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Tottenham Hotspur will need a “crazy fee” that would smash their club record to sign mooted target Josko Gvardiol this summer…

What’s the word?

The RB Leipzig defender is someone hugely admired by the Spurs hierarchy as they look to bolster Antonio Conte’s backline for the 2022/23 campaign but according to Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, it’s going to take an extortionate amount to lure him to north London.

“Gvardiol’s always been super appreciated by Tottenham and also by Chelsea because also Chelsea are big fans of Gvardiol. But at the moment, Leipzig have no intention to negotiate for a normal fee,” he told GIVEMESPORT.

“They want a crazy fee to let Gvardiol leave this summer, so it will be difficult.”

As per CIES Football Observatory, the young Croatian gem is valued in the region of €120m (£102m).

Meanwhile, Jack Pitt-Brooke of The Athletic claimed back in April that it could take a fee of around £80m to secure his signature, some £25m more than what Spurs paid for Tanguy Ndombele in 2019.

Best signing since Son?

If the 20-year-old colossus is indeed of interest to Spurs, then sporting director Fabio Paratici ought to try and secure him as it would be a major coup heading into a massive season.

The Lilywhites will be competing in the Champions League and will be wanting to contend on all fronts, meaning rotation and strength in depth will be required.

Conte has some solid defensive options already, with Cristian Romero and Eric Dier two of the first names on the teamsheet but adding Gvardiol could genuinely be a game-changer for the squad.

Spurs have had plenty of success when signing players from the Bundesliga, with Heung-min Son’s move from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 most notable. Well, signing a player of Gvardiol’s potential could certainly eclipse that one day – you’d very much hope so considering the price tag.

Already in his relatively short career to date, the Croatia international has earned comparisons to Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk, as well as plenty of praise from those that have watched him in action regularly.

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“Since he was a child, he’s been built like a tank. He can go forward, he can jump, he can tackle – he can do everything you want,” once claimed Germania Sport assistant editor Izak Ante Sucic.

“In Croatia, we like to compare him to Virgil van Dijk, because he’s built that way (6 foot 1). He’s one of his role models in football and he’s also mentioned Thiago Silva and Sergio Ramos.”

Meanwhile, former Bayern striker and Croatia international Ivica Olic believes he is an “extraordinary talent” and a “fine technician.”

Gvardiol is one of Europe’s hottest defenders right now, when compared to his positional peers across the ‘big five’ divisions, he ranks inside the top 3% for interceptions (3.29) per 90, as well as the top 1% for dribbles completed (0.89), the top 3% for progressive passes (5.31) and the top 4% for passes attempted (77.33) per 90.

With those stats coming from FBref, it suggests that the Leipzig man has solid defensive intelligence and awareness, being able to read the game to a top 3% level in Europe, whilst also being equally adept with the ball at his feet.

As such, on the above evidence, it’s easy to see why Spurs would be interested in signing Gvardiol. If they can manage to seal him for what would be a club-record signing, then Conte and Paratici may well seal the club’s best signing since Son.

He’d be worth every penny of that £80m.

AND in other news, Fabrizio Romano drops exciting Spurs transfer claim…

There has been an update regarding Aston Villa’s reported interest in veteran striker Luis Suarez…

What’s the word?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook has revealed that the Midlands club are not pursuing a deal for the Uruguay international, despite having been heavily linked with a move for the 35-year-old earlier in the transfer window.

The transfer insider stated: “I do know that one or two superstar names have been mentioned. Luis Suárez is of no interest to Aston Villa.

“Signing Luis Suárez is obviously a lazy link there between Gerrard and Suárez, but I’m told that’s not one that they’re exploring.”

The 35-year-old – who is currently a free agent following his departure from La Liga giants Atletico Madrid – had played alongside Villa boss Steven Gerrard at Liverpool, with the Englishman believed to be keen on a reunion with his former team-mate this summer.

However, it would appear that no move to the English Midlands is on the cards, amid reports that the 132-cap superstar is on his way to Argentine outfit River Plate.

Supporters gutted

While signing a player who is no longer at his peak may not have been a wholly attractive prospect anyway, in the case of Suarez it would appear that he still has plenty to offer as an attacking force, even if he may not be the dynamic, prolific machine who previously dazzled the Premier League during his time at Anfield.

Plucked from Ajax on deadline day in January 2011 – alongside the more high profile capture of £35m man Andy Carroll – the one-time Groningen star went on to quickly assume talismanic status on Merseyside, eventually netting 82 goals and providing 46 assists in 133 games for the Reds in all competitions.

That form unsurprisingly caught the attention of Barcelona, with the sometimes controversial figure making the switch in the summer of 2014. He went on to win a plethora of major honours at Camp Nou and scored a quite remarkable tally of 194 goals, with a further 113 assists in just 281 games.

Having been deemed over the hill by former boss Ronald Koeman in 2020, the £7.2m-rated hotshot went on to prove the doubters wrong by firing Atletico to the title in his debut campaign at the Wanda Metropolitano, scoring 21 league goals in what was a truly blistering season in the Spanish capital.

Even last term, while his role may have been somewhat reduced – making just 20 starts from his 35 league outings – the £263k-per-week brute still plundered an impressive 11 goals in La Liga, with his total haul in all competitions standing at 13 goals.

That tally may have been far from his best for a season, although it still saw him outscore any member of the current Villa squad, with Ollie Watkins having led the way during the 2021/22 campaign with 11 goals – all of which came in the Premier League.

The standard of the two leagues may be different, although Suarez would seemingly have still been able to pose an attacking threat for Gerrard’s side, with the penalty box poacher having been one of the most ruthless finishers in Europe over the last decade or so.

As it is, it looks as if that quality will be heading elsewhere, with Villans surely gutted not to see another marquee name walk through the door this summer.

AND in other news, Lange eyeing Villa move for £30m “goalscoring machine”, he’d be their own Darwin Nunez

West Ham are reportedly plotting a swoop for Chelsea striker Armando Broja this summer, and signing the Albanian forward could end David Moyes’ three-year nightmare at the London Stadium.

The Hammers last signed a striker in 2019, when Sebastien Haller arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt in a club-record £45m deal. However, his time at the club was less than successful, as he managed just 14 goals in 54 appearances, and he was sold to Ajax two years later.

Since then, Moyes has been completely reliant on the injury-prone Michail Antonio as the club’s only natural centre-forward, with the Jamaica international often forced to run himself into the ground due to a lack of options on the bench.

He will also turn 33 next season, so it is more important than ever that West Ham bring in a long-term replacement for him this summer, and Broja could be the ideal man.

The 20-year-old caught the eye on loan at Southampton last term, contributing nine goals in all competitions for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side as he enjoyed his first taste of regular senior football in England.

Despite Chelsea’s striking woes last season, with Romelu Lukaku seemingly set to return to Inter after a disastrous spell at Stamford Bridge, it seems as if the Blues are willing to sell Broja this summer, and West Ham could be the team to benefit.

Reports have suggested that the young forward could cost around £30m this summer, but given the Irons’ desperate need for a forward, GSB must pay up or risk seeing next season tail off as the last one did, when the Hammers’ lack of squad depth really hurt them as they battled on two fronts.

At 20, Broja still has a huge amount of potential and could be excellent competition for Antonio next term, especially if the former Nottingham Forest man hits his seemingly customary poor run of form.

Albania assistant manager Sergio Porrini was full of praise for Broja last season, saying: “From last year to this he has grown a lot, and at Southampton, he has exploded.

“His greatest qualities are in progression, especially the ball and chain. (He’s) less good, on the other hand, with his back to the goal, in the construction of the action. But, in the spaces, he is devastating!”

Given the lack of strikers at West Ham in recent years, Moyes will be keen to make sure that the next one to arrive is the right one, and there seems little to suggest that Broja wouldn’t be a quality addition at the London Stadium.

In other news… West Ham can sign their own De Bruyne in 162-assist maestro, he’s a “magician on the ball”

Leeds United correspondent Beren Cross has stated that the club are yet to make an offer for Manchester City attacker James McAtee.  

The Lowdown: McAtee links

The Whites are thought to be ‘very keen’ on a move for McAtee, according to The Athletic.

The 19-year-old, described as ‘exceptional’ by Pep Guardiola, has contributed to 46 goals in 52 games for City’s U23s and has made six senior appearances at the Etihad.

City could look to use youngsters as makeweights in a move for Leeds star Kalvin Phillips, although they reportedly don’t want to lose McAtee.

The Latest: Cross shares update

Cross, responding to a Whites fan in a Q&A for LeedsLive, provided updates on Manchester City duo McAtee and midfielder Romeo Lavia, who has also been linked with an exit from Eastlands.

He claimed that Leeds ‘like them’ but ‘right now’, there is only a ‘basic interest’, with no offers made as of yet.

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“On Lavia and McAtee, Leeds like them as players, but so do a great many clubs across the PL and Championship, if not further afield too. I understand there are offers on the table for neither right now. I don’t believe there’s much beyond a basic interest in them currently.”

The Verdict: Unlikely?

McAtee appears to be extremely highly rated by City officials having already broken into Guardiola’s star-studded squad, so a move to Elland Road does seem unlikely at this stage.

A swoop for holding midfielder Lavia could be the more realistic addition, with his route to first-team football possibly suffering a setback should Phillips join City.

Leeds need to be careful about City potentially looking to drive Phillips’ price down by including a youngster, though, and you’d expect there could be further developments over the coming weeks.

In other news: Orta now working on signing 31-goal striker for free; famous Leeds fan may help Elland Road move. 

Liverpool are willing to allow Neco Williams to leave on loan for the first half of the 2022/23 campaign, according to a report from The Mirror. 

The lowdown: Summer so far

The Reds have acted swiftly so far in the summer transfer window, having already secured the captures of Darwin Nunez from Benfica and former Fulham sensation Fabio Carvalho.

Also believed to be nearing the confirmed arrival of teenage Aberdeen right-back Calvin Ramsay, Jurgen Klopp has already addressed key areas in terms of strengthening the squad.

However, as Sadio Mane prepares to leave Anfield, there could well be more outgoings to follow, and Williams appears to be among those destined for a departure.

The latest: Move allowed

As per The Mirror, Liverpool ‘have told’ the Wales international that he can leave on loan until the World Cup in order to get regular action at the tournament.

It’s claimed that the 21-year-old is a ‘target’ for newly-promoted duo Nottingham Forest and Fulham where the talented Welsh right-back spent the second half of the last campaign.

The report also states that the ‘Reds are happy’ for Williams – who was lauded by journalist David Lynch for an ‘outstanding’ display against Everton in January 2020 – to obtain more senior exposure this season.

Darwin’s a Red! Get your special edition Darwin Nunez tee here.

The verdict: All bases covered

Only allowing Williams to leave on loan once again may seem like a bizarre stance from the club, particularly should the deal for Ramsay as understudy to Trent Alexander-Arnold come to fruition over the coming days as expected.

However, with an unprecedented mid-season World Cup on the horizon, it’s important that Klopp has all bases covered throughout the campaign, and Williams’ versatility could be an important addition to the squad after the tournament has taken place.

Capable of playing on either flank, the £7.2m-valued youngster – who came through the ranks under the German – can also operate in more advanced positions and would therefore be a welcome boost to the squad depth at Anfield should injuries occur either in Qatar or before Christmas.

Should that not be the case and Williams enjoys another fruitful spell away from Merseyside after scoring twice and providing two assists in 14 Championship outings last term, then a permanent January departure could well be the best move for all parties.

In other news, a transfer expert has dropped a key Liverpool claim. Read more here.

Aston Villa are reportedly keen on signing Burnley defender Nathan Collins this summer, although they are not alone in expressing an interest.

The Lowdown: Collins impresses for Burnley

The Clarets may have been relegated from the Premier League last season but Collins was one of his side’s better performers throughout the campaign.

The 21-year-old filled in impressively when the likes of James Tarkowski and Ben Mee were missing, making 19 appearances in the league in total and ranking as the club’s fourth best player.

With Burnley preparing for Championship football in 2022/23, it could be that Collins remains in the top flight moving forward.

The Latest: Villa keen on move

According to talkSPORT, Villa are ‘monitoring’ the centre-back’s situation, with his current deal at Turf Moor not expiring until the summer of 2025.

New Burnley boss Vincent Kompany wants to build his defence around Collins, following the departure of Tarkowski and Mee, but he could find it hard to keep him, with Leeds United and Wolves also credited with interest.

The Verdict: Strong squad addition

At 21, Collins would come in a long-term signing with a bright future ahead of him, having been hailed as ‘fantastic’ by Sean Dyche, as well as winning four caps for the Republic of Ireland – he even scored an incredible solo goal for his country this week.

He would provide immediate competition for the likes of Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa, bringing a dominant presence that is highlighted by an average of 3.1 aerial duel wins per game in the league last season.

It is hard to see a player of Collins’ quality and potential playing in the Championship and Steven Gerrard should do his utmost to bring him in, gradually turning him into a regular over time.

In other news, Fabrizio Romano has dropped a key Villa claim. Read more here.

Celtic had a rampant start to the 2021 summer transfer window but Ange Postecoglou hasn’t exactly been busy at Parkhead yet this time around.

What’s the word?

The Hoops have been looking into completing permanent deals for Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota during the off-season but a new exciting transfer rumour has emerged.

It concerns Schalke youngster Rabbi Matondo who could be moving to Scotland this summer.

That’s according to Wales Online who suggest that Celtic and their Old Firm rivals have now opened talks with the German side regarding a move.

Matondo joined them from Manchester City but spent last term on loan at Cercle Brugge.

Cercle are understood to be keen on keeping the winger at the club, while their own rivals in Club Brugge are believed to be interested too.

Transfermarkt values the player at £3.6m.

The next Sane?

Does an exciting young winger with ties to Manchester City and Schalke remind you of anyone? Well, look no further than a certain Leroy Sane, someone who took the opposite career path to Matondo.

While the German wide man, who signed for Bayern Munich for £54.8m, started his career at Schalke, he went on to enjoy a hugely successful stint with the current Premier League champions.

It was at City where Matondo learnt his trade before joining Sane’s former employers where he even spoke of the Germany international’s talent.

Upon signing for the recently-promoted Bundesliga outfit, he said: “Mesut Özil, Ivan Rakitic & Leroy Sane all took big steps in their careers here.”

Matondo’s career hasn’t quite taken off in the same way as the aforementioned trio, scoring just twice in 32 games for Schalke, but his stint on loan in Belgium last term was particularly impressive, with the winger bagging ten goals and registering two assists in all competitions.

With that in mind, it’s hardly a surprise to see him praised relentlessly, with Ryan Giggs previously hailing his “electrifying pace.”

That attribute is also synonymous with Sane, someone who uses his speed and trickery to make himself a real nuisance for defenders.

With 1.7 dribbles per game to his name throughout 2021/22, the 21-year-old is evidently also particularly dangerous in possession of the ball while his 32 career goals make him deadly inside the penalty area too.

With all of that said, it’s clear that Matondo would be a very exciting addition should he make the switch to Parkhead over the summer.

Celtic have some captivating options in their forward line already but the Wales international would surely complete the set.

AND in other news, Ange can land his own Denayer as Celtic eye £7k-p/w gem who has “fire in his belly”…

Celtic were in scintillating form for the majority of their recent Premiership campaign in terms of the attacking power they showed on the pitch.

In their 38 league games, the Hoops found the net on 92 occasions, which ultimately led to Ange Postecoglou’s side lifting the league title.

To further highlight how impressive the Bhoys were in an attacking sense, 18 different players managed to get their names on the scoresheet during the triumphant top-flight campaign.

One man who ended up being a useful figure for Postecoglou in terms of scoring and creating goals was David Turnbull. In 42 appearances across all competitions, the midfielder found the net 10 times and delivered eight assists.

In his 25 league games, the Scotsman scored six goals and provided five assists, leaving him with more goal contributions than the likes of Matt O’Riley, Reo Hatate and Callum McGregor.

Now that the season has ended, Celtic and Postecoglou can turn their attention to the upcoming summer transfer window and getting prepared for the 2022/23 campaign.

In terms of potential incoming transfers, one man with whom the Hoops have been linked and who could establish a formidable midfield pairing with Turnbull is Christopher Scott.

Having scored 44 goals and supplied 17 assists in 114 appearances across Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen’s youth teams, the midfielder certainly knows how to be an attacking threat on the pitch in front of goal, similar to Turnbull.

Described as a player who “generates a lot of threat from [his] finishing and creativity” by Bhoys Analytics on Twitter, Scott – who is currently valued at £1.08m by Transfermarkt – could be a great midfield partner for the 22-year-old Celtic talent and give the team an extra attacking danger.

Taking into account how the Hoops will be heading into their next campaign without Tom Rogic and Nir Bitton, this could sway Postecoglou into bringing some new midfielders to his squad over the coming weeks and months.

With that in mind and the 19-year-old being available as a free agent once his current contract at Bayern expires at the end of June, he could be a suitable transfer option for the Hoops from a footballing and financial point of view.

In other news: “Ange doesn’t like him”: Big Celtic claim emerges that’ll have supporters thrilled

An update has emerged on Newcastle United’s hunt for Lille centre-back Sven Botman heading into the summer transfer window… 

What’s the talk?

Reporter Pete O’Rourke has claimed that the Magpies will go back in for the Dutch central defender after missing out on him earlier this year.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I’m sure they will [make another attempt]. They tried really hard to sign him in January but just weren’t able to get that deal over the line with the player remaining in Lille.

“They still face big competition for his signature this summer with AC Milan very interested in bringing Botman to the San Siro, and obviously they have the lure of Champions League football.”

Supporters will be excited

The Toon supporters will be excited by this claim as Botman would be an excellent signing to add to Eddie Howe’s squad this summer.

He is a talented young centre-back who has excelled in a major European league over the last two seasons and has the potential to get better.

The gem turned 22 in January and has the majority of his career left ahead of him, which means that he is a player the club can bring in as an investment for the future as well as someone who can immediately improve the team.

In the 2021/22 Ligue 1 campaign, the defender caught the eye with consistently impressive displays at the back…

These statistics illustrate how well he performed for Lille at the heart of their defence and this followed on from his sublime 2020/21 title-winning season.

He averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.08 and helped his team to keep 20 clean sheets in 37 games as they lifted the Ligue 1 title. Botman has proven that he can deliver top-quality displays on a regular basis in the French top-flight and this is why he can be an excellent signing for Newcastle.

No Magpies player averaged a rating higher than 6.98 (Dan Burn) in the Premier League and this suggests that the Dutchman would be an upgrade on what Howe currently has to work with.

The supporters will, therefore, be excited by the prospect of the club making another attempt to bring him to St. James’ Park. His statistics, and age, suggest that he will be a terrific signing for the club and PIF are now tasked with being able to beat Milan to his signature in the coming months.

AND in other news, Bid inbound: NUFC set to make £15m offer for “star in the making”, Howe would love him…

West Brom are eyeing up a summer move for Millwall winger Jed Wallace after securing the capture of John Swift, according to reliable journalist Joseph Masi.

The Lowdown: Big summer for West Brom

The Baggies had a hugely disappointing 2021/22 season, starting it as one of the favourites to earn automatic promotion but not even finishing in the playoff places.

Valerien Ismael proved to be a failed appointment as manager, while there are doubts over whether or not Steve Bruce is now the right man to be in charge.

He has a huge summer ahead of him, and needs to make significant signings who can improve West Brom’s squad immediately.

That business has already started with the capture of Swift from Reading, as a deal was confirmed on Thursday.

The Latest: Masi confirms interest in duo

Taking to Twitter on Thursday before the Swift news broke, Masi also revealed the Baggies’ interest in Wallace:

“Albion aiming high in the free agent market this summer. We know they want John Swift & Jed Wallace among others.”

The Verdict: Bruce not messing around

Swift and Wallace are exactly the kind of players West Brom need to be bringing in this summer, with the pair capable of taking them up a significant level and boasting plenty of experience in the second tier.

Swift enjoyed a superb season for Reading, scoring 11 goals and registering 13 assists in the league, so his creativity and end product will make a huge difference.

Similarly, Wallace was a prolific figure out wide for Millwall, finding the net six times and chipping in with an impressive 12 assists – the third-most in the league behind only Swift and Fulham’s Harry Wilson.

In other news, Masi has provided an update on another rumoured West Brom target. Find out who it is here.