Manchester United's search for a David De Gea replacement has led them to Thibaut Courtois, with the Glazers now launching a bid for the Real Madrid superstar according to reports in Spain, via Football 365.
Are Manchester United signing Thibaut Courtois?
The shot-stopper currently plays for Real Madrid and has spent five seasons with the Spanish side, adding even more silverware to his collection since leaving Chelsea. Having won a Premier League title with the Blues, he has since won La Liga with Madrid and has also bagged himself a Champions League trophy.
In 2022/23, he was unable to help his side to claim the league title though, despite featuring in 31 top flight games and conceding only 29 goals.
His showings over the last year have also led to the keeper re-establishing himself as arguably one of the best in his position in Europe, if not the greatest. The Belgian's save percentage of 78.9% for example puts him in the top five percent in that category and his crosses stopped rate has him in the top nine percent too.
It shows that he not only keeps out opposition attempts at goal but can command his box with confidence under barrages of long balls and crosses, something De Gea often struggles with.
Belgium'sThibautCourtois
And these showings have now led to interest from Man United. According to reports from Spain via Football 365, Red Devils chiefs have a real interest in Courtois and have launched a huge 80 million Euro (£69m) bid to land the player over the summer.
The club are of course in the market for a new shot-stopper, with De Gea potentially out of the exit door at Old Trafford. Courtois has Premier League experience to boot and they are apparently offering him £17m (about £325k-p/w) a year to sign on the dotted line.
When does Courtois' contract expire?
The player's deal with Real Madrid is set to expire in 2026, so the Spanish side would likely be hoping to hold onto him for longer than this summer. If a bid as big as this one is indeed on the table though, that could perhaps tempt them into a deal.
If United do land Courtois, they would be getting themselves a shot-stopper who has been described as "top class" by football journalist Josh Bunting and has certainly proven that to be true.
The journalist also added that the performance in the Champions League final against Liverpool was "immense" from the Belgian – and if the Red Devils could add him to their squad then, they would have a much more solid option in goal and some extra bragging rights over their rivals to boot.
Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke arrived at Elland Road this summer with a reputation for working with and developing young players.
The German head coach helped the likes of James Maddison, Ben Godfrey, Max Aarons, and Emiliano Buendia to thrive during his spell with Norwich, and could look to enjoy similar success with the Whites.
Who are Leeds' most valuable academy graduates?
A number of players have progressed through the ranks with the Yorkshire-based outfit and are currently valuable assets, either for Leeds or another club.
Farke will now be hoping to uncover the next Kalvin Phillips over the coming months and years with the club and has already shown a willingness to dip into the academy as 17-year-old Archie Gray has started all five of their Championship matches to date.
Most valuable academy graduates
Current market value
Kalvin Phillips
£27.5m
Pascal Struijk
£15.4m
Crysencio Summerville
£12.8m
Jack Clarke
£10.3m
Lewis Cook
£8.5m
Valuations via Transfermarkt.
The teenager, who has assisted five goals in 44 appearances at youth and senior level, has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.60 in the league this term, which is the 19th-best score within the squad – out of 20 players.
Another academy prospect who could be a future star for the Whites and is well worth a look at for Farke is U21 central midfielder Charlie Allen, who has caught the eye of late.
Who is Charlie Allen?
Allen is a 19-year-old talent who turns 20 in November but is yet to make his first-team bow for Leeds, although he does have senior experience from his time with Linfield in Northern Ireland.
The Whites snapped him up from his former club in 2020 after he became their youngest-ever player at the age of 15 in 2019 and went on to play four matches before his move to England.
They faced stiff competition for his signature, though, as Liverpool, Manchester City, Rangers, and Chelsea all reportedly showed an interest in signing the talented teen after his breakthrough with the Northern Irish outfit.
Allen played three Premiership games for Linfield and Patrick Van Dort, who was the deputy sports editor for JPIMedia in Northern Ireland, claimed that people described him as a "joy to coach".
What is Charlie Allen's style of play?
Van Dort also revealed that the central midfielder was compared to Scotland international Billy Gilmour during his time with Linfield, due to his game intelligence and calmness on the ball that allows his teammates to have trust in his ability in possession.
This suggests that Farke could unearth his next version of the former Chelsea metronome as the German head coach worked with him during the 2021/22 campaign at Norwich.
Former Norwich midfielder Billy Gilmour.
Gilmour spent the season on loan with the Canaries and enjoyed time with the ex-Borussia Monchengladbach chief before his dismissal in November 2021.
The midfielder revealed that Farke's style of football suited the way that he wanted to play in terms of getting the ball down and trying to pass through teams.
How well did Gilmour perform for Norwich?
In spite of Norwich's relegation to the Championship, Gilmour did show signs of promise throughout the campaign with an average Sofascore rating of 6.82.
He featured in 24 Premier League matches for the Canaries and showcased his reliability on the ball with a pass accuracy of 91% within his own half that term, along with one key pass per game as he burst forward to create for his teammates.
The Scottish maestro earned himself a £9m transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion from Chelsea off the back of his season in Norfolk and the talented midfielder has continued to display his impressive ability in possession.
Brighton midfielder Billy Gilmour.
Over the last 365 days, Gilmourranks within the top 3% of his positional peers among the Men's Big Five Leagues and European competitions with a pass completion rate of 90.4% for the Seagulls. He also ranks in the top 15% for progressive passes per 90 (7.22) during that period.
These statistics show that Gilmour is one of the best midfielders in Europe at retaining possession due to his superb ability to find teammates with his passes, whilst his progressive numbers also prove that the Scot does not achieve such a high success rate by playing safe and risk free passes.
How many assists has Allen provided for Leeds?
Farke could now find his next version of the Scotland international in Allen as the Northern Irish youngster has showcased his ability to provide assists on a regular basis to go along with his aforementioned reliability and calmness on the ball.
The 19-year-old has racked up eight assists in 74 matches for Leeds at U18 and U21 level combined but six of those came during the 2022/23 campaign.
He only managed two assists in 24 academy matches for the club throughout his first season at Elland Road in 2020/21 and followed that up with zero assists in 25 games throughout the 2021/22 term, which included two goals in 11 Premier League 2 appearances.
Allen finally hit his creative stride for Leeds last season as he racked up six assists, to go along with two goals, in 21 league clashes for the U21 side.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke.
The Thorp Arch talent, who completed 97% of his attempted passes within his own half over two EFL Trophy matches during the 2021/22 campaign, has displayed his ability to provide his teammates with opportunities to score on a regular basis from a midfield position over the last 12 months.
Last season, no first-team midfielder for Leeds managed more than two Premier League assists and no player in that position has registered a single assist over the first five Championship matches of the current term.
This suggests that Farke is not blessed with creative quality in the middle of the park so Allen could emerge as a much-needed spark in midfield with his ability to frequently provide assists as a number eight.
The German head coach should now look to offer the talented youngster an opportunity to impress at senior level to see if the Northern Irish gem could be his next version of Gilmour.
Newcastle United 'will be looking' at Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes this summer as Eddie Howe seeks to strengthen his squad in the summer at St James' Park, according to journalist Keith Downie.
What's the latest transfer news involving Harvey Barnes?
As per Football Insider, Leicester City are set to demand over £50 million for Barnes this summer, regardless of whether they stay in the Premier League or suffer relegation to the Sky Bet Championship.
The outlet report that Newcastle United are keen on the 25-year-old, who is also attracting attention from Tottenham Hotspur and a number of clubs in the English top flight.
90min claimed last month that the Magpies were tracking Barnes ahead of the off-season as they plan to 'invest heavily' in squad additions in order for Howe to beef up depth on Tyneside ahead of 2023/24.
Barnes is open to a new challenge and is willing to leave the King Power Stadium and could be joined by teammate James Maddison, who has also attracted interest in his services, namely from Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Downie thinks that Newcastle should be targeting players like Barnes and Maddison as they prepare for next term: “For any of these players, Newcastle must be an appealing place to come right now, with everything you see on matchdays.
“They could be playing Champions League football next season, and the club is on the rise. Without a doubt, those are the sort of players Newcastle will be looking to bring in.
“The biggest challenge is whether they can fit into the wage structure.”
How has Harvey Barnes faired for Leicester City this season?
Barnes, who has been described as almost being a "superstar", has been a rare bright spark for Leicester City this season, though he may not be able to dig them out of their relegation trouble.
In 2022/23, the England international has made 38 appearances in all competitions, registering 12 goals and three assists, as per Transfermarkt.
WhoScored shows that Barnes has been a constant offensive threat for the Foxes this term, managing to take an average of 2.2 shots per match in the Premier League.
Unsurprisingly, his high goal tally means that Barnes, compared to his positional peers, ranks favourably in the metric of non-penalty goals across Europe's top five divisions, as he has achieved 0.40 per 90 minutes over the last 365 days, placing the £35k-a-week ace in the tenth percentile for this statistical curation, as per FBRef.
Newcastle United may need to enter the market for a winger this summer as uncertainty over the future of Allan Saint-Maximin continues and Barnes could fit the bill as a capable replacement.
Aston Villa qualified for the Europa Conference League on the final day of the campaign with a 2-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League.
Ollie Watkins and Douglas Luiz both got on the scoresheet to ensure that the Villans finished seventh in the top flight, which means that European football will be coming to Villa Park next season.
Unai Emery must now use that to his advantage by bolstering his squad with new signings in the upcoming summer transfer window to make sure that his team is ready to compete on multiple fronts in 2023/24.
The Villans were linked, in April, with a possible €30m (£26m) swoop to sign Valencia central midfielder Andre Almeida and the gem could be a long-term replacement for current captain John McGinn.
Who is Andre Almeida?
He is a combative 23-year-old maestro who could come in as competition for the spots in the middle of the park with a view to him taking the skipper's place in the future.
Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn.
McGinn turns 29 later this year and the Valencia star could come in to put pressure on the Scotland international before eventually taking his starting berth.
In La Liga this season, the youngster has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.96 across 33 appearances and made 2.6 tackles and interceptions per game.
McGinn, meanwhile, averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.99 and made 2.6 tackles and interceptions per match across 34 outings in the Premier League for Villa.
These statistics suggest that there is not much to separate the pair from a defensive perspective as they are both capable of winning the ball back for their side multiple times throughout clashes at the top level.
Almeida, who journalist Zach Lowy once described as one of the Portuguese top-flight's "breakout" stars, is also able to provide creativity in possession. The former Vitoria maestro has created 1.3 chances per game and registered four assists in the top tier of Spanish football.
He has also racked up 9.71 progressive passes and carries combined per 90 over the last 365 days, which places him in the top 15% of players in his position in the Men's Big Five Leagues and European competitions, and this means that the ace regularly progresses the ball up the pitch with his passing and dribbling qualities.
Whereas, the Villa captain produced 0.6 key passes per match for Emery's side in the Premier League and has managed 5.82 progressive carries and passes combined per 90 over the last 365 days, which leaves him in the bottom 50% of players in his position.
This indicates that the Valencia ace would offer more quality on the ball than the Scotsman in terms of being able to open up the opposition's defence and drive his team forward.
Therefore, Almeida could be a dream replacement for McGinn as the Portuguese dynamo has plenty of years left ahead of him to develop and could grow into being a midfielder who can offer as much as the Villa ace defensively whilst being able to provide more in possession.
Glasgow Rangers have been linked with a managerial move for Yokohama F. Marinos' Kevin Muscat, and a reliable journalist has since revealed the chances of him moving to the Scottish Premiership.
What is Kevin Muscat's CV like?
A former professional defender, Muscat began his coaching career as assistant at Melbourne Victory before being handed the main job himself, then he later went on to become technical director and boss at Sint-Truiden, though left that role following his appointment at Yokohama in July 2021, as per Transfermarkt.
However, the 50-year-old’s contract is set to expire in January 2024 and he is yet to put pen to paper on fresh terms, meaning that as it stands, he’s set to leave unless given the opportunity to extend his stay, and this seems to have alerted chiefs at Ibrox according to some reports.
The Light Blues had allegedly been in contact with their target’s camp to discuss the possibility of him taking over from Michael Beale should the hierarchy decide to part ways with their current coach, with the Aussie Scout claiming:
"Understand that Yokohama FM manager and ex-Socceroo Kevin Muscat is considered by Rangers as a candidate to replace Michael Beale were Beale to leave the club. Contact is believed to have been made with associates of Muscat. Muscat won the J-League with Yokohama FM last season."
Are Rangers appointing Kevin Muscat?
Taking to X, however, The Daily Record's Andy Newport was quick to shut down claims that Rangers were considering a swoop for Muscat with his own updatem confirming that the rumours that have emerged are seemingly fake… at least for now.
"Sources at Rangers say no truth in this whatsoever."
Glasgow Rangers manager Michael Beale.
Rangers dismissing the noise that they are thinking about getting rid of Beale clearly shows that they still have faith in him, but should they for any reason have a change of heart regarding his position in the near future, Muscat could be a perfect candidate to succeed him in the dugout north of the border.
At Yokohama, the manager has taken charge of 98 games, and from that, has recorded 57 victories, 17 draws and 24 defeats, meaning that he’s taken 188 points from a possible 294 whilst averaging 1.92 points per match in a more balanced league than the Premiership, via Transfermarkt.
The Crawley-born talent, whose preferred formation is a 4-3-3 defensive set-up, also has the silverware as proof of his success having secured three trophies since the start of his coaching career, the first being the Australian Champion at Melbourne and more recently being crowned Japanese Champion and Japanese Super Cup winner at the Nissan Stadium.
Therefore, Muscat knowing what it takes to compete and be successful, not to mention that he spent a year at the club during his playing days from 2002-2003, so he's no stranger to what is required to achieve in Glasgow, and with the uncertainty surrounding his contract situation, this could be one to keep a close eye on if a change at the helm were to happen.
Everton are the latest team to throw their hat into the ring for Romain Faivre, according to a report from Foot Mercato, via Sport Witness.
How has Romain Faivre played this season?
The midfielder – who primarily plays on the wing but can also feature as a traditional number ten – has spent the 2022/23 season on loan with Lorient and has really caught the eye with his displays. He managed 16 top flight games for the club but produced a superb total of eight goal contributions along the way, with five goals in total and three assists.
hen you consider he only managed 13.8 lots of 90 minutes for the club, it's a superb goal contribution rate for the winger.
He's never managed the same totals for parent club Lyon, although he has also not been able to get onto the field as much with them. Before moving to Lorient, he was given only three starts by Les Gones and managed just the one assist across 2021/22. In fact, he has only managed 12 league starts during the entirety of his time with Lyon.
FC Lorient midfielder Romain Faivre.
Now, he could be given the chance to leave France and try his luck in the Premier League. That's because according to a report from Foot Mercato, via Sport Witness, the 24-year-old is drawing interest from several English clubs.
One of the latest to express their eagerness to sign him is Everton, who will have to battle Fulham and Crystal Palace if they want any hope of bringing the player to Goodison Park this campaign.
How much would Faivre cost Everton?
They may already find that to be a struggle, with Lyon also slapping a 15 million Euro price tag on his head (£13m). Whilst that is not an extortionate fee for the midfielder, it is one that the Toffees may currently struggle to pay – and the report adds that whilst they may be able to compete financially more than other interested parties from abroad, they will struggle against other Premier League sides.
He's clearly a player that possesses some real ability too. Those who have watched him have been full of praise for Faivre, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig previously calling the player "pure quality" after a performance back in 2022.
It shows that the 24-year-old has been impressive in France – and if Everton were able to poach him, he would certainly upgrade their midfield and wide options.
West Ham United look likely to win a big race to sign Alex Scott this summer, with Football Insider reporting that the Hammers are in the best position to snap up the midfielder this summer.
How good is Alex Scott?
The Bristol City midfielder has lit up the Championship for the Robins over the last two seasons, having initially broken onto the scene as a young 16-year-old. Having appeared three times for them during that initial second tier campaign, he has since gone on to appear in 83 league games for the side in total.
The 2022/23 season really saw the Englishman's star shine though, as he was handed the Young Player of the Year award for the division.
He played on 42 occasions for the Robins over the course of the year, the most he has managed over his career yet, and even bagged one goal and five assists along the way. He also reached the top ten in the division for through balls (10), had the most blocks of any player in the Championship with 67 and drew more fouls than any other second tier talent with 96. Despite his youth then, he is already standing out as one of the best in the league.
Are West Ham signing Alex Scott?
It's no surprise then to see him linked with a potential move away this summer. West Ham are one of the clubs to have been most heavily linked to Scott, with the Hammers having already spoken over a potential bid to bring in the 19-year-old this transfer window.
Wolves are another Premier League side that have been mulling over an offer for Scott, with the Molineux outfit also being admirers of the youngster.
Bristol City's Alex Scott
Now though, according to a report from Football Insider, it's the Hammers who are in the best position to try and add the midfielder to their ranks this summer. It states that the top flight club are "well placed" to land the talent, but he would cost the Premier League side a hefty £25m as that is the Robins' asking price – and they will not budge.
However, if the player himself wants to move and Bristol City are "keen to progress" at that price, as are West Ham, then it will likely happen.
It could be worth it though. He's already caught the eye of those who have seen him in action, with the 19-year-old being hailed for both his current ability and his future potential. Football talent scout Jacek Kulig stated that he has a "big future ahead," with the midfielder already demonstrating his ability to perform to the highest level.
The youth football writer also highlighted a comment from Man City boss Pep Guardiola who, after coming up against the England man in the FA Cup, added that he is an "unbelievable player". It's high praise from one of the best managers in the business – and if West Ham can seal a deal for him, they could therefore have one of the most promising English talents around right now.
When West Ham United appointed David Moyes for a second spell in December 2019, it was met with mixed response from supporters, with some waxing over the suitability of a manager who knows the club and can orchestrate an exit from relegation danger, and others scratching their heads.
Many thought his arrival was somewhat regressive, a wariness in ambition and a failure to act with conviction and propel the club into the upper end of the Premier League.
He had previously led the Hammers for a short stint and departed upon the expiry of his contract after just six months in charge, but his return catalysed a club seeking a return to prominence, and he has now orchestrated illustrious success unseen in east London for many decades.
Indeed, after successfully preserving the Hammers' top-flight status with improved form in the latter phase of the 2019/20 campaign, Moyes has since led his team to successive European campaigns, making shrewd signings and developing a rock-solid collective understanding of the system and individual roles on the pitch.
Despite struggling in the Premier League last season, West Ham triumphed in the Europa Conference League and brought home the first slice of major silverware since 1980, when the club won the FA Cup.
And now, a successful summer transfer window has rekindled the verve in its entirety, with three wins from the opening five matches of the league season setting the club in good stead for a shot at landing a European spot once again.
That's despite the departure of Declan Rice to Arsenal in July, with the Irons' club-record sale, as formidable as he is, proving to have been a stunning piece of business after rising through the youth ranks.
When did West Ham sign Declan Rice?
At age 14, Rice was released from Chelsea's prestigious Cobham academy, and after a brief trial period with Fulham, it was West Ham who decided to nurture the precocious youngster's talents in 2013, guiding him through his formative years with a belief that he could one day break into the senior set-up.
And that he did. Rice signed his first professional contract at 16 years old and proclaimed himself a "leader", oozing age-belying confidence in his future at the highest level.
Big words? Maybe. But Rice was bang on the money and always knew that his blend of application and natural talent would serve him well as he ascended the ranks, and after making his competitive debut in May 2018 in an away win in the English top-flight over Burnley, handed by Moyes during the Scotsman's first stint at the outfit, interestingly, he swiftly asserted himself as one of English football's most promising talents.
Football Transfers has documented the player's meteoric rise over the years, with Rice quickly moving from an unknown commodity to a £13m-rated prodigy in 2020, having started all 38 fixtures across the 2019/20 league campaign and even captained the side on multiple occasions, still just a teenager.
How much is Declan Rice worth now?
Hailed a "force of nature" by journalist Rob Blanchette, the understanding of the calibre of midfielder that Moyes had on his hands was crystalising, and as his imperious performances showed no sign of waning, he started to attract attention from some of the juggernauts.
They all wanted a piece. Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United all held a vested interest in 2021, and while West Ham held on to their man for as long as possible, it was actually Arsenal who convinced the player to make the cross-London move in July 2023, completing a British record £105m transfer, albeit this was trumped less than one month on as Chelsea signed Moises Caicedo for £115m.
This remarkable, lucrative departure for a player who had made 245 appearances and played a central role in an impressive rise to prominence must go down as a tremendous piece of business.
Having been rated at just £13m only three years before, Rice's value flew up by 708% over that period, and while it stings to see him ply his trade elsewhere, the summer acquisitions look to have been made with a clear vision, and West Ham have retained their overall quality as a club capable of competing for Europe domestically and for titles while on the continental stage itself.
Why is Declan Rice worth that much?
Interestingly praised as a “very good finisher” by former West Ham teammate Thomas Soucek, Rice boasts a multi-functional midfield skill set and one that prompted Arsenal to part with such a staggering sum of money for his services.
Indeed, Rice has only played five times in the Premier League for the Gunners but has already bagged his maiden goal at the most crucial of moments, bundling in from close range to give the Emirates Stadium side the lead in the dying embers of a thrilling 3-1 win against Manchester United.
To summarise his all-round skillset, as per FBref, the 45-cap England international ranks among the top 21% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 16% for pass completion, the top 17% for progressive passes, the top 14% for progressive carries and the top 6% for interceptions per 90.
The £240k-per-week phenom had also been previously heralded while on West Ham's books for his “monster” – as dubbed by ESPN’s David Cartlidge – presence in the centre, and without his rise to the fore under Moyes' wing, it's more than a little unlikely that the outfit's exploits over recent years would have been quite so emphatic.
It's not long into life without Rice at West Ham, but the early signs hint at great promise for Moyes' outfit; while the Englishman was the fulcrum in the middle, immensely talented and all-encompassing, the moves made on the summer transfer market tantalises further riches for West Ham.
The club return to Europa League competition this week, and despite defeat against Pep Guardiola's City last time out, three wins and a draw from the opening five Premier League matches is as good a start as Irons fans could have hoped for.
Rice will eternally remain a beloved figure in east London, with his qualities integral to the illustrious success of recent years, and while his departure this summer was a poignant moment, the club hit the jackpot in cashing in for a staggering sum and effectively replacing him with a talented clutch of exciting new additions.
Crystal Palace are monitoring Flamengo midfielder Matheus Franca ahead of a potential move to the Premier League, according to reports.
What's the latest on Franca to Palace?
The Eagles have Albert Sambi Lokonga, Jeffrey Schlupp, Luka Milivojevic and James McArthur all out of contract at the end of the season so Dougie Freedman and Steve Parish will need to enter the market to find central reinforcements, and the 19-year-old is one of the names to have been linked.
The Brazilian is an academy graduate at the Maracana Stadium having worked his way up through the youth ranks to become a regular feature of Jorge Sampaoli’s first-team, having made 45 senior appearances to date.
Globo Esporte reported that the Selhurst Park outfit sent a club official to watch the talented teenager in action just last week as they weigh up whether to make an approach, and whilst no offer has been made, nor talks held, they seem to have been impressed by what they saw.
According to Lance (via Sport Witness), Crystal Palace, alongside top-flight rivals Arsenal, are indeed “keeping tabs” on Franca ahead of the 2023/24 campaign. The Eagles are set to “continue to monitor” the midfielder following their scouting mission having already been “closely watched” in SE25 and at the Emirates Stadium. Flamengo’s “expectation” is that bids will arrive during the upcoming summer window so they are being “patient” and “waiting” for offers to be put on the table that exceed €18m (£15m).
Flamengo midfielder Matheus Franca.
Should Palace make an offer for Franca?
Franca is still at a very young age and obviously has no experience playing in England, but having been hailed a “sensation” by football editor Aaron Stokes, he would be a hugely exciting acquisition for the long-term future of Crystal Palace.
The Nike-sponsored gem, who is naturally an attacking midfielder, has clocked up 13 goal contributions (ten goals and three assists) in 50 appearances since the start of his career, and also has the versatility to play on the ride side of the midfield, out wide on the left wing and as a centre-forward.
The Rio de Janeiro native additionally ranks in the 99th percentile for successful take-ons and has recorded more shots in 2023 than any of his teammates, showing that even if he’s not always on the scoresheet, he’s constantly attempting to create chances.
Franca has helped secure two senior trophies at Flamengo so has already had a taste of what it takes to compete and be successful at a high level, and this is another wonderful quality that he could bring to the Premier League.
Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou has personally held talks with the representatives of Leicester City star James Maddison, according to reports.
Who will Spurs sign this summer?
Maddison is being pushed as a top target for Spurs by sections of the press with some sources even suggesting that the 26-year-old was at the centre of a double bid last week.
The Lilywhites were said to have lodged an offer for both Maddison and his teammate, Harvey Barnes, worth in excess of £50 million which was swiftly rejected by Leicester.
Sky Sports rebuffed this claim, stating while Spurs had a serious interest in both, no formal proposal of any kind had gone in for the duo.
As well as the Foxes playmaker, it is believed that Tottenham are targeting a new goalkeeper, central defender and possible forward additions.
David Raya of Brentford is wanted to replace Hugo Lloris, meanwhile the likes of Man City defender Aymeric Laporte have been tipped with potential moves to Spurs.
Galasary forward Nicolo Zaniolo has emerged as a target in recent days, too, with Postecoglou seemingly looking to strengthen in various areas of the pitch.
Going back to Maddison, a report by Football Transfers has shared some interesting news on Tottenham's chase for the England international.
Leicester City midfielder James Maddison.
According to their information, Postecoglou has personally held talks with Maddison's agents recently, and he is thought to have made a really good impression on them,
This has apparently helped to sway Maddison more towards Tottenham than Premier League rivals Newcastle, and the former Norwich City star may be tempted to join.
Despite this, Maddison is yet to have any personal contact with Spurs, but Postecoglou coming across well to the player's camp could be crucial.
How many goals did Maddison score last season?
Maddison starred for Leicester over the course of 2022/2023, scoring 10 goals and providing nine assists in the league alone, totalling an impressive 19 attacking contributions (WhoScored).
The Three Lions ace also attempted more shots at goal per 90, completing more key passes and registered their joint-highest rate of successful take-ons in the top flight (WhoScored).
These numbers make one thing crystal clear – he is far too good for the Championship.
Whether it is Newcastle or Spurs, either side may be on to seal a very potent and capable attacking threat in the final third.
Former West Ham and Leicester City star David Connolly has also called Maddison "absolutely magnificent" for his form at the King Power.