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West Ham United are interested in signing former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard on a free transfer this summer and could beat Premier League rivals to his signature.

What’s the story?

According to Peter O’Rourke who spoke to GIVEMESPORT, both West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur are eyeing the player but the Hammers could see off the competition as they will be able to offer him more regular minutes.

In full, he said: “West Ham obviously will probably offer him more of a guarantee of regular first team football.

“That probably couldn’t be guaranteed at Tottenham right now under Antonio Conte with the quality of the squad he’s now got at his disposal.

“But Champions League football is on offer at Tottenham and West Ham can only offer Europa Conference League football so that might be a big decision in where Jesse Lingard does end up moving this summer.

“I still think Tottenham will be thinking if West Ham can’t agree a deal with Lingard, then they might make a move for him.”

He’s what Moyes needs

Despite impressive periods during his time at Manchester United, Lingard’s career has stagnated over the past couple of seasons, and as a result he has left Old Trafford in search of more minutes.

He showed just how good he can be during an exceptional loan spell at the London Stadium in the second half of the 2020/21 season. This may give the Hammers the edge due to him having played under David Moyes before.

During that spell he was directly involved in 14 goals in just 16 appearances and was vital in helping the club break into the top six – their highest finish this century – the move wasn’t made permanent last summer but now he’s a free agent the club need to do everything to sign him.

He’s exactly what Moyes needs at the club and has been described as “outstanding” by journalist Simon Peach.

The 29-year-old will likely have some big offers on the table having earnt £80k per-week when at the Red Devils – only three West Ham players earn more than that figure.

This means there is a danger of them being priced out by Spurs and others, with teams in MLS also ready to offer a lucrative contract.

However, if Lingard wants to further his career and have any chance of getting back into the England setup then he should go wherever he will get the most game time.

While he would play a lot in the USA, he’s still more than capable of playing at Premier League level, so West Ham and its familiar surroundings should be first on his list.

IN other news: WHU “really interested” in signing “exceptional” £43m-rated talent, imagine him & Rice…

In addition to Newcastle United’s deals for Nick Pope and Sven Botman, there have been numerous transactions taking place at this stage of the summer transfer window across the Premier League.

Some of these other deals include Erling Haaland’s move to Manchester City and Richarlison’s switch from Everton to Tottenham Hotspur.

Another big transfer which took place in the past few weeks saw Liverpool break their club record fee to bring Darwin Nunez to Anfield from Benfica for £85m.

After scoring 34 goals in 41 appearances last season, it’s easy to see why the Reds chose to spend such a hefty amount of their budget on bringing the Uruguayan attacker to Merseyside.

Looking at what the Magpies could still do in terms of their recruitment before the window shuts, the Toon could well end up starting the next Premier League campaign with their own version of Nunez in the squad.

In recent days, Newcastle have been linked with a move for PSV Eindhoven winger Noni Madueke.

In 114 appearances for the club across their senior and youth teams, the Englishman has scored 36 goals and delivered 27 assists along the way. This shows the clear attacking talent that he has and illustrates why he would be an exciting addition to Newcastle’s squad this summer.

In terms of Nunez, the new Liverpool attacker is included on a list of similar players to Madueke according to Football Transfers.

To further highlight what sort of player the 20-year-old is, journalist John Bunting had this to say about him on Twitter:  “Noni Madueke is a terrific player he’s put PSV ahead against NAC Breda, love his game awareness , yes he’s quick and direct and on the ball terrific but for such a young player he’s got a lot of football intelligence, just knows what to do when he picks up the ball, entertaining.”

With Nunez being described by Virgil van Dijk as “very direct and quick, tall and strong,” as well as being “quite difficult to play against”, this shows how similar the two players are.

If the Toon want to join the likes of Liverpool, Man City and Tottenham in adding a new attacker to their squad this summer, then securing a deal for Madueke could be the best way forward for them.

AND in other news: PIF plotting bid for £211k-p/w target who terrified Verratti, imagine him & Saint-Maximin

Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on the future of Arsenal starlet William Saliba…

What’s the word?

As per the respected journalist, the Frenchman is set to be a part of Mikel Arteta’s plans at the Emirates Stadium next season and could even be offered a new deal, with the Gunners seemingly unwilling to sanction another loan departure for the 21-year-old.

Writing on Twitter, the transfer guru stated: “William Saliba situation. Rumours on loan move are wide of mark, Arsenal board and Mikel Arteta both count on Saliba as part of the team for next season.

“Been told situation could only change in case of crazy bid. Arsenal trust him – keen on discussing a new contract.”

The five-cap France international joined the north London club on a £27m deal from Saint-Etienne in 2019, although he is yet to make a senior competitive appearance for the Premier League outfit, having spent the last three seasons on loan in Ligue 1.

Supporters will love it

The situation regarding the 6 foot 4 colossus has been a hot topic among the club’s supporters ever since his arrival three years ago, with many having been perplexed at Arteta’s continued refusal to bring him into the first-team fold.

After the club invested so heavily in the centre-back as a teenager, it remains something of a headscratcher that Saliba is yet to be offered the chance to shine in north London, with the player himself having been critical of his treatment by the Gunners boss.

One notable bone of contention among some supporters was the Spaniard’s decision to exclude the youngster from his Europa League squad for the 2020/21 campaign, with the £27m-rated ace eventually going on to shine for Nice in the second half of that season.

A temporary switch to Marseille in the most recent campaign also saw the £36k-per-week giant impress, as he averaged 2.2 clearances, 1.5 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game, while also keeping 13 clean sheets from his 36 league outings at the Stade Velodrome – all of which came as starts.

However, it is his quality in possession which has also set pulses racing at Arsenal, as he ranks in the top 2% for pass completion among his peers in Europe’s top five leagues, along with the top 2% for dribbles completed and the top 3% for progressive carries.

Seemingly one of the most impressive players in his position in that regard, it would seem that now is an opportune time for the defender to be handed the chance to compete for a starting berth in Arteta’s side. Indeed, Arsenal are in need of increased quality and depth at centre-back, with limited options beyond Ben White, Gabriel and Rob Holding.

As per Romano’s update, it appears that the highly-rated prospect – who is already a part of the senior setup for his country – is in line for that long-overdue chance, with supporters finally set to get what they have craved for so long.

At present, Saliba is almost something of a mythical figure whose status has ironically been bolstered by not having played a game for the club, although now is the time to see if he actually warrants the hype.

AND in other news, Arsenal now plotting record-breaking bid for £100m gem, he’d be a “superstar” signing

Leeds United are still eyeing up a summer move for out-of-favour Wolves winger Adama Traore, according to a fresh transfer report.

The Lowdown: Traore unwanted at Wolves

The 26-year-old joined Barcelona on loan from the Old Gold in January, with Bruno Lage clearly not seeing him as a key player at Molineux, having only selected the speedster in 10 Premier League games prior to his mid-season move.

After a disappointing loan spell in Spain, in which he failed to score in La Liga, Traore will return to Wolves this summer, but it remains to be seen whether or not he will hang around much longer.

The winger has been linked with a move to Leeds in recent days, and a new report has shed further light on the situation.

The Latest: Leeds ready to swoop

According to Football Insider, a recruitment source has informed them that the Whites are continuing to monitor Traore’s situation, with Wolves’ Fosun ownership willing to sell the player in order to fund prospective summer incomings.

A bid of approximately £18m should be enough for Leeds to get a deal over the line, with Jesse Marsch keen on bringing in an attacking ball carrier.

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The Verdict: Sell for the right amount

It feels right for Traore to be sold this summer, having flattered to deceive too often in a Wolves shirt over the years. A tally of 11 goals and 18 assists in 154 Old Gold appearances is disappointing for an attacking player.

To receive £18m for his services would be good business by Wolves, even if they may have wanted more in the past, allowing them to sign a superior replacement out wide.

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Keeping hold of unwanted players can do more harm than good, and it felt as though Traore was in that category as soon as Lage arrived at Molineux last summer, given how rarely the Spain winger was trusted by the incumbent manager.

In other news, a journalist has provided a key Wolves transfer update. Read more here.

West Bromwich Albion have already added an attacking and creative spark to their squad after securing a deal for John Swift on a free transfer from Reading last month.

Having found the net 11 times and delivered 13 assists in 38 league appearances last season, the 26-year-old could be a great addition to Steve Bruce’s squad.

Another player already in the Albion squad who could well feel like a new signing once the new season kicks off is Daryl Dike.

Despite moving to The Hawthorns from Orlando City in January in a deal worth over £7m, the striker only made two appearances for the Baggies before suffering a season-ending hamstring injury.

With that in mind, it’s safe to say that the winter recruit will be looking to properly get his Baggies career off to a flyer once the upcoming campaign gets underway.

In terms of what the West Brom team could look like once the season starts, one man with whom the Baggies have been linked recently and who could give Bruce the opportunity to form a deadly attacking duo alongside Dike is Cameron Archer.

A product of Aston Villa’s youth system, the 20-year-old has made 59 appearances for the club across their youth and senior teams, scoring 23 goals in the process.

During his loan spell with Preston North End last term, the striker found the net seven times in 20 Championship appearances, highlighting how capable he is of being a goal threat in the second tier.

In fact, the youngster delivered what was described by Tom Barclay as a “clinical” finish for England’s under-21s in their win over Kosovo earlier this month. The journalist also described Archer, who is currently valued at £5.4m by Transfermarkt, as an “impressive” player as a result of this goal in the 5-0 victory.

Taking all this into account, if Bruce can convince his old club to let their young talent make a move to The Hawthorns this summer, the possibility of him playing alongside Dike and in front of Swift could be a mouth-watering prospect for the Baggies and boost their hopes of potentially securing promotion back to the Premier League.

In other news: Bruce can finally axe “overhyped” West Brom dud by signing “classy” £2.3k-p/w starlet

Mail Online journalist Tom Collomosse has dropped a ‘big’ Sunderland transfer update involving summer target Cameron Archer.

The Lowdown: Archer attracting interest

The 20-year-old currently plays his football at Aston Villa, although he spent the second half of the 2021/22 season on loan with Championship club Preston North End in a bid to further his development and gain some much-needed regular game-time.

The talented youngster hugely impressed during his spell at Deepdale, making eight goal contributions in just 20 league appearances and being hailed as a “bullish” presence up front by Lilywhites manager Ryan Lowe.

Such form has seen him attract interest from multiple clubs in the second tier who want to take him for the upcoming campaign, including Watford, West Brom and the Black Cats.

The Latest: Collomosse drops Archer update

Taking to Twitter, Collomosse shared a fresh update on Archer’s situation and revealed that the young s striker is currently set to join Villa on their pre-season tour.

The reliable reporter wrote: “Villa/Cameron Archer: lots of loan interest (also Watford/Sunderland) but as it stands would expect him to go on tour to Oz. One thing that could change that is v big offer to sign him permanently – but who would have the cash?”

The Verdict: Get it done

As Alex Neil now prepares his squad for life back in the second tier, the Sunderland boss will surely want to bolster his ranks with as many new signings as possible if he is to give this team the best chance of being able to seriously compete with the Championship’s big boys next season.

Archer will be a hard deal to get over the line given that Preston also want to get him back, not to mention the number of other clubs going after him.

However, having scored six goals and provided two assists in just four EFL Trophy outings last term (via Transfermarkt), it’s obvious to see why the Black Cats would target him.

If the opportunity did arise at the right price, then this is a move that Sunderland should be all over as they get ready for an exciting new challenge ahead.

In other news… Sunderland could now be set to receive a surprising financial windfall.

Tottenham Hotspur have made their first move in a bid to bring Gabriel Jesus to north London this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian media outlet Tutto Juve (via Sport Witness), who claim that Fabio Paratici has now tabled a €47m (£40m) bid with Manchester City regarding a deal for the centre-forward – who looks certain to depart The Etihad in the summer transfer window following Pep Guardiola’s signings of both Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez.

Previous reports had claimed that Arsenal are also interested in a move for the Brazil international this summer, with Mikel Arteta’s side believed to be willing to offer the 25-year-old a weekly wage of £190k at The Emirates, however, it would now appear as if Tottenham have taken the lead in the race for the former Palmeiras striker’s signature.

He’d be “unreal” for Conte

With it being reported that one of Antonio Conte’s priority signings in the summer transfer window is the addition of a new centre-forward who can also operate out wide, it is easy to see why the 52-year-old would be interested in a move for Jesus ahead of Tottenham’s 2022/23 campaign.

Indeed, over his 28 Premier League fixtures in 2021/22 – 13 of which came on either the left or right-wing – the £60m-rated forward was in fantastic form, bagging eight goals, providing eight assists and creating eight big chances for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 2.3 shots, making 1.4 key passes and completing 1.6 dribbles per game.

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These metrics saw the £110k-per-week talent who Jack Lang dubbed “stunning” and Nic English labelled “unreal” earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.18, ranking him as Guardiola’s ninth-best player in the top flight of English football.

Furthermore, the Brazilian’s overall record in English football speaks for itself, with Jesus having scored a total of 95 goals and registered 46 assists over his 236 appearances for City – averaging a direct goal involvement every 101 minutes of football played.

As such, it is clear to see just how talented a player the 25-year-old is, with the prospect of him linking up with Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski in the Tottenham attack next season sure to be an extremely tantalising one for both Conte and the Spurs faithful alike.

AND in other news: “His agent was…”: Romano drops big Spurs transfer update, supporters will be buzzing

Leeds United are now closing in on a deal to bring Rasmus Kristensen to Elland Road this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to Mike McGrath, with The Telegraph journalist revealing in a recent post on Twitter that Victor Orta has now agreed a deal with Red Bull Salzburg for the transfer of the right-back.

In his accompanying report, the journalist revealed that the transfer could be worth up to £10m, while Leeds are said to have beaten both Brentford and Borussia Dortmund to the 24-year-old’s signature.

In his tweet, McGrath said: “Deal in place for LUFC to sign Rasmus Kristensen. They are expected to win race for Denmark full-back from Red Bull Salzburg.”

Big coup for Orta

When considering just how exciting a prospect Kristensen has proven himself to be during his three-year stay in Austria, in addition to the fact that both Dortmund and Brentford were reported to be keen on the 24-year-old, the news that Leeds now look to have agreed a deal for the full-back undoubtedly represents a big coup for Orta.

Indeed, despite his defensive position, the £13.5m-rated talent is quite clearly an extremely threatening right-back, having scored 13 goals and registered 19 assists over his 107 appearances for Salzburg, in addition to the Denmark international having also created 15 big chances in the Austrian Bundesliga over the last three years.

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The vast majority of these came over his 29 outings in the most recent league campaign, during which the £14k-per-week defender scored seven goals, registered four assists and created seven big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.4 shots, making 1.2 key passes and completing 1.3 dribbles per game.

However, the Dane also impressed at the back, helping Salzburg keep 13 clean sheets, in addition to making an average of 1.3 tackles, 1.1 interceptions, 1.4 clearances and winning 5.7 duels – at a success rate of 60% – per appearance.

These metrics saw the 24-year-old average a rather breathtaking SofaScore match rating of 7.31, not only ranking him as Matthias Jaissle’s second-best performer in the league but also as the fourth-best player in the division as a whole.

As such, it is clear to see just how big of a coup Kristensen would be for Leeds, with McGrath’s latest update on the Whites’ pursuit of the defender sure to be something that will have left the Elland Road faithful buzzing.

AND in other news: Orta now plotting Leeds offer for “scary” £17m “beast”, it’d be an “unreal” signing

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira must finally axe goalkeeper Jack Butland from his squad as he’s cost them far too much.

What’s the word?

According to a report in The Sun, both Rangers and Bournemouth are on high alert with Butland’s future at Palace up in the air.

The Cherries may only be interested in bringing him in as cover, whereas he could have more of a role to play at the Gers.

Since joining The Eagles in 2020 he has often been second choice, and with the player being paid £35k-per-week, it would be a perfect chance to save some money.

Palace are also in advanced talks to sign former West Bromwich Albion shot stopper Sam Johnstone so would have a ready made replace should Butland depart.

He’s cost them too much

Since moving to Selhurst park for £1m in 2020 he has featured just 17 times for the club and kept only three clean sheets. It might be good to have a former England international as your back up keeper, but when you’re paying him a hefty salary it’s soon not worth it.

He has made just 37 saves throughout all of his appearances at the club which means he has Palace £98k per save he’s made. If he sees out the final year of his contract with the club, this could rise even further.

Consequently, it seems best for all parties if he moves on as it would free up money for Vieira and Palace to spend elsewhere and it would also give Butland the chance to go to a club where he has more chance of playing.

However, he may be forced to take a pay cut, as any new club may find it hard to justify paying his current wage if he was only a back-up.

At the moment Rangers seems like his best bet to get minutes. The future of their 40-year-old stopper is uncertain as he is out of contract, Butland would be able to come in with experience and do a similar job to what Joe Hart has done at Celtic.

Both are former England players who always seemed destined for great things. Hart achieved many during his time at Manchester City, but his downfall was quick, whereas Butland never really reached the levels many expected of him.

It’s highly unlikely Palace will offer him a new deal, so it would make sense for them to try and offload him this summer in the hope of getting a small fee.

IN other news: CPFC’s dream signing would be “outrageous” £22.5m-rated machine, Vieira needs him…

Newcastle United are reportedly now eyeing up a shock triple raid of Leeds United.

The Lowdown: Last-day survival

The Whites managed to stay up by the skin of their teeth on Sunday as they beat Brentford 2-1 on the last day of the Premier League season.

The Magpies actually did them a favour by beating relegation rivals Burnley 2-1, which ended up sending the Clarets down instead.

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The Latest: Newcastle’s Elland Road raid

Writing in his latest piece for 90min, transfer insider Graeme Bailey has revealed that Newcastle are now eyeing up potential moves for Leeds trio Raphinha, Kalvin Phillips and Jack Harrison this summer.

They have had ‘conversations’ over Phillips in particular, while they have ‘followed’ the Brazilian’s situation and are also ‘considering’ a move for fellow winger Harrison.

The Verdict: Exciting

While they may not sign all three, Newcastle’s pursuit of this trio is certainly exciting for the Toon Army.

They all ranked in Leeds’ top 10 performers in the Premier League this term, while Raphinha and Harrison ended as their top two scorers with 11 and eight goals respectively. The three Magpies targets also managed five assists between them (WhoScored).

The Tynesiders already know of their qualities having watched them play in the top flight, and if the trio can perform so effectively for a relegation-threatened Leeds side, then they will surely thrive in Eddie Howe’s team as they aim to push into the top half and beyond from next season.

In other news, Howe is considering a bid for another Premier League gem