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Liverpool: Nketiah can replace Origi

Liverpool should swoop for “clinical” Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah this summer. He would be available on a free transfer and would make the perfect replacement for Divock Origi.

According to a report from 90min earlier this month, Liverpool are monitoring the situation of Nketiah who hasn’t signed a new deal with Arsenal as he wants to explore all of his options ahead of next season.

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Their interest comes as Origi is set to leave Anfield when his contract expires in the summer, with it looking increasingly likely he will move to Serie A side AC Milan. Journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed last week that the player had informed Liverpool of his decision to leave and it was likely he would end up in Italy.

Nketiah would represent the perfect replacement for him, but The Reds aren’t the only team interested, with fellow Premier League club Chelsea also keeping a close eye on his future. The player could be tempted by a move to West London given he already plays for a club in the city.

However, Jurgen Klopp will be hoping that Nketiah can become his next Origi, and be a vital squad player for Liverpool who can step up when needed. If he moved to Merseyside he might not start a huge amount of games, but he would get to work with one of the world’s best coaches and likely win a lot of silverware in the process.

He’s rated at £9m, but the fact he would be available for nothing makes it even more appealing, and gives him a lot more options. The 22-year-old has featured 20 times for The Gunners this season the majority of which have come from the bench.

If you compare him to Origi over the course of the campaign it’s clear to see that he would be capable of taking his place. Nketiah has made double the number of goal creating actions than the Belgian this season, and has a higher percentage when it comes to successful dribbles at 38% compared to Origi’s 33%.

Liverpool seems to be the perfect place for young players to go, with Klopp being notorious for getting the most out of them.

Whilst Nketiah, who has 28 senior goals to his name, might not get as much game time if he moved, we think he would be better off for it, and could eventually become a regular when he’s had more time to develop.

IN other news: Exciting news: FSG’s new summer plan for Liverpool will leave supporters buzzing…

Arsenal: Pete O’Rourke drops Jesus claim

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta could well prove to be the deciding factor in any move for Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

What’s the word?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the respected insider suggested that Arteta’s links to the forward – having previously worked under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad as assistant manager – may well help tempt the 25-year-old into a move to north London.

Amid reports linking the 54-cap international to the Emirates, O’Rourke revealed that both the Gunners boss and their Brazilian contingent could have an impact on the move going ahead: “I think the opportunity to work under Mikel Arteta again would be a big factor in any decision from Jesus and there’s quite a few Brazilian players at Arsenal as well, which would maybe make it easier for him to settle in if he were to leave the Etihad for the Emirates.

“Arsenal are going the right way under Mikel Arteta, I think it’s fair to say, so I’m sure it’s something that he would definitely consider if Arsenal do follow up their interest.”

This latest claim follows centre-back Gabriel teasing a move for his compatriot to join him at the club, with a new striker seemingly on the agenda despite Eddie Nketiah nearing a contract renewal.

Supporters buzzing

That update from O’Rourke will only get pulses racing among Gunners supporters, with Jesus an ideal fit to solve their centre-forward woes, particularly with experienced marksman Alexandre Lacazette looking set for a departure.

In truth, while it had been a turbulent last 18 months or so prior to his eventual exit in January, former skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has no doubt left a notable void in Arteta’s squad, with the Gabon international having scored 68 Premier League goals during a four-year spell at the club.

In the most recent campaign, the squad’s highest scorer was Bukayo Saka with 12 goals in all competitions, although only two other players got into double figures, with that shortage of goals potentially proving costly in their failure to secure a top-four berth.

That is where the City gem comes in, with the £45m-rated hotshot having scored 13 goals and registered 12 assists across all fronts in the 2021/22 season for the title winners, notably bagging four in a brutal dismantling of Watford back in April.

As well as offering versatility, having featured on either flank or through the middle during his time in England, the 5 foot 9 speedster also offers a wealth of experience when it comes to lifting silverware, including winning four league titles in just the last five seasons.

In what remains a youthful squad in north London, adding a player of such elite calibre could well prove a real masterstroke, with supporters set to be ecstatic at managing to pluck such a gifted asset from a Premier League rival.

Although it is perhaps a worrying thought that City are so well-stocked that they are potentially happy to cash in on a player who has scored 95 goals in 236 games for the club since his £27m arrival back in 2016, it would remain a coup for Arsenal nonetheless.

Having fallen short in their bid to secure Champions League football for the first time since 2017, the club – and its supporters – will no doubt be optimistic that Jesus can finally get them over the line next term.

IN other news, Vieira 2.0: Arsenal gifted chance to sign “top-class” £25m ace, he could guarantee UCL…

Celtic can axe Jullien with Carter-Vickers deal

As per recent reports, it would appear that confirmation of Celtic’s bid to sign Cameron Carter-Vickers on a permanent deal is now imminent, with the USA international having shone in what’s been a hugely impressive loan stint at Parkhead.

In his seventh temporary spell away from parent club Tottenham Hotspur, the 24-year-old appears to have found a settled home in Glasgow, despite his form also attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs.

The latest indication is that the Hoops will snap him up for a fee of around £6m – which could rise to £10m – as a reward for his integral role in the club’s tenth Scottish Premiership triumph in the last 11 seasons.

The £2.7m-rated colossus enjoyed a terrific 2021/22 campaign in the heart of the champions’ defence, averaging 4.1 clearances, 1.2 interceptions and 0.8 tackles per 90 in his 33 league outings, while also winning 68% of his total duels and registering 17 clean sheets.

That solidity has seen him dubbed “immense” by pundit Chris Sutton, while teammate Greg Taylor has also insisted that the on-loan Spurs man has been a success as he has “all the tools”.

Equally, at the other end of the pitch he also made a telling contribution, chipping in with four league goals, including a vital winner in the Old Firm derby back in early April.

Should he sign on the dotted line and commit himself to the club long-term – as is expected – his permanent arrival could pave the way for a notable departure, with Christopher Jullien potentially the man to face the axe.

The Frenchman had been the leading figure in the backline following his £7m arrival from Toulouse in the summer of 2019, although he has since been reduced to the role of understudy due to the form of both Carter-Vickers and defensive partner Carl Starfelt.

Of course, that slide down the pecking order has been impacted by his lengthy stint on the treatment table – the 29-year-old kept out of action for over 14 months – although he featured sparingly following his return to fitness in February.

The £20k-per-week giant recently outlined his frustration at that lack of action – as he made just one outing in all competitions all season – with reports suggesting that a number of Ligue 1 sides are interested in taking him back to France this summer.

Pundit Frank McAvennie has also tipped the £4.95m-rated brute to depart, with it looking as if the centre-back has no part to play under Postecoglou.

Should that be the reality, the club should not hesitate to wield the axe, with the impending arrival of Carter-Vickers offering a much younger option and one that has already proven himself suited to the manager’s bold, attacking style.

In other news, Celtic can unearth a new Giakoumakis after submitting bid for “very strong” £2.5m gem

Gerrard should unleash Davis at Villa

With Aston Villa’s reported interest in Luis Suarez set to come to nothing, Steven Gerrard should consider unleashing Keinan Davis in his first-team next season.

Villa have been widely touted as a potential destination for the legendary Uruguayan following his departure from Atletico Madrid, with Gerrard and Philippe Coutinho the obvious Liverpool connections, but it now seems as if he won’t be reuniting with his former teammates this summer.

Therefore, after a season which saw Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings manage just 18 Premier League goals between them in 65 appearances, Gerrard should give Davis an extended run in the side during the 2022/23 campaign.

The 24-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Nottingham Forest and he was a key member of Steve Cooper’s side as they earned promotion back to the Premier League via the playoffs.

The striker would make 18 appearances in the Championship for the Reds, in which he contributed five goals and two assists, averaging an impressive 7.17 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

Davis earned a lot of plaudits for his hold-up play and work rate in Cooper’s side and it is no surprise that they are linked with signing him permanently following their promotion.

Teammate Steve Cook sang his praises last season, saying:

“Keinan has been outstanding. He’s probably a bit of an unsung hero for us at the moment, because he’s doing the hard work. He’s bullying defenders and he’s connecting the play from back to front, without scoring the goals he probably would have liked so far.

“He’s looked such a threat.”

Neither of Watkins or Ings can be said to regularly bully defenders, and Davis could be the ideal man to hold the ball up for the likes of Emi Buendia, Coutinho and Jacob Ramsay who could play in behind him.

While he might lack the goalscoring prowess of Suarez, Davis represents a much cheaper, younger option for Gerrard next season, and his contributions on loan at Forest suggest he’s ready for a chance in the Premier League.

And, in other news… Romano delivers transfer update that’ll frustrate Villa fans

Liverpool eyeing up future Saka move

Liverpool and Manchester City are both eyeing up a future move for Arsenal and England star Bukayo Saka, according to The Daily Mail.

The Lowdown: Saka shines for Arsenal

The 20-year-old has already blossomed into arguably the first name on Arsenal’s team sheet these days, having made enormous strides in recent years.

Saka scored 11 goals and registered seven assists in the Premier League last season, also averaging 1.8 key passes per game, and has been valued at a whopping £58.5million by Transfermarkt.

While the England international may not be available this summer, Arsenal could find it hard to keep hold of him for years to come, with his contract currently ticking towards a conclusion in 2024.

The Latest: Liverpool and City keen on move

According to The Daily Mail, City have ‘stepped up their interest’ in Saka ahead of a future move but Liverpool are also mentioned in the conversation.

The Reds have ‘earmarked’ him as a target, as Jurgen Klopp looks to rebuild his squad for the long term.

Saka actually shares an agent with Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo, who has 12 months remaining on his contract at Anfield.

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The Verdict: Next summer, perhaps?

While this summer looks like a no-go for Liverpool and Saka, a move for him this time next year could make more sense, at which point he would only have 12 months left on his current deal.

Mohamed Salah could also be on the verge of leaving Anfield then, judging by the current situation, and the Arsenal hero could be perfect to fill that void, such is his left-footed brilliance on the right-hand side with the Gunners.

He is also supremely versatile, racking up appearances in north London all the way up both flanks, at centre-midfield and even up front.

Saka is arguably one of England’s most exciting players and a leading figure for many years to come – Ray Parlour has called him a ‘revelation’ – and his style of play feels perfect for Liverpool, given his trickery out wide, goal threat and work ethic.

In other news, a journalist has bemoaned a Liverpool transfer rumour. Read more here.

West Ham: Report shares interesting Raphinha update

West Ham United manager David Moyes is now weighing major bids for a number of top Premier League players, including Leeds United forward Raphinha, according to a fresh report.

The Lowdown: Moyes hoping for busy window…

The Hammers are believed to be closing in on their first major signing of the summer as West Ham edge nearer a deal for Rennes star and Morocco international defender Nayed Aguerd.

Moyes also wants to sign goalkeeper Alphonse Areola on a permanent deal from Paris-Saint Germain as the Scotsman hopes for what will be a fat busier transfer window than January.

West Ham must make new additions and strengthen in key areas if they wish to keep their place among England’s elite with 90min now sharing an update on who else they could move for.

The Latest: Moyes weighing Raphinha bid…

According to their information, the east Londoners, and by extension Moyes, are ‘considering’ a bid to sign Leeds star Raphinha among many others – including Josh Brownhill of Burnley and Championship starlet Keane Lewis-Potter.

90min add that the club are also ‘hopeful’ of fending off suitors for star duo Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen.

The Verdict: Make the move…

Lauded as a ‘big player’ by ex-Leeds man Noel Whelan and an ‘unbelievable’ one by former QPR keeper Paddy Kenny, the Brazil international has no shortage of admirers.

Raphinha, rated at around £40.5 million by Transfermarkt, was a star player at Elland Road over 2021/2022 – finishing the campaign as their most potent attacking threat by some way.

According to WhoScored, the South American forward was Leeds’ best player in terms of average match rating, shots at goal, key passes made and successful take-ons per 90 – leaving little wonder Moyes is weighing an offer.

In other news: West Ham enter pole position for ‘game-changer’ as GSB eye ‘frightening’ forward, find out more here.

Rangers: O’Rourke drops Archer update

Rangers could potentially have the edge in the race to bring a young striker to Ibrox this summer according to one journalist.

What’s the word?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Pete O’Rourke suggested that there is hope Giovanni van Bronckhorst can bring Cameron Archer to Rangers this summer.

The respected insider hinted that the Ibrox side’s connection with Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard could aid them in their bid to sign the 20-year-old, should the Midlands outfit sanction a departure this summer.

Amid reports linking the Old Firm giants with the striker, O’Rourke outlined the role Gerrard could play: “It would definitely give them maybe increased hope that they could agree a deal between both clubs.

“There will be a relationship obviously between Gerrard and Rangers, so maybe he might be more inclined to send Cameron Archer up to Ibrox if it does come down to that, knowing what Rangers can offer the striker as well.”

That connection with their former boss could prove vital in helping to fend off rival interest – notably from Watford – although The Athletic report that the former Liverpool skipper will take a closer look at the academy product this summer, before deciding whether or not to sanction a temporary exit.

GvB will love him

That claim will be music to the ears of manager van Bronckhorst, with the Dutchman seemingly keen on the promising forward, amid the club’s search for new attacking recruits.

With Cedric Itten having joined BSC Young Boys on a permanent deal and with Alfredo Morelos tipped for a departure – with just 12 months left on his current deal – the need to bolster the forward ranks has become a top priority.

In Archer, the Glasgow side have identified a talent who is seemingly only going to get better in the coming years, having begun to earn wider acclaim after a real standout campaign for both club and country.

Having joined Preston North End in a six-month loan deal in January, the £5.4m-rated gem went on to score an impressive seven goals and provide one assist in just 20 Championship outings at Deepdale, with manager Ryan Lowe left in awe by his “abundance of talent”.

The £2.4k-per-week starlet followed up that eye-catching loan stint with a stunning burst of form for the England U21 side, netting four times in just four games for the Three Lions, with such form seeing him dubbed a “goal machine” by Ty Bracey.

Equally, while his role back at his parent club has been limited thus far, the Walsall-born ace has still managed to net a remarkable four goals in just six games for Villa at senior level, notably scoring a terrific header in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup back in September.

It would seem then that the lethal marksman is set to kick on even more if handed regular game time next season, with Van Bronckhorst and co potentially able to offer valuable minutes at a top-level club, as they juggle European and domestic duties.

As for the former Feyenoord boss – who replaced Gerrard in the dugout back in November – having such an exciting weapon in his arsenal such as Archer can only be a positive.

AND in other news, “Rangers will…”: Jordan Campbell drops big transfer update, supporters will be livid…

Celtic could be set to lose Josip Juranovic

Celtic could be set to lose full-back Josip Juranovic during the current summer transfer window.

What’s the news?

According to a recent Twitter post from journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Juranovic is “expected to leave Celtic FC this summer as many clubs are following him.”

He then added that the defender “is attracting interests from Premier League clubs too after [a] great season for club and country.”

Back in August, the Hoops signed the Croatian from Legia Warsaw on a five-year deal worth a reported fee of £2.5m.

Terrible news for Postecoglou

Throughout his debut season with the Parkhead club, the 26-year-old made 35 appearances for Ange Postecoglou’s side across all competitions.

In those appearances, the previous summer’s recruit not only scored five goals and delivered two assists, but he also showed his versatility by playing in both full-back positions and even as a defensive-midfielder on one occasion.

This shows how useful he was for the Hoops boss throughout the campaign.

To further highlight what he offers the team, in the 26 SPFL games he played in, the full-back racked up 98 crosses, 22 interceptions and won 28 tackles, placing him in the top five for each statistic in Postecoglou’s squad.

This, once again, shows how much of an asset the player is for the club and why it would be a massive blow for them to lose him this summer.

It also shows what a great bit of business it was from them to get him to Parkhead in the first place.

Now that Romano has revealed this behind-the-scenes claim from Lennoxtown, it undeniably represents bad news for the Hoops boss and the Celtic supporters as well.

As a result, it would certainly be in Celtic’s best interest to make sure they can convince Juranovic to stay where he is.

With the prospect of potentially regaining the SPFL title as well as taking on some of Europe’s biggest clubs in the Champions League, this should definitely work in the Hoops’ favour in that regard.

However, if the player does fancy a move elsewhere, at least the Bhoys could demand a sizeable fee for him.

In other news: Deal close: Celtic on the verge of “unbelievable” signing, it’s great news for Ange

West Ham keeping tabs on Paddy Lane

West Ham United are reportedly eyeing another lower-league diamond amid interest in Fleetwood Town winger Paddy Lane.

What’s the word?

According to The Mirror (June 27, pg. 51, via West Ham Zone), the Hammers are said to have ‘sent scouts’ to watch the 21-year-old play for the League One club last season, albeit with both Hearts and Cardiff City also said to be interested.

The report suggests that the youngster – who is already a full Northern Ireland international – is valued at around £1m, having enjoyed a breakthrough campaign for his current side last term.

The Halifax-born gem scored five goals and provided eight assists in 39 league games for Fleetwood in the 2021/22 campaign, having only made his senior debut for the club last September.

The next Bowen?

Having risen through the ranks at non-league Hyde United before being plucked by Fleetwood last summer, the emerging prospect could well follow a similar career trajectory to current Irons star Jarrod Bowen.

The 25-year-old also started his career lower down the footballing pyramid at Hereford United before flourishing in the second tier at Hull City, eventually netting 54 goals and providing 14 assists in 131 games for the Tigers in all competitions.

That form sparked the attention of David Moyes and co, who forked out a relatively sizeable £20m to prise him from the Championship in January 2020. That deal has since proven to be a masterstroke, as the fleet-footed forward has gone on to become an integral figure at the London Stadium.

Now reportedly worth somewhere in the region of £75m, amid interest from fellow Premier League side Liverpool, the £80k-per-week forward has netted 26 goals and registered 21 assists in 102 games across all fronts for West Ham so far, notably chipping in with 12 goals and ten assists in the top flight alone last term.

That form has not only attracted interest from the Premier League’s elite; it has also seen him earn a long-overdue international call-up for England’s recent UEFA Nations League games, with the £37.8m-rated star having an outside bet of earning a place in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad in the winter.

As Bowen continues to rise, the fears of losing him will no doubt increase. However, the Irons could well find his heir apparent in Lane, with the fellow left-footer – who has been dubbed “terrific” by David Dunn – seemingly possessing the talent to follow in the 25-year-old’s footsteps.

Who knows, should GSB manage to secure what would be a bargain deal this summer, they could have another £75m-valued talent on their hands in a few years’ time.

AND in other news, Moyes plotting move for “special” £45m “baller”, he’d be a “superstar” for West Ham

Leeds: Cross drops De Ketelaere update

Beren Cross has dropped an update on reported Leeds United transfer target Charles De Ketelaere.

What’s the talk?

In a recent Q&A on Leeds Live, the journalist suggested that, despite the Club Brugge forward being heavily linked with a move to Elland Road in recent weeks, with AC Milan being able to offer the 21-year-old Champions League football next season, as well as a huge salary, Victor Orta will have his work cut out if he is to land the Belgium international this summer.

In response to a question concerning Leeds’ interest in both De Ketelaere and Mohamed Camara, Cross said: “It’s understood Leeds do like them both, but neither will be easy.

“De Ketelaere is wanted by a host of top European clubs, the foremost of which is AC Milan. The Serie A champions will have Champions League football as well as an eye-watering salary to offer the Belgian, which will understandably make it tough for Leeds. The Whites will be pinning a lot on the exposure the Premier League provides.”

Orta must act

Considering just how much potential De Ketelaere undoubtedly possesses, the argument that Orta must do everything in his power to beat Milan to the €30m (£26m) signing of the 21-year-old this summer is a rather easy one to make.

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Indeed, over his 39 Jupiler Pro League appearances in 2021/22, the £27m-rated talent was in remarkable form for Alfred Schreuder’s side, scoring 14 goals, providing nine assists and creating 16 big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.0 shots, making 1.8 key passes and completing 1.4 dribbles per fixture.

These metrics saw the £17k-per-week attacker – who can operate from central and attacking midfield, as well as on either flank and up front – average a quite extraordinary SofaScore match rating of 7.25, ranking him not only as Brugge’s fourth-best performer in the division but also as the 13th-best player in the league as a whole.

As such, with Leeds rather desperately in need of a new centre-forward ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign – proven by the club’s 20 fewer league goals scored than in 2020/21 as a result of Patrick Bamford’s multiple injury setbacks – it is clear to see just how crucial an addition De Ketelaere would be for the Whites this summer – leading us to believe that Orta must pay the attacker whatever it takes to tempt him to Elland Road ahead of Milan.

AND in other news: Orta can seal “very exciting” deal as Leeds plot bid for “lightening quick” talent

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