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Manchester United are reportedly increasingly confident of signing Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount during the summer transfer window.

Is Mount leaving Chelsea this summer?

The 24-year-old has been one of the most heavily discussed transfer topics in recent weeks, with his future still very much up in the air. Contract discussions with the Blues appear to have completely broken down of late, and with his current deal running out next year, he could move on to a new challenge this summer.

Mount may well have played his final game for Chelsea on Sunday – he was filmed walking across the Stamford Bridge pitch and gazing longingly at the stadium after the 1-1 draw with Newcastle United – and the £80,000-a-week isn't without suitors currently.

There has been lots of interest from the Blues' Premier League rivals, with United and Liverpool arguably emerging as the two front-runners to snap him up before the beginning of next season.

Are Man Utd confident of snapping up Mount?

According to Football Insider, United are "growing in confidence about the potential signing of Chelsea’s Mason Mount this summer", even though Liverpool are "still keen on agreeing a deal". The report does go on to add that "Mount himself is yet to make up his mind on his future – despite the confidence of Old Trafford chiefs".

The latter part of the update may at least give Chelsea supporters some hope that Mount may stay put and sign a new deal at the club, although at this point, it does feel as though Mauricio Pochettino will have to do a lot of convincing.

It feels like the Englishman has decided that a fresh challenge makes sense, and the lure of playing Champions League football with United could swing his thinking, with both the Blues and Liverpool unable to offer him that next season.

The hope is that Mount signs an extension, of course, considering he has registered 70 goal contributions for the club (33 goals and 37 assists) – he has also been hailed as "unbelievable" by former Chelsea hero Joe Cole – but if he doesn't want to stay, it is a case of receiving as much money as possible for him and using the funds to bolster Pochettino's squad this summer.

At 24, losing Mount could be such a blow, with his best years likely to be ahead of him, but there is little that can be done if both parties are remaining stubborn over contract talks.

Arsenal have now been given an exciting update on their pursuit of West Ham United captain Declan Rice by Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.

What's the latest on Declan Rice to Arsenal?

Football Insider have recently reported Rice has told his friends he has played his final Premier League game for West Ham, opening up the door for a move elsewhere in the summer, with Arsenal said to be in pole position.

Although the Gunners are currently leading the race, there will also be competition from Chelsea, as well as both Manchester clubs, but the report claims the Englishman wants to remain in London, which could give Mikel Arteta a real boost in the race for his signature.

The Mirror report that Arteta wants to bring in the central midfielder to replace the outgoing Granit Xhaka, while also adding that West Ham are ready to let him leave this summer, should their asking price be met.

That said, there will be fierce competition for the £60k-per-week star, as Plettenberg has recently told Sky Sports he is "at the top" of Bayern Munich's list of transfer targets for the summer, having already held a telephone conversation with Thomas Tuchel.

However, the Sky Sports reportes provides some exciting news for Arsenal fans, as he claims that Bayern are "running out of time", while also adding: "Arsenal are further along and he could switch to the Gunners immediately."

Will Rice leave West Ham this summer?

It appears as though the 24-year-old is edging towards exiting the London Stadium this summer, with manager David Moyes admitting he could leave, while he has previously outlined that he wants to play in the Champions League.

That could potentially open the door for a move to the Emirates Stadium, and he would be an excellent addition to Arteta's squad, having been the Hammers' best performer in the Premier League this season, averaging a 7.01 WhoScored rating.

As previously mentioned, Arsenal are looking at signing the England international to replace Xhaka, and he would be a real improvement defensively speaking, having averaged more tackles, interceptions and blocks per 90 than the 30-year-old over the past year.

Hailed as "dominant" by journalist Charles Watts earlier this year, Rice should now be coming into his prime years at the age of 24, and the Gunners should move swiftly to secure his signature, given that Bayern also appear to be seriously interested.

Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be keen on a move for Feyenoord captain, Orkun Kokcu, amid the speculation surrounding the north Londoners' interest in his current boss, Arne Slot.

What's the latest on Kokcu to Tottenham?

According to journalist Sean Walsh, writing on Twitter, the Lilywhites are said to be "looking at" the Turkey international ahead of the summer window, with the aforementioned Slot having also emerged as a leading managerial candidate for chairman, Daniel Levy.

In his attached piece for 90min, Walsh reveals that Spurs were eyeing a swoop for the Netherlands-born playmaker even prior to contemplating a move for his manager, with reports as far back as 2021 also outlining the club's interest.

This follows similar claims made by the Dutch media in recent days, with 1908.nl revealing that Kokcu could command a fee of around €40m (£35m), amid the interest from Levy and co.

What is Kokcu's style of play?

The promising midfielder is noted as a similar player to Borussia Dortmund and England sensation, Jude Bellingham, according to Football Transfers, with that likeness an indication of just what a talent Spurs could have on their hands.

In the case of Bellingham, the 19-year-old appears set for a high-profile switch to Real Madrid this summer following another sparkling season in Germany, having scored 14 goals and registered seven assists across all fronts for the title hopefuls.

The eye-catching teenager seemingly raised his profile even higher after shining for the Three Lions at the World Cup in the winter, with ITV pundit Roy Keane stating that the former Birmingham City starlet is "going to be a superstar".

While perhaps not at the same level as a player who could reportedly cost as much as €150m (£130m) this summer, Kokcu does no doubt share similar traits to that of the Englishman, having also dazzled in his midfield berth this term with 12 goals and five assists in all competitions this season.

The 20-cap maestro also appears to share Bellingham's maturity despite his relative youth, having captained the Rotterdam outfit of late and been hailed as a "true leader" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, with the Dortmund gem also described as a "leader" by manager, Edin Terzic.

The comparison can also be made between the pair due to their creative prowess and ability to surge forward from deep, with Bellingham averaging 8.18 progressive passes and 3.06 progressive carries per 90 across the last 365 days, as per FBref, while Kokcu has averaged 12.33 and 2.87 for the same two metrics, respectively.

Much like Bellingham – who has been a "talisman" at Westfalenstadion of late, as per James McManus – Kokcu has also been the real "driving force" for Feyenoord in recent seasons, according to journalist Marcel van der Kraan, with the hope being that he can replicate such an impact in north London.

That notable similarity between the pair should be of real excitement to those back at N17, with it potentially set to be a real coup if Levy can wrap up a deal over the coming weeks and months.

Everton are in need of reinforcements this summer after struggling in the Premier League this season and facing a difficult relegation battle, so Frank Lampard will surely be looking for players to improve his squad and improve the side’s performances in the league next season.

The Toffees survived their first potential relegation to the Championship since the Premier League began by the skin of their teeth, a win in their penultimate game of the season saved them and the club need to find a solution to make sure they don’t fall into a similar situation or worse in the future.

On top of the problems with performances, Everton could be set to lose one of their most consistent performers and top goal-scorer this season as Richarlison has spoken out with doubt on his future and may potentially leave the club this summer which would be a massive blow to Everton’s frontline.

With that being said, the club have already been strongly linked to a move for Chelsea youngster Armando Broja this summer, with Frank Lampard’s relationship with the player and his Chelsea connections set to give the Toffees a boost in completing the signing.

The £25m-valued forward who was dubbed “dangerous” by Ralph Hassenhuttl could be a huge prospect for Everton if they could secure a deal for Broja this summer and offers many similarities to former Toffees striker Romelu Lukaku, who was also signed from Chelsea.

He was hugely effective in his time at Goodison Park scoring 87 goals.

Broja, meanwhile, offers similar characteristics to Lukaku in the way he plays and the profile of striker with both players use their height to dictate play and pose a threat to opponents.

The Southampton loanee ranked third for the most aerial duels won in his opponent’s half proving that he uses his height to his advantage to help him in his attacking output, which has had a huge influence on the Saints this season.

According to SofaScore, Broja scored six goals, created two big chances, took 1.4 shots per game and won five of his ground and aerial duels combined on average per game.

The powers at Everton should make the signing of Broja a top priority this summer especially if they are set to lose Richarlison as the young player clearly has the attributes to become a great young player and under Lampard’s guidance could get the development he needs to become Everton’s next Lukaku.

AND in other news: Lampard set for 1st major Everton disaster in deal for “sloppy” £20m “Mr Conservative”

Aston Villa are in pole position to sign soon-to-be free agent James Tarkowski, according to The Athletic. 

The lowdown

The 29-year-old is departing relegated Burnley this summer as he reaches the end of his contract at Turf Moor.

The Telegraph’s Jason Burt had previously written that it was Everton and not Villa who were leading the race for his signature, while Football Insider claimed that Frank Lampard’s side had already presented the defender with a £120,000-per-week contract offer.

However, it seems that Villa are intent on further strengthening their defence after the arrival of Diego Carlos from Sevilla last week, having already secured deals for midfielders Phillipe Coutinho and Boubacar Kamara earlier in the month.

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The latest

In a jointly-written piece for The Athletic, Patrick Boyland and Greg O’Keeffe claimed that Everton are one of ‘several’ clubs who are interested in Tarkowski.

Lampard’s admiration for the centre-back dates back to his time as Chelsea manager, but the 43-year-old may miss out on his transfer target.

That’s because the Toffees face ‘substantial competition’ from Villa, who are described in the article as the ‘early favourites’ for Tarkowski.

The verdict

Gerrard seemingly wants to overhaul the heart of his defence.

Football Insider reported at the end of February that he had sanctioned the sale of Ezri Konsa after growing concerned about the 24-year-old’s reliability and consistency. Meanwhile, transfer insider Dean Jones said that ‘it will be interesting to see how things pan out’ with Tyrone Mings, which may suggest that the captain’s future is far from secure.

Having already signed Carlos, Villa have been linked with both Tarkowski and Rangers’ Calvin Bassey, who is valued at £25m by Gerrard’s former club.

However, the Burnley man may be the better option of the two, not just because Villa could avoid a hefty transfer fee. His vast Premier League experience (194 games) is surely a significant factor as well.

Indeed, The Telegraph’s Matt Law believes that the 29-year-old would be a ‘fantastic signing’ for the Midlands club, who may land themselves a real coup on a free transfer for a proven operator at this level.

In other news, read this transfer insider’s claim on a midfield target.

West Ham United have been named as one of the clubs believed to be interested in Leeds United winger Jack Harrison, as David Moyes plots new reinforcements this summer.

What’s the word?

As per 90min, the Hammers are said to be ‘taking an interest’ in the 25-year-old, with uncertainty over the future of a number of key players at Elland Road despite their final day survival.

It was the Englishman’s stoppage-time strike that rubberstamped the Yorkshire side’s safety from the drop, with that effort having been his eighth Premier League goal in an impressive campaign on a personal note.

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The £60k-per-week forward – who joined his current side in a £11m permanent deal last summer after spending the previous three seasons on loan at the club – is also being tracked by both Newcastle United and Everton, however, as per the report, while a potential departure for teammate Raphinha could ‘impact’ Leeds’ stance regarding a sale.

The next Sinclair?

Although there is likely to be competition for his signature, as noted above, the east Londoners will no doubt have confidence in their own pulling power, with their involvement in next season’s Europa Conference League a potential attractive prospect.

One man who knows all about competing in Europe for the Irons is club icon Trevor Sinclair, with the Englishman notably scoring in the 1999 Intertoto Cup final success, before featuring in the UEFA Cup the following season.

The versatile forward had joined from Queens Park Rangers in 1998 and would go on to spend five years at Upton Park, netting an impressive 37 league goals in that time – ensuring he is currently fifth on the Hammers’ scoring list in the Premier League era.

Capable of featuring at wing-back, but also on either flank in an attacking role, the one-time Manchester City man was a real handful for any defender, while he also had a penchant for the spectacular, notably netting a stunning overhead kick – no, not that one – for West Ham against Derby County on Boxing Day in 2001.

In Harrison, GSB could well have found the perfect heir, with the £13.5m-rated gem – who has previously been dubbed a “revelation” by former New York City FC teammate Frank Lampard – also having the ability to dazzle from his left-wing berth, as well as his proving himself a potent force in front of goal.

The Europa League semi-finalists saw that finishing prowess up close this season, as the former England U21 international bagged a breathtaking hat-trick in a 3-2 win for the visitors at the London Stadium back in January.

Moyes and co will no doubt be hoping to avoid being tormented once again in the 2022/23 campaign, with the ideal way to prevent a repeat performance being to snap him up themselves.

IN other news, Cost £1.5m per goal: GSB made a colossal blunder on “strong” £40k-p/w West Ham flop

Victor Orta is set to release Leeds United goalkeeper Kiko Casilla this summer.

What’s the word?

That’s according to reports in Spain (via Sport Witness), who claim that the 35-year-old shot-stopper will return to Elland Road following the conclusion of his season-long loan deal with Elche CF, with it appearing likely that Leeds’ Spanish sporting director will then terminate the former Spain international’s contract in LS11 – which is due to run until the summer of 2023.

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The report goes on to state that, as a result of the former Real Madrid man’s professionalism after losing his starting spot to Edgar Badia earlier this season, should Casilla’s wage demands not be too expensive, Francisco could look to bring the goalkeeper back to the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero in the summer transfer window.

Orta must axe Casilla

Considering just how little Casilla has featured for Leeds in recent seasons, in addition to the fact the 35-year-old is reported to be earning a staggering £40k-per-week at Elland Road, the argument that Orta simply must cut the Spaniard loose this summer is an easy one to make.

Indeed, the shot-stopper’s career in England appeared all but over back in March of 2020, when the £720k-rated man was found guilty of racially abusing Jonathan Leko, and was subsequently handed an eight-game ban by the FA.

Following this incident, the ‘keeper made just six first-team appearances for the Whites over the remainder of the club’s 2019/20 campaign as well as 2020/21, before Orta shipped the shot-stopper out to Elche last summer.

As such, considering his advancing years, Illan Meslier’s now undisputed role as Jesse Marsch’s first-choice goalkeeper and Casilla’s extremely hefty weekly wage, it is clear for all to see that the Leeds sporting director must finally axe the player Oscar Mario dubbed a “mistake” and “nothing short of a liability” this summer.

AND in other news: Huge boost: Leeds now handed big injury lift ahead of Bees, supporters surely buzzing

Manchester City will be set to say goodbye to Fernandinho this summer after he revealed this would be his last season with the club.

Having signed back in 2013, the Brazilian has gone on to make 382 appearances for the Citizens across all competitions.

In those appearances, the midfielder has scored 26 goals, provided 33 assists and won numerous trophies along the way.

As he was so keen to join the club all those years ago, it was revealed that the player paid £4m of his own transfer fee to make his move to the Etihad Stadium.

Looking ahead to the next summer window, it seems as though another midfield talent is willing to make a financial sacrifice to force his way to the Manchester club.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from The Sun, Barcelona midfielder, Frenkie de Jong, is reportedly willing to kiss goodbye to nearly £6m in unpaid wages to clinch a move to City this summer.

Having made 135 appearances for Ajax across their senior side and U21 team, the Dutchman joined Barcelona in the 2019 summer transfer window after striking a deal worth £65m for him back in January.

It’s thought the player may cost around £59.6m this summer.

Great news for Man City

Since arriving at Barca, the 25-year-old has played in 139 games for the La Liga side across all competitions, scoring 13 goals and providing 17 assists along the way.

To highlight what a useful midfield option he could be for Pep Guardiola, de Jong is listed in the top five at Barcelona for passes made while under pressure from an opponent and key passes. He is also among the best five for shot and goal-creating actions in La Liga this term.

This shows just how much of a talented figure he is on the ball and how he can create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates. It also shows why Barca boss Xavi previously described him as a “genius.”

With City averaging more possession and passing success in the Premier League this season than any other side, adding the Barcelona star to their ranks could be a match made in heaven for both parties.

Now that the £63m-rated midfielder’s willingness to forget about his unpaid wages from Barcelona to join City has been reported, this surely represents good news for the Manchester club.

It should consequently push them into making a move to sign him as soon as possible.

In other news: Imagine him & Foden: Pep can form scary MCFC duo by signing gem Haaland called “crazy”

Liverpool have been dealt a major blow regarding their pursuit of RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku.

What’s the word?

According to L’Equipe [via Liverpool Echo], not even a bid of £85m for the Frenchman would be enough to take him off the Bundesliga club’s hands this summer.

Liverpool aren’t the only club linked with the 24-year-old either, with the likes of Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid all looking to sign him.

Jurgen Klopp might be priced out

Klopp is steering Liverpool to potentially their greatest-ever season, with an unprecedented quadruple bid getting closer to realisation every week. He already seems to be planning for the future too, with several of his players on the wrong side of 30, and replacements could well be signed sooner rather than later in order to bed in quickly.

However, the manager may need to look elsewhere for attacking options after the news regarding Nkunku, with the asking price for him approaching ridiculous levels.

At first glance, the Frenchman would make an excellent signing, having scored 32 goals and grabbed a further 20 assists from 49 matches this season.

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These are truly phenomenal figures, especially when you consider that he isn’t an out-and-out centre-forward but can play in a variety of positions, which include attacking midfield and featuring as a second striker.

The 24-year-old is one of Europe’s finest talents at the minute and former Leipzig manager Jesse Marsch described him as a player “who has no weaknesses”; and judging by Nkunku’s performances this season, it’s hard to argue against that notion.

Liverpool might just have to make do with moving towards other targets unless they feel that a fee of close to £100m is justifiable for the French predator.

Given FSG’s reputation for frugality at Anfield, it seems highly unlikely that such an amount will be spent on one player, so the news of Leipzig’s lofty asking price could leave Kopites gutted that their hopes of signing the prolific 24-year-old appear very slim.

AND in other news, Liverpool plotting mega offer for “dangerous” £19.8m-rated gem, he’s Klopp’s new Firmino

Manchester United have initiated contact with Napoli over the potential signing of their 23-year-old Nigeria international, Victor Osimhen.

What’s the word?

That is according to the latest report from Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport, via Sport Witness, who claim the Old Trafford side have initiated contact with the Serie A outfit to find out the price for the 23-year-old star.

As per Sport Witness, United have been told that Napoli want €110m (£94.2m) for Osimhen, but that price is negotiable.

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Given the figures mentioned, it would easily be the Old Trafford side’s biggest signing of the summer.

A star signing

The potential coup of the Napoli star would represent what would be a star signing for Erik ten Hag’s new side.

Having bagged 18 attacking returns in the form of 13 goals and five assists over 25 appearances in the Serie A this season, Osimhen presents an astute option for United up-top.

Whilst the fee at around £94.2m is a heavy price tag, it would also ensure that the Red Devils’ record transfer fee was smashed – surpassing the £89.3m fee that was paid for Paul Pogba back in 2016.

Given the comparisons to Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski, as per FBref, it is no wonder why the young forward is rated so highly.

Osimhen’s match average of 3.88 shots is not too far off Lewandowski’s average of 4.49 shots per game, bearing in mind that the latter operates in a dominant Bayern Munich side.

In a similar fashion, the pair’s non-penalty xG total is also not too dissimilar with the Nigerian registering an average of 0.52 and the Polish striker averaging 0.89 npxG per 90.

Considering that Manchester United have been linked with Lewandowski recently, United could sign a statistically similar talent in Osimhen who presents more long-term value with the fact that he is just 23-years-old.

The fact that United have enquired about Osimhen’s price is a promising indication of their interest.

In other news: “Manchester United are..” – Romano drops exciting transfer claim, ten Hag will love it