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Reliable journalist Jonathan Shrager has shared a major West Ham United transfer update involving long-time target and free agent Jesse Lingard.

The Lowdown: Hammers eye move…

The Hammers and manager David Moyes have been attempting to bring Lingard back to east London ever since his dazzling temporary spell at the back end of 2020/2021.

West Ham’s ex-loanee bagged a brilliant nine goals and four assists over 16 Premier League starts during the second half of that campaign and the club now have a chance to sign him permanently at zero transfer cost.

Lingard, alongside the likes of Chelsea striker Armando Broja, is thought to be a key target for Moyes as the Scotsman gears up for what will be an interesting 2022/2023 season.

The Latest: Shrager shares big Lingard update…

As per reliable Man United journalist Shrager, there has been a big update on the chase for Lingard.

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Indeed, according to the reporter’s sources, West Ham have already made their ‘best’ deal offer to sign the 29-year-old.

He explained (via Twitter):

“West Ham will not currently entertain the salary request being mentioned for Lingard. I am told the club has made Jesse the best deal they are willing to offer.”

The Verdict: Move on?

If the Irons can’t agree a move for Lingard with no club standing in the way, we believe a reunion is simply not meant to be.

Called the ‘perfect match’ for West Ham and a possible ‘great signing’ by pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor, whilst we’re in agreement considering his brilliant loan spell, a move for the Three Lions ace is in danger of dragging on yet again and the Irons should not obliterate their wage structure to accommodate him.

If the saga continues any further into the window, Moyes and co should waste no time in pursuing other options like Villarreal star Arnaut Danjuma.

Sunderland podcaster Philip West of Roker Report has been left ‘absolutely elated’ by the news that Bailey Wright has been given a new deal at the Stadium of Light.

The Lowdown: New contract

As per the official website of the Wearside club, Wright has now signed a new contract until 2024, in a deal that Alex Neil said he was ‘delighted’ to get over the line.

The Australia international has played a total of 90 times for the Black Cats over the past three seasons, scoring four goals and making one assist (Transfermarkt).

The Latest: West reacts

Taking to Twitter, West was left ‘absolutely elated’ by the news, claiming that Wright’s new deal is a ‘massive boost’ and is ‘priceless’ given what he can offer them in the Championship:

“Absolutely elated at this news. Wright is a leader, an organiser, a warrior; an absolute rock at the heart of our defence, and his experience and ability will be priceless in the Championship. Another massive boost!”

The Verdict: Massive

The fact that Wright has committed his future to SAFC is indeed massive for the club ahead of their Championship campaign.

The 29-year-old has played for two different teams in the division before in Preston North End and Bristol City, and so would provide that vital experience needed on the pitch and in the dressing room.

In League One, Wright ranked highly among his teammates in terms of aerial duels won and average clearances and blocks per game (WhoScored), and so can be the defensive warrior the side needs in what is overall a tougher league.

Aston Villa saw a raft of new players join their ranks during the previous summer and winter transfer windows as the Midlands club had a rather eventful season that also saw Steven Gerrard get appointed as their new manager.

On the pitch, one figure that was a rather prominent in Villa’s campaign was John McGinn.

With 35 Premier League appearances to his name, Matty Cash and Tyrone Mings were the only outfield players to play more minutes than the Scotsman last season.

In those appearances, McGinn showed how useful he can be in a defensive and attacking sense.

In terms of his attacking presence, no other Villa player racked up more shot-creating actions (96) than the midfielder, who also made more successful dribbles (41) than any of his teammates.

From a defensive point of view, the midfielder won more tackles (61) than any other player in Gerrard’s squad, in addition to making 52 interceptions.

With all of this in mind, it’s safe to say that the 27-year-old is a vital cog for the Villans.

Looking ahead to next term, one figure that has been linked with a move to Villa Park that could form formidable duo alongside McGinn is Conor Gallagher.

As a product of Chelsea’s youth system, the midfielder spent the previous Premier League campaign on loan at Crystal Palace.

During his time with Patrick Vieira’s side the Englishman scored eight goals and delivered three assists in 34 league games.

In fact, his second goal against West Ham United in August was described as “outrageous” by Palace podcaster Dan Cook.

As well as his goals and assists, only Wilfried Zaha (104) produced more shot-creating actions than the Gallagher (89).

From a defensive point of view, only Tyrick Mitchell (187) ended the season with a higher combined total of tackles and interceptions in the league than the 22-year-old (112).

Taking all of this into account, it’s safe to say that having both McGinn and Gallagher in the same side as two well-rounded midfielders who are capable of going forward and defending their own goal, would be a massive asset for Villa as a team.

Despite having a rather hefty reported price tag of £50m, this would be a great reason for NSWE to get the chequebook out once again and give Gerrard a great tool to help push the team and the club forward.

AND in other news: Reliable journo: AVFC move would be “attractive” for 6ft1 “rock”, Gerrard will love it

Everton have been heavily linked with a move for Armando Broja this summer, and now a new update has emerged on the player’s current situation from a reliable source.

What’s the latest?

According to football correspondent for The Athletic David Ornstein, Everton transfer target Broja will join Chelsea in their preseason tour of the USA this week, despite the Toffees continuing to pursue the youngster.

Ornstein tweeted:

“Armando Broja will fly to USA this week & join Chelsea on USA tour. 20yo striker didn’t travel with group on Sat amid uncertainty over future. But despite likes of West Ham + Everton pursuing, no major developments so far.”

Dream DCL heir

Frank Lampard is in desperate need of reinforcements in the team following a difficult campaign in the Premier last season, and with Richarlison already leaving the Merseyside club this summer and Dominic Calvert-Lewin linked with a move to Newcastle, Broja is exactly what the Toffees boss needs.

Although Broja will be joining his teammates on tour this summer, it shouldn’t deter Everton in their pursuit to sign the player as he could be an incredible influence in the forward line, something he proved whilst on a season-long loan at Southampton last season.

The 20-year-old striker was the second highest scoring player for the Saints last season scoring nine goals and delivering one assist in all competitions, but it’s not just his goal contributions that make him a formidable force in the forward line.

In 32 Premier League appearances, Broja created two big chances, taking 1.4 shots and winning five duels on average per game, in fact, the youngster ranked third last season in the entire top five leagues across Europe for the most aerial duels committed in his own half.

Lampard is no stranger to the £58m Albanian gem, as he gave the young talent his debut at Chelsea when he was managing the team in 2020 and lavished praise on Broja last season claiming he has an “eye for goal” in a press conference:

“He’s a very nice, very good lad and a very talented young boy.

“He’s fast, strong, has an eye for a goal. A very good player.”

With that being, Lampard can use his relationship with Broja to convince the player to make the move to Merseyside this summer and with the right development could even become Calvert-Lewin’s heir at Goodison Park.

AND in other news: Romano: “Official bid” has come in for £32m Everton target, supporters will be gutted

Crystal Palace are willing to sell striker Christian Benteke this summer if the right offer comes in for the out of favour Belgian.

What’s the story?

According to a report in The Sun, The Eagles need to raise funds so that they can make new attacking signings, and are willing to listen to offers for Benteke.

The 31-year-old was in and out of the side last season and was recently left out of Roberto Martinez’s Belgium squad, so is keen to play regularly ahead of the World Cup this winter.

It’s unlikely he will get enough minutes at Selhurst Park so it seems best for all parties that he moves on.

He’s cost them too much

Benteke has just one year remaining on his contract, and at £120k-per-week, he is Palace’s second highest-paid player. It’s unlikely they will extend his current deal, but they may struggle to offload him before then given his hefty salary.

He’s amongst a host of players who were unable to travel on Palace’s pre-season tour of Singapore and Australia because they do not meet the entry requirements.  So if he does end up staying then he won’t have had a proper pre-season under his belt.

Last season he scored just four goals in 31 appearances, and with his weekly earnings that high, it means he cost the Eagles a staggering £1.5m per goal. For this reason alone Patrick Vieira must ruthlessly axe him.

He’s been described in the past by Alan Shearer as “scared to miss” and given his form last season it’s hard to disagree.

Given that sum, it’s also easy to see why Palace are unwilling to invest in another striker until Benteke is offloaded. If they did manage to get him off the wage bill then it would free up a lot of room for further additions.

The Eagles must also make sure that they keep hold of their star man Wilfried Zaha. He was their top scorer last season, with loanee Conor Gallagher in second place.

Gallagher has now returned to his parent club Chelsea, so Palace will be without his goals next season which further highlights their need to sign another goalscorer.

Vieira will be hoping that their latest addition Cheick Doucoure can replace what they’ve lost, but it may not be enough and they don’t want to risk having to rely on Benteke.

AND in other news: Vieira can form “remarkable” duo as Crystal Palace eye bid for “fantastic” £25m target…

Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte is intent on raiding Serie A as he eyes a move for Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Spurs keep moving…

The Lilywhites are allegedly eager to make even more new signings despite their already busy summer transfer window so far.

Links have recently emerged to the likes of Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo, with reports suggesting that Conte and club chief Fabio Paratici are in the market for a creative midfielder.

They could also target another right-wing-back and a central defender, even despite their signings of Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet on loan and a permanent deal for Djed Spence from Middlesbrough.

According to reports from Italy, it is now believed that McKennie is on their radar as Conte seemingly targets a box-to-box midfielder.

The Latest: McKennie targeted by Spurs…

Indeed, as per Tutto Juve, Conte apparently ‘goes shopping in Serie A’, with the USA international eyed by Spurs.

McKennie is one of the profiles ‘spotted’ by the Premier League club and is described as one of the main targets alongside Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar.

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The Verdict: Make the move?

The Juventus ace comes with quite a reputation at international level, with his age also a real incentive for Tottenham to consider bidding.

The 23-year-old still has many years ahead of a promising career, with MLS expert Chris Smith of 90min certainly holding no shortage of glowing endorsements.

He called McKennie a ‘supremely underrated’ talent for the US national team with the potential to become a ‘truly elite midfielder’, alongside being a ‘pressing machine’ (Twitter).

Depending on Juve’s demands, it sounds like he could be quite the asset at Tottenham if Conte gets his man.

Everton are reportedly interested in signing Wolves midfielder Leander Dendoncker this summer, but Bruno Lage would be foolish to let the Belgian leave Molineux.

What’s the word?

According to Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano: “Everton want to sign an extra quality midfielder. Frank Lampard has also Leander Dendoncker on the list, he’s appreciated by board and manager. Everton, ready to explore this move in the next weeks.”

The 27-year-old’s contract at Wolves is set to expire at the end of next season, but Romano says that the Old Gold have the option to extend that by a further year, which would suggest that they are under no pressure to sell the Belgium international this summer.

Supporters will be gutted

Dendoncker was a regular in Lage’s side last season, making 30 appearances in the Premier League, so unless Wolves receive an excellent offer from Everton, it would be strange to see him sold to the Toffees.

Since initially joining on loan from Anderlecht in 2018, the versatile midfielder has gone on to make 154 appearances for the Old Gold, contributing 12 goals and four assists.

Transfermarkt currently values him at £25.2m, so unless Everton are willing to make an offer in that ballpark, Wolves should keep hold of Dendoncker, especially considering their lack of options in midfield.

While Lage has managed to retain the services of Joao Moutinho, and Ruben Neves is looking increasingly likely to remain at Molineux, the Portuguese manager isn’t blessed with a plethora of midfield options, and supporters would surely be gutted if they were weakened further by the departure of Dendoncker.

Connor Ronan and Morgan Gibbs-White could both be in the first-team picture next season after impressive loan spells but they are relatively untested in the Premier League, while Bruno Jordao has left the club to join Grasshoppers Zurich.

Wolves have made just one new signing so far this summer, with Nathan Collins joining from Burnley, and unless Lage has replacements for Dendoncker lined up, it would be a mistake to sell the Belgian to Everton this summer.

AND in other news: Lage can ignite Wolves’ attack with “excellent” second summer signing, imagine him and Jimenez

Southampton look set to miss out on signing Manchester City striker Liam Delap this summer, according to an update relayed by Fabrizio Romano. 

The lowdown: Hot property

Having made an impressive rise through the youth ranks in Manchester, the 19-year-old has become a highly sought-after commodity in the ongoing transfer window.

The England youth international has amassed 63 direct goal contributions from 68 appearances across all competitions so far between youth and senior football and has reportedly attracted attention from the Saints, along with Brighton, Newcastle, Burnley and Stoke City, among others.

However, it now appears that the striker’s immediate future has been decided upon, and it isn’t positive news for Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl…

The latest: ‘Official bid’ made

Taking to Twitter, reputable journalist Romano has relayed a report from The Athletic’s Dan Sheldon that Stoke are in ‘advanced talks’ to sign Delap, citing a ‘rejected’ offer from the Saints in the process.

He said: “Stoke City are in advanced talks to sign Liam Delap, favourites to find full agreement with Man City. #MCFC

“Been told City will only let Delap go on loan. Southampton £16m official bid and Newcastle approaches have been rejected. Stoke, on it – as per @dansheldonsport.”

The verdict: Big blow for Southampton

Despite completing the signing of talented forward Sekou Mara from Bordeaux already this summer, Hasenhuttl is clearly desperate to add further firepower to the St Mary’s ranks following a disappointing campaign in front of goal for Che Adams and Adam Armstrong in 2021/22 as they managed only 11 goals between them.

Albeit relatively inexperienced at the senior level with just six first-team outings under his belt, Delap has consistently proven to be an astute operator in the final third in youth football, scoring eight goals and providing two assists in 15 appearances across all competitions at senior and youth level last term.

If indeed Southampton miss out on the £1.35m-valued teenager, seemingly owing to a desire to strike a permanent deal, they may well be forced to turn their attention to bringing back Chelsea ace Armando Broja following his loan spell at St Mary’s last term.

West Ham United target Maxwel Cornet is the perfect man to replace Arthur Masuaku’s role in the squad, says former Premier League striker Kevin Campbell.

The lowdown: Hammers deal lined up

The Hammers have been extensively linked with Cornet in recent weeks, albeit there was fierce competition from Everton and Newcastle for the recently relegated Burnley man.

However, West Ham are now believed to have agreed on a fee with the Lancashire club, moving the transfer swoop for the 25-year-old Ivory Coast international one step closer.

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Following the loan departure of Masuaku to Besiktas this week, one pundit has suggested that Cornet could be the ideal man to replace the versatile ace in the Irons’ ranks…

The latest: ‘Like for like’

Speaking to Football Insider, ex-Arsenal frontman and Sky Sports pundit Campbell stated that the 29-cap winger is the perfect man to succeed Masuaku.

He said: “It would be a like for like. Masuaku has done a job every time he has come in. He has done ok.

“He has not been a regular starter though. It gets to the point where you want to play. At Besiktas, he will play.

“I’m sure he would go with West Ham fans blessing. David Moyes is clearly in the market for a left-sided player. If a [Filip] Kostic or Cornet comes in you have cover. That would be a like for like replacement.

“West Ham have been so consistent. Players on the periphery don’t get much game time. The first XI have been so consistent.”

The verdict: Attacking intent

Albeit Cornet is capable of operating as a left-back having done so 39 times in his career to date, a majority of the Ivorian’s skill-set lies in the attacking areas and David Moyes would therefore likely be reticent to turn to him for a prolonged period in place of Aaron Cresswell.

Capable of playing on either wing and as a centre-forward, last season, the former Lyon man scored nine times and provided two assists in 29 appearances across all competitions for what was a struggling Burnley outfit.

Hailed as an ‘exciting’ player by pundit Noel Whelan, Cornet would offer supreme versatility to Moyes’ squad at the London Stadium, so perhaps we could see Campbell’s call come to fruition if the boss ever opts to play a back five, offering Cornet more freedom as a wing-back.

Celtic are reportedly interested in a move for Barcelona forward Alex Collado, having previously been linked with the Spaniard two years ago.

What’s the word?

According to journalist Albert Roge, the Old Firm outfit are believed to have made a move to add the 23-year-old to their ranks this summer, with the player seemingly set to leave the Camp Nou in the coming weeks on what will likely be a loan deal.

Writing on Twitter about that interest in the La Masia product, the transfer insider noted: “Olympiakos, Celtic Glasgow and two LaLiga teams, the first to move for Álex Collado. The youth squad would like to play European competition although LaLiga also attracts him, after his good performance at Granada.”

The 5 foot 10 gem – who currently has just a year remaining on his current deal in Catalonia – had previously been a target for the Hoops back in the summer of 2020, albeit with then-boss Neil Lennon ultimately not getting a deal over the line.

Forget Lennon failure

That missed opportunity epitomises the at times head-scratching recruitment that occurred under Lennon – especially during his second spell in charge – with that window two years ago, in particular, resulting in a number of failed additions.

After not pressing on with a move for Collado, the Northern Irishman oversaw the arrivals of the likes of Albian Ajeti, Diego Laxalt, Shane Duffy and Vasilis Barkas, with current David Turnbull the only notable success story of that bunch.

Under the new regime, however, title-winning boss Ange Postecoglou has already proven himself particularly astute in the market thus far, with it hard to think of an acquisition that has failed to make an impact over the last 12 months or so.

The 56-year-old can seemingly pull off another masterstroke by doing what his predecessor could not and get Collado through the door, with the £15k-per-week gem clearly a player that would add quality to the current crop of talent.

A versatile forward player who can slot in on either flank or in an attacking midfield role, the £3.6m-rated sensation may have struggled to earn a regular role for the La Liga giants – making just two senior appearances thus far – although blossomed out on loan at Granada last term.

The left-footed ace scored twice and registered one assist in just 17 league games for the Spanish side after joining in January, while also showcasing his defensive strength after notably recording 1.6 tackles per game – a figure better than his potential competitors at Parkhead in Jota (1.3), Liel Abada (0.4) and James Forrest (0.2) from the 2021/22 campaign.

His relentless, defence work ethic is also further illustrated by the fact that he remarkably ranks in the top 1% for pressures, tackles, interceptions and blocks among those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues.

With such a stunning record having come in a more competitive league than the Scottish Premiership, the former Spain U19 international should be able to enjoy an even greater impact were he to make the switch to Glasgow.

While it may sting that the club could have signed the highly-rated “leader”- as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig – two years ago, they can forget all about that failure by ensuring they get the deal done this time around.