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Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano has recently made a claim on Manchester City’s interest in Tottenham striker Harry Kane ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Citizens have been heavily linked with the England captain in recent weeks, after the striker made it clear that he wanted to leave the north London club following a disappointing season.

Although the 27-year-old finished top of the charts when it came to both goals and assists in the Premier League this season, Spurs ended a lowly seventh in the top flight, whilst they also lost the Carabao Cup final and were embarrassed by Dinamo Zagreb in the last 16 of the Europa League.

Therefore, it is no surprise that he is keen for a new challenge after failing to win a trophy during his time at Spurs, and Manchester City appears to be a likely destination this summer.

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Romano claimed on his ‘Here We Go’ podcast (via GiveMeSport) earlier this week: “Manchester City are convinced that Harry Kane is the first target. So they want to try for Harry Kane. They are intending to open talks in the next weeks for Harry Kane, but at the moment and the position with Tottenham, we have to respect Tottenham’s position, it’s still the same.”

It has been claimed in the past that Daniel Levy would demand an extraordinary offer in order to sell Kane but, considering the hugely impressive season the Englishman has enjoyed, as well as another season without Champions League football to come, this summer may well be the best time to cash in.

Certainly, if the striker were to sign for Manchester City this summer, it would be a huge boost for Guardiola and his hopes of retaining the Premier League title next season. One thing for which the Citizens have been culpable at times this season is being wasteful in front of goal, and the addition of a “world-class” clinical striker such as Kane would surely see them improve their goalscoring output.

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If City can convince him to make the switch to the Etihad Stadium this summer, Guardiola would surely be delighted. The Citizens will need a hugely talented player to step up following Sergio Aguero’s departure from the club, and Kane’s performances during his time with Spurs emphasise that he could score a ridiculous amount of goals in this City team.

In other news… Man City dealt blow with £31.5m-rated star once rated “better” than Alexander-Arnold

The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth has dropped an exciting update on Victor Orta and Leeds United’s current transfer plans.

What’s the story?

With the Premier League season now firmly in the rear-view mirror, Marcelo Bielsa’s side can look ahead to the summer transfer window, and it appears Orta has already got things in motion judging by Smyth’s behind the scenes claim.

He said: “Orta and his team monitor many, many players. They enquire about many players – he’s talking to five right now in the hope of bringing three of them to Elland Road this summer.

“Some of the calls they make will be about players who could be alternative, back-up plans if the priority signings fall through and some are not a realistic target for right now, but it’s worth checking in and registering even just a hint of interest, just in case – Raphinha is the living, breathing, goalscoring, nutmegging proof of that.”

Fans will be excited

The news that Orta is already “talking” to five players right now, so soon after the season ended, makes for exciting reading for Leeds fans who will be keen to see their club do their transfer business as early as possible.

With the upcoming EUROs posing an additional problem in terms of recruitment and then also trying to get them settled into their new clubs, getting deals done early will give Leeds a major head-start as other sides scramble around to try and make it smooth sailing for their managers.

Early signings will give Bielsa and the club’s fans a sense of clarity about where they stand before pre-season kick-starts, and the fact that Orta is in communication with five players suggests there’s going to be significant movement and incomings for Leeds.

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It’s exactly why Leeds fans will be excited.

Meanwhile, Marcelo Bielsa is eyeing a record-breaking swoop for this Brazilian star…

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that West Ham regularly bringing in an income of more than £200m a year is achievable.

Claret and Hugh reports that West Ham’s turnover for the year is expected to be above £200m (£210m) after a season where the Hammers were able to finish sixth in the Premier League, resulting in an extra £30m.

It is undoubtedly a positive development for the east London club and its supporters, who will want to continue seeing their side compete at the top end of the table, something they should have every chance of doing if the money continues to flow in and is used to strengthen David Moyes’ squad.

Maguire, though, has warned that while possible, such a turnover can only be maintained if West Ham regularly qualify for European football.

“In order for West Ham to regularly achieve income of more than £200m, they’ve got to be playing in Europe, whether that’s Conference League, Europa League, ” The Price of Football author exclusively told FFC. “Clearly their ambition it will be Champions League.

“But they would need to have these additional fixtures coming in. West Ham’s revenue in 2019, which was a pre-pandemic year, was £191m, so it is achievable. And it certainly puts them on a par with Leicester, if not slightly ahead of Leicester.”

Whether Moyes can keep this high standard up remains to be seen. But West Ham fans will surely be feeling optimistic after what they saw from the Scotsman and his team in the season that has just gone.

Carlton Palmer has told Football FanCast that Southampton would be an excellent move for Tom Davies.

Following three central midfielder additions made by Carlo Ancelotti last season, Davies was restricted to just 17 Premier League starts having found himself down the pecking order at Goodison Park.

Davies failed to score in any of his 25 league appearances, registering just one assist in the home defeat to Burnley in what proved a difficult campaign for the England Under-21s international.

Despite his struggles, Southampton, who failed in their attempts to sign him 12 months ago, are keen on revisiting their interest in Toffees midfielder this summer according to Football Insider.

Davies still has two years remaining on his contract, which would force the Saints to dig into their pockets, but with James Ward-Prowse strongly linked with Aston Villa, the 22-year-old could be an ideal replacement for the captain.

And Palmer exclusively told Football FanCast that a switch to St Mary’s would help the Everton Academy graduate get his career back on track:

“He’s a very fit lad, he gets up and down, and to go to a club like Southampton, it rejuvenates them in terms of their performances.

“I think that would be a great move for Tom to get him back playing regularly, and he is a very energetic player and I think he would fit into that mould.”

Journalist Duncan Castles has dropped an exciting claim about Aston Villa and their transfer plans for this summer.

What’s the story?

Speaking on the latest edition of The Transfer Window podcast, the journalist said: “Aston Villa actually have, I’m told, a substantial budget to work with. They are one of the better-placed teams in the Premier League (post-pandemic).

“This week, they’ve signed Buendia from Norwich City for an initial £33m that is a ‘half-replacement’ for Grealish, as it’s been described to me, and they’re looking at other attacking midfielders coming in as well.”

Fans will be buzzing

The revelation that Villa have a “substantial budget” with which to work this summer will surely be music to the ears of Dean Smith and the club’s supporters, who’d have been hoping for the club to go again in the transfer window.

Villa made a real splash in the market last summer when they brought in the likes of Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez, and that followed on from the previous year when they came back to the Premier League with some eye-catching signings such as Wesley and Trezeguet.

Having already clinched a deal for Buendia, there may have been a worry that perhaps Villa were done with their big-money signings, but this latest claim from Castles should ease those fears.

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Given that their owners are in the top five in the division according to Forbes when it comes to the rich list, it’s no surprise that Villa are named as one of the “better-placed teams in the Premier League” considering the financial effects of the pandemic.

With the summer transfer window only getting started, it seems that Villa fans can now look forward to some more high-profile deals.

Meanwhile, Villa are eyeing a move for this 6 foot 5 star…

Leeds United could clinch an exciting signing in Club Brugge starlet Noa Lang amid glowing comments from his teammate.

What’s the story?

According to recent reports from The Telegraph, Marcelo Bielsa’s side have been watching the 21-year-old, and there have even been suggestions from the Dutch media that the Whites’ interest in him is concrete.

And now, his teammate at Brugge, Cyriel Dessers, has insisted that Lang is ready to shine in English football, even backing Leeds’ interest in him.

He said: “He is absolutely ready for the Premier League. He was fantastic last season. Then it is logical that there is a next step.  I would love to see him in the Champions League with Club Brugge, but he has shown that he is one of the best footballers in Belgium.

“He is a graceful footballer, but he also works very hard. I often sat on the bench, so I could keep an eye on him there. But the way he works, I didn’t know he had that in him. He has really taken a step. The interest does not come out of nowhere. I know how Leeds work.”

Could blossom under Bielsa

Given that he only recently turned 22, Lang could be the kind of long-term project who thrives under Bielsa and blossoms into a real star at both club and international level.

Able to play anywhere across the frontline, Lang has shown he has a real eye for goal in his loan spell at Brugge last season, bagging 17 goals and providing a further 11 assists in just 37 games, including netting in the Champions League.

With the volume of goals and assists that Lang delivered last season, and with him still being very much in the infancy of his career, a move for the youngster would surely be the kind of exciting one that has both the fans and Bielsa buzzing.

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The £19.8m-rated Lang looks to be the kind of player who makes a real impact in the final third and is someone who produces a genuine end product, rather than just flashes of promise.

Given his teammate’s own words about how he could do in the Premier League were Leeds to get him, the Whites must turn their interest into a signing. He seems like the type of young player who Bielsa can develop even further and given the impressive season he had last year, he could turn into something very special under the excellent Leeds manager.

Meanwhile, this star could be incredible alongside Raphinha…

Leicester City have completed a deal to sign RB Salzburg striker Patson Daka and are now working to get moves for Boubakary Soumare and a new left-back across the line.

What’s the story?

That’s according to well-known journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who revealed that the paperwork and personal terms have been agreed with Daka. Romano also claimed that an announcement confirming the 22-year-old’s arrival at the King Power Stadium will be made soon, allowing Leicester to focus on their next transfer targets.

He tweeted: “Patson Daka to Leicester, done deal. Paperworks completed between #LCFC and RB Salzburg in the last hours. Personal terms already agreed. Just a matter of time then it’s gonna be announced soon.

“Soumaré will be joining Leicester too – new left back also in the list.”

Rudkin and Rodgers will be delighted

After prioritising a move for Daka over Celtic forward Odsonne Edouard, the Foxes’ director of football Jon Rudkin and manager Brendan Rodgers will surely be delighted to secure the signature of the Zambia international.

The pacey forward was in incredible form for Salzburg last season, bagging an incredible 34 goals in 42 appearances for Jesse Marsch’s men as they secured a domestic double.

Daka combines blistering natural pace with clever runs and movement before relying on his quality finishing to guide the ball into the opposition’s net.

His addition to the FA Cup holders’ squad should make them a daunting prospect for their Premier League rivals next term, and Rodgers will be hoping that the youngster can fire Leicester into the top four.

Daka looks set to be the first arrival at the King Power Stadium this summer, but he’s unlikely to be the last. Lille midfielder Soumare has long been linked with the Foxes and it seems that his arrival is also imminent.

After helping Les Dogues to the Ligue 1 title and ending Paris Saint-Germain’s three-year dominance of French football, the 22-year-old box-to-box dynamo looks set to cross the English Channel this summer.

Leicester’s transfer business won’t be done there, either. With James Justin set for an extended spell on the sidelines with a serious knee injury and Christian Fuchs departing on a free transfer, the full-back positions suddenly look rather bare.

Several names have been linked with a move to the 2016 Premier League champions in recent weeks, such as Robin Gosens, Nuno Mendes and Ryan Bertrand, although it remains to be seen who else Rodgers targets over the coming months.

In other news… Leicester must land “ferocious” £6.3m-rated gem with more key passes than Maddison 

Former Tottenham captain Graham Roberts reckons that Harry Winks’ conservative style has seen him become an “average footballer”.

Winks had been a regular during his first four seasons since breaking into the first-team, but hit a major bump in the road last term which may have thrown his future into potential doubt.

From midway through the 2016-2017 campaign until the end of 2019-2020, the midfielder was an almost guaranteed starter.

However, the arrival of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg not only saw him slip down the pecking order and start just nine times in the Premier League last season, but almost led to Winks leaving on loan in January.

With Oliver Skipp now set to be integrated into the first-team following his heroics for Norwich in the Championship, Winks’ place in the squad would now appears even more uncertain.

Having been one of Mauricio Pochettino’s favourites and then completely out of favour under Jose Mourinho, it’s unclear what the future holds for Winks under the incoming manager, but his position in north London feels in danger for the first time in his career.

And Roberts told Football FanCast that Winks isn’t the player he thinks he is:

“He’s gone Mr Conservative, he plays simple, and if I don’t give the ball away, I’m a great player.

“You’re not, he’s become an average player, and that’s being fair.”

Aston Villa have been credited with an interest in Southampton midfielder Oriol Romeu.

And a number of Villa fans have been giving their thoughts to the links on social media.

John Percy of The Telegraph shared in the site’s transfer notebook on Tuesday evening that Villa see a defensive midfielder as a vital position to strengthen.

Romeu, on £59,000-a-week, is admired by Villa’s recruitment side, however, Percy adds that the Saints will be very reluctant to sell, making a deal unlikely at this stage.

As we know with Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe, that may not put Villa off moving for Romeu after planning a second bid for the Gunners midfielder.

Romeu still has two years remaining on his St Mary’s deal and has made 212 appearances for Southampton since joining the club in 2015.

Villa fans react

@villareport shared the links to Romeu late on Tuesday evening. Here’s what these Villa supporters had to say in reply, with one describing the holding midfielder as a ‘tank’.

“No way”

Credit: @CarlvHarris

“PERCY AT IT AGAIN”

Credit: @joshcrispp

“Guy is a tank, loves a tackle and a yellow card. Oh go on then.”

Credit: @lewastbury

“Percy on a mad one”

Credit: @aston_1997

“we’re actually winning the league”

Credit: @catrinedwards18

“Decent DM”

Credit: @AVFCFaithful_

In other news: ‘Crown us champions’, ‘Massive’ – Many AVFC fans erupt at ‘tasty’ Percy claim, find out more here. 

Southampton fans have been reacting to the news that Jannik Vestergaard would like to move on if the Saints receive an offer from a top team, and the south-coast outfit are already looking at replacements.

The Saints went through a mixed term last campaign as they reached an F.A Cup semi-final but also finished in 15th place in the Premier League. As such, there is likely to be plenty of business conducted at St. Mary’s Stadium this term – they have already completed one signing, with Romain Perraud joining from Brest (southamptonfc.com).

Now, as per The Athletic, the Saints may be looking to bring in a centre-back. That is because £16.2m-valued Vestergaard (Transfermarkt) will look to move away from the club if an offer from a bigger club were to come on.

The news was shared on Twitter by @SaintsExtra, and it attracted plenty of attention from the supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Vestergaard news below

“15 Million for Vestergaard, bring in a young CB to develop, and Salisu ready to go.”

Credit: @EFranzo17

“Get rid and re invest”

Credit: @jimmysaint7

“He’s had about 10 good games in three years since he joined, let’s be honest. Bar the first half of this season he’s been bang average. If someone offers us the £18million we paid for him I’d take it. Salisu is ready to step up this year”

Credit: @Liam_Houghton98

“I wouldn’t be overly disappointed if he left, I’d like him to stay but he is replaceable.”

Credit: @miserygutscoop

“No real loss if we get good money. He’s improved yes but is regularly out of position which has cost us plenty of goals”

Credit: @kellyokid

“He’s gone then. This is the danger of the Stephens extension. 4th choice is fine but if it involves him playing in anything apart from meaningless cup matches then that’s a problem”

Credit: @forkhandl

In other news, Southampton receive an update on this La Liga target.