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Southampton are plotting a bargain move for Lyon striker Moussa Dembele this summer as the player enters the final year of his contract.

What’s the word?

That’s according to a report in The Sun, who claim the ex-Celtic man who’s now playing in Ligue 1 could be available for a cut-price of £10m as his deal runs down.

The Frenchman is no stranger to English football, having started his career at Fulham where he scored 19 goals in 64 appearances.

Saints are in need of a boost to their attacking options and Dembele could provide much-needed competition.

He can replace Broja

The main reason Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side need to strengthen up front is due to the loss of Armando Broja. The 20-year-old spent last season on loan at St Mary’s from Chelsea and was a key player in the side.

He made a total of 38 appearances and directly contributed to ten goals, so the club need to bring someone in to at least replicate those numbers.

Dembele would be the perfect man for that, having scored 22 times last season he could easily become the Saints’ main goal-scoring threat.

However, they need to move quickly before they face stiff competition from bigger clubs and comes with a fine reputation, having been described as “exceptional” by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

When you compare the 25-year-old to his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues over the last year, it proves just how much of a disaster it would be for Lyon if they lost him.

He ranks in the top 6% for goals scored proving just how prolific he is, but what’s Lyon’s loss can be the Saints’ gain.

He also does his fair share of work out of possession, placing in the top 10% for tackles in the attacking third helping the team win back possession high up the pitch.

When you compare both Dembele and Broja directly you can also clearly see how much of an upgrade he would be. The Franchman created six big chances in the league last season compared to the Albanian’s two.

He also averaged 1.5 shots on target per game which was more than Broja’s 0.7.

This is too big an opportunity for Hasenhuttl to turn down, and if he wants success with Southampton next season then he needs to do everything to convince Dembele to move.

IN other news: Ralph can land Broja 2.0 as Southampton plot swoop for “exceptional” dynamo…

According to Football.London, there is ‘no truth’ in Tottenham Hotspur pursuing a move for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde despite recent links.

The Lowdown: Contrasting claims

Premier League side Chelsea, alongside Paris Saint-Germain are believed to be considering a deal for the 23-year-old, with the Lilywhites supposedly having joined them in the race for his signature.

The Mirror then claimed on Wednesday that Antonio Conte’s side were in pole position to secure the centre-back’s services having ‘jumped towards the front of the queue’ over their competitors, but contrary to those reports, that doesn’t appear to have been the case at all.

The Latest: Latest transfer news

Football.London are now claiming that there is ‘no truth’ in the rumours linking Kounde with a switch to Tottenham, suggesting that any potential deal would have ‘raised the question’ of where he would fit in.

The source states that whilst the Frenchman would be a ‘good option’ for the Italian boss, it’s ‘likely’ that he only would have found himself as ‘second choice’, given the recent form of Cristian Romero.

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The Verdict: Not worth the fee

Whilst Kounde is a highly-rated player, it’s believed that he has a £76m release clause in his contract at Sevilla, and for someone who potentially wouldn’t be a regular starter every week, it’s definitely not worth splashing the cash.

Conte still has the likes Davinson Sanchez and Japhet Tanganga as backups in that right-sided centre-back position, despite the latter being linked with a summer exit, so has plenty of squad depth to fall back on if anything were to happen to Romero.

Even if the boss does want to bolster his ranks further, there are bound to be some other suitable transfer targets out there who would be cheaper, and it could prove wise to go down the route of the loan or free agent market, just as he did with Clement Lenglet and Ivan Perisic.

Aston Villa have been heavily linked with signing Anderlecht defender Sergio Gomez in recent weeks and the Spaniard could form a superb partnership with Philippe Coutinho on Steven Gerrard’s left-hand side.

Reports have suggested that Villa are keen on signing the former Barcelona man after his superb performances in the Belgian Pro League last season.

The Villans will be in the market for a left-back after Matt Targett was allowed to join Newcastle United on a permanent deal, having spent the second half of last season on loan with Eddie Howe’s side.

While Lucas Digne has impressed since his January switch from Everton, Gerrard will no doubt be looking for such competition for the Frenchman at left-back, and Gomez could be the ideal man.

Last season saw the 21-year-old average an impressive 7.08 rating from WhoScored for his domestic performances, as he contributed a superb six goals and 11 assists for the Belgian side.

The young defender, who is also capable of playing in midfield, has spent much of his youth representing either Barcelona or Borussia Dortmund, so has a rich history and looks to have a huge amount of potential.

The “great talent” spent five years in Barcelona’s La Masia academy, so could form a natural connection with Coutinho in Villa’s side next season given his footballing education.

That spell in his career has clearly had a big influence on his style of play, as WhoScored suggests that his strengths include passing, playing key passes and holding on to the ball.

These attributes would surely compliment Coutinho well down the left-hand side, and the prospect of the two working together and creating chances next season is surely one that will excite Gerrard and Villa fans.

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Therefore, Johan Lange should definitely consider making Gomez Villa’s fifth signing of the summer, as he clearly has a huge amount of potential, and his style of play could work wonders alongside Coutinho under Gerrard’s management next season.

AND in other news: Fabrizio Romano reveals “full agreement” reached, Aston Villa supporters surely gutted

Southampton have a track record when it comes to signing young players from fellow Premier League clubs during previous transfer windows, either on permanent or loan deals.

Some recent names who fit into this category include Gavin Bazunu, Valentino Livramento and Kyle Walker-Peters, among others.

One other youngster who started to make a name for himself at St Mary’s after arriving from another top-flight club is Armando Broja.

Signed from Chelsea on a season-long loan deal last summer, the striker went on to score nine goals in 38 appearances across all competitions.

To further highlight his attacking prowess, only James Ward-Prowse (51) and Che Adams (49) racked up more shots at goal in the league than the Chelsea youngster (48).

Should the Albanian not make a return to the south coast next season, one other player with whom the Saints have been linked and who could be seen as their next version of Broja is Manchester City striker Liam Delap.

In 2019, the 19-year-old joined City’s under-18 squad from Derby County’s youth ranks. Since then, the Englishman has made 60 appearances for the Manchester club across their senior and youth teams, scoring 46 goals and providing 16 assists along the way.

Labelled an “exceptional striker” by Pep Guardiola, Delap certainly knows how to find the net, something which often can’t be said of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side given how they only scored 43 goals in the Premier League last season.

Bearing in mind how the Citizens will have Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez in their ranks as their new centre-forward options for next season, this could make the teenager’s chances of getting regular game-time rather slim should their new additions hit the ground running.

Therefore, a move to St Mary’s, where he’d presumably get regular game-time in the Premier League, could be a rather tempting prospect for the player and his development.

With that in mind, if the Broja ship has sailed, Southampton should definitely make an approach to the champions to see if they would be willing to let their young centre-forward leave this summer, either on loan or permanently.

AND in other news – Imagine him and Armstrong: Saints closing in on £18m-rated ace who Ralph will love

Fabrizio Romano has delivered a transfer update which will leave Liverpool supporters and Jurgen Klopp gutted.

What’s the word?

It regards Christopher Nkunku, with whom the Reds have reportedly been linked, as the player has signed a new contract at RB Leipzig.

Romano tweeted: “Official and confirmed. Christopher Nkunku extends his contract with RB Leipzig until June 2026, deal now signed and sealed. There’s a release clause included in the new deal for €60m.”

This new contract means that the player won’t be leaving the Bundesliga this summer, which will be a disappointment to Klopp and other Premier League suitors such as Manchester United.

Nkunku staying at Leipzig

The Frenchman had an incredible 2021/22 season, playing 50 times for Leipzig as they reached the Europa League semi-finals and won the DFB-Pokal while scoring a remarkable 35 goals and registering 19 assists. It’s no wonder so many clubs have been monitoring his progress.

His versatility would have been a big bonus for Klopp, as he can play in either an attacking midfield role or as a second striker.

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All hope is not lost, though. As stated by Romano, Nkunku has a release clause worth €60m (£51m) in his new contract and this can be activated from summer 2023, which means that there could be plenty of clubs on standby who continue to follow his development.

If the 24-year-old carries on last season’s form into the 2022/23 campaign, Klopp should be doing all that he can to make the deal happen, as the Frenchman would fit well into Liverpool’s style of play.

Nkunku scored once every 137 minutes in the Bundesliga last season, and with 10 big chances missed, he could easily have added to his 20-goal tally. He also made 1.9 key passes per match while completing an impressive 67% of his dribbles, which suggests that he is more than capable of providing big chances for team-mates to convert.

A fee of £51m for a player of his calibre is a bargain in today’s transfer market, and Klopp should be closely monitoring the Leipzig star’s situation up to next summer. For now, Reds fans will likely be disappointed to hear that Nkunku won’t be at Anfield before then.

AND in other news, Klopp could land dream Mane heir with Liverpool bid for “world-class” £200k-p/w dynamo

It’s no secret that Everton need a major summer overhaul following on from their narrow escape from Premier League relegation at the end of last season.

Frank Lampard inherited a squad which should have had enough quality to finish much higher than their eventual position of 16th in the table, and he now has the summer transfer window to clear out some deadwood and bring in a few upgrades.

One player that the 43-year-old should be aiming to bring in sooner rather than later is Matheus Nunes from Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon.

The midfielder has been linked with a move to Goodison Park according to O Jogo, who claimed that Everton showed initial interest in 2021 before continuing to watch him develop; and after a great season at Sporting, they are now looking to swoop.

Journalist Santi Aouna tweeted: “Info: Nunes has received approaches from Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Everton. He will only be sold at the price of his release clause which is €60m.”

This works out as around £51m and would be a massive outlay for Everton, but they need to add quality to their ranks, and he is a major upgrade on Allan.

Not only is Nunes more of a goalscoring threat, netting three goals last season to the Brazilian’s zero, he also took more shots (22 to seven), giving himself a better chance of scoring.

Nunes created six big chances in the league last term, whereas Allan didn’t create any, and the Portuguese gem also took 12 more touches on average compared to the Everton midfielder (59.5 to 47.5), showing his composure on the ball.

Nunes was only dribbled past 0.7 times per match last season, while Allan let opponents go past him 2.5 times per 90 minutes.

These figures show the type of player that Lampard requires, and he could finally axe Allan in the process. Having been described as “one of the best players in the world today” by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, then it’s clear he will be able to excel in the Premier League.

AND in other news, “Full agreement”: Fabrizio Romano drops Everton transfer claim that’ll delight Lampard

Nottingham Forest are interested in signing Leeds United youngster Crysencio Summerville this summer, a fresh transfer rumour has claimed.

The Lowdown: Summerville’s lack of minutes

The 20-year-old found playing time incredibly hard to come by last season, as the Whites just avoided relegation from the Premier League.

Summerville only featured for a total of 126 minutes in the competition in 2021/22, invariably having to settle for appearing regularly for Leeds’ Under-23s instead.

With the Dutchman out of contract at Elland Road next summer, it could be that this summer is the time for him to move on permanently.

The Latest: Forest keen on move

According to The Athletic‘s Phil Hay, Summerville is eyeing up a move away and Forest are one of the clubs interested, after Marcelo Bielsa blocked a loan exit in January:

“Summerville tried to get himself out of Leeds on a short-term loan in January, only to find that the club would not let him go.

“His contract is counting down and an extension is under discussion but the club have not yet committed to allowing him to take up loan opportunities in the season ahead, despite the fact that he is a fair way down the pecking order.

“Nottingham Forest like him, as do Sheffield United. There is interest from abroad too. Summerville will want game time.”

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The Verdict: Time to leave permanently?

While Summerville is undoubtedly a talented emerging player – he has been hailed as a ‘runaway train’ on the ball by journalist Beren Cross  – it doesn’t look as though he will be an important figure given his playing time under Jesse Marsch.

For that reason, it is important that he leaves Leeds this summer, in order to continue his development at first-team level, rather than risking stagnating in the U23s.

Ideally, Summerville would leave for good, allowing him to settle and meaning the Whites receive a fee for him before losing him for free – if not, a loan move has to happen.

Forest could be great for him, with manager Steve Cooper an advocate of youth and his side likely to play a daring brand of attacking football back in the Premier League.

In other news, Leeds are lining up a move for a defender this summer. Find out who it is here.

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their interest in Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly in the summer transfer window… 

What’s the talk?

According to The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards, Dan Ashworth is plotting a swoop for the £13m centre-back if he is unable to seal a deal for his main target in the coming days.

He Tweeted: “Lille have a decision to make on Sven Botman this week. I agree with the way #nufc have reacted to them driving up asking price. They either accept the £30m bid or Newcastle move on to other targets. Lloyd Kelly and Nathan Ake two others on list. There are others playing abroad.”

Eddie Howe’s own Aymeric Laporte

The Premier League PFA Team of the Year was announced recently and one player hinted at his frustration at not being selected.

Manchester City’s Aymeric Laporte posted a GIF of Jose Mourinho saying “I prefer not to speak”, suggesting that he felt he deserved to make the cut.

The Spain international, who can play at both centre-back and left-back, averaged an excellent SofaScore rating of 7.12 in 33 top-flight appearances. He was consistently brilliant throughout the campaign for the title-winners but just missed out on being one of the best two players in his position, according to his peers.

In Kelly, Ashworth can land Howe his own version of Laporte as they are both versatile left-footed defenders built in the same mould.

Spennymoor Town boss Anthony Johnson once dubbed the Cityzens man a “Rolls Royce” of a defender and ex-Cherries manager Jonathan Woodgate used “Rolls Royce” to describe the Englishman. This suggests that both players are modern-day, quick, defenders who stroll around the pitch with ease.

In the 2021/22 Championship campaign, the Bournemouth man averaged a superb SofaScore rating of 7.04 across 41 appearances. He delivered top-quality performances on a consistent basis in the second tier and may now be ready to make the step up.

Like Laporte, Kelly can play at left-back and centre-back as a left-footed defender and this means that Howe can deploy him as a full-back if he ever needs cover in that area of the pitch. He can play as a centre-back in a back four, as a left-back centre-back in a back three or as a conventional full-back in a four.

Therefore, Ashworth sealing a deal for the 23-year-old will result in Howe having his own version of the Manchester City centre-back at St. James’ Park next season.

AND in other news, NUFC can land their own Foden in deal for “explosive” £30m dynamo, he’s “dangerous”…

Armando Broja has been heavily linked with a move to Everton this summer, but the Toffees will face competition after a new update has emerged on the player’s potential options ahead of the transfer window.

What’s the latest?

According to Daily Mail, West Ham United have now joined the race to sign the Southampton loanee and Chelsea forward this summer.

As per the report, Broja has interest from Newcastle, Everton, Napoli and Inter Milan with the Hammers joining them recently in hope that they can snap up the youngster ahead of next season.

Calvert-Lewin 2.0

Following reports of Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s potential departure from Goodison Park this summer, it could be the perfect opportunity to sign a new striker that has the potential to succeed the Toffees forward if they can get a deal done for Broja during the transfer window.

Newcastle United are speculated to be preparing a bid for the Everton goal machine, and Farhad Moshiri must do everything he can to ensure the club isn’t caught short next season, something he could plan for by signing the Chelsea youngster.

Everton should be in a good position to sign the striker as Frank Lampard previously worked with Broja and even gave him his Premier League debut when he was managing Chelsea, so the Toffees boss has clear knowledge of the player’s talents, strengths and capabilities making it easier for him to deploy him effectively in the team.

You can draw some comparisons from 6 foot 1 Calvert-Lewin in the 6 foot 2 youngster, as they both use their height to successfully win aerial battles and dictate play with their stature in the final third, something that Broja in particular has excelled in during his loan spell at Southampton.

The £25m monster who was hailed “powerful” by journalist Josh Bunting ranked third for aerial challenges won in the Premier League this season, and ranks fourth for aerial challenges committed, unsuccessful in just 53 out of 302 which is extremely impressive and proves he is completely fearless in winning the ball at any cost.

With that being said, Broja would be a like for like replacement with the potential to emulate Calvert-Lewin’s success at Everton should he leave this summer and Frank Lampard must use his influence and relationship with the player to get him signed up at Goodison Park ahead of next season.

AND in other news: Lampard could unearth Everton’s very own Modric by signing “special” £17m dynamo

West Ham United are interested in Lille midfielder Amadou Onana, according to French outlet Foot Mercato (via Sport Witness).

The lowdown

Lille only signed Onana from Bundesliga 2 outfit Hamburg last summer in a £6.3million deal.

He made 42 appearances in his first year at the club, but he only started 11 out of 38 Ligue 1 matches and two of eight Champions League games.

The 20-year-old has played the vast majority of his football up to this point as a defensive midfielder.

He still has four years remaining on the contract he signed on his arrival and is now valued at £9million by Transfermarkt.

The latest

The report states that both West Ham and their London rivals Arsenal have been monitoring Onana over the course of the campaign.

Lille need to ‘gather money’ through player sales, and Onana is one of those who has ‘a chance of leaving’.

The Hammers have yet to make a ‘concrete offer’ but they are thought to be considering it.

As well as Arsenal, they face competition from AS Monaco, who view Onana as a potential replacement for exit-bound Aurelien Tchouameni.

The verdict

What kind of a no. 6 is Onana?

Well, it would probably be best to characterise him as a ball-winner given that he ranks in the 94th percentile compared to positional peers when it comes to tackles per 90 minutes, and the 75th percentile for interceptions (via FBRef).

In terms of players already in the Premier League, he’s similar to the likes of Vitaly Janelt, Oriol Romeu and Abdoulaye Doucoure.

Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice would appear locked into the two midfield slots in David Moyes’ 4-2-3-1 but the manager needs depth, particularly with a Europa Conference League campaign potentially on the horizon.

Onana, billed a ‘huge talent’ by talent scout Jacek Kulig, would make the squad stronger and could potentially be a starter in the long-term.

In other news, there’s been a key update on a potential attacking target.