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Wolves have been linked with a summer transfer move for Burnley centre-back Nathan Collins.

What’s the news?

According to a recent transfer report from talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, Wolves are one of the clubs monitoring the Republic of Ireland international following the Lancashire club’s relegation from the Premier League.

After working his way through Stoke City’s youth ranks, the defender joined Burnley last summer in a deal worth a reported fee of around £12m. Throughout his debut season at Turf Moor, the 21-year-old made just 19 league appearances for the Clarets but still managed to show how capable a defender he is at top-flight level.

In those 19 games, Collins – who has been labelled a “remarkable” player by his national team boss Stephen Kenny following a stunning goal for his country in midweek – won 23 tackles and made 48 blocks, 37 interceptions and 102 clearances, as per FBRef.

His overall performances earned him a season rating of 6.89/10 from WhoScored, making him Burnley’s fourth-highest rated player for the campaign.

Despite Burnley’s relegation, the £9m-rated youngster still proved to be a useful defensive unit, which could be why the Old Gold – along with Leeds United and Aston Villa – have their eyes on him.

Wolves’ next Coady?

If Wolves were to secure a deal for the Burnley defender this summer, this could see them land what might be their next version of current centre-back Conor Coady.

Having played in Liverpool’s youth ranks, the Molineux club signed the 29-year-old from Huddersfield back in 2015. Since then, the Englishman has gone on to make 317 appearances for the Old Gold.

In terms of his defensive talent, over 38 league games last season, the Wolves captain won 18 tackles and made 64 blocks, 44 interceptions and 150 clearances, as per FBRef.

This shows just how similar he is to Collins, not just in terms of transfer history, but also by how impressive and robust they are at the back.

Given the age difference between the two players, while Coady isn’t likely to be out the door any time soon, having Collins in their squad could save Wolves from having to find a suitable replacement for their current skipper further down the line.

It’s safe to suggest that Burnley won’t want to see another defender wave goodbye to Turf Moor following Ben Mee and James Tarkowski’s recent departures, but if an opportunity arises for Wolves to sign the Irish youngster, they should be all over it ahead of their Premier League rivals.

In other news: Mendes could deliver transfer masterclass as Wolves eye move for 173-goal “animal”

Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth has shared a live-on-air transfer update out of West Ham United involving former Irons star Jesse Lingard.

The Lowdown: West Ham eye Lingard reunion

Hammers boss David Moyes has been seeking a reunion with the Englishman since his phenomenal 2020/21 second-half loan spell at the London Stadium.

The former West Ham loanee bagged a brilliant nine goals and five assists over 16 Premier League starts and Moyes has made no secret of his desire to seal a permanent deal since then.

GSB and head of recruitment Rob Newman attempted to sign the 29-year-old in the January transfer window, but to no avail as Manchester United refused to budge on terms.

The Latest: West Ham back in?

According to the latest from Sheth on Sky Sports, it appears that the Irons are still firmly in contention to sign Lingard on a free transfer now that he’s confirmed to be leaving Old Trafford.

The reporter explained: “A final one, potentially arriving, and I say potentially arriving – this is one that has been in the pipeline and been of interest to West Ham United ever since he had a fantastic loan spell with them in the 2020/2021 season, the back-half of that season, Jesse Lingard joined.

“I’m told, that West Ham remain interested in Jesse Lingard, and are keeping an eye on his situation.

“Now, we’re told also that there are other areas of the pitch that are priority at the moment, but that doesn’t mean to say that if Lingard wanted to come to West Ham, West Ham wouldn’t be interested. Finances could prove to be the crucial factor here.”

The Verdict: Finally seal the deal?

Lingard’s availability as a free agent could gift Moyes his best-ever chance to finally seal the 29-year-old on a permanent basis, and we believe that an attempt should be made.

Recently hailed as ‘special’ by Red Devils goalkeeper David de Gea, the Three Lions ace thrived during his temporary spell in east London, and it could be a very shrewd move for West Ham with zero transfer cost.

Lingard could also inject some much-needed creativity in the final third for Moyes along with adding strength in depth, especially considering that they will once again be in four competitions next season.

Reliable club insider ExWHUemployee has now shared some West Ham United transfer news involving Watford winger Ismaila Sarr.

The Lowdown: Hammers on the hunt…

Irons head coach David Moyes looks set to be a ‘very busy’ man this summer as the Scotsman sets his sights on ‘at least’ six new additions for the 2022/2023 Premier League season.

That is according to Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth, who recently explained that West Ham are by no means done in the summer market after securing a deal to sign defender Nayef Aguerd from Rennes.

Moyes is now believed to be prioritising a new forward to upgrade his attacking areas further up the pitch with Ex sharing news on the club’s links to Sarr.

The Latest: Ex shares Sarr news with talks held…

Indeed, West Ham’s credible source and in-the-know now has an update for Hammers supporters involving the 47-cap international attacker.

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He claims, via his Patreon, that the club have ‘had talks’ over signing Sarr for Moyes with one source of his believing the deal is ’70 percent done’.

Ex, however, does go on to state these negotiations need to continue further for the move to be realised.

The Verdict: Keep pushing…

Former England goalkeeper Ben Foster perhaps summed up Sarr’s quality recently by calling him ‘scary’ and a ‘bit of a freak’.

When the 24-year-old is fit and available, this is evident by his numbers, with no Watford player drawing more fouls per 90 than Sarr over 2021/2022 (WhoScored).

Often proving to be a real handful, the African star also attempted the joint-most shots out of any Hornets player in the English top flight.

Watford’s sky-high £80 million valuation of Sarr last year has also plummeted this summer with Jeunesfooteux now claiming he could leave Vicarage Road for just €35m (£30m) after their relegation,

West Ham must surely consider taking full advantage and backing Moyes with his signing.

Despite recent reports to the contrary, West Bromwich Albion are no longer believed to be interested in signing soon-to-be-free agent Tom Lawrence.

What’s the word?

That is according to an update from Joseph Masi (as per Express and Star), who believes that there is no truth to the reports linking Albion with a move for the former Derby County star.

Masi believes that the Baggies are not interested in signing the 28-year-old, with Bruce’s squad said to be “well stocked with players who can play on the right and left wing”.

It is instead claimed that the West Brom manager is searching the market for a striker who can compete with and provide cover for Daryl Dike.

Supporters will be gutted

Despite Derby’s dismal relegation to League One, Lawrence enjoyed a great campaign on a personal level, registering the highest seasonal returns of his career so far with 11 goals and five assists in 38 league games.

Albion struggled to find the net last season, finishing as the sixth-lowest scorers in the Championship with just 52 goals, and it was thought that Lawrence would join the likes of summer signings Jed Wallace and John Swift as established Championship assets who could come in and transform the Baggies’ front-line.

Considering the contrasting reports involving both player and club, West Brom supporters must now be gutted at the prospect of missing out on a player who achieved 16 attacking returns in the most recent campaign in the form of 11 goals and five assists.

Also, at the age of 28, Lawrence is approaching his prime footballing years, so there should certainly be more to come from the Manchester United youth product.

It’s a big twist in this transfer link and also serves as a big disappointment, if the claims by Masi are indeed thought to be true.

AND in other news – Bruce can land a huge Livermore upgrade with WBA bid for “excellent” £61k-p/w target

Newcastle United have already splashed the cash during the summer transfer window in an effort to strengthen their squad.

The Toon have brought in the likes of Nick Pope and Sven Botman to give Eddie Howe more options at the back, also securing a permanent deal for Matt Targett following his recent loan spell at St James’ Park.

Looking ahead to the rest of the summer , one figure with whom the Magpies have been linked with and who would continue their roll call of signing defenders from fellow Premier League clubs is Brighton full-back Marc Cucurella.

After starting his career in Spain and playing for clubs such as Barcelona, Getafe and Eibar, the left-back made his move to England last summer.

His debut season with the Seagulls saw the Spaniard rack up more minutes in the Premier League than any other outfield player in Graham Potter’s squad.

In his 35 league appearances, the 23-year-old won more tackles (62) and made more blocks (72) and interceptions (72) than any of his team-mates, highlighting his defensive capabilities. From an attacking point of view, Cucurella – who is currently picking up £42k-per-week – delivered more crosses (94) than any other Brighton player.

This all shows just how much of an asset he could be for Howe’s side up and down the pitch.

Labelled a “refreshing” player by Newcastle defender and former Seagulls team-mate Dan Burn, Cucurella could become the Magpies’ and PIF’s own version of one of the club’s previous transfer targets in Achraf Hakimi.

Included on a list of similar players to the Brighton star by Football Transfers, Hakimi joined Paris Saint-Germain last summer in a deal worth £60m.

With a higher combined total of tackles and interceptions (127) than any other player at the Ligue 1 club last season, the Moroccan also delivered the third-highest number of crosses (52) in Mauricio Pochettino’s squad.

This shows the similarities between him and Cucurella in terms of how prominent he can be in attacking and defensive areas.

Should Howe look to further strengthen his defence and add an extra attacking dynamic to his Newcastle side, securing a deal for the Brighton full-back could be the best way to tick both boxes.

AND in other news: Newcastle in the mix to sign “remarkable” £9.9m-rated sensation, he’s Wilson 2.0

Southampton are plotting a move for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Harry Winks this summer as they aim to bolster their options in the middle of the park.

What’s the story?

According to The Daily Mail, Saints are keen on signing the out of favour star who has been left out of Spurs’ pre-season trip to South Korea.

The 26-year-old has been told he is free to leave the club this summer as boss Antonio Conte looks to overhaul his squad. The north London side are expected to listen to offers around the £20m mark.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side aren’t the only club interested with Everton also making contact in hope of securing the Englishman.

The news comes just days after the Saints landed Joe Aribo from Rangers.

Imagine him & Ward-Prowse

One player that Winks would be playing alongside if he moved to the south coast is Saints captain James Ward-Prowse. The two have featured in the same England squad before so would likely fit together well.

Winks made just nine starts in the top flight last season so he wouldn’t be missed greatly by Spurs, whereas he could make a real difference in the Southampton team.

In the time he did get on the pitch last campaign he registered an impressive 88% passing accuracy per game proving he will find a teammate more often than not.

Ward-Prowse’s percentage was a very similar 86% which shows that they would form a good duo.

If you compare Winks to his positional peers in the Premier League last season he also performs well, ranking in the top 6% for progressive passing distance.

The player who was once dubbed “perfect” by Mauricio Pochettino also ranks in the 93rd percentile for dribblers tackled showing he isn’t someone who shy’s away from a battle.

These are all qualities that Hasenhuttl will like, and alongside Ward-Prowse, Saints would have a very solid midfield, and with both players still relatively young they could rely on them for many years.

His departure would likely prompt mixed emotions from supporters as he is from London and came through the youth setup at The Lilywhites. However, it seems like a move is best for all parties and it would give Winks a chance to kick start his career again.

IN other news: Southampton plot bargain bid for “exceptional” £10m talent, he’s the ideal Broja heir…

Newcastle United are reportedly now ‘leading the chase’ to sign Southampton teenage sensation Tyler Dibling.

The Lowdown: Upcoming prospect

At just 16 years of age, Dibling is an upcoming prospect at St. Mary’s Stadium, where he scored eight goals and made a further five assists in 22 games in total for their youth teams last season (Transfermarkt).

Hailed one of the academy’s ‘shining’ stars by Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, he has even been likened to global star and Saints academy product Gareth Bale by some supporters, after netting a hat-trick of Bale-esque long-range strikes against the Magpies in the Premier League 2 back in April (Hampshire Live).

The Latest: ‘Leading the chase’

Taking to Twitter, journalist Pete O’Rourke has revealed that the St. James’ Park outfit, as well as Chelsea, are now ‘leading the chase’ to sign the young attacking midfielder/winger:

“Newcastle and Chelsea are leading the chase for Southampton teenage sensation Tyler Dibling.”

The Verdict: Exciting

Potentially adding a star in the making in Dibling to their academy should be very exciting for the Toon Army – Football Insider called the youngster a ‘sensation’ and ‘huge talent’.

They have already splashed the cash on the likes of Nick Pope, Sven Botman and Matt Targett to go into their first team, but building up the academy is just as important in their long-term project, something Amanda Staveley has publicly stated already.

Having played against their youth sides, Sibling should be able to settle in fairly quickly, and the England U16 international will certainly be a player to keep an eye on for Eddie Howe as he develops.

Wolves look set to miss out on another of their reported summer transfer targets as Manchester City star Oleksandr Zinchenko closes in on a move to Arsenal.

What’s the word?

Bruno Lage’s side were credited with an interest in the Ukrainian earlier in the summer, and he could have been a superb addition to the 47-year-old’s side, given his versatility, ability and strong performances for City in recent years.

However, it is Arsenal who have won the race to sign the 25-year-old after negotiations advanced in recent days, as transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano revealed on Twitter.

He wrote: “Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal, here we go! Full agreement in place since Friday with Man City for £30m guaranteed fee, personal terms also agreed. Zinchenko, always been keen on re-joining Arteta.”

A huge blow for Wolves

Zinchenko has emphasised in recent years that he is a hugely consistent player, posting a steadily rising WhoScored rating over the last three seasons, and his ability to play in midfield or at left-back would have been a huge bonus at Molineux.

Since joining City in 2016, he has gone on to make 127 appearances for the Etihad Stadium outfit, contributing two goals and 12 assists in that time.

Last season saw the former PSV Eindhoven man make just 15 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side in the Premier League, but he was always reliable, earning an impressive 7.05 rating from WhoScored for his performances in the top flight.

His versatility earned him the praise of Guardiola last season, who said: “At the end, Oleks is another player who is so reliable. I will never forget what he has done in these three or four years, playing in a position that is not his natural position.

“You can do that for one or three games, but playing seasons, you have to be so strong in the mind. He will do it every single day.”

Following the departure of Marcal, Wolves have just Rayan Ait-Nouri and Jonny Otto available as natural left wing-back options, while Lage’s midfield would undoubtedly have been strengthened with the addition of Zinchenko.

Therefore, Wolves fans will be gutted to see their club miss out on another reported transfer target, and they will be hoping that more new signings are made before the Premier League campaign kicks off in early August.

AND in other news: Wolves in pole position for “impossible” £52m signing, it’d be an “unbelievable” coup

A big claim has emerged regarding Aston Villa’s chances of landing Raul de Tomas in the summer transfer window… 

What’s the talk?

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has claimed that the striker would consider a move to the club ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

The reporter has pointed to the recent dealings under Steven Gerrard as evidence that they have the allure to pull in big signings.

He told Football FanCast: “Villa have had success in the transfer window in the last couple, bringing in Coutinho and then bringing in Diego Carlos and Boubacar Kamara already this summer as well.

“So they have got the clout to go out there and sign the best players in Europe. And I’m sure that De Tomas would give serious thought to go into going to Villa if an offer was made for his services.”

Imagine him & Ollie Watkins

Villa could land an exciting attacking duo by signing De Tomas to partner him with Ollie Watkins in the Premier League next season.

The Spaniard, who is reportedly available for €35m (£30m), previously explained to Real Madrid’s official website what kind of player he is, saying: “I am a pacey, competitive and technically gifted goal-scorer.”

He has backed up his own claims by performing to a high level in the last two seasons for Espanyol. In La Liga last term, the striker found the net 17 times in 33 starts as he averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.09.

This came after he scored 23 goals in the second tier of Spanish football in 2020/21 to help his side win promotion back to the top flight,

These statistics suggest that he has the potential to be a consistent goalscorer for Villa, as he has proven himself in a major European league.

Meanwhile, Watkins has been a reliable scorer for the Midlands club in his two seasons since joining from Brentford. He has scored 25 goals and set up seven in the Premier League, which shows that he has the quality to make a big impact in the final third, scoring and setting up goals for Gerrard’s team.

Imagine him and De Tomas lining up at the top end of the pitch for Villa and destroying opposition defences with their knack for finding the net. It is an exciting prospect and one that the Espanyol goal machine would consider making a reality, as O’Rourke has claimed.

AND in other news, “Not interested”: Journalist drops Villa claim that’ll leave Steven Gerrard gutted…

Everton have reportedly made contact regarding a move for Burnley forward Maxwel Cornet, with the Toffees in dire need of new reinforcements this summer.

What’s the word?

As per BBC journalist Fraser Fletcher, the Merseysiders are believed to be among a handful of Premier League clubs who are “in talks” to sign the 25-year-old in the current transfer window. The player is believed to be available for a fee in the region of £17.5m, owing to a release clause in his existing deal at Turf Moor.

Writing on Twitter about the race to sign the Ivorian gem, the transfer insider noted: “Maxwel Cornet future will be decided this week I’m told, he will leave Burnley. Fulham, Nottingham Forest, Everton and 1 more unnamed club are in talks for the Burnley player, All pushing hard and keen on securing, best offer wins”.

As Fletcher mentioned, it would appear that the former Lyon man is set to move on from the Clarets following their recent drop into the second tier, having only arrived in Lancashire in a £12.9m deal last summer.

Supporters will love it

Following the club’s dramatic escape from relegation on the penultimate day of last season, the hope among Everton supporters would have been to see significant investment made in the playing squad this summer in order to avoid another relegation dogfight next term.

Alas, at present it would appear that Frank Lampard’s side have only been weakened by the £60m departure of former talisman Richarlison to Tottenham Hotspur, while the club’s solitary incoming at Goodison Park has been that of experienced centre-back James Tarkowski on a free transfer.

However, reports that the 29-year-old could be joined at the club by former team-mate Cornet should raise the excitement levels among the Everton faithful, with the £13.5m-rated man seemingly the type of player who can make an instant impact next season.

The £44k-per-week speedster offers undoubted quality in the final third, having chipped in with nine goals and one assist in his 26 Premier League outings last term, notably providing a goal and an assist against Lampard and co in the 3-2 victory for Burnley in April.

While largely deployed as an attacking left-back during his previous spell in France, the 25-cap machine proved himself a real menace in a centre-forward role under both Sean Dyche and Mike Jackson last term, having also shown his ability to feature on either flank.

That versatility will help to ease the blow of the departure of the aforementioned Richarlison, with the Toffees in need of another dynamic attacking presence who can feature all across the front line.

Indeed, the club appear to be in desperate need of additional quality, with their recent 4-0 defeat to MLS outfit Minnesota United in pre-season showcasing that an improvement upon last term is not a guarantee, as the threat of relegation remains a distinct possibility.

In truth, what will most please supporters about the potential Cornet deal will simply be that the club are making moves to strengthen, having been frustratingly inactive in the summer market thus far.

AND in other news – “We hear…”: Journalist drops major transfer update on £30m Everton target, it’s bad news