liverpool ideally would like to keep him at Anfield.”

The Verdict: Tricky

It looks as if a move for Gomez won’t be as straightforward as the one for Coutinho, with O’Rourke believing the Reds may not be in a rush to part ways with the defender.

Gomez will be entering the final two years of his Anfield contract in the summer, so he may have to try and force an exit in search of regular game time in the Midlands.

However, with Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa possibly moving on over the coming months, Villa will need to bring in more defenders than just Gomez, meaning it could be an extremely busy summer in regards to defensive incomings and outgoings.

In other news: NSWE now close to agreeing deal for another midfielder alongside Coutinho.