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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

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.

Aston Villa are interested in signing Sevilla defender Diego Carlos, according to a report from The Athletic. 

The lowdown: Carlos’ career so far

Signed from Ligue 1 outfit Nantes in 2019, the centre-back has amassed 136 appearances for Sevilla since arriving in Spain.

The 29-year-old also made six outings for the Brazil team which won Olympic gold in Tokyo last year and has previously been a major target for Newcastle United.

It now seems as though Steven Gerrard could be readying an approach to bring Carlos to Villa Park…

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The latest: Villa exploring Carlos swoop

As per The Athletic, Villa are ‘exploring the possibility’ of signing the experienced Brazilian centre-back this summer.

It’s claimed that Gerrard is ‘looking to strengthen his defensive options’ in the Villa squad as the 41-year-old attempts to build a squad capable of challenging in the top half of the Premier League table.

However, the report added that the asking price and salary for the man dubbed ‘amazing’ by journalist Dermot Corrigan following a standout display in the 2020 Europa League final could be a ‘complication’ for Villa owners NSWE.

The verdict: Make it happen

Carlos could be a potentially expensive signing given his £40.5m market value and contract until 2024 (Transfermarkt), but his proven quality from 230 top-flight outings in Spain, France and Portugal would be an upgrade on Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Kortney Hause.

During the 2021/22 season, the powerful Brazilian earned a superb 7.09 Sofascore rating whilst winning four duels and making 3.5 clearances per game, helping Sevilla to keep 13 clean sheets whilst also chipping in with three league goals.

His overall rating was significantly higher than the three aforementioned Villa centre-backs, with Mings coming out the best at 6.91 from Sofascore.

Signing a player of the calibre of Carlos would be a stellar statement from the Midlands club as they look to move on to the next phase of their development under Gerrard.

In other news: NSWE now eyeing another defender; Villa chiefs sent to club after Gerrard approves

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

What’s the talk?

That’s according to former Turkish international Ali Kemal Denizci, who claimed in a recent interview with Radyospor (via Leeds Live) that both Leeds and Newcastle United are lining up a move for the Trabzonspor goalkeeper at the end of the current campaign.

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Denizci goes on to claim that the 26-year-old is keen on leaving Turkey after helping his side lift their first Turkish Super Lig title for 38 years, with the Whites and the Magpies looking to be the most likely destinations for the 18-time capped Turkey international.

“One to keep an eye on”

While it is undeniable that Illan Meslier is a fantastic young goalkeeper with an incredibly exciting future in the game, considering just how impressive Cakir has been for Trabzonspor in recent years, it is easy to see why Victor Orta would be interested in a deal to bring the shot-stopper to Elland Road this summer.

Indeed, over his 35 Super Lig appearances this season, the £16.2m-rated talent was imperious between the Trabzonspor sticks, keeping ten clean sheets, as well as making an average of 3.5 saves – the joint third-most in the league – and conceding just 0.9 goals per game.

These returns have seen the £22k-per-week shot-stopper who Conor McGilligan dubbed both “incredible” and “one to keep an eye on” average a quite spectacular SofaScore match rating of 7.17, ranking him as Abdullah Avci’s sixth-best performer in the top flight of Turkish football.

As such, while it would reportedly take an offer in the region of $50m (£40m) to secure the signing of the 26-year-old this summer, should Leeds go on to seal their place in the Premier League ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, this would appear to be a price well worth paying for Orta – as Cakir would undoubtedly help to shore up the Whites’ incredibly leaky defence next season.

AND in other news: Leeds handed huge boost as early Brentford team news emerges, Marsch will be buzzing

Everton are in a vulnerable position in the Premier League with just two games left to go in their fight to avoid their first relegation from top-flight football in over 70 years.

Frank Lampard will be feeling the pressure after his team fumbled their opportunity to secure definite safety last weekend, but will have their penultimate opportunity to save themselves against Crystal Palace on Thursday in their final home game of the season at Goodison Park.

There is no doubt that if Everton can remain in the Premier League next season there needs to be drastic changes at the club to ensure they are not in this position again and getting rid of players who are ineffective or negatively impacting the team is an absolute necessity.

With that being said, following a disappointing season, Salomon Rondon should be on the list of players the Toffees boss must be willing to sell and replace this summer.

In the game against Brentford, the rarely-seen striker was given a golden opportunity to come on and positively affect the game with the side down a goal in the last ten minutes of the game. However, he lost the ball every 1.5 touches, instead of exercising some damage control and taking his chances. Rondon was also red-carded just four minutes after coming on the pitch.

The ineffectiveness displayed in the game on Sunday has been a reflection of the 32-year-old’s entire season at Goodison Park, making 20 appearances and scoring just once in a defeat against Crystal Palace.

According to SofaScore, the centre-forward has created no big chances, is unsuccessful in the majority of his dribbles (60%) and has averaged at a shocking 15.2 touches per game, proving that he has been completely anonymous and ineffective in his attacking role for the Toffees since he joined last summer.

After the £28k-per-week flop’s short appearance against Thomas Frank’s side, Sky Sports pundit Don Hutchinson made a bold statement about Rondon’s future at the club, saying:

“This will be Rondon’s last game in an Everton shirt.”

If Everton do manage to complete the great escape by the end of this week, Lampard must get to work to improve the team and take them in a new direction ahead of next season.

Getting rid of Rondon in particular should be a priority so he can focus on improving the goal-scoring opportunities the side needs to be completing to win games.

AND in other news: Talks ongoing: Major Everton transfer development will leave supporters fuming 

A ‘rising star’ at Tottenham Hotspur has now looking for a new club after being told he has no future under Antonio Conte, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Spurs exodus awaits?

While much has been made of backing Conte in the summer transfer market, it is believed that just as many, if not more, players could be departing Hotspur Way in a major Premier League reshuffle.

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The obvious names linked with a move away are Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso and Steven Bergwijn among others as transfer chief Fabio Paratici is tasked to balance the books.

Paratici’s overhaul of the scouting department appears to spread all the way down to academy level as N17 could also see a plethora of top young talents depart, according to Football Insider.

The Latest: Spurs ‘rising star’ told he has no future…

As per a Lilywhites ‘source’, speaking to the outlet, promising winger and ‘rising star’ Jeremie Mukendi is now set to leave Spurs after being told he has no future at the club.

Indeed, the 21-year-old has been informed that there is no new deal in the pipeline with his current contract at the Premier League side set to expire next month.

Mukendi will now follow both Khalon Haysman and Dante Cassanova in exiting with the north Londoners having made their decision on the talents.

The Verdict: Interesting future ahead…

Playing 20 time for the club’s Under-18’s and five times for their Under-23’s, Mukendi was a schoolboy sprint champion and emerged through the academy with some promise as one Spurs ‘batch of rising stars’ (Football Insider).

The fact he’s been told he has no future under Conte or hope of breaking into the first team is perhaps testament to the amount of competition at the Hotspur Way academy.

Even wonderkids like Dane Scarlett, previously lauded as a ‘diamond’ by Jose Mourinho, has barely featured for Tottenham this season and it appears even the best breakthrough players will have to be very patient in this new era.

Mukendi’s departure could represent the real rise in standards at Spurs both in the first team and lower down the club.

In other news: Offer made: Paratici tables crucial bid as Conte personally pushes for Spurs signing, find out more here.

Steven Gerrard’s time at Aston Villa has been a puzzling period so far.

The England great arrived in the Midlands with a healthy reputation following his career in Scotland and after the first few weeks, you could see why there was such a buzz about his management skills.

However, sadly the Villans have slipped by the wayside and to coin an old phrase, they’ve been on the beach in the final few months of the season.

Villa may well find it difficult now to finish in the Premier League’s top 10 after a run of form that’s been rather topsy-turvy, but back to back wins prior to their defeat at Liverpool showed there is still quality in the squad.

Philippe Coutinho looks set to sign for the club permanently but it wasn’t the former Red that Klopp waxed lyrical over at full time.

As the Merseysiders came away with a 2-1 victory at Villa Park, Klopp sunk his teeth into the display of the host’s forward line.

He said in his post-match press conference: “There were one or two moments where we had to defend with the centre-halves in the six-yard box because of the quality of Villa. Ingsy unbelievable, Watkins and these kind of things that’s tricky, but we did it.”

It’s hardly a surprise that Klopp was so effusive in his praise of Ings considering the pair worked together when he played at Anfield but it’s a promising sign for the Villa Park faithful.

There may only be two games of the campaign left but if the former Southampton man really is looking “unbelievable” now, it should delight the supporters at Villa.

After all, this is a player who Dean Smith paid £25m for last summer following the sale of Jack Grealish.

To suggest he’s been good business so far would be lying. The 29-year-old has been rather inconsistent since signing, scoring just seven goals for Villa.

That means that at the moment he’s cost the club a whopping £3.5m per goal.

If Villa are to make this move a worthwhile investment then they’ll need Ings at the top of his game heading into next term – a position Klopp clearly believes he’s getting to again.

The German is no stranger to praising opposition players, with the Anfield chief hailing the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Adama Traore and Gabriel Martinelli relentlessly in the past.

Klopp knows an exciting talent when he sees one, so those at Villa should be extremely excited about what the future holds for the forward under Gerrard’s tutelage beyond the current campaign.

A summer of rest and recuperation should do the England international the world of good, and then hopefully we’ll see the very best from the “unbelievable” Ings next season.

AND in other news, AVFC can save millions by unleashing “outstanding” 18 y/o who’s a “young Michael Owen”…

West Ham United defender Ben Johnson has held talks with the club over a new contract but there is no progress with his representatives yet, according to insider Claret and Hugh.

The Lowdown: Johnson’s instant impact

The 22-year-old has made his name in the Premier League after clocking up 64 first-team appearances, but is currently on the sidelines due to sustaining an injury against Aston Villa last month.

The right-back still has two years remaining on his current deal at the London Stadium but won’t be short of potential suitors given his age and versatility, so it comes as no surprise to learn that the Irons are looking to tie him down for the long-term.

The Latest: West Ham locked in talks

According to Claret and Hugh, West Ham have been ‘talking’ to Johnson’s representatives over fresh terms for ‘several months’, but they are ‘no closer’ to reaching an agreement as it stands.

It’s reported that GSBK ‘may re-open negotiations’ approaching Christmas, but it will take a ‘big improvement’ in the club’s league position to help discussions progress further.

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The Verdict: Get it done

Johnson earning a new contract in the capital would be nothing less than he deserves after making a real positive impression since his breakthrough under David Moyes.

The London-born gem, dubbed ‘phenomenal’ by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, averaged 2.5 clearances and 1.7 tackles per top-flight game last season (WhoScored), and has the ability to operate at centre-back as well as on the flank.

Johnson is an England U21 international and has a promising future ahead of him, which West Ham will be hoping is continued with their guidance in years to come.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will have to cope without star defender Kyle Walker for tonight’s Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund.

The Lowdown: Sky Blues flying…

The Premier League champions have come flying out the blocks in all competitions so far this season, remaining unbeaten both domestically and in Europe.

Guardiola’s side are yet to concede defeat in the league and have started this year’s European campaign with a convincing 4-0 win away to La Liga giants Sevilla.

Marquee summer signing Erling Haaland has been grabbing all the headlines with his imperious form and City supporters will be excited to see what this season holds with the Norwegian up front.

However, as City prepare to take on the striker’s former side in the Champions League group stage tonight, Guardiola has some bad news involving star defender Walker.

The Latest: Walker out…

The England international, who has been a crucial mainstay for the Sky Blues in recent seasons, will be absent as he remains sidelined.

Indeed, while compatriot John Stones has returned to full training, the same cannot be said of Walker who is yet to take to the grass.

Guardiola explained to City’s official website:

“John is training, but Kyle isn’t. John is fit and good.”

The Verdict: Blow for Pep…

While Joao Cancelo is a good name to call upon for the right-back role against Dortmund tonight, City will be missing Walker’s recovery pace and will want him back available as soon as possible.

Perhaps one of the more undervalued players of Guardiola’s star-studded squad, the 32-year-old provides real speed and power on the overlap going forward too.

Former Sheffield United midfielder and boxer Curtis Woodhouse is certainly a fan with the ex-British light welterweight champion calling Walker ‘world class’ and ‘elite’ – not to mention the ‘most underrated player in world football’ (via Twitter).

Indeed, the ex-Tottenham star will be a miss until his return.

Leeds United could make around £40million from match-day income after the expansion of Elland Road is complete, according to football finance guru Kieran Maguire.

The Lowdown: Elland Road development

The Whites have enjoyed a great period in their history, battling their way back into the Premier League and looking to become an established top-flight club again.

Off the pitch, key work is also being done, with Elland Road in the process of being expanded hugely in order to take the club to the next level.

The plan is for an extra 18,000 seats to be added at the Whites’ legendary stadium, allowing more fans to get to games and grow the club as a worldwide brand in partnership with the 49ers group.

The Latest: Maguire makes exciting claim

Speaking to Football Insider, Maguire, a football finance expert and regular contributor for Sky Sports, claimed that Leeds could more than double their current match-day revenue once the work is done:

“The most amount of money Leeds have made historically is £18m. That compares to the likes of Man United, Spurs and potentially Arsenal as well all exceeding £100m. There is a huge gap and in an FFP environment, this does cause challenges for ambitious clubs like Leeds.

“I think they will want to target the prawn sandwich brigade in terms of what’s on offer at Elland Road.

“It isn’t only going to be about the additional seats, it’s going to be about the quality of products and services that they can offer to commercial partners and with lounges and hospitality.

“I think they would be looking to double their match-day income to around the £40m bracket. Hopefully, they can do that without necessarily increasing prices for the Leeds fans who have turned up throughout the good years and the bad.

“They might feel exploited if this was just used as a price grab by the club.”

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The Verdict: Heading in the right direction

This is another hugely positive update and one that suggests that Leeds’ financial situation is so much healthier than it was during the dark post-Premier League relegation days in the 2000s.

To bring in a significantly larger amount of money each weekend can only help towards making new signings and improving the club as a whole, protecting them from FFP as they look to get back towards the top of the English game.

While not everything is perfect on the pitch at the moment, there is certainly a feeling that this is an exciting time in Leeds’ history,