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Newcastle have reportedly agreed on a deal to sign 17-year-old centre-back Charlie McArthur from Kilmarnock as Eddie Howe continues to do business in the summer transfer market.

What’s the news?

The Athletic have reported that the Magpies have agreed on a fee and personal terms to sign the youngster from the Scottish Premiership club, with the fee being £350,000.

McArthur looks set to become the second official signing by Newcastle this summer following the arrival of Matt Targett, with Reims striker Hugo Ekitike looking likely to follow too.

Another move all but sealed

Howe is ready to put his own stamp on this Newcastle side, and following on from a successful final few months of the season which saw them finish 11th in the Premier League, it could get much better next time around.

The imminent signing of McArthur certainly looks to be one for the future, but the youngster has some excellent potential, and he will surely only get better with a move to one of the biggest clubs in England.

He made his senior debut last October at just 16 and he is currently the captain of the Scotland under-17s, showing his leadership qualities at such a young age.

Former Kilmarnock manager Tommy Wright spoke about the teenager’s performance following his debut, describing him as a “dream to work with” while also predicting that McArthur will have a “great career”.

Whilst some early success isn’t a direct barometer of any future achievement, it appears that the 17-year-old has the necessary attributes to succeed at a high level, and he will look to give the Newcastle under-18 or even under-23 side some added quality next season.

McArthur played four times in total for Kilmarnock last term as they sealed an immediate return to the Scottish top flight, and this experience will surely stand him in good stead as he looks to take England by storm.

AND in other news, NUFC in the mix to sign “frightening” £528k-p/w “freak of nature”, Howe would love him…

Nottingham Forest have completed a deal to sign former Liverpool striker Taiwo Awoniyi.

What’s the word?

That is according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, who took to Twitter to issue the update.

Romano said: “Nottingham Forest have signed all the paperworks for Taiwo Awoniyi deal with Union Berlin. It’s done and sealed, agreement completed. £17m release clause triggered and Liverpool will receive 10% of the transfer.”

Cooper will be delighted

The signing of Awoniyi is a smart move from Forest.

Lewis Grabban was an important figure for Cooper’s side in the 2021/22 season, chipping in with 12 precious goals to finish the campaign as the Tricky Trees’ second-highest scorer. However, even with his experience, the 34-year-old is virtually unproven at the highest level, having managed just Premier League appearances.

Bearing in mind his injury record, having missed 21 games last season due to injuries and illness, he is not reliable enough to lead the line on his own, which is where the signing of Awoniyi comes in.

With Cooper preferring to go with two forwards up top, he needs sufficient depth in the centre-forward position, with the likes of top scorer Brennan Johnson and third-highest goal provider Sam Surridge the only real established options who can offer a sufficient threat for Forest in the final third.

Awoniyi was on the books of Liverpool for six years and never made a single appearance for the first team, so he will have an extra sense of ambition to show his former club exactly what they are missing.

The Nigerian has just come off the back of a stellar season for Union Berlin which saw him score two assists in 31 Bundesliga appearances, so Cooper will be thrilled to have landed such a reliable high-level scorer.

The 24-year-old appears to be an exciting addition to the Premier League, and an even greater addition to Nottingham Forest, who have shown that they mean business with this coup.

In other news: Cooper now given green light for £9m-rated Forest swoop, he’s a Zinckernagel upgrade 

West Ham United have been handed the ideal chance to land Italy international Andrea Belotti this summer…

What’s the word?

As per The Athletic – and other sources – the 28-year-old has officially departed Serie A club Torino following the expiry of his contract, having spent the past seven years in Turin after joining from Palermo in 2015.

The 44-cap brute has recently been linked with a move to the London Stadium as David Moyes’ search for a new centre-forward continues, albeit with club insider ExWHUemployee having also suggested that the Scot has snubbed the chance to land the striker in the past.

The hope will be that the former Manchester United manager changes his mind, albeit with fellow Premier League side Everton also said to be in the race for the player’s signature, as too are Italian champions AC Milan.

Too good to be true

The arrival of the “unbelievable” talent – as described by one source – would seemingly be “too good to be true” for West Ham supporters, with Belotti perhaps the ideal man to solve their centre-forward woes.

Not only available for nothing – ensuring a relatively risk-free deal – the £18m-rated marksman also offers an almost guaranteed supply of goals, having been in truly prolific form during his time in Serie A.

In 251 games in all competitions at Torino, the 5 foot 11 marksman recorded a staggering tally of 113 goals and 28 assists, netting exactly 100 league goals for the club in that time.

While the most recent campaign saw the striker score just eight league goals, that was the 26 goals during a particularly prolific 2016/17 season.

Not just a threat in attack, the powerful forward is also a useful asset for his hold-up play and ability in the air, ranking in the top 14% among those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues for aerial duels won, with 4.27 per match.

Having that alternative option to current centre-forward Michail Antonio could well be vital for West Ham next season as they once again juggle their domestic and European duties, with the club needing someone else to shoulder the goalscoring burden up top alongside the Jamaica international.

Although Chelsea’s Armando Broja has been touted as one potential option, in Belotti the Hammers would have an almost guaranteed supply of goals, with the menacing striker set to prove an astute piece of business if the Irons can snap him up on a free transfer.

AND in other news, Moyes plotting move for “special” £45m “baller”, he’d be a “superstar” for West Ham

Sunderland managed to finally get back to the Championship at the end of last season after spending four years in League One.

One figure in the Wearside club’s squad that played a massive part in getting the Black Cats promoted was Ross Stewart.

In 49 league appearances, including the play-offs, the striker found the net 26 times in total, as well as providing five assists for his teammates.

Taking this into account, it’s safe to say that without the striker at their disposal, there’s a strong chance that Sunderland would have been facing another year in League One.

Alex Neil now has a Championship campaign to help guide the club through and the current summer window will give him the chance to make sure his squad has what it takes to attack the season in the best way they can.

One figure the club have been linked with that give Neil the chance to form what would be a very dangerous duo alongside Stewart is Ravel Morrison.

After playing for numerous clubs across England and abroad, Morrison, who is now a free agent having spent last season with Derby County.

During his time with the Rams, where he was picking up a weekly wage of £4.7k-per-week, the attacking midfielder scored four goals and delivered four assists in 35 Championship appearances.

To further highlight how much of a useful attacking figure he was for the Midlands club, only Tom Lawrence racked up more shots at goal (101) in the campaign than Morrison (66).

The Jamaican also ended the season with the joint-third highest average of key passes per game (1) at Derby according to WhoScored.

Having been described as an “unpredictable” player by former Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder, Morrison showed last season just how much of a capable attacking and creative figure he can be in the Championship.

This, therefore, would make him a useful and cheaper option for the Black Cats to add to their ranks this summer before the season kicks off.

If Sunderland were able to secure a deal for the player and get him firing on all cylinders alongside Stewart, this could give the club a great chance of having a successful season in the Championship.

AND in other news: Offer expected: SAFC plotting bid to sign “fearless” gem, he’d be a huge Evans upgrade

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring Joaquin Piquerez to the Premier League this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to Marc Mechenoua, with the Goal France journalist revealing on Twitter that Antonio Conte’s side are among a number of clubs interested in a move for the Palmeiras left-back in the summer transfer window, with Marseille and an unnamed German club also believed to be keen on the 23-year-old.

In his tweet, Mechenoua said: “The left side and Uruguayan international Joaquin Piquerez is the subject of interest from Olympique de Marseille. Other European formations like Tottenham and another German club appreciate the player who plays in Palmeiras.”

“Tactical evolution”

Considering just how impressive Piquerez has been for Palmeiras ever since his €3.2m (£2.7m) move to Allianz Parque last summer, and with Sergio Reguilon looking set to leave the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer, it is easy to see why Conte would be interested in a deal to bring the Uruguay international to north London ahead of Spurs’ 2022/23 campaign.

Indeed, over his 12 Brazilian Serie A appearances in 2021, the £2.7m-rated talent immediately caught the eye for the Verdão, registering one assist and creating one big chance for his team-mates, along with taking 1.1 shots, making 0.5 key passes and completing one dribble per game.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-spurs-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-much-more” title= “Read the latest Spurs news, transfer rumours and more!”]

The left-back also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, helping his team to keep three clean sheets, along with making 1.7 tackles, 0.9 interceptions and 1.2 clearances and winning 4.5 duels (at a success rate of 61%) per match.

It has been a similar case for the 23-year-old over his 11 league outings in 2022, with the £7.1k-per-week defender helping his team to keep five clean sheets and providing one assist, along with making 2.2 tackles, 1.7 interceptions and 0.7 key passes and winning 4.9 duels (at a success rate of 57%) per match.

These returns have seen the player who Martin Charquero labelled “very tempting” for European clubs due to his “tactical evolution” average an impressive SofaScore match rating of 6.96, ranking him as Abel Ferreira’s 10th-best player in the Brazilian top flight.

As such, it is easy to see why Conte would be keen on a deal to bring Piquerez to Tottenham this summer, as the left-back undoubtedly has the potential to become a key part of the Italian’s squad heading into the club’s upcoming Premier League and Champions League campaigns.

AND in other news: Spurs eyeing deal for “lovely” £30m gem who lacks “nothing”, he can be their Tielemans

A behind-the-scenes claim has emerged regarding Rangers’ potential recruitment plans for the remainder of the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Pete O’Rourke discussed which area of the squad Giovanni van Bronckhorst will be looking to strengthen before the window closes.

The transfer insider said of the Rangers boss: “It does seem like he is looking at an attacking midfielder, a number 10, to add to his options as well to probably fill the void that Aaron Ramsey filled last year at Rangers.”

“[Angelo] Fulgini, I’m sure was definitely one of their top targets, but I’m sure there is other players on the list that Rangers have on their contingency plans.” 

Great news for Rangers fans

The summer transfer window has so far seen the Gers secure deals for Rabbi Matondo, Tom Lawrence and Antonio Colak.

With Aaron Ramsey heading back to Juventus following the end of his loan spell at Ibrox, and with reported target Angelo Fulgini joining Mainz recently (as O’Rourke mentioned), it’s easy to see why Van Bronckhorst would want to see a new attacking midfielder joining his squad before the transfer window closes.

Joe Aribo’s recent departure also highlights the Light Blues’ need to add a new figure to the midfield who can act as an extra attacking threat in the team.

Now that O’Rourke has shared this claim regarding Van Bronckhorst’s eagerness to sign a new player for that position this summer, it will surely have a lot of Rangers fans buzzing, especially if the club are successful in their attempts and bring in someone who can improve the team in that regard.

In fact, it was reported on Friday that the Gers are close to finalising a season-long loan deal for Bayern Munich midfielder Malik Tillman, who could be one of the names on the contingency plan of which O’Rourke spoke.

With 40 goals and 25 assists to his name in 109 appearances for the German club across their senior and youth teams, it’s easy to see why the American has caught the Gers’ attention.

If Rangers intend to sign a new attacking midfielder on a permanent basis outside of Tillman, this could be the cherry on the cake of what has been a rather productive summer transfer period at Ibrox.

AND in other news – In talks: Journalist relays big Rangers transfer claim that’ll leave supporters gutted

Sungmo Lee has dropped an update on reported Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Kim Min-jae.

What’s the word?

In a recent post on Twitter, the South Korean journalist revealed that, despite a number of recent reports linking Fabio Paratici with a move for the Fenerbahce SK centre-back this summer, Tottenham are not currently believed to be pursuing a deal for the 25-year-old ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

In his tweet, Lee said: “RE: Kim Min-jae to Tottenham (for those stories of ‘hijacking’). In one word, ‘there’s no truth’ in those stories at this stage. The situation could change in the transfer window, but there’s nothing between the two parties at the moment.”

Supporters will be gutted

Considering just how impressive Min-jae was in Turkey last season, Lee’s suggestion that Spurs are not actively pursuing a deal to bring the defender to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer is sure to have left supporters gutted.

Indeed, over his 31 Super Lig appearances last season, the £12.6m-rated centre-back was in imperious form, helping Fenerbahce keep four clean sheets and scoring one goal, as well as making an average of 2.3 interceptions, 1.5 tackles, 4.1 clearances, 53.9 passes and winning 3.7 duels – at a success rate of 61% – per game.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-spurs-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-much-more” title= “Read the latest Spurs news, transfer rumours and more!”]

These returns saw the £39k-per-week talent average an extremely impressive SofaScore match rating of 6.93, ranking him as Jorge Jesus’ 14th-best performer in the top flight of Turkish football last time out.

The 40-cap South Korean also caught the eye over his six outings in Fenerbahce’s 2021/22 Europa League campaign, helping his side keep one clean sheet, in addition to making an average of 1.5 interceptions, 1.7 tackles, 4.2 clearances, 40.3 passes and winning 3.7 duels – at a success rate of 63% – per fixture.

These metrics saw the 6 foot 3 defender nicknamed “the Monster” average a SofaScore match rating of 6.97, ranking him as the Sari Kanaryalar’s seventh-best player in the competition.

As such, it is clear to see that Min-jae would have made a fantastic addition to Antonio Conte’s defensive options ahead of Spurs’ 2022/23 Premier League and Champions League campaigns – leading us to believe Lee’s update will come as a gutting blow to everyone involved with Tottenham, not least the centre-back’s international teammate, Son Heung-min.

AND in other news: In talks: Paratici closing in on Spurs’ 7th summer signing, it’d be an “unreal” coup

West Ham United have established initial contact over a deal for Napoli’s Hirving Lozano, but they face competition from a Premier League rival.

That’s according to Area Napoli, via Sport Witness.

The lowdown

Napoli paid £40.5million to sign Lozano from PSV Eindhoven three years ago, and he’s gone to make 114 appearances for the club.

The 26-year-old is listed as a right winger but he’s capable of operating across the frontline, which may be useful for David Moyes.

The latest

Lozano would like to secure a move to England and has recently changed agents.

His new representatives are said to enjoy a strong relationship with West Ham, as well as another of his suitors in Crystal Palace.

Both clubs have apparently made an ‘exploratory’ approach as they assess the feasibility of a potential deal.

Napoli want €20million, which equates to about £17million, and are prepared to hang onto him for another year unless they receive a ‘very tempting’ offer.

West Ham and Palace seem a little lukewarm about the prospect of paying that much, so it remains to be seen if they test the waters with a bid.

The verdict

Why are Napoli entertaining the idea of selling Lozano? It was only the season before last that he was bagging 15 goals and providing five assists, very competitive numbers.

But that output did fall to just six goals and six assists in 37 appearances last season, and perhaps that’s left club officials rather underwhelmed.

What’s more, they’ve also brought in a new winger in the form of 21-year-old Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and perhaps he’s regarded as a ready-made replacement.

Their loss could be West Ham’s gain if Moyes can extract the best form from the player, who’s nicknamed ‘Chucky’ after the ‘small, evil red-headed doll’ from the film franchise.

That moniker stems from the pranks he played as a child, when he used to enjoy giving his academy team-mates a fright.

If he’s retained that spirit, he could be a popular figure inside the dressing room, amongst the fans and a handy weapon on the field too, hopefully terrorising opposition defences instead of his own teammates.

Glasgow Rangers got their 2022/23 Premiership campaign off to a solid start on Saturday afternoon, securing a 2-1 away victory in their opening game of the new season.

The Gers found themselves behind with just five minutes on the clock after Joel Nouble opened the scoring for Livingston.

Things were starting to look worrying for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s outfit as they were still without a goal by the 70-minute mark.

However, in the space of two minutes, Rangers got themselves ahead thanks to goals from Scott Arfield – after he replaced Glen Kamara in the second half – followed by a goal from captain James Tavernier, who saved the day for the Light Blues.

Despite the victory, there will have been aspects to the game and his side’s performance that Van Bronckhorst will not have been pleased with.

One example could be the performance of summer signing Antonio Colak, who made his league debut for the club following his £1.8m arrival from PAOK earlier this month.

Having played the full 90 minutes of this afternoon’s clash, the striker only managed to have nine touches of the ball in total, which is 20 touches fewer than goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin had.

In those nine touches, the 28-year-old could only register one shot at goal and complete three of the four passes he attempted.

He also managed to catch himself offside on one occasion and commit a foul that saw him pick up a yellow card.

Even though he’s a centre-forward, the Croatian didn’t make a single tackle, interception, block or clearance for his new side.

This debut display ultimately earned the summer arrival a disappointing overall match rating of 6.4 from SofaScore, making him the joint-lowest Rangers player to step foot on the pitch, alongside John Souttar.

Taking all of this into account, it’s safe to say that the striker failed the first test given to him by Van Bronckhorst.

However, with it still being extremely early into the season and his time at the club, Colak has time ahead of him to improve and show the Rangers support why the club chose to sign him in the first place.

Although, if he continues putting in performances like he did today and barely gets a touch of the ball, he could well find himself out of the team.

AND in other news: “New deal..”: Reporter drops transfer claim that’ll leave Rangers supporters gutted

Leeds United have been ‘working hard’ to sign a striker this summer, according to Sky Sports reporter Tim Thornton.

The Lowdown: Seven in, soon to be eight

The Whites have been very busy so far this summer, making five first-team additions. Victor Orta has also bolstered the club’s academy ranks with deals for Darko Gyabi and Sonny Perkins, with the former earning a place on the bench for Leeds’ Premier League opener against Wolves on Saturday.

Free agent Joel Robles looks set to be next through the door to provide some goalkeeping experience around Thorp Arch, and it seems as if the Whites have no plans of stopping there.

The Latest: Thornton’s comments

According to reliable Sky Sports journalist Thornton, who was talking to GiveMeSport, Leeds have been ‘working hard’ when it comes to a new forward, with a number of targets identified.

He revealed:

“They’ve been working hard on this, this is not something they’re suddenly shining a light moment where we need to get a striker in, they’ve known about it and have identified the targets.”

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The Verdict: Kalimuendo in before Southampton trip?

One forward who has been heavily linked with Leeds is Arnaud Kalimuendo, who Jesse Marsch reportedly wants to bring in next week.

Another outlet has reported that the Whites are close to agreeing a fee with Paris Saint-Germain for the 20-year-old, so this could be one to watch closely.

It would be a big boost if the club can land a new striker before the trip to Southampton next Saturday, adding more firepower to rival the likes of Patrick Bamford and Joe Gelhardt after a positive start to the campaign.