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Newcastle United have been strongly linked with a move for Sandro Tonali this summer and now a new update has emerged on the club's pursuit of the player.

What's the latest on Newcastle's interest in Sandro Tonali?

According to The Athletic, Newcastle are closing in on a move for the Italian midfielder.

The report suggests that a fee in the region of €70m (£60m) has been agreed after face-to-face meetings took place on Wednesday.

He has emerged as a key target in the early stages of this window with Craig Hope later revealing that Dan Ashworth boarded a plane today in order to fly out to Milan to conclude a deal.

Would Tonali be a good fit for Newcastle?

It is no secret that Bruno Guimaraes' attacking talent has been sacrificed to an extent this season due to the departure of Jonjo Shelvey in January, meaning the Brazilian star has needed to adopt a much more defensive role in the midfield set-up.

Indeed, the Newcastle talisman has done a fine job in the lone deep-lying role just ahead of the back-line, notably contributing to ten goals last term. As such, it would be advantageous to Howe next season if he could unlock Guimaraes and allow him to return to his more free-flowing role where he thrived expeditiously in his first six months at St James'.

As a result, Tonali could be a huge asset in the competitive midfield when they take on multiple competitions next season in their pursuit of success and trophies, as he could be the ideal profile player to partner Guimaraes in the centre of the pitch.

Over 34 Serie A appearances, the 23-year-old talent – hailed "world-class" by the Athletic's Martino Puccio – registered seven assists, created 12 big chances and tallied up an 81% pass completion rate, as well as averaging 1.9 tackles, 1.8 key passes and 3.5 duels won per game, operating as a prolific ball-winner with strong play-making and progressive capabilities too.

Not only that, the Italian ranks in the top 14% of his positional peers across the top five European leagues for chance creation – according to Opta Analyst Radar – again demonstrating that Tonali could work well alongside Guimaraes to deliver strong attacking opportunities for Newcastle's front-men.

The news of the Magpies' bid for the Champions League semi-finalist led football analyst and writer Connor Holden to speculate about a potential midfield partnership between the two, suggesting the Toon were looking for an "elite partner" for Guimaraes.

With that being said, a move for Tonali is definitely a big coup as he could be an ideal like-minded companion for their Brazilian dynamo in the heart of the team.

Liverpool have enquired about a deal to bring Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams back to the Premier League, according to reports.

Is Tyler Adams leaving Leeds?

The United States international only arrived at Elland Road from RB Leipzig last summer and made a total of 26 appearances during his debut season, but despite still having four years remaining on his contract, his future is already up in the air.

The Whites talisman was not only his side’s overall top-performing player with a WhoScored match rating of 6.73 which is bound to attract interest, but with Sam Allardyce’s former outfit suffering relegation, they will likely be forced to cash in on some of their prized assets during the transfer window.

Newcastle, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest have already been credited with an interest in the 24-year-old, but if the following update is to be believed, FSG and Jurgen Klopp are ready to enter the running to bring Adams to Anfield.

Are Liverpool signing Adams?

According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool have been “checking on his availability” and could be about to “join the race” ahead of the 2023/24 campaign. Adams has already “told” Leeds that he wants to stage a return to the top-flight and is “aware” of the admiration he’s receiving. The Athletic have additionally stated that the Yorkshire club “want” a fee of £40m in order to sanction the midfielder’s sale.

Should FSG splash the cash on Adams?

Liverpool will be aware that with Adams being a defensive midfielder, he isn’t strong in the offensive aspect of his game, having failed to score or assist any goals in his opening season at Leeds, but he is extremely effective in his natural role.

The YMU Group client ranks in the 99th percentile for tackles and the 97th percentile for blocks vs other midfielders in the top five European leagues, via FBRef, and his constant desire to get stuck in and amazing work rate has seen him dubbed the “heart and lungs” of a squad by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

The World Cup participant would also add wonderful versatility to Klopp’s squad having operated in seven different positions since the start of his career, including four in the midfield and even everywhere across the backline, which is a great attribute for the manager to have at his disposal should any unexpected injuries occur, therefore making this a no-brainer of a deal to wrap up over the summer if FSG can whittle the price down a bit.

Arsenal have now “sounded out the possibility of a deal” for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia, according to recent reports.

Who could Arsenal sign this summer?

After a memorable 2022/2023 Premier League campaign, one where manager Mikel Arteta made serious strides in making Arsenal a force again, it is now time to prepare for the summer.

The Gunners missed out on their first league title in 20 years to Pep Guardiola’s imperious Man City side, but there were real positives to take, especially considering they missed out on a top four finish to Spurs the previous year.

Edu has already confirmed that planning has been done for this looming transfer window, with the Brazilian sporting director seemingly well ahead in his attempts to back Arteta on the field.

In terms of who Arsenal could sign, it is believed that they’re pushing for a star midfielder or two, with Brighton’s Moises Caicedo and West Ham’s Declan Rice among the primary targets.

The north Londoners have also been tipped to sign a new defender, especially at right-back, in recent weeks – leading to links with Galatasary’s Sacha Boey and Real Valladollid’s Ivan Fresneda.

Going back to their midfield search, another name to have been mentioned is former Man City player Lavia, who could leave Southampton following their relegation to the Championship.

According to a report by Football Insider, sharing news in the last 48 hours, Arsenal have “sounded out the possibility of a deal” for the 19-year-old.

As well as Arteta’s side, the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City are named as interested parties, with the latter possessing a £40 million buy-back clause which could gift them an advantage.

However, that seemingly hasn’t deterred Arsenal, who look to have made an approach for the Belgium international.

As well as this, FI claims that Arteta is personally a “big fan” of Lavia, with a potential move unrelated to their bids for the likes of Caicedo and Rice.

Who is Romeo Lavia?

Signing for Southampton from City in the summer of 2022, Lavia has gone on to become a mainstay, having made 29 Premier League appearances last term.

He stands out as tidy midfield player, amassing a higher passing accuracy than any Saints regular over the 22/23 campaign (WhoScored).

Lavia also chipped in with Southampton’s second-highest rate of tackles per 90 behind Mohammed Salisu – impressive numbers for a teenager (WhoScored).

Called a “sensational” player by members of the media, he could be a brilliant option for Arsenal this summer, depending on if they can beat Guardiola in the race.

This wasn’t a Test that you would call great in the traditional sense. It was a no-contest: Pakistan won by an innings and 87 runs, their biggest win over India at the time, and one they went on to better two Tests later at Hyderabad. But the match was significant for the performance of one man – Imran Khan took 11 wickets in the match, eight of them in the second innings, five in the space of 25 balls, and the legend of reverse-swing was born. Sarfraz Nawaz is credited as being the early exponent of reverse-swing but on that third afternoon of the Karachi Test, Imran gave the most fearsome exhibition of the art which was yet to acquire a name.India, trailing by 283 runs, would have nurtured faint hopes of saving the game as Sunil Gavaskar and Dilip Vengsarkar took them to 102 for 1 shortly after tea. The new ball had been negotiated comfortably and the only wicket to fall, that of Arun Lal, had been claimed by Abdul Qadir. But Imran returned for his second spell with a semi-old ball and, aided by a strong wind, produced prodigious late swing at a blistering pace that left the Indian batsmen numb.Gavaskar was the first go, bowled through the gate, and it signalled a procession. India ended the day at 118 for 7, and of Imran’s five victims, four were bowled and only Mohinder Amarnath managed to get his front pad in the way. This was the spell that decided the series. Writing on the series for World Cricket Digest, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi termed it a “case of overkill”. Imran, who started the match with flu, ended the series with 40 wickets and by the time the Indians arrived in Hyderabad, Pakistani fans were holding up banners likening him to the F-16s, the American fighter planes that were the latest addition to Pakistan’s military stable.India had begun the Test horribly after being sent in on a newly laid, green-tinged pitch, by losing Gavaskar to a run-out from a direct hit by Imran, who then accounted for Vengsarkar with a ball that lifted and swung away. Arun Lal and Gundappa Viswanath put up a brief partnership, but India soon found themselves at 70 for 5. Kapil Dev avoided a total rout by merrily swinging away to a 53-ball 73. He was severe on Qadir in particular, hitting him for five fours and a six. And when Madan Lal removed Pakistan’s first three batsmen for 18, the day didn’t seem so bad for India.However, the second day belonged to Pakistan. Zaheer Abbas, who had scored a double-century in the first Test at Lahore, stroked away to 186 and added 213 runs for the fifth wicket with Mudassar Nazar, who was batting down the order because of flu. With useful 30s from Imran and Wasim Bari, Pakistan ended up with 452. India stayed in the battle for a couple of hours, after which it was all Imran.

Everton have not revelled in much success over the past few seasons, falling further and further down the Premier League pecking order and spending the past two campaigns battling against the unthinkable threat of relegation.

The Finch Farm academy has been a spark of hope, of inspiration in the face of adversity, and a reminder that the Toffees boast a prestigious footballing core that belies the strife among the seniors.

Anthony Gordon is the notable recent example, rising to play important roles in this season and last, though he departed the club after handing in a transfer request this winter, signing for Newcastle United for £45m.

This effervescent underbelly is crucial to channelling a steady flow of talent to bolster the first-team ranks, all affiliated with Goodison Park know just how wayward the shooting on the transfer front has been over recent years.

Whether manager Sean Dyche succeeds in beating the drop or not, he will be emboldened by the promising clutch of academy talent awaiting ascension, and midfielder Jenson Metcalfe could be among the first to earn an opportunity among the seniors next season.

Who is Jenson Metcalfe?

According to Everton's official website, Metcalfe is hailed as "an energetic and technically-proficient central midfield player", and having been at the club's academy since the age of five, has made 44 showings across the respective levels, scoring four goals and assists apiece.

The 18-year-old has made ten appearances this season, including seven recent displays in the Premier League 2, and has been dubbed "talented" by The Athletic's Patrick Boyland.

In the early phase of the current campaign, the teenager penned a new four-year deal with the Merseyside club – a testament to his skill set and the trust that the hierarchy has in him after a lengthy layoff due to an anterior cruciate injury.

The Wigan-born youth said: “As a midfielder, I like to play long-range passing and I love a tackle! I love a shot from outside the box, too".

With this in mind, the young Evertonian could be in good stead to emulate the meteoric rise of his compatriot Declan Rice – now a 41-cap England international and lauded as a "monster" by ESPN's David Cartlidge – who has made 240 appearances for West Ham United since rising through the Hammers' youth ranks.

Intense speculation lingers around the 24-year-old's future as summer approaches, with his outfit resigned to selling their coveted asset, who is valued at around £100m.

Like Metcalfe, the £60k-per-week gem has an eye for a pass – completing 3.2 long passes per match in the Premier League this term at a success rate of 85% – and averages 1.7 tackles per outing.

In fact, across the duration of his career, as per WhoScored, Rice has averaged three long balls and 2.3 tackles per game, first-rate in his anchoring ability and assured with his career average passing accuracy of 87.7%.

Metcalfe will indeed hope to replicate Rice's feats and ascend to the fore with exquisite displays or ball-playing mastery and tenacity in his defensive duties.

Doing so, he might just emerge as one of England's brightest prodigies.

Despite a year in which Sri Lanka have lost 10 of 13 completed T20s and have now been defeated inside three days in a Test, “one or two wins” could reverse fortunes, Dinesh Chandimal said. Captain Angelo Mathews has used the words “embarrassing” and “humiliating” numerous times to describe Sri Lanka performances in the past year. Yet, Chandimal insisted, there is belief within the group that the losing streak can be arrested.”We are of course disappointed, but I think we’re in a good place,” he said. “We train hard and pick each other up. Our fitness is also being looked after. What’s important to us is get a win or two. If we can get those wins soon, I think we will have that confidence that we need to carry on doing that. We are a young team and maybe we especially need that momentum because of that. We’re all working very hard. I’m hopeful the victories will start from the next match.”Through both home and away series in 2015, Sri Lanka’s batsmen had admitted to have difficulty finding the balance between attack and defence in Tests. Few batsmen fell playing expansive strokes at Headingley, and both teams’ highest scorers – Jonny Bairstow and Kusal Mendis – had strike rates of over 75, though Alex Hales’ 86 was 206 balls in the making.”Almost every ball the English quicks bowled was what was needed at the time,” Chandimal said. “They are a very disciplined attack, and when they don’t give many bad balls, it’s important to work out how to keep that temperament and still score runs. If we had been somehow been able to score some runs and give them a good contest, we could have taken some joy from this.”Chandimal is among those now expected to lead the resurgence in this series, partly due to his relative seniority in the batting group, but also because of having had moderate success on recent tours of New Zealand. He was dismissed for 15 and 4 at Headingley – out in the first innings to a seaming, bouncing ball from Ben Stokes, before chopping the ball onto his stumps in the second innings, during the only over Moeen Ali was required to bowl in the game.”In the first innings, I came back, looked at the videos and talked with the coach, but it was a very good ball,” he said. “In the second innings I hadn’t anticipated the turn on that delivery. I think it’s fair to say I played a loose shot and I’m very disappointed by that. But I have confidence in the way I’m hitting the ball these days. Anderson is bowling very well, but there’s no huge difference between this attack and New Zealand’s.”Personally I’d love to get a century every time I play here. That is my vision when I go to a match. I’m always thinking about how I can get to a hundred. Once you spend that time in the middle you learn a lot as well.”Mathews said after the match that Sri Lanka would work on leaving decisively ahead of the Durham Test, but Chandimal felt his shortcomings were purely to do with temperament.”I don’t think there’s much to change at this stage. Technically I feel as if I am in a good place.”

Leeds United appear to be ‘in the front row’ to sign full-back Alex Grimaldo on a free transfer.

What’s the latest news on Leeds and Grimaldo?

Grimaldo has been on the books with Benfica since 2016 but could be about to end his seven-year association with the Portuguese side over the coming months. The 27-year-old, who shares the same agency as Leeds wingers Luis Sinisterra and Crysencio Summerville, has made 292 appearances for Benfica, contributing to an impressive 87 goals.

Capable of playing further as a left-midfielder if required, Grimaldo has won eight major trophies during his time with Benfica. His contract is set to expire at the end of June, though, with Elland Road seemingly a potential destination.

One Italian outlet provided an update on the defender’s future in the last 48 hours, with Leeds receiving a mention. They claimed that Juventus are eyeing a possible transfer, Napoli have set their sights on the player and Barcelona could be in the running. However, the report adds that Premier League sides are also keen, with ‘Leeds in the front row’.

Would he fit in at Elland Road?

Junior Firpo was the club’s only senior left-back option at the start of the season, however, with the Spaniard missing large parts of the campaign through injury, former manager Jesse Marsch decided to use centre-back Pascal Struijk in that position.

Struijk is now considered a left-back by Transfermarkt as a result of his 20 appearances during the current campaign, but there could be an argument for Leeds to bring in another full-back over the coming months, especially a player of Grimaldo’s quality. The Spaniard has been used to turning out in either the Champions League or Europa League since moving to Benfica, gaining plenty of experience at the highest level.

He has proven quality in the final third with 87 goal contributions and once came in for heavy praise from former Benfica sporting director Tiago Pinto, who said two years ago that Grimaldo ‘is one of the best five left-backs in Europe’ and ‘is good enough to play for any side’.

Therefore, should head coach Javi Gracia guide Leeds to safety over the coming months, a move for Grimaldo could well be one to keep an eye on, and securing his services would certainly add quality to the club’s left-back ranks, possibly resulting in Struijk returning to his former central role in the process.

Tottenham Hotspur are a club lacking an identity.

Antonio Conte knew what his philosophy would be, but that differed from the defensive stylings of both Nuno Espirito Santo and Jose Mourinho before him.

Then, preceding all three of them was Mauricio Pochettino, who came the closest to any long-lasting success with his expansive brand of attacking football.

Ever since their rise to the top of the English game, the Lilywhites have seemingly lost all track of what direction they wanted to take the club in, with Daniel Levy one of many responsible for this. He has allowed the standards to drop in north London, and now seeking a new manager once again, they must find someone to pick them back up.

Needing a reset, and a strong-willed coach who would be happy to oversee such a revolution, there is arguably few more renowned for his work rebuilding a sleeping giant than Marcelo Bielsa.

Would Marcelo Bielsa join Spurs?

The Argentine is clearly keen to return to football, with his interest in both the recent vacancies at Everton and AFC Bournemouth enough to suggest he would be open to joining Spurs.

Especially following the suggestion from journalist Mark Carey, who put the great Argentine forward as a possible successor in north London.

Although the systems of Conte and the 67-year-old could not be more varied, given the former's reliance on defensive structure whilst the latter prefers free-flowing attack, the gruelling pre-season camp held last year would at least have the fitness levels up to the required level to replicate some form of the infamous 'murder-ball'.

His role in restoring Leeds United to the top flight was instrumental, and in doing so he reset the culture at Elland Road after a 16-year absence from the Premier League.

His unique brand of football had everyone enamoured, and although it had started to fall apart before his sacking, perhaps with a higher calibre of players it might reach new heights.

After all, many of the game's greatest managers have been quick to praise his exploits. Pep Guardiola lauded his achievement with that promotion and seemed to downplay his own legacy in comparison to his idols. He claimed: "Give him my Barcelona and you will see how he will win titles. Give me Leeds, with all due respect to the Leeds players, but I would still be in the Championship."

A former player from his reign, Jamie Shackleton, suggested that the unorthodox leader was a "world-class" coach before Carey seemed to outline exactly what Spurs need from a manager in Bielsa.

He noted: "Across his career, Bielsa has raised the levels of each squad he manages, he demands the highest standards from his players and he has a clear high-pressing style that could benefit many of Tottenham's current crop."

In an effort to find a new identity, and one which will mark a refreshing switch up from their dull last three appointments, Levy needs to look no further than the former Leeds boss.

Tottenham Hotspur could finally sign James Ward-Prowse this summer transfer window…

What's the latest on Ward-Prowse to Tottenham?

According to Football Insider, the 28-year-old playmaker will definitely leave Southampton if they are relegated from the Premier League this season and the Lilywhites are among the most likely destinations.

It's thought that Spurs are big admirers of the England international, and it is expected that they make their move before next term.

It does, however, remain to be seen how much Ward-Prowse would command, with FootballTransfers currently valuing him in the region of £36m. Presuming the Saints do go down, you'd imagine that they would struggle to garner anywhere near that sort of figure.

When Burnley were relegated last year, the Clarets' biggest sale that saw a player instantly return to the top-flight was Nathan Collins, having cost Wolverhampton Wanderers just £20.5m.

Is this Paratici's last roll of the dice?

Spurs have long been linked with interest in the Southampton skipper, having been mooted with interest via the Telegraph back in the summer of 2021.

Just like first-team manager Antonio Conte, sporting director Fabio Paratici is facing immense pressure over his job security right now because ultimately, he was the one that pushed to sign the Italian on an expensive contract and signed off questionable transfer dealings, such as Clement Lenglet in the summer and Arnaut Danjuma in January.

Bringing Ward-Prowse to the club this summer could save face as it would fulfil one of the squad's biggest gaps – the need for an attacking midfield maestro.

Truth be told, the north London outfit have never replaced Christian Eriksen, with players such as Dele Alli, Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso failing to stake a claim in such a role.

The 28-year-old dynamo – renowned for his set-piece ability – is a proven Premier League playmaker, having provided over 100 goal contributions across 399 appearances for the Saints. As Roman Selles' top-performing player this campaign, via WhoScored, Ward-Prowse leads the squad for key passes by quite some margin (2.2 per game).

These returns would also see the "unbelievable" £100k-per-week "machine" – as lauded by his former manager Ralph Hasenhuttl – rank first among the current Spurs squad, with Heung-min Son and Dejan Kulusevski ranking joint-first on 1.8 attempts per game.

As such, the introduction of Ward-Prowse would be a good way to kickstart a new era because whoever walks into the dugout will have one less gaping void to worry about and at the same time, this calibre of signing could well keep Paratici in a job, at least in the short-term.

Journalist Dean Jones has claimed Everton will avoid relegation this season thanks to the “massive threat” of Dwight McNeil on the wing.

What’s the latest on Dwight McNeil at Everton?

While the season had looked destined for disaster under former boss Frank Lampard, new manager Sean Dyche has steadied the ship with back-to-back home wins in the Premier League.

McNeil has started all three of Dyche’s games in charge – which include wins over Arsenal and Leeds United and a defeat at Liverpool – and even provided an assist in one game.

And while the club are still not out of the woods when it comes to relegation, Jones has boldly predicted that the 23-year-old winger has enough quality to help the club avoid the drop.

Speaking on Chasing Green Arrows, the insider said: “We’ve seen already that McNeil’s deliveries are a massive threat in this team. Now, the deliveries don’t always have the preciseness that they might need, but they’re going to.

“Like, once he’s right, when his radar is fully tuned in, it’s hard to beat. And I think Dwight McNeil in the rest of this season is going to be a major part as to why Everton end up staying up.”

Can McNeil help Everton avoid relegation?

It’s quite the call considering McNeil has exactly had the most incredible start to life with Everton. Indeed, he has two assists and two goals in 24 appearances across all competitions in his debut season.

However, he may be given a boost as he is now working with his former boss. Indeed, the duo worked together at Burnley and Dyche has coached the winger 142 times – so he’ll certainly be familiar with his manager’s tactics and style of play.

In that period, McNeil scored seven goals and provided 18 assists, so he’s not exactly prolific but is a steady performer and if he can kick on at his new club, perhaps he can be key in helping the Toffees pick up vital wins.

As things stand, Everton are two places and one point above the bottom three so there’s plenty of work still to do when it comes to avoiding relegation.

But perhaps the ex-Burnley duo can help salvage the season.