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Leeds United must seize a perfect chance to finally sign Rangers star Ryan Kent this summer.

What’s the story?

Last summer saw Marcelo Bielsa’s side have bids rejected for the former Liverpool winger, and recently, The Daily Mirror claimed that “Leeds are also keeping a watching brief on Rangers’ Ryan Kent and he is also someone Bielsa has liked for a long time.”

Now, The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell has raised the possibility of Kent’s exit from Ibrox this summer following the Gers’ shock Champions League exit to Malmo on Tuesday night, claiming that the club could cash in after missing out on the financial windfall of qualifying for European football’s premier competition.

He added that: “Leeds United have watched Kent for two years — they will have taken a keen interest in events at Ibrox.”

Bielsa would be buzzing

After enjoying another impressive campaign in the Scottish Premiership last season – Kent bagged 13 goals and provided another 15 assists – it’s no surprise that reports have suggested the Whites remain interested in a move for him this summer.

The £20k-a-week winger has earned rave reviews for his performances, not least from teammate Conor Goldson, who hailed him as “magnificent” and said: “He has got a lot of ability. (He is) 24-years-old, two-footed. It is not nice when he runs at you, I can tell you that personally from training. He has got everything.”

And, Neil Dewsnip, his former coach at England under-17 level, said: “He seems to relish the atmosphere, so I think he’s in the bracket of players who think ‘the bigger, the better’. Ryan is very exciting so, when he’s good he’s devastatingly good. But that’s a trait of a lot of wide players. The challenge is to be consistent and I’m sure that’s what Steven and his staff will be working to achieve.”

Campbell’s latest update on the £12.6m-rated flier raises the possibility that Leeds could finally get their man, and that would surely have Bielsa buzzing given the Whites failed to bring him to Elland Road last summer.

Meanwhile, Joe Wainman has dropped an exciting Leeds United transfer claim…

Celtic’s move for Legia Warsaw’s Josip Juranovic is still on, according to Izak Ante Sucic, a journalist in the player’s homeland.

The Lowdown: Friday report

Polish reporter Tomasz Wlodarczyk claimed on Friday that a move for the £6,100-a-week ace has expired.

He suggested that Celtic had other options in mind to bolster Ange Postecoglou’s squad.

Juranovic, who has played as a right-midfielder in each of his six starts this season, has 10 caps to his name for Croatia, and it seems as if a move to Glasgow could well be back on.

The Latest: Sucic’s post

Sucic, who reports for Germanijak, took to Twitter on Monday afternoon to provide an update on Juranovic.

He revealed that a potential move to Scotland is still on, however, a transfer may take more time.

Sucic also claimed that Juranovic is personally interested in signing for the Hoops.

The Verdict: McKay onto a winner?

Even though Juranovic has featured as a right-midfielder this season, you’d expect he’d be used as a right-back by Postecoglou.

CEO Dominic McKay could well be onto a winner, especially, with a €3m transfer fee previously being touted.

If a move goes through at that price, Celtic may well be getting Juranovic at the prime of his career at 26 years of age and career-high Transfermarkt valuation.

He’s capable of playing at right-back, centre-back and as a right-midfielder, so his versatility could prove extremely handy, especially with Anthony Ralston in fine form at right-back.

In other news: Leeds keen on another Celtic ace alongside Leo Hjelde. 

Having seen his Sunderland side get off to an impressive start to their 2021/22 League One campaign, winning their first two fixtures of the new season, Lee Johnson and his team were dealt a setback on Tuesday, with the Black Cats suffering defeat at the hands of Burton Albion.

However, the result was far from a disaster, with Sunderland’s performance still impressive despite the defeat – something which Johnson himself commented upon after the 1-0 loss, claiming that his side “had fantastic control” of the fixture, as well as stating his belief that if the match were to be played 100 times over, the Black Cats would win on 85 occasions.

Indeed, over the course of the 90 minutes at the Pirelli Stadium, the Wearsiders managed 20 shots on goal, seven of which were on target, as well as dominating possession of the ball and creating two big chances.

However, while it is easy to argue that Sunderland were the better of the two teams on the night, it cannot be ignored that the Mackems nevertheless failed to capitalise on their dominance, with a lack of quality in and around the box proving to be their downfall.

As such, it would appear wise for Johnson to freshen up his attacking lineup for the visit of AFC Wimbledon today, with one player in particular who has so far been overlooked in the league and could well be deserving of a shot in the starting XI – Josh Hawkes.

Indeed, following a highly impressive 2020/21 campaign with Sunderland’s under-23 side, scoring 13 goals and providing six assists over his 20 Premier League 2 appearances, the 22-year-old winger was given a chance in the Black Cats’ first team for the Carabao Cup clash with Port Vale last week – getting himself on the scoresheet in the 2-1 win.

However, despite having been an unused substitute in the club’s first two league fixtures of the season, Johnson then dropped Hawkes completely from his matchday squad for the Burton game, a rather strange move considering his impressive performance the previous week.

Also, considering the goalscoring and creative talent that Hawkes quite clearly possesses, the Sunderland boss simply must give the man he himself dubbed a “dangerous” player a shot against AFC Wimbledon, as the youngster could well solve the Black Cats’ troubles in front of goal.

In other news: SAFC in “advanced talks” over “fantastic” £180k-rated dynamo, Johnson will be buzzing

Signing injury-prone midfielder Corentin Tolisso is a risk worth taking for West Ham United, according to Get French Football News’ Adam White.

David Moyes has been keen to bolster his Hammers squad after leading the east Londoners into the Europa League thanks to registering a club-record Premier League points tally last season.

According to German media outlet Sport 1, Bayern Munich central midfielder Tolisso is among Moyes’ transfer targets ahead of next week’s transfer deadline. The report suggests Italian giants Juventus are also keeping tabs on Tolisso, who won the 2018 World Cup with France.

Bild has claimed Tolisso could be signed for as little as £8.4million, with the 27-year-old’s Bayern contract expiring in less than 12 months.

Tolisso has been made to contend with a host of injury problems in recent years and was restricted to just 24 appearances as Bayern retained the Bundesliga title last season.

But French football expert White believes it is a no-brainer for West Ham to follow up their interest in the midfielder.

He told Football FanCast: “For West Ham, I think it would absolutely be a risk worth taking.

“He is an experienced player regardless of those injuries. I think he would be a fantastic signing, although it is slightly caveated by his fitness.”

It’s been an eventful summer for Manchester United, with Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane arriving at Old Trafford, but a current member of the first-team squad continues to dominate the headlines.

What’s the story?

Paul Pogba has been heavily linked with a move to Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain throughout the current window after entering the final year of his current contract, and The Athletic’s Adam Crafton has provided an update on the World Cup-winning midfielder’s situation.

Crafton’s latest report concerning the future of Real Madrid target Kylian Mbappe and the potential domino effect his exit could have, states that PSG remain interested in signing Pogba, although they would prefer to do a deal on a free transfer in 12 months’ time.

However, it also claims that United still hope to convince Pogba to commit his long-term future to the club, meaning the 28-year-old could still put pen to paper on fresh terms at his boyhood club.

Manchester United fans will be buzzing

PSG were originally expected to make a move for Pogba this summer before the opportunity to secure Lionel Messi’s signature proved too good to turn down.

And Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be delighted that he’s still able to call upon the maestro’s services after watching him break a Premier League record in the opening weeks of the new campaign.

The former Juventus ace became the quickest player to register five assists in a Premier League season after setting up four goals in United’s opening-day demolition against Leeds United, before teeing up Mason Greenwood against Southampton last time out.

After reminding everyone of his incredible ability and importance to Solskjaer’s side, the Old Trafford outfit’s supporters will surely be buzzing to learn of this latest revelation.

Pogba has often split opinion since returning to United in a then world-record £89 million deal from Juventus back in 2017, but he’s consistently shown his best form since December last year, striking up a formidable partnership with Bruno Fernandes in the engine room.

With United finally appearing capable of challenging for major honours once again, the club’s fanbase and hierarchy alike will be desperate for one of their star performers to commit his future to the ongoing revolution under Solskjaer.

And, in other news…Fabrizio Romano drops exciting Man Utd transfer update that’ll have the fans buzzing 

Tottenham Hotspur legend Graham Roberts believes that a deal to sign Adama Traore this summer could lead to the sale of Steven Bergwijn.

The club has been linked with a potential move to bring Traore into the club from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Spurs are reported to have tabled a loan bid initially with an option to buy him for £40m at the end of the season, but there is said to be a confidence that Spurs will be able to bring him to north London and reunite him with former manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

Traore operates primarily as a right-winger but is capable of playing on the left, as he did against Spurs at the weekend, as Wolves lost 1-0 at Molineux.

Bergwijn also operates on the flanks and has started both of Spurs’ games this season, as both Manchester City and Nuno’s former club have been dispatched.

However, he has been linked with a potential move to Ajax before the deadline and Roberts thinks that it would make sense for Traore to potentially replace the Netherlands international in Spurs’ squad.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, he said: “Bergwijn, Ajax are after him and if they got the right fee for him, I think he would go and Traore would come in there, but we’ll wait and see.”

Gabriel Jesus has enjoyed a superb start to the season for Manchester City and is flourishing in a new role in Pep Guardiola’s side.

The Brazilian forward had to endure a summer of hearing that, following Sergio Aguero’s exit, Manchester City didn’t possess a striker in their squad and needed to add someone such as Harry Kane.

He was linked with a move to Juventus as the Citizens looked to raise transfer funds earlier in the summer but he ended up staying at the Etihad Stadium and has certainly proved his worth in recent games.

After starting on the bench in City’s opening Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur, the 24-year-old has started each of the last two matches on the wing and has seriously impressed in the 5-0 wins against Norwich City and Arsenal, contributing one goal and three assists.

According to WhoScored, only Rodri has a higher average rating for the champions so far this season, with Jesus tied with Jack Grealish in second after averaging a superb 7.85 rating in his three appearances thus far.

In the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, City have needed a creative outlet in their team and the Brazilian has certainly stepped up, averaging 2.7 key passes per game so far this season, a huge improvement on the 1.1 key passes per game he averaged last term.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-manchester-city-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read the latest Manchester City transfer rumours and news!”]

With Ferran Torres likely to feature at centre-forward this season, Jesus has moved out to the wing with great effect and looks set to be a key player in Guardiola’s side, keeping the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling out of the team against Arsenal.

The former Palmeiras man has come under criticism for his finishing in the past but looks much more dangerous in a wide position where he can best showcase his ability on the ball, so it looks like something of a masterstroke by Guardiola to alter his position.

The Spaniard certainly rates Jesus highly and sang his praises last season, dubbing him the “unsung hero” in Manchester City’s side.

[freshpress-quiz id=“577936”]

Certainly, after what will have undoubtedly been a tough summer for Jesus, it is good to see him earning due plaudits for his superb performances in the early weeks of the season.

In other news… Pep may already have his next David Silva at Man City in “very intelligent” 18 y/o

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, former Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Crossley believes Oliver Burke and his old side could have been a good match.

According to The Northern Echo, Middlesbrough were keen on doing a deal with Sheffield United for Burke, with manager Neil Warnock coming out to state that he likes the player.

Boro’s interest failed to materialise into anything, though, with Burke remaining a part of Slavisa Jokanovic’s squad.

For Crossley, had they got a deal over the line, it could have been a good move for both parties. On his former club’s interest in the United attacker, he told TT:

“He’s still a young lad and he needs to be playing football. Maybe a loan spell at Middlesbrough could’ve been the answer, which would’ve been good for Middlesbrough.

“He’s a good player, got loads of pace, loads of power. He’s definitely a talented player. He’s got pace to burn.” 

Burke was not an automatic starter for United last season and has already been left out of his side’s starting XI a few times this term.

If the 24-year-old Scotland international does not manage to nail down a spot in the team before January, then perhaps a move to another Championship outfit like Middlesbrough is something he considers in the next transfer window.

Everton beat Burnley 3-1 on Monday night to move into the Premier League’s top four, but some supporters weren’t happy with the performance of Lucas Digne. 

Ben Mee put the visitors in front after 53 minutes before Everton turned the game around with three goals in an incredible six-minute spell.

Former Burnley centre-back Michael Keane struck first before superb goals from Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray.

Digne ever-present but not quite hitting heights

Digne has played every Premier League minute thus far under Rafael Benitez.

Here, the Frenchman lined up as a left-wing back as the manager switched to a 3-4-3 formation from the start (via WhoScored).

He lost possession 23 times over the course of the match though, more than any of his team-mates (via SofaScore).

According to WhoScored, Digne is currently falling marginally short of his performance levels from last season. His average rating across the first four league games is 6.99, down on last term’s average of 7.08 over 30 games.

Here’s what Toffees fans made of Digne’s display.

These Everton fans want more from Digne

“Great win last night. 2 things that weren’t great, the 4 mile queue for the Goodison Chippy and Lucas Digne”

Credit: @ridroberts

“Digne’s form is not good at the moment and no one to take his place”

Credit: @RoyEFCPeo

“Is it me or is Lucas Digne not having a great season so far?”

Credit: @EFC_RI

“One for the “Digne doesn’t even approach Baines in quality” believers this”

Credit: @Will__EFC

“Digne’s been very disappointing”

Credit: @EFC_Wolfstein

“Think even Digne has lost confidence in his corners”

Credit: @_beanatron_

In other news, Noel Whelan has backed this potential Everton move.

While Leeds United did manage to secure the arrivals of players such as Daniel James, Junior Firpo and Kristoffer Klaesson in the recently closed transfer window, as well as making Jack Harrison’s loan deal a permanent move, there was plenty more outgoing activity than incoming business for the Whites this summer.

Indeed, all six of Barry Douglas, Ezgjan Alioski, Ouasim Bouy, Pablo Hernandez, Jordan Stevens and Robbie Gotts left Elland Road on free transfers, while Victor Orta also sanctioned the temporary departures of five players on loan deals.

One of the latter group was Helder Costa, with the 27-year-old winger being sent to Valencia following the deadline day arrival of Manchester United forward James.

And, with the Portugal international’s current contract with Leeds United set to expire at the end of the season, Costa should well have played his last game for the Premier League side.

Get rid

While it would be slightly harsh to say that Helder Costa did not contribute anything to Marcelo Bielsa’s side during his time at Elland Road, it is nevertheless clear that the winger is simply not of the standard required to be a part of the Argentine’s first-team squad.

While the £9m-rated man did score four goals, provide four assists and create five big chances over his 43 Championship appearances in the Whites’ promotion-winning campaign back in 2019/20, you would be hard-pressed to find a Leeds fan who now believes that the £15.93m fee their club paid to subsequently sign the forward was money well spent.

Indeed, over his 22 Premier League appearances for Bielsa’s side last season, only 13 of which came as starts, Costa earned a quite frankly diabolical seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.46, ranking him as Leeds’ second-worst performer in the top flight of English football – ahead of only young defender Leif Davis.

As such, it would seem highly advisable for United to allow the £36k-per-week forward to move onto pastures upon his return from Valencia at the end of the season, as Costa has very much been stealing a living at Leeds for the past year.

In other news: Marcelo Bielsa dealt major blow as development emerges, Leeds fans will be fuming