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Arsenal have now made an improved offer for Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez, according to journalist Cesar Luis Merlo.

The Lowdown: Arteta’s interest

The 24-year-old has been the subject of heavy interest from the North London club, with the Argentina international seemingly Gunners boss Mikel Arteta’s first choice defensive target.

Indeed, The Athletic previously reported that Arsenal had a £26m bid rejected by the Amsterdam outfit, and it was said that they were likely to return with a better offer for the centre-half, who can also be utilised at left-back.

The Latest: Merlo’s news

Merlo has shared the latest news regarding Arsenal’s pursuit of Martinez, who is now receiving interest from Premier League rivals Manchester United.

Taking to Twitter, the journalist confirmed that second bid has now arrived:

“Manchester United is very interested in Lisandro Martínez, but has not yet made an official offer.

“Arsenal have improved their proposal to €40M + 5 in bonuses, but Ajax have not responded yet.

 “He is on vacation: he is happy in Netherlands but he is seduced by going to the big Premier League.”

The Verdict: Great signing

Analysing Martinez’s underlying stats, it is easy to see why Arteta is so keen on signing the Ajax defender.

When compared with positional peers across Europe over the past year, the 24-year-old ranks in the 99th percentile for assists, shot-creating actions, passes attempted, progressive passes and tackles (via FB Ref), proving to be an aggressive defender but with immense ability on the ball.

Described as an ‘incredible signing’ at the Johan Cruijff ArenA by popular Ajax writer TheEuropeanLad, Martinez’s arrival at the Emirates would certainly excite supporters, given the obvious talent he would radiate in Arsenal’s back-line.

Hopefully, then, the second bid is enough to get a deal over the line in time for the beginning of the new season.

There has been a fresh twist in Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Inter Milan defender, Alessandro Bastoni…

What’s the word?

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Italy international won’t be making the move to north London this summer, with the 23-year-old seemingly set to stay on at the San Siro.

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In an interview with a German media outlet (via The Mirror), the transfer guru stated that: “Alessandro Bastoni was a top target, but he remains with Inter. Milan Skriniar would have the opportunity to leave. Maybe to move to PSG, who are ahead at the moment. But Bastoni is a really complicated matter.”

The recent suggestion had been that Spurs were keen on securing a deal for the 15-cap gem, with the club said to be targeting a new left-sided centre-back in the current window, with the likes of Pau Torres and RB Leipzig’s Joskvo Gvardiol also reported targets, as per Romano.

Conte fuming

Antonio Conte is typically a manager that likes to get what he wants in the transfer window, hence his undoubted anger that the Lilywhites will be unable to bring one of his top targets to the Premier League this summer.

Even after sporting director Fabio Paratici had worked astutely to add Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur to his squad in January, the former Chelsea boss was still critical of the club’s overall transfer dealings, with the Italian seemingly a hard man to please when it comes to recruitment.

With the aid of a £150m cash injection, however, the Spurs hierarchy are seemingly willing to invest significantly to help the serial-winning coach assemble a squad capable of challenging both domestically and in Europe next term, having already completed three major deals thus far this summer.

It appears that Bastoni won’t be joining that list, however, with that set to be a clear source of frustration for the man in the dugout, with Conte having worked with the left-footed defender during his recent stint in Italy.

In Inter’s title-winning campaign in the 2020/21 season, the £54m-rated ace averaged an impressive 2.2 clearances, 1.2 interceptions and 1.1 tackles per game from his 33 league outings, proving himself a vital asset on the left of the 52-year-old’s back-three system.

The £122k-per-week colossus has kicked on again this term in the absence of his former boss, showcasing his ball-playing talents as he ranks in the top 1% for progressive passes received, as well as in the top 11% for progressive carries and the top 15% for progressive passes among his peers across Europe’s top five leagues.

Having the chance to add that impressive, familiar face to his squad at Tottenham would no doubt have been firmly on the mind of the one-time Juventus coach, yet now he will be left chasing other targets who may take longer to adapt to his relentless style.

AND in other news: Fabrizio Romano now reveals “very advanced” talks, Spurs supporters will be gutted

According to journalist Jacque Talbot, Tottenham Hotspur have made an offer for Middlesbrough defender Djed Spence amid competition from Nottingham Forest.

The Lowdown: Interest since April

During April, it was reported that more than 10 clubs had declared their interest in signing the 21-year-old, who was impressing in the Championship whilst on loan at Forest.

Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich even sent scouts to watch the right-back play at the City Ground, although it has since been reported that Steve Cooper’s side, along with Spurs and Arsenal, lead the race to secure the youngster’s signature.

The Latest: Talbot’s news on Spence

Taking to Twitter, Talbot has now shared the latest news involving Spence’s potential destination ahead of next season.

He claimed: “Exc: Understand that Tottenham have put in an offer for Djed Spence but that Nottingham Forest are involved as well. Allure of European football will be the only thing standing in the way of Spence and Forest continuing their relationship next season.”

In a subsequent tweet, Talbot added: “Contrary to reports, Spence has not definitively chosen to join Spurs. Conte’s side are one of the clubs with a huge foot in the door.”

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The Verdict: Get it done

Whilst Spence clearly has a good relationship with Forest manager Cooper after their promotion to the Premier League, the pull of Antonio Conte and Champions League football could yet entice the youngster to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

This would be a good addition for the north Londoners, given Conte’s preference to play attacking wing-backs and the 21-year-old’s ability to bomb up and down the flanks.

Ian Wright even claimed that one of Spence’s displays in the FA Cup was “one of the best right back performances” he had seen in a very long time, raising comparisons with “unbelievable” full-backs such as Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Therefore, Paratici should do anything he can to get this deal done.

In other news: Journalist drops Lautaro Martinez to Spurs transfer claim

West Ham United are believed to keen on Argentine striker Giovanni Simeone, according to reports in Italy.

What’s the word?

As per Wednesday’s edition of newspaper Corriere di Verona (via Sports Witness), the Hammers have been named as one of the clubs who are keeping tabs on the 26-year-old, with a summer move seemingly on the cards for the five-cap international.

The forward spent the most recent campaign on loan at Serie A side outfit Hellas Verona from parent club Cagliari, although is expected to move on in the upcoming window even if his temporary switch is made permanent.

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Verona are believed to be able to complete the signing for a fee of around €10.5m (£8.9m), although will then likely sell him on for profit, with both West Ham and Newcastle United potentially set to pounce.

Better than Antonio

The former Fiorentina man – who is the son of Atletico Madrid boss, Diego – has put himself on the radar of a number of clubs across Europe following his remarkable goalscoring spree in the 2021/22 campaign.

In 35 league outings in the Italian top-flight, the £15.3m-rated marksman netted an impressive 17 goals while also laying on a further five assists, with only three players having scored more goals in the division.

Such form has also seen the £47k-per-week ace compare favourably to those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues, with the “fearless” forward – as he has been described by journalist Martin Mazur – ranking in the top 11% for non-penalty goals, while also showcasing his defensive qualities as he ranks in the top 7% for blocks and the top 16% for pressures made.

Although never truly prolific prior to this latest season, such a sensational season is hard to ignore, with the Madrid-born star potentially the man to fill the striking void at the London Stadium.

The Hammers currently have just Michail Antonio as their only senior, recognised centre-forward – having failed to replace club-record flop Sebastian Haller – with the Jamaica international himself admitting the need for increased competition.

Despite an early flurry at the start of the season, the 30-year-old has rubberstamped the belief that he is not a long-term fit to lead the line, enduring a notable dry spell in 2022 in which he scored just three league goals following the turn of the year.

His total tally of 13 goals in all competitions is his best return in a season for the club, although that remains a relatively underwhelming figure for a number nine, particularly when compared to Simeone’s haul last term.

Also – somewhat surprisingly – Antonio ranks poorly for his defensive work compared to the potential new arrival, ranking in just the top 47% for pressures made and the top 51% for blocks made.

That’s not to suggest that Moyes and co should dispense with him this summer, although a quality replacement is needed if the east Londoners are to really kick on next season, with Simeone seemingly the man for the job.

IN other news, GSB plotting bid for £13.5m-rated “revelation”, he could be West Ham’s next Sinclair 

Celtic are on the verge of securing the SPFL title this season for the first time under Ange Postecoglou’s reign in charge of the club.

With 86 points on the board from 35 league games, the Hoops have scored 81 goals and conceded just 20.

Looking ahead to the upcoming summer transfer window, it seems as though a big clue has appeared regarding one potential deal that could take place at Lennoxtown that would surely have the Celtic boss jumping for joy.

What’s the talk?

Speaking to Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur insider John Wenham had this to say about the possibility of Celtic securing a permanent transfer deal for their on-loan defender Cameron Carter-Vickers this summer.

He said: “It seems like Carter-Vickers is going to go early doors. Quite where that is yet, I’m not sure. Some new names have been mentioned in the last few days.

“If I’m being totally honest, I think Celtic will speak to Tottenham and say they will pay the money on 1 July. If they just say, ‘let’s get it done early and here is £6m that goes up to £10m with add-ons’, Tottenham would take that all day.

“I know from speaking to people who know his agency, we would have taken £2.5m last summer. So, to get a much-improved fee would be something Tottenham wouldn’t think twice about. The deal is done quickly and no one has to worry about it again.”

Great news for Postecoglou

Celtic signed the defender from the north London club on loan until the end of the season back in the previous summer transfer window.

Since then, the American has become a pivotal figure for the Hoops, making 42 appearances across all competitions.

With 30 SPFL appearances under his belt, the Spurs loanee has earned himself an overall performance rating of 7.33/10 from WhoScored, making him the fourth-highest rated player in Postecoglou’s squad.

From a defensive point of view, the 24-year-old has the joint-highest number of interceptions (38) from a Celtic player in the SPFL, highlighting just how crucial he’s been at the back.

This all shows just how much of a great move it was from the Bhoys to bring the centre-back to Parkhead last summer.

Moving forward, if what Wenham claims ends up being true, this would definitely be great news for Postecoglou and his chances of being successful with the Parkhead club moving forward.

In other news: Brown 2.0: Ange can save millions with rarely-seen Celtic gem who’s the “real deal”

All your questions on New Zealand’s new 6ft 8in pace and bounce man answered

Deivarayan Muthu30-Jan-2020Jamieson is the tallest NZ cricketerAt six feet and eight inches (2.03 metre), Jamieson is the tallest cricketer in New Zealand. Believe it or not, he’s slightly taller than New Zealand’s batting coach two-metre Peter Fulton, and he has been using his towering frame to bounce out batsmen in domestic cricket.Jamieson was born in Auckland, bred in Canterbury, and is now in line to make his New Zealand debut, having sparkled for New Zealand A.

Move over Two Metre Peter! Meet NZ's *new* tallest cricketer Kyle Jamieson 2.03 metres (6'8) in jandals #FordTrophy pic.twitter.com/eLbZFMWz4U

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 16, 2016

He has been called up to the Test squad before, right?Indeed, he had been picked as a replacement for the injured Ferguson for the 2019 Boxing Day Test because of his propensity to run in hard and hit the deck harder, but he didn’t get a game on that horror tour of Australia.Jamieson, though, has been a regular for New Zealand A over the past few seasons and was even part of the squad that travelled to the UAE in 2018. In all, he has represented New Zealand A 13 times across formats, picking up 15 wickets. His best figures of 4 for 49 came in his most recent A game against India A in Christchurch. Jamieson dismissed opener Ruturaj Gaikwad, Suryakumar Yadav and then defended seven off the last over to secure the one-day series 2-1 for the hosts. He nipped out Sandeep Warrier and Ishan Porel off back-to-back balls to finish off India’s chase.Earlier, in the 2014 Under-19 World Cup in the UAE, Jamieson had emerged as New Zealand’s second-highest wicket-taker, with seven strikes in four matches at an economy rate of 4.51.ALSO READ: Firebird Bennett ready for his NZ rebirthWhat’s his biggest claim to fame?A bowler in the mould of Morne Morkel, Jamieson bagged 6 for 7 at Eden Park – the best figures by a New Zealand bowler and the fourth-best overall in T20 cricket – in last season’s Super Smash for Canterbury. He bounced out four of Auckland’s batsmen, including their England recruit James Vince. He can also get the ball to swing – like he showed when he snatched the outside edge of Mark Chapman on that day.Jamieson switched to Auckland prior to this season, and is the top wicket-taker in the Super Smash in the past two years. He has bagged 30 wickets in 16 matches at an economy rate of 8.08. However, the more experienced Hamish Bennett was preferred ahead of him for the T20Is against India largely because Bennett has more variations.Jamieson has been on the fringes for a while, having been among the wickets in the one-day Ford Trophy and the four-day Plunket Shield as well.Can he bat?He sure can as his List A average (31.50) and strike rate (112.50) suggest. He has made three first-class fifties to go with one in List A cricket. His most memorable knock came against the visiting English attack in 2018, when he cracked a 111-ball 101 to give the likes of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Mark Wood a runaround in a warm-up at Seddon Park.What they say about him…“An impressive bowler who at 6ft 8in can swing it… another one to add to the @BLACKCAPS stable.”
“Kyle impressed the coaching staff in his time with the Test squad for the Melbourne and Sydney Tests, and will feel comfortable in the environment if included.”