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Tottenham Hotspur have apparently been told how much it could cost them to sign reported transfer target Manuel Ugarte from Sporting Lisbon. 

The Lowdown: Spurs linked with Ugarte

Earlier this year, it was reported that Spurs are interested in signing the midfielder, along with the likes of Leicester City, Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

Despite being included in Uruguay’s squad for the World Cup, the 21-year-old has been an unused substitute for both of their group games so far against South Korea and Portugal.

In terms of a potential move away from Lisbon, it appears as though some behind-the-scenes details have emerged regarding how much it could take for Spurs to sign Ugarte.

The Latest: Tottenham learn Ugarte price tag

According to a recent report from Correio da Manha (via Sport Witness), Ugarte has a release clause in his contract worth €60m (£51m), and Sporting would only consider selling him for over €40m (£34m).

Another report from Jornal de Noticias (via Sport Witness) claims that Sporting are eager to keep hold of the midfielder and have even offered him a new deal with improved pay.

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The Verdict: Worth a shot

Across his 11 league games this season, the Uruguayan has racked up one of the highest passing accuracy percentages (91.7%) at Sporting.

In addition, Ugarte has the highest combined total of tackles and interceptions (57) at the club, while also making more blocks (16) than any of his team-mates.

Bearing in mind how Antonio Conte’s side have only kept four clean sheets in the Premier League this season, it could be said that signing someone with Ugarte’s evident defensive talents could be just what Tottenham require.

Taking all that into account, we feel that it would definitely be worth Spurs negotiating with Sporting to see if they would be willing to sell their midfielder in a deal which would be suitable for all parties.

Glasgow Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has proven that he is not afraid to hand opportunities to players from the Ibrox academy this season.

The Dutch head coach has made Leon King a regular in the first team and the likes of Alex Lowry, Adam Devine, and Charlie McCann have been given game time throughout 2022.

They will all be hoping to follow in the footsteps of other successful academy graduates, including players like Billy Gilmour and Nathan Patterson, who are both playing in the Premier League at this moment in time.

One academy graduate who went on to bigger things after leaving the club was Scottish central midfielder Charlie Adam, who retired at the end of last season.

He made his debut for the Light Blues as a youngster in the 2003/04 campaign and eventually became a regular in the first-team in 2006/07 as he racked up 28 Premiership outings and chipped in with eight goals and four assists from midfield.

However, the youngster then fell out of favour as he only featured in 25 Scottish top-flight matches in the following two seasons combined and this led to him going out on loan to English side Blackpool for the second half of the 2008/09 campaign.

Adam scored two goals in 13 Championship outings before he reportedly returned to Glasgow for talks with the club to decide whether or not the then-23-year-old still had a future at Ibrox. They seemingly decided that he did not as he then sealed a permanent switch to Blackpool for a fee of £500k in the summer of 2009.

In his first full season down in England, the midfielder scored 18 goals and provided nine assists in 46 Championship matches as he helped his side to win promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.

The “wonderful” maestro – as dubbed by Glenn Hoddle, then caught the eye in the English top flight as he enjoyed a stellar campaign with Blackpool. He scored 12 goals and assisted eight and this caught the attention of Premier League giants Liverpool.

Adam, whose left foot was once dubbed a “strong weapon” by Christian Poulsen, sealed a £7.5m transfer to Anfield in the summer of 2011, just two years after leaving Rangers for £500k.

This shows that he thrived after leaving Ibrox and was sold at the wrong time by the Scottish giants as he could have fulfilled his potential in Glasgow if he was given the opportunity to play more often.

Blackpool were willing to give him regular game time and benefitted from that by making a gigantic profit on the central midfielder, whilst also getting two years of fantastic service out of him.

Therefore, Rangers had a nightmare by selling the now 36-year-old for £500k as his career after departing the club suggests that it was a huge mistake to allow him to depart.

Nottingham Forest are set to reignite their interest in Atalanta midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi in January, according to a new transfer update.

The Lowdown: Forest linked with summer move

The Reds famously made over 20 signings during the summer transfer window, with the squad completely rebuilt after returning to the Premier League.

One player who was linked with a move to Forest but didn’t make the move was Malinovskyi, who is considered a real star quality target who could strengthen the midfield significantly.

The 29-year-old has tons of pedigree in the Italian top flight and on European and international stages, but stayed put at Atalanta in the summer, making 11 appearances in the Serie A so far this season.

The Latest: Forest ‘ready’

According to Calciomercato [via Sport Witness], Evangelos Marinakis is ‘ready to return’ for the signing of Malinovskyi in January, with West Ham also similarly interested.

The Ukrainian’s current Atalanta deal expires at the end of this season, meaning the next window will be the last chance to receive a fee for him.

The Verdict: Bargain?

This could be an ideal transfer for Forest midway through the campaign, injecting extra quality in the midfield and potentially getting Malinovskyi on the cheap due to his contract situation.

At 29, he has a huge amount of experience in the game that could be invaluable in a possible relegation battle, having won 51 caps for Ukraine and made 111 Serie A appearances – he has also been hailed as ‘extraordinary’ by current manager Gian Piero Gasperini.

Malinovskyi could come straight in as a key starter for Steve Cooper but also allow the manager to rotate even more, keeping legs fresh before the business end of the season.

West Ham United will be without winger Maxwel Cornet alongside the recovering Nayef Aguerd after some pre-Anderlecht injury news.

The Lowdown: Cornet worries…

Following on from the Hammers’ much-needed 2-0 victory at home to Wolves in the Premier League, there were fears surrounding Cornet after he was taken off just past the half hour mark.

The Ivorian had suffered a suspected calf injury with doubts then surrounding over whether he could in fact shake it off and feature tonight for West Ham.

There has been little confirmation over the severity of Cornet’s problem but manager David Moyes has now provided an update on the situation pre-Anderlecht.

The Latest: Moyes shares injury update…

Speaking to the media, West Ham’s head coach says the former Burnley star has not travelled for their UEFA Conference League clash this evening.

As a result, he will miss the match alongside fellow summer singing Nayef Aguerd, who is still recovering from his own pre-season injury.

Moyes explained in the last 48 hours (via whufc.com):

“It was difficult because we want to get Maxi (Cornet) up to speed. He didn’t have many pre-season games and he’s contributed in quite a few of the games recently.. but he’s not with us over here.”

The Verdict: Setback for Cornet…

The 26-year-old has actually impressed for West Ham when available and selected.

Indeed, as explained by BBC pundit Ian Wright, Cornet looks ‘pretty dangerous’ when introduced and he was very unlucky to have an equalising goal away to Chelsea ruled out earlier in the campaign.

The winger starred for a relegated Burnley side last season, finishing 2021/2022 as the Clarets’ top goalscorer whilst attempting their joint-highest rate of shots at goal per 90 (WhoScored).

Called a ‘cheat code’ by Islington Gazette journalist Josh Bunting, West Ham supporters and Moyes will be hoping he can fight his way back to contention soon at the London Stadium.

Tottenham Hotspur have suffered from a number of transfer gaffes under the stewardship of chairman Daniel Levy over the years, and the sale of Kyle Walker-Peters could well be his worst of recent times.

There will be other worthy contenders, such as splashing an eye-watering £55m on both Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso, only for them to be banished out on loan after three years of underwhelming service, or failing to replace the creative juices of Christian Eriksen.

However, in the two-and-a-bit years that Walker-Peters has departed, he has proven Spurs wrong in their decision to sell him so cheaply.

Back in the summer of 2020, Levy sanctioned the 25-year-old’s exit to Southampton for a measly sum of £12m after the Hotspur Way gem impressed on loan there, whilst Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg arrived in north London in the other direction for £15m.

A £3m outlay on the Danish powerhouse certainly looked to be impressive business at the time, though now, it appears to be a case of ‘what could have been’ over the right-back for Tottenham.

Capable of playing on either flank, the versatile full-back has emerged as one of the Saints’ standout players over the past 18 months or so – manager Ralph Hasenhuttl described him as a “role model” and a ‘complete package’ to the Daily Echo back in January last year.

Walker-Peters finished the 2021/22 Premier League campaign as the Austrian’s third-best performer, as per WhoScored figures, managing an average rating of 6.84 and that form has continued into the new season, where he currently ranks among Southampton’s top four players.

The 25-year-old has particularly caught the eye going forward as, when compared to his positional peers across Europe, he ranks inside the top 6% for progressive carries (7.36), the top 7% for completed dribbles (1.62) and the top 10% for touches in the opposition’s box (3.03) per 90, via FBref.

An average of at least 1.8 tackles, 1.3 clearances and 0.9 interceptions per game, via WhoScored, across the duration of his career so far on the south coast also suggests that he’s a more than reliable defensive option too.

Tottenham have truly struggled in the right-back role ever since Kieran Trippier left for Spain in 2019 and Walker-Peters, perhaps in hindsight, could have been the long-term solution, only now he plies his trade for another team.

He only managed to play 24 times for his boyhood club, hardly enough to gauge whether or not he’d be able to make it and now, he’s been capped twice by England and is thought to be worth in the region of €25m (£22.4m), as per CIES Football Observatory, which only further highlights how poor of a call Levy and co made.

An 86.6% increase in his transfer worth in a mere two years is a worrying trend if you’re Spurs, though for Southampton, they’ll be buzzing by the prospect of either cashing in on him for mega profit or having a trustworthy right-back, who was once dubbed “a big talent” by talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, for many more years to come.

The likes of Emerson Royal and Matt Doherty have never really been up to scratch, even leading to manager Antonio Conte’s doubts over their ability back in January this year.

Walker-Peters would have perhaps thrived under the Italian in this expansive, wide-focused wing-back system and as such, it only compounds the misery over his exit.

So forget your Ndombeles, the decision to sell the England international for a paltry £12m is looking like one of Levy’s worst blunders in recent years.

AND in other news, Cost Levy £30m, now worth £6m: Paratici played a blinder at Spurs on “pathetic” flop…

West Ham United will ‘probably’ make two more signings along with Lucas Paqueta before the transfer window closes on Thursday night, according to transfer insider Dean Jones. 

The lowdown: Paqueta close

This comes as the Hammers get closer to the capture of Paqueta from Lyon, a deal that David Moyes himself discussed off the back of the 1-0 victory over Aston Villa this weekend.

The Scot confirmed that the move was close as the 24-year-old, described as an ‘exciting player’ by the Irons manager, prepares to undergo a medical before completing a £51m switch to the London Stadium (Sky Sports).

Despite the impending club-record transfer, one well-informed onlooker has suggested that there remains money in the GSB coffers for further incomings before Thursday’s deadline…

The latest: ‘Probably two more’

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones claimed that there are two more names in the mix to arrive at the London Stadium this week.

When asked about the possibility of further signings by West Ham before the transfer cut-off, the Eurosport journalist replied: “Probably two more. They’re going to ask about Vanaken and Gallagher.

“That gives you an idea of where we’re at and these are the key areas of the field that they’ve got to sort out in the coming days. They see it as realistic that three players will sign before the deadline.”

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The verdict: Fingers crossed

Signing Paqueta along with the two players mentioned by Jones would mark an exceptional end to what has already been a relatively successful window for the east Londoners.

Conor Gallagher made his mark in the Premier League last term, scoring eight goals on loan at Crystal Palace, while fellow Irons target Hans Vanaken went even better, netting 15 times in all competitions for Club Brugge.

Having perhaps run out of steam towards the final few weeks of a hectic 2021/22 campaign, squad depth is going to be more important than ever for the Hammers, who have Premier League, domestic cup and European challenges on the horizon once again this term.

If indeed Moyes and co can get deals over the line for Paqueta, along with Gallagher and Vanaken, then West Ham would be far better placed to at least replicate the tremendous showings they enjoyed domestically and in Europe last season.

Nottingham Forest are reportedly still keen on signing Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos this summer but the Portuguese side aren’t happy with the initial offer.

The Lowdown: Forest linked with Ramos signing

It has been a summer transfer window to treasure at the City Ground, with a whopping 12 exciting signings made after the Reds’ promotion back to the Premier League.

One of several players who has been tipped to be the 13th addition for Forest is Ramos, with recent reports claiming that they have bid €30million (£25.3m) for the 21-year-old.

It looks like a transfer saga that is still alive but one with a slight glitch, following a new update.

The Latest: Bid rejected

According to both Mais Futebol and journalist Bruno Andrade on Twitter [via Sport Witness], Forest’s offer for Ramos isn’t enough to force Benfica to part ways with their player.

The Eagles are thought to be ‘a little reluctant’ to accept the bid but are keen to sell, holding out for more interest from other Premier League clubs.

The Verdict: Look elsewhere for targets?

The Reds are seemingly shopping for a marquee big signing to round off their impressive summer, also seeing offers rejected for Morgan Gibbs-White.

And Ramos is an impressive striker with a record of 17 goals in 61 appearances for Benfica, but it does feel as though they could end up demanding too much for his services, given they are keen to sell to the highest bidder.

It would require Forest to comfortably break their transfer record of £18.45m set by Taiwo Awoniyi earlier this summer and spending so much on one player could be deemed a risk.

Instead, the Reds would be better off looking at other potential attacking targets who could complement the likes of Awoniyi and Brennan Johnson, perhaps someone like last year’s popular loanee Keinan Davis.

Aston Villa could launch a move for Raul de Tomas before the summer transfer deadline on September 1st…

What’s the word?

According to journalist Dean Jones, the Espanyol striker is a player that the Midlands outfit have “explored” ahead of a potential swoop.

The former Real Madrid graduate has been linked with a switch to Villa Park throughout the off-season but time is running out to make a move, with the LaLiga outfit wanting around €35m (£29m) for his signature.

“I think it’s one that’s been explored,” he told GIVEMESPORT.

“I think that ultimately, Steven Gerrard needs to know for sure that it definitely elevates their goal output for next season. That’s what he’s trying to make sure of, there can be no risks taken here.”

Imagine De Tomas and Coutinho

De Tomas has proven to be an exceptional talisman in front of goal in recent seasons.

The 27-year-old forward bagged a whopping 23 goals in 37 appearances as he fired the Parakeets to the second division title in 2020/21 and he continued that fine form in the Spanish top-flight last season, finding the net on 17 occasions to take his total for the club to 45, as per Transfermarkt.

Self-proclaimed to be a “pacey, competitive and technically gifted goal-scorer,” the Spain international could be the perfect marksman to get on the end of Philippe Coutinho’s creativity at the top of Steven Gerrard’s engine room.

Villa have somewhat struggled for goals throughout pre-season, managing no more than two goals in their last four outings, including a 1-0 win over Premier League rivals Leeds United.

Meanwhile, last campaign, Ollie Watkins (11) was the only player to surpass double figures for goals in the top-flight, with Danny Ings (seven) lagging slightly behind.

Coutinho only joined the club on loan in January and quickly become an integral part of their transformation as he finished the campaign on eight goal contributions from only 16 starts, via WhoScored.

The Brazilian ranked inside the top 2% of his positional peers in the Premier League for passes into the final third (4.61), so De Tomas could thrive off this sort of service.

FBref have likened the Espanyol star’s statistical profile to that of former Liverpool frontman Luis Suarez, someone who benefitted from Coutinho in his prime at Anfield. The duo combined provided 38 goals and 32 assists across 41 matches when they were both on the pitch at the same time, via Transfermarkt.

Gerrard now could find his next exciting partnership in De Tomas and Coutinho, should sporting director Johan Lange follow up their interest with a formal bid.

AND in other news, Talks ongoing: Lange could strike gold at Villa as Preece drops 9-word contract update…

Sunderland manager Alex Neil has provided an exciting update about his side’s plans in the transfer market this summer, as they continue their pre-season campaign in Portugal.

What’s the story?

Speaking to the Sunderland Echo, Neil explained how the club still “have a lot of work to do” but that they have “discussions ongoing” over a number of targets.

It seems as though patience will be the key if the Black Cats are to secure the additions they want to make ahead of a tough season in a new league.

Neil was also upbeat about his team’s progress in pre-season following an impressive 45-minute display against Scottish giants Rangers.

Supporters will be buzzing

Fans on Wearside will be buzzing to hear that the club are talking to several players on a daily basis as they look to add depth and create competition for places.

They have made two additions so far with Daniel Ballard joining from Arsenal earlier in the window, and most recently they secured the signature of highly-rated forward Jack Clarke from Tottenham Hotspur.

Clarke signed a four-year deal at the Stadium of Light giving Sunderland much more strength up front. Neil has been pleased with the club’s ability to sign these young talents describing the deals as “not easy” to do.

The club secured promotion back to the Championship last season with a play-off victory after six long seasons in League One. With their large support it will be a hard place for any team to visit next season as they hope to make their mark in a highly competitive division.

Supporters will talk about a return to the Premier League but the club have a lot of work to do if they want to reach that point and it starts with success in the transfer market and making the right additions to the squad.

Time will tell whether they build a side good enough to survive comfortably next season, but they can’t take anything for granted and must not underestimate the ability of the sides around them who will have just as much desire to succeed.

IN other news: Sunderland can land Dan Neil 2.0 with bid for £6k-p/w talent who’s “the whole package”…

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their interest in Giovanni Simeone in the summer transfer window…

What’s the talk?

According to the print edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport, via Football Italia, the Magpies are eyeing up a swoop for the Argentine centre-forward.

The report claims that Napoli, Juventus, Valencia and Sevilla are also keen on the striker and will compete with the Toon to land his signature.

It is stated that Hellas Verona are willing to cash in on him if they receive an offer in the region of €20m (£17m) in the coming weeks.

Big Chris Wood upgrade

By signing Simeone this summer, Newcastle can land Eddie Howe a big upgrade on former Burnley centre-forward Chris Wood.

The Magpies snapped the New Zealand international up from the Clarets in January and he struggled to find his form in the second half of the campaign. He managed just two goals in 17 games (15 starts) for the club in the Premier League as he failed to make a big impact in the final third.

Along with his faltering form in terms of goals, the 30-year-old offers little in the way of creativity. In 34 top-flight games for Burnley and Newcastle combined last term, he created one ‘big chance’ and did not record a single assist for either team.

This suggests that Dan Ashworth can improve the squad by bringing in a striker with the potential to find the back of the net on a regular basis, which is something Wood has been unable to do thus far.

Simeone can be that player as he has showcased his ability in front of goal during his time in the Serie A in recent years. Journalist Toni Padilla previously claimed that he has a “scoring nose” and scout Jacek Kulig dubbed his goalscoring record in the first half of the 2021/22 campaign “insane”.

The 26-year-old ended last season with 17 goals and five assists in 32 starts – having managed 18 goals and five assists in the previous two campaigns combined – as he averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.91. He has proven that he can score goals consistently whilst performing to a high level and chipping in with assists for his teammates.

These statistics, in comparison to Wood’s lacklustre return, suggest that he would be an excellent addition to Howe’s squad this summer. He would add another goalscoring threat to the team and allow the head coach to axe the ex-Claret from the side as he would be a big upgrade on the 30-year-old.

AND in other news, NUFC now eyeing move for wonderkid who “is like Neymar”, he’s a big Murphy upgrade…