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Transfer insider Dean Jones has made a claim regarding Leeds United star Raphinha, GiveMeSport report, which has since been confirmed by Victor Orta.

The Lowdown: Barcelona links

The Brazilian has been a revelation at Elland Road since joining from Rennes back in 2020, contributing to 27 Leeds goals.

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His displays have caught the eye of huge clubs though, especially at Barcelona, with the Catalan giants in advanced talks with Raphinha’s agent, Deco.

The winger looks set to be key for Jesse Marsch in the final eight games of the Premier League season as the Whites look to avoid relegation, with a summer exit possibly on the cards.

The Latest: Jones’ comments

Talking to GiveMeSport, Jones had this to say regarding Barcelona and Raphinha, believing a move isn’t as advanced as people are saying and also unsure when it comes to a release clause.

“I’m not sure he has a [release] clause to be honest, but we’ll find out soon. Barcelona are keen. From what I understand, it’s not as advanced as some people are saying.”

Leeds transfer chief Orta has now confirmed that there is no release clause in Raphinha’s current contract, should the Whites remain in the Premier League.

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The Verdict: Safety key

Securing Premier League status is key for Leeds over the coming weeks, and they are correct to put talks with Barcelona on hold over a possible move.

The La Liga giants will more than likely be hoping that the Whites drop back down to the Championship over the coming months, as a €25m release clause will allegedly then come into play.

Hopefully, everyone involved will be happy at the end of this transfer saga, which may end in Leeds staying up and Raphinha getting a move to the Nou Camp in a big-money deal.

In other news: ‘Leeds feel…’ – Journalist now drops major injury twist after what he’s heard from Thorp Arch. 

Leeds United are ‘very likely’ to sign Brenden Aaronson this summer, with the Whites readying a £25m offer.

The Lowdown: January bids for Aaronson

The 21-year-old emerged as a key transfer target for Leeds in January, with the club making two offers for the attacking midfielder.

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The second was thought to be worth £20m, but as we know, Aaronson remained with Red Bull Salzburg, which left Leeds with no senior signings in January.

However, it looks as if he is still a key target and could reunite with fellow countryman Jesse Marsch over the summer, having made 25 appearances under the 48-year-old during the Leeds manager’s time in Austria.

The Latest: Twitter claim on Aaronson

Leeds Radar, a Whites news feed, made a claim regarding Aaronson on Twitter. They suggested that the 21-year-old is ‘very likely’ to make the move to Elland Road, with a £25m bid to RB Salzburg now ready.

Aaronson already shares the same agent as six Leeds players – one of whom is Adam Forshaw, who penned a new deal in January – so you’d expect that they will already know Andrea Radrizzani well.

The Verdict: Aaronson is needed

Providing that Marsch steers Leeds to safety, the club need midfield reinforcements, and Aaronson appears to be a smart target.

He starred under the 48-year-old in Austria, contributing to 12 goals in 25 games and can also play in a deeper role or on the left. Aaronson ranks in the top 1% of players in terms of distance covered, so should slot right into Marsch’s pressing system and attempts to catch opponents on the break.

A £25m move would make him the club’s third most expensive sighing of all time, but this season has shown that Leeds could do with more numbers and quality in midfield, especially with Kalvin Philips sidelined for large periods of the campaign.

In other news – 5 key passes, 1 goal: Leeds target produces stunning midweek display as Orta eyes move

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Tottenham Hotspur slumped to their first defeat in five matches when they were beaten 2-1 by Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday.

The result damages Spurs’ title chances, as both Liverpool and Manchester United will now have a chance to pull further ahead of the north London club. Mauricio Pochettino will be disappointed to have seen his side beaten in such a fashion. 

Spurs’ defensive performance left plenty to be desired, as they struggled to deal with the aerial prowess and physicality of the Clarets’ forwards. Young centre-back Juan Foyth and 26-year-old right wing-back Serge Aurier were particularly poor.

Aurier’s experience and physical attributes ought to have made him well suited for this fixture, but his lack of focus and poor positional awareness saw him fail to effectively challenge the Burnley attackers. It was certainly a game to forget for the 48-cap Ivory Coast international.

After the match, plenty of Spurs fans took to Twitter to criticise Aurier’s display…

Everton centre-back Yerry Mina is getting closer to returning from injury, injury analyst Ben Dinnery reports. 

The lowdown

Mina hasn’t played since the 3-1 defeat at Newcastle on 8 February – Frank Lampard’s first Premier League game in charge.

The thigh injury he sustained at Goodison Park has kept him out for the last six Premier League matches, as well as two FA Cup games.

Everton resume their bid to survive on Sunday afternoon when they travel to seventh-place West Ham United.

And aside from Mina, Lampard is without Allan (suspended), Tom Davies (knee) and Andros Townsend, who suffered an ACL injury last time out against Crystal Palace.

The latest

Dinnery tweeted on Monday morning that Mina ‘will step up his recovery at Finch Farm this week’.

Meanwhile, Fabian Delph has been ‘involved with the group’ of players who have remained on Merseyside during the international break.

‘Lampard is hopeful’ that he’ll be back in ‘contention’ for the trip to the London Stadium.

The verdict

When could Mina actually be back in action?

Well, according to Dinnery’s Premier Injuries site, he’s scheduled to return on 20 April, when Everton host Leicester City. That would mean a further three-game absence, including a vital clash with relegation rivals Burnley on 6 April.

When Mina completes 90 minutes (as he’s done on six occasions this season), The Blues concede an average of 1.33 goals per game, but when he doesn’t, that climbs to an alarming 1.86.

You could argue, then, that the Colombian’s predominant lack of availability has been a significant factor in their struggles this season, and that getting him fit for the run-in could be key.

In other news, read this transfer insider’s claim on Anthony Gordon.

West Ham United will look to climb back into the Premier League’s top six later today as the Hammers host relegation-threatened Burnley, who sacked long-term manager Sean Dyche earlier this week.

With just eight games to go and the Clarets four points from safety, the Lancashire club bizarrely parted ways with Dyche after ten years of service with West Ham’s visitors looking to secure an eighth top-flight campaign out of the last nine.

On paper, the game is certainly a good opportunity for David Moyes’ men to secure a crucial three points.

However, having played in the Europa League on Thursday night as the Irons advanced to the semi-finals with a 3-0 win in Lyon, the Scotsman may be keen to bring in some fresh legs.

One player who should certainly be considered is playmaker Said Benrahma, who came off of the bench in France on Thursday.

On the chalkboard

It certainly seems as though Moyes likes to have either Manuel Lanzini or Benrahma in the middle of an attacking midfield trio as part of a 4-2-3-1 set-up. Therefore, with the former starting on Thursday, now it makes sense to unleash the Algerian.

The 26-year-old has progressed well this campaign after a shaky first term in claret and blue having joined in summer 2020 from Brentford.

Having scored just one goal for the East London outfit last season, the £22.5m-rated attacking midfielder has netted on nine occasions this term, as well as registering six assists.

When considering Benrahma’s form in front of goal, the Algerian certainly beats Lanzini to a starting spot with the Argentinian scoring six goals and providing three assists this season.

Moreover, the 29-year-old has only just returned to action recently after being involved in a serious car crash that thankfully left the midfielder with just minor injuries.

After an impressive second campaign at the London Stadium, the 26-year-old has won over more of the Hammers fanbase, with former player Joe Cole labelling the attacking midfielder as “unplayable” earlier this season.

The Irons will have to find a way in unlocking a Burnley defence that, despite their position, has conceded just 44 goals this term, the second-best tally in the bottom half of the table. Having Benrahma’s creativity will certainly help their cause.

Victory will see Moyes’ men leapfrog both Arsenal and Manchester United into fifth after yesterday’s results, making this afternoon’s clash at the London Stadium another vital game for their fate.

AND in other news: Moyes axes “stupid” £69k-p/w dud & unleashes “unplayable” ace: West Ham predicted XI

Dean Jones has revealed some big Transfer Deadline Day news involving Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: Busy day

It has certainly been a busy day at St James’ Park so far, with both Dan Burn and Matt Targett currently undergoing medicals ahead of moves from Brighton and Aston Villa respectively.

Hugo Ekitike also looked like he was on his way to the northeast, but that deal now looks to be off as things stand.

One other name who has popped up fairly recently is Jesse Lingard, and that would potentially make three new arrivals on Tyneside today.

The Latest: Five deals?!

As per journalist and transfer insider Jones, Newcastle are ‘pushing’ to sign as many as five players today, although he did not confirm who they were.

The reporter tweeted: “Newcastle pushing for 5 players on deadline day should be fun!”

The Verdict: More than expected?

Assuming that Burn and Targett pass their medicals, that would be two new arrivals on deadline day, and Lingard could potentially be a third.

There could still be a dramatic twist with Ekitike in the final few hours, but that still only makes four players. Who the fifth one could be is anyone’s guess, with links to the likes of Yannick Carrasco today as well.

Nonetheless, if Newcastle can bring in five fresh faces before the 11pm deadline, it would certainly be a big statement in terms of increasing their chances of staying in the Premier League.

In other news, find out what Keith Downie has said about NUFC’s pursuit of Jesse Lingard

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring Pau Torres to north London in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Spanish publication La Razon (via Sport Witness), who claim that, despite the Villarreal centre-back having rejected a move to Spurs last summer, Fabio Paratici will once again launch an offensive for the 25-year-old at the end of the current campaign.

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The report goes on to state that, now the Spain international has fulfilled his dream of playing in the Champions League with his boyhood club, Unai Emery will agree to part with Torres in the summer transfer window – as long as an offer of around €60m (£50m) is submitted.

Paratici’s next De Ligt

Considering how impressive Torres has been for Villarreal this season, in addition to it being reported that Tottenham will prioritise the signing of a left-sided centre-back this summer, it is easy to see why Antonio Conte and Paratici would be interested in a move for the Spaniard ahead of 2022/23.

Indeed, over his 28 LaLiga appearances in the current campaign, the £58m-rated centre-back has been imperious in the heart of Emery’s defence, helping his side keep ten clean sheets, as well as making an average of 0.6 interceptions, 0.9 tackles, 3.3 clearances and winning 4.1 duels – at a success rate of 65% – per game.

The £126k-per-week defender has also impressed in an attacking and creative capacity, scoring four goals and creating three big chances for his teammates, in addition to completing 55.2 passes, 4.5 long balls, 3.8 chipped passes, 0.9 dribbles and taking 0.7 shots per fixture.

These returns have seen the player who journalist Simon Collings dubbed “classy” and Javi Calleja labelled an “extraordinary talent” average a fantastic SofaScore match rating of 7.09, ranking him as Villarreal’s third-best player in the Spanish top flight.

The 25-year-old has been equally as impressive over his ten Champions League outings this season, helping his side keep three clean sheets, scoring one goal and creating two big chances, with these metrics seeing the left-footer average a SofaScore match rating of 7.08 – with the centre-back playing a crucial role in the Yellow Submarine’s run to the semi-finals of the competition.

As such, it is clear for all to see that Torres would make an exceptional addition to Conte’s current defensive options at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, leading us to believe Paratici must do all he can to get a deal over the line for the Spaniard this summer – especially if he is available for a figure of around £50m.

And, with the managing director having been the man behind Juventus’ €75m (£67.8m) capture of Matthijs de Ligt back in 2019, Torres could very well prove to be the Italian’s next seismic centre-back signing.

AND in other news: “Tottenham could consider…”: Romano drops huge transfer claim, Conte would love him

An update has emerged regarding Rangers winger Ryan Kent and his future at Ibrox… 

What’s the talk?

According to Football Insider, the 25-year-old is attracting interest south of the border and is currently available for a fee of £20m due to a release clause in his contract.

The report claims that the Gers want to tie him down to extended terms to ensure his future at the club, with Leeds United now preparing to swoop for the forward.

Marcelo Bielsa was said to have been a huge admirer of Kent during his time at Elland Road but his departure has not ended the Whites’ interest in the player as they remain keen on a deal.

Disasterclass

Ross Wilson must now avoid a major Rangers disasterclass with the attacker, as the Ibrox chief must not allow Leeds to activate that release clause.

Whilst there is nothing in place at the moment to allow him to stop the Premier League club if they came in with an offer of £20m today, what he can potentially do is remove the clause by negotiating a new contract. Football Insider claimed that the board wants to tie Kent down to fresh terms, so this is the perfect opportunity to remove that £20m option, duly stopping any prospective suitors from activating it.

Journalist Andrew Dickson recently dubbed the 25-year-old “completely unplayable” for the Gers, and his form this season reflects that. The Englishman has provided three goals and 13 assists across the Premiership and Europa League in 30 appearances this term.

This means that he is contributing directly to a goal just over once in every two games. He has been consistently brilliant throughout the season with his creative skills from out wide, while his direct play surely excites fans as he likes to run with the ball to create chances for himself and others.

Kent has completed 2.2 dribbles and 1.8 key passes per game in the Premiership. This illustrates how he wants to play football as he brushes past players with the ball at his feet before delivering a pass or a cross in an attempt to create a goal.

He is a crucial player for Gio van Bronckhorst because of his talents in the final third, and that is why Wilson must not allow Leeds to snap him up. The sporting director must avoid a disasterclass by negotiating a new contract which removes the release clause and ensures Kent’s future in Glasgow.

AND in other news, Forget Morelos: “Beautiful” gem who’s “unplayable” could fire Rangers to the title…

As well as finding themselves once again in the race to secure promotion to the Championship, Sunderland are also currently on the lookout to hire a new permanent manager following the departure of Lee Johnson after the recent 6-0 battering against Bolton Wanderers.

With that in mind, it seems as though the Wearside club are in the process of potentially hiring one name in particular for the role.

What’s the talk?

In a recent Twitter interaction, journalist Alan Nixon revealed that Grant McCann is at the “interview stage” to potentially take the role of Sunderland manager.

With a total of 298 games under his belt as a manager with Peterborough United, Doncaster Rovers and most recently, Hull City, the 41-year-old certainly has enough experience under his belt to make him a viable option for the Sunderland job.

If the club have interviewed him as Nixon suggested in his tweet, this shows that they believe could be a suitable candidate for the role as well.

Delight for fans

Seeing the club move so swiftly in terms of trying to appoint a new manager and getting McCann to the interview stage of the process should surely be big news for the fans. After all, the swift nature of the hiring process should delight supporters, especially if they manage to appoint the former Hull boss, or any other potential candidate before their next game against Doncaster at the weekend.

With 175 games managed in League One, the Northern Irishman certainly has sufficient knowledge of the third division and how to work in it, which would put him in a good place for the job at the Stadium of Light.

If Sunderland see the 41-year-old as the best available option to take the team forward and potentially get them to the Championship, a division McCann also has experience of managing in, it would certainly make him a good long-term option for the Black Cats rather than just a stopgap until the end of the season.It is vital Kyril Louis-Dreyfus thinks ahead to the future and in this particular candidate, he’d find someone suitable for not only steering them for the next six months but possibly over a period of a few years.

For the time being until a new manager is appointed and announced, the Sunderland players will have to make sure they do their job on the pitch, aiming to get positive results on the board so whoever comes in as the next permanent head coach is in with a fighting chance of securing promotion by the end of the campaign.

In other news: Exciting new name emerges in Sunderland manager search, he’s better than Roy Keane – opinion

West Ham United are now waiting on manager David Moyes’ green-light to chase a key signing this summer with news emerging on the club’s transfer plans.

The Lowdown: Hammers eye new keeper?

The Hammers have been linked with the possible signing of a new goalkeeper amid doubts over the future over Paris Saint-Germain loanee Alphonse Areola.

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Areola, playing mostly in cup competitions, has featured in just one Premier League game all season under Moyes (WhoScored) – raising some doubts over whether West Ham will activate the option to make his move permanent this summer.

The likes of Nick Pope, Dean Henderson and Jordan Pickford have allegedly been targeted by GSB and co as a result, but according to club source Claret & Hugh, Moyes is holding all the cards.

The Latest: West Ham wait on Moyes…

According to their information from a ‘top club insider’, West Ham are ‘still waiting’ for Moyes to green-light the possible signing of new keeper and ‘make a call’ on the position

They add that Areola’s future is ‘up in the air’ as a result as they weigh moves for the likes of Pope or Pickford – especially if either one of their clubs in Burnley or Everton fall to relegation.

The Verdict: Move for Pope?

The Times claim Pope in particular could be available for as little as £12 million if the Clarets are relegated, but given Areola’s purchase option stands at around £10.5m, it appears Moyes may have a perfectly capable understudy/eventual heir to Lukasz Fabianski right under his nose.

The Frenchman has performed brilliantly over West Ham’s run in the Europa League and a move to sign him permanently could be far less complicated than competing for the likes of Pope.

Bearing this in mind, we believe Moyes’ best bet is signing the 29-year-old on a permanent basis and focusing his efforts on the acquisition of a central defender, midfielder and forward.

In other news: The Times: West Ham weighing ‘monster’ player move alongside three more potential signings! Find out more here.