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Manchester City are ‘ready to submit’ an offer for ‘rising star’ defender Sam Curtis, according to reports in the last 48 hours.

The Lowdown: Begiristain busy?

Sporting director Txiki Begiristain has arguably just experienced one of the most hectic summer windows of his Etihad Stadium career.

The City chief orchestrated a plethora of major signings with deals to sign marquee big name Erling Haaland, Kalvin Phillips, Stefan Ortega, Sergio Gomez, Manuel Akanji and Julian Alvarez.

Begiristain was also locked in exit talks with long-serving mainstays like Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Fernandinho, who all left Eastlands – not to mention a few promising youngsters.

On the field, Pep Guardiola’s side are flying high as they seek to retain their third-successive Premier League title, but off it, the Sky Blues remain pretty busy.

The Latest: City ‘ready’ Curtis offer…

According to recent reports, City are lining up one of Ireland’s most promising young stars.

Football Insider claim they are ‘ready to submit an offer’ for St Patrick’s Athletic defender Curtis with the English giants even sending scouts to watch him recently.

The ‘rising star’ has also been looked at by Roma, Bayer Leverkusen and Feyenoord but it’s City who are ‘racing’ to get a deal done for the 16-year-old.

Highly versatile, the Irishman can play at right-back or centre-half, and he is already an ‘established member’ of St Patrick’s senior side despite his very young age.

The Verdict: Get it done…

The fact he is already playing regular first team football at 16 highlights his real potential.

Having been called ‘phenomenal’ by St. Pat’s boss Tim Clancy, Curtis also played a starring role in the League of Ireland side’s chase for European qualification.

The teenager appears to be an exciting talent and a real one to watch, leaving little wonder City scouts have taken note of his real exploits.

West Ham United boast a proud history of developing exciting young prospects into first-team stars, with the Academy of Football’s alumni boasting names such as Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Michael Carrick, Glen Johnson, Mark Noble and current central midfield sensation Declan Rice.

However, while all of these aforementioned players made their breakthrough into senior football while still at West Ham, the club recently lost the services of a talent who looks as if he could be on course to join this list of illustrious names in the not-too-distant future, all before he had a proper chance to impress in the first-team – Sonny Perkins.

Indeed, despite highly impressing in the Hammers’ youth setup – scoring 21 goals and registering five assists over 55 appearances for the Irons’ U18 and U21 sides – the 18-year-old rejected the club’s offer of a professional contract this summer, instead deciding upon a move to Leeds United on a free transfer.

And, considering the remarkable numbers the centre-forward is already putting up for the Whites, the West Ham board’s decision to not offer the teenager a “first-team wage” in order to keep him at the London Stadium is already looking to be something of a shocker for David Gold, David Sullivan and Karren Brady.

Indeed, over his five Premier League 2 appearances so far this season, the £1.08m-rated forward has already scored six goals – bagging at least once in every game he has played for Leeds – with these returns seeing the teenager who Leeds Live journalist Will Jackson dubbed “red hot” win the league’s Player of the Month award in August.

However, it has not only been at club level the striker has been catching the eye, as Perkins also bagged five goals in three outings for England’s U19s in the recent international break – including a first-half hat-trick against Georgia – taking his total to 11 goals in eight games this season – registering a goal contribution every 71 minutes of football played since leaving West Ham.

As such, it is clear to see that, in losing the 18-year-old who ExWHUemployee dubbed the “next Declan Rice” and James Marschment said could become a “£30m player”, West Ham have kissed goodbye to an exceptionally talented player – an outcome that could prove to be one of GSB’s biggest shockers of their reign in east London.

Sunderland have had their fair share of transfer flops and successes over the years as they have been stung with big-money signings and rewarded for low-value bargains.

One player the club struck gold with was goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. They brought him in from Belgian side Sint-Truiden for a fee of £2m in the summer of 2010.

At the time of the deal, then-manager Steve Bruce claimed that he would provide competition between the sticks, saying: “Simon is an excellent young goalkeeper and he has a lot more to offer. I’m sure he will push our current goalkeepers all the way next season.”

That is exactly what the Belgian shot-stopper did as he fought for his place in the team and ended his first campaign in England with 23 Premier League appearances, keeping eight clean sheets.

Mignolet then enjoyed a solid second season at the Stadium of Light in 2011/12 as he played 29 games in the top-flight and kept 11 shutouts.

The ‘keeper’s final year on Wearside was a superb one as he was an ever-present in the team in the Premier League and kept 11 clean sheets in his 38 outings. He was voted the club’s Player of the Season for his performances and this highlights just how important he was to the team between the sticks.

His impressive form for the Black Cats caught Liverpool’s eye and they snapped him up for a fee in the region of £12m, worth an initial £9m, in the summer of 2013.

He went on to play over 200 matches for the Merseyside giants before eventually signing for Club Brugge in his home country back in 2018. During his time at Anfield, Brendan Rodgers hailed him for his “dominant” goalkeeping and Reds coach John Achterberg described him as an “all-rounder.”

In the 2014/15 campaign, he was named Liverpool’s Player of the Season for his displays in goal and this shows that he carried his form from his time at Sunderland.

Therefore, former Black Cats manager Steve Bruce struck gold by signing him for just £2m back in 2010 as the Belgian international went on to enjoy a superb Premier League career with two different clubs.

He earned Sunderland a cool £10m profit whilst also providing three years of excellent service at the Stadium of Light, suggesting he was an undoubted success on Wearside.

Bruce deserves credit for bringing him in and current duo Kristjaan Speakman and Tony Mowbray will be hoping that they can unearth similar bargains in the years to come.

Crystal Palace are reportedly keen to re-sign Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka and the right-back could be a superb addition to Patrick Vieira’s squad at Selhurst Park.

What’s the word?

According to the Manchester Evening News, United are desperate to sell Wan-Bissaka as he isn’t in new manager Erik ten Hag’s plans.

The Eagles are said to be keen on bringing him back to London but are only willing to pay £10m, having sold him to United in a deal worth £50m only three years ago.

Vieira would love him

Vieira currently alternates between Nathaniel Clyne and Joel Ward as his first choice right-back options at Palace, and while both are solid players, they are 31 and 32 respectively, which suggests that a long-term solution is needed in that area.

Wan-Bissaka has endured a difficult time at Manchester United, as his technical abilities in an attacking side have been exposed, only scoring twice and registering ten assists in 126 fixtures at a dismal goal involvement rate of one every 10.5 matches.

However, in a more structured defence such as Palace’s, where the defenders aren’t expected to go forward as much, he could be a huge success.

Even in poor form, there is no doubt that Wan-Bissaka is one of the top one-on-one defenders in the Premier League, with very few wingers getting the better of him during his time with both Palace and United.

Indeed, he has only been dribbled past 0.47 times per 90 minutes over the last 365 days, putting him in the best 4% of full-backs for that particular metric across Europe’s top five leagues.

Wes Brown, a man who knows a lot about how to defend, emphasised this in 2020, saying:

“What else can you say about Aaron Wan-Bissaka? I’ve not really seen many like him and that’s the honest truth. Defensively, in one-on-ones, he’s definitely one of the best I’ve ever seen. He’s settled in so well and I don’t think there are many players who have got past him this season.”

Wan-Bissaka’s last season at Crystal Palace saw him make 35 appearances in the Premier League, for which he averaged a superb 7.27 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

With the added experience he has gained at United, combined with the fact that he is still just 24, signing him for £10m could be a no-brainer for Vieira this summer, especially if he can rediscover the form he first showed at the club.

Wan-Bissaka’s pace, strength and ability in defensive situations suggest that he could slot perfectly into Vieira’s back four, and the French manager would surely love to bring him back to Selhurst Park before the transfer deadline.

Sunderland kicked off their 2022/23 Championship campaign with a 1-1 draw with Coventry at the Stadium of Light last weekend.

The hosts took the lead through Jack Clarke early on as he rose unmarked at the back post to nod the ball into an empty net after the goalkeeper lost his bearings in the box.

Alex Neil’s men were pegged back near the end of the match, though, as the visitors piled on the pressure to secure an equaliser.

After the draw with Coventry, Neil admitted that the Black Cats are looking for a number of new signings to bolster their squad so that they have the strength in depth that their rivals have.

He told the Sunderland Echo: “We’ve still got four, potentially five that we want to bring in before the window ends.

“We need to make sure the squad is competitive and not only that, they brought four or five really fresh lads on who know the level, and that can really make a difference.

“I think what you could see today is that it was a step up in intensity. I thought towards the end of the game our lads were dead on their feet, it really is difficult. Normally we score a goal in League One, the opposition gets a bit scared and they sink back into their shape. We control the ball and it’s basically a case of when will the next goal come.”
One player the club have recently been linked with a move for is Everton attacker Nathan Broadhead, who spent the 2021/22 campaign on loan on Wearside.
Journalist Josh Bunting dubbed him “sensational” for the Black Cats and the £2.9k-per-week gem’s statistics back up that claim. He plundered an eye-catching ten goals in 15 League One starts for the club and he has the potential to form a dream duo with fellow Toffees man Ellis Simms.
Broadhead is capable of playing out wide on the left or as a striker in a two and this means that he could play alongside Ross Stewart and the former Hearts loanee this season.

He has a pre-existing relationship with Simms as the pair played ten matches with each other for Everton at U23 level, which means that they could form an instant connection on the pitch.
They could hit the ground running for the Black Cats and be a dynamic duo at the top end of the pitch, as both of them are capable of scoring at an impressive rate.
Simms netted five times in 11 Premiership starts for Hearts last term and managed 10 goals in 19 starts on loan at Blackpool in League One the year prior to that.
Now, imagine him and Broadhead lining up in the same Sunderland team this season. It is an exciting prospect because of their potential to score goals and their relationship on the pitch, which is why Kristjaan Speakman must get this move over the line to seal this dream duo.

A big Rangers claim has emerged on their pursuit of a new winger in the summer transfer window… 

What’s the talk?

Sport1 journalist Patrick Berger has revealed that everyone involved is expecting Rabbi Matondo to sign for Rangers ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

Ross Wilson still has some work to do on ironing out a contract to bring him to Ibrox and they are set for discussions in the coming days.

Berger Tweeted: “Rabbi Matondo will not fly to Austria tomorrow for Schalke’s training camp. He is free to clarify his future. Negotiations ongoing. Further talks at the beginning of the new week. Personal terms not fully agreed yet. But all parties expect a transfer to Glasgow Rangers.”

Derek Rae has also relayed a report claiming that there is a possibility of the winger arriving on a free. He Tweeted: 

“Kicker reporting that while Schalke will be able to take Rabbi Matondo off their wage bill & hope for a transfer fee from Rangers, it’s not a guarantee. Kicker says its info is that in the case of Hamza Mendyl they received nothing from OH Leuven & even had to pay severance.”

Gio van Bronckhorst will be delighted

The Ibrox head coach will be delighted with this news as Matondo has the potential to be a sublime addition to the squad.

Ex-Wales boss Ryan Giggs once dubbed him “electrifying” and that is what he can be on the wing for the Gers next season. He has the quality to light up games with his play out wide, sparking matches into life with goals and key passes.

The attacker spent the 2021/22 campaign on loan at Cercle Brugge and caught the eye playing out wide. In 23 starts, he scored nine goals and created four ‘big chances’ for his teammates – providing 0.9 key passes per game – and this showcases the level of impact he can have.

Matondo can come in and provide a big goalscoring threat from either flank and use his blistering pace to excite the supporters and make things happen in the final third.

He has shown that he can score and create in the Belgian top flight and the 22-year-old will now need to prove that he can do it in Scotland.

Van Bronckhorst will, therefore, be delighted with the ongoing talks to wrap up a deal and the expectation that a move will get over the line in the coming days, as the Welshman could be a terrific player for the club.

AND in other news, Rangers “confident” of sealing deal for £6m maestro, he could be GvB’s own De Bruyne…

Tottenham Hotspur are weighing up a move for Leicester City’s James Maddison, player representative and Spurs fan Paul O’Keefe reports. 

The lowdown

According to Dan Kilpatrick of The London Evening Standard, Antonio Conte wants to sign a creative midfielder this summer.

Spurs reportedly held an interest in bringing Christian Eriksen back to North London, but he’s now joined Manchester United.

Maddison, 25, is under contract at The King Power Stadium for another two years.

The latest

O’Keefe, an FA registered intermediary, was asked on Twitter for news about Spurs’ pursuit of a playmaker.

He replied that ‘they are very seriously considering’ a move for Maddison.

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The verdict

It would seem Maddison ticks the key boxes for Conte. He provided eight assists in last season’s Premier League in addition to his 12 goals, ranking him joint-tenth in the division.

And he also ranks inside the league’s top 30 for key passes per 90 match with 1.4.

Some Spurs fans, however, may be less than pleased with some of the player’s old tweets.

In 2013, he declared that he didn’t ‘like’ the Lilywhites and that he wanted then Liverpool striker Luis Suarez to ‘destroy’ them.

And he also ripped into Gareth Bale, whom he hated ‘with a passion’. He claimed that the former Gunners midfielder Jack Wilshere was ’10x better’ than the Welsh winger.

It seems unlikely that that would come into the club’s thinking, though, particularly when you consider that they made light of some of Matt Doherty’s tweets when he joined the club in 2020.

West Ham United, and by extension their manager David Moyes, are seemingly planning a potential transfer hijack as news emerges on AZ Alkmaar left-back Owen Wijndal.

The Lowdown: West Ham set for ‘busy’ summer…

The Hammers have confirmed two first-team signings already this summer as both Nayef Aguerd and Alphonse Areola arrive on permanent deals from Ligue 1.

However, as per Sky Sports, Moyes wants ‘at least’ six new signings done by the start of their 2022/23 Premier League season, and the east Londoners are expected to be ‘very busy’ in the market.

A potential understudy to left-back Aaron Cresswell is said to be on Moyes’ transfer agenda.

The Latest: West Ham aim to hijack Wijndal move…

According to reports, it appears that the Irons and Moyes are attempting to hijack a move by European giants Ajax for left-back target Wijndal.

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Indeed, 90min claimed that West Ham have now made contact over the availability of the AZ defender, with his proposed move to Amsterdam having stalled over personal terms.

The Dutch giants were in pole position for Wijndal but their stumbling block over the 22-year-old’s contract has motivated Moyes and co to move in and attempt to possibly hijack the move.

The Verdict: Ideal target?

The Netherlands starlet would come as a fantastic capture for West Ham and an ideal heir to Cresswell at left-back.

As per WhoScored, Wijndal is a serious threat along the flank as an offensive overlapping full-back, as evidenced by the fact that he notched a head-turning 10 assists in the Eredivisie last season.

The exciting defender also averaged the third-most key passes per 90 out of AZ’s squad and finished the 2021/22 campaign as their sixth-best performer by average match rating (WhoScored).

It’s little wonder that Dutch football journalists like Michael Bell, founder of news website Football Oranje, have called Wijndal a ‘revelation’, and what a swoop it would be if the Irons could hijack Ajax’s proposed move for the starlet.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly registered interest in Liverpool’s Takumi Minamino ahead of a potential move this summer, according to journalist David Lynch.

The Lowdown: Minamino close to Liverpool exit

The 27-year-old first arrived in the Premier League when he joined the Merseysiders from Red Bull Salzburg back in 2019, but after a considerable lack of game time this season, the forward has now been linked with a move away from Anfield.

It was reported last week that the Reds are expected to allow the Japanese starlet to leave during the upcoming transfer window, and Bruno Lage might now be pouncing on the opportunity to try and complete some kind of deal for the 40-cap international.

The Latest: Wolves named as potential suitor

In a new post on his personal Twitter account early on Wednesday morning, Lynch named Wolves as one of the potential suitors for Minamino as he edges ever nearer to the Liverpool exit door. He wrote:

“Takumi Minamino closing in on an LFC departure with his agent having flown to Europe to field interest from Leeds, Southampton, Wolves, Fulham and Monaco. Situation likely to be resolved quickly – Liverpool hoping to secure £17m.”

The Verdict: Great addition to the squad

With Lage now beginning to revamp his squad ahead of the start of the new season, the boss will be looking to bring in new additions who can improve his starting XI and help the Midlands outfit aim for a European spot, and the Anfield maestro could be the man to do just that.

The £10.8m-rated ace, who was once dubbed a “top-class” player by manager Jurgen Klopp, only made 24 appearances across all competitions under the German this season, but proved that he can be prolific in the final third when given the chance, having scored four goals in just five EFL Cup games, as per Transfermarkt.

Wolves will need to see off plenty of competition if they want to secure the signature of Minamino, but should they be successful, they’ll be getting a player who averaged a goal every 101 minutes in all competitions this season.

In other news… Wolves are now reportedly leading the race to sign one of their summer transfer targets.

Everton just about secured another season in the Premier League after a difficult relegation battle and are now looking at options to strengthen the squad, with a new transfer update emerging on one particular target.

What’s the latest?

According to the Daily Mail, the Toffees are eyeing up a move for Nottingham Forest youngster Brennan Johnson this summer.

As per the report, Johnson is at the top of Everton’s transfer list alongside Burnley defender James Tarkowski, and their offer will depend on the outcome of the Championship play-off final this weekend.

If Forest secure Premier League promotion on Sunday, then the Wales international will reportedly open talks to extend his contract at the City Ground, and a move away from his boyhood club would seem unlikely in that event.

Richarlison 2.0

Amidst speculation that Richarlison could leave Goodison Park this summer, Frank Lampard could use the opportunity to develop some upcoming young talent, and Johnson could be Richarlison 2.0 for Everton if he makes the move to Merseyside this summer.

The £20m-valued ace, who was hailed “unbelievable” by ex-Forest manager Sabri Lamouchi, has been phenomenal for the Reds, scoring 19 goals and registering nine assists over 52 appearances in all competitions. He has a goal involvement every 159 minutes this season, which is an astonishing return for a 21-year-old.

Johnson’s output has not only guided his team to potential Premier League promotion, he has also gained individual recognition as he was named EFL Young Player of the Year recently too. That will all be a huge attraction for Everton, who are desperate to improve their goalscoring return next season.

The Toffees’ top scorer in 2021/22 was the aforementioned Richarlison with 11 goals and five assists in all competitions. He was the only player in blue to hit a double-figure goal tally during the campaign.

Lampard’s side finished the season 16th in the Premier League, with the fifth-worst goal difference out of all 20 teams, and this will need to drastically improve if the Merseyside club want to avoid another relegation fight next term.

The young Forest attacker, who was dubbed a “talent” by football.london reporter Alasdair Gold, could thrive under the watchful eye of an attack-minded coach like Lampard. The 43-year-old is experienced in nurturing young players such as Champions League winner Mason Mount, so the prospective signing of Johnson could be a major coup for Everton if it comes off, and also a huge opportunity for the Welshman to grow his career.

AND in other news – “Sources tell me..”: Journalist drops big Everton transfer claim, it’ll delight supporters