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Tottenham Hotspur could be set to find out whether or not they will be welcoming back Christian Eriksen to north London this summer.

What’s the news?

Speaking on a recent edition of the Que Golazo Podcast, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano had his say on the matter of Eriksen’s immediate future.

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The journalist said: “Christian Eriksen has three proposals on the table, one from Brentford, one from Tottenham and one from Manchester United. So he’s going to decide in the coming days.”

In 2013, Spurs signed the midfielder from Ajax in a deal worth £11.5m. In 304 appearances for the Lilywhites, the Denmark international scored 69 goals and delivered 90 assists before joining Inter Milan in January 2020.

Exciting news for Spurs fans

Last January’s transfer window saw the former Spurs star join Brentford on a six-month deal, where he went on to score one goal and provide four assists in 11 Premier League appearances.

To further highlight how useful he was for Thomas Frank’s side, he ended the campaign with a higher rate of shot-creating actions per 90 minutes (5.08) than any other Bees player to make more than one appearance in the league. The Danish playmaker also delivered 30 crosses, won 10 tackles and made 10 interceptions during his time in west London.

Taking into account what he did for Tottenham, and for Brentford more recently, it’s safe to say that potentially seeing Eriksen make a return to the north London club would be a very exciting prospect for Spurs supporters.

With the Lilywhites reportedly being one of the options available to the 30-year-old in terms of where he’ll be playing next season, according to Romano, this suggests that the recruitment staff in N17 feel as though he would be a good fit in the squad once again.

Having already experienced what it’s like to play under Antonio Conte when the duo were at Inter togeether, it would be interesting to see how the midfielder would fare under the Italian’s management once again if he does choose to go back to Tottenham.

In other news: Sky Sports drop big behind-the-scenes transfer claim, it’s terrible news for Spurs

BBC and talkSPORT journalist Chris Cook has revealed that Sunderland are now ‘leading’ the race to sign Daniel Iversen this summer.

The Lowdown: Impressive season

The 24-year-old goalkeeper, who is a Leicester City player, has come off the back of an impressive season on loan at Preston North End.

He won both the Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year at the Championship club, keeping no fewer than 14 clean sheets in total over all competitions.

The Latest: Wanted man

Taking to Twitter, Cook has revealed that Sunderland are now ‘leading race’ to sign Iversen, amid ‘loads of interest’ from a number of other teams in the Championship.

He tweeted: “Told Sunderland are leading race for goalkeeper Dan Iversen. Loads of interest from the Championship but Sunderland ready to pay big, want to push on now. Preston want him back but could be priced out on wages, good goalkeeper, expected him in the Leicester squad.”

The Verdict: Sign him

Given that Lee Burge is set to leave the Stadium of Light after his contract expires at the end of this month, Sunderland will need to bring in another goalkeeper to provide competition for Anthony Patterson.

Iversen would be ‘perfect’ for that, according to journalist and Black Cats supporter Josh Bunting, who claimed that the 24-year-old would be an ‘excellent’ signing.

Preston journalist George Hodgson even went as far as to claim that Iversen is an ‘unbelievable’ goalkeeper, a testament to his performances for the Lilywhites last term; and at 24 years of age, he can certainly get even better as the years progress.

Also, Alex Neil will know the stopper well from his contacts at Preston, so he would surely be eager to work with the Dane on Wearside.

In other news, find out what ’embarrassing’ Sunderland update has now emerged

Manchester United are reportedly planning a bid for Sporting Lisbon centre-back Goncalo Inacio this summer and the Portuguese wonderkid could be Erik ten Hag’s own version of Ruben Dias at Old Trafford.

What’s the word?

According to Portuguese news outlet A Bola (via the Express), United have prepared a bid of £34.1m for the 20-year-old defender and hold an advantage over fellow Premier League sides Newcastle and Wolves, as he would rather join a club competing for major honours.

Erik ten Hag is clearly keen on defensive reinforcements this summer as he looks to improve on a defence that shipped 57 top-flight goals last season and Inacio could be one man to ease United’s woes at the back next season.

United’s Ruben Dias?

Dias has been phenomenal for Manchester City since joining from Benfica in 2020, helping Pep Guardiola’s side to two consecutive Premier League titles.

The 25-year-old instantly adjusted to the demands of Premier League football and has quickly established himself as one of the top centre-backs in England. That’s backed up by his supremely impressive WhoScored average match ratings that head north of 6.90 in his first two campaigns.

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However, when Portuguese football expert Daniel Oliviera was asked to compare Dias and Inacio, he said:

“It’s always difficult to compare players. One obvious difference is that Dias joined Manchester City when he was 23, so he was further along in his development than Inacio, who is still only 20. It is unlikely, therefore, that Inácio could have the same impact as Dias, who was crowned the Premier League’s best player at the end of his first season.

“Dias was always a natural leader and Inácio’s communication may be one area in which he can improve. Physically speaking, I believe the young Sporting defender would be able to handle the Premier League, as he is very strong in the tackle and in the air.

“He’s also smart in his defending, as just two bookings all season will tell you. In terms of his quality on the ball, I would probably rate Inácio higher than Dias – he’s very good on the deck and has a 91% pass completion rate in the Primeira Liga this term.

“Like I say, it’s hard to make comparisons. I’m 100% sure about one thing: the 20-year-old Inacio is a better player than Ruben Dias was at the same age.”

Last season saw Inacio make 28 appearances in the Portuguese top-flight, in which he contributed four goals and two assists, averaging an impressive 7/10 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

Therefore, it seems clear that the young centre-back has a huge amount of potential and if he were given regular game time under ten Hag at United, he could even surpass the level of performance we have seen from Dias in the other half of Manchester.

And, in other news… Bye-Bye Maguire: Ten Hag must swoop for Spanish centre-back

West Bromwich Albion were ultimately lacking enough firepower in their squad to give them a good chance of securing promotion back to the Premier League in 2022.

In their recent Championship campaign, the Baggies ended up scoring just 52 times, fewer than a significant number of teams who finished below them in the table.

To try and fix their attacking issues, Albion secured the signing of Daryl Dike during the January transfer window. However, after just two appearances for the Midlands club, the former Barnsley and Orlando City striker unfortunately suffered a hamstring injury which prematurely ended his season.

This led to West Brom securing a deal for Andy Carroll to see out the season and help them finish as strongly as possible. After the club chose to quickly get rid of the 33-year-old target man, the focus can now turn their attention to finding another attacking option who could come in and give the Baggies some extra strength and depth in that area.

One man who has been linked with a move to The Hawthorns in recent months who could fit this bill and potentially form a deadly attacking duo with Dike next season is Dwight Gayle.

Imagine Gayle and Dike for WBA

With 286 senior club appearances under his belt, the Newcastle United striker has scored 103 goals and delivered 30 assists along the way, showing that he certainly has plenty of experience in finding the net.

This sort of experience could not only be useful for the West Brom team as a whole but also for Dike, who is in the early stages of his career with the Baggies, helping him to strike up what could be a formidable attacking partnership.

Speaking about the Magpies striker in the past, Bruce said: “I’ve said on record that I’ve tried to buy him three times. If you’re looking in the Championship, the first one on your list was always Dwight Gayle because of his natural finishing.

“I’ve said all along that I want him to stay fit because as you saw with the way he scored his goal today, he’s got that crucial thing of being able to score. He’s got the knack, and when you’ve got that, it’s invaluable.”

Having only played nine games across all competitions for Eddie Howe’s side this season, it seems as though Gayle could be more valuable for West Brom rather than wasting his time at St James’ Park, which could make a move to The Hawthorns this summer rather appealing for him.

In other news: Bruce can secure huge Phillips upgrade as WBA eye swoop for “terrific” £3m dynamo

Manchester City have seen some big names make moves away from the Etihad Stadium in the past few years.

Figures such as Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero have waved goodbye to the club in recent memory after becoming such integral and successful club figures.

Another famous name that left the club after making a massive impact on not just City but on the Premier League is David Silva.

Signed from Valencia back in 2010 in a deal worth a reported fee of £24m, the midfielder went on to make a total of 436 appearances across all competitions.

In those appearances, the Spaniard scored 77 goals, delivered 140 assists, won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and five League Cups.

Now that this current season has come to a close with City once again lifting the Premier League title, the upcoming summer transfer window may give the Citizens the chance to find what could be their next version of Silva.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the Manchester club are keen on signing River Plate midfielder Enzo Fernandez this summer.

With ten goals scored and nine assists delivered in 45 senior appearances for the Argentina club, the 21-year-old certainly knows how to not only score but create goals for his side in a similar sort of way that Silva did during his decade in Manchester.

This makes it safe to assume that Guardiola would love to have another midfielder in his ranks that can be a useful attacking option as well.

Speaking about the young midfielder, Marcelo Gallardo had this to say about the young Argentinian.

“He is a player who at his young age has matured a lot. He is seen to be very confident, fearsome and a development in his game that is seen to be getting better and better, strengthening himself day by day.”

Having also been described as a player who “always gives solutions to his teammates” from midfield by Robert Pires, this would also make him a potential Silva 2.0, who was once dubbed “the best creative midfielder” the Premier League has ever seen by Thierry Henry.

Having already completed a deal with River Plate over the sale of Julian Alvarez, if City see an opportunity to negotiate with the Argentine club over Fernandez, they should definitely swoop in and sign him.

In other news: Pep can seal dream Sterling heir as MCFC eye “outrageously talented” £102m-rated star…

Sky Sports pundit Paul Robinson expects a busy transfer window for Newcastle United this summer, with the arrival of ‘three quality signings’ and a number of potential exits.

The Lowdown: Newcastle’s transfer activity

After a big transfer window in January which saw the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Matt Targett and Chris Wood at St. James’ Park, Newcastle have turned their attention to the summer market, with the club expected to bring in a number of additions.

As quoted by Chronicle Live, Magpies boss Eddie Howe has insisted that any fresh signings this summer must “understand what it means to play for the club”.

However, numerous departures will firstly need to take place for this to occur, with Isaac Hayden, Jamal Lewis and Ciaran Clark already omitted from Newcastle’s Premier League squad list.

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The Latest: ‘Work in progress…’

According to Sky Sports pundit Paul Robinson, Newcastle will be very busy in the transfer market this summer, saying they already ‘will be’ plotting three signings.

Speaking with Football Insider, he hailed the work already ‘in progress’ and revealed his summer expectations:

“I doubt we will see the influx of players that was maybe first expected when the owners came in.

“They obviously have to be wary of FFP so I think we’ll see smart signings from Newcastle. They have to shop carefully and cleverly. It is a work in progress.

“Eddie Howe did very well in January and he has proven that he can be trusted with a budget.

“They will be looking for two or three quality signings that can help them bridge the gap to the top six. I think that has to be their aim next season.

“As well as signing players they need to get rid of players. They have to get players off the wage bill. I suspect it will be a busy summer of both incomings and outgoings.”

The Verdict: Successful January window

Exactly halfway through the season, Newcastle sat in 19th place with just 11 points from 19 games, staring relegation in the face.

However, Howe’s side were evidently much improved with the signings made in January. As a result, the Magpies went on an incredible winning streak, remarkably ending the season in 11th place with a total of 49 points.

This illustrates just how well the new board and Howe performed in the transfer market, building a side who had plenty more than what it takes to stay in the Premier League.

As a result, if Newcastle are able to replicate what they did in January this summer, then the Tyneside outfit should be pushing up the top half of the table and beyond next season.

In other news: Newcastle United: Allan Saint-Maximin can leave at the right price

Liverpool are interested in signing Porto midfielder Otavio during the summer transfer window, according to a fresh transfer rumour that emerged this week.

The Lowdown: Otavio shines for Porto

The 27-year-old has continued to be a key figure for Porto this season, producing a host of influential performances in his wide attacking role.

Otavio has registered an impressive 11 assists in 32 Primeira Liga appearances, as well as making nine appearances in the Champions League and Europa League combined.

Whoscored list him as being ‘very strong’ at creating scoring chances through both his passing and individual skill.

It could be that the Portuguese looks for a new challenge at the end of the season as he is approaching his prime and yet to test his mettle in a major European league, and Liverpool could well be in the conversation.

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The Latest: Liverpool in contact

According to A Bola [via Sport Witness], the Reds are one of a number of English clubs to have sent officials to watch Otavio in action and make contact with his club.

Julian Ward and co. have the player ‘referenced’ ahead of a potential move, with Manchester United and Newcastle United two of the other clubs mentioned in the report.

It is also stated that a move to Liverpool almost happened last year and an offer was even sent from Anfield, but Otavio’s Porto teammate, Luis Diaz, ended up joining in January instead. As we know, new Reds transfer guru Ward was instrumental in the capture of Diaz.

They say the two clubs have now had ‘even more communication’ since then, and the player has a €60m (£51m) release clause.

The Verdict: Is he needed?

While Otavio is clearly an excellent attacking player – he grew up idolising Brazil legend Ronaldinho – it is questionable as to whether or not Liverpool need to spend big on a player of his ilk this summer.

Jurgen Klopp already some several world-class attacking players at his disposal, so it is hard to see how the Porto man would fit into his regular plans.

The only way it could work is if Klopp used him in more of a central midfield role, potentially slotting into the right-sided No.8 berth that the likes of Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita take up.

In other news, a journalist has dropped a Liverpool transfer claim. Read more here.

West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Bruce recently hinted at the possibility of a significant transfer overhaul taking place at The Hawthorns during the summer.

Having failed to get near a promotion place by the end of the campaign, it’s easy to see why the Baggies manager thinks that some changes to the squad need to be made to put them in good shape to go again next season.

One area of the squad that the club could look to strengthen is their attack, especially after the news that Andy Carroll will not be with them for the 2022/23 campaign.

However, rather than dive into the transfer market and potentially spend millions of pounds on bringing in a new striker, one player to whom Bruce could turn and who wouldn’t cost the club a penny to unleash is Mo Faal.

After joining West Brom’s under-18 back in November 2019, the 19-year-old has gone on to make 50 appearances across the club’s under-18 and under-23 sides. In that time, the young striker has scored 16 goals in total, providing five assists along the way, showing just how much of a danger he is up front.

His latest appearance saw him play an integral role in the recent win over Wolves’ under-23 side in the Premier League Cup final, where he scored an acrobatic equaliser to take the match to penalties.

The teenager has made just one senior appearance for the Baggies, which came back in August during their disheartening 6-0 defeat against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup. In his 26 minutes on the pitch against the Gunners that night, the centre-forward made one key pass and one tackle and won two duels.

Hailed by Baggies under-18 boss Peter Gilbert as a player with a “physical presence” who “links the game up well, scores goals and is an aerial threat”, this is the sort of thing that the teenage prodigy could offer to Bruce’s side should he find himself getting a chance to shine on a regular basis in the first team.

Regardless of what transfer business Albion get done in the summer, giving Faal some regular game-time next season should definitely be in the manager’s plans.

In other news – Imagine him & O’Shea: Bruce can form powerful WBA duo by signing “immense” machine

Manchester City have a number of players in their current squad that have racked up over 200 appearances in the Premier League.

One of which is midfielder Fernandinho, who has been a pivotal figure for the Citizens for a significant period of time.

However, with the next summer transfer window on the horizon, a big behind the scenes update has emerged over the Brazilian’s future.

What’s the news?

According to journalist and transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, the midfielder “hasn’t changed his mind and he’ll leave Manchester City in the summer.”

Romano then added that the 37-year-old’s priority is to go back to Brazil even though Pep Guardiola wanted Fernandinho to stay at the club.

The journalist ended his tweet by saying that: “Man City will go [for] a new midfielder this summer.”

Bad news for Guardiola

City signed the midfielder back in the 2013 summer transfer window from Ukraine club Shakhtar Donetsk in a deal worth a reported fee of £30m.

Since then, the Brazil international has gone on to make 380 appearances across all competitions for the Manchester club.

In those appearances, he’s chipped in with 26 goals and 33 assists along the way, winning numerous domestic trophies along the way.

Taking into account how Guardiola reportedly wanted his midfield veteran to stick around and put pen to paper on a new deal with the club, it’ll be a big blow for him to see Fernandinho leave in the summer.

Also, given how long he’s been at the club and what he’s done for them on the pitch, it’ll surely be sad for the City fans to see another one of their long-term icons leave after the likes of Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Yaya Toure left in recent years as well.

However, with three games left to play in the Premier League this season, it seems likely that the Brazilian will be heavily involved in those fixtures after Guardiola revealed that the defensive trio of Ruben Dias, John Stones and Kyle Walker will miss the remainder of the campaign through injury.

With that in mind and the fact that Fernandinho played throughout the second half of City’s recent 5-0 win over Newcastle United at centre-back after Dias went off, he will at least have the chance to help his side potentially win his final Premier League title.

In other news: Man City agree personal terms to sign £135m-rated “cyborg”, supporters will be buzzing

Celtic secured a 4-1 victory against Hearts in their latest Premiership game this afternoon, taking yet another step towards securing the league title.

With just three minutes on the clock, the first goal at Parkhead arrived as Jam Tarts striker Ellis Simms put his side ahead with a fine strike.

The Hoops then equalised thanks to a goal from Kyogo Furuhashi before his fellow countryman Daizen Maeda put Ange Postecoglou’s side ahead shortly afterwards.

During the second half, goals from Matt O’Riley and Giorgos Giakoumakis secured the three points for the home side, who are now on the verge of taking the league title off their Old Firm rivals.

Despite the Hoops coming back from behind to seal victory on this occasion, one figure in a Celtic shirt who didn’t have a particularly good game was Anthony Ralston.

Ralston’s poor performance

With the full 90 minutes under his belt, the right-back had 95 touches of the ball in total but wasn’t always particularly useful when he was in possession.

The full-back ended up giving the ball away on 18 different occasions, while with six crosses attempted, the Scotsman couldn’t get even one of them to find its intended target. He also failed to complete four of the seven long ball passes he tried to pull off.

Off the ball, things weren’t much better for the right-back, who committed three fouls and lost five of his nine duels, making him something of a liability for Postecoglou’s side.

This display ultimately earned the 23-year-old a rather underwhelming overall match rating of 6.8/10, making him the lowest-rated outfield player for Celtic according to SofaScore. That was even lower than Carl Starfelt, who was arguably at fault for Hearts’ early goal.

His uninspiring performance also caught the attention of Scottish Daily Express writer Matthew Fulton, who said that Ralston delivered ‘poor service into the area from him and had plenty of Hearts pressure to deal with’.

Having been slammed by Frank McAvennie for his “hopeless” performances for the Bhoys in the past, this isn’t far off what the 23-year-old was for his team this afternoon.

In other news – Enquiry made, then joined rivals: Celtic had the last laugh over “huge” 161 G/A dynamo