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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.

Injury expert Ben Dinnery has been reacting to Manchester United’s move for head of athletic development Matt Walker, as per Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Walker joining Man United

United may not have made any first-team signings for Erik ten Hag as of yet, but the club have agreed a deal to bring in Walker, formerly of Cambridge United.

He has joined the club as head of athletic development and will work closely with United’s youth teams ranging from the under-17s to under-23s.

He was hailed as doing an ‘exceptional job’ with Cambridge as head of performance, and Dinnery believes that a move for Walker is an ‘important’ one for the Red Devils.

The Latest: Dinnery reacts to Walker appointment

Dinnery, who contributes for Sky Sports, was talking to Football Insider regarding United’s move to bring in Walker.

The injury expert described it as ‘absolutely massive’ and a ‘fantastic role’, going into detail on Walker’s role with the crop of academy stars:

“Walker is working at an age group where kids are developing into adults.

“You have that transitional phase. You’re moving from functional training to a very serious, goal-driven style of training. You need to understand why you’re doing what you’re doing and the wider picture behind it.

“You need to look at the development and long-term impact of playing in competitive sports. To move on to the next level, these guys in the coaching department are pivotal.

“Without that foundational model and those building blocks, the players are going to be ill-prepared. It’s massive, absolutely massive. It’s important to get that right, and it’s a fantastic role to work with those young people.”

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The Verdict: Good to see

United lifted the FA Youth Cup for the 11th time last month and their first since 2011, defeating Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford in front of more than 67,000 supporters.

It’s clear to see that an exciting crop of future stars are coming through at Carrington, so bringing in someone like Walker to help with the physical transition seems to be a wise move.

The step up to the first team nowadays is huge, so having a head of athletic development in the academy could prove to be a smart decision which goes under the radar in an Old Trafford rebuild under Ten Hag.

In other news: Sky Sports relay big Man Utd news as Ten Hag plots move for English star

Sporting CP midfielder Joao Palhinha is definitely on Wolves’ ‘shortlist’ of potential summer signings, according to reliable journalist Tim Spiers.

The Lowdown: Constant Palhinha links

The 26-year-old has been constantly linked with a move to Molineux in the summer transfer window, as Wanderers likely have to plan for life without Ruben Neves.

Palhinha has emerged as one of Sporting’s most influential players, not only catching the eye in their midfield but also winning 12 caps for Portugal to date.

Wolves’ interest doesn’t appear to be going away but it looks as though they will have to battle to get their man.

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The Latest: Spiers drops fresh claim

Taking to Twitter, Spiers confirmed that Wanderers want to sign Palhinha:

“Wolves maintain an interest in Joao Palhinha (as do a lot of clubs) and he’s on their midfield shortlist for the summer.”

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The Verdict: Snap him up, Wanderers

Palhinha really does look like the perfect option to come in as Neves’ replacement, with the pair not dissimilar in style, in terms of their deep-lying midfield brilliance.

The Wolves target enjoyed an 87.8% pass completion rate in the Primeira Liga in 2021/22, compared to Neves’ 84% in the Premier League, and he also averaged three tackles per game. Manager Ruben Amorim has called him a ‘special’ player in the past.

The fact that there is interest elsewhere could be a stumbling block – Tottenham have been linked and can offer Champions League football – but Bruno Lage must do all he can to snap up his compatriot if he believes he is the man to replace Neves.

In other news, one Wolves player has been backed to thrive next season. Find out who it is here.

West Ham United manager David Moyes must finally axe a defender who’s been causing him “problems” in Vladimir Coufal.

He’s already cost them too much, and could contribute to them missing out on a Europa League place if they lose against Brighton and Hove Albion on the final day of the Premier League season.

On the Chalkboard

There is a lot on the line for both sides who face off at the AMEX Stadium this afternoon. The Hammers will be targeting a sixth-place finish and to achieve that will have to win and hope Manchester United drop points. Meanwhile, the hosts could confirm their first-ever top-half Premier League finish depending on how results go elsewhere.

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If West Ham are to secure victory then axing right-back Coufal will help them. The 29-year-old joined the club in 2020 from Slavia Prague for £5m. He has been a solid player at times but isn’t the long term solution and if the club want to keep growing and push for the Champions League places next season they need someone better.

Last week saw the farewell of club captain Mark Noble and an impressive 2-2 draw against Manchester City that has had a huge effect on the title race. However, that result could have been a victory if it wasn’t for an own goal scored by Coufal.

It would have given the club a much better chance at securing a Europa League place. It also meant that the Czech Republic international now has more own goals for The Hammers than he does goals.

Moyes can’t risk starting the £27k-per-week full back again and should start the more promising option of Ben Johnson. The 22-year-old Englishman has made 19 league appearances for the club this season so isn’t short of experience. He also has a goal to his name which proves he can be more of a threat going forward.

Coufal’s contract at The London Stadium expires next summer, at which point he will be almost 31, so it wouldn’t make sense for West Ham to keep him for any longer than that.

They could potentially sell him this summer and try and recoup some of what they bought him for, he’s rated at £10.8m according to Transfermarkt.

IN other news: “It’s my understanding…”: Ex drops big WHU summer update, supporters will be buzzing…

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.

West Ham United have been dealt a huge injury blow to Said Benrahma after he was seen “on crutches” following his star performance in the clubs 4-0 win over relegated Norwich City.

That’s according to Roshane Thomas of the Athletic who took to his post-match Q&A to say: “Antonio (hip) and Dawson (calf) should be fine but Benrahma walked past the mixed zone on crutches. He was so good today. Would be a shame if he doesn’t play again this season.”

Benrahma answered any critics of his with an outstanding performance which saw him get two of the Hammers’ four goals as they marched towards a second successive season where they have secured European qualification.

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They remain seventh in the table but have increased the gap to Wolverhampton Wanderers to five points. It leaves West Ham’s destiny in their own hands with the club only having two games left to play.

Benrahma was given the second-highest rating of anyone on the pitch at Carrow Road by SofaScore at 8.0 with Jarrod Bowen the only player beating him, rating 8.5 after tallying two assists.

Given this performance, Moyes will be gutted as it will be a huge blow to the Hammers if they are without him for their final two games. The manager will be hoping that it doesn’t affect their chances of securing that European place.

He was substituted in the 76th for Nikola Vlasic but it represents a drop off in quality, and anyone brought in to replace the Algerian whilst he’s out injured would struggle to have the same effect.

His two goals move him into double figures for the season and he now sits on 11 proving he is one of the key forward players for the Hammers.

He joined the club from Brentford permanently in 2020 for a base fee of £20m after spending the season before on loan at the London stadium. It’s appearing that that purchase paid off with the player now scoring after struggling last season.

In his 33 appearances throughout the 2020/21 season he only scored one goal.

Moyes will be hoping it’s not too serious and that he can recover in time for next weekend’s game against Manchester City. West Ham have a real chance at pushing Manchester United all the way to the end and potentially securing a Europa League spot instead of a place in the Europa Conference League.

The last two matches will define the club’s season. Last week they were in with a chance of reaching a European final, come the end of may European football could be a distant memory. Hopefully, Benrahma’s absence won’t be the difference.

IN other news: Imagine him & Said: West Ham set to move for 22 y/o “hurricane”, he won’t cost a penny…

Celtic secured a 4-1 victory against Hearts in their latest Premiership game this afternoon, taking yet another step towards securing the league title.

With just three minutes on the clock, the first goal at Parkhead arrived as Jam Tarts striker Ellis Simms put his side ahead with a fine strike.

The Hoops then equalised thanks to a goal from Kyogo Furuhashi before his fellow countryman Daizen Maeda put Ange Postecoglou’s side ahead shortly afterwards.

During the second half, goals from Matt O’Riley and Giorgos Giakoumakis secured the three points for the home side, who are now on the verge of taking the league title off their Old Firm rivals.

Despite the Hoops coming back from behind to seal victory on this occasion, one figure in a Celtic shirt who didn’t have a particularly good game was Anthony Ralston.

Ralston’s poor performance

With the full 90 minutes under his belt, the right-back had 95 touches of the ball in total but wasn’t always particularly useful when he was in possession.

The full-back ended up giving the ball away on 18 different occasions, while with six crosses attempted, the Scotsman couldn’t get even one of them to find its intended target. He also failed to complete four of the seven long ball passes he tried to pull off.

Off the ball, things weren’t much better for the right-back, who committed three fouls and lost five of his nine duels, making him something of a liability for Postecoglou’s side.

This display ultimately earned the 23-year-old a rather underwhelming overall match rating of 6.8/10, making him the lowest-rated outfield player for Celtic according to SofaScore. That was even lower than Carl Starfelt, who was arguably at fault for Hearts’ early goal.

His uninspiring performance also caught the attention of Scottish Daily Express writer Matthew Fulton, who said that Ralston delivered ‘poor service into the area from him and had plenty of Hearts pressure to deal with’.

Having been slammed by Frank McAvennie for his “hopeless” performances for the Bhoys in the past, this isn’t far off what the 23-year-old was for his team this afternoon.

In other news – Enquiry made, then joined rivals: Celtic had the last laugh over “huge” 161 G/A dynamo