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Wolves have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from CM Jornal, the Old Gold have reached an agreement with the Portuguese club to sign their midfield star. Wolves will reportedly pay €20m (£17m) up front and a potential €5m (£4.2m) in add-ons for the 26-year-old.

Across a combined 170 senior appearances for Sporting Lisbon and Braga, the midfielder has scored 13 goals and delivered three assists in the process. He also has experience of playing in the Europa League and the Champions League, which could be useful for Wolves as they aim to break into Europe under Bruno Lage.

In fact, he got a good taste of what it’s like to come up against the Premier League’s top brass as he played the full 90 minutes against Manchester City in the Champions League in February.

Great news for Wolves

His latest season with Sporting saw him score three goals in 27 league appearances and earn himself an overall performance rating of 7.03/10 from WhoScored.

However, it was his defensive talent which stood out throughout the campaign, as the midfielder won more tackles (47) than any other player at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

Taking into account how Wolves only won two of their final 12 Premier League games of the season and conceded 23 goals in those matches, it’s easy to see why they have sought to secure a deal for Palhinha so early in the summer transfer window.

Also, with current Old Gold midfielder Joao Moutinho’s contract at Molineux set to expire at the end of the month, this reported deal could see the £22.5m-rated figure come in and be a potential long-term replacement for his veteran compatriot.

Bearing in mind how the Midlands club already have a significant number of Portuguese players in their ranks, and coaching staff as well, this could make it easier for Palhinha to settle into life at Molineux.

Even though the summer transfer window has only just opened for business, it would undoubtedly be great news for the club and their fans if they’re able to get the midfielder through the door and announced as soon as possible, so that they can then move onto other potential targets who may be on their radar.

In other news: Wolves eyeing swoop for “terrific” 20 y/o “hotshot”, he can be their next Moutinho

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag could lure Frenkie de Jong to Old Trafford, according to sports journalist Pete O’Rourke. 

The lowdown

The new Red Devils manager has urged the club to ‘explore’ a deal for the Barcelona midfielder this summer.

A sale is regarded as ‘plausible’ to address the Blaugrana’s need for funds, although they may still demand €80m (£68.4m) for the 25-year-old. Also, the player himself insisted recently that he’s living his ‘dream’ at the Nou Camp and doesn’t intend to leave.

De Jong was part of Ten Hag’s Ajax side which won a league and cup double in 2018/19 and, of course, beat Real Madrid and Juventus to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League that year.

The latest

O’Rourke thinks that De Jong would be open to rekindling a partnership with Ten Hag which delivered ‘great success’ in Amsterdam, adding that while the Netherlands international may be content at Barcelona, the club could be forced to offload him.

The journalist told GiveMeSport: “I think obviously it would be a big factor in him going to Manchester United would be to work with Erik ten Hag again [sic]. They had great success at Ajax, so I am sure that would be in his thinking if he was to leave Barcelona this summer.

“De Jong has come out and said he is happy in Barcelona and would like to stay, but that might change due to Barcelona’s financial issues and their other transfer targets.”

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The verdict

De Jong, who was dubbed a ‘beast’ by Barcelona manager Xavi, would certainly be a blockbuster addition at Old Trafford.

He was named the Champions League midfielder of the season in 2019 and made the FIFPro World XI the same year whilst also scooping a Ballon D’Or nomination. It’s a sparkling list of individual accolades.

De Jong is a gifted technician, ranking in the top 8% among positional peers in the big five European leagues for pass completion, progressive passes and progressive carries in 2021/22 (via FBRef).

He occasionally pitches in with goals and assists too, having registered 30 direct involvements (13 goals, 17 assists) since joining Barcelona in 2019, and he could be a tremendous prospective addition to United’s midfield.

In other news, United have also been offered this midfielder too

Tottenham Hotspur could “definitely” make a move for Lautaro Martinez this summer…

What’s the word?

That’s according to journalist Jacque Talbot, who delivered a bold claim to GIVEMESPORT this week.

The north London outfit have long been linked to the Inter Milan talisman, with Spurs even agreeing on a fee to sign him last summer. He has again been named as a potential option by football.london ahead of the off-season.

And Talbot believes he could end up at Tottenham after all.

“Inter Milan need to make money, they need to sell players to make money,” he said.

“They’re in debt, they need to make about 50 million Euros. Getting someone like Martinez, [who] is on Spurs’ list and [it] could definitely happen.”

Conte dream

The 24-year-old would be something of a dream signing for manager Antonio Conte, who coached the Argentina international during his time at the San Siro, where the pair helped steer the Italian giants to their first Serie A title in 11 years.

He formed a frightening partnership with Romelu Lukaku in the final third and that’s something Conte could be looking to replicate in N17, only with the far superior Harry Kane – a simply mouthwatering prospect.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/tottenham-hotspur-latest-news-updates-transfer-rumours-gossip-spurs-thfc-conte-paratici” title= “Read the latest Spurs news, transfer rumours and more!”]

After delivering 19 goals and 11 assists during that triumphant campaign, the £63m-rated frontman continued his fine form last season with 25 goals and four assists across 49 appearances in all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

Described as a “machine” by reporter Roberto Rojas and a “special talent” by verified journalist Joshua Jones, Martinez is an exceptional talent and one that has barely entered the peak years of his career.

It’s no secret that Spurs need alternatives to Kane, seeing as the England skipper is Conte’s only senior option right now, barring an out-of-position play from someone like Steven Bergwijn or Heung-min Son.

So why not add Martinez to the mix, not only would he be a viable rotational option but also a lethal frontline partner; enough to strike fear into many Premier League defences.

Given his previous with the player, the Inter star is surely the dream summer signing for Conte at Hotspur Way.

AND in other news, Conte could land his next Perisic as Spurs now plot bid for “unstoppable” £17m “beast”…

Aston Villa have made Rangers defender Calvin Bassey a priority defensive target, according to Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett.

The Lowdown: Closing in

Villa have been extremely busy when it comes to summer signings ahead of Steven Gerrard’s first full season in charge. The club are reportedly willing to spend over £150m and have already made Philippe Coutinho’s loan move permanent.

Deals for Boubacar Kamara and Diego Carlos have also been agreed and reports in recent days have stated that NSWE are now closing in on a move for Rangers defender Bassey.

The Latest: Bassey a top target

Sky Sports reporter Dorsett provided an update on the club’s transfer plans on Tuesday morning. He stated that Gerrard wants more after Coutinho, Kamara and Carlos, adding that Bassey is a ‘key’ target.

James Tarkowski is also name-checked in the report, however, Villa correspondent Gregg Evans has claimed that a move to the Midlands is unlikely.

The Verdict: Get it done

Bassey starred in Scotland last season, turning out as a centre-back and a left-back, two areas that could do with bolstering at Villa Park.

Providing Ashley Young and Matt Targett leave over the coming months, Lucas Digne will be the only senior left-back available to Gerrard, so Bassey would provide adequate cover.

He’d also challenge for a starting spot at centre-back, where he impressed in the Europa League final, and who knows, he could form a solid partnership with Carlos, providing a move goes through.

In other news: Villa may now move for another Rangers star after Bassey; Gerrard loves him – transfer insider. 

Sky Sports pundit Paul Robinson has heaped plenty of praise on Tottenham winger Dejan Kulusevski for his ‘great mentality’ during the club’s final day Premier League victory over Norwich City.

The Lowdown: Kulusevski’s brace

The Lilywhites recorded an emphatic 5-0 win over the Canaries at Carrow Road in their last game of the season on Sunday, and the 22-year-old contributed to that scoreline by bagging a brace for Antonio Conte’s side.

The Sweden international arrived in north London on an initial 18-month loan from Juventus in January, with an option to buy within his contract, something that Spurs are expected to trigger after his outstanding performances of late.

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The Latest: Robinson’s high praise for Kulusevski

Speaking to BBC Sport during a post-match interview on Sunday, Kulusevski admitted that he was ‘embarrassed’ after missing a glorious chance in the second half, just moments before netting his second goal of the match.

However, former Spurs goalkeeper Robinson seemed to be very impressed by what he saw from the Swedish star, telling Football Insider: “To score that goal after the miss just goes to show that he has a great mentality.

“We know that Son [Heung-min] and [Harry] Kane are telepathic in the way that they work and the way that they play.

“He was a bit-part player at Juventus but he has come into another big European club and become a mainstay. His mentality and ability are brilliant.

“He has taken Spurs onto another level in an attacking sense. When you look at their numbers as a trio they are up there with the best in Europe.

“Kulusevski has complimented Kane and Son. He has helped Son get the Golden Boot.”

The Verdict: Great start…more to come?

The 22-cap Sweden international has more than excelled in his time so far in N17, having provided eight assists and scored five goals for Tottenham already, as per Transfermarkt.

As Robinson said, Kulusevski has been able to create a brilliant on-field relationship with the strike partnership of Kane and Son, and his addition to that double act to make it a deadly attacking trio has certainly played a huge role in the club successfully securing Champions League football next season.

If Conte does complete the permanent signing of the £31.5m-rated ace as expected, especially given how much potential he has to offer considering his young age, it’s players like him to whom the Tottenham manager may well be looking to build the team around in years to come.

In other news… Harry Kane appears to have made a huge decision regarding his future at Spurs

Alasdair Gold has dropped a promising update on the future of Tottenham Hotspur centre-forward Harry Kane.

What’s the talk?

In a recent video posted on his YouTube channel, the football.london journalist revealed that, should Spurs go on to secure a top-four finish in the league, the 28-year-old’s long-term future in north London would not only be much less questionable but the England international could even be offered a new contract by Antonio Conte, Fabio Paratici and Daniel Levy.

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Discussing the implications of Tottenham securing Champions League football, Gold said: “I don’t think there becomes any question about Harry Kane’s future. I wouldn’t be stunned if there ends up being a new contract for Harry Kane if Spurs get top four.

“You might think Harry Kane’s best thought would be to just see out his contract, but I don’t get the impression he’s that kind of guy. He loves Conte, and I think he’ll see where Conte is hopefully going to take them.”

Supporters will be buzzing

While it is true that, under the management of Nuno Espirito Santo and the lingering interest of Manchester City, Kane did not get off to the best of starts in the current campaign, following Conte’s arrival in north London last November, the centre-forward has very much refound his best form.

Indeed, over his 27 Premier League appearances under the 52-year-old manager, the £90m-rated striker has bagged 15 goals and provided his teammates with seven assists – averaging a direct goal contribution every 109 minutes for the Italian – a stark contrast compared to his one strike and one assist over nine league outings for Nuno Espirito Santo.

These returns have seen the £200k-per-week forward average a quite breathtaking SofaScore match rating of 7.34, not only ranking him as Conte’s second-best performer in the top flight but also as the joint eighth-best player in the league as a whole.

As such, should Kane indeed go on to put pen to paper on a new deal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer, it would undoubtedly be a development that will leave Spurs supporters buzzing – as, only a matter of months ago, the Tottenham talisman’s time in north London appeared to very much be up.

AND in other news: Huge blow: Gold drops big Spurs injury update ahead of Norwich, Conte will be sweating

Manchester United are trying everything they can to sign Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong this summer, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.

The Lowdown: De Jong linked with United

The 24-year-old Netherlands international has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent weeks, in what would be a reunion with Erik ten Hag for the former Ajax midfielder.

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Fabrizio Romano revealed last week that contact has been made between United and Barcelona regarding De Jong. Reports elsewhere have suggested that the Spanish giants would want a fee in the region of £85m, with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain also name-checked with an interest.

The Latest: Plettenberg’s update on De Jong

Sky Sports reporter Plettenberg took to Twitter on Monday evening to provide an update on United’s pursuit of De Jong after receiving information from ‘close sources’.

He claimed that Ten Hag ‘wants’ the midfielder and that the Red Devils are ‘trying everything’ in regards to a move. Talks have taken place and United are ‘verifying the financial package’, although Barcelona manager Xavi doesn’t want to lose the 25-year-old.

The Verdict: Promising signs

Romano previously stated that Barcelona’s financial situation may have an impact on the midfielder’s future. Therefore, United appear to be well placed when it comes to a possible move for De Jong after already holding talks and doing everything they can to get a transfer in place.

The Red Devils won’t be able to offer Champions League football next season whereas Manchester City and PSG can, but they may still have a few factors in their favour.

The pull of working under Ten Hag once again, the prospect of regular game-time with Paul Pogba seemingly on the way out and being a key figure in an Old Trafford rebuild could be enough to persuade De Jong to move to the red side of Manchester.

In other news: Man Utd hold ‘talks’ to sign star defender at top of his game after Ten Hag meeting

Liverpool midfielder Fabinho is expected to win his battle to be fit for the Champions League final, The Daily Mirror’s David Maddock reports. 

The lowdown

Fabinho was forced off half an hour into Liverpool’s 2-1 Premier League victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday night with an apparent hamstring injury.

It’s since been confirmed that the 28-year-old will miss Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea, as well as the Reds’ remaining league games against Southampton and Wolves.

That means that the no. 3 faces a race to be fit for the meeting with Real Madrid in Paris at the end of the month.

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The latest

Maddock, northern football correspondent for the paper, shared the ‘big news’ on Fabinho on Thursday evening.

The Brazilian ‘should be fit for the Champions League final’, he wrote, news which has now been confirmed by Jurgen Klopp himself.

The verdict

This would be a significant boost for Klopp and Liverpool. Fabinho is typically one of the first names on the team-sheet, starting 26 of the 30 Premier League games for which he’s been available.

What’s more, Klopp has previously hailed him as ‘the best’ defensive midfielder on the planet.

And with Fabinho on the pitch, Liverpool are outscoring the opposition by an average of 1.7 goals per 90 minutes.

Injury played a part last time Liverpool faced Real Madrid in the UCL showpiece, with top goalscorer Mohamed Salah forced off in the first half, and they won’t want it to be a factor this time around.

In other news, there’s been a ‘major development’ in the Aurelien Tchouameni race. 

A major Wolves transfer development has emerged that will please everyone associated with the club as they aim to look ahead to next season.

What’s the news?

Sky Sports reporter Johnny Phillips has stated that there will be some “significant” transfer business done this summer at the Premier League club in order to begin a rebuild which could see Wolves reach the European spots as it looks like they will just miss out this term.

All in all, it’s been a solid season for the club, a top-half finish, but the previous few weeks haven’t been great, and some additions look necessary.

“This will be a summer of change with significant transfer activity, perhaps more so than in any other window during this Premier League period,” said Phillips.

“The spine of the team will change, with more than one central defender on his way in and a strengthening of the midfield and forward positions also set to happen.”

Great news for Lage

This should leave manager Bruno Lage ecstatic and it’s news that will surely please the supporters too. Although they sailed through the vast majority of the campaign in excellent touch, their form in the Premier League has been poor of late, with the 2-2 draw against Chelsea their first point since the start of April.

Under former manager Nuno Espirito Santo, the club proved that they could finish in seventh place and the onus is for Lage to repeat this achievement.

With Wolves being linked with players in the quality of Ryan Kent and Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill, then there is absolutely no reason why the side can’t kick on and secure European football next season for the first time since Nuno left the club.

However, they will have to make do with the potential departures of Ruben Neves and Max Kilman, who have both been linked with moves away too. Should that happen, there is simply no excuse not to spend the cash they receive on replacements.

Even with players like that at their disposal, they are already punching above their weight, but there is a growing feeling amongst the fans that they aren’t being ambitious enough. Big investment this summer, however, could change that.

AND in other news, Forget Coady: “Ridiculous” Wolves dynamo who won 71% duels saved the day vs Chelsea

Jurgen Klopp signing a new deal is ‘huge’ news regarding the Liverpool futures of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, according to Noel Whelan.

The Lowdown: Klopp signs new deal at Liverpool

The Reds are flying on the pitch at the moment, going for an unprecedented quadruple, but some massive off-field news emerged earlier in the week.

Klopp has extended his stay at Anfield by a further two years, meaning he will remain as Liverpool manager until the end of the 2025/26 season.

It is an enormous boost for anyone of a Reds persuasion, given the German’s influence and success on Merseyside, and the hope now is that star players also commit their futures to the club.

Liverpool are reportedly nearing a breakthrough in talks with Salah, while FSG also intend to offer a new contract to Mane.

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The Latest: Whelan makes exciting claim

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan claimed that Klopp’s new deal could spark a domino effect, leading to Salah and Mane also extending their Liverpool careers. The former Premier League striker said:

“This is huge. He’s key to players staying at the club as well. You see the reputation that he has with the players, that relationship, that one-on-one, that bonding.

“I think it’s great for the players to know that he’s there for another two years. That’s vitally important. There’s a lot of hard work that needs to be done in contract talks with Mane and Salah. But it’s important Klopp’s doing the contract talks.

“It also makes it very easy for the manager to know what he wants as well. It works both ways. I think the fans would choose manager over players because of what he’s done and how important and how key to their success he has been.

“He’s building something and he’s got plans in mind. Whether some of these players will be there with the plans in mind remains to be seen.”

The Verdict: Surely they stay at Liverpool

Given Liverpool’s current status as one of the world’s best teams, and with an iconic manager in Klopp staying put for another few years, it would be a big surprise if Salah and Mane – who have been hailed as “unbelievable” in the past by former team-mate Emre Can – didn’t sign new contracts.

In the past, one of Europe’s powerhouses such as Barcelona and Real Madrid may have had a greater appeal than the Reds, but things are very different now.

Someone like Gini Wijnaldum is perfect proof that leaving Liverpool could be viewed as a downward step these days, and that should act as a warning to both Salah and Mane if they see their futures elsewhere.

In other news, a journalist has made a key Liverpool transfer claim. Read more here.