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Newcastle United are keen on Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic, according to a report from German publication Kicker. 

The lowdown

Signing a striker is an ‘absolute priority’ for Newcastle in the upcoming market, The I’s Mark Douglas has reported.

Newcastle paid £25million to sign Chris Wood in January, but he’s only scored one non-penalty goal in 16 appearances, and Callum Wilson’s lengthy injury record may also be a concern.

Kaladjzic, 24, is a giant of a number nine at 6 foot 7, and may be exit-bound if last weekend’s scenes are anything to go by.

The Austrian ‘looked like [he was] saying goodbye’ in a tearful moment after a 2-1 win over Koln.

David Ornstein of The Athletic reported on Monday that Stuttgart would seek a relatively cheap €25million (£21million) for his signature.

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The latest

According to Kicker’s information, Newcastle are one of the clubs on the trail of Kalajdzic ahead of the summer transfer window.

However, they face some competition from clubs who may be bracing themselves to lose star no. 9s this summer.

With Darwin Nunez emerging as ‘one of Europe’s most coveted players’, Benfica have begun exploring a move for Kalajdzic.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich are considering a move too as a successor for Robert Lewandowski after the Poland star indicated that he is open to leaving the club.

The verdict

Could Kalajdzic be the long-term striker at St James’ Park?

Well, he’s only scored six goals this season, but that’s largely down to the fact that he was out of action from the end of August until the New Year with a shoulder injury.

His impressive record last season, when he bagged 17 in 36 appearances, is probably a truer reflection of his capability.

Overall, he’s bagged 36 goals in 93 outings at club level, adding four more in his 13 caps for Austria (via Transfermarkt).

It’s no surprise that Kalajdzic is a monster when it comes to aerial duels, winning 5.7 per 90 minutes. That puts him in the 93rd percentile for strikers in the top five leagues, and comparisons to Peter Crouch were perhaps inevitable.

The ‘towering’ forward (in the words of journalist Andy Naylor) could dominate centre-backs and be a smart, reasonably-priced pick-up for Newcastle.

In other news, this ex-NUFC boss could raid his former club. 

Roker Report’s Philip West has been reacting to the news that VAR will be used in Sunderland’s League One playoff final clash with Wycombe Wanderers, warning of the ‘ridiculous fingernail offside’ decisions.

The Lowdown: Season-defining day at Wembley

The Black Cats face their biggest game of a gruelling season on Saturday afternoon, as they take on Wycombe at Wembley for a place in the Championship.

Alex Neil’s side overcame Sheffield Wednesday in a dramatic semi-final clash but they must now make sure that all their hard work doesn’t go to waste against a stubborn opponent.

It has been confirmed that VAR will be used for Saturday’s game – something that Sunderland and Wycombe haven’t experienced in the league all season long.

The Latest: Journalist unhappy about VAR

Reacting to the news on Twitter, journalist and podcaster West was unconvinced about the controversial technology coming into play at Wembley:

“Mixed thoughts on VAR being used for the playoff final. The system itself is OK in theory (the ridiculous idea of a fingernail being offside notwithstanding) but it’s only as good as the people operating it. Hopefully we have experienced officials for Saturday.”

The Verdict: Could it prove key?

Fans will always be divided when it comes to VAR, with some feeling it ultimately leads to correct decisions and others believing it has taken some of the heart and drama out of the game.

There is every chance that it will cause some kind of controversy on Saturday afternoon and the hope is that Sunderland aren’t on the receiving end of it, as they look to break out of League One after a four-year stay.

That being said, it can clearly be beneficial a lot of the time, so it could be that West and others are happy come Saturday night, should it have aided a Black Cats win.

In other news, James Copley is stunned by some other Sunderland playoff final news. Find out why here.

Sunderland could reportedly now sell Ross Stewart to one of their new Championship rivals.

The Lowdown: ‘Incredible’ season

As Black Cats legend Kevin Phillips has pointed out, Stewart has had an ‘incredible‘ season at the Stadium of Light, scoring no fewer than 26 goals in total over all competitions, double the next best in Everton loanee Nathan Broadhead with 13 (Transfermarkt).

Fittingly, he also scored their final goal of the campaign as well, the one that sealed promotion back up to the Championship in the 2-0 League One play-off final win over Wycombe Wanderers.

The Latest: Clubs swarming

As per the print edition of The Daily Mirror (via The Sunderland Echo), fellow Championship sides Middlesbrough, QPR and Sheffield United are all now in the hunt to sign Stewart, as well as Glasgow Rangers.

However, Alex Neil’s team would like to tie him down to a lucrative new contract that would make him their best-paid player.

The Verdict: Keep at all costs

There is no denying how important Stewart is to the team with his goal output, and if they are to have the best possible chance of staying in the division next term, then there is no doubt that the striker would have to stay.

At 25 years of age, it is scary to think that Stewart’s best playing days are ahead of him, and so tying him down to a new deal would be huge.

Nonetheless, selling the Scotsman to a Championship rival would surely be seen as unforgivable by the Wearside club’s supporters.

In other news, find out who SAFC will now ‘hold talks’ over signing here!

Tottenham are now closing in on a deal to bring Ivan Perisic to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Independent, who claimed that Fabio Paratici has agreed a two-year deal with the 33-year-old wing-back, who is expected to leave Inter Milan upon the expiry of his current contract at the San Siro in June.

The report added that both Chelsea and Juventus also made offers to the Croatia international. However, Antonio Conte’s meeting with Tottenham’s sporting director on Friday – in which the 52-year-old informed Paratici that Perisic was one of his priority targets this summer – saw contract talks with the player accelerated, and subsequently a £4m-per-year (£77k-per-week) deal being agreed.

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Finally, it is said that the former Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich star will officially confirm his final decision on Monday.

He’s “ready-made” for Conte

Considering just how impressive Perisic was for Inter this season, the news that the 33-year-old was a priority target of Conte this summer is hardly surprising to learn.

Indeed, over his 35 Serie A appearances in 2021/22, the £9m-rated talent was in sensational form on the left of Simone Inzaghi’s back five. He scored eight goals, registered seven assists and created 14 big chances for his team-mates, along with taking 1.3 shots, making 1.6 key passes and completing 0.7 dribbles per game.

The £152k-per-week wide man also impressed in a defensive capacity, making 1.3 interceptions, 1.1 tackles and 0.9 clearances and winning 3.6 duels (at a success rate of 54%) per match.

These returns saw the 113-cap Croatia international average a quite astonishing SofaScore match rating of 7.30, not only ranking him as the Nerazzurri’s second-best performer in the league but also as the joint ninth-best player in all of Serie A.

Furthermore, according to FBRef data, the 33-year-old also ranks in the top 2% of full-backs in Europe’s big five leagues for non-penalty goals per 90, in addition to the top 1% for npxG, the top 3% for shots, the top 15% for assists, the top 1% for xA, the top 1% for npxG+xA and the top 4% for shot-creating actions over the last 365 days.

Indeed, it is clear to see just how perfect a fit Perisic would be for Conte’s left wing-back role at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. That is an opinion with which Alasdair Gold clearly agrees, as the football.london journalist recently tweeted: “Ivan Perisic would be a big signing for Spurs. Not only as a multi-title and Champions League winner to bring that to the pitch and dressing room with his mentality and versatility but also because he represents a Conte-led change in Spurs’ transfer policy. Ready-made and early.”

As such, to hear that the Croatian has now agreed a deal with Spurs ahead of a switch to north London this summer is undoubtedly fantastic news for everyone involved with the club, with the future at Tottenham looking very bright under the management of Conte.

AND in other news: Paratici now plotting Spurs bid for “deadly” £21m talent, he’d be “perfect” for Conte

Liverpool look set to secure the signing of highly-rated Scottish youngster Calvin Ramsay, according to Sky Sports News.

The Lowdown: Ramsay linked with move

The 18-year-old has caught the eye hugely for Aberdeen in the last 12 months or so, already making 39 appearances for the first team despite only turning 18 last summer.

Ramsay has been continually linked with a summer move to Liverpool, with the Reds seeing him as an exciting young prospect, as do Leeds United.

It looks as though the right-back’s future is going to be resolved very soon, following a fresh update from Sky early on Tuesday morning.

The Latest: Reds set to win race

‘We love a bit of transfer news,’ said Sky Sports News presenters live on air, before confirming Liverpool are the favourites to sign Ramsay ahead of competition from Italy, Germany and England.

They say that ‘personal terms won’t be an issue’ and it is just up to the Reds and Aberdeen to ‘agree a fee’.

No official approach has been made yet, but Sky Sports say the Dons will sell the Scot for ‘well above’ their club-record sale of £3million.

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The Verdict: Special prospect

Liverpool’s work in the transfer market has been magnificent in recent years, with Jurgen Klopp and Michael Edwards working wonders in bringing in seemingly mid-level signings who develop into superstars, whether it be Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah or Andy Robertson, to name just a few.

Ramsay is another who could be a great long-term prospect, having already impressed so much in his teens, registering nine assists in an Aberdeen shirt. The lure of the Reds is seemingly too great to turn down for the youngster, despite the chance of more playing time at Leeds.

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His attacking style from right-back draws comparisons with Trent Alexander-Arnold, so it looks like Liverpool could be signing a gem of a player to learn and develop from their Scouse star, assuming a fee is now agreed in the coming days.

In other news, one Liverpool player has been backed to leave this summer. Find out who it is here.

A teasing update has emerged on Glasgow Rangers and their chances of bringing a goalkeeper to Ibrox in the summer transfer window…

What’s the talk?

Journalist Alan Nixon – in response to a fan asking for an update on the club’s business – has claimed Rangers have a realistic chance to land goalkeeper Jack Butland ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

He Tweeted: “Rangers maybe need an exit to do Tymon… Butland is there to be done if they figure out how to do it…”

This comes after The Sun claimed that the Gers and Bournemouth are both interested in signing the former England international shot-stopper.

Gio van Bronckhorst will be excited

The Ibrox head coach will be left feeling excited by this claim as Nixon has made it sound like Crystal Palace are open to selling him to Rangers.

This teasing update suggests that the Premier League team will not go all out to keep Butland at Selhurst Park and the Gers can take advantage of his situation by snapping him up.

With Allan McGregor out of contract and the club yet to confirm whether he’s leaving or signing a contract extension, the Light Blues are in need of reinforcements in the goalkeeping department. They need a shot-stopper to either replace or compete with the veteran Scot and that is exactly what Butland can do.

The Englishman is experienced at the very top level as he has played in five separate Premier League campaigns for Stoke and Palace combined.

He played nine times in the top-flight for the Eagles last term and did not make a single error leading to a shot or goal. In fact, he has only made one error directly leading to a goal in his Premier League career, which suggests that he is a reliable figure between the sticks.

McGregor, meanwhile, made three errors directly leading to goals in the 2021/22 Premiership season. The 40-year-old allowed mistakes to creep into his game and that is why van Bronckhorst will be excited by the prospect of bringing in Butland to potentially be his new number one.

The Palace man is 11 years younger than the Scot and this means that he can be the Dutch head coach’s go-to option in goal for many more years to come, which is another reason why he will be delighted with the club’s pursuit of the Englishman.

AND in other news, “Rangers will…”: Jordan Campbell drops big transfer update, supporters will be livid…

Leeds United are preparing to step up their pursuit of Sporting CP winger Gonzalo Plata, according to Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha (via Sport Witness). 

The lowdown: Hot property

After taking the well-trodden pathway from South America to Europe when moving from Independiente to Sporting Lisbon in 2020, Plata struggled to make the desired impact in Portugal.

Sent out on loan to La Liga.2 outfit Real Valladolid for the 2021/22 campaign however, the Ecuador international has recaptured his best form and now is in the middle of a transfer tussle.

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Valladolid are keen on making the move permanent but a hesitancy over his lofty release clause has alerted Leeds, and the Yorkshire giants are seemingly waiting to pounce…

The latest: Whites ready

As per Correio da Manha, translated by SW, Leeds ‘will advance’ with their own bid should Valladolid reject a €10million (£8.5million) option to buy.

Valladolid have currently bid just €7million (£5.9million) for the 21-year-old, who was described as ‘lethal and sublime’ by journalist Marina Marco back in November 2021.

It’s claimed that Sporting are ‘in expectation’ that Plata will move on this summer and Leeds are attentive to the situation, with the press in Portugal believing it ‘sounds like’ the Whites will win the race.

The verdict: Raphinha replacement?

At the mooted fee, a wholehearted move for Plata would make an abundance of sense for owner Andrea Radrizzani and Director of Football Victor Orta as the hierarchy attempt to bolster the Elland Road ranks.

Last term, the 27-cap Ecuadorian scored six times and registered five assists in 30 league appearances, earning a 6.96 Sofascore rating whilst winning 6.0 duels, making 1.4 key passes and completing 2.3 successful dribbles on average per game – that’s actually more take-ons per match than Raphinha.

Predominantly operating as a right-winger, Plata could feasibly be viewed as a realistic and affordable option to replace the Brazilian in Jesse Marsch’s squad as the former Rennes starlet continues to be linked with a move away from Leeds.

In other news, another Leeds transfer target has emerged.

Tottenham Hotspur chief Fabio Paratici has held a meeting with agents in London as the Lilywhites now also eye an ‘extraordinary’ defender, according to Sky Sports.

The Lowdown: Spurs set for busy summer…

Having already confirmed both Ivan Perisic and Fraser Forster on Bosman deals, with a third in Premier League star Yves Bissouma reliably believed to be following them, it appears Spurs are showing no lack of ambition.

A full-back signing could well be next on the agenda for manager Antonio Conte as the north Londoners remain heavily linked with a Middlesbrough starlet Djed Spence.

Spurs have apparently been locked in talks over the 21-year-old, but according to Sky Italy (via Sky Sports), he may not be the only exciting wing-back on both Conte and Paratici’s agenda.

The Latest: Paratici holds talks…

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The broadcast giant’s Lyall Thomas, sharing a development in the last 48 hours, now claims that Paratici has met with the agents of Udinese left-back Destiny Udogie.

It is claimed that the exciting teenager’s representatives have been in London as they also work to lower their client’s valuation.

The Verdict: Get it done?

Conte would ideally like two full-back signings according to Dan Kilpatrick, one for each flank, and we believe Udogie would be a brilliant candidate.

Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig recently raved over the 19-year-old’s sky high potential, calling the defender ‘versatile’ with ‘superb technique’ and ‘great positional sense’ (Facebook).

Udogie’s former manager, Gabriele Cioffi, branded the talent ‘extraordinary’ alongside Serie A teammates Lazar Samardzic and Brandon Soppy.

These plaudits point to a transfer target who stands out as one of Italian top flight’s most promising players and a potential coup for Spurs.

In other news: ‘In negotiations’ – Sky reporter shares yet more transfer news out of Tottenham, find out more here.

Liverpool will prioritise penning Naby Keita to a new deal this summer and the links to Gini Wijnaldum are ‘fake’, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: Keita enjoys best season

The 27-year-old hasn’t always hit the heights expected of him when he joined the Reds in 2018 but he enjoyed a strong 2021/22 campaign.

Keita made 40 appearances overall for Liverpool as they battled for a quadruple, proving to be an effective part of Jurgen Klopp’s well-drilled midfield after years of struggling with injuries.

The Guinean is out of contract at Anfield next summer as it stands, but a positive update has emerged regarding his future.

The Latest: Romano drops midfield update

Taking to Twitter, Romano confirmed that Liverpool are not interested in bringing back Wijnaldum on loan, focusing instead extending Keita’s stay at the club:

“Liverpool are not in talks to sign Gini Wijnaldum from Paris Saint-Germain as of today. Rumours are described as ‘fake’ by sources. LFC Board priority will be to extend Naby Keita’s contract, talks to take place soon.”

The Verdict: Right decision by Reds

While Keita remains a divisive figure among the Liverpool fanbase, it makes complete sense to offer him a new deal, with last season proof of what he can offer.

The midfielder is relentless in his pressing and general off-the-ball work, averaging two tackles per game in Premier League in 2021/22 – no Reds regular managed more – and he also stayed largely injury-free.

With other Liverpool midfielders now in their 30s, this really could be the time for Keita to go up another level and cement himself as a genuine starter almost every week.

In other news, one player is wanted by Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool this summer. Find out who it is here.

Everton have been locked in talks with Tottenham Hotspur over their interest in Richarlison this summer, and now a new update has emerged from a reliable source.

What’s the latest?

Italian journalist and transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has revealed an update on Spurs’ efforts to sign Everton winger Richarlison.

Romano tweeted:

“Tottenham are closing on Richarlison deal, after full agreement on personal terms as reported yesterday. Matter of time for deal structure to be agreed with Everton. Medical could take place soon.”

The Athletic’s David Ornstein suggested a medical could even take place today (Thursday).

He said: “Richarlison scheduled to undergo medical today after Tottenham struck agreement in principle with Everton overnight to sign 25yo. Fee ~£50m + £10m add-ons but talks continue today to establish final price. Personal terms agreed.”

Lampard will be gutted

There is no doubt that Lampard will be gutted by the ongoing situation with his Brazilian player as he will want to get his squad together as soon as possible so that the team can concentrate on the challenging Premier League season ahead.

Richarlison was the top goal-scorer for Everton last term and played a vital role in their difficult relegation scrap.

As a result of that, the manager will be incredibly worried about the player’s future considering how hard his impact on the team will be to replace.

This isn’t merely a bit-part player heading for the exit door, it’s arguably their most important player so the Toffees’ summer is set to begin with disaster.

The former Chelsea boss spoke out last season responding to questions on the chances of retaining his front three of Richarlison, Dominic Calvert Lewin and Anthony Gordon this summer in an interview with Liverpool World;

“I hope so (the trio can remain at Everton). Those conversations have been on hold because everyone knows our situation.”

“All of those ones you mentioned and more. Now those conversations can start.”

Unfortunately, it doesn’t look as though he’s set to have much luck with keeping them as Gordon has also attracted interest from Tottenham.

With that being said, Farhad Moshiri and the powers at Goodison Park must now start preparing for the worst and start lining up potential replacements for the Brazilian, as it could cost them dearly in their efforts to not get themselves in the same situation as they did last season.

AND in other news: “My understanding”: Alan Myers drops Everton transfer update, supporters will love it