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Leeds United are meeting Club Brugge’s demands for attacker Charles de Ketelaere, according to journalist Matteo Moretto. 

The lowdown

The Whites are battling AC Milan and Leicester City for the signature of the 21-year-old Belgium international, who is impressively versatile. He is capable of playing on both flanks, as a centre forward and as a number 10.

Last season, he scored 18 goals and provided 10 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions for the Belgian giants, who will compete in next season’s Champions League.

The latest

Moretto tweeted on Friday that Club Brugge ‘know they will soon lose’ De Ketelaere, and that they ‘are moving to find a replacement’.

Milan is reportedly the player’s preferred move, with terms agreed on a five-year deal, but there is ‘still no agreement’ between the champions of Serie A and the Jupiler Pro League respectively.

Brugge want ‘about’ €30m (£25.4m) for the 21-year-old, and Leeds have reportedly met that demand. The question would now appear to be whether the Whites can convince him to come to Elland Road.

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The verdict

It’s easy to see why Leeds have indicated a willingness to pay up for De Ketelaere.

In addition to his ability to score goals and create them for others, he also offers an immense contribution out of possession, ranking in the top 10 percentiles for pressures and tackles per 90 minutes among positional peers in Europe’s major leagues and continental tournaments.

According to FBRef, he us stylistically similar to Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann, although journalist Frans Buyse threw a different name into the mix.

He said: “De Ketelaere’s style is reminiscent of [Kevin] de Bruyne. He is intelligent, and possesses great vision and a superb passing range. His dribbling is similar to De Bruyne’s too. Eventually, he should take his place for Belgium.”

It’s worth noting that, even though De Ketelaere still so young, he’s already racked up eight caps for his country, who rank second in the world. He must have something about him, then.

West Ham United boss David Moyes is reportedly driving the club’s pursuit of Jesse Lingard, with the Englishman available on a free transfer this summer.

What’s the word?

As per 90min’s Toby Cudworth, the former Everton boss is said to be “pushing” the Hammers to sign the 29-year-old, with the versatile forward having previously shone on loan at the London Stadium.

Writing on Twitter about the ongoing situation, the journalist stated: “Unsurprisingly it’s David Moyes pushing #WHUFC to sign Jesse Lingard – a saga to say the least but the Scot is hopeful an agreement can be reached. Will be high wages and agent fees if a deal is eventually done.”

In the attached piece, the report suggests that the 32-cap international would become one of the highest earners at the east London outfit, with a reported salary of around £100k-per-week.

Supporters will love it

As Cudworth alluded to, the situation regarding the Manchester United academy graduate is becoming something of a ‘saga’, with it having previously appeared a relatively easy deal to push through following the confirmation of his departure from Old Trafford.

This latest update will, however, spark renewed excitement among the Irons faithful, with it looking as if the £16.2m-rated gem is edging ever closer to a return to the club where he had briefly rejuvenated his career during the second half of the 2020/21 season.

That six-month spell saw the £80k-per-week forward bag nine goals and register a further four assists in just 16 Premier League games, helping to secure an impressive sixth-place finish and the subsequent Europa League qualification.

Having enjoyed something of a renaissance under Moyes, it had looked as if Lingard would be returning on a permanent deal last summer, only to eventually stay at his parent club for another year.

That decision has backfired spectacularly with the Warrington-born playmaker going on to start just two top-flight games all season, although he was perhaps deserving of a more prominent role after a strong start to the campaign, notably netting a stunning late winner away at West Ham back in September.

Supporters can now start to believe that he will be producing such moments of magic again next term, albeit this time in a claret and blue jersey.

AND in other news, Moyes plotting move for “special” £45m “baller”, he’d be a “superstar” for West Ham

Reputable journalist Fabrizio Romano has provided an update regarding the future of out of favour Manchester United forward Anthony Martial. 

The lowdown: Flattered to deceive

Signed for £36million from AS Monaco in 2015 (BBC), Martial arrived at Old Trafford with a burgeoning reputation as being one of the brightest talents in European football.

Despite lighting up a 3-1 victory with a superb solo goal on debut against arch-rivals Liverpool, the move has ultimately proven to be a disappointing one as the Frenchman struggled for consistent form in Manchester aside from a 17-goal 2019/20 Premier League campaign.

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Having spent the second half of last season on loan at Sevilla, the future of the 26-year-old remains in the balance and one informed onlooker has now suggested United would still be willing to sanction another move this summer.

The latest: ‘Open to discuss’

Speaking to Give Me Sport, transfer insider Romano has claimed that the Old Trafford hierarchy remains ‘open’ to the 30-cap France international leaving during the transfer window.

He said: “For Martial, at the moment, the situation is still the same.

“He’s waiting to speak with ten Hag, but Manchester United are open to discuss in case they will receive some proposals in the coming days.”

The verdict: Time to go

Ultimately, despite an occasional talismanic display and his undoubted quality, Martial has simply failed to produce the regularity of performance that is required if the Red Devils are going to compete once again under Erik ten Hag.

Last season, the versatile attacker – who was once dubbed a ‘Ferrari’ by former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves  –  scored just twice and registered one assist in 23 outings across all competitions for United and Sevilla, the kind of form that only acts to highlight a need for a fresh start for both club and player.

Valued at £14.4million and under contract until 2024 (Transfermarkt), the club will almost certainly suffer a loss on Martial but with Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Elanga as well as the emergence of academy winger Alejandro Garnacho all making the attacker surplus to requirements, a move away seems the best option for all parties.

An update has emerged on Glasgow Rangers and their attempts to bring a new striker to Ibrox in the summer transfer window…

What’s the talk?

BBC Scotland reporter Fraser Fletcher has confirmed that Ross Wilson has made contact with Erik Botheim’s agents and are now in talks to beat other clubs to his signature.

He tweeted: “Rangers have approached Erik Botheim representatives to try and bring him to Ibrox. Many offers on table for him but Rangers in a tough fight for his signature and are very keen I understand. He will announce his decision soon.”

The centre-forward is currently a free agent after terminating his contract with Russian outfit FC Krasnodar, with “many clubs” said to be keeping tabs on him.

Football Scotland’s Mark Hendry has also claimed that the Light Blues are watching the striker as the Gers eye recruits ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

He’s Haaland 2.0

By securing a deal to sign Botheim, Rangers could land their own version of Manchester City sensation Erling Haaland.

Interestingly, the pair are good friends off the pitch and make up 66.6% of the rap group Flow Kingz. Along with sharing a love for music, both players share a nationality and a knack for sticking the ball in the net.

Botheim has scored 15 goals for Norway across various youth levels and registered 22 goals in 46 matches for Bodo/Glimt at senior level before joining Krasnodar.

Since moving up to first-team football, he has recorded 45 goals and assists for his clubs – scoring 31 times and providing 14 assists, showing that he can be a lethal force in the final third.

Meanwhile, Haaland scored 86 goals in 88 matches for Borussia Dortmund and 29 goals in 27 games for Red Bull Salzburg prior to his move to England.

Whilst Botheim’s career has not quite taken off as much as his compatriot’s, the 22-year-old’s form in Europe last season suggests that he has the potential to be a major force up front for Rangers – just as Haaland will probably be for Man City.

Football scout Jacek Kulig once dubbed Botheim a “complete forward” and he showcased that in the 2021/22 Europa Conference League, with four goals and four assists in just six appearances. He averaged a sublime SofaScore rating of 7.57 in the competition as he offered a glimpse of the quality that he could bring to the Premiership.

Therefore, he could be Van Bronckhorst’s own version of Haaland, as he is a talented young Norweigan striker with a keen eye for goals, who can also set up his teammates to score plenty themselves.

Wilson, get it done!

AND in other news, Bye-bye Morelos: Wilson must now seal Rangers swoop for “outstanding” 26-goal monster…

Reliable journalist Paul Brown has now dropped some exciting transfer news from Everton involving Conor Gallagher, Armando Broja and Levi Colwill.

The Lowdown: Chelsea trio eyed by Lampard

Gallagher, Broja and Colwill have all been linked with a move to Goodison Park this summer, as Frank Lampard looks to utilise his contacts at his former club Chelsea to get deals over the line.

The trio all impressed in loan spells at Crystal Palace, Southampton and Huddersfield Town respectively last season, so they could be set for further loan spells away from Stamford Bridge, or indeed permanent exits if the price is right.

The Latest: Brown’s transfer update

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Brown has said that all three players are ‘100% on the radar’ for Everton, although Gallagher would be more difficult to sign than the other two.

The reporter outlined: “All three are 100% on the radar, but Gallagher might be out of reach because I’m pretty sure he’s going to get a chance at Chelsea next season.”

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The Verdict: Exciting

The fact that Everton could potentially sign all three players is exciting for the club and their supporters.

Gallagher and Broja showed what they can do in the Premier League last term, where they managed a combined 14 goals and three assists between them (FBRef).

Meanwhile, Colwill was a mainstay in a Huddersfield side which almost gained promotion to the top flight, losing in the Championship play-off final to Nottingham Forest.

Even if Lampard could only sign one or two of these players, then he is sure to be a happy man going into the new campaign.

In other news, find out who Everton have now made contact over signing here!

Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph has shared a behind-the-scenes claim regarding Celtic’s reported interest in signing Hammarby left-back Mohanad Jeahze.

What’s the talk?

Back in April, it was reported that the Hoops were looking to secure a £2m deal for the full-back.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Joseph had the following to say on the matter.

“They’ve already approached Mohanad Jeahze at Hammarby, and talks progressed to an advanced stage is what I was told.

“They haven’t gone any further yet, that doesn’t mean the deal is off the cards, it just means nothing has progressed any further.”

Worrying news for Postecoglou

Having spent his entire career in Sweden, the defender joined Hammarby back in August 2020 after leaving Mjallby AIF.

Since then, the 25-year-old has made 63 appearances for his current side across all competitions, scoring three goals and delivering 13 assists along the way.

With nine league games to his name this season, Jeahze currently has more crosses (46) and interceptions (19) under his belt than any other player at Hammarby, as well as the third-highest number of tackles won (13), demonstrating how good he is at both ends of the pitch.

It demonstrates why the Bhoys have taken an interest in the player and why they have been in talks with the Swedish club to take him off their hands.

It’s also why a lack of progression in talks to land the player is worrying news for those of a Celtic persuasion.

While there is still plenty of time left before the summer transfer window closes, it’s safe to assume that the Hoops manager would want to see any deal they aim to complete done as soon as possible.

With a previous report from The Athletic suggesting the Hoops are looking to get current left-back Boli Bolingoli off their books on a permanent basis this summer, if they manage to do that, this would only make their need to bring a new full-back in greater and potentially ramp up the pressure to secure Jeahze’s signature.

If the club are eager to bring the Hammarby star to Parkhead, then they should be doing all they can to get the deal finalised so they can then move on to other areas of the squad they may want to sign players for.

In other news: Celtic closing in on deal to sign “dangerous” 21 y/o sensation, Ange will be thrilled

Leeds United winger Jack Harrison is open to a move away from Elland Road in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Dean Jones, with the transfer insider revealing in a recent interview with GIVEMESPORT that, despite the fact that Leeds secured their Premier League status on the final day of the season, the 25-year-old is still hoping to depart LS11 in the coming months – with Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United both reported to be interested in the forward.

Concerning the future of the former England U21 international, Jones said: “Jack Harrison is willing to consider his options at the moment, which I don’t think people thought would happen if Leeds stayed up.”

Orta must axe Harrison

While it is true that Harrison has provided the Whites with a number of memorable moments over his four-year stay at Elland Road – such as his hat-trick in a 3-2 win over West Ham United back in January and the winner that all but secured the Whites’ top-flight survival in the 2-1 victory over Brentford on the final day of the season – should the winger wish to move onto pastures new this summer, Victor Orta must surprisingly cut the 25-year-old loose.

Indeed, despite the £17m-rated forward hitting the back of the net eight times over his 35 Premier League fixtures in 2021/22, in truth, these goals somewhat papered over the cracks of the former Manchester City starlet’s largely poor performances.

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Aside from his strikes, the £60k-per-week attacker offered Jesse Marsch’s side very little going forwards, with FBref ranking Harrison in the bottom 15% of wingers and attacking midfielders in Europe’s big five leagues for non-penalty xG per 90, as well as the bottom 15% for shots, the bottom 5% for assists, the bottom 6% for xA, the bottom 9% for npxG+xA and the bottom 25% for shot-creating actions over the last 365 days.

As such, it is clear to see that the Whites’ £11m signing who Patrick Vieria dubbed a “special talent” very much underperformed this season – despite the fact that Raphinha was the only Leeds player to outscore the former New York City FC forward across all competitions in 21/22.

Furthermore, with Marsch looking set to deploy his favoured 4-2-2-2 formation next term, there may also not be a guaranteed spot for Harrison in the American’s starting XI, leading us to believe that a parting of ways between the 25-year-old and the Whites may well be desirable for both parties this summer.

AND in other news: Huge Leeds United summer transfer twist emerges, Jesse Marsch will be devastated

West Ham are lining up a swoop for midfielder Florian Grillitsch as David Moyes looks to improve his squad ahead of next season.

What’s the word?

That’s according to Italian news outlet Area Napoli, who claimed that the Hammers are eyeing up a move for the 26-year-old, although Serie A club Napoli appear to be leading the chase.

He will soon become a free agent when his contract expires at Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim, and West Ham could snap up a bargain.

Moyes may be confident that he can fend off the interest from Napoli for the Austrian’s signature ahead of next season.

He is the perfect Noble heir

West Ham will be left with a big void to fill next season, as fan favourite Mark Noble has announced that 2021/22 was his final campaign for the Irons.

Moyes will surely be working tirelessly to find an adequate replacement for the 35-year-old ahead of an important campaign at the London Stadium, and Grillitsch might just be the perfect heir.

The 26-year-old ranked fourth in the Hoffenheim squad in 2021/22 with an average WhoScored rating of 6.87, whilst he also won 1.3 aerial duels per 90 minutes during the course of the campaign.

One of his key attributes is his ball distribution, and his passing success rate of 89.4% was the highest in the Bundesliga club’s squad by some distance (excluding those who played 40 minutes or less), proving to be a crucial presence in the centre of midfield.

Grillitsch can also be an asset going forward, with the Austrian ranking in the top 1% compared to positional peers in the top five European leagues for shot-creating actions per 90 minutes (1.99), and in the top 4% for progressive passes (5.05 per 90).

This proposed move is a no-brainer for Moyes as he looks to add some bite into the centre of West Ham’s midfield.

Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann previously dubbed the £35k-p/w Grillitsch an “exceptional” player, and his statistics certainly suggest that the Hammers could land an excellent player on a free transfer this summer. Moyes will need to act quick, though.

AND in other news, “Another target…”: Ex drops big West Ham summer transfer claim that supporters will love

Pundit Frank McAvennie has claimed that Newcastle United are set to undergo an ‘even bigger’ summer after an update on Dan Ashworth emerged.

The Lowdown: Reopened talks

On Friday, The Athletic reported that the Magpies have reopened talks with Brighton in a bid to come to an agreement over Ashworth, which would allow him to join the Tyneside club as soon as feasibly possible.

It is reported that there has been significant progress in the talks regarding a compensation fee, which was previously said to be an issue for both sides.

The 51-year-old has been on gardening leave since departing the Amex Stadium in February.

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The Latest: McAvennie’s claim

Speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie has raved about the significance of Newcastle’s prospective appointment of Ashworth.

The pundit and former West Ham striker claimed: “It’s a big deal for Newcastle, this.

“I have been banging this drum for months. They need an experienced operator to guide them through this process.

“They got through January and that went well but that’s just the transfer side of it. Ashworth is going to oversee everything else.

“It kind of feels like Newcastle are waiting for Ashworth to come in so they can kick on off the pitch. This guy is seriously rated and I’m sure Brighton are gutted to lose him.

“If he comes in before the window opens, or just after it opens, then it will be huge for Newcastle.

“It’s going to be a big summer anyway, on the pitch certainly. Then you have all the work Ashworth will do behind the scenes so it’s going to be even bigger.”

The Verdict: Fantastic appointment

Despite a successful transfer window in January, it is expected that Ashworth will now oversee operations at St James’ Park from this summer onwards.

With a bid for European football likely to be the aim for next season, Newcastle will likely be looking to make any changes to the squad that they can in order to give them an edge in their pursuit of that target.

Therefore, with Ashworth’s experience in running a smooth operation at Brighton, who are now an established Premier League club, this could well prove to be a fantastic appointment for the Magpies if indeed it is completed.

In other news: Newcastle United: Journalists address Lucas Paqueta transfer links

Leeds United will now ‘go for’ a striker during the summer window, transfer insider Dean Jones has told GiveMeSport.

The lowdown

Jesse Marsch has already made his first signing as Whites manager, kicking off the club’s summer business with a £25m deal for Brenden Aaronson from RB Salzburg.

The 48-year-old already has the likes of Patrick Bamford, Joe Gelhardt and Daniel James available as centre-forward options, but he may be unsure whether he can depend on the former over the course of the season after injury restricted the 28-year-old to just nine Premier League appearances in 2021/22.

Gelhardt may have been deemed too inexperienced to lead the line at this stage, having only turned 20 earlier this month and made just 22 senior appearances for the club; while James might lack the required potency in front of goal, having netted only four times in 37 outings in the most recent campaign.

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The latest

Jones expects three more significant signings to follow Aaronson through the door at Elland Road over the summer, saying that one of those will undoubtedly be a centre-forward.

He told GiveMeSport: “I think, realistically, four good signings is probably what you could expect because of the way the market is going to be in terms of the value of people.

“They’re going to go for a striker, there’s no doubt about that.”

The verdict

Who could the new striker potentially be?

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has previously reported that the Whites would like to sign a Premier League marksman, and journalist Pete O’Rourke has suggested that Liverpool’s Takumi Minamino and Chelsea’s Armando Broja, who spent last season on loan at Southampton, are potential targets.

Marsch may potentially lean towards Minamino because, according to O’Rourke, the Leeds manager ‘knows all about him from his time at Salzburg’. Indeed, the current Anfield ace played 22 times under Marsch in Austria, helping himself to 20 goal contributions in that time.

That surely wouldn’t be a bad thing for Leeds given that the Japan international bagged another 10 goals this season for Liverpool, impressively averaging one for every 101 minutes of action.

In other news, Leeds are the ‘most interested’ club in this transfer battle