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Manchester United have reportedly made a big offer to sign Leeds United winger Raphinha.

The Lowdown: Man United’s transfer targets

The Red Devils appear to be working on multiple deals for Erik ten Hag, with Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong still a priority. An offer has been made for free agent Christian Eriksen, whereas United also hold a ‘genuine interest’ in Ajax winger Antony.

Ten Hag currently doesn’t have a senior right-winger in his squad at this moment in time, and it looks as if Raphinha is still wanted at Old Trafford following links in recent weeks.

The Latest: Raphinha offer

Spanish outlet Sport provided an update regarding Raphinha on Sunday morning.

They claimed that his agent Deco has received several phone calls from those at Manchester United and have come forward with an offer which can’t be matched by fellow suitors Barcelona.

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The Verdict: One to watch?

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham were also name-checked in the report, so it’s not as if a move to United looks set in stone just yet.

However, a move for the Whites star could be a brilliant one for the Red Devils, and just what Ten Hag needs ahead of the new season.

Described as a ‘storm’ by Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier, Raphinha almost singlehandedly kept his team in the Premier League last season with 11 goals and three assists.

He missed just three league games, one of which was due to a viral infection, and has become a regular for Brazil over the last 12 months. Therefore, United could sort out the right-hand side of their attack for the long term with a swoop from their cross-Pennine rivals.

In other news: ‘Really huge’ – Fabrizio Romano has more news on Man Utd move for De Jong after ‘direct contact’

Journalist Fabrizio Romano has dropped a concerning update regarding the future of Liverpool forward, Sadio Mane…

What’s the word?

Writing on Twitter, the transfer insider has revealed that the Senegal international’s move to Bayern Munich has taken a step closer, with the 30-year-old having agreed personal terms with the Bundesliga outfit: “Sadio Mané has reached full verbal agreement with Bayern on personal terms. Three year contract ready – talks will enter into final stages with Liverpool, new bid set to be submitted.

“LFC are aware of his decision: Mané wants Bayern – and it’s really close now.”

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This follows reports from the end of last month that revealed the former Southampton man is ‘expected’ to leave Anfield this summer, having also teased a potential exit while on international duty.

The long-serving forward – who joined the Merseyside club from the Saints back in 2016 in a £34m deal – has just a year remaining on his existing contract, hence the increased uncertainty over his future.

Klopp gutted

While the arrival of Benfica starlet Darwin Nunez has helped to somewhat soften the blow, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp will no doubt be gutted at the prospect of losing one of his key men this summer, with Mane having been instrumental in the club’s rise under the German.

Since his switch six years ago, the £63m-rated speedster has gone on to register a staggering 120 goals and a further 40 assists in 269 games in all competitions, notably winning the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League title the following year.

Part of a ruthless and lethal forward line alongside Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah for much of his time at the club, the £200k-per-week machine has at times been overshadowed by the prolific Egyptian, yet his impact has certainly not gone unnoticed, with club legend Jamie Carragher full of praise for the way the winger has “sacrificed” for the team in recent years.

A relentless workhorse in Klopp’s remarkable side, the one-time Red Bull Salzburg man enjoyed yet another stellar campaign last time out, scoring 23 goals and providing five assists in all competitions as the Reds came within a whisker of winning an unprecedented quadruple, eventually settling for a domestic cup double after final day heartache and a European showpiece defeat to Real Madrid.

That most recent loss could well have been the 5 foot 9 marksman’s last game in a Liverpool shirt, with it looking like his fairytale run at the club is set to come to an end this summer.

That fact will be a bruising one for Klopp, not least due to his star asset’s potential destination, with the former Borussia Dortmund coach having routinely tussled with Bayern during his stint in charge in the Bundesliga.

The 55-year-old will not enjoy seeing the Bavarian giants getting one over on him…

AND in other news: Bid made: FSG now in LFC talks to land “world class” £60m “storm”, imagine him & Nunez

Tottenham have made an offer for on-loan Nottingham Forest right-back Djed Spence, according to journalist Jacque Talbot.

The Lowdown: Spence enjoys outstanding season

Steve Cooper’s side enjoyed a memorable season, returning to the Premier League for the first time since 1999 after winning the Championship play-off final against Huddersfield Town last week.

There were numerous standout players for Forest throughout the campaign and Spence was undoubtedly one of them, scoring three times and registering four assists from right-back.

The 21-year-old is only on loan at Forest from Middlesbrough, though, and while the Garibaldi want to sign him permanently this summer, it may not be that straightforward.

The Latest: Spurs table offer for Spence

Taking to Twitter, Talbot claimed that Spurs have tabled an offer for Spence, with Champions League football potentially proving the key to getting him to opt for a move to north London, although Forest still retain hope of landing him permanently.

The journalist tweeted:

“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.”

The Verdict: Too good to turn down?

While joining Forest and playing in the Premier League could undoubtedly be appealing to Spence, the fear is that his head could be turned by Spurs’ interest.

Champions League football would likely be a huge lure for any player, considering the magnitude of the competition, and he could even see himself as a regular for Antonio Conte’s side in the long run.

Ideally, Spence will ignore their advances and seal a permanent move to Forest, where his career has taken flight. However, it may be that Spurs end up doing enough to entice him to the capital, which would feel like a big blow given his influence at the City Ground over the past few months.

In other news, Forest are thought to be eyeing up a move for a Premier League player. Read more here

Celtic have been named among the clubs interested in Union SG full-back Matthew Sorinola, according to a report from Wales Online. 

The lowdown: Career so far

A product of the youth system at MK Dons, London-born Sorinola made 46 senior appearances for the League One club, scoring twice and providing six assists.

In 2021, the 21-year-old left-back was snapped up by Belgian Jupiler Pro League side Union SG on a free transfer, where he is under contract until 2024 (Transfermarkt).

But, despite the lengthy time remaining on the deal, a host of clubs are paying close attention to the Englishman’s situation…

The latest: Hoops named

As per Wales Online, Celtic are ‘keeping tabs’ on the talented youngster, who was singled out for an ‘outstanding’ performance against Wigan by now Swansea City boss Russell Martin.

The report claims that Norwich City and Swansea are both in the ‘race’ to sign Sorinola and the former recently lodged an enquiry regarding his availability.

It’s also stated that ‘sources’ have suggested former Anderlecht boss Vincent Kompany could look to take the starlet to Burnley should the appointment be made official.

The verdict: Smart move

Hoops’ manager Ange Postecoglou appears determined to add an adequate left-back cover to the squad this summer having already been heavily linked with a move for Mohanad Jeahze.

That’s despite current incumbent Greg Taylor performing admirably during a successful 2021/22 campaign at Celtic Park. The 24-year-old earned an impressive 6.94 average Sofascore rating from 24 Scottish Premiership outings, winning 4.5 duels per game in the process.

Meanwhile, Sorinola rated just 6.65 in Belgium whilst making 14 fleeting substitute appearances in the arguably inferior league.

Despite that lack of regular action, the £315,000 valued ace’s form in England suggests he would provide a worthwhile addition to the Lennoxtown ranks, albeit perhaps as an understudy to Taylor from the outset.

In other news, a journalist has provided a key Celtic transfer update. Read more here.

According to reliable journalist Dan Kilpatrick of The Evening Standard, Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte could see a ‘cult status’ player leave as he eyes a double summer swoop.

The Lowdown: Spurs summer reshuffle…

A major revamp at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been mooted ahead of Conte’s first full Premier League season in charge of the Lilywhites.

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After a summit with transfer chief Fabio Paratici in Italy on Friday, it is believed that a long list of transfer targets has now been drawn up, coming after Tottenham also announced a £150 million capital increase just before the summer window.

These are promising and exciting times to be a Spurs supporter, but according to Kilpatrick, the north Londoners still need to balance the books with outgoings.

Even in-form players aren’t safe from the possible axe as he shares who could leave Hotspur Way.

The Latest: Tottenham open to Emerson offers…

Kilpatrick, writing for The Standard, claims both Matt Doherty and Emerson Royal, despite the pair being Conte’s ‘biggest success stories’ and ‘achieving almost cult status’ by the end of 2021/2022, could be sold by Spurs.

He says Tottenham ‘will listen to offers for both’, coming as the Lilywhites head coach eyes a new full-back signing on each flank as his ‘top priority’.

Indeed, Conte would ‘ideally’ like a new addition on either side as he eyes a double-summer swoop.

The Verdict: Right call?

While Doherty’s form before his injury will raise question marks over the Irishman’s possible sale, we believe Emerson’s potential exit is all the more surprising.

Still just 23-years-old, he finished the season strongly as one of Tottenham’s top 10 performers going by average match rating – all while making the second-most tackles per 90 behind star defender Cristian Romero (WhoScored).

Emerson also improved going forward with the third-highest amount of crosses from out-wide out of Conte’s squad, backing pundit Kevin Campbell’s early-season theory that the Brazilian is a ‘perfect’ full-back (Football Insider).

That being said, if Conte has set his sights on upgrading the full-back areas, Tottenham should perhaps let him take the reins given he somehow guided them to Champions League football.

In other news: Conte could see ‘one of the best in the world’ join Tottenham after behind-scenes demand, find out more here.

Wolves are reportedly ‘closer’ to signing Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha, with the Portuguese maestro heavily linked with a move to Molineux over recent weeks.

What’s the story?

That’s according to Correio da Manha, via Sport Witness, who claimed that Bruno Lage’s side are nearer to signing the 26-year-old.

Palhinha is set to leave the Portuguese giants, with Molineux his most likely destination, having gone through the youth ranks at the Lisbon club.

Lage is certainly in the market for a midfielder this summer, particularly with the possible departure of Ruben Neves, and his compatriot could well become the latest name on a long list of Portuguese talent to have played for Wolves in the Premier League.

Wolves must secure Palhinha deal

It looks increasingly likely that Neves will move on to bigger things this summer, whilst Joao Moutinho still hasn’t signed a contract extension at Molineux even though the 35-year-old’s current deal is set to expire at the end of June.

Even if the veteran midfielder is to extend his stay in the West Midlands, he isn’t a long-term solution, with him turning 36 in September.

Therefore, adding Palhinha to his ranks would be crucial for Lage, who will be keen to learn from the mistakes in his first season as a Premier League manager, as a woeful end to the season prevented the Black Country outfit from securing European football.

Valued at £23.4m by Transfermarkt, the Portuguese midfielder – who was dubbed a “special player” by his manager Ruben Amorim – made 38 appearances in all competitions for Sporting this term, with his side finishing runners up to Porto in the Primeira Liga.

That included six appearances in the Champions League, with the 26-year-old playing the full 90 minutes of their 5-0 first leg defeat to Wolves’ Premier League rivals Manchester City in the round of 16.

With an 88% passing accuracy and an average of 53.4 touches per match in the Portuguese top flight this term, it appears as though Palhinha is ready for a move to the Premier League, and what better destination in England right now for an exciting Portuguese talent than Molineux?

Although the completion of a deal would almost certainly prelude the exit of Neves, Wolves fans should be excited about the prospective addition of a quality midfielder with plenty of top-level experience and approaching the prime of his career.

AND in other news: Lage can land Wolves their own Wilfried Zaha with swoop for “extraordinary” £8.5m gem

Newcastle United supporters ‘will be disappointed’ with the news that the Magpies were the only Premier League club to have claimed furlough money two seasons running, claims football finance expert Kieran Maguire.

The Lowdown: Newcastle’s finances

On 16 May, Newcastle submitted a report on Companies House which showed that the club’s turnover had fallen from £153m to £140m in the year ending on 30 June 2021.

The Tyneside outfit attributed £40m of the lost income to the damaging effects of the Covid pandemic, with home supporters unable to attend matches.

The report also highlighted how the Magpies claimed £900,000 through the furlough scheme that year, with a further £1.15m claimed in 2019/20.

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The Latest: Maguire’s claim

As a result, Maguire, featured on Sky Sports, has now asserted that Newcastle fans will not be happy with the club’s actions.

Speaking with Football Insider, he claimed:

“A lot of people will be surprised and fans will be disappointed that they took advantage of the coronavirus job retention scheme in both of the last two years.

“I certainly haven’t seen any other Premier League club take this route.

“We have seen the fans of certain clubs kick up a bit of a fuss about the owners trying to take advantage. But Mike Ashley was an immovable object.”

The Verdict: Under Mike Ashley…

Many Magpies supporters will be livid with the club’s actions, whereas others would have become so desensitised to Ashley’s actions whilst in charge, this sort of behaviour would have been expected.

Especially now with the colossal investment made by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, these actions may seem worse than ever.

Either way, Magpies fans’ opinion of Ashley will likely remain unchanged, and they can look to a brighter future under Eddie Howe, who has helped completely transform the mood on Tyneside.

In other news: Newcastle United: Magpies are already ‘looking’ at three ‘quality’ signings, claims pundit

Manchester United could target a ‘budget Declan Rice’ in the summer transfer window, according to transfer expert Dean Jones. 

The lowdown: Overhaul pending…

Incoming manager Erik ten Hag is expected to oversee wide-ranging squad changes in the summer as the Red Devils attempt to put a lacklustre 2021/22 campaign behind them.

With the likes of Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata all out of contract in the coming months and Nemanja Matic also set to leave the club, the Old Trafford ranks will take on a whole new complexion over the course of the Dutchman’s early reign.

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Having been heavily linked with a defensive midfielder as a priority, West Ham United star Rice, PSV Eindhoven sensation Ibrahim Sangare and Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong – a former protégé of Ten Hag – have all been heavily linked with a move to Manchester.

The latest: Jones predicts ‘budget’ swoop

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones explained that the United hierarchy may need to find a cheaper alternative to Rice given the Englishman’s £150m reported price tag.

The journalist explained: “If it doesn’t (work out with Declan Rice), they’re going to have to look for a budget Declan Rice.

“And ultimately, that’s when Ten Hag’s nous comes in in terms of negotiating and spotting people that can do as good a job in a short space of time.

“Maybe it’s Sangare, it looks like they’re out of the running for Tchouameni at this point. So, whatever it is, they’re going to have to move fast on that deal, I think.”

The verdict: Reinforcements needed

Ultimately, the Red Devils need to add high-quality additions to the central midfield ranks, particularly in a defensive sense given their 56 Premier League goals conceded this season, the second-highest among teams in the top half of the table.

Ironically, when using the FBRef comparison tool to seek out stylistic alternatives to Rice, Liverpool spoiler Fabinho and United’s own Scott McTominay are the closest matches to the Englishman. Further down the list are attainable such names as 21-year-old Khephren Thuram-Ulien and 28-year-old Mario Lemina, who both currently ply their trade at Ligue 1 outfit Nice.

Whilst either Sangare or Aurelien Tchouameni would represent viable options to bolster the Old Trafford ranks, Ten Hag and John Murtough may well need to get creative without the lure of Champions League football next term and could be looking beyond the traditional targets in order to bolster the squad.

In other news: Man Utd now eyeing move for ‘world class’ Premier League star. Read more here

Liverpool midfielder Fabinho is expected to win his battle to be fit for the Champions League final, The Daily Mirror’s David Maddock reports. 

The lowdown

Fabinho was forced off half an hour into Liverpool’s 2-1 Premier League victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday night with an apparent hamstring injury.

It’s since been confirmed that the 28-year-old will miss Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea, as well as the Reds’ remaining league games against Southampton and Wolves.

That means that the no. 3 faces a race to be fit for the meeting with Real Madrid in Paris at the end of the month.

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The latest

Maddock, northern football correspondent for the paper, shared the ‘big news’ on Fabinho on Thursday evening.

The Brazilian ‘should be fit for the Champions League final’, he wrote, news which has now been confirmed by Jurgen Klopp himself.

The verdict

This would be a significant boost for Klopp and Liverpool. Fabinho is typically one of the first names on the team-sheet, starting 26 of the 30 Premier League games for which he’s been available.

What’s more, Klopp has previously hailed him as ‘the best’ defensive midfielder on the planet.

And with Fabinho on the pitch, Liverpool are outscoring the opposition by an average of 1.7 goals per 90 minutes.

Injury played a part last time Liverpool faced Real Madrid in the UCL showpiece, with top goalscorer Mohamed Salah forced off in the first half, and they won’t want it to be a factor this time around.

In other news, there’s been a ‘major development’ in the Aurelien Tchouameni race. 

Wolverhampton Wanderers could explore a move for Barcelona’s 20-year-old Moroccan winger Abdessamad Ezzalzouli.

What’s the word?

That is according to Catalan outlet Mundo Deportivo, via Sports Witness, who claim that the Hercules CF youth player could leave Barcelona in the upcoming transfer window.

The Moroccan international is not getting many chances with the Barcelona first-team and could lean towards a loan departure “or even a permanent sale in case a good bid arrives” from a Barcelona perspective.

Wolves could look to use Jorge Mendes’ link, with the young £7.2m-rated forward’s agent Javi Garrido said to have an “alliance” with Mendes.

Beneficial for all parties

Since Adama Traore’s departure, Wolves have missed a spark in their attacking play this season that even another Barcelona man in Trincao has not been able to fix, with Wolves having created just 35 big chances this season – the third lowest in the Premier League.

The resurgence of Ousmane Dembele at Barcelona amidst attacking options in Ferran Torres, Memphis Depay and Adama Traore have made it tough for the young Moroccan to achieve regular minutes with the Blaugrana, though he has managed to feature 12 cameo appearances.

Ezzalzouli’s defensive stats, despite operating as a forward, are solid and would allow the Barca starlet to fit in as a wing-back, given the nature of his game.

Though, as a forward, he has achieved some stats that bode well for his future, and with his average of 9.16 progressive carries per game capable of posing deep threat to the opposition.

His direct approach and match average of 3.26 crosses are a stand out factor of his game, with Raul Jimenez surely licking his lips at the prospect of an energetic winger who can create chances.

The Mexican has had a tough campaign in the Premier League this season, with his average of 2.08 shots per 90 a good indication that he is not receiving the support required to shine in his role as a forward.

Ez Abde, who was once labelled a “discovery” by Alex Truica can not only develop his game at the Molineux with regular minutes, but can also offer Lage an option to bolster the creative threat in his attacking line.

Let’s just hope he doesn’t become Trincao 2.0…

In other news: Better than Podence: Lage must sign £50m “jewel” who “gave Wolves so many problems”