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Crystal Palace Plot Swoop For £13m ‘Prospect’

Crystal Palace could look to bolster their squad in the summer transfer window after a difficult Premier League campaign and now a new update has emerged on a potential transfer target.

What's the latest on Crystal Palace's interest in Sacha Boey?

According to Turkish news outlet Fotomac, Crystal Palace are one of the clubs who are expected to make a bid for Galatasaray full-back Sacha Boey.

As per the report, the Eagles will need to compete with Arsenal and Wolfsburg, who are also interested in signing the player this summer, with a transfer fee expected to be around €15m (£13m).

Would Sacha Boey be a good signing for Crystal Palace?

There is no doubt that the right-back position at Selhurst Park is one of the most important roles to fill this summer, with both Nathaniel Clyne and Joel Ward reaching the latter stages of their career and currently out of contract in the summer.

As a result, the signing of Boey could be the perfect opportunity to bring in a young player who can make the role his own and become the much-needed heir to Clyne on the right flank.

Over 28 Super Lig appearances, the 22-year-old – who was branded an "intriguing prospect" by journalist Zach Lowy – has scored one goal, registered three assists and created seven big chances, proving his worth in attack.

The full-back is also immense from a defensive point of view, combining his forward-thinking attitude with a desire to keep his opposite number at bay.

Indeed, the "tireless" ace – as per Cetin Yem Yilmaz – has also made 1.6 interceptions, 2.7 tackles, 2.1 clearances and won 6.8 duels per game.

Galatasaray right-back Sacha Boey

Not only that, but the talented Frenchman has been one of the highest-rated players in the squad with a SofaScore rating of 7.10, further displaying that he has been a consistent performer and could provide Palace with the reliability needed to form a formidable back four that can improve defensively next season.

When comparing Boey to his Crystal Palace positional peers, the Galatasaray star has outperformed both Ward and Clyne in aerial duels success rate with Boey coming out on top 63.27% of the time, Ward 25% and Clyne 60.44%.

Boey's ability to spray a ball forward is also a great deal better than those he could replace with the respective defender's long-range pass accuracy sitting at 37.5%, 29.03% and 28.33%. He's also made more ball recoveries (173 v 81 v 109) and more interceptions (45 v 19 v 24), as per Squawka Comparison Matrix.

With that being said, if Palace can beat their competitors to the signing of Boey, it would be a fantastic opportunity to sign a young talent who can excel and develop further with first-team football in the Premier League next season.

Tottenham Pushing To Sign "Wonderful" £57m Rock

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly plotting to make a fresh move for Villarreal defender, Pau Torres, with the Lilywhites having seemingly missed out on the exciting centre-back last summer.

What's the latest on Torres to Tottenham?

According to Italian outlet, Tuttosport, the north Londoners are seemingly ready to rival Serie A side Juventus for the signing of the 26-year-old, with the Premier League outfit said to be ready to 'try again' this summer after failing to sign the defender last year.

As per the Daily Mail, Daniel Levy and co were reportedly attempting to sign the 6 foot 3 gem ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, albeit with the Spaniard ultimately staying put with the La Liga side.

The latest indication is that Spurs will push to make another attempt ahead of next season, with the report suggesting that the 23-cap ace could be available for lower than his reported €65m (£57m) release clause, as his existing contract is set to expire next year.

Who could Torres replace at Tottenham?

The signing of the Villarreal rock could well spell bad news for long-serving Tottenham defender, Eric Dier, with the England international only set to find himself pushed further down the defensive pecking order, following what has been a dismal campaign on both a collective and individual basis.

The 29-year-old – who has been at the club since joining from Sporting CP back in 2014 – has formed part of a backline that has shipped 62 Premier League goals so far this term, with that the sixth-worst record of any team in the division.

Tottenham's Eric Dier

Dier, in particular, has had to endure his fair share of the blame for those woes, with journalist Ryan Taylor stating earlier this year that the experienced dud "is just nowhere near the required level for what Spurs are trying to achieve".

As such, bringing Torres into the fold could well be the defensive upgrade that Tottenham are evidently in need of, with the left-footed ace having enjoyed another solid campaign in Spain so far, with his average match rating of 7.06 – as per Sofascore – far greater than what Dier has achieved in the Premier League (6.86).

The notable difference between the pair is their ability in possession, with the Spain international ranking in at least the top 3% among those in his position in Europe's top five leagues for progressive passes, progressive carries and successful take-ons, proving just why he is "wonderful on the ball" – as per talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Dier, by contrast, is far less comfortable at playing out from the back as he ranks in just the bottom 41% for progressive passes, the bottom 25% for progressive carries and only the bottom 20% for successful take-ons – a stark illustration of the contrasting abilities of the pair.

Torres is also no slouch when it comes to carrying out his defensive duties as he has averaged 1.3 tackles per game in La Liga this season and won 66% of his ground duels, while the current Spurs man has averaged only 0.9 tackles per game and won just 52% of his ground duels.

While it is yet to be seen just who will be in charge next season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Levy would be wise to give any new manager a welcome gift with the signing of Torres.

"Superb" 21-y/o Could Stay At Everton Despite Transfer Interest

Everton stand a good chance of keeping midfield powerhouse Amadou Onana beyond the summer transfer window, Fabrizio Romano has revealed.

What's going on with Onana and Everton?

The midfielder has had an impressive first campaign in English football since joining from Lille last year, and earlier this season had attracted transfer interest from the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea.

The 21-year-old helped Everton survive the threat of relegation, and although there may be fears that he could depart this summer, the Toffees may be able to keep hold of one of their star players.

Speaking on the Here We Go Podcast, Romano claimed that Chelsea's pursuit of Manuel Ugarte is their priority, meaning any current move for Onana is unlikely, and that Everton stand a good chance of keeping the Belgian.

"I think Everton have a chance to keep the player, it's not going to be easy, but they have a chance because he really loves the club," he stated.

"He loves the atmosphere, the city, his teammates. So he has a special connection with the club. And also at the moment, while we're speaking there is nothing advanced.

"I saw new rumours about Chelsea in the last 24/48 hours, but I'm told that Chelsea are busy with Ugarte, this midfielder from Sporting, so they have not made Onana a priority.

"This is positive news for Everton. Also, let's see what's going to happen in the coming months, because maybe in July or August, some big club will arrive with big money on Onana, but at the moment the situation is quiet and the player is not desperate to leave."

How important is Onana to Everton?

The midfielder has provided a strong presence in the middle of the park for Everton and was described as "superb" following a player-of-the-match display in his side's victory over Arsenal.

Everton won just eight league games all season, and Onana started in seven of them, highlighting just how crucial he is to Sean Dyche's side, who struggled to find victory without him in the team.

amadou-onana-thomas-partey-everton-martin-keown-transfer-arsenal

The Toffees will be hoping to avoid another season where they are involved in a tense relegation battle, and building around younger talents like Onana could help them to start progressing up the table.

If a big bid does arrive for Onana, then the club may have to consider a sale, but they will be wary of the potential consequences of losing such an important player ahead of what could be another difficult campaign.

Leeds Can Replace Firpo With £1k-p/w "Next Van Dijk"

Leeds United are experiencing a lot of uncertainty at the moment with no sporting director, no manager and a takeover in the works, whilst also preparing to lose a number of their players due to relegation to the Championship next season.

The Whites were relegated on the final day of their dreadful Premier League campaign and after three years away will have to compete again in the second tier with hope they can bounce back up to the top flight again as soon as possible.

Whilst the appointment of a manager and sporting director will be a top priority for Angus Kinnear, the club hierarchy are faced with big decisions on how to manage the departures of many players this summer and trimming down their high-quality squad will be essential.

One player who has been linked with a move away from the club this week is Junior Firpo, as Italian journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed on Wednesday that the left-back could be set for an exit:

"Understand Junior Firpo will leave Leeds United this summer as several European clubs are already keen on signing him."

"The plan is to try a new experience after relegation."

Indeed, it will be difficult for Leeds to see so many players leave this summer, but in Firpo's case it paves the way for a talented young player to step into the role and earn his chance to play regular first-team football at Elland Road next season.

Who is Leo Hjelde?

The 19-year-old joined from Celtic in the summer of 2021, earning his Premier League debut under Marcelo Bielsa less than six months later and has more recently been on a half-season loan with Rotherham in the Championship.

Over 13 league appearances, the 6 foot 2 Norwegian has created one big chance and successfully completed 67% of his dribbles, as well as averaging 1.4 interceptions, 1.3 tackles, 2.2 clearances and three duels won per game, giving a glimpse of his solid defensive attributes during his short spell in the second tier.

leo-hjelde-leeds-united-championship

Hjelde – who is an incredibly versatile player with experience at both left-back and in the left-sided centre-back role – has been the recipient of some huge praise and high expectations for his development, with his former Ross County manager John Hughes comparing him to a Premier League and Champions League winner:

“One hundred percent, Leo is going to be the next [Virgil] Van Dijk. He’s a really good kid with a very bright future."

Hughes then went on to give an insight into the player's best attributes, stating:

"He’s an athlete, quick, nobody would run him. He’s got that ‘I’m a player’ about him. It’s not in an arrogant way, it’s a belief."

Indeed, keeping hold of some of the key contributors would be massively advantageous to the West Yorkshire club in their pursuit to smash their Championship campaign, but it will also be a huge boost to have a young and hungry player to inject into the team who also has sound experience of the football being played in the league.

With that being said, it would be a no-brainer to include Hjelde in the first-team squad next season as the £1k-per-week starlet could be an incredibly valuable asset to the next Leeds manager and confidently replace Firpo if the club does cash in this summer.

Journalist Drops Double Liverpool Transfer Update

Liverpool remain interested in signing both Khephren Thuram and Manu Kone in the summer transfer window, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

Are Thuram and Kone key targets for Liverpool?

The Reds have already some business significant transfer business since the end of the season, bringing in Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton. He feels like a great addition, adding youth and energy in an area that has lacked it for too long, but he cannot be the only addition in the middle of the park.

It is essential that another couple of faces come in, ensuring that Liverpool are a completely different animal in the engine room next term, and Thuram and Kone have arguably emerged as the two players most likely to join Mac Allister at Anfield.

The duo, who are currently at Nice and Borussia Monchengladbach respectively, are both highly-rated young prospects who could cost big money, and it doesn't look as though the Reds' interest is waning in the slightest.

kouadio-manu-kone-premier-league-newcastle-transfers

What's the latest on Thuram and Konate to Anfield?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jacobs said that Thuram and Kone are both still primary summer targets for Liverpool:

"They definitely want to bring in another midfielder. The Thuram and Koné talks are legit. Liverpool have certainly enquired about those two players, so both are ones to watch."

This is another encouraging update regarding Thuram and Kone, with the 22-year-old pair looking like the strongest options to add to the midfield alongside Mac Allister.

Both have a priceless ability to cover ground and shine in box-to-box roles, much in the same way Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum used to at their peak, but they are also top-class technical footballers, making them the full package.

Thuram registered six goal contributions (two goals and four assists) for Nice in Ligue 1 last season, also averaging one key pass per game, while Kone enjoyed a tally of 2.5 tackles per match and an 87.3% pass completion rate in the Bundesliga.

To suddenly have those two and Mac Allister in Liverpool's midfield could give them a completely different look next season – Fabinho could be so much better in the No.6 role with more legs around him – and with the rest of the teams almost picking itself, the new signings could have the ability to make the Reds a genuine force again.

With the likes of Henderson, Thiago, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Stefan Bajcetic all good options, too, Jurgen Klopp would have a plethora of quality and depth at his disposal.

Newcastle Eye Swoop For £69k-p/w “Magician”

Newcastle United are in an unlikely position of power. The Magpies can finally offer Champions League football. This makes the pool of players within their grasp wider, brimming with more quality.

The club must now work to forge a deeper, younger, whilst avoiding any engagement with FFP and maintaining the tremendous harmony within the dressing room.

Last summer, Eddie Howe splashed around £118m, and it’s estimated that a similar budget of between £100m-£150m will be available this window.

Newcastle’s transfer strategy is geared around a “collective approach”, guided by Howe’s “specific requirements.”

One player who fits within this approach is Dominik Szoboszlai.

What’s the latest on Dominik Szoboszlai to Newcastle?

According to The Athletic, the Magpies have a 'longstanding interest' and he remains on the shortlist.

However, it's also been confirmed that nothing is 'particularly imminent' at this stage.

How would Dominik Szoboszlai fit in at Newcastle?

The 22-year-old has enjoyed a ridiculously productive season and has been of one RB Leipzig’s brightest sparks.

Across 46 appearances in all competitions, the Hungarian has scored 10 goals and crafted 13 assists, which equates to a contribution every two games.

He has been his side’s chief creator and an indispensable component of their offensive phases of play as he averaged 2.3 key passes and 1.7 dribbles per game, the highest for both metrics in the squad, as per WhoScored.

Jesse Marsch has eulogised over his unbelievable quality and limitless potential, saying: “Certainly his greatest gift is his right foot, he can put the ball where he wants to.

“He’s very fit; so whatever the physical demands you put on him, he can meet those demands because he’s fit, he’s strong, he’s fast, he’s athletic.

“The more he can tilt himself to being active and intensive and sprinting, he has the potential to be one of the top No 10s in the world, there’s no question. The combination of his vision, his technical ability, his athletic ability, and his personality means there aren’t many players that can dominate games from that position the way that he can.”

Indeed, his obvious talent has earned comparisons to the imperious Bruno Fernandes, according to FBref.

Both are the innovative nucleus’ of their respective team and their statistics rank formidably across the continent.

The playmakers sit within the top 13% in Europe’s top five leagues among their positional peers for progressive passes per 90, as well as the best 9% for shot-creating actions per 90.

Bruno Fernandes

Similarly to Marsch’s reference to Szoboszlai’s striking ability, Fernandes possesses a vicious right foot, but also a formidable ability to find his teammates as the Portuguese created the most big chances (32) of any player in the Premier League.

Hailed as a “magician” by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, the £69k-per-week man would be a phenomenal addition to English football and could emulate the untameable form that Fernandes has exhibited since his move to Old Trafford.

£15m Fabinho-like Star Could Be Burnley’s Own Yaya Toure

Burnley's promotion to the Premier League means the return of links to some big-name players, with manager Vincent Kompany hoping to put his connections to good use.

The Belgian impressed in his first season as a coach in English football by guiding the Clarets to an immediate top-flight return, breaking the Championship's 100 points barrier in the process.

Helped by the loan signing of Taylor Harwood-Bellis from Manchester City, plus the permanent arrivals of CJ Egan-Riley and Arijanet Muric from the same club, Kompany was not afraid to turn to his former employers.

That could be a trick he repeats this summer, as the Daily Mail reports that Burnley are interested in signing Albert Sambi Lokonga on loan, with the player currently managed by former City coach Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.

Should Burnley sign Albert Sambi Lokonga from Arsenal?

Lokonga has not had a great deal of success on the face of it during his two seasons in the Premier League, the second of which saw him loaned to Crystal Palace midway through the campaign.

However, the 23-year-old certainly has qualities that can be of use to Burnley, not least his ability on the ball. Indeed, Lokonga's 90.4% pass-completion over the past year, as per FBref, places him in the top 3% of his positional peers across Europe's top five leagues.

That figure climbs to 94.3% across his nine Premier League appearances for Arsenal last season, which was the most of any Gunners player to have featured more than five times.

While not as heralded, there are comparisons to be made between Lokonga and Liverpool midfielder Fabinho.

fabinho-liverpool-premier-league

They won a very similar number of aerial duels last season (0.98 v 1.01 respectively) and tackles per 90 minutes (1.34 v 1.28), while their pass completion rates of 89.1 and 88.3 were pretty much identical.

Lokonga does not provide goals, which again is the same for Fabinho, with the pair involved in 1.23 and 1.85 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes respectively last season.

Kompany will know all about Lokonga's ability, having previously managed him during their time together at Anderlecht. It was at that time the now-Burnley boss opened up on a conversation he had with Arteta and Pep Guardiola regarding the up-and-coming star.

"The first thing I did when I saw Sambi was I went to Mikel, and also Pep, but Mikel first and I said, 'You've got to watch this guy, he's the new Yaya Toure'," Kompany told Rio Ferdinand's FIVE YouTube channel.

The £50k-per-week midfielder is not as big a goalscoring threat as former City star Toure, but the comparisons make sense on the basis of their stature and passing ability (93.5% pass-completion rate for the latter in his final season at the Etihad).

Seemingly unwanted by Arteta, Arsenal's loss could well be Burnley's gain if they are willing to make a bid and bring in a player who may yet prove to be Kompany's own Toure.

Leeds Making Inroads To Buy "Interesting" £17k p/w Ace At ER

Leeds United are keen on bringing in West Bromwich Albion midfielder Jayson Molumby this summer as the Yorkshire club try to supplement potential midfield departures, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest transfer news involving Jayson Molumby?

According to The Sun's Alan Nixon on Patreon, Molumby has been identified as a target for Leeds this summer as they prepare for life in the Championship.

Former England international Carlton Palmer has tipped the £17k-a-week earner to be a success at the Whites if he does swap the Hawthorns for Elland Road in the off-season, stating in an interview with Football League World:

“Jayson Molumby would be a fantastic signing for Leeds. He’s still only 23 years of age, already capped for the Republic of Ireland 20 times. He will provide energy and tenacity to the Leeds midfield. [He’s a] genuine box-to-box midfield player, who also will chip in with goals, eight goals from midfield last season. Would be a very, very good signing for Leeds United.”

Molumby was a crucial component of Carlos Corberan's West Brom outfit in 2022/23, registering four goals and four assists in 47 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

There is a possibility that Corberan and the £17k-per-week Molumby both pitch up at Leeds United, with the latter in contention for the managerial post at Elland Road, as per Football Insider.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones thinks that Molumby would be a solid addition for Leeds United as they look towards competing in the English second tier.

Jones told FFC: "I think he also has the nous to be good enough for what they need straight away from the off in the Championship. I think that'll be really interesting, especially at a time when they're looking to move on from McKennie and probably Aaronson and, unfortunately for Leeds, probably Tyler Adams as well."

What midfielders could Leeds United part ways with this summer?

In light of their relegation from the Premier League, several individuals in midfield could leave Leeds United this summer, which may have prompted their interest in Molumby.

According to The Daily Mail, Leeds United enforcer Tyler Adams could be set to depart Elland Road, with Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion, Everton and Nottingham Forest all keen to offer the American a return to the top-flight.

Leeds United's Tyler Adams

90min also understand that Brenden Aaronson has a release clause of £25 million in his contract at Leeds United and may be another casualty this window.

FootballTransfers report that Jack Harrison is attracting interest from Everton and could fall by the wayside due to having a relegation release clause worth around £16 million.

It is apparent there could be some major changes made in the Leeds midfield this summer which could certainly lead to a number of new faces being forced to come through the doors over the coming months.

Jurrien Timber latest: Romano shares exciting Arsenal news

Arsenal are expected to advance on a deal for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber and he’s waiting to join them, according to reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Who will join Arsenal?

Various media sources in the last 24-48 hours confirm that the Gunners reached an agreement for the transfer of West Ham United star Declan Rice, coming after two rejected bids, with both sides finally landing on £105 million (£100m + £5m in add-ons).

There has been deliberation between both clubs over deal structure but it appears Rice is closing in on a move to north London, which comes as great news for manager Mikel Arteta, who has reportedly made an effort to sway the 24-year-old himself.

Kai Havertz, meanwhile, has joined on a £65 million deal from Chelsea as Arsenal transfer chief Edu appears very busy behind-the-scenes.

As well as the Germany international and Rice, talks continue over a move for Southampton star and Belgium international Romeo Lavia.

This is shaping up to be a hectic summer for Arsenal, and one where they could end up spending north of £200 million.

jurrien-timber-transfer-gossip-arteta-edu-arsenal-declan-rice-ajax

Timber, who enjoyed an exceptional campaign at Ajax last season, is another player attracting Arteta’s interest as he seeks to reinforce his defence.

The 22-year-old, who can operate as an inverted full-back similar to Oleksandr Zinchenko, has been praised for his composure and versatility at Ajax – not to mention a brilliant range of passing (The Telegraph).

According to renowned transfer window reporter Romano, after Rice, Arsenal will advance on a deal for Timber and the player is just “waiting” to join them – so it appears another Gunners signing may not be too far off.

What’s been said about Jurrien Timber?

After impressing in the Eredivisie last season, Timber has attracted real praise from members of the media, with journalist Antonio Mongo calling him a “generational superstar” and “mr versatile”.

The starlet defender has already played at World Cups and may well bring a degree of pedigree, as well as excitement, to north London.

Leeds Transfer News; Farke And 49ers Confident Of 6 Signings

Leeds United are confident of signing six new players ahead of the new Championship season, according to reports.

What’s the latest Leeds transfer news?

The Whites look set for an extremely busy summer under new owners the 49ers Enterprises, with Daniel Farke brought in as the club’s new manager on a four-year deal.

The German, who has won the second-tier title twice with Norwich City, has just four weeks until the first game of the season against Cardiff City, with plenty to do both on the training pitch and in the transfer market before then.

There will be a number of departures from Elland Road, with Robin Koch the first high-profile player to secure a move away after joining Eintracht Frankfurt on loan. Diego Llorente followed with a loan move to AS Roma, and with plenty more exits on the cards, new signings will be required.

According to Football Insider, the Whites are confident of making six new signings once they have trimmed their wage bill. The club will listen to offers for Illan Meslier and Junior Firpo, while Rodrigo and Jack Harrison are expected to push for moves away.

As a result, Leeds will target a new goalkeeper, centre-back, right-back, left-back, winger and striker, but the EFL process of giving the green light to the 49ers’ takeover appears to be impacting how swiftly the club can act in the market.

Borussia Monchengladbach's former manager Daniel Farke.

Who could Leeds sign?

Reliable Leeds reporter Phil Hay has also weighed in on the transfer speculation in the week, and he thinks that a new goalkeeper, left-back, centre-back, midfielder and forward could be on the agenda for the 49ers and Farke. Hay even named plenty of targets who appear to be of interest at Elland Road, and proven Championship players are looking like the club’s plan.

In goal, Newcastle United’s Karl Darlow is rated, as are Freddie Woodman and Angus Gunn of Preston North End and Norwich City. At left-back, former Swansea City man and now free agent Ryan Manning has been linked alongside Burnley and former Whites man Charlie Taylor.

Liverpool centre-back Nat Phillips is of interest at the heart of the defence, and in midfield, there is a long-standing interest in Coventry City’s Gustavo Hamer, although the Brazilian appears to have his eyes on a move to the Premier League. Finally, in attack, the club are eyeing up a move for Swansea City’s Joel Piroe following two free-scoring seasons in the Championship, whereas Nottingham Forest’s Sam Surridge is viewed as an alternative target.

You could argue that midfield and left-back are two crucial areas for Leeds to bolster, especially if the likes of Firpo and Tyler Adams depart. If they leave, Pascal Struijk would be the only left-back available to Farke, whereas Adams joining Marc Roca and Brendan Aaronson with likely moves away would leave Leeds with Jamie Shackleton and Sam Greenwood in midfield.

Leeds are expected to sign Aberdeen’s 16-year-old forward Lewis Pirie after agreeing on a £200,000 transfer and a three-year deal, and hopefully, a number of senior additions will soon following the “rising star” to Thorp Arch ahead of the new season.

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