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Everton have had a slow start to the transfer window with only one signing confirmed so far, however, there has now been an update on a new potential transfer target who could make the move to Goodison Park this summer.

What’s the latest?

According to Italian news outlet Calciomercato, the Toffees are interested in signing Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Lucas Paqueta.

As per the report, it is claimed that the French club could lose their star midfielder to either the Toffees or Arsenal this summer.

A big Dele Alli upgrade

Everton are in desperate need of improvements in the team this summer ahead of the new Premier League season starting next week, and Paqueta could be the perfect answer to freshening up the midfield and attacking threat at Goodison Park.

Paqueta has been courted by several Premier League clubs over the current transfer window with Newcastle United also keen on the Lyon star, and it comes as no surprise that the player is so greatly desired as he has been an outstanding performer in Ligue One over last season.

Over 35 league appearances, the Brazilian scored nine goals, delivered six assists and created nine big chances, making 1.2 key passes, 1.9 tackles, taking 2.5 shots per game and winning 6.9 duels per game, as well as successfully completing the majority of his dribbles (69%).

The impressive midfielder also ranked first for tackles in the opponent’s half, seventh for key passes and sixth for chance creation in the entirety of Ligue One last season, proving that he really is the hard-working attacking-minded player Lampard’s midfield is crying out for.

The 33-capped Brazil international who is reported to have a price tag of £50m was even hailed “extraordinary” by Lyon head coach Peter Bosz who lavished praise on the player following his performance against Paris Saint-Germain.

In fact, Paqueta would be a big upgrade on Dele Alli who currently occupies the advanced midfield role on the blue side of Merseyside, but is yet to show any signs that he has what it takes following 11 disappointing appearances over the second half of last season amounting no goal contributions.

With that being said, the signing of Paqueta would be a major coup for Everton and would certainly improve their strength in the centre of the pitch if he can emulate his form at Lyon in the Premier League next season.

AND in other news, Everton given green light to sign 65-goal “all-round player”, he could be Cahill 2.0…

Liverpool got their summer incoming transfer business done very quickly with three new players joining the squad at Anfield, but they could be preparing another move with a new potential transfer target unveiled.

What’s the latest?

According to reports coming out of Spain, Liverpool are interested in signing Villarreal wonderkid Yeremy Pino.

As per the report, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City are also elite Premier League clubs named with interest in the young winger and all named sides are following the Spanish youngster’s development under head coach Unai Emery.

Klopp’s next Salah

Despite losing Sadio Mane this summer, Jurgen Klopp has managed to keep hold of Mohamed Salah for a little while longer after the Egyptian winger signed a contract extension that keeps him at the club until 2025, but the Liverpool manager can get ahead in replacing his star player if the Reds can secure a deal for Pino.

The wonderkid, who has an €80m (£66.9m) release clause put into his contract, became the youngest player ever to win the Europa League when Emery’s side took the crown back in 2021 and has continued to go from strength to strength since his first European trophy.

Over 31 La Liga appearances, the 19-year-old who was hailed “special” by Fabrizio Romano scored six goals, delivered four assists and created six big chances, making one tackle and winning 3.5 duels per game, finishing the season as the club’s third top goal scorer.

Despite being over a decade younger than Salah, when comparing Pino to the Liverpool goal machine, there are some attributes where the Spaniard even outperformed him over the last year, according to FBref.

Indeed, Salah had far more goal contributions (36) but the young talent had a much better shot on target accuracy (57.7%), a better pass completion rate (79.7%) and won more tackles (13), proving that Pino could be a great prospect to take over the right winger position when Salah does finally depart from the club.

Pino is undoubtedly a talented player but it’s in his ability to take on a man and beat his marker that is most similar to Salah with the two very much alike in this area of the game. The Villarreal youngster was successful with 44.1% of his dribbles per 90 minutes while making 5.22 progressive carries in the process. Salah, by comparison, was successful with 41.9% of his dribbles and made 6.94 progressive carries.

With that being said, the signing of Pino would be a big addition for FSG and could set the Liverpool forward line up for many years to come if they can beat off the competition for his signature from Premier League rivals.

Aston Villa have been urged to sign Ivan Toney before the end of the summer transfer window…

What’s the word?

Former Villans striker Darren Bent believes that the Brentford talisman would be an ideal target for the Midlands outfit. When discussing potential options on talkSPORT, he namedropped the 26-year-old.

“Ivan Toney is the one that jumps out to me,” he said.

Toney has regularly been linked with an exit from the Bees in recent windows, with Leeds United and Newcastle United thought to be two interested teams.

Meanwhile, according to transfer insider Dean Jones on ‘The Football Terrace’ last month, he is likely to cost around £50m.

He’s what Gerrard needs

Perhaps sporting director Johan Lange ought to listen to the former Villa man as a player of Toney’s calibre is exactly what manager Steven Gerrard needs to get the side firing this campaign.

Last weekend, his team were defeated by newly-promoted AFC Bournemouth and they seriously faltered in front of goal, registering only two shots on target all game.

But that has been an all too familiar story for Villa ever since Gerrard arrived in the dugout. Last season, only Ollie Watkins hit double figures for goals in the Premier League, whilst nine other teams managed more attempts on target per game, via WhoScored.

Toney has already kickstarted the season with a goal, scoring in Brentford’s 2-2 draw with Leicester City, building on last term’s 14-goal effort. In total, he’s found the net 48 times across 90 appearances in west London.

Not only does he provide goals, though, but his attitude and work rate could elevate some of Gerrard’s other underperforming stars.

“If you want to be a top player you need to work hard, constantly reflect and want to learn and then of course you need to have that confidence that he’s got so naturally,” his manager Thomas Frank told reporters (via the Evening Standard).

“He’s coming across so fantastically: he’s humble, calm, but with a mindset of a lion.”

Also lauded as a “unplayable” by ESPN UK editor David Cartlidge and an “absolute machine” by talkSPORT journalist Phil Spencer, Toney could be the sort of striker that Gerrard badly needs heading into a hectic fixture list.

The former Rangers boss is now under pressure to deliver in the Midlands and a swoop of this calibre could certainly get a few people onside and help alleviate one of his lingering problems up top.

AND in other news, Villa’s £80k-p/w “titan” dealt further setback, Gerrard’s got another big problem…

Fabrizio Romano has dropped an update on reported West Ham United transfer target Thilo Kehrer.

What’s the latest?

In a recent post on Twitter, the Italian journalist revealed that, following a number of reports linking David Moyes with a €12m (£10m) plus add-ons move for the Paris Saint-Germain centre-back in recent weeks, the Premier League side are now closing in on a deal for the 25-year-old after holding transfer talks with the Ligue 1 outfit on Monday.

The transfer insider went on to state that the Germany international has already agreed personal terms with the Hammers ahead of his proposed switch to the London Stadium, with the defender preferring a move to east London ahead of one to LaLiga side Sevilla – who were also reported to be keen on the former FC Schalke 04 starlet.

In his tweet, Romano said: “West Ham are close to complete Thilo Kehrer deal with PSG. Meeting took place yesterday and Kehrer has now agreed personal terms with West Ham, his preference over Sevilla.”

Moyes will be buzzing

While it is true that, following his £33m move to PSG back in the summer of 2018, Kehrer has not exactly secured a regular starting spot at the Le Parc des Princes, considering just how much potential the 25-year-old once looked to possess, the news that West Ham appear to have won the race to make the defender their fifth summer signing is sure to have left Moyes buzzing.

Indeed, after breaking into the Schalke first team back in 2016/17, the £19.8m-rated talent highly impressed over his 16 Bundesliga appearances, helping his side keep two clean sheets, scoring one goal and registering one assist, as well as making an average of 2.7 interceptions, 2.2 tackles, 2.3 clearances and winning 6.0 duels – at a success rate of 55% – per game.

These returns saw the youngster average a quite remarkable SofaScore match rating of 7.20, ranking him as Die Konigsblauen’s second-best performer in the German top flight in his breakthrough campaign with the club.

The 25-year-old once again impressed over his 28 Bundesliga fixtures in 2018/19, helping Schalke keep 10 clean sheets and scoring three goals, in addition to making an average of 1.3 interceptions, 2.9 tackles, 3.4 clearances and winning 6.4 duels – at a success rate of 61% – per outing.

These metrics saw the defender – who can operate from any position across the back four – once again average an eye-catching SofaScore match rating of 7.15, ranking him as his club’s third-best performer in the division that season – earning himself his big-money move to Paris in the summer of 2018.

The £78k-per-week German continued his fine form over his 27 Ligue 1 appearances throughout his debut campaign at PSG, helping Les Parisiens keep eight clean sheets, scoring one goal and providing two assists, as well as making an average of 1.1 interceptions, 2.4 tackles, 2.3 clearances and winning 5.1 duels – at a success rate of 61% – per game.

These returns saw the defender who Thomas Tuchel dubbed “professional” and claimed is the type of player “any coach would like to have” average a SofaScore match rating of 7.00 – an extremely impressive feat for his first season at a new club.

As such, should Moyes believe that Kehrer still possesses this amount of ability following a few quieter seasons in the French capital – with the 25-year-old averaging SofaScore match ratings of 6.79 in 2019/20, 6.78 in 2020/21 and 6.80 in 2021/22 – the £10m signing of the centre-back would very much appear to be an extremely astute piece of business for the Hammers.

Indeed, not only would Kehrer provide much-needed depth – with Nayef Aguerd, Angelo Ogbonna and Craig Dawson all currently out injured – in the heart of the West Ham defence, but, should he go on to replicate his form at Schalke and his early returns at PSG following a move to east London, the 20-cap Germany defender could prove to be one of the bargains of the summer window.

A claim has emerged on Newcastle United and who they could attempt to sign in the summer transfer window…

What’s the talk?

Journalist Dean Jones has suggested that the Magpies could potentially move for Lille centre-forward Jonathan David, or a similar player, if they miss out on other targets.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I do wonder if they might go for Jonathan David or somebody like that if these ones don’t work out.

“I think he’ll probably be a bit more expensive, but there’s obviously a mould that they’re trying to fit in within Newcastle, but also they don’t want to spend that much money if they do end up splashing out.”

It has been reported that the Ligue 1 club value him at around €50m (£42m) and he was linked with a move to Newcastle earlier this year.

Callum Wilson alternative

By snapping up a deal to sign the Canada international this summer, Newcastle could finally find the alternative to Callum Wilson that they have been crying out for.

The English striker has proven that he has the quality to be a regular goalscorer when he is on the pitch, but his injury issues are a huge cause for concern.

Since arriving at Newcastle in 2020, he has scored 21 goals and provided five assists in 41 Premier League starts for the Magpies. However, he has also missed 35 matches in all competitions in that time through six knocks.

This suggests that he is not a striker Eddie Howe can rely upon over the course of an entire campaign and the club attempted to fix that problem by signing Chris Wood in January.

That move is yet to show any sign of working out as he has scored two goals – one from open play – in 19 Premier League matches so far.

In Jonathan David, Newcastle could find a striker capable of pushing Wilson for his place and having the quality to be an adequate alternative to the Englishman if he suffers any injuries.

He was once dubbed “fearless” by his national team coach John Herdman and journalist Musa Okwonga previously called him an “emerging superstar”, with his statistics backing up that claim.

In Ligue 1 last season, the 22-year-old managed 15 goals in 32 starts for Lille as he showed that he has the ability to find the back of the net on a regular basis at the top level, after scoring 13 goals in 29 starts in 2020/21. He has also started the current campaign on fire with two goals and two assists in two appearances in the French top-flight.

The club’s previous interest in him suggests that they feel he would suit Howe’s style of play and his statistics in France make him look, on paper, to be a dream target to bring in as an alternative to Wilson.

He is also eight years younger than Wood and has the potential to bring far more goals to the team, given their respective goalscoring returns, which is why the club should now look to the young talent this month.

Tottenham Hotspur are ‘particularly’ in the hunt for Atalanta forward Ruslan Malinovskyi before this summer’s deadline, according to reporter Ignazio Genuardi.

The Lowdown: Spurs keeping busy?

The Lilywhites remain linked with potential further additions despite sealing seven major signings already, with Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison, Clement Lenglet, Djed Spence and Destiny Udogie putting pen to paper in N17.

Spurs are apparently still in the hunt for AS Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo, for example, with an attacking midfield player seemingly on the agenda for manager Antonio Conte.

The north London side remain unbeaten so far this season after their latest victory, a 1-0 home win over Wolves on Saturday, but sporting director Fabio Paratici doesn’t appear to be done in the transfer market.

The Latest: Tottenham ‘particularly’ eye Malinovskyi…

Taking to social media in sharing an update, Genuardi backs that Spurs have cast their eyes on Ukraine international Malinovskyi.

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The reporter explains that the 29-year-old has a ‘preference’ of moving to the Premier League, with Tottenham ‘particularly interested’ in signing the forward.

The Verdict: Get it done?

Having scored 73 club career goals in total, Malinovskyi has also stood out as a key threat for Atalanta in recent years.

According to WhoScored, the attacker ranked in the Nerazzurri’s top five when it comes to attempts at goal, key passes made and completed dribbles per 90 in the 2021/22 Serie A campaign.

He also earned praise from members of the media for his ‘stunning left foot’ and long-range shooting technique at times, which suggests that he would be a real asset under Conte at Spurs.

Southampton’s hopes of signing Manchester United midfielder James Garner this summer have been handed a boost, with reports suggesting that he is set to leave the Red Devils in the coming days.

What’s the word?

Southampton are one of several sides to have been linked with signing the 21-year-old in recent weeks with Erik ten Hag willing to let the academy graduate leave on a permanent deal, despite an impressive campaign on loan with Nottingham Forest last season.

Fabrizio Romano has now provided an update on the youngster’s situation, writing:

“Everton and Southampton are both showing interest in James Garner. No agreement/decision made, but he’s expected to leave Manchester United in the next days.”

Crocker must act

It has been suggested that any deal for Garner would cost around £15m, which could prove to be a bargain for Southampton considering his obvious potential, which he emphasised last season with Steve Cooper’s side, helping them to promotion to the Premier League.

The young midfielder made 44 appearances in the second tier for Forest, contributing four goals and eight assists, earning an impressive 7.08 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

This would have ranked him as the top player in Southampton’s squad last season, which emphasises the quality he could add in Hasenhuttl’s side should he make the move to St Mary’s.

Paul Robinson was full of praise for the United academy graduate during his time at Forest, saying:

“Garner has been exceptional at Forest.

“He is an example of why players get sent out on loan.

“He can play at the top level and I think he has proven that at Forest. I don’t think he’s one that will go straight into the Man United side but I think there is a first-team role there for him and he will feature next season.

The Austrian manager looks to be set on James Ward-Prowse and Romeo Lavia as his main midfield options this season, with both Oriol Romeu and Ibrahima Diallo linked with moves away from St Mary’s, which suggests that more depth is needed in the middle of the park.

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Garner would definitely fit into Southampton’s philosophy of signing young players from the top six and giving them a chance, so director of football Matt Crocker should definitely look to bring the Manchester United man in before the transfer deadline.

Aston Villa have opened up their Premier League campaign with a whimper, losing four out of their five matches to date so far and Steven Gerrard will be feeling the pressure ahead of the match against Manchester City this evening.

A solid summer of transfer activity hasn’t yet yielded any positive results and with the league champions up next, Gerrard will need to find a spark from somewhere, but one of his deadline-day signings may not be in the starting XI to help his cause.

Gerrard might be without Dendoncker

Villa wrapped up a deal for Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Leander Dendoncker on the final day of the transfer window and Gerrard would have expected him to be available ready to take on Man City tonight.

However, during his pre-match press conference before Saturday’s game, he dropped some worrying injury news, saying: “Leander is struggling a little bit this morning with his throat, so we’ll have to analyse that as the day goes along.”

Not the news the Villa faithful would have been wanting ahead of a crunch tie with the title holders, although it looks as though the 42-year-old is waiting until the last minute before making any decision on his inclusion.

The Belgian poses a threat from the centre of midfield, scoring twice and grabbing two assists for Wolves last season, while also making 0.4 key passes per match as he looked to create chances for others.

The 27-year-old can also protect the back four with his defensive abilities if required, making 1.4 tackles per game, 1.1 clearances, and winning one aerial duel each match.

He was a key figure in a Wolves side under Lage that only conceded 43 goals last time out and this is an area that Villa needs to work on, as they conceded 13 more goals and Gerrard looks to have added some solidity into the midfield by securing his signature.

Hopefully, the manager receives good news regarding the player, and even though it will be a tough ask to win the match, having the Belgian in his engine room might make Man City’s job slightly harder.

Wolves were regularly linked with Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos during the summer transfer window, and the Portuguese forward could have been a much better option than Diego Costa in Bruno Lage’s side.

Reports suggested that the Old Gold were amongst a number of Premier League clubs interested in signing the 21-year-old forward, but he remained with the Primeira Liga outfit despite a sensational start to the new season.

Last year, football talent scout Jacek Kulig hailed Ramos’ 14 goal contributions over a period of nine Benfica B appearances as ‘outrageous’ on Twitter, highlighting a clinical nature which has continued with the Lisbon club’s senior team.

Ramos has already contributed six goals and four assists in 10 appearances across all competitions this term, which matches the tally of Raul Jimenez across the entirety of 34 games in last season’s Premier League and emphasises what the youngster could have added at Molineux.

Lage was desperate for a new striker this summer after his team scored just 38 top-flight goals last season, with their record of three goals in six Premier League games so far this term emphasising the need for attacking reinforcements.

In the end, the Wolves manager settled on Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic, only for the Austrian to injure his ACL on his debut against Southampton, which has left Lage back where he started and only free agents on offer until the January transfer window.

After his work permit was initially rejected, the Old Gold now look set to confirm the signing of former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa. However, considering the 33-year-old’s record in recent years, the Midlands club would have been far better off signing Ramos.

The Spanish striker managed just two goals in his final season with Atletico Madrid, while he hit five in a recent spell with Atletico Mineiro, which suggests that he no longer possesses the powers which saw him score 59 goals in 120 appearances for Chelsea.

He will also turn 34 next month so is hardly a long-term option for the club; and while Kalajdzic might come good after his ACL injury, Lage will surely regret not signing the 21-year-old Ramos this summer, as his performances so far this season suggest that his value is only going to rise even further.

Leeds United must look to tie Jack Harrison down to a new contract amid rumours of his Whites exit, says Sky Sports journalist Tim Thornton.

The Lowdown: Harrison’s future up in the air

The 25-year-old continues to be an important figure for Leeds, with one goal and three assists coming his way in the Premier League so far this season.

There were plenty of rumours linking Harrison with a move away from Elland Road during the summer, however, and Newcastle United appeared to be paying particularly close attention to him.

The winger’s future is still up in the air, with his current Leeds deal expiring in 2024 and a new contract not yet sorted.

The Latest: Journalist talks up new deal

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Sky reporter Thornton claims that the Whites retaining Harrison’s services makes sense for everyone:

“I think he’s improved a lot since he’s been at Leeds, so I don’t think there’s any reason from his point of view to move anywhere else at the moment.

“From a Leeds perspective, the fact that he is a player that’s been sought-after, it makes sense to tie him down on a longer deal.”

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The Verdict: Get it done Radz

Harrison has been a great servant for Leeds, initially thriving on loan and now permanently, and his performances warrant a new deal at Elland Road.

He is now a proven Premier League player, scoring 17 times and registering 12 assists in the competition, while LUFC YouTuber Conor McGilligan has described him as a ‘fantastic’ player.

At 25, Harrison’s peak years should still be ahead of him, so offering him a new deal beyond 2024 would be a wise decision from Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta, staving off the threat from Newcastle in the process.