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Newcastle United are believed to have emerged as a surprising suitor for Middlesbrough right-back Djed Spence, according to reliable journalist Alasdair Gold in a report for football.london.

The Lowdown: Spence profiled

The 21-year-old worked his way up through the ranks of Fulham’s academy system before making the move to the Riverside Stadium back in 2018, where he’s made a total of 70 senior appearances for the Championship outfit.

The defender was allowed to leave the Boro last summer under former manager Neil Warnock in a bid to find some much-needed game time, which resulted in him joining Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan.

Steve Cooper’s side recently secured promotion to the Premier League following a 1-0 victory against Huddersfield Town in the play-off final at Wembley last weekend, and the youngster’s performances more than contributed to the Reds making the jump up to the top flight, with his displays being so impressive that he appears to have attracted plenty of interest heading into the upcoming transfer window.

The Latest: Newcastle join the race

In a new article published by football.london’s Gold, it’s claimed that Spence has ‘caught the eye’ of several clubs in the top division and across Europe, with Tottenham Hotspur currently one of the ‘front runners’ for his signature.

However, Spurs are set to face competition from the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Roma, Brentford, Forest, and the Magpies, who all want to sign the ace in the coming weeks.

The report further states that a £16m price tag has been put on the wing-back, and whilst a decision regarding his future will have to be made soon, it’s expected to be ‘at least another couple of weeks’ before anything official is confirmed.

The Verdict: Standout performer

The talented prospect has been one of Forest’s standout performers this season and has been a regular feature in Cooper’s starting XI, having recorded a staggering 50 outings across all competitions, scoring three goals and registering five assists during that time, as per Transfermarkt.

Spence, who was once dubbed an “unbelievable” player by BBC pundit Ian Wright, is set to represent the Three Lions later this month after being selected as part of England’s latest U21 squad.

It’s clear to see many clubs will be in the race for the colossus when the time comes that he has to decide his next destination, but whether that place will be St. James’ Park remains to be seen.

In other news… a Sky Sports reporter has been left impressed following a recent Newcastle appointment.

West Ham have been linked with a move for Watford attacker Emmanuel Dennis recently and the Nigerian could be a superb addition to David Moyes’ side this summer.

What’s the word?

According to journalist Dean Jones, the Hammers will look into bringing the striker to the London Stadium ahead of next season, following Watford’s relegation back to the Championship.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “It’ll be interesting. There are loads of names that West Ham are looking at at the moment. People like Emmanuel Dennis, I’m sure that they’ll be looking into situations like that because they always explore good opportunities, but we’ll have to wait.”

A no-brainer for the Hammers?

Although Watford succumbed to relegation last season, Dennis was one of their star performers in the top flight, particularly in the first half of the season and arguably showed that he is capable of forging a successful career in the Premier League.

The 24-year-old contributed an impressive ten goals and six assists in 33 appearances for the Hornets, averaging a solid 6.89 rating from WhoScored for his performances, which was enough to rank him as their top performer across the season.

The Sun have previously reported that he could be available for as little as £20m this summer, and with West Ham desperately in need of attacking reinforcements after once again failing to bring in a striker in January’s transfer window, this is a deal that would make a lot of sense for Moyes.

Claudio Ranieri was full of praise for Dennis during his short spell at Watford last season, saying:

“[Dennis] is a very talented player. He’s fast, has good skill, always runs straight to the goal – I love these kinds of players.”

If the Hammers are to progress next season then they certainly need more strength in depth and Dennis could be the ideal man to level up Moyes’ attack, as his versatility allows him to play anywhere across a front three.

He is proven in the Premier League, still young and will surely be keen to avoid a season in the Championship, so Moyes should definitely look to bring him in.

And, in other news…West Ham can sign their own Vardy in “fearless” 22 y/o

Leeds United are set to make a move to bring Gonzalo Plata to Elland Road this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha (via Sport Witness), who claim that, with it looking unlikely that Real Valladolid will be able to afford their €10m (£8.5m) option to buy the 21-year-old this summer, Victor Orta is now plotting a move for the Sporting Lisbon forward.

Further reports have revealed that Real Betis are also interested in a move for the Ecuador international in the summer transfer window, however, it is suggested that, with Sporting willing to sell to the highest bidder, Leeds currently have the upper hand and as a result, are edging closer to the winger’s signature.

The next Raphinha

Considering just how exciting a prospect Plata appears to be, coupled with the fact that Raphinha looks certain to leave Elland Road this summer, it is easy to see why Orta would be keen on a deal to bring the South American to LS11 ahead of the Whites upcoming Premier League campaign.

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Indeed, over his 30 LaLiga 2 appearances in 2021/22, the £4.5m-rated winger was in remarkable form for Valladolid, bagging six goals, providing 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.

The 21-year-old talent also highly impressed when his side were out of possession, making an average of 1.8 tackles, 0.7 interceptions and winning 6.0 duels – at a success rate of 51% – per fixture.

These metrics saw the player who Sam Tighe claimed possesses a “huge amount of talent” – as well as “lovely dribbling” and an “extremely hard” work rate – average an impressive SofaScore match rating of 6.96 – playing a pivotal role in his team securing promotion to LaLiga.

As such, considering Plata’s clear eye for goal, ability with the ball at his feet and a tremendous work ethic in a defensive capacity – not to mention his extremely reasonable asking price – it would very much appear as if the Ecuadorian sensation could well be Orta’s next Raphinha-esque discovery in the transfer market.

AND in other news: “We’re hearing..”: Phil Hay reveals big Leeds transfer twist, supporters surely gutted

Liverpool are eyeing a move for Saint-Etienne youngster Saidou Sow as Jurgen Klopp looks to strengthen his squad ahead of next season.

What’s the word?

That’s according to French news outlet L’Equipe (via Sport Witness), which claimed that the Reds are keen on the 19-year-old and even sent scouts to watch him on international duty for Guinea.

Sow is under contract until 2025 and is just getting back to match fitness, having suffered an ankle injury since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

As per the report, the teenager has lost some of his market value since the start of the year but remains one of the club’s most bankable assets.

He’s an upgrade on Gomez

Despite already having defenders of the calibre of Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joel Matip, Jurgen Klopp appears to be on the lookout for the next big talent or someone who could learn from some of the best in the Premier League.

There could be a need for some defensive reinforcements to come into the squad, though, especially with the future of Joe Gomez remaining uncertain going into the summer.

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Before the Africa Cup of Nations this year, Sow was included in a list of “ones to watch” from WhoScored. Comparing his statistics from 2021/22 with Gomez, there is a case to be made that he could be a big upgrade on the Englishman.

Sow offers a bigger goalscoring threat, having netted twice for Saint-Etienne last season, with Gomez not scoring at all, as both players registered one assist.

Sow completed 83.6% of his passes in Ligue 1, with Gomez completing 79.7% in the Premier League. This shows that the Saint-Etienne youngster is good at playing out from the back and would likely fit into Klopp’s system with ease.

The Guinea international also won more tackles (15 to four), made more blocks (18 to three) and made more than double the number of interceptions (29 to 12) compared to Gomez, although he did play in five more league matches than the Liverpool defender.

These figures suggest that Sow has the defensive attributes to excel in England, and alongside one of the world’s best players in Van Dijk, he could become one of the best in the Premier League further down the line.

AND in other news, Terms agreed: FSG are now “close” to making LFC’s second summer signing, Klopp will be delighted

Former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor has tipped Celtic attackers to flourish following the appointment of Harry Kewell as first-team coach. 

The lowdown: Jobs for the boys

Sky Sports revealed recently that the former Australia winger is set to be named among Ange Postecgoglou’s backroom staff for the 2022/23 campaign having left English National League side Barnet last September, where he was manager for just seven matches.

Kewell will join John Kennedy, Stephen McManus, Gavin Strachan and Stevie Woods in making up the coaching setup at Celtic Park and will bring a wealth of experience to the Lennoxtown ranks that saw the 43-year-old represent Leeds United, Melbourne Heart, Liverpool and Galatasary during an illustrious playing career.

Since retirement, the Champions League winner has managed Watford Under 23s, Crawley, Oldham, and Notts County before the spell at Barnet.

The latest: Agbonlahor endorses move

Speaking to Football Insider, former Aston Villa striker and regular talkSPORT pundit Agbonlahor claimed that the appointment of Kewell could be a masterstroke from the Hoops hierarchy.

He said: “The wingers in the team especially will be looking at Harry Kewell thinking ‘I remember you at Leeds, Liverpool and how good of a winger you were’. He had great technique and shooting.

“Definitely they will want to learn off him. I always think it’s a good idea to have ex-players who have played the game to be around and help. They can give their experiences of football and coaching to players.”

The verdict: Smart move

Albeit the managerial career of Kewell hasn’t quite gone to plan as of yet, having appeared at a World Cup, started a Champions League final and lifted the English FA Cup, the 56-cap ex-Australia international boasts a wealth of knowledge that each and every Celtic player can tap into.

A goalscoring winger who netted 122 goals in 506 career outings, allowing the Sydney-born coach to pass on information to the likes of Jota, Liel Abada, Daizen Maeda and talented youngster Mikey Johnston seems priceless.

A compatriot of Postecoglou, the pair will likely work harmoniously in tandem on the touchline and beyond as the Bhoys embark on their own Champions League adventure to accompany their domestic duties next season.

In other news… a reliable journalist has dropped a Sadio Mane transfer twist.

Phil Hay has dropped an update on the future of reported Leeds United transfer target Darko Gyabi.

What’s the latest?

In a recent post on Twitter and report for The Athletic, the journalist revealed that, following the Whites’ acceptance of a £42m bid from Manchester City for Kalvin Phillips, Victor Orta is now closing in on a £5m deal for the 18-year-old midfielder from the Etihad Stadium.

Hay added in a further tweet that the England under-18 international is set to sign a four-year deal at Elland Road following the completion of his medical with Jesse Marsch’s side, which is expected to take place next week.

In his tweets, the journalist said: “Leeds lining up 18-year-old centre midfielder Darko Gyabi to come in the opposite direction from City. Set to sign a four-year deal with Leeds after a medical next week.”

“Ideal number 8”

The prospect of losing a homegrown talent such as Kalvin Phillips will undoubtedly come as a gutting blow to Orta, Marsch and supporters of the Whites, but with the seemingly imminent signing of Gyabi, it appears as if Leeds have landed a player who could well go on to match the England international’s impact in the middle of the park further down the line.

Indeed, since making the move from Milwall to Manchester City in November 2018, the midfielder has become something of a stalwart in the heart of City’s under-18 and under-23 sides, with nine goals and two assists in 24 appearances for the former and one goal and three assists in 15 outings for the latter.

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Furthermore, the teenager who Neil Harris dubbed an “exceptional young player” has already earned some high praise in his short career, none more so than from Harry Brooks, the co-founder of CREATE talent agency.

He stated of Gyabi following news of the teenager’s proposed switch to LS11: “Leeds United are signing a wonderful talent and class young man in Darko Gyabi. He will have made his Premier League debut by the end of the season, I have zero doubts. If you’re building an ideal number 8 in a lab, you’d come up with something like him.”

Brooks added: “There is no downside to this transfer from a Leeds United perspective. It’s unlikely he will be signed with a view to immediate first-team football. He will simply force his way in by being so good. It’s as good as a youth transfer as you can get.”

As such, while Gyabi is by no means a direct and readymade replacement for Phillips, it is clear to see just how talented a prospect the 18-year-old is. Hay’s update that Orta is closing in on the England youth international as his fourth summer signing is undoubtedly fantastic news for the future of the Whites.

AND in other news: Victor Orta now plotting Leeds bid for “beautiful” £26m target, he “has everything”

Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson has been reacting to the club’s links to Christian Eriksen.

The Lowdown: Eriksen links

The Whites have been busy during the transfer window so far when it comes to both incomings and departures.

Victor Orta has already brought in three players, with Leeds now ‘serious’ about signing Club Brugge attacker Charles de Ketelaere. Replacements will also be needed for Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha, who both look set to depart Elland Road in big-money exits.

Links to Eriksen, who was hailed as a ‘superstar’ by former Leeds man Pontus Jansson in March, emerged last week, with journalist Ben Jacobs claiming the Whites are interested in the Denmark international who will officially become a free agent in the coming days.

The Latest: Robinson shocked

Robinson, who contributes for Sky Sports, was talking to MOT Leeds News regarding the links to Eriksen.

He labelled them as a ‘pipe dream’ and believes the Whites don’t have a chance when it comes to a potential free transfer.

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“It’s a pipe dream, they’ve got no chance of signing him.

“Yes, as much as Leeds are a big club, they’re not competing with Tottenham and Manchester United for players’ signatures.

“Tottenham are offering Champions League football and Man United are offering Europa League football and they’re also one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“As much as it’s nice to be linked with players like that. I can’t see it being anything more than just a link.

“I don’t see at all where the link is with Eriksen and Leeds. Jesse Marsch has got no relevance to Eriksen, he’s got no relevance to the city whatsoever and can Leeds offer what Man United, Tottenham and Brentford can offer? Probably not.

“I don’t see any legs in that.”

The Verdict: Unlikely

Eriksen has an offer on the table from Manchester United and also Brentford, where he spent the second half of the 2021/22 season. He starred in a deeper midfield role back in the Premier League, with the Bees winning seven of the 10 Premier League games he started.

Therefore, if a move to Old Trafford failed to materialise, it wouldn’t come as a shock if he continued with Brentford, where he is surrounded by a number of international colleagues.

Leeds ideally need a new holding midfielder, winger and centre-forward, so we’re with Robinson in believing a swoop for Eriksen won’t materialise.

Everton are reportedly already eyeing up a potential replacement for Richarlison in the form of Reims striker El Bilal Toure.

The Lowdown: Richarlison leaves

As confirmed by the Merseyside club, Richarlison has now officially left Goodison Park to join Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

The Brazil international leaves after a memorable four seasons, scoring 53 goals and making a further 14 assists in 152 games in total over all competitions (Transfermarkt).

The Latest: Replacement lined up?

Taking to Twitter, transfer expert Graeme Bailey has revealed that Frank Lampard’s team are now eyeing up a move for Toure as a potential Richarlison replacement:

“Everton eye Reims star as potential Richarlison replacement. El Bilal Toure is a major talent and the Toffees have been watching the Mali ace for a number of months.”

Expanding in his article for 90min, Bailey adds that Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla, Lyon and Monaco have also looked at the Mali international, who is thought to cost in the region of £20m.

The Verdict: Big boots to fill

Of course, Richarlison’s boots are big ones to fill, and so a lot of expectation would be placed on Toure should he sign.

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The striker only managed two goals and four assists in Ligue 1 last term (Transfermarkt), and so is a player that Toffees supporters would likely have to be patient with.

He is only 20 years of age, and so has the potential to reach Richarlison’s heights in time, but the Blues really need someone who can hit the ground running straight away, so perhaps we could see two new front men arrive this summer.

Wolves are yet to sign anyone in the summer transfer window and it seems as if Bruno Lage’s side are set to miss out on yet another target, with Swansea City midfielder Flynn Downes set to join West Ham United.

What’s the word?

Wolves and Crystal Palace have both been heavily linked with signing the 23-year-old midfielder in recent weeks but the Hammers have won the race, according to Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth.

He confirmed on Twitter that: “West Ham United close to finalising a deal for Swansea City midfielder Flynn Downes. Fee under discussion believed to be worth £12m. Told West Ham “increasingly confident” of completing move.”

Supporters will be gutted

Given the lack of action at Molineux so far this summer, fans would have been hoping to see Downes come through the door, but it seems as if Lage will have to turn towards other targets, with the new season less than a month away.

Downes is certainly a promising young midfielder and could have added some quality to Lage’s midfield, considering his impressive performances in the Championship last season.

The Englishman seamlessly made the step up from League One to the Championship, having signed from Ipswich last summer, and made 37 appearances in the second tier for Russell Martin’s side, contributing one goal and two assists.

Considering Swansea’s brave possession-based style of play, it is no surprise that WhoScored suggests that Downes’ main strength is passing, and his performances were clearly enough to catch the eye of plenty of Premier League sides this summer.

Swansea boss Martin was full of praise for the young midfielder last season, saying:

“Flynn was incredible, it’s difficult to single people out, but he does the dirty work perfectly well.

“He enables other people to do their roles brilliantly, he knows exactly what his role in the team is.”

Downes’ style of play could really have complemented Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves in Wolves’ midfield next season, so supporters will be gutted to hear that they have missed out on him, as he closes in on a move to West Ham.

And, in other news… Imagine him & Ben Yedder: Lage must finalise huge Wolves swoop for “special” £30m gem

Liverpool could make a move for Nico Williams, and in turn create a frightening attacking partnership between him and Luis Diaz.

The Reds have been uncharacteristically active in the market, securing three new signings already this window.

Perhaps now Jurgen Klopp will turn his attention towards his attack, looking to bolster following the exit of Sadio Mane.

With several Premier League clubs reportedly after Williams, Liverpool could do worse than snapping up this promising youngster. Especially given that Manchester United are the other club interested.

Despite not registering a single goal contribution last season, the tricky winger did earn praise for his exciting style of play.

He ranks in the 92nd percentile for dribbles completed, which would marry well with Diaz’s 2.90 dribbles per 90. These two on either wing would frighten opposition defences and would provide blockbuster entertainment for the Anfield faithful.

Perhaps Diaz could provide the actual goal contributions, and Williams’ general threat would be such a handful for defenders that his goals and assists wouldn’t actually matter. In just six months at Liverpool, the Colombian managed five goal contributions in 13 games.

However, what will excite Klopp even more is the Spaniards’ pressures. He sits in the 92nd percentile for pressures per 90, and these two statistics give him every chance to be moulded into a world-class star.

His manager Marcelinho was full of praise for the 19-year-old, claiming he has “a lot of ambition” and dubbing him “dynamic” and “daring.” With that in mind, it’s clear to see why he’s been compared to another exciting attacker in Merseyside, that of Everton’s Anthony Gordon.

He is clearly highly thought of, as his reported £42m release clause is indicative of how high Athletic Bilbao see his ceiling. Perhaps this kind of fee, whilst huge on the surface, could end up being a bargain down the line when he is seen as one of the best in the world.

Klopp has every reason to be interested in this youngster, and he could bring even more excitement to the breath of fresh air that was Diaz. He is already a fan favourite on Anfield, and there’s no reason why Williams couldn’t be too.

AND, in other news: FSG can forget all about Bellingham by finalising “incredible” £8m Liverpool swoop.