Man Utd "Working" On Contract For £25k-A-Week Player

Manchester United are "working" on a new contract for right-back Diogo Dalot, according to a new claim by journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Is Dalot a key man for United?

The 24-year-old has had a frustrating season for the Red Devils, not necessarily because of a loss of form, but due to injuries limiting his minutes in the team. The £25,000-a-week defender has still managed 23 starts in the Premier League, in fairness, but his playing time has reduced the more the campaign has gone on, especially with Aaron Wan-Bissaka playing well.

Dalot has clearly done his bit, however, helping United get into the top four and remain there, and the hope is that he remains at the club for the foreseeable future. That being said, his current deal does expire at the end of next season, meaning if he does sign an extension soon they will risk losing him for free next year.

There has been interest in the Portugal international, with Barcelona one of the clubs linked with signing him, so this upcoming period looks key when it comes to his future.

Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot.

Could Dalot sign new Reds deal?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Romano said that United are keen on extending Dalot's stay at Old Trafford, seeing him as an important figure moving forward:

"We know that Manchester United are working on a new contract for Diogo Dalot because this is crucial to understanding how to proceed with the right-back situation. But Jeremie Frimpong remains on the list but not something advanced."

Dalot signing a new deal would be great news for United, with the Portuguese who has described as "very professional" by Cristiano Ronaldo during his second spell at the club. Granted, he will be disappointed at aspects of this season, and Wan-Bissaka is providing strong competition, but he arguably has the higher ceiling and is younger than his teammate.

At 24, the 11-cap and two-goal Portugal man still has his best years ahead of him, and for United to have two good options at right-back is exactly what is required, especially with Champions League football now almost certain to be returning to Old Trafford next season.

The key now is ensuring that the Reds provide Dalot with a good offer, nailing him down for many years to come, rather than offering him too little, making him feel undervalued and ultimately leading to him deciding he wants a fresh challenge this summer and beyond.

Tottenham Preparing Approach For "Top Class" 11-Trophy Boss

Tottenham Hotspur are preparing to make an approach for Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou in the coming days, according to reports.

Who is Ange Postecoglou?

Postecoglou is a Greek-Australian manager who is currently in charge of Celtic having been appointed there back in 2021, but the fact that he’s on a 12-month rolling contract means that his future is always uncertain, especially beyond this summer having not yet put pen to paper on a deal extension in Glasgow.

Fabrizio Romano has reported that the Hoops boss is someone that has “always” been on Daniel Levy’s shortlist to succeed Ryan Mason from next term, and despite the 57-year-old having recently reaffirmed his commitment to the Scottish Premiership side during an interview with Sky Sports, the champions are worried that he’s set to depart for the Premier League.

Football Insider claim that the Bhoys have already started sounding out potential replacements amid fears that their coach will leave them at the end of the season to accept the role in N17 which is definitely something that could be on the horizon.

Are Spurs appointing Postecoglou?

According to The Daily Record, Tottenham are "preparing to make their move" for Postecoglou despite him remaining focused on the job at hand at Celtic. Spurs are expected to "get set to swoop" for the experienced coach who is "hot property" following the outstanding impact he's made at Parkhead. Levy's interest is believed to be "concrete", so this could be one to watch in the near future.

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou.

What Postecoglou has achieved since joining Celtic is nothing short of remarkable, and he’s been praised for passing his “top class” mentality onto the players, as lauded by journalist Josh Bunting, so he would be the perfect candidate to take charge at Tottenham.

The Nea Filadelfeia native, whose preferred formation is an attacking 4-3-3, has won 82, drawn 12 and lost just 18 of his 112 games north of the border, averaging 2.30 points per match, via Transfermarkt, not to mention that he’s also been rewarded with four pieces of silverware having secured both the Scottish Premiership and Scottish League Cup titles consecutively, first in 2021/22 and now 2022/23.

Postecoglou, who has won 11 senior trophies in total at club level since the start of his managerial career, also shares the same agent, CAA Base Ltd, as Pedro Porro, Son Heung-Min and Richarlison, so this existing representative connection could give the club an advantage when trying to tempt him into moving to the top-flight.

Leeds Must Ditch Aaronson For Fearless Young Starlet

Leeds United have suffered the ignominy of relegation from the Premier League but must not rest on their laurels as they map a plan for an immediate return to prominence this summer.

The Championship season is notoriously enervating and will require focus and tenacity unseen at Elland Road this season, with the Whites going through three managers and languidly bowing out of their three-year tenure in the division with just one victory from the final 11 matches.

Undoubtedly, there will be a torrent of outgoings in west Yorkshire this summer as the club looks to wipe the board clean and recuperate some funds, a result of the financial damage a club is beset with upon falling from the Premier League.

And while shrewd acquisitions will be targetted, Leeds must now make full use of their impressive youth academy and unleash some stars currently beneath the surface, and Amari Miller is one who could play a big part in any success they have in the second tier.

Who is Amari Miller?

Leeds completed the signing of versatile winger Miller in June 2021, with the starlet penning a deal from Birmingham City, where he featured for the first team five times despite his youthful years.

Since plying his trade for the Whites' development squad, he has scored four goals and supplied a further two assists from 33 appearances for the club's U21 side.

Praised for his "fearless" attitude by former Blues boss Lee Bowyer, who also said that he has got "great potential", Leeds' relegation might be a personal blessing for the 20-year-old's prospects, with the inevitable summer sales providing him with more frequent chances to dazzle with the senior set-up.

Who could Amari Miller replace?

One of the most likely departees from west Yorkshire this summer is undoubtedly Brenden Aaronson, who signed from RB Salzburg for roughly £25m one year ago with a weight of expectation, but he has failed to impress and indeed been at the epicentre of his outfit's malaise.

As per Sofascore, the 22-year-old USMNT player only mustered a lowly average rating of 6.51 this term, scoring one goal and providing three assists from 36 Premier League matches, branded a "lightweight" by pundit Jon Newsome earlier this year.

While time is on Aaronson's side, he is still valued at £30m by Football Transfers and could catch a pretty penny to tee up coveted room for reinforcements ahead of an imperative campaign at Elland Road.

Leeds United star Brenden Aaronson.

The need for change is evident at Leeds, and while Aaronson could do a job in the second tier, he could still garner one of the highest fees of any member of the squad, and while a replacement could well be signed, the powers that be at the club must consider opening up the stage for the exciting talent that is Miller.

After all, he already has Championship experience too, being handed his debut in that division by Birmingham at such a young age, eventually making five appearances.

Although they were rather brief cameos, it will be a positive for Leeds that this potential Aaronson replacement already has senior experience.

Man Utd May Have "Opportunity" To Bring In £110k p/w Ace

Manchester United have a 'big opportunity' to sign Leicester City midfielder James Maddison in the off-season as Erik Ten Hag looks to strengthen ahead of 2023/24, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

What's the latest transfer news involving James Maddison?

As per The Telegraph, Leicester City are set to sell Maddison this summer and Manchester United, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur all hold an interest in signing the £110k-a-week ace.

It is said that Maddison is valued at around £45-60 million by the Foxes and they may elect to sell several first-team players to try and raise transfer funds of their own as they prepare to compete in the Sky Bet Championship.

According to The Athletic, Arsenal are also keen on Maddison, potentially creating a transfer tug-of-war for his services between several high-profile clubs.

Football Insider claim that Leicester City are lining up a bid for Queens Park Rangers midfielder Ilias Chair, who could be acquired as a replacement for Maddison, who is all but guaranteed to leave the King Power to return to the English top-flight.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Romano has confirmed that Manchester United are one interested party in trying to lure Maddison elsewhere this summer.

Romano said: "They know there will be competition, because now is a big opportunity I would say on the market to sign Maddison, now that they have been relegated. Newcastle will be there for Maddison, but they know there are other clubs informed, including Tottenham Hotspur and also including Manchester United. So it's not an easy one.”

What were James Maddison's stats like for Leicester City in 2022/23?

In 2022/23, Maddison was a shining light in a Leicester City side that flattered to deceive and eventually suffered relegation on the final day of the season. He also caught the eye of former assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Juanma Lillo, who described him as an "authentic footballer".

Across 32 appearances in all competitions, the 26-year-old netted ten goals and laid on nine assists in total for Leicester City, as per Transfermarkt.

Leicester City's James Maddison

WhoScored also notes that Maddison was Leicester City's most consistent performer during the campaign, racking up an average match rating of 7.24/10 for his exploits on the pitch.

As per FBRef, Maddison has also been an inventive presence in attack and has managed to successfully carry out 138 shot-creating actions in the Premier League.

With Leicester City set to try and balance the books in the forthcoming transfer window, Manchester United could inherit a creative midfielder with distinguishable qualities in the form of Maddison this summer.

Manchester United Launch Offer To Sign £42m-Rated Player

Manchester United could finally land Adrien Rabiot this summer, with the club having placed a concrete offer to the midfielder according to a report from Tuttosport, via Metro.

How many goals has Rabiot scored?

The France star has produced some of his best football for Juventus this season, bagging eight goals and four assists from the centre of the field in 32 Serie A games. It's the best production of the Frenchman's career to date, but it couldn't stop the Italian side from slipping down the division and finishing in seventh – a terrible season thanks to points deductions due to financial irregularities.

Despite this, the 28-year-old has stood out as one of the best in his position in Europe. When compared to other midfielders in the Men's 'Top Five' leagues, he ranks highly in a number of categories for his work over the last year. His non-penalty goals of 0.25 per 90 for example means that he has one of the best rates around and it places him in the top 4% of midfielders in that category.

In addition, his 2.40 progressive carries per 90 put him within the 84th percentile as one of the best midfielders at carrying the ball forward. It means that he is a player that knows where the back of the net is and likes to get on the front foot and create things offensively for his team – and is very good at doing so.

Juventus then won't be too keen to lose him but there has so far been no sign of him extending his current contract, which expires at the end of this month. According to a report from Tuttosport, via Metro, the player could be off to England and the Premier League, with Manchester United having made a contract offer to sign the Frenchman.

It suggests that the Serie A side want to try and ensure Rabiot stays in Italy but with the player having already rejected some contract offers – and with the Red Devils having made a bid of their own – he could be set for the exit door.

CIES Football Observatory suggest that Rabiot is worth around 50 million Euros (or £42m), which means that if United do manage to land the midfielder on a free, then it would be a shrewd bit of business by them, having tried to sign him both last summer and in January.

adrien-rabiot-juventus-man-united-transfers

Would Rabiot be a good signing for Man United?

The midfielder has excelled this season, as stated by his stats over the course of the campaign, and a deal to send him to Old Trafford could therefore be a good move by the club.

Former professionals have hailed the player for his performances for example, with David Trezeguet labelling the midfielder as "world-class" and "extraordinary" because of his showings for his country.

Not only is he adept at getting forward but he also puts in a shift defensively too, with the 28-year-old averaging 1.60 clearances per 90 and 1.37 blocks to boot. Rabiot then can do it all in midfield and he could certainly come in and boost the midfield for United if he did make the move to Old Trafford.

Celtic: Rodgers Can Seal Instant Transfer Masterclass With £2.2m Target

Celtic majority shareholder Dermot Desmond has moved swiftly in his efforts to replace Ange Postecoglou and now appears to be closing in on the club's new head coach.

Sky Sports recently reported that the Hoops are in advanced talks to appoint Brendan Rodgers as the Australian's successor and that a deal is not far away from being completed.

The 50-year-old boss is poised for a second spell at Parkhead, after managing the team between 2016 and 2019, and the report claims that the club will back him in the summer transfer window to bolster the squad ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

It has been reported that Celtic have agreed a deal to sign Odin Thiago Holm from Vålerenga for a fee in the region of £2.2m and Rodgers could complete an instant masterclass by giving this move the green light once he officially takes over.

How has Odin Thiago Holm performed this season?

The 20-year-old central midfielder has not been at his best since the start of the new Eliteserien campaign at the turn of the year but his experience and previous performances for a player of his age suggest that that talented ace has the potential to be an excellent addition to the squad.

In 2023, Holm has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.74 across ten appearances in the Norwegian top-flight and lost 53% of his individual battles, whilst the Vålerenga dynamo has also failed to score a goal or create a single 'big chances' for his teammates.

However, his form in the league in 2022 showcased his immense potential. In 2022, the exciting youngster averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.98 – higher than 15 Celtic players managed in the Scottish Premiership in 2022/23 – and won 60% of his duels across 22 outings.

He also contributed in the final third with two goals and three 'big chances' created, which shows that the potential is there for him to have an impact at both ends of the pitch.

Former Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers.

The Norwegian battler, who was once hailed as a "huge talent" by scout Jacek Kulig, only turned 20 in January but has already amassed 76 senior outings for his current club and racked up six goals and four assists from the middle of the park.

Holm, who Kulig also claimed can play "in every midfield role", is an exciting young prospect who could come in as a long-term signing for the Hoops and someone who Rodgers can work with over time to bed him into being a regular starter.

The Norway U20 international has shown promise as a midfielder who can dominate the opposition, with his high duel success rate last year, and has the ability to deliver excellent performances whilst being able to contribute in the final third when he is at his best.

Therefore, Rodgers could land an instant masterclass by green-lighting this signing as Holm has the potential to be a terrific addition to the group for now and in the future if the ace can recapture and then build on his 2022 form.

Villa Can Ditch Bailey By Striking £10m Deal For Whiz

The summer transfer window officially opened for business earlier this month and Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has added to his side with one signing to date.

Youri Tielemans is set to arrive on a free transfer at the start of July, after his contract with Leicester expires, and the club have now appointed Monchi as their president of football operations to bolster their efforts to improve the squad.

One player who has been linked with a possible move to the club this summer is Leeds United forward Crysencio Summerville, who has been valued at around €12m (£10m) by the relegated team.

Where would Crysencio Summerville fit in at Aston Villa?

The Netherlands U21 international has played the majority of his career to date as a right winger but he is also capable of lining up on the left and through the middle, which means that Emery could deploy him in a multitude of ways.

Villa's head coach could, however, use the 21-year-old in his favoured role on the right and brutally ditch current attacker Leon Bailey in the process.

Last month, journalist Dean Jones claimed that he would be "surprised" if the Jamaica international is still at the club come the start of the 2023/24 campaign, as there could be a market for teams interested in his services.

Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey.

This suggests that the Villans could cash in on the 25-year-old winger this summer and bringing Summerville in as his replacement could be a shrewd move by Emery and Monchi.

The Leeds wizard, who was once hailed as a speed merchant whilst playing for the club's U21 side, produced four goals and two assists in 12 Premier League starts during the 2022/23 campaign and completed 52% of his attempted dribbles.

Bailey, meanwhile, scored four and assisted four in his 26 starts for Villa throughout the season and was stopped in 57% of his dribbles, suggesting that Summerville is more effective at committing and beating opposition defenders to drive forward with the ball.

The Dutch wizard has averaged more non-penalty goals (0.25) and shot-creating actions (3.09) per 90 over the last 365 days than Bailey (0.18 and 2.84) has for the Villans, indicating that the talented youngster could provide more quality in the final third, both in terms of scoring goals and creating opportunities for others.

Summerville, who was once dubbed "unplayable" by journalist Beren Cross, is also four years younger than the ex-Bayer Leverkusen dynamo, meaning that he has more long-term potential to develop and improve, whilst already having the quality to offer more on the pitch in the immediate term.

Therefore, Emery could ruthlessly ditch Bailey and cash in on the dud this summer by signing the Whites magician as his replacement.

Aston Villa Could Swoop For Explosive £52m-Rated Winger

Aston Villa are being strongly linked with Juventus winger Federico Chiesa as the Italian looks to be nearing the exit door in Turin.

Is Chiesa joining Aston Villa?

After enduring an injury-hit couple of seasons at Juventus, Federico Chiesa could be ready to call time on his career with I Bianconeri. There is a feeling that the attacker's fitness issues have made it impossible for him to fulfil the potential he arrived with from Fiorentina in 2020.

According to some sources, Chiesa has fallen out with Juventus boss Max Allegri and is now looking for a possible escape from the Allianz Stadium in the transfer window, with a host of top clubs seeking his signature.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Aston Villa are "ones to watch" in the race for the 25-year-old's services, suggesting that the club have even made contact with Juventus for the player.

Initially speaking about Newcastle United's links with Chiesa, Jacobs told Steve Wraith: "I think that it's probably more likely at this stage that Aston Villa are the ones to watch because they are pushing a little bit more aggressively than Newcastle at this point."

He later added: "I think Villa have already either made a verbal offer, or at least intimated the direction they want to travel and basically had that deal turned away at this point."

Jacobs suggests that Villa were quickly turned away initially, but only because they did not meet Juventus' valuation of the player.

It is believed that Juventus would expect approximately £52m to part ways with the 41-cap international, with the likes of Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain all considered to have an interest in the forward. Aston Villa may have to move quickly to put themselves at the front of that prestigious queue.

Is Chiesa good enough for the Premier League?

When Chiesa first arrived in Turin from Florence, initially on a two-year loan deal, there was a huge expectation that he would quickly become a superstar. This expectation was undoubtedly made bigger by the fact that the winger is son of Serie A stalwart Enrico Chiesa.

The Italian – who has been hailed a "wizard" – had racked up 59 combined goals and assists after breaking into Fiorentina's team at 19-years-old but his move to Juventus was derailed by injury. The winger missed almost an entire year with a cruciate ligament problem that massively hindered his natural progression.

However, when compared to attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe's top five leagues, the Champions League and the Europa League over the past year, it is obvious why Chiesa is still highly sought after.

Mainly appearing on the left-wing, Chiesa ranks in the top 4% for assists per 90 (0.42), the top 15% for progressive carries per 90 (4.52) and the top 12% for crosses into the penalty area per 90 (0.57). Chiesa is a direct runner and a very creative individual who loves taking shots, even if his goal tally and shot accuracy are not tremendous.

He also puts in a lot of tackles per 90, mostly in the attacking third, showing his willingness to press – something that is crucial in the Premier League.

If he can stay fit, there is no doubt that Chiesa is an incredible talent who could make a host of top English clubs better.

Chelsea Consider Swoop For “Electric” £40m Sensation

Chelsea have cited Mohammed Kudus as potential replacement for Mason Mount.

What’s the latest on Mohammed Kudus to Chelsea?

According to Simon Phillips (via CaughtOffside), the Blues are said to be following the Ajax star ahead of a summer transfer.

It was previously reported by David Ornstein that the Dutch outfit tend to sell their assets rather than allow them to enter the final 24 months of their deals, and it's expected a fee of around £40m would be enough to secure the 22-year-old.

Fabrizio Romano has suggested that the Ghanaian is a “top target” for Brighton & Hove Albion and that concrete talks are yet to commence with the west Londoners.

Could Kudus become Mason Mount’s replacement?

The 21-cap international enjoyed a busy and impressive World Cup – in three appearances for the Black Stars, he scored two goals, averaged 1.3 shots on target per game, managed a 71% dribble success rate and won 59% of his duels, as per Sofascore.

As well as his international exploits, the forward has also enjoyed a fabulous season with his club, having notched 24 goal involvements in 42 appearances in all competitions.

Kudus has been rather unstoppable – he ranks within the best 5% outside of Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for non-penalty goals, successful take-ons, touches in the attacking penalty area and pass completion per 90.

His extraordinary statistics show he is ready to make the step to a more competitive division, but he has already displayed he is capable of competing against more elite opponents, having notched six goal contributions in as many Champions League outings this past term.

Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig has described him as an attacking midfielder with “electric pace, superb ball control” and “creative” off-the-ball movements.

It makes a lot of sense to move for Kudus, particularly when you consider the void which could be left by Mount.

Chelsea have rejected a third bid from Manchester United, who are expected to try again for the former Derby County loanee.

Mason Mount

It’s been confirmed that the 24-year-old will not sign a new deal at Stamford Bridge. The most recent campaign was his most disappointing to date in west London, as he has only scored three times all year and missed 11 top-flight games through injury.

However, he has been crowned the club’s Player of the Season on two occasions and provided the Champions League-winning assist for Kai Havertz in 2021.

Nevertheless, it appears this chapter is closing and Kudus represents a perfect opportunity to move on from this saga and could beautifully flourish in the English capital.

Liverpool Set To Make Offer For £50m-Rated Star

Liverpool are expected to make an offer for highly-rated Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia, according to an update from talkSPORT.

Who is signing Romeo Lavia?

The future of the 19-year-old has been a big talking point of late, with an exit from Saints widely expected after their relegation from the Premier League to the Championship.

Lavia has been constantly linked with a move to Liverpool, as the Reds look to do major surgery to their midfield, having already acquired the services of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, now seeking their next addition.

The Merseysiders are far from alone from expressing an interest in signing the young Belgium international however, with fellow Premier League powerhouses such as Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea all thought to be eyeing him up.

It looks as though Liverpool could be in pole position to sign Lavia, though, following a positive update that emerged on Monday morning.

romeo-lavia-liverpool-transfer-news-premier-league

What's the latest on Lavia to Liverpool?

According to talkSPORT, Liverpool are now ready to table an offer for the Southampton starlet, as they look to snap him up during the summer transfer window:

"Liverpool are preparing an opening offer for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia, talkSPORT understands. The Reds have moved ahead of Chelsea in the race to sign Lavia, whom Saints have valued at £50million.

"Chelsea’s co-director of recruitment Joe Shields has recommended Lavia to new manager Mauricio Pochettino. But the Blues are thought to be exploring alternative targets for now."

This is a hugely exciting update for Liverpool, with Lavia such a talented footballer who could develop into one of the best defensive midfielders in the world over time, proving to be the perfect long-term replacement for Fabinho.

He is already a senior Belgium international, winning one cap for his country, as well as making 29 Premier League appearances. Not only has he not looked out of his depth, but he has even stood out as possibly Saints' best player over the past 12 months or so, being lauded as "ridiculous" by Southampton reporter Jacob Tanswell for his courage to take the ball from deep and beat the opposition press.

Alongside Mac Allister and Szoboszlai, Lavia could complete a major rebuild of Liverpool's midfield that last well into the future – bringing in Nice star Khephren Thuram would arguably make it a perfect summer at Anfield – and beating big six rivals to his signature would also feel significant.

Assuming he avoids serious injury, the sky is the limit for the Belgian, and the hope is that he would jump at the opportunity to working under Jurgen Klopp.

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