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Laurie Whitwell has dropped an update on the future of Leeds United central midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

What’s the latest?

In a recent Q&A on The Athletic, the journalist claimed that, despite it being recently reported that Victor Orta has opened contract extension talks with the England international, the Whites are becoming increasingly resigned to losing the services of the 26-year-old this summer, with both Manchester United and Manchester City interested in a move for the deep-lying playmaker.

In response to a supporter asking for an update on the Red Devils’ interest in Phillips, Whitwell said: “United have looked at Kalvin Phillips for the role, and sources say Leeds sound increasingly resigned to losing the England international this summer.

“But, as previously reported, Phillips would have to detonate his reputation at Elland Road to make that crossing between bitter rivals and the strong sense now is that he is not a genuine option for the red United. Manchester City offer a much more palatable, and realistic, destination across the Pennines.”

Supporters will be livid

Considering that Phillips is one of the Whites’ most gifted players, in addition to the Leeds-born midfielder being a product of the club’s academy, Whitwell’s update that Orta and Jesse Marsch now seem resigned to losing the 26-year-old this summer is sure to have left the Elland Road faithful livid.

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Indeed, according to FBRef data, the £60m-valued talent is currently one of the best defensive midfielders around. Phillips ranks in the top 2% of midfielders in Europe’s big five leagues for pressures per 90, the top 3% for tackles, the top 4% for blocks, the top 23% for clearances and the top 35% for interceptions over the last 365 days.

What makes these returns all the more impressive is that, by his own remarkable standards, the £38k-per-week playmaker endured something of a below-par campaign last time out, slipping from being ranked as the ninth-best midfielder in the 2020/21 Premier League to the seventh-best player in Leeds’ squad in 2021/22.

As such, should the homegrown star indeed move onto pastures new this summer, it would undoubtedly come as a gutting blow to Marsch, Orta and Leeds supporters alike.

Despite the club looking likely to receive a hefty fee for his services, Phillips’ combined ability in his role and his connection to the club will be irreplaceable.

AND in other news: “Been told…”: Smyth now reveals big Leeds transfer twist, supporters will be gutted

Everton are looking to the transfer window to improve their squad this summer following a turbulent season in the Premier League, and Frank Lampard could reignite with one of his former players by bringing him back to Goodison Park.

What’s the latest?

According to journalist Paul Brown, the Toffees manager is looking to sign Chelsea youngster Billy Gilmour this summer.

When asked about Gilmour and Conor Gallagher by GIVEMESPORT, the Daily Star reporter replied: “I know Everton have looked at both players. I think they’ve got very little chance of getting Conor Gallagher because Gallagher knows he’ll get a chance at Chelsea.”

Supporters will love it

Not only has Lampard been the saviour in Everton’s relegation battle this season, but his connections in the Premier League as a legendary Chelsea player and former manager at Stamford Bridge should also put the Toffees in good stead to make some decent signings this summer to improve their squad.

Gilmour was given his top-flight debut by the former Chelsea boss in August 2019 and has gone from strength to strength ever since; and despite Norwich City’s relegation to the Championship this year, the youngster has shown glimpses of his talent whilst on a season-long loan at Carrow Road.

The 20-year-old made one key pass, 1.7 tackles, 1.2 clearances and 61.9 touches per game, delivering one assist and creating one big chance, whilst completing the majority of his dribbles (68%) in 24 Premier League appearances this term.

Gilmour will return to Chelsea this summer, but there is no reason why he won’t be offered out for another opportunity to prove himself next season after a campaign of struggle with Norwich, and Lampard’s Everton could offer a golden opportunity for the player to prove to Thomas Tuchel that he can be part of the long-term picture at Stamford Bridge.

With that in mind, the Toffees should do everything they can to sign the youngster this summer. It would not only be a good financial decision to bring in a loan player, Gilmour will surely be eager to impress, and he could work with a manager who has in-depth knowledge of his strengths and capabilities.

AND in other news: Fabrizio Romano reveals Everton have now “approached” £20m target, it would be a huge coup

The agent of Newcastle United midfielder Miguel Almiron has delivered a huge update on his future at St. James’ Park, and it’s one that fans might just want to hear.  

The Lowdown: Club-record signing

The Paraguayan first joined the Magpies in a club-record £20m switch from MLS side Atalanta United three years ago, where he has since gone on to become a fan favourite in the north east due to his work ethic, making 123 appearances during that time.

Despite still having two years remaining on his current contract with Eddie Howe’s outfit, there have recently been strong rumours linking the 28-year-old with a move away from the Premier League giants, with the likes of Everton and Fulham believed to be interested in securing his services.

The Latest: Campos addresses transfer rumours

Speaking during an interview with Versus Radio (as quoted by ChronicleLive), Almiron’s agent, Daniel Campos, has firmly addressed the transfer rumours and has insisted that his client won’t be going anywhere this summer unless a £60m release clause is met. He said:

“There are always rumours about players in the transfer market.

“However, we don’t have any definitive interest shown by any club. Usually, the clubs negotiate within themselves but don’t contact the agent. He has a release clause of £60m. He is happy to stay at the club and most importantly, he is playing.”

The Verdict: Improvement still required

The 41-cap international has become a regular feature of Howe’s starting XI this season, but even though he’s renowned for his excellent pressing and runs in behind, his goal return still needs upgrading.

The maestro, who was once described as “Henry-like” by BT Sport pundit Shay Given, only managed to score one goal in 32 outings across all competitions this campaign and provided zero assists, as per Transfermarkt.

As a result of his form tailing off, some supporters would have probably expected him to leave the club during the upcoming transfer window, but considering that now doesn’t seem likely to be the case, Almiron will most definitely have to up his game heading into next season if he wants any chance of retaining his place in the first-team come the beginning of August.

In other news… a Sky Sports pundit has dropped a huge Newcastle transfer ‘risk’ claim involving one of their summer targets.

Newcastle United supporters ‘will be disappointed’ with the news that the Magpies were the only Premier League club to have claimed furlough money two seasons running, claims football finance expert Kieran Maguire.

The Lowdown: Newcastle’s finances

On 16 May, Newcastle submitted a report on Companies House which showed that the club’s turnover had fallen from £153m to £140m in the year ending on 30 June 2021.

The Tyneside outfit attributed £40m of the lost income to the damaging effects of the Covid pandemic, with home supporters unable to attend matches.

The report also highlighted how the Magpies claimed £900,000 through the furlough scheme that year, with a further £1.15m claimed in 2019/20.

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The Latest: Maguire’s claim

As a result, Maguire, featured on Sky Sports, has now asserted that Newcastle fans will not be happy with the club’s actions.

Speaking with Football Insider, he claimed:

“A lot of people will be surprised and fans will be disappointed that they took advantage of the coronavirus job retention scheme in both of the last two years.

“I certainly haven’t seen any other Premier League club take this route.

“We have seen the fans of certain clubs kick up a bit of a fuss about the owners trying to take advantage. But Mike Ashley was an immovable object.”

The Verdict: Under Mike Ashley…

Many Magpies supporters will be livid with the club’s actions, whereas others would have become so desensitised to Ashley’s actions whilst in charge, this sort of behaviour would have been expected.

Especially now with the colossal investment made by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, these actions may seem worse than ever.

Either way, Magpies fans’ opinion of Ashley will likely remain unchanged, and they can look to a brighter future under Eddie Howe, who has helped completely transform the mood on Tyneside.

In other news: Newcastle United: Magpies are already ‘looking’ at three ‘quality’ signings, claims pundit

Newcastle United ended the campaign 11th in the Premier League table as they beat Burnley 2-1 on the final day of the season.

Callum Wilson scored both goals as he consigned the Clarets to relegation from the top-flight, a prospect the Magpies were facing at the start of the year.

Eddie Howe has led the club to safety and will now turn his attention to making key additions to the squad in order to push on again next term.

One player the Toon have recently been linked with a swoop for is Juventus central midfielder Weston McKennie, who is reportedly available for a fee in the region of £34m (€40m).

The Magpies must bring him in over the summer as he can form a deadly midfield partnership with Bruno Guimaraes on Tyneside.

In Europe’s top five leagues over the past year, the American ranks in the 85th percentile for non-penalty goals per 90 in his position. He also ranks in the 86th percentile for non-penalty Expected Goals and Expected Assists combined per 90, with these statistics suggesting that he will offer a significant attacking threat from midfield if he is given regular minutes.

Guimaraes, meanwhile, ranks in the 85th and 92nd percentile in those two categories. This shows that they both have a knack for popping up in the final third with chances to score or passes to set up good opportunities for their teammates.

McKennie has earned plaudits for his performances in Germany and Italy. His former Schalke manager David Wagner previously heaped praise on his talents, saying:

“He’s an outstanding talent. In the No.6 or No.8 position he has the mentality, a real working mentality that you need. And he’s brave on the ball as well. He can be one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga.”

The German is not the only head coach who has been left impressed by the midfielder as Juventus legend Andrea Pirlo dubbed him a “rock”.

This proves that he can adapt to different leagues and the cultural changes that come with that, which bodes well for a potential Premier League switch. He has shown that he can perform in the Bundesliga and the Serie A, as illustrated by these comments, and it is now time for him to try his luck in England.

McKennie and Guimaraes can team up in the middle of the park and both provide an exciting attacking threat that will excite supporters throughout the 2022/23 campaign.

AND in other news, “He’s expected..”: Fabrizio Romano drops transfer claim that’ll excite NUFC supporters…

Sheffield Wednesday are interested in signing Colchester United midfielder Brendan Wiredu, according to a report from the Sheffield Star journalist Joe Crann. 

The lowdown: Wiredu’s career so far

Still only 22, the London-born starlet came out of the Charlton Athletic academy before being sent to Bromley on loan in 2019.

Signed by Colchester last year, Wiredu has been a revelation for the League Two club this season, making 45 appearances across all competitions and helping them towards a comfortable mid-table finish.

Following this breakout campaign, a move up the English football pyramid could now be on the cards this summer…

The latest: Wednesday interested in Wiredu

Taking to Twitter to cite his in-depth report from the Sheffield Star, Crann outlined Sheffield Wednesday’s interest in Wiredu.

The journalist stated: “Hearing that 22-year-old Colchester United midfielder, Brendan Wiredu, has made his way onto #SWFC’s radar…He’s still under contract with the U’s, but a transfer fee wouldn’t be huge. For now he’s just on a long list of potentials.”

Meanwhile, within the report, it is that claimed that Owls manager Darren Moore is ‘on the lookout for a combative midfielder’ this summer, and Wiredu has been earmarked as a potential target.

The verdict: Smart signing

Although he’s unproven at League One level, the talented youngster has shown with his performances throughout the 2021/22 campaign that the step-up seems an achievable one for him.

Overall, Wiredu – who was described as an ‘explosive player’ by his former Colchester boss Hayden Mullins – earned a 6.96 Sofascore rating in the fourth tier, supplying four assists and winning a staggering 8.8 of his total duels per game.

Those statistics would certainly lend themselves to Moore’s requirement for a combative midfield operator, and at just 22 years of age, the Colchester ace still has room to develop even further, potentially at Hillsborough.

Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could look to join another Premier League team with European aspirations, according to former top flight manager Alex McLeish.

The Lowdown: Ox out of favour

The 28-year-old has found himself increasingly out of favour for the Reds this season, as Jurgen Klopp’s men battle across four competitions.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has been limited to just nine starts in the Premier League, with his last appearance for Liverpool coming back in March, against Nottingham Forest.

With his Englishman’s current deal expiring next year, it looks highly likely that he will move on this summer.

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The Latest: McLeish makes new claim

Speaking to Football Insider, McLeish claimed that Oxlade-Chamberlain is yet to hit his peak and will look to join another high-end English team:

“Players stay at clubs because of that special relationship with the clubs and the manager. Maybe they don’t get the minutes that they would perhaps want. Look at Divock Origi, who is going to leave Liverpool this season. He didn’t seem too worried about not getting minutes.

“There comes a time when possibly they look at the clock and say: ‘Time’s running out. Maybe I can go and play every week.’

“Oxlade-Chamberlain’s got his peak time ahead of him. Individuals sometimes seem to be in comfort mode, and I don’t mean that in disrespect. I mean they’re comfortable with their life, playing a bit-part for Liverpool.

“The time sometimes comes when you say: ‘I’m 28 now, I’d love to play more games. I’m sure one of the big clubs would snap me up.’

“He’s a very versatile player and he has a hateful of medals now. In Chamberlain’s case, he could rightly say: ‘I’m looking for a club who’s going for a European place, going to try win a cup or get a Champions League place.’

“Why shouldn’t he have that ambition? It will be a club that has that ambition as well.”

The Verdict: Time to leave this summer

It makes complete sense for Oxlade-Chamberlain to move on at the end of the season, having clearly dropped down the midfield pecking order under Klopp.

It could even be that he has played his last game for Liverpool and his Reds career will likely be viewed as hit-and-miss overall, with injuries hampering him at the best of times.

A move to a club in the top half of the Premier League would suit all parties, allowing Oxlade-Chamberlain more regular playing time and bringing in key transfer funds for Liverpool to replace him.

In other news, Jurgen Klopp has set his sights on one Liverpool signing. Find out who it is here.

Tottenham Hotspur will look to solve Antonio Conte’s wing-back woes with Joakim Maehle this summer…

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Mail, the north London outfit are lining up a move for Atalanta star, who is viewed as a perfect fit for the Italian head coach and after striking success with Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski, sporting director Fabio Paratici could return to the Serie A for another signing.

It remains to be seen how much the 24-year-old would command, though CIES Football Observatory value him at €50m (£45m).

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Dream Conte wing-back

Conte has endured a torrid time with his wide options this campaign.

On the left, injuries have seen both Sergio Reguilon and Ryan Sessegnon struggle to sustain a consistent run in the side, both also lacking in form, whilst on the right, Emerson’s maiden campaign in the Premier League has largely been woeful with Matt Doherty’s season ended by an MCL injury.

The Denmark international first caught the eye of many during Euro 2020 as he impressed at left wing-back on their way to the semi-final, where they were defeated by Harry Kane’s England.

He has delivered nine goals from 25 caps at international level.

Meanwhile, a career average of 0.9 key passes, 0.9 shots and 1.1 dribbles per game, via WhoScored, further highlights his attacking credentials as a marauding wing-back.

Maehle is capable of getting into the final third often but that doesn’t come at any defensive expense, having also averaged 1.4 tackles and 1.1 interceptions throughout his career.

Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has been impressed by his De Rod-Hvide counterpart, once describing him as a “machine” after their 4-1 win over Russia at last summer’s major tournament.

If Conte wants to land an upgrade on the left or right side of the pitch, then they should look no further than the Danish dynamo, who ranks inside the top 10% of all players in his position for progressive passes received (3.67 per 90), thus making him something of a dream option for the Tottenham head coach.

Paratici and co must look to seal Maehle this off-season.

AND in other news, Forget Son: “Sensational” Spurs titan who had 11 clearances stole the show at Anfield…

Dan Kilpatrick has dropped a team news update ahead of the Premier League meeting between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal this evening.

What’s the latest?

In a recent article for the Evening Standard, the Tottenham correspondent revealed that, unless Spurs were to pick up any fresh injuries before tonight’s north London derby, Antonio Conte will likely stick with the same starting XI that secured a valuable point at Anfield last weekend – despite the fact that a number of the Italian’s first-team squad will be suffering from fatigue.

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In his piece, Kilpatrick wrote: “Tottenham are likely to stick with the same starting lineup as they battle Arsenal in a pivotal north London derby tonight. Only an injury between now and the derby would force Conte’s hand, although he will be wary of fatigue after a gruelling 90 minutes against Liverpool and with Sunday’s match against Burnley a 12pm kick-off.

“Steven Bergwijn, Lucas Moura, Davinson Sanchez and Harry Winks can therefore be hopeful of minutes from the bench, although their chances of starting are remote. Sergio Reguilon (groin), Matt Doherty (knee), Japhet Tanganga (knee) and Oliver Skipp (pelvis) are all sidelined for the rest of the campaign. Spurs have no fresh injury concerns, however.”

Supporters will love Kilpatrick’s update

Considering just how important this evening’s clash with Arsenal is in the race to secure a top-four finish this season, the news that Tottenham have no fresh injury concerns, in addition to the suggestion that Conte is likely to stick with the same XI as the Liverpool fixture, is sure to be an update the Spurs faithful will love.

Indeed, despite coming in for criticism from Jurgen Klopp for their apparently defensive display at Anfield, it was actually the visitors who most looked as if they could go on to snatch all three points in Saturday’s meeting, with Tottenham creating one big chance compared to Liverpool’s zero, as well as both sides springing two counter-attacks and hitting the target with three shots.

As such, if Conte can get a similar performance from his side this evening – something that is certainly boosted by the fact the Italian is not having to deal with any fresh injuries – it would undoubtedly provide Spurs’ chances of taking all three points off of their north London rivals with a huge boost – with a win moving Tottenham to within one point of Mikel Arteta’s fourth-placed side with just two games left to play this season.

AND in other news: Spurs now handed a huge double boost ahead of Arsenal, Antonio Conte will be buzzing

Journalist Josh Holland has urged Aston Villa to consider a move for Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma this summer. 

The lowdown: Villa’s transfer plans

Wholesale alterations are expected at Villa Park this summer as Steven Gerrard attempts to put his stamp on the squad.

According to Football Insider, Arsenal are lining up a new move for Douglas Luiz, and the Brazilian’s departure could make room for at least one new addition.

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Having already been heavily linked with a move for Leeds United ace Kalvin Phillips, January target Bissouma could also remain on the radar in the Midlands…

The latest: Villa urged to sign Bissouma

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Holland suggested that the 25-year-old Mali international would be the ‘better fit’ for Gerrard’s side out of those two reported targets.

He outlined: “I think them two players would do a perfect job. I think Bissouma is probably a more likely target, I’d say, just because Kalvin Phillips is Leeds through and through, and I think they’re probably going to stay up now.

“I’d say Phillips is better than Bissouma, but Bissouma, I think, would be a better fit for this Villa side.”

The verdict: Bissouma over Phillips

Both players would be superb additions to the Villa squad, but following an injury-hit 2021/22 campaign for Phillips, perhaps Bissouma is indeed the preferred option right now.

One year younger than the Englishman, the 18-cap Mali ace has been hailed as ‘world class’ by Ray Parlour. He has also outperformed his defensive midfield counterpart when it comes to averages for clearances, tackles and interceptions per game this season, whilst earning a 7.00 rating compared to Phillips’ 6.56 (WhoScored).

Furthermore, Leeds will reportedly demand a fee in the region of £50m for the Englishman, whilst Brighton are seemingly willing to consider bids of £40m for their talismanic midfielder. Therefore, you can see why Holland has named Bissouma as the more likely target for Villa.

In other news, journalist confirms Aston Villa are eyeing Ligue 1 star. Read more here.