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Manchester United are interested in Benfica youngster Joao Neves as Erik ten Hag looks to add another player to his squad following the deal to bring Mason Mount to Old Trafford.

What’s the latest on Joao Neves to Manchester United?

The saga surrounding Mount is finally coming to an end as United eventually agreed a deal which will cost them £60m in total – and Ten Hag shows no signs of slowing down.

According to journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, the Red Devils are keen on luring Neves to the club this summer as the Dutchman looks to bolster his midfield options.

One key stumbling block could be a potential fee for the player, as he could be set to see his release clause raised from €60m (£52m) to €100m (£86m) due to a new contract being proposed for the youngster, which could be signed once he returns from the U21 European Championship.

Who is Joao Neves?

The 18-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough season during 2022/23, becoming another youth prodigy to burst onto the scene at Benfica having made his debut in December last year.

A move for Neves could be extremely similar to that of the deal to bring Cristiano Ronaldo to Old Trafford 20 years ago.

The United icon was also 18 years old when Sir Alex Ferguson signed him having enjoyed a breakthrough season at Sporting CP, with the Portuguese forward scoring 145 goals over two spells at the club.

Neves likely won't quite hit those scoring heights as he tends to operate as a central midfielder, although his adaptability could be a bonus for Ten Hag, as the teen gem can also sparkle in a more advanced role or drop slightly deeper if required.

Despite being in the embryonic stages of what could be a fantastic career, Neves is shining across a range of metrics for the Portuguese side, showcasing his passing and defensive skills.

Indeed, over the previous 365 days, Neves ranks in the top 4% for passes attempted per 90 (73.65), top 2% for tackles per 90 (3.83), top 1% for blocks per 90 (2.21) and top 6% for aerials won per 90 (2.06) of those playing at a similar level in his position within Europe, indicating that not only does he try and circulate the ball as often as possible, but he can utilise his aerial ability and tenacious nature to protect the defence on a regular basis.

Dubbed as “highly talented” along with a string of fellow Benfica youngsters by talent scout Jacek Kulig last year, his introduction to the first team has certainly garnered attraction from potential suitors.

Having enjoyed success in the Portuguese market over the years, with the aforementioned Ronaldo plus Bruno Fernandes shining since arriving from Sporting CP in 2020, it appears Ten Hag wants to replicate these success stories with a move for Neves this summer.

Newcastle United are interested in signing Sporting CP's teenage defender Ousmane Diomande and could look to rival a Premier League giant for his signature.

What's the latest on Ousmane Diomande to Newcastle?

That's according to a report from Caught Offside, which claims that Eddie Howe's Magpies are poised to battle Arsenal for the 18-year-old centre-back, who has caught the eye in Portugal this term.

He's not thought to be a priority at present, however, and given that the Leões have placed a £68m price tag on his head, it is unlikely that he will move for such an exorbitant valuation, but should negotiations prove successful, United sporting director Dan Ashworth might be able to orchestrate a deal for a precocious talent with a lofty ceiling.

Newcastle did qualify for the Champions League last season and have the affluence to pull off a transfer, but whether the cogs fall into place does still remain to be seen.

How good is Ousmane Diomande?

The aforementioned report states that while Sporting are under no pressure to sell their starlet, who is contracted to the club until 2027, he is "seduced" by the idea of plying his trade for a Premier League outfit.

And he certainly fits the mould for an aspiring ace looking to thrive in the English top flight, with FBref ranking the centre-half among the top 10% of positional peers across the divisions below the top European five for goals, the top 1% for passes attempted, the top 2% for progressive passes, the top 4% for progressive carries, the top 5% for successful take-ons and the top 5% for tackles per 90.

He is also listed as the most comparable player to Ajax's Jurrien Timber, who is closing on a £40.5m move to Arsenal – effectively, this could indicate Newcastle are eyeing the superlative options to cement their backline over the next decade, rivalling the Gunners and more in their ambitions for silver-laden success.

He has even left talent scout Jacek Kulig waxing lyrical over the ace's ability, who said: "You rarely see a player with such high ball-playing and pure defender skills. There are some tactical improvements but I'm quite sure this kid will play for the best teams in the world. The signs of elite talent."

Diomande would enter as an unknown prospect but could swiftly emerge as the number one option to partner Sven Botman at the heart of the St. James's Park defence, with the Dutch defender excelling since moving to the club from Lille for £35m, earning praise for his "colossal" impact by journalist Josh Bunting.

With Botman the centrepiece of a thriving defence – the Premier League's joint-best last term, having conceded 33 goals (alongside Manchester City) – Diomande would have the perfect partner to absorb the fruits of his labour and continue his burgeoning rise.

And the variegated skill sets would also provide Howe with a dynamic defence, utilising Botman's aggressiveness and no-nonsense approach while harnessing the ball-playing skills of Diomande.

Given the trajectory which Newcastle are riding at present, Diomande could be a stellar signing to make, and despite his youthful years and inexperience, the signs of a first-class defender are there and the Toon side must make their move.

Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be assessing Juventus defender Gleison Bremer's availability as they mull over swooping for the Brazilian this summer.

What's the latest on Gleison Bremer to Tottenham?

According to The Telegraph, Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou seeks to fortify the backline after the outfit's poor season, largely due to defensive disarray – and Bremer could be the perfect new addition.

Believed to cost around €60m (£51m) to prise him away from the Old Lady, Tottenham will have to compete against Premier League rivals Manchester United to secure the 6 foot 2 ace's signature.

The 26-year-old is an untested commodity on English soil but has been impressive in Serie A over the past several seasons, and could be a good signing as the north London club look to rebuild after falling by the wayside this year.

How good is Gleison Bremer?

Having shipped 63 goals in the Premier League this past season and consigned themselves to a first campaign without European football since 2009/10 after languidly falling to an eighth-placed finish, Tottenham's requirement for defensive reinforcements is paramount.

And signing a dynamic and robust option in Bremer, who has been praised as a "high-level" gem by Brazil boss Tite, could be a fantastic way to rekindle the verve that has evaporated this year, with the former Torino ace playing 43 times across all competitions in 2022/23, scoring five goals.

As per FBref, the £153k-per-week titan ranks among the top 13% of centre-backs for pass completion, the top 8% for goals, the top 5% for touches in the attacking box, the top 12% for blocks and the top 19% for aerials won per 90, which has led the statistics-led site to draw comparisons to Liverpool's star central defender Virgil van Dijk, who Bremer could emulate with the Lilywhites.

Van Dijk signed for Liverpool from Southampton for £75m in late December 2018, and has since been instrumental in the club's illustrious success over the past several years, notably winning the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

He has been hailed for his distinctive set of skills by the iconic Ronaldinho, who said of the Dutchman: "[You] play with elegance and command the defence like a maestro."

And given that the £220k-per-week phenom ranks among the top 18% of positional peers for goals, the top 4% for passes attempted, the top 1% for touches in the attacking box and the top 8% for aerials won, Bremer could sculpt his game to the distinguished 31-year-old's mould.

Described as an "animal" of a defender by Torino’s Mergim Vojvod, Bremer would bring tenacity and an imposing presence to Tottenham's defence and would likely rekindle some of their former vigour, and despite Postecoglou being unable to offer instant European endeavours, the tantalising prospect of a central role at a club seeking a renaissance could be enough to complete a transfer.

Chelsea may be set to lose N'Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic this summer, but they could well already have a ready-made replacement of sorts in 19-year-old prodigy Andrey Santos.

What is the latest with Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos?

Between splashing out huge sums to sign Enzo Fernandez, Mykhaylo Mudryk, Benoit Badiashile and Noni Madueke in the January transfer window, the Blues also confirmed the signing of relatively unknown youngster Santos.

Brought in for an undisclosed fee, though to be in the region of £18m, Santos was denied the chance to make any sort of impact in the second half of the 2022/23 season as he was unable to obtain a work permit.

However, as reported by the Evening Standard, the teenager has now been given the green light to begin training for Chelsea. It is claimed in the report that new head coach Mauricio Pochettino, a man known for giving youngsters a chance, is ready to cast a close eye on the Brazilian during pre-season.

Can Andrey Santos be an instant hit at Chelsea?

Santos' short career to date has been spent exclusively with Vasco da Gama, where he returned in March for three months after being blocked from representing Chelsea.

The young Brazilian caught the eye from a young age at Vasco, scoring eight goals in 33 Brasileiro Serie B games in 2022. Santos' reputation would further grow at the South American U-20 Championship, with the Rio native captaining Brazil to an undefeated title triumph and finishing as joint-top scorer with six goals.

As pointed out by The Athletic reporter Simon Johnson, "it was very smart of [Chelsea] to get a deal done" prior to the tournament taking place, with his fee only set to rise further on the back of his starring displays.

Santos arrives at Premier League heavyweights Chelsea at a point in which replacements are being sought for Kovacic and Kante, who have been linked with Manchester City and Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad.

Kante barely featured for Chelsea last season due to injury, but Kovacic started 33 times in all competitions – the same number of starts Santos managed last year with Vasco.

While the quality of the two leagues must be factored in, the statistics give an indication of what Chelsea can expect from Santos, who differs from Kovacic in some areas but is similar in others.

For example, Santos averaged 0.25 direct goal involvements per 90 last year, as per FBref, compared to 0.12 for Kovacic. The former is far more accurate with his shots, finding the target 36.2% of the time, which is an increase on Kovacic's return of 9.4%.

Santos won 1.97 tackles per 90, compared to 1.11 for Kovacic, while they were alike for interceptions per 90 – 0.83 v 0.87.

As he has shown for Brazil U20, Santos – who Lyon legend Juninho Pernambucano hailed as "complete" and dubbed a "monster" – is confident with carrying the ball forward and is capable of putting it in the net, which is further highlighted by his aforementioned goal return last term.

While he may lack the experience of Kovacic, who is a decade older, Santos has all the qualities to quickly win over Chelsea supporters in what they will hope is a brighter future than last season suggested.

If anyone can develop a promising talent into a first-team star, then it's certainly Pochettino and it seems like Santos will stand a good chance of being involved come the start of the 2023/24 campaign.

There has been an update regarding Manchester United's pursuit of Chelsea contract rebel, Mason Mount…

What's the latest on Mount to Man United?

As per various sources, the Red Devils are believed to have had a £40m bid knocked back by the Blues in their attempts to land the 24-year-old this summer, although CBS reporter Ben Jacobs has now revealed that United are expected to return with an improved offer, with the player himself open to the move.

Writing on Twitter, the transfer insider stated: "Manchester United will be back for a second bid for Mason Mount. #CFC rejected the initial £40m offer near-instantly. There remains a high probability Mount will leave and he's keen on the #MUFC move. Chelsea sticking to their valuation for now and #MUFC won't go above £60m."

As Jacobs stated above, the sticking point at present does appear to be the difference in valuation between the two Premier League clubs, with the Stamford Bridge outfit said to be demanding around £70m despite the Englishman having just 12 months left to run on his existing deal.

Would Mount be a good signing for Man United?

The addition of the Three Lions ace could no doubt help to offer a more youthful, quality alternative to the likes of Christian Eriksen and Fred in that number eight role at Old Trafford, with the one-time Derby County loanee also offering the flexibility to feature on the flanks or in a number ten role if required.

While Mount was part of a Chelsea side that finished 12th last season after contributing just three goals and two assists in 24 league games, the 36-cap ace does boast an impressive haul of 70 goal contributions in 195 games in total for the west Londoners, proving himself a real weapon in the final third.

The Portsmouth-born maestro would also benefit Erik ten Hag as he is said to share a number of stylistic and statistical similarities with reported Newcastle United target, Nicolo Barella, according to FBref, with the Italian ace believed to be closing in on a £50m switch to St James' Park.

The Euro 2020 winner has been described as "one of the best players in Serie A" by journalist Dean Jones, while Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has also lauded the 26-year-old as a "top class player" with that a marker of the midfielder's talents.

To then find their own version of the Inter Milan ace with the signing of Mount could be a real masterstroke for United, with the pair no doubt alike due to their relentless and energetic presence in the centre of the park, with the Englishman hailed as a "perpetual motion machine" by journalist Nizaar Kinsella, while Klopp has hailed Barella as a player who can "run for ages".

The pair both have the creative quality to match their seemingly endless engine, with the latter man notably ranking in the top 11% among his European peers for progressive carries and the top 8% for progressive passes received, while Mount ranks in the top 15% and the top 4% for those same two metrics, respectively.

As such, with it looking like rivals Newcastle are already set to strengthen their ranks ahead of next season by acquiring the Inter star, Ten Hag and co could hit back by landing their own version of the 5 foot 9 ace with the addition of Mount.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Manchester City centre-half Aymeric Laporte this summer, with the French-born Spain international reportedly "available" for transfer this summer.

That's courtesy of a recent report from 90min, which claims that while there are other clubs in the running for his signature, Spurs could look to tie up a deal to solve their defensive quandary.

The north London side shipped 63 goals in the Premier League this season, a tally bettered by every team in the top 14, which illustrates exactly where new manager Ange Postecoglou needs to prioritise as he looks to manufacture a winning mentality to return to European competition and end a 15-year trophy drought.

Laporte is valued at around £40m by the Citizens, and while he still has two years remaining on his current deal at the Etihad Stadium, limited game time has left the general consensus that he will leave for new pastures when the transfer window swings its door wide open, and Tottenham could benefit.

How good is Aymeric Laporte?

Having signed for the Sky Blues from Athletic Bilbao for £57m in 2018 – then a club-record acquisition – Laporte has chalked up 179 appearances, winning five Premier League titles, two FA Cups and four Carabao Cups, with the Champions League final but a day away.

He would bring experience and aptitude to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as a defender for one of the best teams in world football for half a decade, perhaps instilling his winning mentality into an outfit desperate to clinch a slice of silverware after an interminable period without silver-laden success.

While Tottenham's backline hasn't been at the races this term, star centre-back Cristian Romero remains a formidable rock, albeit somewhat haphazard in his approach at times, branded "emotional" by Rio Ferdinand and "reckless" by Chris Sutton.

The robust Argentinian only featured 27 times in the Premier League this season but recorded an average Sofascore rating of 6.97 – the highest of any Spurs central defender – and completed 88% of his passes, also averaging 2.5 tackles, 3.6 clearances and 1.6 interceptions per game.

The £165k-per-week has been heralded as a "Rolls-Royce" by Martin Keown this season and is undoubtedly a sparkling prospect.

With Laporte beside him, the 25-year-old World Cup champion could finally demonstrate his full might for his club side, already ranking among the top 5% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for tackles, the top 20% for interceptions and the top 17% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

An unyielding colossus with a "street-wise" attitude – as remarked by Jamie Carragher – Romero could benefit from the composure of Laporte, who has been hailed as the "best left-central defender in the world" by City manager Pep Guardiola.

Indeed, the 20-cap international ranks among the 3% of positional peers for pass completion, the top 1% for attempted passes, progressive passes and progressive carries, and the top 4% for shot-creating actions per 90, which could provide Postecoglou, who favours a "positive mentality and a fast, attacking style of play" – according to chairman Daniel Levy – with the perfect orchestrator from the heart of the defence.

Romero's tenacious grit and Laporte's "exceptional" talents, as praised again by Guardiola, could work seamlessly upon the City ace's integration, and Spurs must now tie up a deal for Laporte, unleashing a dynamic new backline to cast aside the cobwebs of the 2022/23 campaign and chart a course for success unseen in what feels like a perpetual cycle of near-misses and years mired in obscurity.

Leeds United are on the lookout for a new manager and Scott Parker is a name that people are 'continuing to link' to the vacancy at Elland Road, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

What's the latest news involving Leeds United's hunt for a new manager?

According to Phil Hay, who is a journalist for The Athletic, Parker has been 'internally discussed' at Leeds United in connection with their managerial position.

Writing a piece for the outlet, Hay stated: “Scott Parker has been discussed on the basis he won promotion from the Championship twice before, with Fulham and Bournemouth. Leicester City are another possible destination for him.”

The Telegraph also report that Parker is in contention for the Whites' job; however, Steven Gerrard and Carlos Corberan have also emerged as candidates for the role.

Parker was most recently in charge of Club Brugge, where he was relieved of his duties following just 12 matches in charge, with his last being a 5-1 hammering at the hands of Benfica in the Champions League, as per Sky Sports.

Nevertheless, the 42-year-old has become something of a promotion specialist and led both Fulham and Bournemouth to the English top flight in spells at both respective clubs.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones thinks that despite doubts over his long-term suitability as Leeds United's potential new manager, Parker will continue to remain among the leading contenders for the role.

Jones told FFC: "There's some dark horses that have recently been mentioned, like Scott Parker. I think that Leeds would be reticent about Parker because perhaps they saw what he did in the Premier League and wonder whether he's the right long-term name and has enough experience and pedigree, but he's nonetheless a name that people are continuing to link."

Who is the right man to take Leeds United forward?

Realistically, it is difficult to guess who Leeds United chiefs may fancy to take on the challenge of guiding them out of the Sky Bet Championship at the first time of asking, which has prompted a list of candidates from wide-ranging backgrounds that has circulated among the media.

Brendan Rodgers has emerged as a contender for the job and it is believed that he is on the shortlist to take over at Elland Road, as per The Daily Star.

Daniel Farke has also come into the conversation and is among the bookmakers favourites to land the role; however, it is unclear whether he would be genuinely considered by Leeds United, as per The Yorkshire Post.

Whoever Leeds United turn to will have a lot on their plate as they gear their new side up for 2023/24, with much change expected at the Yorkshire outfit on and off the pitch.

Rangers and Ross Wilson will have to offer Calvin Bassey ‘vastly improved terms’ to keep him at the club, according to sports journalist Andrew Dickson. 

The lowdown

Bassey, who joined Rangers on a free transfer in the summer of 2020 after leaving Leicester City, still has two years to run on his existing deal.

But he’s attracting interest from elsewhere, with The Daily Record reporting that Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa sent scouts to watch him in action in the Scottish Cup final at the weekend.

Rangers are already set to lose one defensive option in Connor Goldson, whose contract expires in a week’s time according to Transfermarkt.

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The latest

Writing on Twitter, Dickson suggested that there wouldn’t be ‘a single Rangers fan’ who would countenance selling Bassey this summer, ‘even for silly money’.

That’s partly because losing both Bassey and Goldson in the same transfer window would simply be ‘too much’.

But Sporting Director Wilson needs to grant ‘a vastly improved deal’ to the 22-year-old to prompt him to ‘commit his future’.

The verdict

What kind of salary does Bassey deserve?

Well, Rangers’ top earner is thought to be Alfredo Morelos on £33,000 per week, with the seemingly exit-bound Goldson second on £27,000 and Kemar Roofe third on £26,000.

Bassey should arguably be amongst that top bracket in light of his contribution this season.

He started all of Rangers’ knockout games on their run to the Europa League final, earning a place in the Squad of the Season, and played all 240 minutes in the semifinal and final of the Scottish Cup, helping Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side prevail after extra time on both occasions.

Former Gers boss Alex McLeish hailed him as a ‘man mountain’, BBC Sport journalist Tom English has dubbed him ‘accomplished and effervescent’ and Rangers podcasters Four Lads Had A Dream say he’s a ‘massively important’ player.

In other news, this BBC journalist drops a major Rangers transfer prediction.

Reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has made a fresh claim on Leeds United winger Raphinha and his potential move to Barcelona, as per CaughtOffside.

The Lowdown: Summer of change?

Leeds are currently one point clear of the relegation zone thanks to Pascal Struijk’s late equaliser against Brighton on Sunday. However, Burnley still have two matches remaining and know that four points would be enough to possibly relegate the Whites, who travel to Brentford on the final day.

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Should Jesse Marsch’s side drop back down to the Championship, then a number of players could be on their way out. That includes star midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who reportedly wants out regardless over the coming months.

Robin Koch has been another name linked with a summer exit, and an update has now emerged regarding Raphinha and his possible move to the Nou Camp.

The Latest: Romano’s claim on Raphinha

Writing for CaughtOffside, Romano said that the 25-year-old and his agent Deco have been in ‘very advanced’ talks with Barcelona since March ahead of a five-year deal in Spain.

A €25m (£21m) release clause can be activated for the Brazilian if Leeds go down, with the reliable reporter even adding that Newcastle have explored a possible deal in recent months. Chelsea have also been keen, but it is Barcelona who are ‘leading the race’ for the attacker.

The Verdict: A matter of time

It looks as if Barcelona will approach Leeds at the end of the season regarding a move for the 25-year-old, who has now seemingly outgrown Elland Road and is ready for the next step of his career.

Without Raphinha, Leeds would more than likely be down already, with his 10 goals and three assists helping to keep the club afloat.

You could tell by the images after the match on Sunday that it looks as if Raphinha knows he has played his final game at Elland Road, but if he helps Leeds to stay up this weekend, they could receive a larger fee than the €25m release clause.

In other news: Orta holds talks to sign £20k-p/w ‘phenomenon’ for Marsch; same agent as 6 Leeds players

Newcastle United only have two more Premier League matches before the end of the campaign and they are on course to avoid relegation to the Championship.

Eddie Howe was backed by PIF in the January transfer window as the club brought in Dan Burn, Matt Targett, Chris Wood, Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier.

These signings, to varying degrees, have led the Magpies up the table and fans may now be wondering where the next batch of recruits come from as we head into the summer transfer window.

One player the club are reportedly set to hold talks over a deal for is Nottingham Forest winger Brennan Johnson, who is valued at around £20m.

Chris Waddle 2.0

Johnson can be the new Waddle for Newcastle as he is an exciting, young, versatile, forward with the quality to make a big impact in the final third.

The retired Englishman played 189 games for the Magpies, joining at the age of 19, and found the back of the net 52 times before moving on to the likes of Marseille, Tottenham and Sheffield Wednesday, showing that he regularly delivered at the top end of the pitch.

He was also able to play anywhere across the attacking line for the Toon; number 10, right-wing, and left-wing.

Newcastle will enjoy the talents of a player with a similar skillset if they bring the Welsh winger, Johnson, in from Forest. The 20-year-old can play in the number 10 role, off the right, off the left and up front, whilst he has showcased his quality with 16 goals and ten assists in the Championship.

Athletic journalist Paul Taylor recently claimed that Johnson has “remarkable potential” and Michael Appleton, who managed him at Lincoln, has tipped him to make it in the top-flight, saying:

“He’s just one of those players that are very exciting, very easy on the eye. When you’re the opposition manager in League One or the Championship, hopefully soon the Premier League, he’s someone you’d take note of because he’ll always be one of the two or three teams that you’ll be aware of and be wary of.

“His development and the way it’s happened for him over the last couple of years suggests to me that he’s only going to end up going in one direction and that’s the Premier League.”

The winger ended the campaign with the most goals and assists combined (26) of any player aged 21 or under in the Championship and this, along with Appleton’s comments, illustrates the potential he holds.

Therefore, Howe can land Newcastle’s new Waddle by signing Johnson as his form for Forest and the scope for development he has indicates that he can be a key player for the Magpies in the top flight.

It is now down to PIF to ensure that they can get this £20m deal over the line.

AND in other news, Howe plotting NUFC swoop for £9m-rated “goal machine”, he’s a huge upgrade on Wood…