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Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring Sven Botman to the Premier League in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to Jack Pitt-Brooke, with the journalist revealing in a recent article for The Athletic that Fabio Paratici is tracking the Lille centre-back ahead of a potential move this summer, as the Italian has identified the 22-year-old as an alternative target to Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni.

However, Pitt-Brooke added that both AC Milan and Newcastle United are also very interested in a move for the Netherlands under-21 international, while the defender is also said to have less experience in operating on the left of a back three.

Regarding Spurs’ interest in the Dutchman, the journalist wrote: “They have also been monitoring Sven Botman, who has less experience in a back three, and is currently being pursued by Milan and Newcastle United.”

The next Sergio Ramos

Considering the sheer amount of potential Botman undoubtedly possesses, it is not difficult to see why Paratici would be keen on a deal to bring him to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer.

Indeed, over his 25 Ligue 1 outings in 2021/22, the £27m-rated left-footer was in fantastic form for Jocelyn Gourvennec’s outfit, helping his side to keep eight clean sheets, in addition to making one interception, one tackle and 4.5 clearances and winning four duels (at a success rate of 66%) per game.

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The £18k-per-week centre-back also impressed going forwards, bagging three goals and providing his team-mates with one assist, along with completing 53.4 passes and 4.1 long balls and taking 0.6 shots per match.

These metrics saw the player who Christophe Galtier dubbed a “leader” earn a sensational SofaScore rating of 7.10, ranking him as Lille’s best player in Ligue 1.

As a result of these impressive returns, FBRef list Botman’s most comparable players as some of the most promising up-and-coming defensive talents currently playing the game, such as Juventus’ Matthijs de Ligt, Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi – who is another of Spurs’ reported targets this summer.

Furthermore, in an interview with David Ornstein last year, the 22-year-old revealed that he models his game on that of a Real Madrid legend, with the Dutchman stating: “I looked a lot at Sergio Ramos. I like his attitude. When he comes on the field he’s like: ‘I’m the boss, everyone has to listen to me.’ I also think some attackers are… not afraid, but holding back [when they face him]. Maybe it’s because of his attitude, his confidence.”

As such, should Paratici manage to get a deal over the line for Botman this summer, it would appear that the Italian could well have landed the next Ramos for Spurs, something which is sure to be a hugely exciting prospect for Antonio Conte.

However, with Newcastle reported to be closing in on a £30m deal for the Lille starlet, Paratici must act quickly if he is to have any chance of luring the defender to north London in the coming weeks.

AND in other news: Parartici can seal “unreal” deal in £30m bid for Spurs target who’s “different gravy”

Liverpool’s incredible history has almost always included a serial goalscorer in their side, from Ian Rush, King Kenny Dalglish and Fernando Torres, to Luis Suarez and Mohamed Salah. Where there is a Liverpool squad there is a world class striker, a couple of anomalies aside.

In the last decade, the Reds have been particularly blessed, having had the privilege of watching Suarez torment the rest of the Premier League, with Norwich City feeling the most of his wrath, before Salah followed in his footsteps a few years later.

Of course, there was a brief spell in which Brendan Rodgers lined up the likes of Rickie Lambert, Mario Balotelli, and Fabio Borini. But that has been discreetly put into the past now, never to be seen again, with Jurgen Klopp’s heavy metal football writing a new chapter in the Liverpool history books.

It has been a chapter full of success, too, and a front three worthy of the number of honours. The transition from Lambert, Balotelli, and Borini to Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane epitomises just how far Liverpool have come since 2015.

Stats from TransferMarkt revealed one dominant attacker when it comes to goal contributions since 2012, however. Below we’ve listed the player with the most goals and assists from the last ten Liverpool seasons.

12/13: Luis Suarez – 43

When Fernando Torres left on Deadline Day of January 2011, not even the most optimistic of Liverpool fans would have expected a quick fix. Yet, in came Luis Suarez – an unfamiliar name at the time that would soon become the thorn in every Premier League team’s side.

The 2012/13 season is when things really began to take off, with the forward scoring 30 goals, and assisting a further 13 in all competitions.

13/14: Luis Suarez – 50

If the 2012/13 version of Suarez was impressive, then the Suarez we saw a season later was out of this world. After missing the first five games through suspension for biting Branislav Ivanovic, the Uruguayan went on to score 31 goals in 33 league games to pick up the Golden Boot, and assist 17 goals in all competitions.

With 48 goal contributions in the league, Suarez single-handedly dragged Liverpool into the title race at times, before eventual heartbreak, with Manchester City winning the title following Steven Gerrard’s famous slip against Chelsea.

14/15: Jordan Henderson – 22

Can you tell that this is the season after Luis Suarez left? Because we certainly can. Jordan Henderson is by no means a goalscoring midfielder, either. Yet, with an impressive 15 assists and seven goals, topped Liverpool’s goal contributions list in a campaign to forget.

It’s no surprise that the Reds finished sixth, with their highest contributor going from 50 to just 22 in the space of a year.

15/16: Roberto Firmino – 22

Back to a more positive outlook, the 15/16 season saw the arrival of Klopp and the beginning of turning the doubters into believers. And what better player to highlight that change in attitude than one of the best to play for Klopp? Firmino proved an instant hit in his first season, with 11 goals and 11 assists.

16/17: Philippe Coutinho – 24

Speaking of Liverpool’s Brazilian players, Philippe Coutinho had a season to remember under Klopp in 2016/17, with 24 goal contributions.

With Mane and Firmino alongside him, the midfielder flourished, with particularly impressive performances against Arsenal on the opening day and West Ham away, in which he scored two braces.

His last full season at Liverpool, it’s fair to say that he went out with a bang, having helped Klopp’s side to a Champions League return.

17/18: Mohamed Salah – 60

If you’re not a fan of Mohamed Salah, it’s probably best to look away now, because from 2017 onwards, he has been dominant in a Liverpool shirt.

Starting with his debut campaign, the Egyptian instantly proved any doubters wrong, and in some style, too. By the end of the season, he had broken the record for most goals in a 38-game Premier League season by scoring 32 to seal his first Golden Boot.

A season of 44 goals and 16 assists led Liverpool to the Champions League final, where they suffered heartbreak against Real Madrid, as Salah was forced off with injury early in the first-half.

18/19: Mohamed Salah – 39

Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Here’s Salah once again at the forefront of Liverpool’s attacking exploits. This time, there may have been no record for the former AS Roma man, but he did, at the very least, end the season with another Golden Boot to his name, with 22 league goals.

In all competitions, meanwhile, Salah netted a total of 27 goals, and assisted a further 12 as Liverpool bounced back from Champions League heartbreak the season before to defeat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in the final, partly courtesy of Salah penalty in the first minute.

19/20: Mohamed Salah – 36

Guess who? Yep, the Egyptian King is out of this world, isn’t he? And, this time, his contribution led to Liverpool’s first-ever Premier League title. With 23 goals and 13 assists in all competitions, Salah once again shone at Anfield.

Salah’s Most impressive performances came in the 3-1 win over Manchester City and the 2-0 win over Manchester United, in which he scored late on to cue the famous celebration at the Kop end and all but confirm the title.

20/21: Mohamed Salah – 37

Now onto Salah’s most difficult season yet in a Liverpool shirt.

With the Covid-19 pandemic forcing games to be played behind closed doors, and Klopp left with Nat Phillips, Ozan Kabak, Rhys Williams and makeshift centre-back Fabinho to turn to after a flurry of injuries, it was Salah’s goals, at times, which kept Liverpool in the hunt for top four.

31 goals and six assists in all competitions gave the Reds hope. And, by some miracle, an Alisson Becker header put them on course for a third-placed finish to end a nightmare campaign.

21/22: Mohamed Salah – 47

Salah’s best season numbers wise since his debut campaign, there was a period of time throughout last season when a Salah goal became an expectancy rather than a possibility.

He ended the season with disappointment, of course, having lost the Champions League final after missing out in the title race. But with a Golden Boot, Playmaker award, League Cup and FA Cup medal to provide comfort, we think he’ll be alright.

With 31 goals and 16 assists in all competitions, Salah was more than worthy of the PFA Premier League fans’ Player of the Year.

Leeds United will ‘really push’ to sign Wolves forward Adama Traore this summer, according to Dean Jones.  

The Lowdown: Traore linked with Leeds

Hailed as a ‘danger man’ by Noel Whelan, the Spain international has once again been heavily linked with a move to Elland Road this summer.

Leeds appear to be in the market for a new pacey forward after already making three signings, with Wolves willing to sell the 26-year-old for around £18m.

Reports in recent days have claimed that the Whites have made an approach for Traore, who has 18 senior career goals, and Jones has shared what he knows regarding the situation.

The Latest: Jones’ comments on Traore

Speaking to GiveMeSport, the journalist said that Leeds are looking to make a ‘breakthrough’ in their pursuit of Traore after going back in for the Spaniard.

Jones outlined:

“One of the things I have heard is that Leeds are back in for Adama Traore and they’re going to really push to see if they can get a breakthrough on this one.”

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The Verdict: A gamble?

Jesse Marsch already has a quick forward at Elland Road in Dan James, who has question marks when it comes to his end product, so looking to sign Traore could be a gamble by Leeds officials.

Despite his searing pace, the Spain international has also struggled in front of goal throughout his career, netting just eight times in 160 Premier League appearances for Wolves, Aston Villa and Middlesborough.

However, Victor Orta is a big admirer of the 26-year-old and signed him for Middlesbrough in 2016. Marcelo Bielsa was a huge fan of James and eventually got a deal over the line last summer, so it wouldn’t come as a shock if Orta gets his way and brings Traore to Yorkshire.

Manchester United have been linked with a move for Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves recently and it seems as if the Portuguese maestro favours a move to Old Trafford this summer.

What’s the word?

In a recent interview with GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jacque Talbot said: “I think he’s vying for a move away, but I don’t know where he’ll go. I think he wants Man United – it’s the idea – but I don’t really see how he can benefit them, to be honest.”

The former Porto man looks destined to leave Molineux this summer and United could be the beneficiaries, although Bruno Lage has previously claimed that the Old Gold value him at around £100m.

Erik ten Hag is in need of midfield recruitments following the departures of Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Juan Mata so far this summer, and with Frenkie De Jong potentially set to be reunited with the former Ajax boss, he and Neves could form a superb partnership in United’s midfield.

Imagine him and De Jong

Neves has been a mainstay in Wolves’ side since joining from Porto in 2017 and after a sensational season in the Championship to help them to promotion, he has established himself as one of the top young midfielders in the top-flight.

In total, the Portugal international has made 212 appearances for the Old Gold, in which he has contributed 24 goals and 12 assists, including some remarkable strikes from outside the box.

Last season saw the 25-year-old contribute four goals and two assists in 33 Premier League appearances, in which he averaged a solid 6.85 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

Neves is capable of sitting deep and dictating the play, so could work well alongside fellow pass-master De Jong in ten Hag’s side next season.

The Netherlands international is extremely adept at passing and dribbling, while he also possesses the creative qualities United need to boost their attacking output next season.

Both Neves and De Jong are very comfortable on the ball and if played alongside a more physical midfielder such as Scott McTominay, the duo could dominate possession at Old Trafford and help the Red Devils become far more competent in the middle of the park.

Therefore, despite his hefty price tag, United should definitely consider bringing the “amazing” Wolves man to Old Trafford this summer, as he and De Jong could form a superb partnership for the foreseeable future in ten Hag’s side.

AND in other news… Fabrizio Romano drops “serious” Man United transfer claim that’ll have ten Hag buzzing

CBS Sports Golazo journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed that Youri Tielemans ‘will sign’ for Arsenal, if an agreement is reached with Leicester City.

The Lowdown: ‘Stepped back’

Gunners journalist Charles Watts has reported that Mikel Arteta’s side have ‘stepped back’ in their pursuit of Tielemans this summer, in order to try to get deals for the likes of Lisandro Martinez and Raphinha over the line.

Interest in him from other clubs has now emerged as a result, notably Manchester United, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur.

The Latest: Tielemans update

Taking to Twitter, Jacobs has revealed that Tielemans ‘wants to join’ AFC, with Edu and the club still ‘in touch’ with his agent. They have ‘agreed terms’, but an official bid has not been made:

“Tielemans wants to join Arsenal and Edu still in touch with his agent. Arsenal have agreed terms, and worked on the deal for a year, but have never placed an official bid.”

He added that if the teams can reach an agreement, then Tielemans ‘will sign’ for the North London club, and United’s interest could force Edu to make a decision ‘quicker than expected’:

“If Arsenal reach an agreement with Leicester, told Tielemans will sign. But for now, #AFC haven’t decided on him. The genuine interest from #MUFC may force Edu to make a decision quicker than expected, especially if ten Hag pitch proves appealing.”

The Verdict: Get it done

Arsenal have already been scuppered in their chances of signing Raphinha, with both Chelsea and FC Barcelona attempting to hijack a deal, while United have now submitted a bid for Martinez as they look to beat the Gunners to his signature.

Interest in Tielemans is likely to creep up as the window progresses, especially if he does not sign a new contract with the Foxes, with only one year left on his current deal at the King Power Stadium.

Nonetheless, Arteta would have been given encouragement by the fact that he wants to join them, but as the window has shown so far, any deal is not guaranteed, so the Gunners need to act fast and get him signed on the dotted line.

Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on their fifth signing of the summer transfer window…

What’s the word?

As revealed by Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Spurs have agreed on a deal to sign central defender Clement Lenglet on loan from FC Barcelona.

“Tottenham are set to sign Clément Lenglet from Barcelona, here we go! Loan deal agreed, valid until June 2023 – Lenglet already accepted last week, personal terms agreed,” he tweeted.

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The transfer guru then provided further details about the deal in another update on Twitter, where he claimed:

“Loan move to Tottenham done, no buy option clause included; Officially he’ll be back at Barça in June 2023, as things stand; Tottenham will pay a loan fee and part of the salary; [Antonio] Conte already called Lenglet.”

Conte will be delighted

The Frenchman becomes the Lilywhites’ fifth signing of the summer, having signed Ivan Perisic (free from Inter Milan), Fraser Forster (free from Southampton), Yves Bissouma (£25m from Brighton and Hove Albion) and Richarlison (£60m from Everton) so far.

Conte was keen to bolster his backline with the addition of a left-footed centre-back and whilst it’s not his former gem Alessandro Bastoni, it is still a solid solution and as we’ve seen with the initial loan moves of Cristian Romero and Dejan Kulusevski, it is a pretty risk-free deal.

The 27-year-old colossus, who stands at 6 foot 1, has fallen out of favour at the Nou Camp since the LaLiga outfit activated his €35m (£30m) release clause from Sevilla.

Last season, he managed only 724 minutes of league action but over the course of his career, he has racked up plenty of experience, having registered nearly 200 appearances across the Spanish top-flight and the Champions League.

Spurs are expected to pay a large portion of the £97k-per-week wages that the Barcelona man, who was once lauded as a “special talent”, is earning over in Spain.

The £10.8m-rated defender has averaged 1.7 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and an 87.8% passing accuracy over his career to date, via WhoScored, making him a very solid and reliable option at the back and ultimately, one that fits Conte and his system immensely.

As such, the Italian head coach is surely buzzing to get this one over the line at long last, just in time for their pre-season trip to South Korea on Saturday.

AND in other news, Fabrizio Romano: Spurs plot another swoop after Lenglet…

Leeds United have welcomed several new faces to the Yorkshire club throughout the current summer transfer window.

Back in May, it was revealed that the Whites had secured a five-year deal to sign Brenden Aaronson from RB Salzburg, which was made official at the start of the month.

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During his time with the Austrian club, the 21-year-old attacking midfielder ended up scoring 13 goals and delivering 15 assists in 66 appearances, which would have presumably been what caught Leeds’ attention.

This gives an idea as to what the Leeds fans and Jesse Marsch will be hoping to see from the player once their next Premier League season kicks off.

While there is still some time left before the summer window shuts, this could give the Yorkshire club the chance to bring in a player that Marsch can use to form a potentially deadly duo alongside Aaronson.

Last month, the Whites were linked with a transfer move for Sassuolo’s attacking midfielder Hamed Junior Traore.

After scoring 20 goals and supplying 14 assists in 110 games for Empoli across their senior and youth sides, the 22-year-old made his move to Sassuolo back in the 2019 summer transfer window on loan before signing permanently the year after.

Since then, the Ivorian has found the net 18 times and provided eight assists in 100 appearances.

To compare his previous domestic season in Italy with Aaronson’s last campaign with Salzburg, both players started 21 league games and racked up just over 50 shots at goal and delivered a combined total of 62 crosses between them.

This shows how similar the pair are and what sort of attacking and creative talents they could offer Leeds.

It also backs up why football talent scout, Jacek Kulig hailed Traore’s 2021/22 Serie A campaign as “magnificent.”

Bearing in mind how Sassuolo are reportedly looking to get €30m (£25m) for their young talent this summer, this could be another deal worth making for the Yorkshire club.

Should the Whites end up striking a deal for Traore and adding him to their list of summer recruits, Marsch could then have the opportunity to form what would be a tricky and potentially scary duo between the two players.

AND in other news: “Told…”: Journalist reveals huge Leeds United transfer update, Marsch will be gutted

Newcastle United hold a ‘serious’ interest in Brazilian youngster Angelo, according to The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder.

The lowdown

Angelo, 17, plays as a right winger in his homeland for Santos, the club who produced Neymar (now of Paris Saint-Germain) and Rodrygo (now of Real Madrid).

He may not be an adult yet, but he already has a release clause of £52million in his contract.

Angelo has already made 76 appearances for the club, and the majority of those (57) have come at national or even continental level, as opposed to state level.

The latest

Newcastle’s head of recruitment ‘Steve Nickson flew out to Brazil to watch him in action’, and Ryder takes that as ‘a big indication’ that their ‘interest is serious’, per Chronicle Live.

He adds that fending off elite competition for the prodigy would be a ‘big statement’ and ‘a real sign of progress’.

The verdict

The sheer amount of senior football Angelo has played at such a young age bodes incredibly well.

One of his standout achievements is becoming the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Copa Libertadores at the age of 16 years and 105 days. He broke a record that had stood for 59 years. (via Goal).

One of the player’s former coaches even says he’s ‘like Neymar in terms of his dribbling at speed and his change of direction’.

And he could certainly follow in his footsteps by making a big move to Europe. Could this be the player Newcastle build their next generation around?

Leeds United have joined a bidding war for Blackburn Rovers forward Ben Brereton Diaz, according to Alan Nixon.

The Lowdown: Scouting mission

The Whites are in the market for a new forward ahead of the upcoming Premier League season and have recently pocketed £55m from Raphinha’s move to Barcelona.

Charles De Ketelaere and Arnaud Kalimuendo appear to be the club’s main attacking targets, although Brereton Diaz also seems to be of interest.

Recent reports claimed that Leeds talent spotters went to watch the 23-year-old in action for Blackburn against Accrington Stanley in pre-season, and it looks as if Andrea Radrizzani and the 49ers Enterprises may have made their move.

The Latest: Nixon’s update

Writing for The Sun, Nixon provided an update on Brereton Diaz on Saturday evening.

He claimed that Spanish outfit Sevilla are only willing to pay half of the Blackburn star’s £20m valuation, adding that Leeds, Everton and Bournemouth ‘have also joined the bidding war’.

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The Verdict: Get it done

Time is ticking and Leeds don’t appear to be making any significant progress when it comes to De Ketelaere or Kalimuendo, so Brereton Diaz could be the ideal alternative attacking signing.

The Chile international was called a ‘beast’ by his former Rovers manager Tony Mowbray and can play anywhere across the front three.

He is primarily a centre-forward, though, something that Leeds are pursuing, and has just come off the back of his best season in front of goal with 22 strikes in 37 Championship games, so he could be the perfect addition to slot in alongside Patrick Bamford and Joe Gelhardt at Elland Road.

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their pursuit of Lucas Paqueta in the summer transfer window…

What’s the talk?

Northern Echo reporter Scott Wilson has revealed that the Magpies are investigating the possibility that the Brazilian will be available for a fee in the region of £34m.

He Tweeted: “TRANSFER LATEST: NUFC looking into suggestions that Lyon have slashed their asking price for Lucas Paqueta to around €40m. Seems extremely unlikely, but Newcastle would almost certainly make a move at that price…”

Big Joe Willock upgrade

If the £34m valuation turns out to be accurate and the Magpies are able to bring him in, Eddie Howe would be getting a big upgrade on current Toon midfielder Joe Willock.

The former Arsenal man joined on a permanent basis last summer and endured a difficult campaign. He averaged an unimpressive SofaScore rating of 6.71 across 27 games in the Premier League – chipping in with just two goals and failing to register a single assist.

These statistics indicate that Willock did not put in good displays week-in-week-out and struggled to contribute in attack to make up for his inconsistent showings.

Paqueta, meanwhile, averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.13 in Ligue 1 as he proved that he is capable of producing brilliant performances on a regular basis in a major European league. He showed that he is not a player who only turns up once every five, six, or seven matches and that he can be relied upon over the course of a season.

Along with that, he showcased his ability in the final third. The gem scored nine goals and assisted six from central midfield as he broke forward from a number eight, sometimes number 10, role to make a big impact at the top end of the pitch.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbed him a “pure joy to watch” earlier this year and his aforementioned statistics suggest that his comment is apt, as the Brazilian is a consistent performer who has the quality to make things happen. 

Paqueta would, therefore, be a big upgrade on Willock both in terms of the overall standard of his performances and the potential threat he can provide in the final third. Their respective statistics suggest that the Lyon man would offer far more to Howe’s team than the Englishman and that is why he would be a fantastic addition to the squad.

AND in other news, Newcastle “have enquired” about signing £60m “nightmare”, he’d be a big Wood upgrade…