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As per a Turkish source, Nottingham Forest are now in advanced talks to sign Besiktas forward Cyle Larin.

The Lowdown: Facing competition

The Canadian first joined the Super Lig outfit in 2018 when he put pen to paper on a deal from Orlando City, but he is now set to leave the Vodafone Park Arena after failing to reach a new agreement upon the expiry of his current contract at the end of the month.

It was reported just last week that the Reds were interested in securing the 27-year-old’s services this summer, albeit with competition from Olympiacos in the race for his signature, and there has since been a fresh update which Forest fans might just want to hear.

The Latest: Forest in advanced talks for Larin

According to reports in Turkey (via Nottinghamshire Live), Larin could be ‘on the verge’ of making the move to the City Ground.

He is set to ‘sign for either’ Forest or the Greek giants, with both potential suitors named being owned by the same businessman, Evangelos Marinakis.

The source added that ‘talks between parties’ are believed to be at an ‘advanced level’, as the Ontario-born talent looks to find his future home.

The Verdict: Existing Forest connection could come in handy

If Forest manage to bring Larin to the Premier League, this would be a massive coup for Steve Cooper, who is now looking to bolster his squad with new additions as the club get ready for their first season back in the top flight after a 23-year absence.

The 50-cap Canadian, who was once praised as a “big surprise” by his former Orlando team-mate Kaka, had a standout campaign for Besiktas back in 2020/21. In that season, he netted a staggering 23 goals and provided six assists across all competitions (via Transfermarkt), which majorly contributed to them getting their hands on the Super Lig title just over a year ago.

The £9m-rated attacker already has a connection to Forest in the form of defender Richie Laryea, who is his international team-mate, so this could yet prove to be a pulling factor when it comes down to Larin deciding what his next destination will be.

In other news… a Sky Sports journalist has now revealed some ‘confirmed’ Nottingham Forest transfer news

According to journalist Jacque Talbot, Tottenham Hotspur have made an offer for Middlesbrough defender Djed Spence amid competition from Nottingham Forest.

The Lowdown: Interest since April

During April, it was reported that more than 10 clubs had declared their interest in signing the 21-year-old, who was impressing in the Championship whilst on loan at Forest.

Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich even sent scouts to watch the right-back play at the City Ground, although it has since been reported that Steve Cooper’s side, along with Spurs and Arsenal, lead the race to secure the youngster’s signature.

The Latest: Talbot’s news on Spence

Taking to Twitter, Talbot has now shared the latest news involving Spence’s potential destination ahead of next season.

He claimed: “Exc: Understand that Tottenham have put in an offer for Djed Spence but that Nottingham Forest are involved as well. Allure of European football will be the only thing standing in the way of Spence and Forest continuing their relationship next season.”

In a subsequent tweet, Talbot added: “Contrary to reports, Spence has not definitively chosen to join Spurs. Conte’s side are one of the clubs with a huge foot in the door.”

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The Verdict: Get it done

Whilst Spence clearly has a good relationship with Forest manager Cooper after their promotion to the Premier League, the pull of Antonio Conte and Champions League football could yet entice the youngster to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

This would be a good addition for the north Londoners, given Conte’s preference to play attacking wing-backs and the 21-year-old’s ability to bomb up and down the flanks.

Ian Wright even claimed that one of Spence’s displays in the FA Cup was “one of the best right back performances” he had seen in a very long time, raising comparisons with “unbelievable” full-backs such as Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Therefore, Paratici should do anything he can to get this deal done.

In other news: Journalist drops Lautaro Martinez to Spurs transfer claim

According to former Premier League goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, the opportunity to move to Real Madrid might be too ‘massive’ for Manchester City star Raheem Sterling to turn down.  

The Lowdown: Madrid’s confirmed interest

The forward first arrived at the Etihad in a £49m deal from Liverpool seven years ago, but after last putting pen to paper on an extension with the Sky Blues in 2018, this now means that he will be out of contract in just over 12 months time.

It was reported by The Times earlier this week that the Kingston-born talent had been attracting attention as he enters the last year of his current agreement, with Spanish giants Real Madrid claimed to be ramping up their interest in his services as the transfer window fast approaches.

The same publication also state that the winger is set to meet with City executives following the conclusion of the international break to discuss his future with the top-flight champions.

The Latest: Kenny reacts

Kenny, 44, suggested that while Sterling has loved his time in Manchester, the pull of a club like Madrid might just be too good to turn down. He told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild:

“Real Madrid have a massive pull.

“Does he think his time is up at City now? Is he wanting a fresh challenge?

“That would explain why he has let his contract run down a little bit.

“We don’t know want has gone on and Real Madrid is the club everyone wants to play for.

“They have just won La Liga and the Champions League even though they weren’t at their best.

“They just showed what Real Madrid is about by winning that trophy, they looked dead and buried in a few games but still won them.

“The opportunity to play for the European champions might be too much for Sterling to turn down.”

The Verdict: An absolute no-brainer

Ever since his arrival at City in the summer of 2015, the 74-cap international has played a pivotal role in Pep Guardiola’s squad, making an outstanding 226 goal contributions in just 339 appearances, as per Transfermarkt.

In more recent times though, the starlet has slightly fallen down the pecking order under the Spaniard, with the likes of Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish often chosen ahead of him in the match-day starting XI, something that’s resulted in him being tempted to look elsewhere.

A move to the newly-crowned Champions League winners would not only aid Sterling’s game time, but would seemingly also increase his chances of getting his hands on that one truly elusive piece of silverware.

In other news… a Man City maestro could be set for a surprise Etihad exit this summer.

Manchester United remain interested in River Plate midfielder Enzo Fernandez, according to the latest report from Portuguese newspaper A Bola (via Sport Witness). 

The lowdown: Hot property

A rising star of Argentine football, Fernandez has already garnered attention from Manchester City previously and looks set to be the next big talent to head to Europe from South America.

Following a successful loan spell at Defensa, the 21-year-old has become an established member of the River Plate first team, amassing 19 direct goal contributions in 45 appearances thus far.

It now appears that the red half of Manchester could also be keeping a close eye on developments as a host of European superpowers watch on…

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The latest: United keen on Fernandez

As per A Bola, translated by Sport Witness, United – along with AC Milan and Real Madrid – are following Fernandez ‘with a lot of attention’ ahead of the summer transfer window.

It is claimed that the Red Devils could ‘easily’ beat off competition from Benfica for the former Argentina under-20 starlet.

The report added that the man described as having an ‘amazing engine’ by Football Talent Scout creator Jacek Kulig has a €20m (£17m) release clause.

The verdict: Make it happen

As new United manager Erik ten Hag gets his feet under the table at Old Trafford, addressing the void left by the departures of Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata from midfield must be the Dutchman’s priority.

Capable of operating as a box-to-box midfielder, and in more attacking and a deep-lying role, Fernandez boasts very strong passing abilities which would suit the way that Ten Hag wants his team to play based on his time at Ajax.

During the 2022 campaign, the young Argentine has scored eight times and provided another six assists in just 20 appearances, earning a remarkable 7.77 Sofascore rating whilst firing 1.8 shots on target, making 2.5 key passes and winning five duels per game in the Copa Libertadores.

With a market value of £13.5m and under contract until 2025 (Transfermarkt), United and indeed the Glazers ownership group should jump at the chance to land such an exciting talent for the mooted £17m get-out clause.

In other news: Man Utd and Ten Hag launch ‘important offer’ to sign ‘the future’ of football along with De Jong

Aston Villa are reportedly plotting an ambitious move to sign Sevilla defender Diego Carlos, as the club’s search for a new centre-back addition continues.

What’s the word?

As per The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Villa are interested in securing a deal for the 29-year-old this summer, with the Brazilian one of the options on the table for Steven Gerrard and co as they plot to bolster their defensive ranks.

Writing on Twitter about the club’s interest, the respected journalist revealed that: “Aston Villa exploring possibility of signing Diego Carlos from Sevilla. #AVFC want a centre-back & rate Brazilian as one of Europe’s best. Potential fee + salary could be problematic & may need exits first but 29yo among the options.”

The 6 foot 1 colossus had been heavily linked with a move to fellow Premier League outfit Newcastle United back in January, although the Magpies ultimately failed to strike a deal with the Spanish side.

Statement of Intent

Although it would appear to be early days in this particular deal, these links represent yet another sign of ambition from the Midlands outfit, with the club having already pulled off two marquee signings this summer.

Gerrard and co were first able to secure Philippe Coutinho on a permanent deal for a reported fee of just £17m – a mere fraction of the £142m that Barcelona paid for the Brazilian back in January 2018 – with the former Liverpool man having shone since his temporary arrival in January, scoring five and assisting three.

That notable coup was followed by the signing of Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara earlier this week, the Frenchman reportedly snubbing the advances of Atletico Madrid in order to make the free transfer move to Villa Park, joining on a five-year deal.

Should Carlos become the club’s third major summer signing, it would further rubberstamp the ambition of NSWE and the remarkable pulling power of Gerrard, with the central defender potentially set to trade Champions League football for life in England.

Under Julien Lopetegui’s tutelage, the £40.5m-rated gem has shone in La Liga in recent seasons, including during the 2021/22 campaign, keeping 13 clean sheets and averaging 3.5 clearances per game in the Spanish top-flight, while also winning a solid 62% of his total duels.

With speculation over the future of captain Tyrone Mings, Villa are seemingly keen on a new high profile figure to orchestrate the backline, with Carlos potentially the man to do the job – a notion that will no doubt delight the club’s supporters.

IN other news, Gerrard can now axe £20m “mistake” by signing £15m ace who’s “capable of leading” AVFC

TalkSPORT journalist Alex Crook has now claimed a ‘beast’ of a player could now be open to joining David Moyes at West Ham United this summer.

The Lowdown: Hammers eye striker…

As per reliable reports, the Hammers are eyeing a new forward for manager Moyes after the club failed to seal the deal during what was a whirlwind January transfer window.

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Last minute moves for the likes of Darwin Nunez (Benfica) and Duvan Zapata (Atalanta) fell through, leaving West Ham with just Michail Antonio as their only natural senior striking option for the remainder of the Premier League campaign.

For next season, club owners GSB and head of recruitment Rob Newman will be looking to change this as they reportedly set their sights on attacking targets.

One of them is Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah with the Englishman set to leave north London as a free agent past 2021/2022.

The Irons are apparently in pole position for Mikel Arteta’s ace, according to The Mail, with Crook now also making an enticing claim.

The Latest: Crook makes claim…

Speaking to GiveMeSport, the talkSPORT reporter says Nketiah could be open to joining West Ham and a move ‘would appeal’.

He explained, when asked if the 22-year-old could eye a London Stadium move:

“Yeah, I do, because obviously he’d still be in London, still a big club, could go there and be the main man, play European football. I think that would appeal to him.

“How do you find a role for him and [Michail] Antonio in that team? I think because Antonio is not a natural centre-forward and his goals have dried up a bit since the turn of the year, I think that [bringing in Nketiah] would still work.”

The Verdict: Finalise it?

The forward, called a ‘beast’ in training by Arteta, may well be a decent option for West Ham at zero cost.

He’s still young, a hungry player and has finished this season in fine form – scoring four goals in his last six league matches as Arsenal hope to somehow usurp Tottenham in the hunt for Champions League qualification.

It’s quite a risk free move and one that surely must be considered by Moyes.

In other news: West Ham now believe they can sign phenomenal international with agents set for imminent club talks…find out more here.

Manchester United are lining up an ambitious swoop for Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante, according to a report from The Mirror. 

The lowdown: Key position targeted

The Red Devils have recently been linked with a host of defensive midfielders such as Declan Rice and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as incoming manager Erik ten Hag prepares to oversee plenty of squad changes at Old Trafford.

Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic are both on their way out in the coming weeks, leaving just Scott McTominay and Fred as senior recognised central midfield options.

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However, it now appears as though one serial winner could be on the Dutchman’s list of targets…

The latest: Ten Hag ‘wants’ Kante

As per The Mirror, United are believed to see the 31-year-old Frenchman as an ‘attainable target’ this summer despite currently plying his trade for direct domestic rivals.

It’s claimed that Ten Hag ‘wants’ to bring Kante to Manchester in order to ‘kick-start’ a new era at Carrington under his stewardship.

The report also claimed that the incoming Red Devils manager believes that the 2018 World Cup winner, who was hailed as ‘world class’ by former Chelsea team-mate Cesc Fabregas, still has the ‘hunger’ to succeed should he arrive at Old Trafford.

The verdict: No eye on the future

At 31 and with injury issues becoming increasingly prevalent in recent seasons, Kante may not be the ideal addition to freshen up the Manchester United ranks.

Whilst the Frenchman remains a high-quality operator when fit and available, earning an outstanding 7.13 Sofascore rating whilst making 2.2 tackles per game across 24 Premier League outings this season – this move may have come too late and could ultimately prove detrimental to what is supposed to be a rebuild at Old Trafford.

However, the player is out of contract in 2023 and Chelsea are currently embroiled in off-field turmoil, so should Kante be available at a rock-bottom price, then the move would become worthwhile alongside a younger alternative who can learn from the trophy-laden superstar with an eye on the next generation.

In other news:Ten Hag working on big free transfer after Man Utd meeting; agent now in England

Phil Hay has dropped an update on the future of reported Leeds United transfer target Brenden Aaronson.

What’s the word?

In a recent Q&A on The Athletic, the Leeds United correspondent revealed that the Red Bull Salzburg attacking midfielder – for whom Victor Orta saw first a £15m then a £20m offer rejected in the January transfer window – remains a target of the Whites’ Spanish sporting director this summer.

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In response to a supporter’s question regarding Leeds’ potential summer transfer business, Hay said: “Aaronson is clearly someone they really want.”

Marsch will be buzzing

With Leeds rather desperately lacking a forward-thinking and creative central midfielder in their ranks, in addition to the fact that Jesse Marsch has previously worked with the USA international, it is not difficult to see why Orta would be keen to secure the signing of Aaronson this summer.

Indeed, the 21-year-old has been a constant livewire for Salzburg over his 24 Austrian Bundesliga appearances this season, with the £18m-rated talent bagging four goals, providing five assists and creating seven big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.1 shots, making 1.6 key passes and completing 1.5 dribbles per game.

However, it was during the first-leg round of 16 Champions League tie against Bayern Munich in which the £19k-per-week sensation particularly caught the eye, with the 18-time capped international setting up Chukwubuike Adamu for Salzburg’s surprise opener with a deft touch on the edge of the box and drawing a fantastic save from Sven Ulreich after some incredibly tidy footwork in the Bayern penalty area, as well as completing five key passes, two dribbles and winning five duels over the course of the 90 minutes.

Furthermore, Aaronson’s 27.23 pressures per 90 over his eight appearances in the Champions League is enough to rank the 21-year-old in the top 1% of all attacking midfielders in Europe’s big five leagues in this particular metric over the last 365 days – something that clearly suits the way Marsch sets Leeds up tactically.

As such, while the signing of a player with as high a ceiling as the American will likely hinge on whether or not the Whites can secure survival in the Premier League this season, should they go on to do so, Orta simply must do everything in his power to bring the Salzburg starlet to Elland Road this summer, as Marsch would undoubtedly be buzzing to work with Aaronson once again.

AND in other news: “Very possible…”: Phil Hay drops big Leeds injury update, supporters will be buzzing

Former Sky Sports journalist Matteo Moretto has now shared a Tottenham Hotspur transfer update involving Paris-Saint Germain midfielder Leandro Paredes.

The Lowdown: Paredes value plummets…

Since singing for PSG from Russian top flight giants Zenit St Petersburg in 2019, Paredes’ price has now dropped from £34.7m back then to just £12 million now, according to reports.

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The Argentine’s value has plummeted by nearly £23 million in the last few seasons and it is believed that Paredes may be heading on his way out of Paris.

Spurs and transfer chief Fabio Paratici, looking to back manager Antonio Conte, have been credited with an interest with Moretto sharing his own update.

The Latest: Moretto makes Parades claim…

According to the reporter’s source, speaking to ‘All About Argentina’, Tottenham are ‘attentive’ over signing Paredes as they seriously enter the mix among ‘many clubs’.

It is believed that the 27-year-old is seriously wanted by the Lilywhites coming as he ‘could leave PSG’ – but nothing is advanced at this moment in time.

The Verdict: Get it done?

Despite a drop in value, Paredes has enjoyed some spells of bright form under Mauricio Pochettino at the Parc des Princes.

Former PSG midfielder Fabrice Pancrate raved over the South American last year, branding him ‘super strong’, ‘smart’, ‘aggressive’ and ‘perfect’ – drawing particular attention to his partnership with Marco Verratti in midfield (Le Parisien via PSG Talk).

Over his 15 Ligue 1 appearances this season, Paredes has also averaged a pretty impressive 95.8% pass accuracy – a far greater number than any Spurs regular under Conte in the Premier League (WhoScored).

An assured operator in front of the back four, he could come as a brilliant alternative to the likes of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Rodrigo Bentancur and Oliver Skipp as part of a solid rotation.

In other news: Tottenham expected to move for ‘phenomenal’ £101m star after Conte request, find out more here.

Manchester United have submitted an offer for Lazio’s 27-year-old Serbian midfielder, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

What’s the word?

That is according to Italian outlet Noi Biancocelesti, via Sports Witness, who claim that Lazio have received an offer from Manchester United, with the £68m bid said to be enough to convince the Rome-based outfit to part ways with the Serbian.

Premier League side Tottenham are also listed as competition for United, along with Real Madrid, Paris Saint Germain, Bayern Munich and Juventus.

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Pogba replacement

Over the past seven seasons at Lazio, Milinkovic-Savic has proven himself as an elite central midfielder who is competent in both parts of the game.

During his time in Rome, he has been extremely consistent and has made 30 or more appearances in six out of his seven seasons with the White and Sky Blues.

The Serbian’s 21 goal contributions from 34 appearances have taken him to that next level as a goal-creating box-to-box midfielder and at 27-years-old, he may look to spend his prime years at a so-called ‘super-club.’

With the amount of esteemed European outfits said to be interested in securing his services, Milinkovic-Savic can pick and choose where he wants to play his football next season.

Though, if he was to pick Manchester United as his next club, he would certainly bolster the side and serve as a big upgrade on the seemingly departing France midfielder Paul Pogba.

Indeed, Parma’s sporting director Demetrio Albertini previously lauded his talent, saying: “Milinković-Savić has the characteristics of a great champion; he has extraordinary elegance.”

Besides the elegance, Milinkovic-Savic, who is reported to be worth £68m, shares some very similar metrics with Pogba and would serve as an adequate replacement who can add more consistency to the United squad.

Whilst the pair share a similar match average of around three shot-creating actions per game, the Serbian serves as the metronome in midfield for the Italian side, with the majority of build-ups going through him – as can be seen through his average of 54.05 completed passes per 90 and match average of 65.14 passes received.

Manchester United are right to move for a creative source who boasts the second-highest assist total in the Serie A this season with 11, and he would be an astute addition for Erik Ten Hag’s possession-based system.

In other news: Man Utd submit offer to sign £287k-p/w “phenomenon”, he’s even “better than Mbappe”