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Bukayo Saka is close to signing a contract extension at Arsenal…

What’s the word?

The 20-year-old has hinted that he could be close to a new deal after the England international agreed with manager Mikel Arteta that an agreement was close, as per the Independent.

“I am very confident that we as a club and Bukayo, his family, his agent, everybody, we are very much aligned in what we want to achieve. And now it is about putting it on a piece of paper,” the Spaniard claimed earlier this month.

Speaking after a recent win over Fulham, Saka re-iterated his manager’s confidence, claiming:

“Yes, I share his confidence. I really feel the love from my teammates, my coaches and the fans as well. So yeah, I really feel loved here.”

Best business yet

This could be the Gunners’ best business yet this summer as Saka is an integral part of not just Arteta’s project at the Emirates Stadium but for the club as a whole, having graduated from the Hale End academy.

Some of the Premier League’s elite have been mooted with interest in the versatile wide man, including Liverpool and Manchester City, so this update will surely put to bed potential exit rumours – he’d have cost in excess of £150m, according to some.

The Athletic’s Amy Lawrence has since described this development as “fantastic news” – and it’s easy to see why.

Forget about Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko or Fabio Vieira, Saka’s long-term commitment to Arsenal will be the best decision that technical director Edu Gaspar could make.

Last season, the England sensation led the squad for goals (11), assists (seven) and shots per game (2.6), which resulted in him ranking as Arteta’s best-performing player, as per WhoScored figures.

Such form also saw club legend Ray Parlour describe him as a “revelation” to talkSPORT.

“The way he took his goal today, it was fantastic. His movement, his runs off the ball, he’s got so much intelligence. He really can play anywhere.

“The England call up and playing regularly for England now has given him more belief. He can be anything he wants to be.

“If he can keep working hard, keep his feet on the ground – which I know he has done because I’ve met him a number of times, he’s a really humble guy and really wants to work – then he can be a massive player for Arsenal going forward, and for England in major competitions.”

He’s certainly already become a ‘massive player’ for the Gunners and there will be very few, if any, disappointed by this news around the red side of north London.

AND in other news. Arsenal could land “outrageous” 6th signing with £17m bargain who’s “destined” to join…

Bordeaux forward Hwang Ui-jo is ‘starting to think’ about accepting Nottingham Forest’s transfer offer this summer, according to a fresh transfer report.

The Lowdown: Hwang linked with Forest move

The South Korean is among an endless stream of players to have either joined or been linked with a move to the City Ground during the current transfer window.

Hwang has emerged as a potential signing after producing some impressive performances for Bordeaux, scoring 23 goals over the past two seasons in Ligue 1.

The move is still up in the air but a new update suggests that the 29-year-old could end up joining the Premier League club.

The Latest: Hwang considering Forest offer

According to Greek media outlet To10 [via Sport Witness], Hwang is ‘starting to think’ about saying yes to the Reds’ offer, with Steve Cooper keen on a summer move for him.

The report also states that the South Korea forward is ‘now considering’ the deal, which would see him being loaned out to Olympiakos (also owned by Evangelos Marinakis) this season.

The Verdict: Good for squad depth eventually

While Hwang wouldn’t come in as an immediate part of Forest’s squad, he could be a good squad player eventually, despite turning 30 next week

He has been described as a ‘very efficient’ player by Montpellier coach Gislan Printand and has scored four goals in as many caps for South Korea, making a superb start to his international career.

The Olympiakos loan move may not be ideal – it would be preferable to have Hwang in Forest’s squad straight away – but he could deliver quality and end product further down the line.

Leeds United could break their transfer record on a new striker during the remainder of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports News journalist David Reed.

The Lowdown: Leeds still want a new striker

The Whites have done plenty of business over the past couple of months, but the addition of an out-and-out striker has evaded them so far.

That’s not to say that they haven’t been continually linked with attacking players, though, with Charles De Ketelaere and Arnaud Kalimuendo both among their primary targets over the past few weeks.

An exciting update has now emerged regarding the situation, following Saturday’s 2-1 victory at home to Wolves in the Premier League.

The Latest: Leeds could break the bank

Speaking live on air on Sky Sports’ Good Morning Transfers on Monday, Reed claimed that Leeds could break their transfer record on a new marksman in the near future.

He stated:

“The next club we’re going to look at is Leeds United. Again, Leeds United looking for a striker, they have been all of this window, they went heavy on Charles De Ketelaere, but he’s gone to AC Milan.

“We know there is money set aside to sign a striker for Leeds, and probably if they do get someone in, it would be a club-record deal for Leeds United as well.”

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The Verdict: Exciting update

There is no doubt that this is an exciting update from a Leeds perspective, highlighting the ambition that Jesse Marsch is showing in the summer transfer window.

The Whites are probably still too reliant on the goals of Patrick Bamford (who netted 17 in 2020/21), especially after Raphinha’s summer exit deprived them of their top scorer from last season, so it is imperative that they bolster their attack as soon as possible.

Whether or not it is Kalimuendo or someone else who comes in remains to be seen, but his tally of 12 goals in 27 league starts for Lens last season makes him a very exciting prospective option.

That said, Che Adams could be a more trusty potential signing, having proven himself in the Premier League already with 20 goals in 96 matches at that level.

Everton have reportedly now advanced to sign Wolfsburg midfielder Aster Vranckx.

The Lowdown: Gibbs-White talks

Journalist Dharmesh Sheth told Sky Sports on Thursday morning that the Goodison Park club remain in talks to sign Morgan Gibbs-White from Wolves.

However, there is still a gap in valuation between the two Premier League sides, and the Old Gold have still yet to decide whether they actually want to sell the 22-year-old.

Personal terms are not thought to be a problem, but Bruno Lage’s side are looking for in excess of £25m.

The Latest: Everton ‘advance’ for Vranckx

Taking to Twitter, RMC Sport journalist Loic Tanzi has revealed that both Everton and Nottingham Forest have now advanced to sign Vranckx.

He tweeted: “Two clubs advance for Aster Vranckx (2002 – Wolfsburg): Everton and N.Forest hope to be able to sign the Belgian.”

The Verdict: Gibbs-White alternative?

Given that they play in the same position, and there is possibility that a deal for Gibbs-White could fall through, Vranckx could be seen as an alternative to the 22-year-old in Everton’s search for a central midfielder.

The 19-year-old Belgian is thought to be part of a ‘very exciting’ crop of young midfield talents emerging for his country, as per talent scout Jacek Kulig. He is already playing at a high level in the Bundesliga, while he also featured four times in the Champions League last season (Transfermarkt).

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However, he only managed clip of him inexplicably missing an open goal while playing in his native Belgium went viral in 2020 (garnering more than 6.3m views), which would suggest that he needs to work on his finishing.

Nonetheless, Frank Lampard – who was known for his goalscoring from midfield – could help to coach that trait into Vranckx, so the Wolfsburg youngster could turn out to be a shrewd signing if the Toffees make a move for him.

Injury expert Ben Dinnery believes that a number of Manchester United players are putting themselves at risk of injury with their individual off-season programmes, as per Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Five United players training individually

Erik ten Hag took his first training session as Red Devils manager towards the end of June, although a number of players were still off due to their previous international commitments.

Football Insider noted that Marcus Rashford, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Eric Bailly, Jadon Sancho and Axel Tuanzebe have all documented their individual off-season training programmes on social media. As expected, that off-season training wasn’t under the guidance of United officials.

The Latest: Dinnery shocked

Dinnery, who contributes to Sky Sports, was talking to Football Insider regarding the risk involved in off-season training without supervision.

He labelled it as ‘mind-blowing’ and ‘scary’ and couldn’t believe that players are allowed to ‘do whatever with whoever’.

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Dinnery stated of the five United players named:

“It’s pretty mind-blowing. We see these players go away and do their own programmes but not all of them are club-led, which I find unfathomable. Players are allowed to go off and do whatever with whoever.

“You see these Instagram videos with exercises that you question the functionality of. Is it all for social media? Do these trainers have the pre-requisite qualifications?

“Working in elite sport, you need to understand the player’s specific needs and their history.

“On top of that, you’re talking about working with multi-million-pound players. Do they have the right insurance for that? If they are injured, who is culpable? This is something that needs to be managed a lot more strictly.

“Ultimately, these players are assets and they need to come back to pre-season in peak condition.

“Simon Brundish did some analysis and he reckoned there were about 144 players that he was aware of who were at the time undertaking some sort of off-season programme.

“Only one of those was certified through the relevant strength and conditioning associations. That’s scary.”

The Verdict: Caution needed

It’s encouraging to see that a number of United players are trying hard to keep themselves in shape ahead of the new era under Ten Hag.

However, as Dinnery mentions, players’ specific requirements need to be taken into consideration, and if those aren’t followed, then there’s every chance that an injury could occur.

A number of United’s international players returned on Monday, so the club should now have full control over what each player does heading into the new season.

Come next summer, it could be wise to have more concrete training plans in place for the off-season.

Everton appear to be plotting a triple swoop early on in this summer’s transfer window that will delight Frank Lampard.

What’s the word?

That’s according to Daily Star journalist Paul Brown, who spoke to GIVEMESPORT regarding Everton’s potential swoop for Chelsea trio Armando Broja, Conor Gallagher, and Levi Colwill this summer.

Speaking about their transfer activity, he said:

“All three are 100% on the radar, but Gallagher might be out of reach because I’m pretty sure he’s going to get a chance at Chelsea next season.”

Lampard will be buzzing

This news will certainly please the 44-year-old, as he aims to utilise his Chelsea connections in order to improve his squad which struggled majorly last season, just avoiding relegation from the Premier League.

Broja (£19.8m rated), Gallagher (£22.5m rated) and Colwill (£4.5m rated) would cost the club a pretty penny if they moved to Goodison during the transfer window, with their combined value totalling £46.8m, the money that Chelsea will expect is a lot higher.

Although it seems as though the move for Gallagher might be the least likely of the trio if Lampard manages to land both Broja and Colwill, it will be excellent business.

The 20-year-old striker has scored nine times last season, proving his worth in the Premier League with Southampton, and could be a great addition to an attack that clearly stagnated, with Richarlison the only Everton player to hit double figures all campaign (11).

The defence is also a massive issue for the Toffees, with the club conceding 66 goals in the league alone last season, the fifth-worst total. Colwill could be a cost-effective solution to the problem.

The 19-year-old shone at Huddersfield on loan last season as they lost the Championship playoff final to Nottingham Forest. He ranked fourth in the squad with a SofaScore rating of 6.97, while also winning 2.9 aerials per match, which would rank him second in the Everton squad.

Sealing a triple deal from Chelsea might be unrealistic despite their interest, but two out of three wouldn’t be bad.

AND in other news, Moshiri plots Everton bid for “dangerous” £72k-p/w “real talent”, he’s another Anthony Gordon…

Rasmus Kristensen looks set to sign a five-year deal with Leeds United, according to Jeunes Footeux.

The Lowdown: Kristensen talks

It looks as if the 24-year-old, who has been described as a ‘goal threat’ by RB Salzburg boss Matthias Jaissle, will become the Premier League club’s second summer signing after Brenden Aaronson.

The Whites finally managed to get a deal over the line for the American from Salzburg after having two bids turned down in January, and they look set to raid the Austrian giants once again for the right-back.

The Denmark international is due to undergo medical tests after international duty, and details of his proposed move to Yorkshire have now been shared.

The Latest: Five-year deal

Jeunes Footeux provided an update on Leeds’ move for Kristensen on Friday morning.

They claimed that the full-back will sign a five-year deal at Elland Road and will cost the Whites a total of €25m (£21.4m).

Reports have previously stated that a fee to Salzburg will come in at around £10m, so the other £11.4m seems to be his wage across the five years, which would work out at around just under £44,000 per week.

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The Verdict: Perfect

Victor Orta hasn’t wasted any time in making moves for manager Jesse Marsch, which is a welcome sign given the club’s struggles for signings under Marcelo Bielsa in recent years.

Kristensen’s presence is needed in Yorkshire, especially with Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas sidelined through long-term injuries.

The Dane knows what it is like to work under Marsch after winning back-to-back league and cup doubles under the current Whites head coach at Salzburg; and with 18 goal involvements in 44 games last season for Kristensen, Leeds look like they’re about to get themselves an exciting defender.

In other news: Phil Hay now drops big update on Raphinha’s Leeds future after what he’s heard from Elland Road

Everton are renowned for their poor transfer decisions and reckless spending but will need to make changes to their squad and repair that damage during this summer’s transfer window.

To that effect, an intriguing update has now emerged.

What’s the latest?

According to the Daily Mail, Everton striker Salomon Rondon is a target for Spanish club Real Mallorca this summer.

Mallorca coach Javier Aguirre knows the Toffees forward well from his previous spells in Spain with Las Palmas and Malaga, and the report claimed that the manager and club will keep an eye on developments with the Venezuelan and potentially make a move when the transfer window opens.

Rondon is one of seven players who are reportedly set to be offered out to clubs this summer, as Frank Lampard plans an overhaul of his squad following a disappointing season.

Lampard must axe Rondon

There are indeed serious changes needed at Goodison Park this summer if Everton do not want to be in the position of a relegation fight yet again next season, so the Toffees manager should consider axing Rondon and accepting any offer which does come in for him.

The £28k-p/w flop has battled with injury problems and has been unable to deliver when Everton needed him most this season, with his most recent performance surely the final nail in the coffin of his career on Merseyside.

Rondon was brought onto the pitch in the 84th minute against Brentford a couple of weeks ago, with his team already down to ten men and trailing 3-2, duly in need of a goal to put them a step closer to safety from Premier League relegation.

Instead of supporting his weakened team in finding the equaliser they needed, the Venezuelan striker made a lunging two-footed tackle on Rico Henry which saw him receive a red card and three-match ban just four minutes after coming on to the pitch. It was little surprise, then, that former Everton defender Andy Hinchliffe bemoaned the “reckless” act from the 32-year-old.

Alongside this notable poor performance, Rondon only scored one goal in 20 Premier League appearances in the recently-concluded campaign, with no big chances created. He averaged just 15.2 touches per game and lost possession every 2.6 touches of the ball, further proving that he simply needs to go this summer.

AND in other news: Everton plotting summer swoop for £17.5m “fabulous finisher”, Lampard will love him

Everton summer target Mohammed Kudus could still be a viable option in January, The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland says. 

The lowdown

The Independent’s Miguel Delaney reported on transfer Deadline Day that Everton had submitted a bid of £15million plus add-ons for the Ajax star.

The reigning Eredivisie champions apparently ‘believe he’ll be worth much more within a year’.

Kudus, 22, seemed determined to force through a move to Everton, with newspaper Algemeen Dagblad (via Sport Witness) claiming he even refused to train.

The latest

Boyland told supporters in a mailbag piece that Kudus may still appeal to Everton in the mid-season window, though he did caution that they would first have to create space in the squad.

He said: “Recruitment staff will already be assessing priorities for the next window. The operation continues 24-7.

“Of course, what happens in January may well be dictated by results over the first half of the season.

“I still feel they may be a goalscorer short, certainly from wide areas. Cody Gakpo, Joao Pedro or even Mohammed Kudus would still make sense. But they are going to have to continue to trim the squad at the same time too.”

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The verdict

Kudus has responded brilliantly to the disappointment of not being able to join Everton.

He’s scored three goals in his last two league games, and he also notched a goal and an assist in a 4-0 Champions League win over Rangers.

In total, he has five goals and one assist in just 260 minutes of football before tonight’s clash with Liverpool, which means he’s averaging a goal every 52 minutes.

He’s won same rave reviews this month, with journalist Maxi Angelo calling him ‘incredible’ and Karl Matchett dubbing him ‘sensational’ and ‘magical’.

At this rate, the only concern for Everton, based on Delaney’s information, is that they’re priced out come next year.

A day after Delhi Capitals’ remarkable collapse from 144 for 3 to 152 all out against Kings XI Punjab, we take a look at five other dramatic slumps in the tournament

Bharath Seervi and Deivarayan Muthu02-Apr-20197 wickets for 12 runs – Deccan Chargers v Delhi Daredevils, Durban, IPL 2009Adam Gilchrist shellacked four fours off Ashish Nehra in the first over and rattled off a 24-ball fifty in Deccan Chargers’ chase of 174. Andrew Symonds then teed off to reduce the equation to 25 off three overs with six wickets in hand. Enter Rajat Bhatia. He bowled Symonds and Dwayne Smith with his loopy cutters to trigger a terminal slide. All told, he took four wickets for a mere four runs in the 18th and 20th overs. Just like that, Deccan lost their last seven wickets for 12 runs to hand the game on a platter to Daredevils.6 wickets for 7 runs – Rajasthan Royals v Royal Challengers Bangalore, Bengaluru, IPL 2010Dale Steyn, Jacques Kallis, and R Vinay Kumar bashed a hard length and kept cramping the Royals top order for room. But it was Praveen Kumar who sparked a collapse of 6 for 7 with a pair of yorkers and bouncers in a rare hat-trick. From 85 for 4 in 16.2 overs, Royals careened to 92 all out with one ball unused in their innings. Royal Challengers then knocked off the target with all ten wickets and nearly ten overs to spare.”My son’s Under-12 side would be tough at the moment” – that was how then Royals captain Shane Warne summed up his side’s horror show.6 wickets for 7 runs – Pune Warriors India v Sunrisers Hyderabad, Pune, IPL 2013Remember Pune Warriors, the whipping boys of the IPL back in the day? They were 101 for 4 in pursuit of 120, but they lost their last six wickets for seven runs. Another 6 for 7 capitulation, another hat-trick, this time from Amit Mishra. But, the collapse was largely down to hare-brained swinging from the middle and lower order, including captain Angelo Mathews. Even Mishra said that he didn’t try any tricks. That sort of sums up how bad Pune were that day.8 wickets for 29 runs – Rajasthan Royals v Mumbai Indians, Mumbai, IPL 2008It was the season of Rajasthan Royals and they were sitting pretty on a five-match winning streak, but this wasn’t their night. After being inserted, they had a strong start thanks to their MVP Shane Watson and opener Swapnil Asnodkar, who cracked 53 together in 34 balls. But a bouncer here and a slower one there on a two-paced DY Patil track, and Ashish Nehra and co. knocked over Royals for 103 in 16.2 overs from a well-placed 74 for 2 in the ninth over. Eight for 29. Game over for Royals.5 wickets for 1 run – Deccan Chargers v Royal Challengers Bangalore, Hyderabad, IPL 2008Deccan provided a lesson on how not to finish an innings: two run-outs and some wild hoicks saw them lose five wickets for just one run in the last eight balls of their innings. Believe it or not, Gilchrist and Herschelle Gibbs had struck up a rousing century opening stand, but the middle and lower order crashed and burned. From 101 for no loss and then 164 for 5, Deccan were rolled over for 165. This was the Royal Challengers side with a surfeit of Test specialists, but they still managed to mow down the target.