Wolves Could Sign Their Own Ollie Watkins In £30m Move

Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly interested in Montpellier forward Elye Wahi, as Julen Lopetegui aims to bolster his front line this summer.

The Spaniard will have to make sufficient reinforcements on a budget, after learning of the clubs’ Financial Fair Play (FFP) woes last month.

After ending the 2022/23 campaign as the Premier League’s lowest-scorers, the Old Gold will have a challenge in replenishing their strike options, however, Wahi could be the light at the end of the tunnel in that department.

As reported by journalist Mohamed Toubache-Ter earlier this week, Wolves have ‘real’ interest in the 20-year-old hitman, who is reportedly valued by his club around the €35m (£30m) mark, as per Foot Mercato.

Despite being outside of Wolves’ reported budget of £8m-£15m, as claimed by the Telegraph, they may have to negotiate for a deal more suitable for their finances for a player that would undoubtedly benefit the side.

What could Elye Wahi offer to Wolves?

Dubbed a “superstar” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, the young Frenchman could be a driving force in Lopetegui’s efforts to get the Midlands club back up and running in his first full season at Molineux.

With 19 goals and five assists in 33 Ligue 1 appearances, as provided by FBref, Wahi could reinstall the Old Gold’s threat in the final third, bolstering the squad’s overall form and assisting those around him in replenishing individual performance.

Wolves struggled without a competent outlet last campaign, with strikers Diego Costa and Raul Jimenez failing to score more than a single Premier League goal between them, showing form detrimental to the club's results.

Scoring 31 goals in 38 games, Lopetegui’s side turned fate around after being bottom of the table on Christmas Day, to finish in 13th, equalling the clubs’ lowest top-division finish since their promotion in 2018.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom in the Midlands regarding the Premier League, with rivals Aston Villa snatching a seventh place finish and booking their ticket to Europe in an emphatic season.

Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins

One major inconsistency between the two sides this term has been their individuals leading the line, with Ollie Watkins scoring 15 goals in the league for the Villans, subsequently boosting their form.

Lopetegui’s woes in front of goal could be over if he signed his answer to Watkins, with Wahi noted as a 'similar' play to the Villa hotshot, as per FBref.

The two forwards are very similar in their approach to playing, with the 20-year-old having the edge in the goal department, averaging 0.64 per 90 to Watkins’ 0.40, as well as proving to be a more threatening player on the ball.

As per FBref, the Courcouronnes-born gem averaged 2.04 progressive carries per 90, more than Villa’s forward who registered an average of 1.44 in this area, suggesting the added threat that Wahi could implement to Lopetegui’s attack.

Having a firing goalscorer that can boost a squad’s performance is imperative for a side in the top division, yet Molineux could add significant danger to the team by securing the talisman’s signature.

Tottenham Have "Dynamic" £35k-p/w Gem On Their List

Tottenham Hotspur's various transfer interests this summer are wide-ranging, as Ange Postecoglou seeks to usher in a new era. This latest report seeks to only emphasise this.

What's the latest on Harvey Barnes to Tottenham Hotspur?

Coming from journalist Charlie Eccleshare, writing for The Athletic, he detailed a comprehensive list of the numerous options that Spurs have at their disposal for this summer window. Whilst not all will be signed, the calibre of these selections suggests they intend to shop off the top shelf in an effort to kickstart this new dynasty in north London.

However, one example of a smaller club they could poach from is Leicester City, with their two main men seemingly top targets for the Lilywhites. Their interest in James Maddison is well-founded, but it is also noted that winger Harvey Barnes remains on their list too as a potential acquisition.

With a high fee reportedly set to be commanded, given there are two years remaining on the speedster's £35k-per-week deal, his signing would likely still represent better value than the £25m unloaded to tempt Dejan Kulusevski to stay on a permanent basis.

Is Harvey Barnes better than Dejan Kulusevski?

Whilst such a small fee for Kulusevski may have seemed like a coup after his first six months in north London, the following campaign has suggested that the hype has perhaps died down for the 23-year-old dynamo.

After all, it would have been difficult to uphold his 13 goal contributions in just 18 league games, although many likely would have expected a better return than just two goals he scored last season.

Especially considering the impressive year that Barnes enjoyed for a team that fell to the drop. For all the struggles felt at Spurs, it pales in comparison to the Foxes. Yet the 25-year-old still managed to muster 13 league strikes, building on his 25 goal contributions from all competitions the term prior.

It is this gulf in consistent goalscoring that supports the notion that Barnes would mark a better deal than Kulusevski, as he not only has showcased his ability to shine no matter the form of his team but also that he has the experience needed to be a reliable star within English football.

The jury is arguably still out on the Sweden international.

dejan-kulusevski-tottenham-hotspur

To emphasise the exceptional goalscoring of the Foxes wide man, when compared to other wingers across Europe, he still ranks in the top 6% for non-penalty goals scored per 90. When compared against the same group, Kulusevski's most outstanding asset is his assists, of which he only ranks in the top 21% per 90.

To compare an admittedly unreliable maestro with someone who has instead proven himself as a consistent threat, this "dynamic" finisher, as branded by journalist Adam Goodwin, would mark a much better deal than the aforementioned one with Juventus; especially if they are to tempt him for a figure akin to his Football Transfer value, which sits at €40.4m (£35m).

Rodgers Plots Celtic Move For "Aggressive" Free Agent

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is reportedly eyeing a reunion with Leicester City defender, Daniel Amartey, with the Ghanaian ace in line for a summer exit from the King Power Stadium.

What's the latest on Amartey to Celtic?

According to TEAMtalk, the Old Firm outfit are considering a move for the 28-year-old following the confirmation that Rodgers has sealed his return to the club, with the versatile asset set to be available on a free transfer amid his expiring contract.

The report suggests that while there is also interest in the 6 foot 1 gem from clubs in Saudi Arabia and in Turkey, there is a 'chance' that the 51-cap ace could seal a move to Glasgow instead, after seven years with the Foxes.

The piece also goes on to add that the Hoops are ready to make contact with the former Copenhagen man's agent, as Rodgers plots to make the first signing of his second spell in charge of the Scottish champions.

Who is Daniel Amartey?

The experienced defender – who can also operate at right-back or in central midfield – has racked up 145 appearances for the newly-relegated outfit since his arrival from Denmark back in 2016, with 80 of those outings having come during Rodgers' time at the helm with the Midlands side.

Previously described as "outstanding" by the Northern Irishman, Amartey appears to have all the attributes to be an astute capture for the Bhoys this summer, particularly on a free transfer, with the returning Celtic boss having also said of his qualities:

"He’s played as a midfield player, as a full-back, and you need your outside centre-halves to be able to have no doubt they can step in and press the game and be aggressive. He’s got all of that. He defends the box really well and then, with the ball, he has a real sufficient level of comfort. He can pass it."

Celtic's Stephen Welsh

The signing of the all-action machine could well prove bad news for current Hoops man, Stephen Welsh, with Football Insider having reported last month that the club were open to offers for the young Scotsman, provided that a suitable replacement could be found ahead of next season.

The 23-year-old has notably slipped down the pecking order after being restricted to just four Scottish Premiership outings under Ange Postecoglou last season, having notably been "bullied" alongside Moritz Jenz in the shock defeat away to St Mirren back in September, in the words of journalist Josh Bunting.

With Postecoglou favouring Yuki Kobayashi as the third-choice option behind Carl Starfelt and Cameron Carter-Vickers, Welsh has become something of a spare part in recent months, with the addition of Amartey potentially set to prove the final nail in the coffin with regard to his time at Celtic Park.

Not only does the soon-to-be free agent have the benefit of having worked closely with Rodgers in recent years, but the £20k-per-week ace also compares favourably to his fellow centre-backs in Europe's top five leagues with regard to playing out from the back, as he ranks in the top 10% for progressive carries and the top 7% for pass completion.

Amartey does appear to offer greater composure in the backline as he lost possession on average just 5.7 times per game from his 20 league outings last term, while Welsh, by contrast, lost the ball 9.5 times per game on average, showcasing the latter man is not quite as adept at building from the back.

As such, if Rodgers is looking to freshen up his defensive unit with the signing of his former Leicester asset, it could prove to be the end of the road for Celtic's 6 foot 3 academy graduate.

Tottenham: Spurs Set For London Talks Over Star Defender

Roma chief Tiago Pinto "flies to London" with Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid "above all" in the race for defender Roger Ibanez, according to reports out of Italy.

Who could join Tottenham this summer?

The arrival of new manager Ange Postecoglou has brought with it a wave of fresh transfer rumours as the Australian seeks to reshape the team in his own image.

Recent claims have suggested that the 57-year-old, despite not officially starting work until July 1, is already earmarking transfer targets behind-the-scenes at Hotspur Way.

Indeed, Postecoglou has apparently given the green-light for his side to sign a star centre-back this summer as Spurs begin undergoing a major overhaul, with Leicester City star James Maddison also of serious interest.

As well as this, long-serving number one goalkeeper Hugo Lloris could well depart north London by his own admission, meaning Spurs must source a capable replacement. Resultingly, it is believed Spurs are seriously pushing to sign Brentford's David Raya, with AC Milan star Mike Maignan also on their radar as an alternative.

roger-ibanez-roma-transfer-spurs-xabi-alonso-manager-gossip-live-updates

Going back to the central defensive area, a cause of real concern for Spurs for the last season, Roma's star defender Ibanez has been linked with a move to N17 recently.

According to Italian publication Calciomercato, there has been a fairly promising update on their pursuit, with both Tottenham and Atletico "above all" in the race to sign Ibanez this summer.

The Brazilian is up for sale as Roma need to balance their books, and what's more, they're offering a discount and have to "slightly lower" their valuation for him. Once around £30m, it is now claimed Roma will offload for a fee around £21m-£24m.

In their headline, it's added that Roma chief Pinto "flies to London" as he aims to negotiate both a move for Gianluca Scamacca and the possible sale of Ibanez.

Who is Roger Ibanez?

Going by the numbers, Ibanez was one of Jose Mourinho's star defenders over the 2022/2023 Serie A campaign.

According to WhoScored, he ranked among their top four best-performers overall, whilst making more interceptions per 90 than any other Roma player. He also came second in their squad for successful tackles and clearances made.

The 24-year-old has also been tipped for stardom by former Roma fullback Vincent Candela who, despite being error-prone on occasion, can become "one of the world’s best defenders" (Corriere dello Sport via romapress.net).

Given Roma are now attempting to sell at a discounted price, it could be an interesting opportunity for Spurs to strengthen their defence.

Celtic Could Replace Postecoglou With ‘incredible’ Manager

An update has emerged on Celtic and their plans to find a new head coach to take over at Parkhead for the 2023/24 campaign.

What's the latest on Kieran McKenna to Celtic?

According to the Daily Record, the Hoops have identified Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna as one of their targets as they attempt to replace Ange Postecoglou.

The report claims that they are eyeing the soon-to-be Championship boss as his team deploys a similar style of play to the Australian.

Tottenham Hotspur appointed Postecoglou as their new chief on Tuesday and the Scottish giants are now looking to find his heir, with McKenna and Manchester City's Enzo Maresca among the options on the table.

Would Kieran McKenna be a success at Celtic?

Majority shareholder Dermot Desmond could get Parkhead rocking next season by hiring the Tractor Boys tactician as his style of play and love for attacking football could make him a big success in Scotland.

Postecoglou made going to Celtic Park each week an exciting prospect as his team ended 2022/23 with a staggering 114 goals from their 38 Scottish Premiership matches – winning 32 of them.

Former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou.

The supporters could get behind the ex-Manchester United youth coach in the same way as the 37-year-old has shown plenty of promise in his short career as a coach who can build a clinical outfit.

Ipswich finished outside the play-offs in League One in the two seasons before McKenna arrived halfway through the 2021/22 campaign.

He was then able to push on and lead the East Anglian club to a second-placed finish in the third tier of English football in 22/23, which secured their promotion to the Championship with a whopping 98 points.

Whilst they did not win the title with Plymouth Argyle managing a stunning 101 points, his Ipswich team were the great entertainers of the division as they scored 101 times in the league – 19 more than any other outfit.

McKenna, whose work has been described as "absolutely incredible" by his captain Sam Morsy, typically deploys a 4-2-3-1 formation, which is not a far cry from the attacking 4-3-3 set-up that Postecoglou used during his time in Scotland.

Only the midfield configuration has a minor change with one of the central focal points playing slightly further up the pitch.

The 37-year-old tactician, who won 15 of his 22 matches in charge of United's U18 side in the Premier League 2 in 17/18, is unproven at the top level but his impressive work with Ipswich should not be sniffed at.

He turned the English team from a mid-table League One side into a promotion-winning outfit that destroyed the opposition by plundering goal after goal whilst playing football that has been likened to Postecoglou's progressive passing approach.

Therefore, Desmond could get Celtic Park rocking by appointing McKenna, a manager who can make the Hoops an entertaining side to watch, just as they were under their now former boss.

Spurs Appreciate "Outstanding" £190k p/w Defender

Tottenham Hotspur will appreciate a lot of things about Manchester United's Harry Maguire ahead of the summer transfer window.

Is Harry Maguire up for sale?

It was a disappointing campaign at Old Trafford for the England defender who saw his role diminish under Erik ten Hag in his first campaign at the helm.

Prior to the arrival of the Dutchman, Maguire had played a prominent role in United's 2021/22 campaign where he made 28 starts in the Premier League.

However, this season has seen the 30-year-old's game time severely reduced to the point where he has only made eight starts in the top flight.

However, there are conflicting reports as to whether the centre-back will be leaving this summer with talkSPORT now claiming he is keen to remain at United and fight for his place.

This comes just days after the reliable Fabrizio Romano suggested that those around the player were of the belief this is the perfect opportunity for him to leave the club.

But speaking on the Five YouTube channel, David Ornstein has suggested those at Spurs will appreciate a lot of the qualities which Maguire could potentially bring to north London.

Adding to this, the reliable journalist also nodded towards the 30-year-old's relationship with his national captain, Harry Kane:

"I don't think this situation is satisfactory for his career at club or international level. And that's why there will be conversations to be had. There will be interest in him.

"We've seen Tottenham linked, I think Tottenham really will respect what level of player he is, but also the character, the sort of leader he would bring to any camp, the leadership sorry.

"He's good friends with Harry Kane from international level. So I don't think this is a sort of equation of one in one out or a swap of sorts. I think if he was to go somewhere like that it would be to play together ideally."

How much does Harry Maguire earn?

Tottenham's defensive record last season really was dreadful with the north London side shipping in 63 goals which saw them finish with a goal difference of a mere +7.

But a move for Maguire may leave many Spurs fans concerned as to whether the club would actually be bringing in an upgrade considering the huge levels of criticism he has come under in recent months.

Maguire would arrive with a lot of experience from his time with Leicester and United, however, is this really a deal which would prove beneficial for Spurs?

According to FBref, the England international ranks inside the bottom 15th percentile for tackles made over the last year with an average of just 1.03 per 90 minutes.

And at the age of 30, is he a player who Spurs' new boss Ange Postecoglou could look to as a long-term option as he looks to begin the rebuild in north London.

After all, this is a player who is believed to be earning in the region of £190k-per-week at United but is unable to make the starting XI under Ten Hag.

Despite the recent criticism, talkSPORT's Gabriel Agbonlahor has hailed Maguire as "outstanding" and perhaps Spurs feel similarly as they search for upgrades at centre-back.

Arsenal Eyeing Move For "Wonderful" £50m Star

Arsenal are eyeing a summer move for Leicester City's James Maddison, with the midfielder now set to leave, according to a report from The Mirror.

What's the latest Arsenal transfer news?

Arsenal have set their sights on strengthening their midfield this summer, and Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg has now claimed that Declan Rice could join "immediately", despite Bayern Munich making a late push for the West Ham United star.

Rice could replace Granit Xhaka, who is expected to complete a move to Bayer Leverkusen soon, but the 24-year-old is not their only midfield target, as they have an interest in Chelsea's Mason Mount, as well as Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan.

Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth outlines Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo as another option for the Gunners, while they are also keen on strengthening in more advanced areas, with Maddison emerging as a potential target.

According to a report from The Mirror, Arsenal are eyeing up a move for the Leicester City star, but they will face fierce competition for his signature, with Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur also being named as potential suitors.

Given that he only has a year remaining on his contract, Leicester may be forced to sell the Englishman for around £40m, although they are hoping that a bidding war will drive his price up to around £50m.

The Foxes are set to lose the 26-year-old following their relegation from the Premier League, and the Emirates Stadium is a potential destination, but Arsenal's number one target is Rice.

Should Arsenal sign James Maddison?

Hailed as "wonderful" by members of the media, the attacking midfielder impressed in a very poor Leicester side during the 2022-23 campaign, picking up nine assists in the Premier League, the joint-seventh highest amount in the division.

Not only that, the England international also showed a keen eye for goal, scoring ten times in 30 league appearances, displaying his versatility by playing through the middle and on both wings.

james-maddison-leicester-premier-league-man-united-transfer

Given that Mikel Arteta already has the likes of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka at his disposal, it may be difficult for Maddison to force his way into the team, but his ability to play in multiple positions should mean that he is able to receive regular game time.

With Arsenal heading into the Champions League next season, it is vital that they have top-quality back-up options, and the £110k-per-week star's attacking threat and versatility means he could tick plenty of boxes in north London.

Crystal Palace eyeing Lewis O’Brien

Crystal Palace are keen on signing Huddersfield Town midfielder Lewis O’Brien ahead of Leeds United this summer, according to TEAMtalk.

The Lowdown: O’Brien profiled

O’Brien is 23 years of age and has been with The Terriers since 2019. Primarily a central midfielder who can also turn out in an attacking midfield role, O’Brien has been described as a ‘very special’ talent by Carlos Corberan.

He has made 47 appearances in all competitions this season and could reach 50 at Wembley, should Huddersfield beat Luton Town in the Championship playoff semi-final.

O’Brien has captained Huddersfield on multiple occasions in 2021/22 and has turned out in seven different positions, with his displays seemingly catching the eye of Patrick Vieira.

The Latest: Palace and Leeds in six-way fight

TEAMtalk shared an update regarding O’Brien on Wednesday, claiming Leeds are finally looking to secure a deal for their long-term target, who they even bid for last summer.

Any move would depend on the Whites remaining in the Premier League, something which looks increasingly unlikely with two games to go.

Palace are one of five more top-flight sides looking to capitalise if the Elland Road outfit do go down and therefore miss out, with O’Brien’s meagre £12m release clause seemingly causing quite the battle for his signature.

The Verdict: Shrewd move?

Palace have just three central midfielders on the books at Selhurst Park, one of which being Conor Gallagher, who looks set to return to Chelsea in the summer.

Therefore, a new central midfielder could be beneficial ahead of Vieira’s second season in charge, and it looks as if it is just a matter of time until O’Brien plays in the Premier League.

That could be with Huddersfield or even Leeds, but if both are Championship sides for the 2022/23 campaign, a Palace swoop for a £12m fee could be a wise move both in the short and long term.

In other news: Palace now set for boost; three-year deal for midfielder has been reached. 

Key Cameron Carter-Vickers claim emerges

Former Celtic striker John Hartson has urged the Hoops to sign Cameron Carter-Vickers, claiming ‘people at Spurs’ want to sell him this summer.

The Lowdown: Strong interest in Carter-Vickers

The American has been a fantastic signing by Celtic, joining on loan from Spurs last summer and producing a string of rock-solid performances at centre-back.

Carter-Vickers has been an aerial monster for Ange Postecoglou’s side, winning an average of 4.0 and 3.2 aerial duels per game in the Scottish Premiership and Europa League respectively.

Celtic have been strongly linked with signing the 24-year-old on a permanent basis this summer but numerous clubs are also thought to be battling for his signature.

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The Latest: Hartson urges Hoops to pounce

Speaking to The Daily Record, Hartson, 47, claimed that Spurs are willing to sell Carter-Vickers, calling for the Hoops to snap him up:

“I speak to people at Spurs and I know for a fact they want to sell Carter-Vickers. He’s been on loan four or five times and they feel he’s not going back to Spurs, so they want to do a deal with somebody.

“You can talk about the forwards, Jota, Liel Abada, Kyogo, whose numbers have been frightening. Joe Hart has been brilliant. But you’ve got to look at Carter-Vickers, he’s been the dominant one. Carl Starfelt has come onto a game, but he’s shown weaknesses and defensive frailties at times.

“It’s Carter-Vickers who has been that man-mountain alongside him and taken a lot of pressure off him. To do that for your other centre-half, I think he’s been outstanding.

“He would be as important a signing as Jota would be because we know that Celtic are a forward-thinking team, get on the front foot with a high intensity, press, and pressure.

“As soon as they lose it there’s a trigger, four and five players around the ball, they don’t go in ones and twos, they don’t leave players 40 yards behind.

“Reo Hatate pushes the forwards, the defence comes up to the halfway line. They’re a forward-thinking team who almost just want to outscore the opposition.

“That’s what they want to do so you need to have really good defenders to go on to another level where you’re up against better opposition and better quality of player as they can hurt you at the highest level. So they need Carter-Vickers in terms of a defender.”

The Verdict: Key piece of summer business

Signing Carter-Vickers permanently has to be considered one of Celtic’s key pieces of summer transfer business, given the impact he has made at Parkhead.

He has been described as a ‘most crucial’ player for the Hoops by Chris Sutton and the partnership he has forged with Carl Starfelt has arguably been the backbone to Celtic’s league success this season.

Missing out on Carter-Vickers now would be a hammer blow and the hope is that his head isn’t turned by any potential Premier League interest in the coming weeks and months.

In other news, one Celtic player has been backed to leave the club. Find out who it is here.

Man City must complete Declan Rice transfer

Manchester City have been one of the most successful teams in the Premier League over the past decade or so in terms of the number of trophies they’ve won.

Since the 2010/11 season, the Etihad Stadium outfit have won six League cups, two FA Cups and five Premier League titles.

One figure in their current squad who has been a big part of that success over recent years is Fernandinho.

Since arriving at the Etihad back in the summer of 2013, the soon-to-be 37-year-old has gone on to make 378 appearances for the Citizens across all competitions. In that time, the Brazilian has scored 26 goals and provided 33 assists along the way.

With 28 appearances to his name this season, the midfielder has only started 14 times, as he looks to run down the final two months of his current contract.

Having claimed that this could be his last season with City, the club could have a big challenge on their hands to try and find a suitable replacement for the Brazil veteran.

However, there is one player with whom the Manchester club have been linked recently who could be a dream heir for Fernandinho – West Ham United’s Declan Rice.

Labelled a “freak” in terms of his physicality, the 23-year-old has also been described by former Irons team-mate Jack Wilshere as a player that “can do anything” on a technical level on the pitch.

From a defensive point of view, the England international has racked up a combined total of 585 tackles and interceptions in the Premier League since the 2017/18 season.

By comparison, Fernandinho has 313 tackles and interceptions to his name during the same period of time, highlighting just how tough the West Ham star is to play against.

With that in mind, and only two other midfielders in the Premier League having a higher pass completion percentage than Rice this season, he could well be the perfect long-term replacement for City’s long-serving stalwart.

Even though it could cost Pep Guardiola’s side a hefty fee of £100m for the 23-year-old’s services, shelling out this sort of money could be a wise investment for the club as they prepare for the future without Fernandinho.

In other news: Man City plot bid for “unbelievable” £60m ace who’s “one of the best”, Pep would love him

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