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da bet vitoria： Celtic knew that they needed to improve their options in the wide areas after they lost Jota to an ACL injury and sold Nicolas Kuhn to Como in the summer.

da fezbet： They took their time to add to the squad, but they eventually brought Sebastian Tounekti to the club from Hammarby on deadline day at the start of the month.

Since his move to Parkhead, the Tunisia international has captured the imagination of supporters with his electric performances down the left flank in his first two appearances.

Why Sebastian Tounekti has already excited Celtic fans

Brendan Rodgers chucked him in at the deep end as a starter against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership, and was rewarded with an impressive display.

Per Sofascore, the left-sided attacker created four chances for his teammates and completed five dribbles. This shows that he was direct, creative, and exciting at the top end of the pitch.

Tounekti followed that up with his first goal for the club in the 4-0 win over Partick Thistle in the quarter-finals of the League Cup at Firhill on Sunday, finishing well after a one-two with Kelechi Iheanacho.

Supporters have taken to him quickly because he has not been afraid to take risks and make things happen with the ball at his feet, after three games without a goal scored for the Hoops prior to his arrival.

Whilst Tounekti already looks like a fantastic signing for the club, Celtic may still rue losing a young talent last year who was on course to be their homegrown version of the Tunisian star, Rocco Vata.

Why Vata was a homegrown Tounekti for Celtic

Talent scout Jacek Kulig claimed that the Irish forward had an “exciting” future at the club in 2022, which seemed to be a very fair prediction to make at the time.

Vata scored 23 goals in 34 matches for Celtic’s B team, showcasing his goalscoring potential, and grabbed one goal in six first-team outings for the Hoops after making the step up to senior level, per Transfermarkt.

Unfortunately, though, the Ireland international only got 11 minutes of football in the Premiership in the 2023/24 campaign, which led to him opting to leave the club to join Watford at the end of his contract in the summer of 2024.

The Hoops only received £237k in compensation for the Irish youngster, who scored four goals and provided four assists for the Hornets in his first year in England.

Vata has mainly been utilised as a left-sided winger at Watford, which is where Tounekti has played for Celtic, and his performances in the Championship last season were incredibly promising.

24/25 Championship

Rocco Vata per 90

Percentile rank vs wingers

xG

0.17

Top 43%

Goals

0.18

Top 42%

Shots

2.53

Top 20%

Assists

0.24

Top 20%

Touches in the opposition’s box

4.54

Top 25%

Successful dribbles

2.12

Top 13%

Stats via FotMob

As you can see in the table above, the 20-year-old talent ranked well among his positional peers as a scorer, a creator, and a dribbler, the three things that Tounekti has been on the left flank for the Hoops so far.

Vata has also created five chances and registered one assist in 107 minutes of Championship football, per Sofascore, this season after returning from injury in August, which further illustrates his creative quality.

These statistics show that he has the potential to be an exciting player for supporters to watch because he can provide goals, assists, and dribbles on the left flank to get fans out of their seats.

That is why he could have been a homegrown version of Tounekti for Celtic if they had given him more opportunities to impress in the first-team at Parkhead, rather than just one league cameo in his final season.

Therefore, Celtic must regret losing him, particularly given how low the compensation fee was, because they could have had Tounekti and Vata as exciting options on the flank.

da betano casino： Irrespective of what did, or did not, happen on deadline day, Leeds United still had an incredibly busy summer transfer window for their return to the Premier League.

da stake casino： They may not have landed Facundo Buonanotte or Harry Wilson in the final days of the window, but they did make ten first-team additions to the squad, including the likes of Anton Stach, Lucas Perri, Sean Longstaff, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The depth of incoming signings meant that there were always going to have to be exits along the way, and Patrick Bamford was one star who had to move on from Elland Road.

Why Patrick Bamford left Leeds United

In July, Daniel Farke confirmed to the media that he told the former England international that he was not going to be in the squad for the Premier League season.

The Leeds boss told reporters: “In the second day of pre-season, I got him into my office and told him he is not in my plans for the upcoming season. It would have been easy for me to hide behind the sporting director or wait until we got someone else in, but he has done so much for this club, he deserves respect and transparency.”

It did not come as a huge surprise, though, after the forward ended the 2024/25 campaign with 17 Championship appearances and zero starts, per Sofascore.

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Leeds and Bamford then came to an agreement to terminate his contract a year early to look elsewhere for a new club, but he has yet to find one at the time of writing.

The left-footed forward was a Marmite figure among supporters in recent seasons, becoming a bit of a scapegoat at times. Now, Leeds may have a new scapegoat in the squad after Bamford’s departure, and it is not Calvert-Lewin.

Leeds have found their new Patrick Bamford

The former Everton man may be the most obvious player to take on that mantle given that he missed a penalty and missed four ‘big chances’ off the bench in his debut against Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup.

However, Calvert-Lewin has yet to start a game for the club and did not have a pre-season with a team, which means that he is getting a bit of slack for the moment.

One player who is not getting much slack is Wales international Dan James, who appears to be on his way to becoming the team’s new scapegoat after Bamford.

25/26 Premier League

Dan James

Appearances

3

Starts

3

Shots

3

Shots on target

0

Goals

0

Big chances created

0

Assists

0

Dribbles completed

1

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the former Manchester United man has not had a strong start to the season in the Premier League, with a complete lack of impact in the final third.

LeedsUnitedNews claimed this week that James’ position in the starting XI should be under threat because of his disappointing performances, and stated that Farke should be ‘concerned’ by his form.

It is fair to say that he has not had the best start to the season, and supporters will remember that he was loaned out to Fulham when the Whites were last in the Premier League because he was not deemed to be good enough for the squad, but he is still a useful player.

Like Bamford, who scored 60 goals for the club, did in recent seasons, James will still have a part to play for Farke, after scoring 25 goals in the last two seasons for the German boss.

James, who pundit Sanny Rudravajhala once described as “electric”, may just have to settle for using his speed as a weapon off the bench, rather than being relied upon as a starter week-in-week-out.

Whilst he has faced his fair share of criticism and his place in the team may be at risk, as explained by LeedsUnitedNews, the Welshman could be an impactful player for the club in a different way this season.

Therefore, whilst he may be on his way to being the new Bamford at the moment, James dropping to the bench to play a slightly more reserved role may lead to less criticism of his performances due to him not being as important to the team.

da dobrowin： This season is one filled with promise and excitement among the Tottenham Hotspur fanbase, understandably so, given the Europa League triumph against Manchester United in 2024/25.

da doce： After years of struggles on the pitch, the night in Bilbao will live long in the memory of all Lilywhites supporters – as they ended their near two-decade wait for a form of silverware.

The hierarchy have also backed Thomas Frank in his quest to build on such a triumph, with over £100m being spent on new additions to help the Dane in North London.

He’s already made a sensational start to life in the role, even beating Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad – currently sitting fourth in the Premier League after the first three outings.

One of his recent additions to the squad has already made an excellent start to life at the club, potentially looking like a shrewd signing despite his expensive transfer fee.

Mohammed Kudus’ start to life at Spurs

In what was Frank’s first major addition as Spurs boss, he landed winger Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United in a deal totalling £55m including add-ons.

The Ghanaian achieved a total of eight combined goals and assists in England’s top-flight last campaign – undoubtedly being the shining light in the Hammers’ dismal season.

He’s already made an immediate impact to life in North London, registering two assists on his league debut for the Lilywhites in the 3-0 triumph over newly-promoted Burnley.

Alongside his assist tally, the 25-year-old has also created the most chances per 90 (2.4) within the current first-team squad, which has so far made him the most threatening option at Frank’s disposal.

Kudus has also completed the most dribbles per 90 (3.1) and won possession the most times out of any player in the squad per 90 (1.4) – offering an all-round presence within the final third.

If he can continue his impressive early start to life under Frank, there’s no doubt the attacker will be a key player in any future success endured during his tenure.

However, despite his big-money transfer, he’s still valued lower than one player who’s also endured somewhat of an incredible rise during his own spell at the club.

The Spurs player worth more than Kudus

Ange Postecoglou’s stint as Spurs manager brought about their recent Europa League success, with the Aussie mainly focusing on young talents in his quest with the Lilywhites.

The likes of Pape Sarr and Micky van de Ven both joined under his guidance, with both talents starting in the final and playing a key role in their victory in Bilbao.

The latter of the duo even made a miraculous goal-line clearance in the second half, maintaining the side’s clean sheet and ultimately helping them end their extended wait for a trophy.

Other players had to bide their time before making an impact in his side, often having to resort to limited minutes before getting their chance and grabbing it with both hands.

Midfielder Lucas Bergvall is a player who did just that, cementing his place within the first-team setup after his move from Swedish side Djurgarden just over 12 months ago – costing just £8.5m.

The 19-year-old was an outcast at the start of 2024/25, but rapidly made himself a key member of the squad and ended the campaign with a total of 45 appearances across all competitions.

Despite his tender age, the Swede scored the winning goal in the Carabao Cup semi-final victory over league winners Liverpool – highlighting his nouse to perform on big occasions.

He ended up making 12 appearances in the Europa League, but missed the final due to injury, which would’ve been a bitter blow given his success during his debut campaign in England.

However, Bergvall, who’s been labelled “incredible” by Squawka Sport, has seen a sharp upturn in his market value over recent months, further highlighting his superb rise to stardom.

Lucas Bergvall – Premier League stats 2024/25

Statistics

Rank among midfielders

Passes completed

Top 10%

Pass completion

Top 14%

Tackles

Top 17%

Dribblers tackled

Top 16%

Shots blocked

Top 7%

Touches

Top 10%

Carries

Top 10%

Successful take-ons

Top 5%

Progressive carries

Top 19%

Stats via FBref.

The youngster has now been valued at a staggering £50.3m by FootballTransfers, which has seen a phenomenal six times increase on the fee forked out for his signature last summer.

His subsequent valuation is higher than that of Kudus, who’s only valued at £40.4m by the same site despite his £55m transfer to the Lilywhites back in July.

At just 19, Bergvall has a huge future ahead of him, subsequently having the perfect opportunity to continue his tremendous rise in England under Frank in the years ahead.

If he can strike up an excellent partnership with Kudus in North London, the pair could play a crucial role in any future success – potentially making the side serial winners and cementing themselves as one of Europe’s elite.

da winzada777： Tottenham Hotspur have a huge campaign ahead of them in 2025/26 – needing to right the wrongs of the previous year, but also build on their remarkable achievements.

da cassino： The Lilywhites finished in a measly 17th place in the Premier League last time around, but managed to end their trophy drought – claiming Europa League glory over Manchester United back in May.

However, it wasn’t enough for Ange Postecoglou to keep his job, subsequently seeing Thomas Frank take the reins and be the man responsible for any revival and or future success.

Undoubtedly, the Dane will have wanted to make his additions to the side, already landing Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha from West Ham United and Bayern Munich, respectively.

There’s no denying that further work needs to be done this summer to aid the new manager’s hunt for top-flight success – but the side are rapidly running out of time, with just over a week left in the summer window.

Spurs’ hunt for a new attacking midfielder this summer

Over the last couple of days, Spurs have been in direct contact with Serie A side Como over a potential deal to land 20-year-old Nico Paz before the window slams shut.

It’s been reported that the Italian outfit are currently demanding a fee in the region of £60m for the youngster, who registered 14 combined goals and assists in 2024/25.

However, he’s not the only number ten in their sights at present, leading to rumours over a potential late move to secure the signature of PSG star Kang-in Lee.

It’s been reported by Duncan Castles that talks have been held between the clubs over a deal for the South Korean international, who’s been allowed to depart the Champions League winners this summer.

He also stated that Luis Enrique’s side are currently demanding a fee in the region of €50m (£43m) for the 24-year-old, who made 45 appearances across all competitions last campaign.

Whilst he remains a viable target for Frank’s side this summer, a deal could’ve easily been wrapped up for another player now, had owner Daniel Levy stepped up a move for a previous target.

Why Spurs’ £43m target is the dream Eze alternative

After previously missing out on Morgan Gibbs-White, Eberechi Eze became Spurs’ number one target for the attacking midfielder department this summer.

At one stage, it seemed as though a deal appeared to be a formality, after the Lilywhites entered advanced talks with Crystal Palace – even agreeing a fee with the Eagles for his signature.

However, in the last couple of days, a deal has evaporated in front of their very eyes, as North London rivals Arsenal swooped in late on and all but completing a deal for the 27-year-old.

Such a deal has led to questions being asked about the owner, especially after it’s the second time in one window a deal has failed to be completed despite agreements being made in principle.

Whilst disappointment is still being felt by the Lilywhites, Levy has the chance to make amends by finalising a move for Lee in the next couple of days.

The midfielder may be available for transfer this summer, but it’s not reflecting of his quality, with the South Korean producing numerous impressive figures in Ligue 1 last campaign.

When comparing such numbers with those of Eze, he managed to better him in key areas, arguably being the best alternative to the Englishman after missing out on his signature.

Lee, who’s been labelled a “future legend” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, achieved a better goal and assist rate per 90, whilst posting a higher shot on target accuracy rate – arguably offering Frank’s side a more clinical option in front of goal.

However, his ability to create chances for his teammates also shone through last season – possessing arguably the most important asset for an attacking midfielder in abundance.

How Lee & Eze compared throughout 2024/25

Statistics (per 90)

Lee

Eze

Games played

30

34

Goals & assists

12

16

Goals & assists per 90

0.65

0.56

Shot on target accuracy

34%

27%

Pass accuracy

88%

74%

Key passes made

3.1

2

Passes into final third

5.6

1.7

Take-ons completed

57%

48%

Carries into final third

2.4

1.6

Crosses completed

5.1

3.8

Stats via FBref

He completed more key passes and passes into the final third per 90, highlighting he would provide the Lilywhites with a more threatening talent than Eze in forward areas.

Taking people on is also another huge factor in the 24-year-old’s game, notching a higher take-on success rate – which has allowed him to get into dangerous positions, before providing the end product needed – as seen by his aforementioned stats.

Missing out on Eze would be a bitter disappointment, but it could prove to be a blessing if they complete a deal for the PSG star – allowing the side to land a much cheaper and younger alternative in the process.

However, a deal will need to be wrapped up as soon as possible, with Levy needing to satisfy the manager and the fans after what has been a hugely humbling summer window.

da pinup bet： Newcastle United are days away from learning their pathway throughout the Champions League group phase, having finished fifth in the Premier League last term and thus restored their position in Europe’s elite competition.

da prosport bet： Eddie Howe’s side are also mere hours away from facing Liverpool in the top flight, with the narrative inextricably going to weave around the absent Alexander Isak.

Howe has fought tooth and nail to build St. James’ Park up since arriving almost four years ago, piecing facet upon facet and spending wisely to enjoy European football, first-class players and, most impressively, a domestic cup, their first in 56 years.

But that progress has been threatened over the past month or two, with Isak, the Magpie talisman, desperate to leave the club and join Arne Slot’s Premier League champions.

PIF don’t want this to happen, but Newcastle need strikers regardless.

Newcastle chasing late-window deal for strikers

It’s imperative that Newcastle sign a striker before the transfer deadline, even if Isak ends up staying put. Brentford’s Yoane Wissa is the primary target right now, and though Keith Andrews doesn’t want to lose his prolific forward, Wissa is determined to join the Toon.

Brentford are playing hardball, and so the culmination of that one remains an uncertain thing. But Newcastle aren’t restricted to just one target, with Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Jørgen Strand Larsen also high on the Tynesiders’ list.

The 25-year-old impressed on loan at Molineux last season, scoring 14 goals and supplying five assists across 38 matches. He has since seen his sojourn become a permanent stay.

Strand Larsen is a talented forward, a proven goalscorer in the Premier League for a relegation-threatened side. However, he’s very much a target man.

There’s nothing wrong with that, but if Newcastle sign Wissa too, a bit more variation might be good, especially with the Norwegian priced at a hefty £65m.

Newcastle call for Strand Larsen alternative

According to Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle have called Chelsea as they continue to weigh up a formal bid for Nicolas Jackson, although they are joined in their interest by Aston Villa and Bayern Munich.

Jackson has been excluded from Enzo Maresca’s first-team set-up at Stamford Bridge, and his departure within the week looks nailed on.

Newcastle will need to act swiftly if they wish to sign the Senegalese player, and must weigh up whether they are willing to meet Chelsea’s £50m asking price.

Why Newcastle want to sign Jackson

Jackson joined Chelsea two years ago, leaving Villarreal in Spain after a potent end to his time in La Liga, scoring ten goals across the final two months of the 2022/23 campaign.

The 24-year-old’s time at Chelsea has been characterised by ebb and flow, but so too has he shown plenty of promise, and if the Blues cash in, it might come back to bite them.

Mobile and effective in the build-up, Jackson has a lot about him, albeit he has yet to release the shackles of wastefulness in front of goal, with Sofascore recording that he missed 43 big chances across his first two Premier League campaigns.

However, Howe has the managerial skills and the vacancy at number nine which could allow Jackson to hit new levels, smoothing out the wrinkles in his skill set and proving a confident talisman for Newcastle.

Data-driven platform FBref have chalked down the data and inferred a likeness to Isak, which underscores Jackson’s complete take on the striker’s game. It’s what the Toon need, especially if they sign Wissa.

What they don’t need is Wissa and Strand Larsen, those reliable but limited-in-scope strikers who would best enhance United’s fluency if partnered with another centre-forward of a wider capacity.

PL 24/25 – Jackson vs Strand Larsen

Stats (per 90)

Jackson

Strand Larsen

Goals scored

0.41

0.49

Assists

0.20

0.14

Shots taken

3.08

1.88

Touches (att pen)

5.72

3.76

Shot-creating actions

2.80

1.46

Pass completion

75.9%

64.6%

Progressive passes

1.54

1.01

Progressive carries

1.91

0.59

Successful take-ons

0.73

0.28

Ball recoveries

1.95

1.46

Aerials won

0.85

2.33

Tackles + interceptions

1.01

0.56

Data via FBref

As you can see above, Jackson’s underlying data reveals him to be more creative, progressive and combative than the 6 foot 4 Strand Larsen, and while he is tainted by his profligacy, Howe could scour out such a foible at Newcastle, having proven time and time again his ability to bring out the best in his players.

Praised as a “special” player by journalist Rahman Osman, Jackson might not feel like the most attractive of names right now, but he has so much potential, and Newcastle could offer the stable and warm conditions to give rise to those areas of his arsenal that have yet to bloom.

Jackson’s sporadic bursts of prolificness confirm that he has it within him to be a consistent marksman, and, flanked by Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga at St. James’ Park, he might just hit the jackpot by opting to sign his signature in black and white, ignoring the advances of Villa and Bayern.

Strand Larsen might have racked up 14 goals last season, but Wissa scored 19 for Brentford and played a similar role.

Given that Wolves want silly money for their striker, it seems reasonable that Newcastle shelve their curiosity and instead push ahead with a deal for Jackson, that talented Chelsea striker who awaits the right project to ignite his potential.

da bet sport： Tottenham Hotspur are now eyeing a shock move for a £23m defender, who Thomas Frank is well-known to be an admirer of, according to a report.

Spurs keen to bring in more depth at centre-back

da wazamba： Tottenham are blessed with some fantastic options at centre-back, with Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero being given the nod against Burnley on Saturday afternoon, and the duo played their part by keeping a clean sheet in the 3-0 victory.

However, Ange Postecoglou was left light on options in defence last season, with both Van de Ven and Romero spending time on the sidelines due to injury, meaning Frank may be keen to bring in another centre-back as a back-up option.

Luka Vusakovic finally completed his move to north London earlier this summer, but the Croatian is still only 18-years-old, and there have been suggestions that Frank would be willing to sanction the youngster leaving on a loan deal.

As such, it would make sense to bring in an older defender, who has experience in the Premier League, and the Lilywhites have now joined the race for one of Frank’s former players.

That is according to a report from The Daily Mail, which states Tottenham are now eyeing a shock move for Brentford’s Nathan Collins, who joined from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £23m on a six-year deal back in 2023.

As a result, the Bees are likely to be in a strong negotiating position, and they may be highly reluctant to sell, having named Collins as their captain earlier this summer.

Frank is said to be an admirer of the defender, having spent time working with him at the Gtech Community Stadium, although the Danish coach could be hesitant to sanction a move, given that he still holds a lot of respect for his former club.

Collins could be ideal signing for Tottenham

Tottenham’s well-documented injury problems meant they were left extremely short on centre-back options last season, with the likes of Ben Davies and Archie Gray receiving more game time than they’d perhaps envisaged.

However, with Davies’ contract set to expire next summer, and Gray still in the infancy of his career, Spurs could do with bringing in a more dependable back-up option, and the Brentford captain certainly fits the bill in that regard.

The 24-year-old is now very experienced at Premier League level, having featured in every single game for Brentford last season, during which time the Irishman also managed to impress Frank, who described him as a “natural leader”.

Collins featured for the most minutes of any outfield player in the Premier League in the 2024-25 campaign, and with Tottenham in need of a deeper squad ahead of a Champions League campaign, he could be a fantastic addition to Frank’s squad.

da bet sport： Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly on the lookout for an heir to club legend Son Heung-min amid their dire need for a new playmaker too, with Spurs expected to be busy during the final few weeks of this summer window.

da bet7： The Lilywhites take on PSG in a highly-anticipated UEFA Super Cup clash next week, but as things stand, Thomas Frank will battle the French treble winners with a severely weakened squad.

Tottenham’s best-performing regulars in the Premier League – 2024/2025

Average match rating

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

Son’s £20 million move to LAFC brought an end to what was an historic 10 years at Spurs for the winger, culminating in the 33-year-old waving an emotional goodbye to an adoring Korean crowd in Seoul last weekend.

Unfortunately, the tribute was marred by James Maddison suffering a serious injury to the same knee which kept him out of the Europa League final last season.

Maddison was forced off on a stretcher, with Frank describing the issue as “bad” in what was a devastating blow for the Dane ahead of his imminent first competitive game in charge.

After just 90 minutes against Newcastle, Frank lost Son to the MLS and Maddison swiftly returned to the treatment table, with Daniel Levy now tasked with somehow filling the voids left by both men.

In an ideal world, Levy and technical director Johan Lange would bring in a versatile-enough attacking option to cover both positions, if they can’t sign two new attackers.

There are a few intriguing possibilities in this regard, with reports suggesting that Liverpool sensation Harvey Elliott could emerge as a target for Tottenham. However, the north Londoners face stiff competition from RB Leipzig, who are now moving for the England Under-21 international after his stellar Euros.

Similarly to Elliott, wantaway Manchester United starlet Alejandro Garnacho can operate both on the left-hand side and as a CAM.

Alejandro Garnacho refuses to rule out joining Tottenham

Chelsea are believed to be in talks for Garnacho as they eye a double-swoop for the Argentine and Xavi Simons, but according to journalist Graeme Bailey, Spurs are not entirely out of the race.

Speaking to TBR Football, Bailey reports that Frank’s side and Aston Villa are other suitors, and Garnacho hasn’t “discounted” joining either of them over Chelsea, even if Stamford Bridge is his preferred destination right now.

“Garnacho is determined to leave Old Trafford, we know that, and Chelsea appeal, but I am told he has not discounted other options,” said Bailey.

“A move to Stamford Bridge does (stand out to him). Spurs and Villa like him, but Chelsea have done a lot of work so far.”

The 21-year-old fits seamlessly into Tottenham’s transfer policy of buying young players with high potential and sell-on value, with reports also suggesting he’d cost around £40 million after Ruben Amorim’s side reduced his asking price.

Garnacho’s 11 goals and 10 assists in all competitions last season tells you all you need to know about how devastating he could be in the final third, but Spurs will need to hijack Chelsea’s discussions for the “real deal” forward – so a move won’t be easy by any means.

da dobrowin： Still looking to add much-needed depth behind Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool are now reportedly eyeing a move to sign an impressive Serie A teenager.

Liverpool yet to solve centre-back problem

da 888： For all of Liverpool’s gargantuan spending this summer, it should concern Arne Slot that his side had just one senior centre-back feature across two friendly games against Athletic Bilbao earlier this week. With Van Dijk absence through illness and Joe Gomez injured, the Reds had just Konate to turn to when it came to recognised central defenders.

It’s an undeniable problem for Liverpool, but one that Slot has insisted that he has versatile options at his disposal to solve his centre-back issue this season.

There’s under a month left until the transfer window slams shut and as positive as Slot has been when speaking about his defensive options, it wouldn’t be absurd to suggest that Liverpool’s focus should be on their weakness rather than pursuing another attacking star.

As much as Alexander Isak would steal endless headlines and send the ultimate statement, a move for Marc Guehi would arguably complete the Premier League champions far more.

To that end, however, reports have indicated that Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes are reluctant to meet Crystal Palace’s £50m price tag now that Guehi is into the final year of his deal.

Leaving those at Anfield to consider their options, Liverpool are now reportedly eyeing a Serie A alternative at a cheaper price.

Liverpool eyeing Leoni move

According to The Times’ Paul Joyce, Liverpool are eyeing a move to sign Giovanni Leoni from Parma this summer. Unlike Crystal Palace’s hefty price tag, the Italian side reportedly value their impressive defender at €40m (£35m) in a deal that the Reds may be more tempted by in the coming weeks.

Dubbed “one of the most complete” teenage centre-backs in Europe by scout Jacek Kulig, Leoni would be a perfect replacement for Jarell Quansah, who has similar potential.

With Konate and Van Dijk nailing down the starting roles, having a younger option like Leoni waiting in the wings would hand Liverpool the depth they need without immediately disrupting their backline.

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Whether those at Anfield push on and prioritise the addition of a defender this month remains to be seen, however.

da gbg bet： Nottingham Forest have been told the price it would take to sign a versatile star, with the Premier League side also agreeing personal terms as they look to make their third signing of the summer after Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha.

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da bet nacional： Forest are gearing up for their first season back in Europe since 1996, but this window has been fraught with challenges so far.

Nuno Espírito Santo recently lost star attacker Anthony Elanga to Newcastle United in a deal worth around £55 million, with the Englishman set to be a sore miss after he bagged six goals and 12 assists last season.

Nottingham Forest’s rumoured transfer targets this summer

Target

Current club

Position

Taty Castellanos

Lazio

Striker

James McAtee

Man City

Attacking midfield

Pablo Maffeo

RCD Mallorca

Defender

Douglas Luiz

Juventus

Midfielder

Nahuel Molina

Atlético Madrid

Right-back

Forest also continue to face the threat of Morgan Gibbs-White’s departure – an equally crucial player for Nuno in 2024/2025 – as Tottenham maintain their pursuit of the 25-year-old despite Evangelos Marinakis threatening legal action.

Gibbs-White has made it clear he still wants to join Tottenham despite taking part in Forest pre-season, according to reports, with the transfer expected to happen eventually despite resistance from Nuno’s side.

“It’s going to happen, it’s just going to drag on until the end of the window. When a player’s head gets turned like that, the deal is almost done,” said pundit Paul Robinson to Tottenham News this week.

“Forest had dug their heels in; they’re going to obviously try and get as much money as they can for him, but eventually it’ll go through.

“It’s one of those deals that Tottenham wants to happen. The player is obviously keen for it to happen. And it’s one of those where Forest are digging in to get as much as they can.

“The last thing that Forest are going to want to do is keep an unhappy player at the start of the season. So it’s a deal that should get done at some point, but it might cost Tottenham a little bit more than they want, and it might drag on a little bit longer than they want.“

If/when Gibbs-White leaves, supporters will be hoping that Marinakis and co reinvest that money in strengthening severely weakened areas of the squad.

Nottingham Forest given £39m demand after agreeing terms with Dan Ndoye

According to widespread reports, Bologna forward Dan Ndoye is a top target for the club, following his excellent season in Italy where he bagged nine goals and six assists in all competitions.

The 24-year-old operated on both flanks and even as a second striker over the course of those matches, with his ability to play in multiple areas potentially very useful to Nuno.

Newspaper Corriere dello Sport has an update on their chase for the Switzerland international this week, reporting that Forest have agreed personal terms with Ndoye, but there remains a significant gap in valuation.

Bologna want around £39 million to sell Ndoye, and Forest haven’t even gone over the £26 million barrier, so they’ll have to seriously improve their offer.

Serie A champions Napoli actually made a loan-to-buy bid worth around £35m for the ex-FC Basel star, including bonuses, but even this wasn’t enough with Antonio Conte moving on to alternatives.

da betsul： The 2024/25 season was a huge success for Leeds United, winning the Championship with 100 points and returning to the Premier League. It could have been easy for them to slip up again, especially after a summer in which they lost one of their most important players, Crysencio Summerville.

da brwin： Following the disappointment of losing the playoff final, the Dutchman made the move to Premier League side West Ham United for £25m plus add-ons. It didn’t have much bearing on Leeds’ fortunes last season, but he was still a big loss.

There is always a desire to have players in the squad as talented as Summerville. And the Whites could be making a move for someone just like him this summer.

Leeds’ new winger target

Whilst Leeds certainly reinvested the money they got for Summerville last season, they never really brought in a direct replacement on a permanent deal. Well, that could all change this summer, if recent reports are to be believed.

Transfer Focus

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According to the Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth, Daniel Farke’s side are said to ‘have spoken to’ the representatives of Feyenoord winger Igor Paixao over a possible move. Smyth reports that Leeds ‘presented the project to his camp this week’ in a bid to try and sign him.

There will be competition for the 25-year-old winger, however, with French outfit Marseille also eyeing up a move.

As for the price to sign Paixao, journalist Santi Aouna reported last month that Feyenoord could demand as much as £34m for his signature.

Why Paixao would be a good signing

Should the Whites agree a deal to sign Paixao this summer, he will join the club off the back of a fantastic season for Feyenoord. As football scout Antonio Mango says, he is a “major threat” going forward, which will certainly increase the potency of Leeds in the final third.

Indeed, analyst Ben Mattinson has noted that the in-demand talent has “similarities to Rodrygo”, referencing Paixao’s Real Madrid-based compatriot – a player who has scored 68 goals in 270 games for Los Blancos. That likeness also stems from Paixao’s “insane” ball-striking quality.

Unlike Rodrygo, Feyenoord man is yet to make his debut for the national team, but had a superb campaign for the Dutch giants last season. As the numbers on Sofascore highlight, he scored an impressive 18 goals and grabbed 14 assists in 47 games across all competitions.

With 26 of those goal involvements coming in the Eredivisie, Paixao also shone on the European stage, in the Champions League. The forward, who excels on the left-hand side, also bagged six goals and assists in Europe’s most prestigious club competition, including this stunning strike against Sparta Prague.

Should the Whites bring Paixao to Elland Road this summer, he would no doubt love to replicate the impact Summerville had at the end of his career for the club. The Dutchman also joined from Feyenoord as a youngster, and exploded in his final season as a Leeds player in 2023/24, before his big move to the London Stadium.

That season, in which Leeds lost the playoff final to Southampton, he won the Championship player of the year. The 22-year-old notched up a phenomenal 21 goals and ten assists in 49 games in all competitions, as per Sofascore.

Indeed, strikes from the Dutchman like this one against Norwich City were spectacular, and similar in many ways to Paixao’s in the Champions League last term, notably the power on the shot and angle from which it came.

To further see if the Brazilian can become the second coming of Summerville, we can compare their stats on FBref, using Paixao’s from this season and the former Leeds winger’s numbers from his final campaign at Elland Road.

They certainly stack up well against each other, with the 25-year-old Feyenoord star averaging 0.82 goal involvements and 0.53 goal-creating actions per 90 minutes. In comparison, the West Ham attacker averaged 0.72 goal involvements and 0.46 goal-creating actions each game for Leeds back in 2023/24.

Paixao and Summerville key stats compared

Stat (per 90)

Paixao

Sumerville

Goals and assists

0.82

0.72

Key passes

2.19

2.88

Goal-creating actions

0.53

0.46

Progressive carries

4.33

5.04

Ball recoveries

3.35

3.78

Stats from FBref

Those stats suggest that, in fact, with the impact he could have in the final third, Paixao could well become the second coming of Summerville. He certainly has the goal and assist numbers behind him from this season.

For £34m, this looks like a good deal for Leeds. Farke’s side would be gaining a dangerous attacker who can have a real impact on their final third output, and finally be the Summerville replacement they were crying out for.

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