Leeds Could Sign Big Bamford Upgrade In ‘Unplayable’ £17m Talent

Leeds United have been relegated from the Premier League and are still without a permanent manager with the transfer window in full swing, but that has not stopped the club from pushing for Coventry City's Viktor Gyokeres.

What's the latest on Viktor Gyokeres to Leeds?

According to the Coventry Telegraph (June 19, page 38), via MOT Leeds News, an exit is on the cards for the Sky Blues star talisman, and while suitors from all across Europe push for his signature, the likes of Championship promotion contenders Leeds and Middlesbrough are hoping to tempt the ace with a move.

Speaking to the publication, former manager Gary McSheffrey believes it will take 'big money' for a move to a divisional rival to come into fruition, with fees as high as £17m touted for the Swede's services.

He said: “If it’s one of the bigger Championship clubs like a Leeds or a Middlesbrough, unless it’s mega-money for Coventry, then I am not sure it would be the right move for him, although it might be financially good for him.

“I know there’s firm interest and there will be a couple of clubs who have come down that will want him, the likes of Leeds United, who can still afford to pay him good money.”

How good is Viktor Gyokeres?

Given that the 25-year-old only has just one year left on his current deal and no sight of a resolution, it is increasingly likely that he will be sold this summer as the defeated play-off finalists look to rebuild and push for promotion once again.

And with Leeds hoping for an immediate return to the top flight after devastating relegation this year, Gyokeres could be tempted to complete the transfer and spearhead a club back toward prominence.

Over the past two campaigns, the 13-cap international has posted 21 and 17 goal returns in the second tier, illustrating exactly the kind of potency that the Whites require to succeed in their seasonal endeavours.

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He would be an almighty upgrade on Leeds' current centre-forward, Patrick Bamford, who captured the attention of the throngs of supporters with his performances in the Championship when the club secured promotion – scoring 16 times – before playing an exemplary term upon the outfit's return to the Premier League – finishing with 17 strikes in the top-flight.

However, injuries and a fall from form over the past two years have left the former Chelsea youngster in ill regard, being branded as a "liability" by journalist Hunter Walker, and replacing him with the younger, more exuberant Gyokeres would only enhance the squad's prospects.

Said to be "unplayable" on his day by teammate Maxime Biamou, Gyokeres has averaged three shots and 1.8 key passes per match this season, as per Sofascore, whereas Bamford's 1.8 shots and 0.4 key passes illuminate the lack of robustness that stung Leeds in their travails.

Considering this, the 49ers would be wise to secure Gyokeres' signature this summer and wipe the slate clean; relegation materialised and left the club in ignominy, but there is now a stunning opportunity to rectify the past wrongs and the Coventry dynamo is the man to lead the charge.

Man City Transfer News; Guardiola Ready To Sign £240k-p/w Defender

Manchester City are ready to pay to complete the signing of Achraf Hakimi, with Pep Guardiola said to be a big fan of the Paris Saint-Germain star, according to a report from Football Insider.

What's the latest Man City transfer news?

Man City are planning to spend big on West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice, having submitted a £90m offer for the England international, although that proposal was swiftly rejected by the Hammers.

Central midfield is not the only position that needs strengthening, however, with Kyle Walker's future in doubt. A new right-back may be required, with the likes of Nahuel Molina and Hakimi being linked with moves to the Etihad Stadium.

It is detailed that Guardiola wants to build a side capable of competing on all fronts next season, with the PSG defender being identified as a player who could help them do that, and there has now been an update on City's pursuit.

According to a report from Football Insider, the Sky Blues are now "ready to pay" to complete the signing of the 24-year-old, as they hold a strong interest in his services.

Guardiola is said to be a big fan of the Moroccan, who features highly on Man City's shortlist of potential defender signings, but he would command a big fee. The Citizens' interest in the right-back comes amid doubts over the futures of Walker and Joao Cancelo, with the latter of the two set to leave this summer.

How much does Achraf Hakimi earn?

The PSG full-back is currently tied down to a £240k-per-week deal with the French champions, which is not due to expire until 2026, meaning his current employers will be in a very strong negotiating position this summer.

However, Man City are seemingly willing to spend big on the Morocco international, and there is every indication he could be worth it, given the threat he poses on the front foot.

In the past year, the former Inter Milan star has averaged 0.17 non-penalty goals per 90, placing him in the 93rd percentile compared to his positional peers, with a pass-completion rate of 89% placing him in the 98th percentile.

Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi.

Any player operating in a Guardiola system needs to be an assured passer of the ball, and the right-back fits the bill in that regard, while he has also been hailed as "sensational" by journalist David Amoyal.

Hakimi could be a perfect long-term replacement for Walker, and Man City should now look to test the waters with an opening offer – showing that Guardiola is not messing around in the market with midfielder Mateo Kovacic set to become the first signing of the summer.

Jurrien Timber latest: Sky reporter shares big Arsenal news

Arsenal are in "positive" talks to sign Ajax defender Jurrien Timber and he "wants to make that move", according to Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth.

Who will Arsenal sign this summer?

The Gunners currently have many plates spinning behind-the-scenes as sporting director Edu looks to reinforce their midfield, sign a versatile attacker and bring in more defensive options.

Having missed out on their first league title in nearly 20 years to treble-winners Man City, Arsenal now find themselves in a fierce transfer battle with the blues to sign top target Declan Rice from West Ham.

Both sides have had bids rejected for the England international recently and it will be very interesting to see where he ends up – in Manchester or across London.

Meanwhile, in some better news, Arsenal have sealed the signing of Chelsea forward Kai Havertz in a £65 million deal, with Southampton's Romeo Lavia and Timber from Ajax at the centre of negotiations too.

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The latter player has been described as a versatile, inverted full-back option, similar to Oleksandr Zinchenko, and is currently renowed for his composure/passing range (The Telegraph).

Mikel Arteta's side have been attempting to sign Timber over the last fortnight, again seeing bids rejected for the defender in a similar vain to Rice.

However, speaking on Sky Sports, reliable journalist Sheth has dropped a positive update on their pursuit of the 22-year-old.

Sheth believes talks are "positive" between Ajax and Arsenal with Timber firmly setting his sights on a move to the Emirates.

"There is another player that they're interested in as well, and that is the Ajax defender Jurrien Timber," said the Sky reporter during broadcast.

"We are told that talks are ongoing between both clubs, we're told talks are positive as well, personal terms not expected to be a problem.

"And in this case, rather like Declan Rice as well, the understanding is that Timber wants to make that move to Arsenal.

"He's got two years left on his contract, I think, so it's the optimum time for Ajax to maximise that transfer fee."

What's been said about Jurrien Timber?

The Netherlands international was an undroppable for Ajax last season, featuring over more Eredivisie minutes than any other player in their squad over 2022/2023 (WhoScored).

Former Spurs star Rafael van der Vaart has also heaped praise on Timber's athleticism, explaining how he is "so quick" and "sharp" when called upon.

"Timber is so quick, light feet, always sharp, never panicking on the ball. Almost like a great midfielder in defence,” Van der Vaart said (via the MEN).

All the indications are that he could be an exceptional signing for Arteta.

Rangers "Closing In" On "Phenomenal" £19k-p/w Ace

Rangers are "closing in" on the signing of Cremonese striker Cyriel Dessers, having reached an agreement on the "final fee", according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Which striker are Rangers signing?

The Gers have expressed an interest in Feyenoord striker Danilo, however, they had an opening bid of £3.5m immediately rejected by the Dutch side earlier this week, as it was way below their valuation.

In fact, there have been reports that Feyenoord could demand as much as £17m for the Brazilian, as they are currently under no pressure to cash-in, meaning the Light Blues could turn their attention to other targets.

Michael Beale has been pushing to sign Dessers for quite some time, having sanctioned a seven-figure bid at the beginning of June, and the manager is now inching closer to completing a deal for the 28-year-old.

Taking to Twitter, Romano has now claimed that Rangers and Cremonese have reached an agreement regarding the "final fee" for the £19k-per-week forward, with the documents to finalise the move currently being drafted.

The Gers are "closing in" on a deal for the Cremonese striker, with an agreement now "imminent", indicating that the deal could be done in the next few days.

"Understand Rangers are closing in on deal for Cyriel Dessers. Agreement now imminent with Cremonese for Nigerian striker — here we go soon. Clubs have agreed on final fee and all documents are being drafted."

Who is Cyriel Dessers?

The Nigerian forward has regularly been finding the back of the net in some of Europe's major leagues for quite some time now, firing home 20 goals in all competitions for Feyenoord during the 2021-22 campaign, before completing a switch to the Serie A.

During his time with Cremonese, the Belgium-born attacker has not been quite as prolific, registering seven goals in all competitions last term, however, he has been playing in a poor side, who ended up finishing second-bottom in the Serie A.

Cremonese forward Cyriel Dessers.

Hailed as "phenomenal" by members of the media, the former Feyenoord man's previous exploits indicate he could be a fantastic acquisition for Rangers, having amassed 140 goal contributions in 212 games at centre-forward throughout his career so far.

There are aspects of the Nigeria international's game that could improve, considering he has averaged just 0.06 assists per 90 over the past year, and 0.91 aerials won, placing him in the 23rd and 21st percentile respectively.

All in all, though, Rangers should be excited by the imminent arrival of Dessers, as his goal-scoring record has been very impressive for a number of years, and there is every indication he could be a success in the Scottish Premiership.

Chelsea now have "fantastic opportunity" to land "monster"

Chelsea have an "outstanding opportunity" to secure the signature of Dusan Vlahovic in the coming weeks, transfer insider Dean Jones has told GIVEMESPORT.

Chelsea transfer news – What's the latest on Dusan Vlahovic?

It's been all action at Stamford Bridge over the last few weeks, with the Blues seeing a swath of players leaving the club, such as Kai Havertz and Mason Mount, who joined Arsenal and Manchester United, respectively.

Chelsea's Mason Mount

However, the burgeoning Saudi Pro League has made the biggest difference for Chelsea this window, with N'Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, and Kalidou Koulibaly making their way to the Middle East's new super league.

That business has allowed Mauricio Pochettino's new side to bring in some new faces, with Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, and Diego Moreira all coming through the doors at Stamford Bridge.

However, the Pensioners aren't done there as they look to finally address a problem that's been hurting the club for years: the lack of a starting number nine.

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The player earmarked for that role in West London is Juventus' struggling target man Vlahovic, who the Italian club are said to be willing to cut their losses on this summer.

According to the Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italian giants would be willing to sanction the sale of the player should a club be able to pay a fee somewhere close to the initial €80m (£68m) they paid to get him out of Fiorentina in January 2022.

What has Dean Jones said about Dusan Vlahovic and Chelsea?

Jones explains that Juventus expect interest in Vlahovic to increase significantly in the coming weeks, and that Chelsea have already been in contact with the Turin side regarding their 6 foot 3 striker.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the journalist said: "Juve are preparing for new contact around Vlahovic to land in the coming days. I'm hearing that there are several conversations planned between different Premier League clubs and Juve over a few players, and it is thought that in one of these Chelsea will look to discover more information about the availability of Vlahovic. They touched base about five weeks ago or so over this so already have a general understanding.

Jones gave his opinion on the prospect of the signing, adding: "If Vlahovic is going to leave, then those conversations need to open up now. The value attached to him is still around £70m but, as I have said before, that could be very good value for a striker as good as this. This is an outstanding opportunity to sign one of the most clinical finishers in the game. He's up for grabs if they are willing to pay."

How good is Dusan Vlahovic?

It has been a difficult 18 months at the Bianconeri for Vlahovic. Despite costing a whopping £66.6m from Serie A rivals Fiorentina, the Serbian international has flattered to deceive during his time in Turin.

Over his 42 league games, the Belgrade-born colossus has scored just 17 goals, meaning he finds the back of the net once every two-and-a-half games, which for the star striker at Juventus has been deemed simply not enough by Italian football legend Antonio Cassano, who told boboTV (via the Mirror):

Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic

"It's not enough to score 15 goals, 20 goals. At Juve, every match must be decisive. It's a dangerous weight on him. He had to take the next step, but not two steps, at Juve, you have to score at least 30 goals per season, and you have to take home the performances and titles.

"I don't see him as a player for Juve."

Unfortunately for the player once described as a "monster" by Italian journalist Carlo Garganese, his underlying numbers only suggest further that he might just be unsuited to being a striker for Europe's elite.

According to FBref, who compare players in a similar position across Europe's top five leagues, the Serbian star finds himself in the top 24% of strikers for total shots, the top 28% for non-penalty expected goals, the top 33% for non-penalty expected goals and assists, and the top 38% for pass completion, all per 90.

Juventus'DusanVlahovicreacts

Those are his stand-out statistics as well, which makes the idea of Chelsea spending nearly £70m to secure his signature seem incredibly risky.

However, should he rediscover the form he had during his time with La Viola, the form that saw him score 44 goals in 98 Serie A games, then Jones would be correct in his assessment of this as an "outstanding opportunity."

Everton Eye Swoop For £8.5m Dynamo This Summer

Sean Dyche has made just one signing for Everton during the summer transfer window, with Ashley Young arriving on a free transfer following his release from Aston Villa.

Although a solid signing, he is hardly the most attractive name in the world and with the Toffees desperate to avoid battling against relegation from the Premier League for the third successive season, there will need to be much more quality added between now and the end of August.

With seven players departing Merseyside, Dyche has managed to free up some on the wage bill, yet this will prove to be wasteful if he doesn’t try and actively improve his first-team squad, with areas all over the pitch requiring some strength in depth, including the left-back slot.

Niels Nkounkou was one of the players to leave the club and this leaves Vitaliy Mykolenko as the sole left sided defensive option heading into the new campaign, something which Dyche will be hoping to sort sooner rather than later.

The Toffees have been linked with a move for Sassuolo left-back, Rogerio and with the player entering the final 12 months of his contract at the club, he could be available for a fee of around €10m (£8.5m) as he has communicated with the Serie A side that he doesn’t want to renew his deal – opening up the idea that he could move on this summer.

Dyche will face competition from the likes of Newcastle United, Benfica and Borussia Dortmund for his signature, with all three teams being able to offer Champions League football to the Brazilian sensation.

Could Everton sign Rogerio this summer?

With a more than affordable price tag, Dyche should be making an offer for the left-back as not only could he add some much-needed depth to that position in the squad, but he may also offer more than Mykolenko, especially in an attacking sense.

Indeed, last season, the 25-year-old registered more assists (three to none), progressive carries (110 to 31), shot-creating actions per 90 (2.22 to 1.56), touches in the attacking third (523 to 370) and crosses (113 to 57) than the Ukrainian, clearly suggesting he could pose a bigger attacking threat for Everton should he arrive this summer.

The Brazilian also ranks in the top 12% across Europe’s big five leagues for progressive carries per 90 (3.3) and the top 13% for progressive passes per 90 (5.56), while Mykolenko only managed to register 1.05 progressive carries and 3.39 progressive passes per 90, ranking him in the bottom 89% and 63% across these metrics, again suggesting that Rogerio would be an ideal attacking upgrade.

vitaliy-mykolenko-everton-premier-league

The current Everton left-back is more solid defensively, winning more total duels per game (3.4 to 3.3), making more tackles per game (1.7 to one) and more interceptions per game (1.4 to one), however there isn’t much between them and this indicates that Rogerio could certainly improve upon moving to the Premier League.

It would be a solid investment should Dyche sign Rogerio this summer, adding some quality to his back line who could not only prove to be a major threat in the final third, but also contribute well defensively and for just £8.5m, it could be a serious bargain.

Hibernian Could Replace Porteous With Exciting New Signing

Hibernian manager Lee Johnson will be hoping to improve on the fifth-place finish his side achieved during the 2022/23 Premiership campaign, even though it did end up securing them a place in the qualifiers for the Europa Conference League.

Hibs have finished third only once in the top flight since the 2004/05 season and with the likes of Hearts and Aberdeen improving, it will be a major challenge, yet if Johnson manages to make some impressive signings, it certainly isn’t out of the realms of possibilities.

Dylan Levitt and Adam Le Fondre have arrived to bolster the attacking options, yet it is the defence which should be targeted as an area to improve on during the summer transfer window.

Johnson is making inroads with regard to this and is currently looking to sign Manchester United defender Will Fish on loan for the second successive season, following a solid maiden season in Edinburgh.

Are Hibs signing Will Fish?

According to The Scotsman, Hibs are keen on Fish returning to Easter Road in another temporary deal, with the manager remaining confident a move can happen.

He said: “We’re in constant contact with Manchester United and I am in constant contact with Will himself. I’m very positive about that one. But until it is signed, sealed and delivered it’s not one I can guarantee is going to happen.”

Although not yet finalised, the Hibs faithful should begin to get excited about this arrival, and Johnson may finally have a player who could replace Ryan Porteous following his departure in January.

How good is Will Fish?

The former Hibs defender left the club to join Championship side Watford having emerged through the youth academy and making over 150 appearances for the club across five and half seasons.

While his departure was somewhat inevitable given his undoubted talent, which allowed him to make his Scotland debut against Ukraine while still at Hibs, Johnson wasn’t prepared for him to leave halfway through the season.

His no-nonsense approach and tenacious nature is missed, yet Fish could slot back into the heart of the defence with ease during the 2023/24 season and replace Porteous.

Lee Johnson

Across just 21 Premiership appearances last season, the 6-foot starlet managed to provide an unlikely goal threat, netting three times, while also keeping five clean sheets and winning an impressive four duels per game – a 61% success rate.

To further put his impressive numbers into context, Fish ranked fourth among the squad for interceptions per game (one) and first for clearances per game (five) while also ranking fourth for accurate long balls per game (3.1), showcasing his ability to find a midfielder or a forward from a deep position.

Lauded as “outstanding” by the club's women's captain Joelle Murray following the stunning 6-0 success over Aberdeen in January, it’s evident that another spell at Hibs could see the player continue to develop.

With vital European qualifiers to come, the Easter Road side will be hoping to earn their right to play in the group stages of the Conference League, securing a major financial boost along with it.

Fish is still young and learning constantly, but he proved last term that he can shine in Scotland.

Chelsea Expected To Bid For "Incredible" £1.2m-p/w Star

Chelsea are expected to make an offer for Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe this summer, with the French champions determined to sell him this summer to avoid losing him on a free transfer next year, according to a report from The Times.

Is Kylian Mbappe leaving PSG?

Having left Mbappe out of the squad for their pre-season tour of Japan, the forward is now training at the campus with the other players that were omitted, and the French champions are planning to sell him this summer.

Fabrizio Romano reports the Ligue 1 side are "convinced" the France international has already agreed terms on a move to Real Madrid in 2024, which would mean they miss out on a transfer fee, and so they have now put him up for sale.

Journalist Fabrice Hawkins has stated that Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal have already made an approach for the PSG star, making an offer of €200m (£173m), while Chelsea are said to be "studying the feasibility of the transfer."

There has been no offer from the Blues at the moment, and at least one other English club are also interested in signing the Frenchman.

However, a bid could be made in the near future, with The Times reporting PSG are expecting offers from Chelsea and Saudi Arabia this summer, as they look to sell the superstar to avoid losing him for free to Real Madrid next year.

The French club have failed to convince the £1.2m-per-week earner to put pen to paper on a new deal, and they are poised to open negotiations over his transfer next week, with a number of formal offers set to be made.

The Blues are expected to lead a group of European clubs in formalising inquiries on his availability, but the highest offer on both transfer fee and salary will come from one of the four interested Saudi Pro League clubs.

Is Kylian Mbappe signing for Chelsea?

The 24-year-old is likely to have a number of offers on the table, but he has previously made it clear his dream of moving to Real Madrid is "never over", so it may be very hard to turn down an approach from the Spanish club.

Fabrizio Romano has stated a move to the Bernabeu remains the attacker's priority, and considering Chelsea do not have European football of any description on offer next season, it may be very hard to tempt him into a move.

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However, if the Blues are able to win the race for the superstar, he would evidently be an unbelievable signing, having been lauded as "incredible" by teammate Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Mbappe has staked his claim as one of the best players in the world, as indicated by the fact he ranks in the 98th percentile for non-penalty goals per 90 over the past year, when compared to his positional peers.

The France star was also one of the best performers at the 2022 World Cup, finishing as the tournament's top goalscorer, and it is no wonder so many teams are vying for his signature.

Tottenham Could Sign £34m-rated "Enforcer" To Supplement Kane

Tottenham Hotspur could be set to bolster their squad further, constructing a side not only ready to challenge once again, but perhaps even tempt their key man to stay.

Is Douglas Luiz leaving Aston Villa?

The bulk of the summer window has been dominated by Harry Kane's future, which remains uncertain as Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain continue to circle.

Meanwhile, new manager Ange Postecoglou has been frank in his assessment, suggesting that whilst it remains ongoing, things around the club feel almost uneasy.

This potential exit of their star striker has been born largely from their failure to compete for the elite honours, but also due to last year's disaster of a campaign.

Whilst he alone thrived, his teammates largely disappointed him. As such, the wholesale changes already being implemented will likely encourage his potential stay.

Especially if they add Douglas Luiz to the squad, who has been linked with an Aston Villa exit, as the two north London clubs show interest, via The Sun.

Despite signing a new contract back in October, FootballTransfers still only value the Brazilian general at €39.8m (£34m), suggesting a coup could be in order.

How many goals does Harry Kane have?

Despite the misery endured during their most recent season, in which three managers came and went from the dugout, Kane offered a sole shining light amidst the darkness.

Somehow, the 30-year-old marksman notched 30 goals in the Premier League, assisting a further three. His fine performances perhaps went under the radar due to the imperious debut term that Erling Haaland enjoyed for Manchester City.

Whilst he was questioned for a period, in the end, the 23-year-old broke numerous records, including the Premier League's for goals scored in both a 38 and 42-game season. His 52 strikes across all competitions helped his side claim a famous treble, cementing them as one of the greatest sides in footballing history.

Despite starring for a side overawed with quality, in the league, the Norway international did only score six more goals than Kane, who featured in one of Spurs' worst campaigns in recent history. There is hardly a huge gulf between the two, despite all the hype surrounding the youngster.

harry-kane-1

Should Postecoglou bolster their squad even minutely, it could have a huge effect on the potential tally the splendid striker could accumulate next term.

After all, Luiz would offer an additional attacking impetus from deep, with which he could both feed the forward or even finish off the chances created by him.

Starring for a Villa side reignited by Unai Emery's appointment, the 25-year-old machine featured 37 times in the league last year, maintaining a 7.10 average rating. This was a figure largely buoyed by his 86% pass accuracy, 12 goal contributions, 1.2 key passes and two tackles per game, via Sofascore.

Not to mention that his tireless work ethic would thrive under the new management, helping press from the front and forge numerous chances for his side – it was no wonder he was branded an "enforcer" by journalist Ashley Preece.

With Haaland supported by the likes of Phil Foden, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva in the midfield, Kane could soon be set to benefit from a similar treatment, as the former Citizens midfielder would join James Maddison as creators for the lethal star.

Soon, as he seeks to finally shatter that all-time Premier League scoring record, having scored 213 already in the league and 307 across his career, there is precedent to believe that a revitalised Spurs squad with the offensive impetus provided by the Villa star would help Kane surpass the record-breaking 'Striking Viking'.

Fulham: BBC Share Major Transfer News As "Talks" Begin

Fulham have opened talks to sign Everton forward Demarai Gray as manager Marco Silva looks to reinforce his attacking options, according to The BBC.

Who will Fulham sign?

As we enter the final stretch of this summer transfer window, Silva's side are running out of time to make more major signings, having already sealed deals for both Raul Jimenez and Calvin Bassey.

The latter star joins from Ajax in a deal worth around £18.2 million, with the centre-back putting pen to paper on a four-year contract, while Mexico international striker Jimenez has swapped Wolves for Craven Cottage.

Fulham have been linked with a plethora of other names slowly heading towards deadline day. Indeed, central midfield is an area Silva could look to strengthen, with Man United's Fred and Fluminese star Andre among the targets.

The west Londoners enjoyed a solid 2022/2023 league campaign, comfortably avoiding relegation and securing a top half finish above cross-town rivals Chelsea. However, if they're to build upon that success, new signings are an absolute necessity.

As star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic pushes for a move away from Fulham, amid interest from Saudi Arabia, the club have been tipped to move for extra forward options.

Everton forward Demarai Gray.

One of those options could be Everton's Gray, as The BBC claim they've opened talks to sign the Jamaica international.

"Fulham are in talks to sign Jamaica international winger Demarai Gray from fellow Premier League side Everton," wrote the broadcast giant.

"Crystal Palace, Turkish Super Lig side Besiktas and clubs in Saudi Arabia have also been interested in signing Gray.

"But BBC Sport understands Gray's preference is a move to Fulham, who require reinforcements in attack. Former Leicester player Gray only recently returned to training after competing at the Concacaf Gold Cup."

The 27-year-old made 33 league appearances under both Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche last season, scoring four goals and notching one assist in the process.

How good is Demarai Gray?

Gray was indeed a regular at Goodison Park over 22/23 as the Toffees narrowly avoiding relegation to the Championship.

His attacking stats make for solid reading, with the winger sitting in Everton's top three for attempts at goal, key passes completed and successful take-ons per 90 (WhoScored).

Gray has also been subject to praise from esteemed pundits, like former England international and Man United star Rio Ferdinand.

“Demarai Gray’s the only one. Unbelievable find," said Ferdinand on his YouTube channel (via TBR) after Gray starred in an Everton loss.

"He’s the one, in recent weeks anyway. He hasn’t done it over the course of the whole season, but in recent weeks, he’s been the one. They need more."

Meanwhile, Dyche also praised Gray for his influential performance during a 2-2 draw away to Nottingham Forest in March.

"He (Gray) was just someone who I thought could effect the game and he showed a strong workload, which is good for Dimi," said Dyche.

“He’s technically very good and he’s stronger than you think. I mean, he’s not a big figure but he is strong. I was pleased for him."

The attacker was arguably one of Everton's shining lights at certain points and he could be a good option for Fulham.

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