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Nottingham Forest are reportedly now ‘working’ on signing Bayern Munich left-back Omar Richards and Liverpool right-back Neco Williams by ‘this weekend’.

The Lowdown: More incomings?

Forest confirmed the signing of central defender Moussa Niakhate from Mainz on Wednesday evening, and he becomes the club’s fourth new arrival of the summer window so far.

However, it does not seem as if their business is done there, as two new faces could be set to come through the doors by the weekend…

The Latest: Ornstein update

Taking to Twitter, The Athletic journalist David Ornstein has revealed that the City Ground outfit are now ‘working’ on bringing in both Richards and Williams, and it is ‘possible’ that deals could be in place by ‘this weekend’:

“Nottingham Forest working to sign 2 wing-backs – Liverpool’s Neco Williams for right + Omar Richards of Bayern Munich for left. Talks are over permanent transfers & it’s possible deals will be in place by this weekend.”

The Verdict: Exciting

These are very exciting times indeed for NFFC supporters, as Steve Cooper looks to properly shore up his squad ahead of being promoted up to the Premier League.

Williams adds that extra top-flight experience and has learned from one of the best managers in the world in Jurgen Klopp, while Richards comes from such a prestigious club in Bayern Munich.

Nonetheless, the latter will add necessary cover in the left-back position, while Williams will look to fill the void on the right-hand side left by Djed Spence, who returned to Middlesbrough after his loan spell last season.

Tottenham Hotspur could make a late splash in the transfer window…

What’s the word?

That’s according to transfer insider Dean Jones, who has been told to expect Spurs to do some more business before deadline day on September 1st.

“I’ve been told to look out for Tottenham signing a luxury player towards the back end of the window,” he revealed to GIVEMESPORT.

“They’re getting their main business done now, but Tottenham always go into the window in that last ten days, that last week, because they just love to be involved in that and see if they can get one more that boosts morale, and that’s the sort of thing that might happen this summer as well.”

Reason to be excited

This claim from the Eurosport journalist will surely raise excitement amongst the Lilywhites faithful as Spurs supporters can surely anticipate a late arrival to their squad for the 2022/23 campaign.

History tells us that this could indeed be the case, too.

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Sporting director Fabio Paratici signed both Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus on deadline day during the January transfer window, and similarly, Emerson Royal joined from Barcelona on last summer’s deadline day.

It remains to be seen exactly who Spurs will target as that ‘luxury’ signing, though there are plenty of interesting names potentially still out there.

Paulo Dybala remains a free agent, the likes of Pau Torres and Gleison Bremer continue to be linked as further defensive upgrades, and there have been other mooted left-field targets such as Nicolo Zaniolo and Jesse Lingard.

Any of the aforementioned players could hit a chord with fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the final week of the window and as such, there’s plenty to be excited about, having already signed five players.

It is evident, however, that Spurs are nowhere near done with their summer spending, so supporters will surely be buzzing about what lies ahead in the coming weeks.

AND in other news, Spurs leading the race to sign £45m-rated “extraordinary talent”, he’s a Bonucci clone…

Nottingham Forest have reignited their interest in Burnley winger Maxwel Cornet this summer, according to a fresh transfer rumour which has emerged.

The Lowdown: Cornet on the move?

The Ivorian joined the Clarets last year, and while they were eventually relegated to the Championship, he stood out as one of their best performers.

He scored nine goals in 21 top-flight starts – an excellent return for a struggling team – and Premier League-winning manager Pep Guardiola once said that he was ‘very impressed’ by the winger.

The 25-year-old looks almost certain to leave Burnley after their relegation, and it appears as though Steve Cooper’s side are right in the mix.

The Latest: Forest keen on Cornet

According to The Daily Mail, Forest have ‘revived their bid’ to sign Cornet this summer, with the attacker having a £17.5m release clause in his Burnley contract.

Everton and Fulham are also interested in snapping up the 29-cap Ivory Coast international, but the Reds are ‘pressing ahead’ with a potential move.

The Verdict: Strong wide option

Cooper has already made key attacking inroads this summer, bringing in the likes of Taiwo Awoniyi and Jesse Lingard, but Cornet could be another superb addition.

He has already shown that he can thrive in the Premier League, even in a team not renowned for playing expansive football, so he could come alive even more in the 42-year-old’s attack-minded system.

Indeed, the Ivorian’s former Clarets team-mate Chris Wood once mused that the Burnley squad “were going to sit down at the end of the season and just watch a highlight reel of his best goals”, so impressed were they with Cornet’s impact at Turf Moor.

Battling off other top-flight clubs could be tough, especially Everton, but Forest are an exciting proposition given their ambition in the transfer market. The hope is that Cornet’s head is turned by their interest and that he sees himself as a regular starter at the City Ground.

Leeds United are interested in signing Fenerbahce attacker Mergim Berisha in the summer transfer window, according to a new transfer rumour.

The Lowdown: Leeds after new attacker

Jesse Marsch still appears to be lining up a move for a new striker this summer, with young pair Charles De Ketelaere and Arnaud Kalimuendo emerging as strong contenders to join the Whites.

Patrick Bamford’s injury problems last season suggest that he can’t be trusted to stay fit for long periods, while Marsch will also be keen for more depth in the final third.

Aanother player has now emerged in Leeds’ quest to bring in an attacker, as the busy summer at Elland Road continues.

The Latest: Leeds linked with Berisha

According to A Spor journalist Ahmet Selim Kul [via Sport Witness], the Whites are ‘interested’ in signing Berisha, having been in the ‘best form of his career’ under Marsch during their mutual time at Red Bull Salzburg.

The Leeds manager reportedly ‘wants’ his former player at Elland Road, which suggests that a deal could be completed before the start of the new Premier League season.

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The Verdict: More experienced option

At 24, Berisha is three and four years older than De Ketelaere and Kalimuendo respectively, so he could be considered a more rounded, experienced transfer target for Leeds.

He has scored 68 goals in his senior club career and won UEFA’s Europa League Goal of the Season award for 2021/22, following an acrobatic effort against Royal Antwerp, highlighting his eye for the spectacular.

The fact that Marsch has worked with Berisha in the past is also a positive, as the 48-year-old will know the German’s game inside out and could see exactly how he can benefit the manager’s team and system.

With the American having already plundered Red Bull’s network of his former clubs to bring Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen and Tyler Adams to Elland Road, it looks as if he is hoping to utilise these connections to good effect once more.

Leeds United have made a move to bring Philipp Max to Elland Road in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian media outlet TuttoMercatoWeb, who claim that, following several recent reports suggesting that Leeds’ next target will be the addition of a new left-back, Victor Orta has now submitted an €8m (£7m) bid to PSV Eindhoven for the 28-year-old full-back.

However, the report does not reveal whether or not the Eredivisie side would be willing to accept an offer of such an amount for the Germany international, although, journalist Shark Gutierrez claimed back in June that PSV could be tempted into parting with Max for around €6m-€7m (£5m-£6m) this summer.

Marsch will be buzzing

Considering how short Jesse Marsch is at left-back just ten days before the Whites kick off their 2022/23 campaign against Wolverhampton Wanderers, the news that Orta has finally made a move to sign a new player in the position is sure to have left the 48-year-old manager buzzing.

Indeed, with both Junior Firpo and Stuart Dallas being ruled out for the start of the new season due to injury, coupled with Leif Davis recently sealing a £1m move to League One side Ipswich Town, the American coach currently only has 18-year-old Leo Fuhr Hjelde – who is predominantly a centre-back – as a senior option on the left of his back four.

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As such, it is evident that the Whites are in rather desperate need of a new left-back ahead of next Saturday’s visit of Wolves, and, considering just how talented a defender Max has proven himself to be in recent seasons, the 28-year-old would appear to make an excellent addition to Marsch’s options at the back.

Indeed, following his move from FC Augsburg back in September of 2020, the £7.2m-rated full-back was in devastating form over his 31 Eredivisie appearances in 2020/21, scoring five goals, registering eight assists and creating eight big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of one shot, making 2.0 key passes and completing 0.4 dribbles per game.

The £33k-per-week German also impressed in a defensive capacity, helping PSV keep six clean sheets, in addition to making an average of 1.9 tackles, 0.8 interceptions, 1.1 clearances and winning 3.6 duels – at a success rate of 54% – per fixture.

These returns saw the player who Alex Chaffer dubbed “scrumptious” average an incredibly impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.20, not only ranking him as Eindhoven’s sixth-best performer in the league but also as the 23rd-best player in the Dutch top flight as a whole that year.

As such, it is clear to see just how exciting an addition Max would be to Marsch’s first-team squad this summer, leading us to believe that Orta simply must do everything in his power to get a deal over the line for the three-cap international in the coming weeks.

AND in other news, Fabrizio Romano: Orta can seal “enormous” signing with late Leeds bid for £39m target…

Manchester United and Chelsea are both monitoring Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, according to 90min.

The Lowdown: Ronaldo’s future in doubt

Erik ten Hag is fairly short of senior centre-forward options ahead of the new season, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Anthony Martial the only two available to Erik ten Hag.

Things could get worse for Ten Hag, as Ronaldo’s future is up in the air after the 37-year-old told the club he still wants to leave Old Trafford this summer.

Vardy has been compared to Ronaldo by Football Transfers, and it looks as if the Englishman could be of interest to United officials.

The Latest: United interest

90min shared a story on Tuesday to provide an update on Vardy’s future.

They claimed that talks are yet to take place between Leicester and Vardy over a new deal, with United and Chelsea informed on his situation ahead of a potential move.

The two clubs are monitoring the 35-year-old, who, as it stands, will become a free agent next summer.

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The Verdict: Avoid

Ten Hag has been chosen as the man to oversee a United rebuild, so bringing in Vardy may not be the wisest move in the long run.

He has been described as ‘phenomenal’ by Rio Ferdinand and an ‘icon’ by Brendan Rodgers and it’s hard to disagree with those assessments.

However, he’ll turn 36 in January.

Vardy has netted 205 goals during his career but missed 21 games through injury last season, so you could argue that he wouldn’t be as reliable as someone like Ronaldo.

Arsenal transfer target and PSV Eindhoven winger Cody Gakpo would be ‘attainable’ for the Gunners if they make a move to complete a deal, according to Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor.

The Lowdown: Gakpo linked with Arsenal

Throughout the summer, Mikel Arteta’s side have been linked with a move for the 23-year-old.

According to a report by The Mirror, Manchester United have now joined Leeds United and the Gunners in the race for the Netherlands international, who was named Dutch Footballer of the Year last season.

It is said that PSV will only listen to offers for Gakpo once their Champions League fate has been decided on Tuesday night, as they face off against Monaco in the second leg of their third-round qualifier.

The Latest: Taylor’s claim

Taylor believes that a reasonably-priced deal could be agreed for Gakpo, meaning that Arsenal would be able to bring him to the Emirates this summer.

Speaking with GiveMeSport, the journalist claimed: “We know that he is attainable, because he’s reasonably priced around about £30m-£35m, potentially a little bit more.

“So, if that was one Arsenal wanted to do, then there is scope to do that. But it’s important to be clear that, at the moment, there doesn’t seem to be any concrete names, unfortunately.”

The Verdict: Great long-term target

Having produced 12 goals and 13 assists in the Eredivisie last season, Gakpo earned nine Man of the Match awards, finishing the campaign having averaged a hugely impressive 7.79 match rating (via WhoScored). That unsurprisingly put him top of the pile among PSV’s squad.

As per The Mirror’s report, the 23-year-old has been likened to Arsenal legends Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie due to his stature and elegance on the ball.

Having been hailed a ‘constantly threatening’ presence on the pith by De Telegraaf journalist Valentijn Driessen, this could be the addition that Arsenal have been so desperate to secure after missing out on Raphinha to Barcelona.

Therefore, given the fees which have been mooted by Taylor, this appears to be a great deal for the Gunners to capitalise upon if Gakpo is indeed “attainable”.

Nottingham Forest still stand a good chance of signing Southampton striker Che Adams in the summer transfer window, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Adams linked with Forest move

It looks as though the Reds’ spending is going to continue between now and deadline day, in what has been a superb summer at the City Ground.

One player who has been regularly linked with a move to Forest is Adams, who could potentially depart Saints for a fellow Premier League team in the coming weeks.

The Scotland star has been linked to a number of top flight rivals despite being a regular starter at St Mary’s (23 last season), and O’Rourke says to watch out for the Reds.

The Latest: Expert gives Reds fresh hope

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones claimed that Forest are still in the race to acquire Adams’ services:

“They are at least a couple of players short. A striker is one they could do with, and a proven Premier League one would be really handy, so I’m definitely not ruling Nottingham Forest out at the moment.”

The Verdict: Proven Premier League quality

While an attacking signing from abroad arguably has more mystique about it, Adams could be a more surefire bet, having already bagged 20 goals and 11 assists in the Premier League.

Scotland legend Ally McCoist has described his compatriot as a ‘clever’ player and his combination of goalscoring and all-round nous make him a handful for defenders, as he has shown for Saints.

Added firepower is vital for Forest this summer, if they are to avoid a relegation scrap, and signing Adams would not only strengthen them but also weaken a Premier League rival.

Crystal Palace have made contact with Torino over a potential move for midfielder Sasa Lukic.

The Lowdown: Lukic profiled

Lukic has been with Torino since 2016 and is primarily a central midfielder who can also play in holding or attacking roles.

Valued at a Transfermarkt career-high £13.5m, the Torino captain has made 150 appearances for the club, contributing to 18 goals.

The Serbia international recently turned 26 and has previously been labelled as a player of the “highest quality” by World Football Scout, and it looks as if Steve Parish and Dougie Freedman are working on a possible Selhurst Park switch for the player.

The Latest: Palace linked with Lukic

Sport Witness relayed an update from Tuttosport regarding Lukic on Monday.

They claimed that Palace have made contact with Torino over a move for the Serbian, who is growing frustrated with the Serie A club over what he believes to be broken promises regarding an improved contract. The report adds that Torino value the midfielder at €20m (£16.85m).

The Verdict: Needed?

The Eagles have already spent big on one midfielder this summer in £21m man Cheick Doucoure, but there could be room for another in Lukic.

The 26-year-old appears to be a box-to-box central midfielder, with Patrick Vieira having just Will Hughes and James McArthur as out-and-out central midfield options.

Therefore, bringing in Lukic could be a shrewd move and possibly one to watch closely, with the player seemingly unhappy with his current employers.

Liverpool have been experienced a number of injury concerns in their squad over the beginning of the Premier League campaign, however, two players who were a doubt this week are now back in full training.

What’s the latest?

According to This is Anfield, Jordan Henderson and Nathaniel Phillips returned to full training on Saturday ahead of the clash with Manchester United on Monday.

As per the report, the pair were considered a concern after both were pictured training individually on Thursday, however, they were spotted on Saturday back in the mix with the squad in full training in time for their highly anticipated visit to Old Trafford.

It’s good news for Klopp

There is no doubt that it would be a disaster for Liverpool to add any more players to their long list of injuries, so it is undeniably good news for Jurgen Klopp that both Henderson and Phillips are in training.

Despite Phillips’ minimal contribution over the last year, he provides cover for the right centre-back role alongside Virgil van Dijk when Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate are injured, with the player already needed to replace his team-mates in the starting line-up against Crystal Palace last week.

As a result, having the 25-year-old in the squad will give Klopp confidence that the position is covered going into the upcoming fixtures, as Konate remains sidelined.

However, is it the presence again of Liverpool captain Henderson that the German tactician will love the most.

He offers more than just the quality on the ball needed in the midfield three as the player’s leadership skills are unrivalled on the pitch for Klopp’s side, with Henderson guiding his team to a Premier League title, Champions League trophy, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

Indeed, Klopp once dubbed the skipper as the “loudest” on the pitch back in 2020, citing the following: “He is just a smart, thoughtful, caring person. A leader as well and you saw that in the summer when there were some issues with the players and they needed to find a solution and he was maybe the voice of the group.”

In a game as big as the one versus Manchester United tomorrow evening, the Reds will certainly need that voice and leadership in a match that is one of the most highly-anticipated Premier League fixtures on the calendar.

Not only will his leadership be a welcome addition but the very fact that Klopp will have an additional midfielder to select is good news considering it’s the one weakness in the squad.

Injuries have been piling up at Anfield but the centre of the pitch is currently suffering the most with Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all sitting on the injury table for the foreseeable future, so having Henderson available is a very valuable asset for Liverpool going into the fierce battle at Old Trafford.

The Merseyside outfit are without a win in their first two fixtures so far, and Klopp will be hoping that his side can pick up where they left off last season against Manchester United, scoring nine goals and conceding zero over their two meetings with their monster Mancunian rivals.