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West Ham United have rightly made signing a new midfielder to replace Arsenal-bound Declan Rice a top priority this summer, but the Hammers cannot afford to neglect other areas of their squad.

In a positive development for United supporters, it appears focus has finally switched to defensive upgrades in time for the 2023/24 season.

What new players have West Ham bought?

Rice, whose £105m move to London rivals Arsenal now looks likely to be finalised on Monday, is set to follow Manuel Lanzini and Arthur Masuaku in departing the club this summer.

The Europa Conference League winners have yet to make any signings, which is all the more worrying when you consider they start their pre-season programme against Boreham Wood on Monday.

Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria appears to be United's top choice to replace Rice, while La Stampa – via TuttoMercatoWeb – suggests Torino defender Perr Schuurs is also wanted by David Moyes' men.

How good is Perr Schuurs?

The Italian outlet suggests West Ham are willing to pay €20m (£17m) for Schuurs, while also allowing Nikola Vlasic to head the opposite way following his successful spell on loan with the Serie A side last season.

That makes it a fairly sizable deal from United's perspective, but they will be getting themselves a hugely talented centre-back in the process – and an upgrade on the declining Angelo Ogbonna in the heart of their back four.

Schuurs ranked in the top 7% of all defenders last season across Europe's top five leagues in terms of possession won, while he was also in the top 13% for aerials won, as per The Analyst.

The former Netherlands U21 international won 0.98 tackles per 90 minutes last season across his time with Ajax and Torino, as per FBref, which compares to 0.29 for Ogbonna at West Ham.

Indeed, Schuurs also comes out on top in metrics such as blocks (1.10 v 0.80), the number of dribblers tackled (0.57 v 0.36) and pass-completion rate (88.1% v 80%).

Schuurs is not exactly an unknown talent, having impressed for Ajax in Eredivisie before doing likewise for Torino in Serie A, and links to a Premier League club are also not new.

The former Liverpool target has been tipped to reach the top since the age of 17, when former Manchester City goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus described him as "the leader of his club in everything", and a player who was destined to reach the top.

An added bonus Schuurs brings is an ability to make an impact in the opposition box, as highlighted by his two assists last season. Ogbonna, by comparison, did not score or assist any goals.

In fact, Schuurs ranked in the top 37 percentile for shots taken by defenders across Europe's elite leagues last season, showing he is not afraid to have a go at goal himself.

Whether Kurt Zouma is still good enough to play regularly at the back for West Ham is a separate issue, but by bringing in a player of Schuurs' quality, Moyes will at least be resolving one troublesome area of the pitch.

Chelsea academy graduate Mason Mount has confirmed his departure to rivals Manchester United in an emotional social media video.

What did Mason Mount say about leaving Chelsea?

Talk of a possible Blues exit has been rumbling on for a while now, so news of the move isn't the biggest shock at this moment in time.

However, this is a sign of how much change there has been at Stamford Bridge under Todd Boehly. After all, just a few seasons ago, the idea of Mount leaving Chelsea for Man Utd would have been preposterous.

Indeed, the midfielder has been at Chelsea since the age of six and there is even a great video on YouTube of him displaying his free-kick technique as a youngster while in the club's training gear.

However, now aged 24, it appears Mounts's time is up with the club and he confirmed as much in an emotional post shared on his official Instagram account.

In full, he said: “Given the speculation over the last six months, this may not come as a surprise to you. But it doesn’t make it any easier to tell you that I’ve made the decision to leave Chelsea.

“I feel you deserve more than just a written statement. So I wanted to tell you directly how grateful I’ve been for all of your support over the last 18 years. I know some of you won’t be happy with my decision, but it’s what’s right for me at this moment in my career.

“I joined Chelsea when I was six years old and we’ve been through a lot together. Winning the Youth Cup, my Player of the Year awards, the Super Cup, the Club World Cup and of course, that unforgettable night when we won the Champions League.

“I want to say thank you to the academy, Jim [Fraser] and Neil [Bath] for being so influential to me from such a young age.

“The managers I’ve worked under, Frank [Lampard], Thomas [Tuchel] and Graham [Potter].

"The backroom staff, the unsung heroes of Cobham, all of my teammates over the years that have become my brothers, my family for the continuous love and support and most importantly you guys for sticking with me throughout.

“Wish you all the best.”

How much will Mason Mount cost Man United?

According to The Daily Telegraph’s Matt Law, the now ex-Chelsea man will sign an initial five-year deal at Old Trafford that includes the option of a further 12 months. What's more, the England international will be paid £250k-p/w, though it could rise to as much as £300k-p/w with bonuses.

The player will no doubt be delighted with the contract, having rejected a supposed offer of £200k-p/w from the Blues in November last season.

As for Mount's actual transfer fee, it will reportedly set back the Red Devils' £60m in total (via Fabrizio Romano).

It will certainly be interesting to see how he gets on at his new club and Chelsea will likely miss his quality in the middle of the park. After all, as per Opta, since the 2019/20 campaign, he has led the way for the Blues in appearances, chances created, goals and assists.

Tottenham Hotspur's failure to appoint a director of football ahead of their pre-season tour to Australia is a concern, podcaster Chris Cowlin has claimed.

What's going on at Tottenham?

Spurs are still facing a difficult period off the pitch, as despite finding a manager in Ange Postecoglou, a director of football is yet to be appointed to replace Fabio Paratici, and no signings have been made in the transfer window.

A dismal campaign saw Spurs finish in eighth place, and Paratici was dismissed from his role after receiving a ban from football for his involvement in illicit activities during his time at Juventus.

The lack of director means that there may be difficulties operating in the transfer market without a recruitment strategy in place, and with just a few weeks to go until pre-season, this comes at quite a concern for Spurs.

Speaking on TalkSPORT, Cowlin bemoaned the lack of progress in appointing a director, whilst also acknowledging the other major changes taking place around the club.

"There are so many players, this is what I mean about this rebuild, this is absolutely massive. This is a huge job. And it does slightly worry me that we're off to Australia in three weeks for the preseason tour and we don't have a director of football," he stated.

"Of course there's been a restructure as well in the academy. Although the academy won two cups at the end of the season, the under 17 and 18s, there's been a complete restructure there.

"That's going to be interesting, Yaya Toure and Dean Rastrick recently leaving, and Greta Stevenson on the verge of leaving. So that's a big thing."

How important is a director of football for Spurs?

Despite the way it ended, Paratici's spell at Spurs saw him use his expertise to help recruit Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski from Juventus, and both signings were instrumental as Spurs beat rivals Arsenal to a top four spot in 2022.

With a director of football in place, the club can form a strategy about the types of players they bring in, as well as hiring managers to build upon a structure already in place.

Spurs have been catastrophic when hiring managers in recent years, with the likes of Conte, Nuno Espirito Santo and Jose Mourinho all failing to make an impact, with no long-term plan in place of how to replace them.

Hiring a director as soon as possible will be beneficial for Postecoglou's aims in the transfer market, and a long-term strategy in recruitment and sales could help Spurs recover from their slump, both on and off the pitch.

Glasgow Rangers target Cyriel Dessers is keen on making the move to Ibrox this summer, according to reliable reporter Scott Burns.

What’s the latest Rangers transfer news involving Dessers?

Michael Beale has made a quick start to the club’s summer transfer plans by bringing in four players already. The Gers have signed goalkeeper Jack Butland, full-back Dujon Sterling and attacking midfielder Kieran Dowell on free transfers. The club have also spent some money by bringing in forward Sam Lammers from Italian side Atalanta for €3.5m.

Despite already bolstering the attacking ranks, Beale and Rangers seemingly want to strengthen their option in the final third even further, with Dessers a real target.

A bid was submitted for the Cremonese forward earlier this month, although a report recently stated that the player has said no to a move to Scotland and favours remaining in Italy.

However, that doesn’t appear to be the case in a fresh transfer twist shared by Burns. Writing for The Daily Record, the reporter said:

“Dessers remains keen on a move to Ibrox and is waiting for Rangers to make another offer.

“Reports in Italy claimed the Nigerian international had turned down a switch to Ibrox. Sources close to all sides of the deal are adamant that is not the case. Dessers is very much keen on a move to Scotland and for the chance to play in the Champions League.

“Rangers have already made multiple bids for the striker but have still to reach an agreement with Cremonese. The Ibrox side are expected to go back in for the 28-year-old but won’t be rushed into a deal.”

Who is Cyriel Dessers?

Dessers, hailed as "phenomenal" by members of the media, is 28 years of age and is an out-and-out centre-forward. The Nigeria international previously plied his trade in Belgium and the Netherlands before moving to Italy with Cremonese last summer.

In total, Dessers has made 280 club appearances throughout his career, scoring 111 goals and registering 40 assists. As per FBref, the striker ranks in the 92nd percentile for touches in the penalty area and 93rd for goals per shot on target, showing how he can be a real danger in the box.

He certainly knows where the back of the net is and has been described as someone who is “awkward to play against” because of his physical strength by journalist Josh Bunting, so he could prove to be a smart signing, joining Lammers in the process.

Liverpool target Kephren Thuram could be another Xabi Alonso-like midfielder at Anfield, believes Dean Jones.

The Frenchman has been linked with a move to Anfield this summer, and 'has got quite a few people excited' according to Jones.

Liverpool transfer news – Kephren Thuram

Liverpool remain in talks to sign Thuram this summer, but the midfielder's current club, Nice, would love a bidding war for the 22-year-old, according to David Lynch of Football Insider.

Lynch also reported that the Reds could turn their attention to Ryan Gravenberch if a deal for Thuram fails to reach completion in the coming months.

Currently, the young midfielder is playing into the final two years of his contract with the Ligue 1 side; providing Nice with some power over the future of the 22-year-old.

Given the fact that Jurgen Klopp has already welcomed Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton & Hove Albion this summer, too, it remains to be seen just how much is left of Liverpool's budget.

What has Dean Jones said about Kephren Thuram and Liverpool?

Speaking to Football FanCast, when asked about Thuram, Jones said: “Liverpool would love another Xabi Alonso-type player and I think Thuram’s got quite a few people excited I think.

"When you go through the normal list of players that Liverpool are pursuing, Kone is always on there, Thuram’s always on there.”

How did Kephren Thuram perform in Ligue 1 last season?

Thuram was one of the few bright sparks in a disappointing campaign for Nice as a whole, as they sunk to a mid-table finish.

The young Frenchman did enough to earn a potential Liverpool move, however, as further backed up by the statistics.

If Liverpool are to complete a move for Thuram, he'd offer them something crucially different from midfield. According to FBref, for example, the reported target completed 3.25 progressive carries per 90 last season. For context, Jordan Henderson completed just 1.61.

A player of Thuram's dribbling ability could help unlock defences where the likes of Henderson struggle at times, potentially handing the Reds' midfield a whole new dimension.

Defensively speaking, too, the Nice man fits Jurgen Klopp's pressing style, making 1.34 interceptions, and 1.80 tackles per 90, both of which are higher than the amount Henderson totalled in the last campaign at Anfield.

So, if Liverpool are to get Thuram, they could be getting themselves an upgrade in a midfield in desperate need of a rebuild.

Manchester United have reportedly identified a potential replacement for long-serving goalkeeper, David De Gea, following an update regarding the club's apparent interest in Yann Sommer.

What's the latest on Sommer to Man United?

According to journalist Alex Crook – in his transfer notebook for talkSPORT – the Red Devils are said to have revived their interest in the Bayern Munich man, with the 34-year-old having reportedly been on Erik ten Hag's 'radar' last summer.

The report suggests that the former Borussia Monchengladbach ace – who only made the move to the Allianz Arena in January – would represent a cheaper alternative to the likes of Andre Onana and Jordan Pickford in the search for a new number one.

As the piece also notes, the aforementioned De Gea has verbally agreed a new contract extension with the Old Trafford outfit, although a formal deal has yet to materialise, amid claims that the Spaniard won't be the first-choice option next season even if he does stay in Manchester.

Would Sommer be a better signing than Pickford?

There has been much talk of late that Pickford could be on his way to the Theatre of Dreams, with the 29-year-old – who only recently signed a new deal at Everton – set to be available for a fee of around £30m this summer.

While the former Sunderland ace remains the undisputed regular for his country having now made 52 appearances for the Three Lions, there are lingering concerns over his consistency at club level, with pundit Chris Sutton stating that the Englishman simply "makes too many errors".

Ten Hag may then be wise to consider a figure such as Sommer to provide at least a strong, short-term solution in the sticks, with the £83k-per-week colossus having been hailed as the "best in the world" by former Gladbach teammate, Joe Scally.

That hefty praise had come following the 82-cap gem's astounding display against his current employers earlier in the campaign, as the 6 foot ace made 19 saves in the 1-1 draw between the two sides back in August – breaking a Bundesliga record in the process.

Having since gone on to replace the stricken Manuel Neuer at Bayern, the experienced ace has particularly impressed due to his ability to play out from the back, as he ranks in the top 4% for touches made among those in his position across Europe's top five leagues – with Pickford ranking in just the top 44% in that regard.

Sommer's innate composure on the ball is also showcased by the fact that he achieved a standout pass accuracy rate of 83% across his 29 Bundesliga appearances in 2022/23, with far better than the at times erratic Toffees asset, who averaged just 52% for that same metrics.

That superior record would suggest that the one-time Basel man – who was also described as "one of the best goalkeepers in Europe" by former boss Marco Rose in the past – could be a perfect alternative to Pickford in Ten Hag's quest to find a reliable number one this summer.

Arsenal are reportedly eyeing a move for Leicester City full-back Timothy Castagne this summer as Mikel Arteta looks set to improve his defensive options.

What’s the latest on Timothy Castagne to Arsenal?

According to Belgian outlet Het Belang van Limburg (via Sport Witness), the Gunners are keen on making a move for the right-back this summer, although unnamed sides from Italy and Spain have also looked at the player and Arteta will be wary of this competition for his signature.

Due to the Foxes' relegation at the end of the season, Castagne will be available for between €15-20m (£13m-£17m) as per the report, which could represent a bargain for the Spaniard who clearly needs some reinforcements at right-back heading into next season, especially with the Champions League group stage beckoning.

Should Arsenal sign Castagne?

Last season, the north Londoners lacked serious depth at right-back, having to utilise Ben White out wide as opposed to his usual position at centre-back, although he did perform well, playing all 38 matches, registering five assists, creating six big chances and making 1.6 tackles per game, showcasing his attacking abilities.

Takehiro Tomiyasu, the backup full-back, didn’t enjoy the greatest of league seasons, ranking 18th in the squad for overall match rating, 19th for goals and assists, sixth for tackles per game and 15th for big chances created, suggesting he failed to leave an imprint on the first-team when he got his chance.

In contrast, Castagne ranked 7th in the Leicester squad for goals and assists, second for tackles per game and fourth for big chances created, suggesting he could offer a bigger attacking output than the Japanese player should he join Arsenal this summer.

Defensively, the Belgian ranked in the top 9% for clearances per 90 (3.04), top 17% for aerials won per 90 (1.52) and top 25% for tackles won per 90 (2.41) across Europe’s big five leagues over the previous 365 days, proving himself to be more than capable in the Premier League.

Tomiyasu did rank in the top 10% for tackles per 90 (3.22) and aerials won per 90 (2.29) while ranking a lot lower for clearances per 90 (1.86), although this could be skewed due to the fact he played only 1063 minutes compared to the 3254 minutes that Castagne played last term.

Jamie Vardy lauded the Belgian for being “brilliant” during his debut for the Foxes a few years ago and given his attacking qualities are clearly better than what Arteta has at the moment, it could be a shrewd investment to secure him before next season.

Glasgow Rangers will be looking to put their poor 2022/2023 campaign in the rearview mirror as the summer transfer window looms into view.

Michael Beale has already started his business, signing Kieran Dowell and Dujon Sterling on pre-contract deals from Norwich City and Chelsea respectively, however his aim now will be to bolster his attacking options, especially considering Alfredo Morelos and Ryan have departed the Ibrox side.

If the Gers want to give Celtic a proper Premiership title challenge next term, they will need to sign forwards who can hit the ground running and score a few goals in their opening matches to build some confidence and then perhaps can Beale push for glory.

With regard to this, the Light Blues have shown interest in striker Cyriel Dessers according to the Daily Mail (via Daily Record) and he could very well be Beale’s very own version of a Serie A attacker who is attracting interest from Manchester United and Arsenal – Dusan Vlahovic.

Could Cyriel Dessers be a good signing for Rangers?

The 28-year-old currently plays for Italian side Cremonese, and has scored six goals in Serie A during 2022/23 whilst also laying on two assists, leading to journalist Josh Bunting to describe him as being “awkward to play against” due to his strength and this could come in handy due to the physical nature of Scottish football.

His adaptability could mean moving to Scotland wouldn’t faze him as he spent the 2021/2022 season on loan at Feyenoord, scoring 20 goals across all competitions for the Dutch side, while he is also statistically similar to Vlahovic.

According to FBref, the Serbian striker is the third-most similar player to Dessers and considering his goal-scoring abilities in the Italian top flight, netting 61 goals in 140 appearances, it is certainly not a bad comparison to have.

Indeed, the two players have registered similar statistics this season with regard to goals (ten to nine), shots on target per 90 (1.14 to 0.94), shot-creating actions per 90 (2.49 to 2.1) and touches in the attacking penalty area (115 to 102), indicating that they both offer a decent attacking threat for their respective club sides.

Beale desperately needs a bustling striker to cause chaos in the opposition box while being able to chip in with goals, and the £8m-rated machine certainly fits the bill.

Being likened to Vlahovic is a sign he could be a hit in the Premiership next season and with Morelos departing Ibrox, he could well fill the void left by the Colombian striker.

Tottenham Hotspur are ready to snap up Leicester City midfielder James Maddison this summer, according to a recent report from The Mirror.

Will James Maddison leave Leicester?

Even prior to Leicester's relegation from the Premier League, Maddison appeared to be heading for the exit door, with The Telegraph reporting he was set to be sold regardless of the Foxes' fate, having been linked with several top clubs.

The same report details that Manchester United and Newcastle United are both interested in signing the England international, with his current club set to cash-in, given that he has just one year remaining on his contract at the King Power Stadium.

It has been made clear that the Tottenham board are keen on signing the 26-year-old, regardless of who they appoint as manager, and they have since made a "huge" push to win the race for his signature.

However, Spurs will have to fend off interest from a number of clubs if they are to land the Leicester star, as The Mirror report that several Premier League clubs are also ready to snap him up, including Arsenal and Newcastle.

The Foxes value the attacking midfielder at £50m, however, they may be forced to sell him for around £40m, given his contract situation, which means the Lilywhites may be able to sign him for a cut-price fee.

One thing that is abundantly clear is that the Englishman will be on the move this summer, with the report detailing that he will lead the Leicester exodus.

Should Tottenham sign James Maddison?

Given that a number of clubs that will be in the Champions League next season are interested in the £110k-per-week midfielder, it will be difficult for Tottenham to win the race for his signature, however he would be an excellent addition to the squad.

Hailed as an "elite baller" by members of the media, the maestro was way out in front as Leicester's best-performing player last season, averaging a 7.33 SofaScore match rating in the Premier League, courtesy of his attacking contributions.

The former Coventry City man weighed in with ten goals and nine assists in total, the highest combined figure of any player in the squad, indicating he is now ready to make the step up to a bigger club.

Maddison's potential availability for a cut-price fee is a real boost to would-be suitors, and Tottenham should undoubtedly test the waters with an opening offer soon, making this one to watch.

Wolves could ‘definitely’ look to make a move for Brentford striker Ivan Toney in the summer transfer window, according to journalist Josh Holland.

The Lowdown: Toney shines in Premier League

There were question marks over whether or not the Bees hero could take his Championship form with him to the Premier League this season, but he has proved any such doubters wrong.

Toney has scored 12 goals in 31 top-flight starts, helping his team to comfortably pull away from any relegation trouble in the process.

The 26-year-old has been linked with a move to Wolves in recent weeks and it looks set to be a potential transfer saga which rolls on this summer.

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The Latest: Wolves backed to revive Toney interest

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Holland claimed that Toney is somebody that Wolves will ‘definitely’ have an eye on during the summer transfer window. The journalist stated:

“I think Ivan Toney, yeah, definitely. He was one who started so well, he went a bit quiet, but now recently, he’s not scoring as many goals as you’d like, but his link-up play is like a shadow of what Raul Jimenez used to do before his injury.

“And as much as we all were delighted to see Raul back, and he got on the goals, I don’t really think he’s being cautious, but you can tell he’s not the same player.”

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The Verdict: Perfect Jimenez replacement

Toney looks like an ideal candidate to come in as Raul Jimenez’s long-term replacement at Molineux this summer, having been hailed as ‘exceptional’ by Barry Fry in the past.

He possesses the Mexican’s pace, power and aerial ability, winning 4.4 headers per game in the Premier League this season – far superior to Jimenez’s tally of 1.8.

Toney is also five years younger than the Wolves striker, whose form has understandably dipped since returning from a skull fracture, so the 26-year-old could come in as an immediate rival for the Mexican’s place and eventually become the undisputed first choice in attack.

The Brentford marksman has proven that he can score regularly in the Premier League, and goals have been lacking at Molineux all season long, so this seems like a match made in heaven for the Old Gold.

In other news, journalist Tim Spiers has bemoaned the decline of one Wolves player. Find out who it is here.