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Newcastle United are leading the race to sign Leicester City midfielder James Maddison this summer, according to reports.

What's the latest on Maddison to Newcastle?

The Premier League playmaker has now entered the final 18 months of his contract at the King Power Stadium and having rejected several new offers to extend his stay, is likely to be on the move during the upcoming window. The England international is currently the Foxes' top-performing offensive player with an average WhoScored match rating of 7.24 and the high level of his performances have been attracting the attention of Eddie Howe for a long period of time.

The Magpies submitted two offers for the 26-year-old last summer worth up to £50m but they were both rejected as a result of them being considerably below the Foxes' £60m valuation. In January, journalist Rudy Galetti revealed that the two parties were previously in talks regarding a potential deal but a move failed to materialise before the deadline meaning that he had to stay put for the remainder of the season. Now though, it sounds like the northeast outfit are about to take yet another bite of the cherry…

According to Football Insider, Newcastle are the "firm favourites" to sign Maddison ahead of the 2023/24 term. The St. James' Park outfit are currently in "pole position" to land their long-term target with sources stating that they view him as a "superstar". PIF are already "laying the groundwork" for an approach, with £60-70m likely to be enough to prise him away from the Midlands.

Leicester now "expect" to lose their standout performer and the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Liverpool are also "keeping tabs", but it's the black and whites who are leading the race.

Would Maddison be a good signing for Newcastle?

Maddison has been dubbed a midfield "magician" by Statman Dave and looking at his creativity and remarkable return in the final third, he could be the absolute perfect fit to slot into the centre of Howe's squad at Newcastle.

The Coventry-born talent has racked up 15 goal contributions (nine goals and six assists) in 23 appearances across all competitions this season where he's averaging 2.8 shots and 2.3 key passes per league game, via WhoScored, not to mention that he's also the current second highest free-kick scorer in the top-flight, highlighting how strong he is at set pieces alongside in open play.

Finally, Maddison shares the same agent as both Kieran Trippier and Matty Longstaff so this could potentially give the Magpies even more of an advantage in the race for his signature in the months ahead.

Leeds United remain engulfed in a battle for Premier League survival amid what has been a turbulent season for the club thus far, with Sunday's 5-1 defeat to Crystal Palace having only increased the sense of doom and gloom surrounding Elland Road.

The Whites' current predicament may well be leaving the club's hierarchy ruing their decision to cash in on both Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips last summer, with the latter man, in particular, having seemingly been sorely missed at the base of the midfield.

Despite his woes at new club Manchester City – where he has made just six league appearances this season – the England international had previously been a truly influential figure back in Yorkshire, having been hailed as a "magnificent talent" by pundit Frank McAvennie last year.

Supporters may well have been longing for the 27-year-old's return after watching the abject display against the Eagles last time out, with fellow midfielder Marc Roca having been particularly 'dire' on the day, as per Leeds Live's Beren Cross, after being dribbled past on eight occasions.

While there have been murmurings that Leeds could be keen on bringing Phillips back to the club, the relegation strugglers may well already have their next version of the local hero on their hands, in the form of academy starlet, Morten Spencer.

Who is Morten Spencer?

The 19-year-old has been tipped for big things ever since signing from Sunderland back in 2019, with respected source 'The 4th Official' describing the capture as a real "coup" at the time, with the Yorkshire side seemingly beating Man City to the teenager's signature.

Since then, the youngster has shown his class in the academy ranks, notably mirroring Phillips with his ability to feature in midfield as well as at centre-back, having been deployed in both positions so far this season.

The England-born gem – who currently features for Norway's youth sides at international level – has enjoyed a standout campaign to date for Leeds after racking up 15 appearances in all competitions, including three outings in the EFL Trophy earlier in the campaign.

The former Black Cats ace showcased his ball-winning prowess in that latter competition after averaging 1.7 interceptions and one tackle per game, with Phillips also a truly effective screen in front of the back four, as he averaged 1.2 and 2.7 for the same two metrics, respectively, for the Elland Road outfit last season.

The two men also share a likeness due to their ability on the ball, with the current City man having been hailed for having an "array of passing skills" by ex-teammate Barry Douglas, while Spencer was lauded for his "superb" forward passing by Michael Skubala while featuring for Leeds' U21 side against former club Sunderland back in October.

The £140-per-week teen – who "loves a big slide tackle" according to journalist Joe Donnohue – is clearly a player who could be in line for a first-team role sooner rather than later, having only recently penned a new deal at the club until 2024.

The hope will be that Leeds supporters get to see their 'next Phillips' in action at senior level in the near future…

Arsenal have held talks over signing Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount this summer as they begin to step up their summer transfer plans, according to a recent report from GOAL.

What's the latest Mason Mount transfer news?

Mount's contract is set to expire at the end of next season, and he is yet to commit to a new deal with Chelsea, meaning rival Premier League clubs have now started to work on potential deals for the midfielder.

Liverpool are seemingly leading the race at present, given that they have already gone as far as to prepare and approve a contract for the Englishman, with manager Jurgen Klopp said to be keen on the deal.

There is still a possibility the 24-year-old remains at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues now said to be "a little bit more optimistic" than they once were about being able to agree fresh terms with the £80k-per-week earner.

However, the central midfielder's head could now be turned by Arsenal, given that the Gunners are now said by GOAL to be monitoring him, having already held talks about his potential availability this summer.

The Gunners are believed to be targeting West Ham United's Declan Rice as a priority, however Mount is also being discussed, as he is now expected to leave his current club in the summer.

There is set to be stiff competition for the England international's signature, however, with Liverpool pushing hard, while both Manchester clubs, as well as Newcastle United are also keen on a deal.

Should Arsenal sign Mason Mount this summer?

The maestro will not come cheap, given that the Blues are set to demand £70m to allow him to leave this summer, which poses a big question about whether he is a worthwhile signing for the Gunners.

Considering that huge price tag, a move for the Cobham academy graduate may rule Arsenal out of contention for Rice, who is set to cost around £100m, and there is evidence the West Ham star is superior, having averaged more interceptions and a better pass-completion rate per 90 than his compatriot in the past year.

Mount is by no means a bad player, having been hailed "phenomenal" by members of the media, weighing in with 21 goal contributions in 32 Premier League appearances last season.

However Rice should remain the priority for Mikel Arteta, and the Chelsea midfielder should only be targeted as a back-up option.

TalkSPORT journalist Alex Crook has shared an update on Chelsea's pursuit of free agent manager Julian Nagelsmann.

Who could Chelsea appoint as manager?

Reports have suggested that co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali have certainly started their search for a new permanent manager after Graham Potter's departure earlier this month.

Many credible candidates have been linked with taking the job, perhaps most notably Nagelsmann, former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique and ex-Spurs head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

The west Londoners have appointed Frank Lampard on an interim basis until the end of this Premier League season, and it could not be going any worse for the club legend – who is still yet to record his first win since taking charge.

Chelsea are also out of the Champions League and officially will not bring home a piece of silverware this summer, making their search for a new boss all the more important for next campaign.

Nagelsmann, who was surprisingly sacked by Bayern Munich this season despite them fighting on all fronts at the time, is being billed as a major contender to succeed Potter.

Now, sharing news from 'sources' close to Enrique, Crook claims to talkSPORT that those around the Spaniard believe Nagelsmann has entered pole position for the job as he 'emerges as frontrunner'.

The 35-year-old has apparently already held talks with the Chelsea hierarchy about replacing Potter, but they will still need to negotiate a settlement with Bayern if they do opt to appoint Nagelsmann.

Indeed, despite being relieved of his duties, Nagelsmann is still 'under contract' with the Bavarian giants.

Is Nagelsmann perfect for Chelsea?

The former RB Leipzig boss has been revered for his excellent approach to games tactically with BBC Sport writer Raj Chohan calling him 'outstanding' in that regard.

The same reporter has also called Nagelsmann 'crazy' for some of his unique in-game tactics and formations – potentially making him an exciting option for Chelsea.

Nagelsmann's teams adopt an intense, high-pressing style where his players push on the front foot with Man City boss Pep Guardiola tipping him to be a success as far back as his Hoffenheim days.

Speaking before City's Champions League group stage clashes with the German side in 2018, Guardiola explained:

“I’m really, really impressed [with Nagelsmann]. Taking over Hoffenheim in such a bad situation so young. He will have a lot of success in his career.

"He’s already at a good team in a top competition. It’s the first time we meet, but hopefully it won’t be the last."

Chelsea could bank, arguably, the most exciting young manager in Europe if they do make him a formal offer.

Glasgow Rangers have had quite a number of teenage starlets emerge from the academy and push their way into first team reckoning over the years.

Think back to Charlie Miller in the 1990s, who played a key role under Walter Smith during the nine-in-a-row era, to more recent players such as Barry Ferguson and Alan Hutton, two homegrown boys who made the club serious money in the transfer window – ranking among the club's top ten most expensive departures.

The Ibrox side has always looked at developing talents and there was one youngster who stood above the others during Smith’s second stint in charge of the Gers – John Fleck.

Fleck, the nephew of former Ibrox star Robert Fleck, made his debut aged just 15 back in 2007 during a pre-season friendly and by the end of that season, he had made history, becoming the youngest ever player to feature in a senior final as he played five minutes in the 3-2 Scottish Cup final win over Queen of the South.

Over the next few seasons, the Scot struggled to make a consistent impact in the first team, making only 56 appearances before eventually leaving in the summer of 2012 due to the club’s administration, joining Coventry City for free as manager Ally McCoist couldn’t keep hold of the youngster.

What is John Fleck up to now?

If McCoist knew just how much Fleck would improve by moving south of the border then he would have potentially tried harder to keep the midfielder as he has gone on to shine.

Nearly 200 appearances for Coventry prompted a move to Sheffield United in 2016, and he has since tasted Premier League football while also finally fulfilling his potential by claiming five Scotland caps.

This season, Fleck has played a key role in firing the club back to the top flight, making 23 appearances and with his contract expiring at the end of the season, there is no doubt he will be hoping for another year or two in order to give the Premier League another shot.

His former boss Chris Wilder once dubbed the 31-year-old “incredible” and to have carved out an excellent career like he has having been earmarked as one of the next big things back in 2008, is testament to his professionalism.

Could he have enjoyed similar success had he remained at Rangers? Who knows, however, there likely won't be one Rangers supporter who isn’t pleased that Fleck has managed to not only display his excellent talent, but to reach the heights that everyone at the club knew he was capable of.

Aston Villa have deployed chiefs to watch Real Betis forward Luiz Henrique ahead of a potential move to the Premier League, according to reports.

What's the latest on Henrique to Aston Villa?

The Midlands outfit have Bertrand Traore out of contract next summer meaning that the upcoming window will present the final opportunity for them to cash in, and should that be the case, Unai Emery might have already identified his replacement in the form of the 22-year-old.

The Brazilian only arrived at the Benito Villamarin Stadium in July 2022 so his deal isn’t set to expire for another five years, but having impressed during his 39 appearances to date, has caught the eye of the Spanish boss.

The Daily Mail credited the Villa Park side with an initial interest in the winger at the start of the new year and claimed that the board were weighing up whether to submit an official offer, and whilst they decided against it at the time, they have already begun preparations to take a second bite of the cherry in the weeks and months ahead.

According to Spanish outlet AS (via Sport Witness), Aston Villa have Henrique on their “radar” ahead of the 2023/24 season. NSWE and Emery have “sent their scouts” to assess their left-footed target and they are name-checked to be “one of the most interested” potential suitors. The £8.1k-per-week ace is expected to be on the move “sooner rather than later”, and his club are hoping to make a profit from his sale on the €7.5m (£6.6m) they initially paid for him last summer.

Should Aston Villa make an offer for Henrique?

Henrique has been dubbed a “game changer” since an early age by talent scout Jacek Kulig, and as an individual that already has experience playing in the Europa League which is where Aston Villa are aiming to end up, they should definitely consider testing the waters at the end of the season.

The Adidas-sponsored star has posted ten goal contributions (seven assists and three goals) during his debut season at Real Betis and has recorded a total of 42 shots since the start of the term which is the second-highest throughout the whole of his squad, as per FBRef.

A versatile operator, Henrique additionally has the flexibility to play in an outstanding seven various positions, including anywhere across the frontline and even in the midfield, so this deal really is a no-brainer to complete should the opportunity present itself in the summer.

Frank McAvennie has claimed Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has "lost the plot" after hearing about Harry Kane's influence on Spurs' next manager.

What's the latest Spurs manager news?

The north Londoners' hopes of sealing a Premier League top four finish are dwindling with assistant coach Ryan Mason potentially having his eyes on a Europa League spot.

Levy, meanwhile, is apparently turning the screws further in Tottenham's search for a new manager next season, with Spurs apparently completing the due-diligence stage of their hunt.

The Lilywhites are now apparently set to step up talks with candidates, with both Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique already holding negotiations with the club. As well as the two out-of-work coaches, Sporting Lisbon's Ruben Amorim and Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso are also being targeted.

Further reports in the last week have also suggested that star striker Kane, who is out of contract in the summer of 2024, is set to have a major say on Conte's replacement at Spurs (Football Insider).

The 29-year-old is apparently proving to be a huge part of negotiations as Spurs sit down for talks with prospective new bosses, which McAvennie believes is an "embarrassment".

The former West Ham and Celtic striker, speaking to Football Insider, says Levy has "lost the plot" and can't believe the say Kane is having in Spurs' manager search.

He explained:

"I can’t fathom that they are asking a player who he wants as a manager. For me it shows you the embarrassment of Tottenham.

“The chairman has lost the plot. First of all he had a meeting with the boys to ask them about getting rid of the manager, I have never heard of that at a football club.

“Harry Kane, Eric Dier and some of the other boys are dictating how that club is run, it beggars belief. Now they are talking about who they want as a manager, what kind of football club is it?“

Is this the right call by Levy?

While there is an argument to be made that players' voices should be heard, especially when considering who is best to take the club forward, we also believe they must only have a minor say.

It is the job of Levy and Tottenham's hierarchy to make informed decisions on which manager is best to transform Spurs' fortunes, not Kane's, and it will be interesting to see who comes through the door.

We believe ex-Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann should be the top target, especially considering his status as a young, exciting and elite manager who already boasts league titles at the age of 35.

OGC Nice manager Didier Digard has delivered his verdict over a potential Manchester United takeover by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, via Sport Witness.

What is the latest news on a potential Man United takeover?

The INEOS billionaire has made an offer to try and take over at the Premier League side, with the Glazers currently mulling over his proposition. It is both he and Qatar-backed Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani who are the current frontrunners to own the Red Devils if and when the Glazers do sell up.

A bid from Ratcliffe could potentially see the Englishman buy only a slight majority in United, in a move that might upset Red Devils fans. It would allow the Glazers to still own a share of the club and with fans wanting to see a "full sale" of the Premier League outfit, this kind of deal may not go down too well.

Ratcliffe though wants to add United to the list of teams he runs, which also includes Ligue 1 based Nice. The French outfit have shown vast improvement under current interim boss Didier Digard since he was handed the reins back in January, and are now sat in the top ten, with a European spot not entirely out of the equation.

The worry for Nice could be that their owner puts more money into United if he was to take over at the Red Devils. However, when questioned about a takeover bid at Old Trafford, boss Digard stated to French media (via Sport Witness) that he would "be happy" if a deal was done.

Speaking about a bid, Digard said: "For me, Manchester United is something else. I don’t think we’re dependent on that at all. The boss has made such an investment in Nice that, sincerely, if he can give himself the gift of Manchester United, I would be happy for him because we know that it is something that is close to his heart.

“Above all else we know that he won’t disengage from OGC Nice. So, for us, that won’t change anything. I can guarantee to you that people are giving 100% to make this club grow."

Should Ratcliffe take over at Man United?

It's clear that the Red Devils are in need of fresh owners at Old Trafford, with fans regularly protesting at the way in which the Glazers are running the club.

Whilst anger towards the Americans has always been high, it was escalated even further in 2021 in the midst of the Super League debacle. Any new owner would therefore be an improvement for most United fans but the issue with a Ratcliffe deal is that it could allow the side's current owners to remain involved with the team.

That is something that supporters will want to avoid – and therefore, Ratcliffe's offer might not be as appealing to them as the Qatar-backed bid.

Liverpool are the current favourites to sign Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount in the summer transfer window, according to a fresh update.

Is Mount leaving Chelsea this summer?

The 24-year-old has had a disappointing season by his high standards, losing his place in the team at times and currently being sidelined for the rest of the campaign. He has only started 20 of the Blues' Premier League games and his future has been a big talking point.

Mount's current Chelsea deal expires at the end of next season, and with no extension at Stamford Bridge coming close to being agreed yet, a move away has looked likely. Liverpool have been constantly linked with a move for the £80,000-a-week Englishman, with Jurgen Klopp seeing him as a key addition to his midfield.

It seems nailed on that the Reds are at least going to be in the mix, should Mount decide to leave Chelsea, and a new claim has now emerged.

Will Liverpool snap up Mount?

According to The Mirror's John Richardson, Liverpool are the "favourites" to sign the England international in the summer window, in a deal that could cost "around £50m". The report does state that the transfer "depends on the green light being given by incoming Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino", with the Argentine potentially wanting to keep hold of him when he arrives.

It does appear as though the Reds really do see Mount as a primary transfer target, and someone who can help take them up a gear next season. As mentioned, he has struggled to reach his previous heights in 2022/23, but he has been part of a struggling Blues team, and ultimately, footballers can simply have a bad run of form now and again.

The positives easily outweigh the negatives with Mount, and he could slot into Liverpool's midfield with ease, taking up a No.8 role and looking to add a combination of end product and energy. He has been described as "unbelievable" by former Reds player Joe Cole in the past, while a tally of 33 goals and 37 assists for Chelsea shows the quality that he can provide in the final third.

He is still a fairly young player, too, and his injury record was strong until his current layoff, and while he is player who can be divisive, with some arguably failing to notice his subtle qualities, he has all the attributes to thrive in a Liverpool shirt.

Well-known Arsenal photographer Stuart MacFarlane has slammed an unnamed ex-reserve player after he was "trolled" in a message for not winning the league.

How many days were Arsenal top of the league?

It was a tough weekend for the Gunners as they lost by a single goal away at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

As a direct consequence, rivals Manchester City were able to win the title race without actually having to kick a ball on Sunday – though they still picked up all three points against Chelsea in their own match.

Sadly, Arsenal's failure to lift the league trophy means they set a new record as the team that spent the most days at the top of the table (248) without managing to go on and win the division.

In light of their defeat, it seems one gleeful ex-Gunner could help but rub the club's disappointment in the face of one of their loyal staff members.

Indeed, as revealed by MacFarlane on his personal Instagram page, a former Arsenal academy man had been in his DMs asking like a : "Baby".

The photographer explained: "Tough evening in Nottingham but ultimately very proud of what the players and staff have achieved this season. Getting trolled on my DMs by an ex reserve player for us not winning the league is hilarious, will he ever grow up and move on…I doubt it #baby."

Who is Stuart MacFarlane?

The chief photographer and lifelong fan came to the attention of many fans last year when he delivered a rousing speech ahead of the North London Derby win over Tottenham Hotspur – as captured in Amazon's All or Nothing documentary.

At the time, Mikel Arteta explained his importance, saying (via The Sun): "This guy, for the last 30 years has captured emotions, emotions and teams.

"I want you to hear from him, how he feels about you. And about our club."

And so it's clear that MacFarlane has a deeply personal link with Arsenal and one former player thought it would be best to personally seek him out with a message to rub salt in the wounds as the club's title challenge came to a disappointing end.

It might be unfair to speculate too much on who this individual might be but TalkSport host Jamie O'Hara is one player that comes to mind. After all, he came through the academy but went on to play for Spurs and has been vocally revelling in the Gunners' struggles at every opportunity this season.

Still, that is just a guess, so perhaps it's best not to jump to any major conclusions just yet.