da dobrowin： Leeds United are in the market to make further additions to their first-team squad, on top of the two that they have already made, ahead of the Premier League season.

da imperador bet： The Whites won the Championship title with a staggering haul of 100 points in the 2024/25 campaign, but they know that they need to add more quality to their team for the top-flight.

Daniel Farke has already brought in two new recruits, one at either end of the pitch, as Lukas Nmecha has joined on a free transfer from Wolfsburg and Jaka Bijol has been signed on a permanent deal from Udinese.

The West Yorkshire outfit are planning further moves in the market, though, as they aim to buck the trend after the last six newly-promoted teams all got relegated at the first time of asking.

Nmecha, who scored three goals in 19 Bundesliga matches last season, is not going to be the only striker who arrives at Elland Road this summer, as the club look for their new marksman.

The last time Leeds were promoted to the Premier League, Victor Orta swooped to sign Rodrigo from Valencia for Marcelo Bielsa, which turned out to be an excellent piece of business.

Why Leeds hit gold with Rodrigo

The Whites raised eyebrows in the summer of 2020 when they smashed their transfer record to sign the Spain international from the LaLiga outfit for a reported fee of £30m.

Leeds needed to bring in proven quality to bridge the gap to the Premier League, following their promotion from the second tier, and they found what they were looking for in Rodrigo, who had produced 59 goals and 41 assists in 220 games for Valencia.

The left-footed star hit the ground running in the Premier League, thanks to his experience at the top level in Spain, with a return of seven goals and two assists in the Premier League for Bielsa.

Rodrigo’s debut season impact (20/21 Premier League)

Opposition

Contribution

Result

Man City (H)

Goal

1-1 draw

Newcastle (H)

Goal

5-2 win

West Brom (A)

Goal

5-0 win

Newcastle (A)

Assist

2-1 win

Spurs (H)

Goal

3-1 win

Burnley (A)

Two goals

4-0 win

Southampton (A)

Assist

2-0 win

West Brom (H)

Goal

3-1 win

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, all eight of his goal contributions were important and meaningful ones, as Leeds picked up seven wins and one draw in the eight matches in which he provided a goal or an assist.

These statistics show that Rodrigo, who then scored 19 goals in the next two Premier League seasons combined, was a big success for the Whites, as they hit the jackpot on a star who had already shown his quality in Spain.

Leeds willing to spend big on Spanish striker

According to a report from Spain, Leeds United are now eyeing up a star who could be their next version of Rodrigo, as they are interested in a deal to sign Gonzalo Garcia from Real Madrid.

The outlet claims that the Whites are willing to bid on the Los Blancos starlet in a move to improve their options at the top end of the pitch, but they are facing competition from numerous clubs.

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It states that Leeds are prepared to pay more than £17m to sign the 21-year-old centre-forward before the end of the summer transfer window, and that they are looking to sign him on a permanent deal right away.

Whereas Premier League rivals Sunderland are said to have proposed a loan deal with an obligation to sign him for £15m if they avoid relegation back down to the second tier.

Real Oviedo and AS Roma are also interested in signing the Spanish striker, whom Real Madrid would want a £25m buy-back clause for in any potential deal.

It now remains to be seen whether or not Leeds’ willingness to pay £17m+ for the forward will be enough to see them win the race for his signature.

Why Leeds should sign Gonzalo Garcia

The Whites should push to secure his services before the end of the summer transfer window because he has the potential to arrive at Elland Road as Farke’s own version of Rodrigo.

Garcia is not as experienced as Bielsa’s £30m signing was, as he has only played nine first-team games for Real Madrid, but he would be another striker to arrive from Spain with an impressive goal return and the potential to be a key player for the Whites in their first year back in the Premier League.

The 21-year-old sensation got the call-up to the first-team squad for the Club World Cup under Xabi Alonso and has caught the eye so far, with a return of two goals and one assist in three games.

Garcia, who Alonso claimed has “Raul qualities”, scored a staggering 25 goals in 36 appearances in the third tier of Spanish football for Real Madrid Castilla last season, which speaks to his ability to find the back of the net on a regular basis.

2025 Club World Cup

Gonzalo Garcia per 90

Percentile rank vs STs

Non-penalty xG

0.70

Top 23%

Goals

0.80

Top 16%

xG on target

0.53

Top 26%

Shots on target

2.00

Top 9%

Shots

3.20

Top 26%

Assists

0.20

Top 18%

Successful dribbles

1.20

Top 30%

Stats via FotMob

As you can see in the table above, the forward has impressed in America for Real Madrid’s senior side, ranking highly among his positional peers in a host of key attacking metrics.

Garcia being compared to Raul, who scored 324 goals for Real, sums up his style of play; he is a natural goalscorer. The Leeds target is an old-fashioned number nine who keeps it simple and delivers in front of goal, as shown by his record for his club’s first-team and B team.

Whilst he may not be as proven as Rodrigo was at the time of his move to Elland Road, there appears to be enough evidence to suggest that the young marksman has what it takes to have as big of an impact in the final third in the Premier League next season.

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It is now down to the board, though, to ensure that they can beat Sunderland, Real Oviedo, and Roma to his signature in the weeks to come.

da bet7k： Birmingham City co-owners Tom Wagner and Tom Brady are now in very advanced talks to sign a £10m+ star for Chris Davies, according to a new transfer report.

Birmingham City seal Demarai Gray return

da winzada777： It has been a busy summer transfer window so far for the Blues ahead of their Championship return, with a number of new players arriving at St Andrew’s ahead of the 2025/26 season.

One of the latest additions is former academy star Demarai Gray, who has returned to Birmingham nine years on after leaving for Leicester City. The winger joins from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq and has penned a three-year deal with the Blues.

Talking after returning to the club, Gray said: “To be back here now means a lot and having tasted success a bit throughout my career, I’m hungry and I really want to do it here with Birmingham and try and help the team get back to where we belong.

“It’s something I’ve wanted for a long time. Seeing some old faces is always nice, to be back around the stadium brought back a lot of feelings and I can’t wait to get going now, get back in front of the fans and see where this season can take us.”

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Wagner and Brady aren’t showing any signs of stopping, though, and there has been a promising development in the club’s pursuit of Rennes forward Kyogo Furuhashi.

Birmingham City in “very advanced” talks for £10m+ Kyogo Furuhashi

According to reliable French outlet L’Équipe, Birmingham City are now in “very advanced” talks to sign Furuhashi from Rennes.

A deal is ‘close to being concluded’ and it may be worth a total of €12m (£10.3m), the same figure Rennes paid Celtic for the Japan international earlier this year.

Furuhashi has struggled in France after leaving Glasgow, however, he certainly enjoyed his time in the UK, scoring on a regular basis and winning numerous honours with the Scottish giants.

Kyogo Furuhashi’s Celtic stats

Games

165

Goals

85

Assists

19

Minutes played

10,741

Trophies won

9

Called an “elite striker” by Brendan Rodgers during his time at Celtic, whereas Ange Postecoglou also waxed lyrical of the forward when he was Hoops manager.

Now, it looks as if Davies could have the hard-working striker at St Andrew’s potentially lining up alongside Gray and Jay Stansfield in the Championship.

da brdice： West Ham United are now in direct negotiations over a deal to sign an “excellent” defender, with his price tag not considered an issue, according to a report.

West Ham summer transfer rumours after Kudus sale

da pinnacle： One of West Ham’s main tasks this summer will be to bring in a replacement for Mohammed Kudus, with the forward recently sealing a controversial move across the capital to Tottenham Hotspur, but they are also keen to strengthen other areas of the squad.

With long-serving left-back Aaron Cresswell departing upon the expiration of his contract, the Hammers are now stepping up their pursuit of a left-back, with a report revealing they are on course to sign Slavia Prague’s El Hadji Malick Diouf for €22m plus add-ons.

However, there is also an eagerness to strengthen on the opposite side of the defence, with talks being opened over a deal for Celta Vigo right-back Oscar Mingueza, but the 26-year-old is not the only Spanish defender on the Irons’ shortlist.

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According to reports from Spain (via Sport Witness), West Ham are now in direct negotiations with the agents of Girona’s Arnau Martinez, with work underway to try and convince the right-back to make the move to the London Stadium this summer.

Martinez is viewed as one of Girona’s biggest assets, which indicates the Spanish side could be reluctant to sanction a departure on the cheap, but his price tag isn’t considered a problem for the Hammers, given the money that comes from playing in the Premier League.

The Irons remain in touch with the 22-year-old’s representatives ahead of potentially making an offer, and reports from elsewhere have detailed that it could take a bid in the region of €14m (£12m) to get a deal over the line.

Martinez could be "excellent" addition to Potter's squad

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has been left impressed by the Spanish defender in the past, taking to X to suggest that he is a versatile player, also capable of playing at right centre-back in a three-at-the-back system.

At 22-years-old, the full-back is at a good age to be a long-term success at the London Stadium, and he already has a great deal of first-team experience, making a combined 86 La Liga appearances over the course of the last three campaigns.

An asking price of just £12m is very reasonable, and there are plenty of signs that Martinez could be capable of pushing for Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s starting spot in the near future, while his versatility would be an added bonus for Graham Potter.

da betobet： In what would be a bargain deal, West Ham United have now reportedly submitted an opening offer to sign a much-needed attacking reinforcement for Graham Potter.

West Ham's need for a striker

da apostebet： Following Michail Antonio’s departure at the end of last season, West Ham no longer have their trusty forward to fall back on when other options fail to live up to the hype. And that’s a problem that they must fix this summer.

Niclas Fullkrug, amid his injury record and poor form ever since swapping Borussia Dortmund for the London Stadium, is unlikely to become that solution at 32 years old. Meanwhile, new arrival Daniel Cummings is one for the future rather than a player who will make an instant impact. So it’s back to the drawing board for the Hammers.

Fullkrug at West Ham

Stats (via Transfermarkt)

Appearances

20

Goals

3

Assists

2

Games Missed

28

To that end, just who West Ham choose to turn to is the big question. In an ideal world, Evan Ferguson’s loan spell would have lived up to its potential and the Hammers would be chasing a permanent deal. Following his struggles, however, West Ham have now reportedly set their sights on alternative targets while the Irishman heads to AS Roma.

The likes of Gonzalo Garcia have entered West Ham’s reported radar. The Real Madrid star recently broke into Xabi Alonso’s side at the Club World Cup and stole plenty of headlines. Now, he could be on his way to the Premier League on loan.

Given how he burst onto the scene this summer, a loan move for Garcia would be quite the coup for all involved at the London Stadium this summer. Like Cummings, though, there would be concerns about the youngster’s lack of experience.

As impressive as the Madrid man is, West Ham have now reportedly submitted an opening offer to sign a far more proven option.

West Ham offered chance to sign Callum Wilson

According to talkSPORT, West Ham have now submitted an opening offer to sign Callum Wilson this summer. The Hammers have reportedly tabled a minimal salary with bonuses for goals and appearances after being approached by his agent, Will Salthouse, who David Sullivan knows well.

Given that Wilson turned down a similar offer from Newcastle United earlier this summer, it seems unlikely that he’d accept those terms at West Ham. That said, he is more likely to receive the game time that he desires at the London Stadium than at St James’ Park.

Wilson at club level

Record (via Transfermarkt)

Appearances

392

Goals

141

Assists

48

If West Ham want a proven goalscorer then Wilson is their man, especially if he can finally put any injury troubles to rest. His presence, combined with the emergence of Cummings, could prove to be crucial for the Hammers.

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The deal wouldn’t break the bank, either. West Ham have offered a minimal salary and will not have to pay a transfer fee, as Wilson is a free agent. A player who Newcastle boss Eddie Howe described as “incredible” in 2023, Wilson is still capable of making an impact in the Premier League.

da gbg bet： Manchester United are now in contact to sign an “expert striker”, who could join as part of an Alejandro Garnacho swap deal, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed.

Garnacho's time at Old Trafford coming to an end

da bet sport： It is difficult to see a way back for Garnacho at Man United, after the winger was controversially pictured wearing an Aston Villa shirt with Marcus Rashford’s name on the back a little over a month ago.

Mark Goldbridge was left furious by the picture, suggesting the Argentina international was trying to engineer a move elsewhere, and there is certainly no shortage of interest in his services.

In fact, Villa recently made an approach for the 21-year-old, joining the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in the race for his signature, and the forward is thought to have “heard good things” about playing under Unai Emery.

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However, in a report for GiveMeSport, Romano has revealed that United could try and get the winger off the books a different way, as they are now open to discussing the conditions of a swap deal involving Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson.

The Red Devils have recently been approached over starting formal talks for Jackson, with the Blues open to sanctioning the striker’s departure, although the reported valuation of £100m could be off-putting.

A move to Old Trafford is considered a ‘good option’ for the Senegal international, but Ruben Amorim’s side are yet to decide whether he should be their main striker target, with the likes of Benjamin Sesko, Ollie Watkins and Dusan Vlahovic also on the shortlist.

"Expert striker" Jackson could be exciting signing for Man Utd

Of course, there are some doubts over the Chelsea forward, given that he is well-known to not be the most prolific finisher, underperforming his xG by a considerable margin over the past year.

However, the 24-year-old has still been a pretty reliable source of goals and assists ever since arriving at Stamford Bridge, while he also received high praise from former Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend last season, after impressing against West Ham United.

Townsend said: “Even last season watching Nicolas Jackson, he had everything but the goals. He had the movement, he had the dribbling, he was getting into some great positions but he just wasn’t finishing them off.

“But, the goals he scored on the weekend were taken competently and confidently like an expert striker.”

It is also important that United get Garnacho off the books, with the Villa shirt stunt proving the winger has little interest in remaining at Old Trafford, and a swap deal could benefit all parties, considering the Blues have signed Joao Pedro and Liam Delap this summer.

da luck： Tottenham Hotspur’s business in the transfer market over the last couple of years has been seriously impressive, helping the club end the 17-year wait for any form of silverware.

da bet7： Attention has been turned to investing in younger talents, buying them at bargain prices and allowing them to develop and improve to reach their full potential in North London.

The likes of Pape Sarr and Lucas Bergvall are just two examples, with the pair featuring in a combined tally of 100 outings between them despite their tender ages.

Both have shown the rewards their current recruitment focus could yield if done correctly, with Thomas Frank needing to continue such a trend ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

However, they’ve also spent big in the past, as seen by Mohammed Kudus’ £55m transfer from West Ham United this window, with other big-money additions also being lined up.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for Morgan Gibbs-White

Two weeks ago, Spurs triggered the £60m release clause in Morgan Gibbs-White’s contract at Nottingham Forest, with a deal expected to progress after such a move.

However, that switch swiftly ground to a halt after Reds owner Evangelos Marinakis raised an issue with the transfer, claiming that the Lilywhites made an illegal approach for his signature.

No one even knew that the England international had an option in his current deal, entering talks with the player and his agent without the approval of his current employers.

It had subsequently been reported that the 25-year-old remained keen on a move to North London this summer, although the latest developments appear to suggest otherwise.

Having travelled with the Forest squad on their pre-season tour of Portugal, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man has since quashed any speculation after penning a new deal with the Tricky Trees.

The playmaker has committed his future to City Ground until 2028, with journalist Fabrizio Romano outlining that a move to Spurs is now “off”.

The Spurs player who’s already worth more than Gibbs-White

With Gibbs-White undoubtedly one of the hierarchy’s main targets this summer, other options will likely be drawn up as a result of his decision to stay put in Nottingham.

However, trust should be placed in the recruitment team to make the right call, something which they’ve done as seen by their recent success rate in the market.

As previously mentioned, with the likes of Bergvall and Sarr, the club have got it right in previous times, just like they have with winger Brennan Johnson, who’s excelled at the club in recent months.

The Welsh international arrived in a £47.5m deal from Forest back in the summer of 2023, with such a price tag appearing a huge chunk given he’d only had one prior year of top-flight experience.

However, a couple of years on from his transfer, it appears to be a shrewd piece of business, racking up a total of 23 goals within his 85 appearances for the club.

18 of which came in the most recent campaign, subsequently proving all of his doubters wrong after he was forced to deactivate his social media accounts following abuse from supporters for his lack of impact.

The 24-year-old is also responsible for one of the biggest moments in the club’s recent history, scoring the winner in the Europa League final – topping off a dream campaign for the youngster.

As a result of his rise in the last few months, Johnson, who’s been labelled “unbelievable” by international teammate Aaron Ramsey, is now valued at a staggering €75m (£66m) by CIES Football Observatory.

His subsequent value is higher than that of Gibbs-White, who’s deemed to be worth £60m due to his release clause, showcasing the phenomenal rise he’s endured during his time at the Lilywhites.

Tottenham’s most expensive signings of all time

Rank

Player

Fee

Signed from

Year

1

Dominic Solanke

£65m

Bournemouth

2024

2

Tanguy Ndombele

£62.8m

Lyon

2019

3

Richarlison

£60m

Everton

2022

4

Mohammed Kudus

£55m

West Ham

2025

5

Brennan Johnson

£47.5m

Nottingham Forest

2023

6

Micky van de Ven

£43m

Wolfsburg

2023

7

Cristian Romero

£42.5m

Atalanta

2021

8

Davinson Sanchez

£42m

Ajax

2017

Stats via Transfermarkt

If he can continue his incredible form into the 2025/26 campaign, he will be a key player in Frank’s quest to lead the side up the Premier League table.

The prospect of Johnson linking up with Gibbs-White once again after their time at the City Ground was certainly an exciting one, although the former teammates will remain foes against next season.

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da blaze casino： Paul Pogba will always remain a what-if player for Manchester United, given his failure to sustain his success during his spell as a first-team member at Old Trafford.

da 888： The Frenchman left the club on a free transfer, before joining in a then world-record £89m transfer just a couple of years after originally being allowed to depart the Red Devils.

The midfielder was known for his moments of magic, but questions were always asked about his commitment and effort, which held him back from being one of the elite players in world football.

He racked up over 200 appearances during his second spell in Manchester, but ultimately struggled to match the huge fee he returned to the club with.

However, his individual brilliance will always outshine the tough times he spent at the club, with current boss Ruben Amorim able to land his own version of the 32-year-old this window.

The latest on United’s hunt for new signings this summer

Benjamin Sesko undoubtedly remains as United’s main target this summer, as the club look to provide the boss with the talisman he craves during his spell in charge.

Talks have already been held between the players’ representatives and the Red Devils hierarchy, but any deal will be an expensive one, given the current £78m asking price.

However, the Slovenian international isn’t the only player currently on their radar, with work also being conducted to secure a deal for Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra.

Marca’s latest update claims that Amorim’s side have already reached out to the LaLiga giants over a move for the 22-year-old, who’s currently valued at £25m.

The report also states that AC Milan are also currently exploring a move for the Spaniard, which could see the Red Devils spring into action for his signature in the near future.

Why United’s latest target could be Amorim’s own Pogba

Along with his effortless ability to change a game, Pogba was known for his ball-carrying talent, which often saw him run the game when he was performing in full flow.

During the 2017/18 campaign he spent at Old Trafford, the former Juventus star registered 4.1 progressive carries per 90, a figure that ranked him within the top 5% of all players within England’s top-flight.

His dominance on the ball is further backed up by current professional Declan Rice, who placed the Frenchman within his top three players he’s ever come up against.

United’s current midfield is currently lacking the dynamism that Pogba possessed, which should come as no surprise given 33-year-old Casemiro is still one of the options at Amorim’s disposal.

However, the manager could be about to land his own version of the former fan-favourite this summer, with Guerra possessing a lot of the qualities that made the World Cup winner a hit with the supporters.

Guerra, who’s been labelled “special” by analyst Ben Mattinson, managed to register 4.8 progressive passes and 1.8 progressive carries per 90 – able to glide past opponents when in control of the ball.

Such a skillset may come as a surprise given his 6”2 frame, sitting just one inch smaller than Pogba, with the pair freakishly talented with the ball at his feet given their height.

Javi Guerra’s stats for Valencia in LaLiga (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

36

Goals & assists

6

Progressive passes

4.8

Passes into final third

4.2

Take-ons attempted

2.7

Carries into final third

1.5

Tackles won

1.7

Stats via FBref

However, the youngster’s talents are also further reflected in his tallies of 1.7 tackles won and 1.7 clearances made per 90, able to do the dirty work at the heart of the side before making the desired impact higher up the field.

At just 22, he’s already made a name for himself for his ability to find the net from distance, with his effort against Espanyol arguably the best of his career.

Pogba also managed to possess such a quality, as seen by his own catalogue of strikes, which always managed to excite the fanbase – something which Guerra could do himself should he join the club.

Given his £25m asking price, a deal should be a no-brainer, potentially landing themselves a bargain this summer with a player who could emulate the levels produced by the former world record signing.

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da aviator aposta： Leeds United have now identified a “scintillating” attacker as a key target, as there is a belief he would be the perfect addition to their forward line, according to a report.

Leeds still vying to sign new winger

da esoccer bet： Leeds were dealt a major blow when Igor Paixao chose to sign for Marseille, and they have now been forced to move on to alternative options, with a number of potential targets being identified.

Target

Current club

G/A in 24/25

Riccardo Sottil

Fiorentina

9

Moussa Djenepo

Standard Liege

3

Jota Silva

Nottingham Forest

7

However, the Whites were ultimately unsuccessful in their pursuit of Djenepo, with the 27-year-old remaining at Standard Liege, while they could also miss out on Jota Silva, with widespread reports suggesting the Forest ace is closing in on a move to Sporting CP.

That said, given that the two forwards hardly set the world alight last season, it may be a blessing in disguise that Daniel Farke’s side were unable to get deals over the line, and a different winger has now moved up the manager’s shortlist.

That is according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states Marseille’s Jonathan Rowe has now been identified as a key target for Leeds, with the French club looking to receive a fee of just £17m for the England U21 international.

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The Whites are pushing to bring in new attacking options, and their pursuit of Rowe has now been reignited, as there is a belief he would be the perfect addition to their forward line.

Since moving to Marseille last summer, the winger has found it difficult to force his way into the starting XI, and a move could now be on the cards, with the French club open to a sale after signing Paixao and Timothy Weah.

"Scintillating" Rowe could be ideal signing for Leeds

Once praised for his “scintillating” form by pundit Carlton Palmer, the Marseille forward put himself in the shop window again with some impressive performances for England U21s at the recent European Championships.

The 22-year-old scored the winning goal against Germany in the final, while also scoring against Czechia in the group stage and picking up an assist against Spain in the quarter-final.

Former academy coach Greg Crane has also singled out the Marseille ace for praise, saying he “always had a bit of wow factor”.

Not only that, but the London-born winger caught the eye in the Championship with Norwich City during the 2023-24 campaign, scoring 12 goals, including an extremely well-taken effort against Hull City.

At just 22-years-old, Rowe is at the right age to be a long-term success at Elland Road, and the only concern about signing the Marseille winger is likely to be the fact he is yet to prove himself at Premier League level.

da betobet： Liverpool have made a bid to sign a “monster” defender for Arne Slot, however, FSG’s offer hasn’t gone down well with the selling club.

Slot assesses Liverpool’s centre-back options

da 888： The Reds are preparing to defend their Premier League title with an opening Friday night game against Bournemouth on August 15.

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Before then, Liverpool will take on FA Cup winners Crystal Palace at Wembley in the Community Shield, and supporters should get to see a number of new faces in action ahead of the new campaign.

Incomings

From

Fee

Florian Wirtz

Bayer Leverkusen

£116m

Hugo Ekitike

Frankfurt

£69m

Milos Kerkez

Bournemouth

£40m

Jeremie Frimpong

Bayer Leverkusen

£29.5m

Armin Pecsi

Puskas Akademia

£1.5m

Freddie Woodman

Preston North End

Free

Will Wright

Salford City

£200k

As can be seen, FSG have backed Slot in the transfer market by splashing more cash than any other Premier League side this summer.

More arrivals could still be on the way before the September 1 deadline, though, with a new centre-back not yet secured. Talking recently, Slot admitted that Liverpool are yet to replace Jarell Quansah, who joined Bayer Leverkusen, but shared how Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo may fill in if required.

A number of defenders have been linked with moves to Anfield, including Palace star Marc Guehi and Parma teenager Giovanni Leoni.

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Guehi would be the more proven addition of the two, and a new update has now emerged regarding a possible move to Merseyside.

Liverpool submit two offers for Marc Guehi

According to journalist Santi Aouna on X, Liverpool have made two offers to sign Guehi from the Eagles, however, both proposals have been turned down.

The Reds are now ‘exploring other defensive targets’, and in his Foot Mercato report, Aouna added that Palace want €55m (£48m) for Guehi and were left insulted by Liverpool’s offers.

It remains to be seen how much Liverpool put on the table for Guehi, but it seems as if the defensive “monster” will be lining up against them at Wembley on August 10.

The 25-year-old has less than 12 months remaining on his Selhurst Park contract, so his future could be one to keep an eye on, and it wouldn’t be a complete shock if FSG returned with a third bid over the coming weeks.

da betano casino： Nottingham Forest’s summer rebuild shows no signs of slowing down.

da betcris： After manager Nuno Espírito Santo voiced concerns about the lack of movement, the club has roared into action with a series of ambitious signings and bids that underline their intent to become a consistent European competitor.

Dan Ndoye, Igor Jesus, and Jair Cunha have all already arrived at the City Ground, while bids have been accepted for James McAtee and Omari Hutchinson.

Meanwhile, a £25m approach for Manchester City’s Rico Lewis has been rejected, and negotiations continue for forward Arnaud Kalimuendo.

The flurry of activity comes at a crucial time. Forest are preparing for a season that includes European football, a reward earned after finishing seventh in the Premier League last term.

Their place in the Europa League was secured after Crystal Palace were demoted to the Conference League following an unsuccessful appeal to CAS.

Forest kick off their domestic campaign against Brentford on Sunday, and while the opening fixture might come too soon for several of their potential recruits, the scale of their ambition is clear.

Nottingham Forest agree terms with midfielde

At the heart of Forest’s latest negotiations is Douglas Luiz, the Juventus midfielder who could form a partnership with Elliott Anderson in the centre of the park.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Forest have agreed personal terms with the Brazil, with only club-to-club negotiations left to finalise, as they look to bolster their midfield with a new addition.

It is now down to the Tricky Trees to agree a deal with Juventus to bring the former Aston Villa maestro to the City Ground for the 2025/26 campaign.

Analyst Ben Mattinson described him as a “box-crashing 8, who’s press resistant with a good technical base, passing range and ball-striking ability.”

The Brazilian joined Juventus from Aston Villa in a £45m deal but endured a difficult spell in Turin.

He failed to score or assist in 27 appearances and missed 20 games due to injury setbacks.

Used sparingly under both Igor Tudor and Thiago Motta, Luiz managed only six starts last season, while his solitary contribution at the Club World Cup amounted to just 45 minutes of football, per Sofascore.

Juventus are now open to recouping around £30m, with the player himself reportedly eager for a Premier League return.

Why Douglas Luiz is perfect for Elliot Anderson

Despite a subdued stint in Italy, Luiz’s pedigree remains strong, particularly when judged on his final season at Aston Villa.

His statistics then underlined his all-round game.

Douglas Luiz – 2023/24

Pass Completion Rate

85.7%

Shot Creating Actions per 90

3.92

Tackles per 90

1.74

Blocks per 90

0.96

Progressive Passes per 90

5.49

Progressive Carries per 90

2.15

Successful Take-ons per 90

1.40

Source: FBref

When compared against Juventus teammates last season, Luiz still showed flashes of quality despite limited minutes.

His 89.5% passing accuracy ranked fifth in the squad, while his 72.2% dribble success rate also placed him among the top five. In 841 minutes of action, he created three big chances and averaged 0.69 key passes per game, per FBref.

These numbers suggest that, given consistent playing time and a role tailored to his strengths, he could rediscover the form that made him such a prized asset in England.

For Forest fans, the prospect of pairing Luiz with Elliott Anderson is particularly enticing. Anderson joined from Newcastle United amid the Magpies’ well-documented struggles with PSR compliance in a deal worth £35m.

The transfer also saw goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos move the other way, while Yankuba Minteh left for Brighton to help balance the books at St James’ Park.

Anderson wasted no time making himself indispensable in Nottingham. He featured in 37 league games last season, contributing two goals and six assists,

His energy, versatility and ability to progress play made him a key part of the side that finished seventh on 65 points. Still only 22, he has caught the eye of England selectors and sits on the periphery of Thomas Tuchel’s squad in a World Cup year.

Statistically, Anderson has placed himself among the most effective midfielders in the Premier League across a range of important metrics.

His dribbling stands out, with the 22-year-old ranking in the 90th percentile for successful take-ons, averaging 1.19 per 90 minutes.

That ability to beat a man allows Forest to break opposition lines and progress play higher up the pitch.

He is equally influential in advanced areas, registering 2.38 touches in the attacking penalty area per 90, placing him in the 86th percentile league-wide. This shows how frequently he arrives in dangerous positions, complementing Forest’s forwards by adding an extra threat from midfield.

Defensively, Anderson is just as impressive. He averages 3.04 tackles per 90 minutes – enough to place him in the 88th percentile.

Alongside that, his reading of the game allows him to contribute 2.51 clearances per 90 (89th percentile), a figure that highlights his commitment to the defensive side of the game.

Perhaps most strikingly, Anderson has proven adept in the air. Despite standing at just 1.79m, he wins 1.85 aerial duels per 90, again ranking in the 89th percentile.

Pairing Luiz and Anderson could provide Forest with one of the most balanced midfields outside the Premier League’s traditional elite.

Luiz’s ability to dictate tempo, switch play and resist pressure would allow Anderson to thrive in more advanced areas, where his dribbling, pressing and box arrivals make him a constant threat.

In European fixtures, where possession and control become even more valuable, the partnership could give Forest an edge. Luiz’s Champions League and international experience adds another layer of quality and leadership.

For Anderson, lining up alongside such a seasoned professional would accelerate his development and give Forest a stable core around which to build. If Forest can finalise the deal with Juventus, it would represent a major coup.

Everton are also credited with an interest in Luiz, but Forest’s project – European football, an ambitious recruitment drive, and a manager eager to impose his identity – may prove more persuasive.

For Nuno Espírito Santo, adding Luiz to a midfield already anchored by Anderson could be the key to competing on two fronts this season.

For Forest supporters, it would be further proof that their club is no longer content with merely surviving in the Premier League.