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Manchester United are reportedly eyeing a move for Porto’s Brazilian striker, Evanilson.

What’s the word?

That is according to a report from Marca, who claim that new boss Erik ten Hag wants a No.9, with Porto’s Evanilson eyed as a potential fit for his side.

As per the report, it is said that the Red Devils had an opening bid of €60m (£51.6m) (plus €5m in add-ons) rejected by the Liga NOS outfit, with the club said to be holding out for the €80m (£68.9m) sum which would trigger his release clause.

Marca also state that if the 22-year-old is to leave this summer, he will most certainly become their most expensive sale of all time, with his expected fee set to surpass the €50m received for Eder Militao when he switched to Real Madrid.

Ten Hag’s Nunez replica

Evanilson has scored 21 of those goals have come this season in all competitions for Porto.

Whilst Nunez was making all of the noise with Portuguese rivals Benfica, Evanilson was silently racking up his own tally and managed to hit 14 goals in the league – a feat made more impressive by his prominence in the centre-forward position, having started his career out-wide.

Despite scoring fewer goals than Nunez, who enjoyed a more prosperous break-out season, Evanilson’s underlying stats demonstrate that he is not far off the Uruguayan, which bodes well for his numbers in the future.

As per Goalpoint, Evanilson averages 2.1 shots, 0.9 key passes, 0.9 dribbles and 25% open play shots involvement per 90.

Nunez betters all of the aforementioned with 3.2 shots, 1.4 key passes, 1.8 dribbles and 41% open play shot involvement, though it is worth noting that the new Liverpool striker was often deployed as a single target man, whilst Evanilson shared striking duties in an attack partnership with Mehdi Taremi – the club’s top scorer this season.

There is a lot of potential for Evanilson and Porto clearly rate him highly with the “electric” forward in the words of Jacek Kulig, improving all the time.

It is no wonder that United and Arnold are sniffing around him.

In other news: Fabrizio Romano drops “serious” Man United transfer claim that’ll have ten Hag buzzing

It is the news that Celtic supporters have been hoping for, with the Parkhead outfit believed to be nearing a deal for Lanus defender Alexandro Bernabei.

What’s the word?

As per Football Scotland journalist Mark Hendry, the 21-year-old’s move to Glasgow could now be imminent, with the insider revealing on Twitter that it is simply a “matter of time” before he is confirmed as a Hoops player.

The young Argentine could reportedly be set to join for a fee of around £2.5m to £3.75m, with manager Ange Postecoglou believed to be keen to bring in competition for current left-back, Greg Taylor.

Recent reports have also linked the Scottish champions with fellow full-back Mohanad Jeahze – who currently plays for Swedish outfit Hammarby – although it would appear that the Old Firm side are instead set to recruit Bernabei.

Postecoglou delighted

That news will no doubt be of huge relief to title-winning coach Postecoglou, with the 56-year-old no doubt keen to see his side adequately bolstered this summer, with the club set for a long-awaited return to the Champions League group stage next term.

That upcoming European voyage – as well as their usual domestic commitments – will require the Parkhead outfit to have cover and competition in every position, with the former Yokohama boss likely to need to shuffle his pack frequently.

The Scottish Premiership side have already confirmed the permanent arrivals of Daizen Maeda and Cameron Carter-Vickers following their recent and successful loan stints at the club, with fellow temporary arrival, Jota, also seemingly set for a long-term stay at Celtic Park.

While those figures are familiar names to the Hoops faithful, the addition of Bernabei will undoubtedly be something of a shot in the dark, with the £2.97m-rated gem largely an unknown quantity for those outside of his homeland.

That being said, however, the “dangerous” starlet – as he has been dubbed by journalist Fernando Campos – appears to be a real talent, having already racked up 84 appearances for his current side despite his youth, chipping in with four goals and ten assists in that time.

His form in the ongoing Copa Sudamericana – the South American equivalent to the Europa League – has also been particularly impressive, as he has registered two goals and one assist in just six games in the competition this year, keeping three clean sheets in that time and averaging an impressive 3.3 tackles per game.

The 5 foot 7 machine could prove to be yet another hidden gem that Postecoglou can get a tune out of, with the Celtic boss set to be delighted to be able to bring in such a promising and prodigious talent.

IN other news, Deal Imminent: Celtic “very close” to big summer move, it’d be Ange’s best swoop yet

Liverpool could complete the big-money signing of Benfica striker Darwin Nunez imminently as the player has told his club he’s ready to quit, according to an update in the last 24 hours.

The Lowdown: Nunez heading to Anfield?

The 22-year-old has been strongly linked with a move to Anfield in recent days, with the Reds seemingly winning the race to sign him.

Nunez is considered one of the most exciting young attacking players in Europe, having scored 26 goals in just 24 Primeira Liga starts last season.

He also scored home and away against Liverpool in the Champions League – something that seemingly alerted Jurgen Klopp to his brilliance.

The Latest: Move done this week?

According to Football Insider’s Friday morning update, Nunez could officially become a Reds player by the end of this week, with the 22 year-old wanting it done ‘as soon as possible’ and a deal ‘edging closer’.

Negotiations are thought to be ‘accelerating’ and a long-term deal has been offered to the Uruguayan, who has told Benfica he wants to quit and move to Anfield – the report calls this a ‘clear sign the transfer is close to completion’.

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The Verdict: What a signing

Barring a major twist, it looks now a given that Nunez will be confirmed as a Liverpool player before too long, in what represents a significant piece of business for a likely record fee – Football Insider say £60m plus £20m in add-ons.

With Sadio Mane looking set to eventually join Bayern Munich, the Benfica sensation could be a perfect replacement down the middle, bringing goals, movement and physicality to the Reds’ attack.

At 22, he still has so many years ahead of him, too – he is eight years Mane’s younger – and is someone who could mature into a true Premier League force.

In other news, one Liverpool player is ‘closing in’ on a Reds exit. Find out who it is here.

Liverpool have reportedly held long term interest in Raphinha, and now a fresh update has emerged that could mean the club are now ready to make the next steps in bringing the player to Anfield this summer.

What’s the latest?

According to The Mirror, Liverpool are set to take their interest in Leeds United star Raphinha to the next level this summer amid reports that Sadio Mane could leave the club during the transfer window, and could use Taki Minamino as bait to make the signing.

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As per the report, the Yorkshire club have an interest in the Reds’ backup forward Minamino and would like to sign him ahead of next season, but the Merseyside giants may use their desire to sign the player as a way to bargain a deal for their Brazilian winger in return.

Klopp will love him

If Mane was to leave Anfield this summer it will leave a gaping hole in Liverpool’s consistent and reliable attacking threat in front of goal, but if they could secure a deal for Raphinha it will surely soften the blow as Klopp reportedly already loves him and has previously been keen to sign the player.

Leeds United were saved from relegation on the last day of the season by the skin of their teeth, with Raphinha scoring the opening goal against Brentford to set the tone for the side’s 2-1 win over Brentford.

These clutch performances for his current club and his ongoing work ethic as top goal-scorer with 11 Premier League goals for Leeds this season has seen the player attract interest from some of the biggest clubs in the world with Barcelona also determined to secure the winger’s signature this summer.

The 26-year-old star who was hailed “unbelievable” by teammate Kalvin Phillips, has been at the West Yorkshire club since 2020 when they were promoted to the Premier League and was signed for just £17m at the time, but has since tripled that value in just two years with Leeds now valuing him at £60m.

Raphinha’s agent even spoke out last year to confirm Liverpool’s interest in his client, with Deco confirming in an interview (via Metro Online);

‘There are certainly several clubs that like him, and Liverpool do like him, there were approaches, but nothing official.”

The Kopites are now in a position to offer the Brazilian who has been dubbed a “magician” by Daniel James, first team football with the suspected departure of Mane, and it could now be a golden opportunity for the club to make substantial moves to secure the signing, whilst offloading Minamino for a profit in the process.

AND in other news: Forget Tchouameni: LFC eye a move for “outstanding” £60m ace, he’s “one of the best”

Leeds United could complete the signing of Rasmus Kristensen from Red Bull Salzburg within the next week, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post [06 June, pg. 56], via MOT Leeds News). 

The lowdown

The Whites have already agreed a deal with the Austrian champions for the right-back (via The Athletic), and all that remains now is for Kristensen to undergo a medical and formally agree to a transfer by signing a contract.

Provided there are no issues, he will follow Brenden Aaronson from Salzburg to Yorkshire. Borussia Dortmund were also keen, but it seems that Leeds are now on the brink of winning the race for the 24-year-old.

The latest

Kristensen is currently on international duty with Denmark, who are due to face Austria twice either side of a meeting with Croatia in the next seven days, although the Danes’ Nations League campaign may not delay the completion of the deal.

The report claimed that Leeds could clinch the signature of the 24-year-old before his season officially ends on 13 June.

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The verdict

Leeds fans should be pleased to see their recruitment team acting so swiftly.

Before the middle of June, Jesse Marsch may have his first two summer signings through the door, and they could reap the rewards of getting crucial business done early.

Aaronson and Kristensen should be able to enjoy a full pre-season with their new team-mates and hit the ground running when the competitive action resumes in August.

It would appear that Kristensen is an alternative to Aberdeen’s Calvin Ramsay, who Leeds have been trying to sign.

With 33 direct goal involvements in 109 games for Salzburg (14 goals, 19 assists) and experience of playing at right midfield, he’s a player who could make a difference at both ends of the pitch. His ability to line out in a wide attacking role could be especially beneficial if, as expected, Raphinha is sold over the summer.

In other news, Leeds could be offered this Premier League forward

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has offered his verdict on Celtic’s reported interest in striker, Antoine Semenyo.

What’s the word?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the respected insider gave his backing to Ange Postecoglou’s Hoops making a move for the 22-year-old, following reports that the Bhoys are interested in bringing the Chelsea-born striker to Celtic Park.

Asked about the prospect of Ange Postecoglou and co making a move for the forward, O’Rourke suggested that he could potentially replicate the club’s former ace, Moussa Dembele: “He’s done well at Bristol City, whether he could have the same impact as Moussa Dembele had when he arrived from Fulham, that’s up for debate because Dembele was a real top signing for Celtic when they did get him.

“He showed that with his goals under Brendan Rodgers that helped them win so many trophies and also played in the Champions League as well. So, I think Semenyo does look a good player, and if Celtic could land him, I think it could be a good piece of business.”

Fellow insider Dean Jones has previously insisted, however, that it would take a “big package” to land the £3.5k-per-week gem this summer, suggesting a fee of around £15m – a figure that would shatter the club’s current record deal.

Dembele 2.0

As O’Rourke suggested, Semenyo – who has recently opted to play for Ghana at international level – could follow in the footsteps of the aforementioned Dembele, with the Frenchman having also arrived in a Glasgow from a Championship side, joining from Fulham in the summer of 2016.

The Lyon ace would prove an instant hit at Parkhead, netting 50 years to net a hat-trick in an Old Firm derby, doing so in a 5-1 thrashing of Rangers in September 2016.

He would go on to score 51 goals and register 18 assists in 94 appearances for the club in total before departing for Ligue 1 on a £19.7m deal, allowing Celtic to rake in a tidy profit having signed the player for a reported compensation fee of around £500k.

Such a bargain buy is out of the question in the case of the Bristol man, although the hope would be that on the pitch he can be equally as devastating, with his form in the most recent campaign illustrating just what an exceptional talent he is.

Dubbed the “perfect all round attacker” by journalist Bill Eshun, the £2.25m-rated speedster has showcased both his goalscoring prowess and his creative talents in the 2021/22 season, netting eight goals and providing 12 assists from his 31 appearances, while also recording an impressive 2.3 shots per game.

Clearly a player keen to make things happen in the final third, the one-time Sunderland loanee also averaged a solid 7.03 match rating, as per SofaScore, with that the fourth-highest among the Robins’ squad.

Nigel Pearson’s side are likely to be keen to keep hold of their prized asset for next term, although should Celtic fork out the cash, Postecoglou can offer the youngster the dangling carrot that is Champions League football.

As Dembele proved, the step up from England’s second tier to the elite level can be more than manageable.

In other news: Ange can land his own Van Dijk as Celtic eye bid for “tremendous” £4.05m-rated machine

Newcastle United are believed to be tempted by the prospect of signing Atletico Madrid defender Renan Lodi, according to reports.

What’s the word?

As per 90min, the Magpies are said to believe that the chance to sign the Brazilian ‘may be too good to pass up’, with the club now ‘considering’ whether to make a bid for the 24-year-old in the upcoming window.

The report suggests that despite the good form of loanee Matt Target – who joined on a temporary deal from Aston Villa in January – the northeast side may snub a permanent move for the Englishman in favour of submitting an offer for the Atleti star.

The belief is that the latter man’s ‘Champions League experience’ could be a factor in the decision to choose him over the Villa man, with a fee of around £42m seemingly enough to prise him from the Wanda Metropolitano.

Forget Targett

There may be those who view it as harsh to shun Targett in favour of a new face, although the former Southampton man was perhaps simply always a mere solid, short-term fix at left-back, while Lodi offers a more exciting, marquee, long-term fit.

In 16 Premier League appearances at St James’ Park, the former England U21 international failed to register a single goal and assist, having only provided 12 goal contributions in 142 outings across his time in the division.

By contrast, the potential new addition provided four goals and five assists in the 2021/22 campaign alone across all competitions, notably netting in a 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford back in March in the Champions League last-16.

Such is his attacking talent, the £22.5m-rated gem even labelled himself as like “another striker” when he plays for his country, having made 15 appearances to date for the Selecao.

Equally, he also compares favourably to those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues, ranking in the top 2% for progressive passes received and the top 7% for touches in the attacking penalty area, showcasing his relentless willingness to get forward.

Although that is helped by the £64k-per-week speedster often lining up in a wing-back role under Diego Simeone, it is no less impressive, particularly when compared to the statistical record of Targett, who ranks in just the top 74% for those same two metrics.

All the evidence points to PIF and Howe needing to be ruthless to go and get their man from the Spanish capital, even if that means turning their back on a player who has been a solid servant over the last six months.

IN other news, Eddie Howe can now help NUFC sign “spectacular” £64m “nightmare”, he’s better than Saint-Maximin

According to Sky Sports pundit Kevin Campbell, Manchester City will be making a ‘big mistake’ if they allow midfielder Ilkay Gundogan to leave the club this summer.

The Lowdown: Gundogan free to move on

The 31-year-old first made the move to the Etihad in a £20m move from Borussia Dortmund six years ago, where he has since gone on to make a staggering 252 senior appearances for the Sky Blues across all competitions, far more than he’s made at any other club.

Despite still having just over one year remaining on his contract with the Manchester outfit, it has recently been reported by the Daily Mail’s Mike Keegan that Gundogan has been told he is free to find a new club in the coming months, with a City departure looking ever more likely for the maestro.

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The Latest: Campbell reacts to ‘big mistake’

When asked for his reaction to the huge transfer news, Campbell admitted that he thinks the current Premier League leaders are making completely the wrong decision,

He told Football Insider: “I think Manchester City would be making a big mistake.

“I think he’s a really good player so I’m not so sure about that.

“He scored nearly 20 goals last season. To score that many from midfielder is incredible.

“If he comes onto the market I’m sure there will be some serious clubs interested in him. He is a really good player.

“Injuries have robbed him of a lot of game time. That is what happens sometimes. Sometimes you just can’t keep fit. He has shown this season that he is able to come back though.

“I’m sure somebody will be really interested in picking him up. He’s a great player.”

The Verdict: A huge loss

Gundogan has proven to be a brilliant long-term servant for City, having netted 47 goals and provided 33 assists during his time at the club, as per Transfermarkt, and it would be a huge loss to the first team squad if he were to say goodbye this summer.

The 56-cap international has still played a prominent role in Pep Guardiola’s squad this term and has had a real positive influence when on the pitch, averaging two shots and 1.5 key passes per league game, not to mention his 91.1% pass success rate, via WhoScored.

The 5 foot 9 talisman isn’t getting any younger and that could have been a big deciding factor for the hierarchy, but age is surely just a number when you possess as much quality as someone like Gundogan does.

In other news… Fabrizio Romano has shared a huge update with details surrounding one Man City ace’s departure.

Kevin Thelwell is plotting an Everton transfer swoop which will surely please Frank Lampard ahead of this summer’s transfer window.

What’s the word?

According to the Irish Independent, the Toffees are eyeing up a summer move for Manchester City and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu.

The 20-year-old has been out on loan at Portsmouth this term and faces a big decision on his future.

Southampton, Bournemouth and Sheffield United have all been linked with the young stopper, so Everton would face a battle for his signature if they actively pursue him.

Lampard would love him

With recent reports indicating that Lampard is willing to entertain offers for Jordan Pickford, the money from any such sale would likely go back into investing in the squad. This would obviously mean that the manager would then be on the lookout for a new number one, and Bazunu is thought to be a target ahead of next season.

Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley has heaped praise on the 6 foot 2 ‘keeper following an excellent season at the club, dubbing him “exceptional” as the Irishman kept 16 clean sheets in 44 matches, missing only two games as Pompey finished tenth in League One.

Bazunu made more passes (811) than any other goalkeeper in the division during his spell on the south, coast and his remarkable talent holds no bounds as he aims for regular game-time at a higher level.

His contract at Manchester City expires in 2024, and with Ederson looking like he will be at the Etihad Stadium for the long haul as he is contracted until 2026, Everton could land Bazunu for a decent fee.

The 20-year-old already has 10 caps to his name for the Republic of Ireland and this international experience will stand him in good stead as he aims to make a living in the upper echelons of the game.

Lampard could do worse than signing the young Irish ‘keeper for next season, regardless of whether or not Pickford is at Goodison Park by then.

AND in other news, Lampard heading for Everton nightmare as update emerges, supporters will be livid

Steven Davis’ performance for Rangers in their Premiership clash on Sunday afternoon has come in for high praise from some members of the media.

The Lowdown: Must-win game for Rangers

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men knew that only a victory would keep their slim title hopes alive, with literally no room for breathing space.

It wasn’t a straightforward afternoon for Rangers, though, with the hosts having to wait until the 50th minute for James Tavernier’s penalty to give them the lead against a resolute Dundee United outfit.

Amad Diallo doubled the lead on 78 minutes to secure the victory, duly preventing Celtic from being mathematically confirmed as champions today.

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The Latest: Davis’ performance praised

One player who clearly caught the eye was Davis, with Rangers’ official media partners Heart & Hand Podcast taking to Twitter to laud the midfielder’s brilliance on show at Ibrox:

“Davis running the show.”

Meanwhile, radio presenter Bill Young was similarly impressed, giving his assessment of the midfielder via Twitter:

“Davis majestic as always, overall good display.”

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The Verdict: Masterclass from Davis

At 37, there is no denying that Davis’ best years are behind him, but he remains a hugely talented footballer who is capable of running matches from the middle of the park.

That was certainly the case against Dundee United today, with the Northern Irishman enjoying an 88% pass completion rate, making four key passes and winning five duels and two tackles, as per Sofascore.

Davis’ current Ibrox deal expires at the end of this season, and if he is to move on over the summer, he will be remembered as a hero for the Light Blues, having won last season’s SFWA Player of the Year award.

If this is to be his final season in blue, at least he is going out with a bang with performances such as this.

In other news, Rangers are believed to be ‘keeping tabs’ on one player. Find out who it is here.