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Tottenham Hotspur correspondent Alasdair Gold has now shared a ‘big’ transfer update in which he makes a claim involving Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie.

The Lowdown: Spurs set to be busy?

The Lilywhites are set to back manager Antonio Conte as the summer window officially opens for business, coming after he guided Spurs to a previously unprecedented finish in the Premier League top four.

Champions League qualification was swiftly followed by a £150 million equity increase and two confirmed arrivals.

Ivan Perisic and Fraser Forster recently joined the north Londoners on Bosman deals and reports suggest they’re far from done there.

The Latest: Gold shares ‘big’ update involving McKennie…

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Football.london journalist Gold, sharing a ‘big’ update on Twitter, claims club chief Fabio Paratici is expected to make an approach to sign McKennie from Juve this summer.

Writing in his piece, the reporter explains Tottenham’s sporting director is a big fan and talks were held in the January window over a move.

The Verdict: Get it done?

As Conte reportedly eyes midfield moves, we believe the USA international could be a real asset, especially taking into account his brilliant performances beyond club level.

McKennie shines for his country, as explained by 90min MLS expert Chris Smith, who has lavished the ‘supremely underrated’ star as a ‘machine’ who can become an ‘elite’ player (Twitter).

Valued at around £34 million, his price tag is also an attainable one for Spurs as the 23-year-old also would come with a long shelf life and many years ahead of a promising career.

In other news: ‘What is this witchcraft?’ – Media thrilled by ‘great transfer news out of Tottenham! Find out more here.

Newcastle United managed to salvagee what started out as a horrendous Premier League campaign by eventually finishing 11th in the table.

However, with just 44 goals scored, Crystal Palace, Brentford and Aston Villa all ended up finding the net more often despite finishing below the Magpies.

One reason for this could be down to Newcastle having to make do without Callum Wilson in the team for a long period due to injury issues. Despite playing just 18 league games, the Englishman still netted eight goals, making him the Toon’s top scorer for 2021/22.

Therefore, it would be safe to assume that, had the striker been fit for the entire campaign, he would have made Newcastle a deadlier team and given them more goals by the end of the season.

Now that their rollercoaster campaign has come to a positive end for the club, their focus will undeniably be on the summer transfer window and potentially bringing in some new faces to freshen up Eddie Howe’s squad.

One man who has been linked with a move to St James’ Park and who could form a deadly duo with Wilson at the top of the pitch is Watford winger Ismaila Sarr.

After scoring 18 goals and providing 16 assists in 77 appearances for Rennes, the winger joined the Hornets back in the summer of 2019 for a fee of £40m. Since then, the 24-year-old has found the net 24 times and supplied 18 assists in 92 appearances for the Hertfordshire club.

Labelled by Ben Foster as a “freak” of a talent in terms of the “scary” ability that he has on the pitch, Sarr has racked up 167 shots at goal and 289 crosses throughout his three seasons at Vicarage Road.

This highlights the clear attacking ability that he has and why he would be an absolute danger for Newcastle, especially if he has Wilson to play alongside and provide with goalscoring opportunities.

Watford’s relegation could well give the Toon an edge when it comes to being able to convince the player to return to the Premier League and be their next attacking star.

In other news – “I’m told”: Luke Edwards drops transfer update that’ll have Newcastle fans fuming

A reliable journalist has provided an exciting transfer update despite Tottenham Hotspur suffering a blow in their pursuit of Alessandro Bastoni this week…

What’s the word?

After the defender’s straight-talking agent Tullio Tinti met with the Inter Milan hierarchy on Wednesday, a clear message was relayed that the 23-year-old would not be leaving the San Siro in the summer transfer window.

“Bastoni is definitely staying at Inter,” he said. “He’s an Inter player. He’s happy to play for Inter.” That was then endorsed by the player himself with his reaction of blue and black heart emojis soon after.

However, not all hope is lost, as The Athletic’s Jack Pitt-Brooke has revealed that the north London outfit will spend big on a centre-back this off-season.

“They are willing to spend ‘Romero money’ on a new defender and have other options,” he claimed in a recent column for the website, in which he also suggests that a move for Bastoni isn’t completely off the table, with the Serie A club needing to raise funds.

Promising news!

Those 15 words should certainly provide many around N17 with encouragement that the Lilywhites hierarchy is prepared to back manager Antonio Conte to the wall.

The 52-year-old may not get the Italy international but there are plenty of interesting alternatives indeed, including Torino’s Bremer, Bastoni’s team-mate Milan Skriniar, RB Leipzig gem Josko Gvardiol, Crystal Palace colossus Marc Guehi and Villarreal star Pau Torres.

Ideally, this player needs to be a left-footed option, as it’s been full-back Ben Davies playing alongside Eric Dier and Cristian Romero, who is going to cost sporting director Fabio Paratici and chairman Daniel Levy around £40m to sign permanently.

That is a sizeable investment in the Argentina international and goes to show just how willing they are to seal another central defensive animal before the start of the 2022/23 campaign, where Spurs will be back in the Champions League.

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Many supporters will be gutted to have potentially missed out on Bastoni but they should be relieved, if not excited by Pitt-Brooke’s latest update, especially as they have many viable alternatives to the Italian, who has never played outside of his home country anyway.

The transfer window has only just reopened for business and there’s a long way to go before a ball is kicked again, so those around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium should have faith in the club, given this promising update.

AND in other news, Spurs eyeing £27m-rated “tank” who’s like Van Dijk, he’s way better than Bastoni…

According to reliable journalist Pete O’Rourke, West Ham could ‘definitely’ make a move for Burnley forward Maxwel Cornet during the upcoming transfer window.

The Lowdown: Cornet’s release clause activated

The 25-year-old first made the switch from Ligue 1 to the Premier League when he put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the Clarets last summer, and despite being the Turf Moor outfit’s top goalscorer this season, he was unable to prevent his side from relegation.

According to The Telegraph, David Moyes is considering a deal for the versatile striker in the coming weeks, but could be set to face some serious competition in the race for his signature, with fellow top-flight rivals Everton registering interest in the Ivorian.

The report also states that a £17.5m release clause has been activated due to Burnley dropping into the Championship.

The Latest: O’Rourke’s West Ham transfer admission

O’Rourke says he can definitely see West Ham attempting to sign Cornet, but feels like there will be multiple clubs chasing his signature. He told GiveMeSport:

“I could definitely see West Ham making a move for Cornet. This relegation release clause makes Cornet very attractive to a number of clubs, not just in the Premier League but probably abroad as well.

“I think Cornet had a good debut season in the Premier League for Burnley; he was one of their better players.”

The Verdict: Ideal attacking alternative for Moyes

The 25-cap international, once dubbed a “fantastic” player by former teammate Chris Wood, originally started out playing in the left-back position with former side Lyon, and has racked up game time in a whopping seven different positions during his career.

He proved to be an effective option up top in his first full campaign for the Clarets, scoring nine goals and registering two assists in all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

It’s been reported that Moyes is planning a significant overhaul this summer, with a new striker believed to be very high up on his transfer wish-list to provide backup for Michail Antonio.

As the Scot prepares to revamp his squad ahead of the start of the new season, Cornet might well be the perfect option to bolster his attacking ranks, as his versatility means he will not be wasted on the bench when Antonio is fit and firing.

In other news… a reliable journalist has revealed an interesting conversation he’s had with one of West Ham’s summer transfer targets.

Liverpool are believed to be ready to make a move to sign Barcelona wonderkid Gavi this summer, according to a report from Spanish outlet Sport (via Sport Witness). 

The lowdown: Rise to stardom

The 17-year-old midfielder has taken a rapid rise to prominence in Spain having joined the famous La Masia academy in 2015 from Real Betis.

Despite his tender years, Gavi has already amassed 46 appearances for the Catalan giants’ first team and has become a fully-fledged senior Spain international.

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Out of contract in 2023 (Transfermarkt), Barcelona have been desperately attempting to secure the future of the latest top talent in a long production line, but currently to no avail.

The latest: Liverpool ‘willing’ to splash the cash

As per Sport, translated by SW, Liverpool are believed to pose a ‘big threat’ to Barcelona’s plans to offer the teenage sensation a renewal.

It’s claimed that Anfield chiefs FSG are now ‘willing’ to match the €50million (£42.5m) release clause currently in the six-cap starlet’s contract and can offer a deal that is ‘very superior’ to the one on the table at the Camp Nou.

The report also states however that Gavi  – who was heralded as ‘spectacular’ by manager Xavi following a 3-2 La Liga victory over Elche in December – is ‘happy’ in Barcelona.

The verdict: Building for the future

As Jurgen Klopp attempts to put the heartbreak of losing out to Real Madrid in the Champions Final behind him, both he and new Sporting Director Julian Ward will soon be setting their minds to work on the summer transfer targets.

Recently, the Reds’ recruitment has shown a penchant for snapping up the hottest young talent in Europe, adding the likes of Ibrahima Konate, Harvey Elliott, Kaide Gordon and Fabio Carvalho to the squad.

Signing Gavi, who scored twice and provided six assists during a breakout 2021/22 campaign, would be another signal of intent by the club as the Reds look to refresh an ageing midfield department in the here and now whilst also protecting the future.

Albeit undoubtedly a potential capture with a nod towards the next generation, boasting similar stylistic traits to Manchester City star Bernardo Silva, RB Leipzig ace Konrad Laimer and the much talked about Borussia Dortmund revelation Jude Bellingham (Fbref), the talented Spaniard would add immediate strength in depth to the Liverpool midfield.

In other news, one Liverpool player has hinted at a summer exit. Find out who it is here.

Manchester United are working on a move for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, with his representatives now ‘in England’.

The Lowdown: Secret Ten Hag meeting

Erik ten Hag recently terminated his Ajax contract six weeks early in order to make a head start on life at Old Trafford and is now in England.

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He was pictured in London following a ‘secret’ Manchester United meeting in the week with chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough.

The 52-year-old is set to be busy in the transfer window, and it looks as if Timber – who has been a regular under the new United boss during his time with Ajax – could be one of the first signings of the Ten Hag era at Old Trafford.

The Latest: Timber update

Journalist Jonathan Shrager took to Twitter in the early hours of Sunday morning to provide an update on Timber and United.

He stressed that a deal is not yet done, although the 20-year-old’s ‘representation is currently in England’, adding that there is ‘a belief’ that United are the frontrunners in the race for his services.

The Verdict: Fingers crossed

You’d expect that Ten Hag may see United’s defence as an area which needs improving after conceding more league goals than the likes of Burnley and Brentford this season.

His Ajax side, of which Timber was a key component, conceded just 19 goals in the Eredivisie this season, 15 fewer than the next-best defence in the Dutch top flight.

Timber is still just 20 years of age, can play anywhere across the back four, is valued at a career-high £27m by Transfermarkt and already has Champions League and international experience, so a summer deal for him could be big for Ten Hag both in the short- and long-term.

In other news: Strong bid tabled as Man Utd and Ten Hag now make big move for ‘genius’ signing

Tottenham Hotspur will activate the buy clause for Cristian Romero in the coming days, claims transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: One signing in the bag?

News broke on Monday evening of Spurs’ potential first signing of the summer as Antonio Conte moves to lock up a deputy for Hugo Lloris.

According to The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, Southampton man Fraser Forster is set for a medical this week as his contract at St. Mary’s is due to expire this summer.

McGrath says the deal for the England international will be completed imminently, and it looks like Fabio Paratici is not messing around as news has now broken on the second capture of the summer…

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The Latest: Romano’s update

According to Twitter’s favourite transfer market expert, Tottenham will activate the buy clause in Romero’s deal, making his loan move from Atalanta permanent.

Taking to social media, Romano said: “Tottenham will activate £40m obligation to buy clause in the coming days for Cristian Romero. ‘Signing of the season’ according to Jamie Carragher.

“Fabio Paratici wanted him as key player and Romero will be part of the project – he has already signed until June 2026.”

The Verdict: Fantastic player

The defender penning a permanent deal with the north London club will come as a huge sigh of relief to Paratici and Conte, as they have made the Argentine a focal point in their long-term build.

Having arrived at Hotspur Way on an initial loan deal last summer from Italian side Atalanta, the Argentina international has gone on to establish himself as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League.

The 24-year-old made 22 appearances in the English top-flight this campaign, unfortunately missing out on parts of the season with a hamstring injury and hip problems.

 According to FB Ref, Romero ranks in the 99th percentile for tackles, in the 97th percentile for pressures and the 94th percentile for blocks across positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues.

With the agreements for both Romero and Forster now seemingly set to be completed ‘in the coming days’, this could mark the start of Conte’s summer spending spree at Tottenham.

In other news: Tottenham: Journalist shares promising Eriksen update

Liverpool could well end up extending the contract of midfielder James Milner for another season, a move which could please many Reds supporters.

What’s the word?

Pete O’Rourke has dropped that massive claim on the 36-year-old’s future and said that Jurgen Klopp is a big fan of the player.

When asked whether he understands why the manager is keen to retain the veteran’s services, the journalist told GiveMeSport: “He’s such a great servant to the club. Jurgen Klopp is a huge admirer of James Milner as well, not just because of what he does on the pitch but also off the pitch.

“He can probably see James Milner as being a future manager because of the way he is. I think a lot of people have said that because he’s just so absorbed with football and he’s always been available for Liverpool whenever needed.”

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A one-year contract extension would take Milner to 37 years of age, and then it’s likely that he would retire from professional football.

Kopites will be delighted

Klopp has led Liverpool to the brink of a trophy quadruple this season, with the Carabao Cup already in the bag, FA Cup and Champions League finals still to come and the mathematical possibility of winning the Premier League, so it could end up as one of the most successful seasons in the club’s illustrious history.

Milner has featured for the Reds 36 times in all competitions this term, contributing three assists as Klopp has utilised his squad to the best effect.

His versatility across the midfield and even the defence has been extremely useful during the campaign, and it’s no wonder that the manager reportedly wants to extend the veteran’s contract.

The Englishman has been a key component of the German’s Liverpool team ever since signing for the club in the summer of 2015 and has played 286 times for the Reds during this spell, winning every major club honour during his playing career.

Whilst Klopp is aiming to continue his fine form in the transfer market, with moves for Aurelien Tchouameni and Calvin Ramsey being touted, it’s a sign of praise that the manager still wants to keep the 36-year-old at the club in a playing capacity.

His experience and maturity could well be vital next season as Klopp aims to reduce the average age of his team slightly, and there’s perhaps nobody better in the squad than Milner to pass on advice to young talents.

This development will surely please not only the Liverpool manager but also the supporters, many of whom regard the 36-year-old as a Kop idol.

AND in other news, Klopp faces Liverpool disaster on “sensational” £85k-p/w gem, supporters will be livid

Celtic will do all they can to complete the permanent signing of loan hero Jota this summer, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Jota shines for Celtic

The 23-year-old arrived at Parkhead on loan from Benfica last summer with an option to buy, with Ange Postecoglou seeing him as someone who could add firepower to his squad.

Jota has done just that, scoring nine goals and registering 10 assists in the Premiership, doing his bit in their relentless title charge.

While the attacker is set to return to Benfica at the end of the season, Celtic appear very keen to sign him outright.

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The Latest: Journalist talks up permanent Jota move

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke claimed that a permanent move for Jota is one of the Hoops’ main transfer priorities this summer. He outlined:

“Obviously they have got that option to buy in there, so the fee is all agreed, Celtic just need to stump it up and I’m sure personal terms won’t be an issue.

“Postecoglou will be calling on the Celtic hierarchy to get this deal done so he can start preparing for next season with Jota in his plans.”

The Verdict: No-brainer for Celtic

Some loan signings can be good but ultimately not worth making permanent, but Jota looks like a superb long-term option for Postecoglou, with the 56-year-old describing him as ‘unbelievable’ earlier in the season.

He has brought so much quality and output from his wide attacking role, and at 23, he should only improve even more as a player in the coming years.

For that reason, the idea of him signing permanently for Celtic is hugely exciting, and we also know that he can cut it in the Scottish top flight. The main factor now is whether or not Benfica are willing to part ways with him completely.

In other news, one player has been tipped to finish his career at Celtic. Find out who it is here.

Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard could be granted one last chance to rescue their Manchester United careers with the appointment of Erik ten Hag.

What’s the word?

That is according to a report from The Sun who claim that Rashford has received assurances that he will get his chance to perform under Ten Hag next season.

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Whilst Lingard could also stay if Ten Hag is able to convince him that he has a future at Manchester United.

Saved or Axed?

24-year-old Rashford has endured the worst season of his career this year, with the out-of-favour England international having just four goals and two assists to show for his 25 appearances for United this season.

It goes without saying that Lingard has also suffered this season, but more so for game-time rather than form, with the 29-year-old accumulating just 355 minutes this campaign from 16 cameo appearances that have seen him grab two goals.

Lingard, who has been dubbed “awful” by Journalist Rob Blanchette, is free to sign a pre-contract agreement with his deal expiring this summer.

Rashford’s situation on the other hand is slightly more intricate, with the winger still holding value amidst his contract expiry in 2023, of which the club have an option to extend by a year.

The 24-year-old – who was labelled “absolutely terrible” by Chris Waddle for his performance against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League – does have something going for him though. And that is the fact that this is his first blip at Man United with the club massively underachieving as a collective this season.

Though, quite simply, the pair have not been good enough this season and with Ten Hag looking to rebuild the Red Devils, the saving in wages on Lingard and the sale of £45m-rated Rashford could help United to build on their transfer war chest.

Ten Hag’s stance on the £275k-per-week pair will make or break their future at Old Trafford, though with on-going links to the likes of Sebastien Haller, Nicolo Zaniolo, and Antony, it does not bode well for the duo and it should well see them axed.

In other news: Ten Hag could unearth a new Berbatov for Man United by signing 152-goal “hero”…