"Soon" – Hint Dropped Over Another Potential Liverpool Signing

Liverpool are keen on Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch and it will soon become clear whether there is a roadmap for the Reds to sign the Netherlands international this summer, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest transfer news involving Ryan Gravenberch?

According to Football Insider, Liverpool are keen on signing Gravenberch this summer and will attempt to try and prize him away from Bayern Munich as Jurgen Klopp eyes a squad rebuild.

The report states that Liverpool have been admirers of Gravenberch for a long period of time and the Reds believe that the prospect of offering the 21-year-old more playing time at Anfield may be enough to tempt him to move to Merseyside.

As per The Daily Mail, Liverpool have previously held discussions with Gravenberch's entourage over the possibility of acquiring Gravenberch; however, it is said that Bayern Munich are reluctant to lose his services in the off-season.

Capology understand that Gravenberch earns around €176,923 (£153,680) per week at the Allianz Arena and is contracted to his current employers until June 2027.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jones thinks that we will soon find out whether Liverpool moving to bring Gravenberch to Anfield is a viable option this summer.

Jones said: “I’d say we should probably keep an eye on the Gravenberch situation because that’s the other one they’ve really wanted to know about. And I think there will be indications very soon on Gravenberch and whether Liverpool could even get involved in that conversation.”

Would Ryan Gravenberch be a good signing for Liverpool?

Despite finding it difficult to make an impact at Bayern Munich, Gravenberch is a talented midfielder who would add some extra composure in Liverpool's engine room.

In 2022/23, the 21-year-old made 33 appearances in all competitions for the Bundesliga champions, registering one goal and a solitary assist apiece, as per Transfermarkt.

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WhoScored show that Gravenberch is a reliable outlet in possession for Bayern Munich and managed to maintain a pass success rate of 89.3% in the German top-flight this season.

As per FBRef, Gravenberch has also excelled in comparison to his positional peers across Europe's top five divisions in the art of shot-creating actions, having averaged around 4.01 per 90 minutes across the last 365 days, putting him in the seventh percentile for this metric.

Liverpool need to add midfield depth to compensate for the loss of trio Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gravenberch would add some fresh legs and an ability to exert control in the middle of the park.

Leeds Want ‘Outstanding’ £9k-p/w Gem To Fix Bielsa Error

Leeds United are a club that will enter the Championship as one of its biggest. Therefore, their pull will immediately outrank most others seeking to snag promotion, and players offered the choice between Elland Road or elsewhere in the division will almost always opt for the former.

This monopoly over transfer targets is particularly useful at a level like this, where they could realistically use their enhanced funds and stature to bankroll all the competition, at immense risk in case it fails.

As such, they will want to remain careful of their spending, or else face another 16-year absence from the Premier League. That is where Andrea Radrizzani will feel they belong, and given his desperation to sell the club goes on, their presence at that level would surely boost any income he is sure to receive too.

This all feeds into their expected first move of the window, which reported late last month that they were moving in to sign free agent Ryan Manning. The £9k-per-week titan has seen his contract at Swansea City conclude this summer, and the Yorkshire club again have that pull to convince him that they are the best option.

How good is Ryan Manning?

In securing this fine left back, at last they could fix their long-term issue which even Marcelo Bielsa failed to solve.

Whilst the Argentine suffered from numerous failures that led to his eventual sacking, not limited to his stubbornness to alter his philosophy and the injury crisis he suffered, it could be argued that a failure to sign a top left back was his biggest gaffe.

Swooping for Junior Firpo in 2021, it quickly became clear that he would not be at the requisite level for the English game. And yet, he persevered, much to the detriment of his team.

The 26-year-old could only muster a 6.60 average Sofascore rating in that debut term, even forcing centre-back Pascal Struijk to fill in instead of him. They would ship a ridiculous 79 goals that campaign too, with Bielsa's dismissal an inevitability.

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In Manning, they would gain an immediate upgrade on the former Barcelona flop, as his 7.46 average Sofascore rating marks him out as one of the best assets in this division.

Offensively gifted but defensively solid, the 26-year-old would give them the boost they need to waltz through the Championship potentially at the first time of asking.

He averaged 2.5 key passes, two tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game last season, to supplement his five goals and mammoth ten assists, via Sofascore. Such form even led his boss Russell Martin to brand him as "outstanding".

With Radrizzani surely seeking an instant return to the Premier League, there are few better signings on the market than this Manning deal, given his imperious domination of the division they are set to enter.

It would also surely spell the end of a longstanding issue that started with Bielsa's stubbornness.

Rangers Eye Move For 20-Goal Machine This Summer

Glasgow Rangers have managed to significantly strengthen their midfield department since Michael Beale took charge in November.

Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell have both impressed, with Joshua Barrie lauding the former as “impressive” while Cantwell has registered 11 goal contributions already and they both have a bright future at the club. Kieran Dowell has also joined on a pre-contract agreement from Norwich City and there will surely be more incomings, especially across the attacking department.

With Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent departing, Beale is short of quality up top, and according to TEAMtalk, the Ibrox side have been linked with striker Anastasios Douvikas in order to add some much-needed firepower to the first team.

Celtic are also thought to be interested, yet Beale will be looking to find a way to scupper their hopes and secure a deal for the Greek frontman over the coming weeks.

Could Anastasios Douvikas replace Antonio Colak?

The Croatian striker arrived at the Ibrox side just last summer and has gone on to enjoy a fairly decent debut campaign, scoring 17 goals in all competitions, but he has started just five matches under Beale, and with The Scottish Sun claiming that the Gers could listen to offers for him in the summer, he might well be on his way out.

Douvikas has been on fire this term for FC Utrecht, scoring 20 goals in all competitions, with 18 of these coming in the Eredivisie as he currently tops the scoring charts.

Across his 31 league appearances this term, the 23-year-old has, along with his 18 goals, grabbed four assists, created seven big chances, succeeded with 0.8 dribbles per match and won 1.9 aerial duels per game – a success rate of 41% – indicating that not only can he score plenty, but he is also adept at creating chances for his teammates and offering a solid aerial threat.

Utrecht strikerAnastasios Douvikas.

These statistics are an upgrade on the numbers Colak has registered this term, as he has scored 13 goals, grabbed three assists, created three big chances and succeeded with just 0.3 dribbles per game while winning only 0.6 aerial duels per game.

Beale urgently requires some reinforcements during the summer window to bolster his attacking options ahead of a title challenge next season and with the FC Utrecht hitman shining in the Netherlands, his next destination could be Glasgow.

Terrific Star Could Join West Brom For Nothing

West Bromwich Albion manager Carlos Corberan looks unlikely to be backed significantly by owner Guochuan Lai this summer as he looks to build a squad capable of returning to the Premier League.

The Chinese businessman controversially saw his £5m loan from the club written off a few months ago, with the vast majority of the Baggies' signings coming as free transfers in the 2022/23 campaign.

West Brom could find success down that route once again this summer, with reported target Jay Mingi seemingly set to depart Portsmouth on a free transfer.

Would Jay Mingi be a good signing for West Brom?

It was reported back in December by journalist Alan Nixon that the Baggies were scouting Mingi on a regular basis, with the view of bringing him in on a free transfer in the summer transfer window.

While Pompey have offered the 22-year-old a new contract, that has been on the table since January, and he is yet to sign on the dotted line, which suggests that he could be on his way out of Fratton Park when his current deal expires at the end of next month.

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho said: "There was a conversation with Jay in January which went along the lines of 'I think you’re a terrific player with a load of potential.'

"I think there’s still a lot of work to do to get him there and fulfil that potential. There’s a huge amount to work on and I think he knows that as well, but this is a really good football club for him to do that."

Incidentally, the former West Ham midfielder didn't feature at all under Mousinho due to injury, with his last appearance for the club coming on New Year's Day, so it is perhaps a testament to the talent he possesses that he has been offered a new deal despite his lack of game time.

The Englishman possesses very little senior experience, with just 40 appearances to his name across spells with Maidenhead United, Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth.

However, he is clearly highly rated and could be a great signing for the future by Lai, especially if he continues to back his manager with free-agent signings.

Okay Yokuslu, John Swift and Jed Wallace are ranked as the first, second and fifth-best performers in West Brom's squad this season according to WhoScored, having joined without a transfer fee, emphasising how much success can be had with free agents.

If Lai wants to get the summer off to a positive start as West Brom chairman, he must surely consider making an offer to Mingi ahead of his contract's expiry next month. Such an appealing deal doesn't come around very often.

Tottenham: Reporter makes major Lo Celso exit claim

Journalist Xavi Jorquera Márquez of Cadena SER has made a major Tottenham Hotspur exit claim involving midfielder Giovani Lo Celso as Villarreal eye a permanent deal.

The Lowdown: Emery eyes permanent deal…

The Argentina international was a revelation for Villarreal and manager Unai Emery after joining them on a temporary spell in January for the second half of 2021/2022, prompting their interest in snapping up Lo Celso permanently.

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Fabrizio Romano backs that the La Liga side wish to seal a deal for Lo Celso who appears to no longer be in manager Antonio Conte’s plans, coming as he eyes a major overhaul at N17.

The Premier League side, as per a major update from Márquez, have agreed a deal ‘in principle’ to sell Lo Celso.

The Latest: Marquez makes major claim…

According to the reporter, taking to Twitter, the permanent deal ‘will close’ for around €15-18 million (£13m-£15m) plus bonuses.

What’s more, Villarreal have apparently decided on the date of his signing announcement – if all ‘goes well’.

Marquez explained:

“The last fringes of the signing of Lo Celso for Villarreal are closing,

“In principle, the deal will close at 15-18 million (approx) plus bonus.

“Tottenham initially asked for 24, Villarreal has already decided on the date of the announcement, if all goes well.

The Verdict: Big claim…

Fabio Paratici, tasked with backing Conte in the market, will also have to find a way to balance Tottenham’s books with outgoings – even despite their major £15om equity increase.

News of Lo Celso’s close departure will go some way to doing this, but the disappointment for supporters will be losing the South American for such a meagre fee – especially given Spurs have allegedly handed a Villarreal a big discount.

In other news: ‘Not only Perisic’ – Tottenham push for ‘genius’ signing as after Conte call ‘in recent days’…find out more here.

Oxlade-Chamberlain backed to exit Liverpool

Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain must quit the Reds this summer, according to former England international Danny Mills.

The Lowdown: Ox’s lack of minutes

The 28-year-old was once a key figure at Anfield, going back to 2017/18, but he has fallen way down the pecking order under Jurgen Klopp these days.

Klopp has picked Oxlade-Chamberlain for a total of just nine Premier League appearances this season, not offering a single minute of action since March 20th.

It looks highly likely that the former Arsenal man will leave Liverpool this summer given the lack of faith from the manager, with this the last chance to receive a fee for him before his contract expires next year.

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The Latest: Call it quits

Speaking to Football Insider, Mills, a regular on BBC Radio 5 Live, said Oxlade-Chamberlain should seal a summer exit from Anfield after Klopp’s decision to freeze him out:

“The last few years really just haven’t worked out for him at all. He’s a fantastic player. He’s got everything you could possibly need from an attacking midfielder.

“He can run at people, score goals, pick a pass. But with injuries and with the Liverpool squad as strong as it is, he just hasn’t had a chance. You can’t see that changing with the way they’re progressing.

“If he wants to play more football and reignite his career, he will have to move on from Liverpool. It’s simple.”

The Verdict: Played his final game?

It’s incredible to think that Oxlade-Chamberlain hasn’t played at all for two months now, perhaps even suggesting that Klopp has completely lost faith in him, and it would be a surprise if he featured against either Wolves or Real Madrid.

It feels almost certain that the midfielder will move on once this season reaches its climax, with his future lying elsewhere if he wants to become a regular feature in a top flight side.

Oxlade-Chamberlain will be remembered as a solid servant for Liverpool, scoring 17 goals and registering 15 assists in 133 appearances, but his time at the club has fizzled out this season, with his contribution diminishing greatly as the campaign reached crunch time.

In other news, a journalist believes there is ‘strong interest’ in one Liverpool player. Find out who it is here.

Aston Villa lead chase for Kalvin Phillips

Aston Villa are among the front-runners in the race for Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips’ signature.

What’s the word?

That is according to Football Insider sources, who claim that Gerrard’s side, along with Newcastle United are leading the race for the England international with uncertainty surrounding his future amidst Leeds’ battle with relegation.

Talks over a new contract with their star midfielder have stalled, and according to the report, both Villa and Newcastle have made him a top target – with both believed to be carrying out the groundwork for a potential deal.

As pointed out by Football Insider via BBC Leeds’ reporter Jonathan Buchan, Phillips was reportedly pictured taking in the surroundings at Elland Road for what could perhaps be his final time as a Leeds player.

Big Boost for Gerrard

The latest report will come as a big boost for Gerrard and co, who look as though they will miss out on another one of their holding midfielder targets in Boubacar Kamara.

As such, bearing in mind his desire to strengthen the defensive midfield area, Phillips will be a desirable option – especially with Leeds United’s very real relegation prospects, which could make for a cut-price deal.

In fact, Phillips, who Patrick Bamford said brings “something special” to England, has an average number of pressures in the attacking third that surpasses Aston Villa’s possession won in the final third metric of 3.5.

Indeed, £25m Phillips, who has interestingly been described as a “lifeboat” by Paul Hayward for his efforts in consoling England teammate Bukayo Saka, would massively bolster the Aston Villa engine room, bringing metrics such as 3.73 tackles per 90 and match average of 4.77 pressures in the attacking third to a side who are statistically the worst for winning possession high up the pitch.

Having emerged as joint front-runners along with Newcastle, Villa will need to close the deal as soon as possible in order to bag themselves an elite holding midfielder.

With his match average of 22.32 touches in the defensive third, it’s clear that the 26-year-old offers a lot at both ends of the pitch, with his ability to drop deep and sweep up loose balls yet another bonus for Gerrard who would no doubt be ecstatic to get a deal across the line.

In other news: NSWE already set for their 1st big summer disaster at AVFC, supporters surely gutted 

Newcastle to upgrade training centre

Sky Sports man Ben Dinnery has now given his reaction to some news involving Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: Darsley Park plans

As per The Chronicle, the North East club have now drawn up and submitted extensive plans to improve the Darsley Park training ground in Benton.

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They have admitted that it is currently not up to scratch for a team in the Premier League, especially with the ambitions that the new owners hold, and so they want to upgrade it with new state-of-the-art facilities.

The Latest: Dinnery reacts

Speaking to Football Insider, Dinnery, who is also an injury expert who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in medicine and data analysis, has claimed that their current facilities are ‘shocking’, and that the improvements could give the players a ‘massive’ lift:

“There are two facets to this.

“Away from injury rates, you need to upgrade the facilities to take recruitment to the next level.

“The time you spend at the stadium is a very small fraction of how you spend your time. It’s what happens on a day-to-day basis that will really impact your well-being and state of mind.

“These things all help on the training ground. Psychologically, it can give your players a massive lift.

“If Newcastle want to be among the elite, they need to provide an elite level of rehab and recovery facilities that match the standard of players they want to bring in.

“We have seen players dunked in wheelie bins full of ice as part of their post-match recovery at Newcastle. It’s shocking, and they recognise that. Some of these players are on six-figure per week salaries.

“Sometimes you have to work with what you’ve got, and a cryotherapy chamber isn’t 100 per cent essential. But it’s about creating a level of elitism.”

The Verdict: Needed

The training complex needed to be upgraded anyway, but it does even more so now if the Magpies have the ambition of becoming one of the top clubs in the Premier League, and indeed in Europe.

It will boost their chances of attracting big names to St. James’ Park in future transfer windows if they can show off the kind of facilities that they have on offer, and also improve the current squad in terms of fitness and recovery, something which was a major issue earlier this season.

Nonetheless, this is a smart move by the new ownership, and one that will surely be welcomed by the Toon Army.

In other news, find out who is now ‘set to leave’ NUFC this summer here!

Man City eyeing Pau Torres transfer swoop

Manchester City currently boast the best defensive record in the Premier League this season, having conceded just 21 goals in 34 games.

The Manchester club’s four main senior centre-backs of John Stones, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake and Aymeric Laporte have all played a part in this impressive feat throughout this campaign.

While the Citizens still have a handful of massive games ahead of them that could see Pep Guardiola’s side end the season potentially with the Premier League and Champions League, it seems as though the club already have their eye on the upcoming summer transfer window.

What’s the news?

According to journalist and transfer insider Fabrizio Romano in his latest podcast (via City Xtra), City are scouting Villarreal defender Pau Torres, who apparently has a €55m – €60m (£46.3m – £50.5m) release clause in his current contract.

It has also been reported in the past that the La Liga club would look for a fee of £43m to sell their defensive gem.

As a product of Villarreal’s youth system, the centre-back has gone on to make a total of 129 senior appearances for the Spanish club across all competitions.

In those appearances, the Spaniard has chipped in with ten goals and four assists along the way.

Guardiola’s dream player

From a defensive point of view, the 25-year-old has the second-highest number of interceptions and clearances to his name at Villarreal in La Liga this season.

Furthermore, no other defender in Unai Emery’s side has been able to complete as many passes as Torres has in this campaign, showing just how capable he is on the ball as well as off it.

This makes it easy to see why a team like City with a manager such as Guardiola would have their eyes on the player.

Looking at this Premier League season, three of the top five passers in the league are City defenders, which highlights just how much talent is needed in terms of being in possession and moving the ball around the pitch to be a defender in this side.

Labelled as a player that has a “tremendous ease of playing passes through the lines [and] always finding the free player,” by Miguel Alvarez, Torres has shown he has what it takes to fit this sort of profile that the City boss demands from his defenders.

This, therefore, could make the Villarreal star a dream player for Guardiola should the Manchester club end up signing him.

In other news: “In the coming days..”: Romano drops exciting MCFC transfer update, it’s great news

Wolves receive update on Guedes

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has claimed that Wolves can succeed in their pursuit of Valencia forward Goncalo Guedes given their behind the scenes connections.

What’s the story?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, O’Rourke said: “Obviously, the good connections might help facilitate this deal.

“With the player being Portuguese and the Jorge Mendes link, Bruno Lage will know all about Guedes from having seen him on several occasions and the Portuguese connections.”

Mendes is the agent of numerous figures at Molineux and has been a key factor in luring some of the Golden Boys’ top Portuguese talents.

The Telegraph reported earlier this week that Wolves will prioritise signing a striker this summer with interest in Guedes, who will no doubt be subject to interest from other potential suitors.

Therefore, the West Midlands club’s links off the pitch could give them a major advantage.

Wolves must sign Guedes

It’s no secret that it is an absolute must that Wolves add to their front line this summer with goals at a worryingly low output.

Only Watford and relegated Norwich City have scored fewer goals than Lage’s side’s 33 in 34 Premier League matches with their excellent defensive efforts the sole reason why they are still in the top half of the table.

Raul Jimenez hasn’t been his usual self this season having returned from a horrific skull fracture, scoring just six goals this season, although that does amount to a pretty sizeable 18% of Wolves’ league strikes.

The Mexican was in top form prior to his injury, scoring a whopping 27 goals in 55 matches, as well as ten assists, across all competitions in the 2019/20 campaign.

However, it appears as though former-player Diogo Jota still hasn’t been replaced, almost two years on since his move to Liverpool.

With 16 goals and six assists in 48 appearances, the 2019/20 season also saw the Portuguese forward bear fruit alongside Jimenez. He is certainly being missed, especially now the 25-year-old is excelling at Liverpool.

The Molineux outfit signed Hee-Chan Hwang from RB Leipzig last summer, with the South Korean able to play at striker, whilst Fabio Silva arrived in the same window that Jota left in.

Although, neither have reached similar standards set by the Portuguese, scoring five and zero goals respectively this season.

Guedes would certainly be a worthwhile addition and could be exactly what Wolves need to add goals to the side.

The 25-year-old, who can play at striker or on either flank, has netted 13 goals and registered six assists in 38 appearances this term, numbers that no Wolves player has gone close to this season.

Therefore, the Mendes client, labelled as a “special talent” by analytics site Breaking The Lines, could be the ideal partner for Jimenez and could also be the man to add goals to Lage’s side.

AND in other news: Wolves now handed golden chance to sign “special” £33.5m ace, he’s their next Neves