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Newcastle United are showing an interest potentially making a move for the Barcelona winger Raphinha this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Could Newcastle sign Raphinha?

The Tyneside club have enjoyed a real breakthrough season which currently has them sitting pretty up in third spot of the Premier League table.

Champions League is in touching distance with just four games remaining for Eddie Howe's side, but they will be looking to avoid any slip-ups with the likes of Liverpool breathing down their necks in fifth.

The prospect of playing on the elite European stage would not only see some of the biggest clubs in the world visit St James' Park, it would also free up more money for Newcastle to spend.

Indeed, as per the Financial Fair Play regulations, having a bigger revenue stream allows clubs to spend more and, therefore, this could boost their ability in the transfer market.

And they may need more room to spend if they are to pursue a player like Raphinha over the coming months given it was only last summer when he made that huge move to the Nou Camp.

Leeds United were able to rake in around £55m last year which has the potential to rise through add-ons.

But his time in Spain could be coming to an end, speaking on his Here We Go podcast, Romano has claimed the Toon are one of the sides who are interested in the Brazilian:

(32:00) "With Raphinha, it's not easy for Barcelona, because Raphinha is doing well. I think this was a positive season for Raphinha. Maybe not a fantastic season. But the positive season.

"From what I know, Xavi's very happy with him. So it's not easy for Barca to say: 'Okay, let's put Raphinha on the market'.

"But they could be open to letting him go in case they can bring [Lionel] Messi back because, with Raphinha, you can maybe make €80m/€85m/€90m (£69m-£78m) – Chelsea interest, Newcastle interest."

Do Newcastle need Raphinha?

The £208k-per-week star typically plays off the right wing as he cuts inside on his wicked left foot and this is a position which could possibly be up for grabs over the summer.

Indeed, casting your mind back just a few months ago, the spot on the right was all but tied up by Miguel Almiron.

The Paraguayan enjoyed a stunning start to the 2022/23 campaign which saw him find the back of the net nine times in the league alone as of Boxing Day (via Transfermarkt).

However, his form has fallen off a cliff since then – granted he has struggled with injuries – having scored just twice in the league since the turn of the year.

Jacob Murphy has filled in for the 29-year-old and has done a solid job with three goals in his last four outings in the Premier League (via Transfermarkt).

These are both players without experience in the Champions League and whether they are good enough to play at that level will remain in doubt.

However, Raphinha has gained European experience with Barca and has been able to offer four goal contributions across the Champions League and Europa League this season (via Transfermarkt).

Seb Stafford-Bloor has hailed the Brazilian as "magic" and perhaps this is the standard of player Newcastle should be looking at to bolster their side ahead of what will surely be a huge 2023/24 campaign.

Manchester City are readying an unexpected swoop for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice, according to a recent report from Football Insider.

What's the latest Declan Rice transfer news?

According to one report, Arsenal have now dropped out of the race for Rice, despite the fact the player himself is keen on a move to north London, as they believe the £120m price tag West Ham are demanding is too high and unreasonable.

At one stage, the Gunners were said to be leading the race for the Englishman, but he may now have to move elsewhere, with Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United all registering their interest, as per a report from Sky Sports.

Although Pep Guardiola is adamant about keeping Ilkay Gundogan, with talks ongoing about a new deal, the German's future remains up in the air, and the West Ham captain could now be targeted as a replacement.

According to a report from Football Insider, the Sky Blues are readying an unexpected swoop for the 24-year-old, laying the groundwork for a deal, with it now looking likely they will miss out on Jude Bellingham, who is close to joining Real Madrid.

City are monitoring the situation of the central midfielder, despite interest from Arsenal, as they are one of the only clubs that would be able to commit to spending over £100m.

With the summer window approaching, Guardiola could formalise his long-term interest in the England international, who has spoken about his desire to play in the Champions League on several occasions.

Should Man City sign Declan Rice?

With Man City set to miss out on Bellingham, signing the West Ham midfielder would be the next best thing, given that he has proven himself at Premier League level over a number of seasons.

Hailed as "world class" by former Huddersfield boss Danny Cowley, the maestro has made 201 appearances in the English top flight, making his name as a box-to-box midfielder, with a keen eye for cutting out opposition attacks.

That is demonstrated by the fact he ranks in the 86th percentile for progressive carries, and in the 97th for interceptions per 90 in the past year, displaying both his attacking and defensive qualities.

One minor criticism that could be made is that Rice does not score enough goals, however he has played in a deep role for the vast majority of his career, and he more than makes up for his lack of threat going forward with his defensive capability.

Liverpool are interested in taking advantage of Southampton's Premier League relegation and signing Romeo Lavia this summer, with the prodigious midfielder enjoying a stellar season despite his club's turmoil.

What's the latest on Romeo Lavia to Liverpool?

Speaking to The Redmen TV, Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri stated that the 19-year-old midfielder is currently 'closest' to a move to Liverpool this season following the confirmation of Southampton's relegation from the top-flight after an 11-year stay.

The reporter claimed that his compatriot's departure from St. Mary's Stadium is all but confirmed, with the Reds alongside rivals Chelsea and Manchester United in pursuing Lavia's signature.

As per Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City inserted a £40m buyback clause into the starlet's contract when he arrived at the south coast for £14m last summer, and with that option triggering next summer, it makes sense for Klopp to swoop now.

Why should Liverpool sign Romeo Lavia?

With Lavia scarcely having unpacked his bags in Southampton last year, free-spending Chelsea attempted an audacious £50m swoop on deadline day, swiftly and justifiably rejected by Sport Republic.

Described as "exquisite" for his feats by The Athletic's Jacob Tanswell, Lavia has made 33 appearances this term and scored one goal and assist apiece, emerging as a diamond among the rubble as his side tepidly plummet into the second tier.

As per Sofascore, the ace has recorded an average divisional rating of 6.83 this term – captain James Ward-Prowse is the only midfielder with a higher rating – and has completed 83% of his passes, forged 2.0 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per match, also succeeding with 60% of his dribbles and 57% of his ground duels.

He is blossoming into one of the finest midfielders in Europe at a rate that belies his tender age and inexperience.

He is the equilibrium to Southampton's centre, and while his departure feels inevitable, he will be sorely missed in Hampshire, with FBref also illustrating his prowess by ranking him among the top 9% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues for rate of blocks per 90.

The "monster", as heralded by journalist Benjy Nurick, would be an incredible signing for a Liverpool midfield yearning for a composed presence to reinstate the robustness, and should Klopp prevail in his pursuit, the masterstroke that was the £75m acquisition of Virgil van Dijk might just be repeated.

While the Dutch defender had caught the eye with his imperious displays for Saints, the lofty fee left an eyebrow or two arched as Liverpool completed the deal, but his impact at Anfield has been sensational, and his presence has been instrumental in the inception of the illustrious success under Klopp's wing.

But having now gleaned the Premier League and Champions League among a wealth of major honours, the 6 foot 5 mountain's stunning effect is illustrated with brilliant colour.

Like Van Dijk, Lavia would have the opportunity to be moulded to Klopp's own clay with a transfer to Merseyside, and with years of ostensible success ahead of him, joining the fold at Liverpool could well ensure that future is laden with glinting silver.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are now keen on signing Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra, having recently conducted a scouting mission, according to a report from The Sun.

What's the latest Wolves transfer news?

With Premier League safety mathematically confirmed, Wolves have started to turn their attention towards their summer transfer business, and they are keen on signing a new central midfielder, amid the uncertainty surrounding Ruben Neves' future.

The Old Gold are reportedly keen on signing Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, with the Blues open to offers for the 27-year-old this summer, although there will be fierce competition for his signature, with AC Milan also interested.

PSV Eindhoven's Ibrahim Sangare is another option for Julen Lopetegui, with a scouting mission being conducted to assess the central midfielder last month, and the manager has since run the rule over another intriguing prospect.

According to a report from The Sun, Wolves are one of many clubs to have scouted Diarra, with the Strasbourg midfielder set for a big move to the Premier League in the upcoming transfer window.

Strasbourg already value the 19-year-old at £20m, and there could be a number of teams doing battle for him this summer, including recently-crowned Premier League champions Manchester City, as well as Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

The Old Gold are keen on signing the youngster, but it remains to be seen whether they are able to win the race for his signature, given the level of interest.

Who is Habib Diarra?

After graduating from the Strasbourg youth academy, the Frenchman has gone on to establish himself as a regular first-team player this season, making 27 appearances in Ligue 1, displaying his versatility by playing in both an attacking and defensive role.

As such, the £19k-per-week midfielder is clearly a very well-rounded player, and he has been hailed as a "big talent" by football scout Jacek Kulig after some of his recent performances, registering five goal contributions in his last six games.

The maestro has certainly impressed on the front foot of late, but he has also looked very solid in a more defensive role this season, making four tackles against Clermont Foot early on in the campaign, the most of any player on the pitch.

Diarra is still relatively unproven, given that this is his first season of men's football, however he is showing very promising signs, and he would be an excellent addition to the Wolves squad.

Leeds United are in strong contention to be relegated from the Premier League this weekend after enduring a tight relegation scrap at the bottom of the table.

The Whites need a victory on the final day against Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road, but even that would not be enough if Everton win their game against Bournemouth.

Sam Allardyce will be feeling the pressure after a defeat to West Ham United last week stopped his team from keeping their fate in their own hands, but now all he can ask is that they win their last game of the season in front of the home support at the very least.

No matter the outcome, there are some big changes on the horizon for the West Yorkshire outfit both on and off the pitch, with a new sporting director and manager expected to be welcomed this summer.

Not only that, improvements on the pitch will be desperately needed after a troubling campaign, and if Leeds do suffer a drop to the Championship, there is no doubt that some players will want to make a swift exit.

As a result, Andrea Radrizzani has a huge challenge on his hands to not only identify the right management for the club moving forward, but to make sure the squad can improve without breaking the bank.

One player who could be a huge asset to Leeds next season upon his return from loan is Charlie Cresswell, with the centre-back thriving in the second tier with Millwall.

Who is Charlie Cresswell?

The 20-year-old joined the Championship side on a season-long loan last summer to earn himself some much-needed first-team football and hasn’t disappointed in his efforts.

Leeds supporters will be familiar with the young defender as he made his Premier League debut under Marcelo Bielsa last season against West Ham and also featured for the first team in a number of FA Cup and League Cup clashes.

Cresswell’s top-flight debut led to huge praise from presenter Joe Wainman, who expected him to start pushing the first-team defenders for their position:

“These centre-backs that are not fit or are looking to come back into the side, they need to be worried, because that boy, for me, was unbelievable and I don’t think he should come out of the side.”

Cresswell went on to make seven senior appearances in total for the Whites, before getting his opportunity to become a key player in Millwall's campaign this season.

Over 28 league appearances, the 6 foot 2 titan – hailed a “big talent” by Lions boss Gary Rowett – averaged 1.3 interceptions, 3.1 clearances, and a whopping 7.6 duels won per game – placing in the top three within his team in each department, suggesting that he is a reliable and consistent defensive presence.

Not only that, Cresswell has also been effective in the attacking threat with four goals scored, two assists registered and successfully completing 73% of his dribbles, before having his season cut short due to a fractured eye socket.

If Leeds do suffer a drop to the Championship this weekend, their young talent could be a key player in the team next season as his experience could be a huge asset in their pursuit to bounce straight back to the top flight.

With that being said, the future is looking bright for Cresswell, and if he can continue to thrive upon his return to West Yorkshire, he could be the ideal heir to take over from Liam Cooper in years to come.

A fan online seems to think they have pinpointed the exact moment Arsenal’s title challenge was doomed after seeing footage of William Saliba initially hurting his back.

How did William Saliba get injured?

The 22-year-old French centre-back had started all 27 of the Gunner’s Premier League games up until mid-March and his fine performances helped them sit at the top of the table.

Indeed, up to that point, Arsenal had lost just three league matches, drawing three others and winning the rest. His last appearance in the top flight, however, came in a 3-0 away win over Fulham.

Just days later, Saliba was asked to start against Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League but lasted just 21 minutes before coming off with an injury as Mikel Arteta and co were later knocked out of the competition on penalties.

In the 11 Premier League games after that fitness setback, Arsenal won just five more times, drawing three marches and losing three more. This ultimately was enough for Manchester City to overtake them and ultimately win the title race.

Clearly, Saliba’s absence played a huge part in the North London outfit dropping so many points in the run-in, so it’s easy to look at though defeat against Sporting as the moment things all went wrong.

However, after seeing footage shared on Twitter, fans have come up with a theory that he actually suffered his back injury in the previous game against Fulham after colliding with goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

As you can see, the £40k-per-week defender lands awkwardly and it was ultimately a “muscle injury in his lower back” that forced him off early in the very next game.

In hindsight, you can’t help but wonder if things could have turned out differently had Arteta and the medical team noted this possible injury and not played him in Europe just four days later.

Fans certainly seemed to think this collision against Fulham was the moment their title chances suffered a huge blow – one they would never recover from. Here are some of the best reactions on Twitter.

Some even blamed Ramsdale…

Manchester United are the current front-runners to sign Napoli centre-back Kim Min-jae this summer, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Have United been linked with Kim Min-jae?

The Red Devils look highly likely to bring in reinforcements at the heart of their defence over the next few months, as they look to close the gap on rivals Manchester City next season.

While Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane forged an excellent partnership throughout 2022/23, their absence through injury has exposed the lack of depth there, with Luke Shaw even being drafted into an auxiliary role because of a seeming lack of trust in Harry Maguire.

One player who has been continually linked with a move to Old Trafford is Kim, who looks like a primary transfer target and is seen as a future key man. The £33,000-a-week central defender is fresh off the back of a magnificent season for Napoli, proving to be a rock at the back as they won their first Serie A title since 1990.

Are Reds favourites to sign Kim Min-jae?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Romano claimed that United currently lead the way in the battle to snap up Kim in the summer transfer window:

"United know that they are ahead of the other clubs for Kim, because they started this process in October and November. So Man United remain interested in Kim.

"It's very clear that the release clause is only available in July not in June, so at the moment the clubs can’t do anything to sign the player."

This is a really promising update regarding Kim's future, with the Napoli man arguably one of the best players in his position in Europe currently, certainly given the form he is in.

Fellow South Korean Park Ji-sung has described his compatriot as "outstanding", also saying that he is doing "extraordinary things" at the moment, and he is someone who could help elevate United to another level next season. Spalletti also called the defender "one of a kind" and a "monster" for his efforts over in Italy.

With Varane now 30 and arguably not quite the player he used to be, Kim could be considered the natural long-term partner for Martinez, with the better excelling alongside one another for many years to come. At 26, he is at a brilliant age for a centre-back – the same age that Virgil van Dijk was when he joined Liverpool, for example – with enough experience to come in as a vital player from the off, but also having time on his side.

Leeds United will be on the hunt for players who can help them quickly bounce back from a drop into the Championship next season and now a new update has emerged on a potential transfer target.

What's the latest on Leeds' interest in Gustavo Hamer?

According to Football League World, Leeds are interested in signing Coventry City midfielder Gustavo Hamer this summer.

As per the report, the 49ers have ambitious plans for the club upon their full buyout of Andrea Radrizzani and want to make Hamer their marquee signing for their Championship campaign.

Who is Gustavo Hamer?

The talented midfielder has been one of the standout perfomers in the Championship this season and played a key role in assisting Coventry to their play-off final at Wembley last month.

As imagined, there is wide speculation that several members of the Leeds squad are looking for opportunities to depart Elland Road this summer after joining the club based on their Premier League status, with Marc Roca one of the latest names to be dropped into the departures debate.

It was also reported by Football League World late last week that the midfielder could be set to return to his native Spain to join Real Betis on a loan deal for the season ahead.

As a result, the signing of Hamer – who has an estimated valuation of £10m – would be a great opportunity to not only bring in a player with sound Championship experience but the quality to help Leeds achieve a rapid return to the top flight by replacing Roca in the centre of the pitch.

Over 41 league appearances, the 25-year-old talent – hailed "unbelievable" by former Coventry City goalkeeper Marko Marosi – scored nine goals, registered ten assists and created a whopping 16 big chances.

More than just an attacking outlet, the Sky Blues star registered 1.8 key passes, 2.6 tackles, 1.1 successful dribbles and won 4.8 duels per game, proving that he is a huge presence and a perfect all-rounder in his deeper midfield role.

Hamer will be in the last year of his contract with Coventry this season which could prove to be a sticking point that leads to a cut-price deal being accepted by the club to ensure they don't lose one of their most prolific assets on a free next summer.

With that being said, Leeds should be all over any opportunity to sign Hamer this summer and if he can emulate his consistency and incredible output at Elland Road he could play a huge role in an automatic return to the top flight for the Whites.

Celtic majority shareholder Dermot Desmond remains engaged in efforts to find a replacement for recently-departed head coach Ange Postecoglou.

The 57-year-old completed a move to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur last week and the Hoops are now in the market to appoint a new manager.

Sky Sports recently reported that Brendan Rodgers, who has already enjoyed one successful stint with the Scottish giants, has held talks with the club. And they are now set to hold further discussions with the Northern Irish coach in the coming days as they attempt to bring him back to Parkhead.

However, if they fail to convince the former Leicester City boss to take the job for a second time, then Desmond could find a dream alternative in Bodo/Glimt's Kjetil Knutsen, who is also reportedly on Celtic's radar.

What is Kjetil Knutsen's style of play?

The Norwegian manager plays a "kamikaze" style – as described by his captain Ulrick Saltnes – once explained his own philosophy by saying:

“Dominating doesn’t just mean scoring but also having the possession of the ball and dictating the rules of the game."

These comments show that the 4-3-3 tactician plays an intense brand of attacking football that results in his side being able to dominate the opposition, which has led to terrific results during his time with Bodo/Glimt.

Rodgers won seven trophies in less than three years at Parkhead and would come in as a proven winner, but Knutsen has also achieved great success in Norway and has proven that he knows how to win titles too.

The 54-year-old has won two Eliteserien titles in the last three years, whilst his side have won ten of their 11 league games so far in the division during 2023, which suggests that he is on his way to a third.

Knutsen has also shown signs of promise with his work in European competitions.

In the 2021/22 campaign, the promising coach reached the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League and won seven of his 11 matches in the tournament, which suggests that the potential is there for him to be a success on the continent.

Whereas, Rodgers failed to reach the last-16 in any European setting during his time in Scotland and, therefore, there are still question marks over his suitability to take the club forward outside of domestic football.

The Bodo/Glimt boss would not come in as a proven quantity in Scottish football as the Northern Irish manager would, but his impressive work in Norway – domestically and in Europe – suggests that the 54-year-old could be an excellent alternative to Rodgers if Desmond is unable to convince the former Liverpool chief to take on the job for a second time.

Liverpool are ahead of the rest of the pack in the race to bring in Federico Valverde this summer, according to reports from the Spanish media, via Football 365.

How many goals has Federico Valverde scored?

The midfielder has been a Real Madrid regular for the last five seasons, but in the 2022/23 campaign he really began to thrive and come into his own. Having never managed to hit a double-digit tally for goal contributions prior to this season, he went on to bag seven goals and four assists from the centre of the field in La Liga this time around.

It wasn't enough to give Madrid the title – they finished in second – but it meant that Valverde emerged as not just a reliable member of the first-team squad but a superstar in his own right.

His ability is even more apparent when you compare him statistically to others in his position across the Men's 'Top Five' big leagues in Europe. With his 0.23 non-penalty goals per 90 rate for example, he sits nicely in the top seven percent in that area, and his 2.93 progressive carries per 90 means that he is also in the top nine percent for driving the ball forward.

Are Liverpool signing Valverde?

Now, according to reports from the Spanish media, via Football 365, Liverpool have liked what they have seen of Valverde and are now "leading the race" to snap him up on a transfer deal this summer. There are a few interested parties but it is the Reds who appear to be in pole position for the Uruguay international and, not only that, they are also prepared to splash a whopping €90m (£77m) to get a deal done for the player too.

No official bid has been made yet but it appears that the Premier League side are prepared to spend big money to bring Valverde, who could be sold to balance the books after the signing of Jude Bellingham in the Spanish capital.

He'd certainly boost the Liverpool midfield with his play, with those in the game praising him for his abilities. Football journalist Josh Bunting for example has previously called an effort from Valverde "magnificent," which emphasizes how good the player can be. The Reds need some added creativity and drive in their midfield and the Real Madrid man could offer it for them if they can get a deal over the line.