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Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Clement Lenglet’s proposed move to Tottenham is now just a ‘matter of time’ from being completed.

The Lowdown: Lenglet agrees terms with Spurs

The 27-year-old, who currently plays his football for Barcelona, has been heavily linked with a move away from Camp Nou in recent weeks after it was claimed that Xavi had told the defender that he wasn’t part of his plans moving forward.

Sky Sports reported last week that the Lilywhites had opened talks with the Frenchman over a potential loan switch to the Premier League, and after just days of negotiations, it was later announced that the player had agreed personal terms to join Conte in the capital.

The Latest: Romano’s Lenglet update

Taking to Twitter, Romano insisted that Lenglet’s move to Tottenham is now imminent, with both parties in the process of ironing out the last few details. He wrote:

“Clement Lenglet to Tottenham, just matter of time and then… here we go soon. Agreement’s being finalised between Barcelona and Tottenham on loan deal, working on details.

“Lenglet agreed personal terms with Spurs last week, matter of final steps between clubs.”

The Verdict: Experience at the back

Despite only making seven starts in La Liga last season, Lenglet showed just how comfortable he is playing out from the back, averaging an outstanding 91% pass success rate, via WhoScored, an attribute that Conte likes to have in his starting XI.

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The 15-cap international will also already be very familiar with Champions League football, having made 44 appearances in the competition for both Barcelona and Sevilla, so could bring some much-needed European experience to that defensive backline.

Lenglet will soon follow in the footsteps of Perisic, Forster, Bissouma and Richarlison to become Paratici’s fifth signing of the summer as Conte continues to build his new-look squad ahead of the start of the 2022/23 campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur correspondent Alasdair Gold has been reacting to the signing of Richarlison, which was confirmed by the club on Friday morning.

The Lowdown: Spurs unveil Richarlison

The Brazilian’s Everton exit always seemed inevitable, with the Toffees only just narrowly managing to escape Premier League relegation last season.

There were several top-flight clubs interested in securing the forward’s services, predominantly Chelsea and Arsenal, but it was the Lilywhites who ended up beating their London rivals to win the race for his signature after it was officially announced on Friday that the 25-year-old had put pen to paper on a five-year deal with Spurs.

The Latest: Gold reacts

Taking to Twitter, Gold shared his excitement about Richarlison’s move and is looking forward to seeing what other transfer business Spurs complete this window.

Quoting a tweet directly from the club unveiling the former Goodison Park man, the reporter wrote:

“That’s number four done, it’s July 1 and there’s more to come. What has happened to Tottenham Hotspur?”

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The Verdict: A fresh creative outlet

Richarlison now becomes Tottenham’s fourth summer signing, following in the footsteps of Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster and Yves Bissouma as Antonio Conte continues to create his new-look squad ahead of next season.

The striker was the standout performer in a struggling Everton side under Frank Lampard, muserting 16 goal contributions in 33 appearances across all competitions last term, as per Transfermarkt, highlighting how prolific he can be in the final third.

Spurs do have plenty of attacking prowess in Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min, but Richarlison has the versatility to play either on the flank or down the middle, so his arrival will create a fresh new outlet for the Italian up top, who will need all the numbers he can get with the extra fixtures once the Champions League campaign begins.

Aston Villa could make a move for Manchester United full-back Brandon Williams, according to Birmingham Live.

The Lowdown: Williams profiled

The youngster is primarily a left-back who can also line out at right-back and is entering the final two years of his contract at Old Trafford.

Described as ‘great in the air’ by his former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the past, the 21-year-old has made 50 senior appearances for United but spent last season on loan with Norwich City.

The Englishman, who is known for his speed, made 29 appearances for the Canaries, and it looks as if he could be on the move again this summer.

The Latest: Villa linked with Williams

Birmingham Live reporter John Townley, who focuses mainly on Villa, shared a story on Monday morning looking at Steven Gerrard’s left-back ranks.

With Ashley Young still yet to sign a new deal in the Midlands, Townley said that the club could be interested in a move for Williams. The 21-year-old is worth just £10m and is seemingly available to leave Manchester United this summer, with Townley saying that the defender’s versatility could be of use to Gerrard.

The Verdict: Cheaper option

As Townley mentions, Williams would be a cheaper option than fellow Villa targets Calvin Bassey and Aaron Hickey, with Rangers and Bologna looking for £25m and £18m respectively.

Williams has also been compared to Hickey by Football Transfers and would provide an option at right-back, another area where Villa are short, with Matty Cash the only senior option available to Gerrard last season.

He already has plenty of Premier League experience and is still in the early stages of his career, so a move to the Midlands could be a shrewd one to provide competition to Lucas Digne.

Everton are looking for ways to improve their squad and must take advantage of the summer transfer window ahead of next season, and now a new potential transfer target has come to light.

What’s the latest?

According to De Telegraaf (via Sport Witness), Everton are ‘concretely’ interested in signing AZ Alkmaar’s Owen Wijndal this summer.

As per the report, Napoli and Sevilla are also named as interested in the player this summer, however, Ajax are suggested to be the first choice for Wijndal’s agent.

Better than Mykolenko

Everton desperately needs reinforcements in their squad after struggling in a relegation battle that saw them fight to remain in the Premier League until the penultimate game of the campaign.

Frank Lampard could secure a major coup by adding a high-quality left-back like Wijndal into the team next season, especially when you consider his effectiveness and output in the Eredivisie.

The £10.8m-rated dynamo scored one goal, contributed ten assists and created nine big chances, making 1.5 key passes, 1.4 tackles and 1.2 clearances, winning the majority of his duels combined (51%) and proving successful in the majority of his dribble attempts (63%), proving that he is better than Vitaliy Mykolenko.

Mykolenko managed to equal Wijndal’s goal tally but did not provide any assists, making just 0.7 key passes and completing no dribbles, so the Dutchman could add more depth in terms of an attacking threat coming from the back-line throughout 2022/23.

The 22-year-old who was dubbed “dangerous” by Ajax Analytics, has deployed his attacking prowess combined with his defensive attributes to lead his side to a fifth-place finish in the Dutch top-flight and having a game-changing player who can be link-up player would be huge for Everton next term.

With that being said, signing Wijndal this summer would be a huge signing for Everton as he is clearly a very impactful player at both ends of the pitch and Lampard will need players who can hit the ground instantly to ensure they are not in a similar situation as 2021/22.

AND in other news: Contact made: Everton swoop in for “different” £20m star, he can be Lampard’s Iniesta

West Ham United insider ExWHUemployee has dropped an update regarding the club’s reported interest in Christian Eriksen…

What’s the word?

According to the trusted source, the Hammers are believed to be keen on a deal for the Danish midfielder, following reports that suggested the east Londoners have ‘made contact’ with the 30-year-old’s representatives.

Asked on Twitter if the club do in fact want to sign the playmaker, he stated: “We do but so does half the Premier League! Including Man United, Spurs and Brentford who has affiliations with”.

As alluded to above, David Moyes and co will face stiff competition for his signature, with both Manchester United and his former club Tottenham Hotspur believed to be in the running, while a return to Brentford – where he spent the last six months – is not out of the question.

Supporters buzzing

That clamour for the £18m-rated gem is unsurprising considering that he is available on a free transfer this summer, having only signed a temporary deal with the Bees upon joining the club in January, with Thomas Frank’s side offering a return to elite-level football just a matter of months after he suffered a cardiac arrest while on international duty at Euro 2020.

The use of an ICD implant as part of his recovery saw him unable to feature for former club Inter Milan due to Serie A regulations, with that eventually sparking his return to the Premier League, where he has since rubber-stamped just what a talent he is.

In just 11 outings for the west London outfit, the creative midfielder chipped in with one goal and four assists, notably netting in the club’s shock 4-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge back in early April.

Such form served as a reminder as to the quality he had showcased in his previous spell in English football, the 6 foot menace having registered 69 goals and a further 90 assists in 305 games in all competitions while at Spurs, proving an integral cog in Mauricio Pochettino’s impressive machine that reached the Champions League final in 2019.

Having departed the Lilywhites in January 2020, Eriksen went on to claim the Scudetto under Antonio Conte during the 2020/21 campaign, with it no surprise that the Italian is seemingly keen on a reunion this summer.

As for the Hammers, however, such a deal would add undeniable quality to an area of the pitch in need of both depth and competition, with Moyes’ side currently crying out for midfield recruits following the retirement of long-serving skipper, Mark Noble.

Although they face a battle to get an agreement secured – amid the hefty rival interest – just knowing that the club is in the conversation will be of great delight to supporters, with the Hammers seemingly able to set their sights on more high-profile targets following their impressive rise in recent years.

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

Dean Jones has dropped an exciting Everton transfer update that could give supporters a much-needed boost.

What’s the news?

Jones was speaking to GIVEMESPORT about the club’s interest in Chelsea duo Conor Gallagher and Armando Broja:

“There’s no actual change since the end of the season, but they’re still interested,” said Jones.

“I think there’s, to be honest, a certain expectation that these players that were on loan last season won’t actually make the cut at Chelsea.

“Gallagher’s got the best chance, but we have to wait and see how much of an opportunity he actually gets in pre-season and whether he can convince [Thomas] Tuchel to stay in and around that squad, but Broja is more than likely to be on the market and available.”

Any move could cost the club a considerable amount of money with Gallagher believed to be rated at £50m and Broja at £57.8m.

Frank Lampard will love the news

Everton requires another striker and a player who can put a bit of bite back into the Everton midfield, with Broja and Gallagher fitting the bill perfectly.

Although by the sounds of it, Lampard might have to pursue other midfield options if Gallagher – who scored eight Premier League goals and registered five assists on loan at Crystal Palace last season – will be given a shot by Tuchel in pre-season.

Broja netted six league goals last season whilst on loan at Southampton, and at just 20 years old, he could fulfil his potential at Everton under Lampard, who has a penchant for developing young players.

One major stumbling block could be the fee, but they’d be helped by whether or not the club receives the £50m plus they are asking for Brazilian Richarlison this summer, as Tottenham remains interested.

£57.8m sounds excessive for a striker who has had a semi-decent season in the Premier League and Lampard could maybe use his Chelsea connections to arrange a potential loan move as he aims to redirect funds elsewhere.

Either way, he’d be delighted to bring him to Goodison Park over the summer.

AND in other news, “Everton want..“: David Ornstein delivers huge transfer update, Lampard will be fuming

Juventus centre-back Matthijs de Ligt would be open to a move to Liverpool, according to a new transfer rumour from Italy.

The Lowdown: De Ligt on the move?

The 22-year-old remains an extremely young player, despite bursting onto the scene with Ajax a number of years ago now. The 35-cap Netherlands starlet racked up 117 games in his homeland before his big move to Italy, and has now matched that total in Turin.

De Ligt was a key figure for Juve throughout the 2021/22 season, making 31 appearances in Serie A and averaging 2.9 aerial duel wins per game.

Liverpool have been linked with a move for the Dutchman in recent weeks but a fresh update suggests they are far from alone in showing an interest.

The Latest: Liverpool still in the hunt, player open

According to Calciomercato, the Reds are one of four clubs who De Ligt would be happy to trade Juve for this summer.

The other three are Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, but the former have already signed Antonio Rudiger from Chelsea.

This ‘realistically’ rules the Bernabeu out, says the report, meaning it’s really down to three.

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The Verdict: This summer too soon?

While there is no denying De Ligt’s immense ability and potential – Edwin van der Sar has compared his winning mentality to Cristiano Ronaldo – now might not be the most logical time for Liverpool to sign him.

In Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joel Matip, Jurgen Klopp has three great options, so bringing in a fourth top-class centre-back would almost feel like too many cooks spoiling the broth.

If De Ligt is still available next summer, a move could make much more sense, with Van Dijk and Matip both on the verge of turning 32 at that point, and the Dutch gem labelled ‘incredible’ by former teammate Andrea Barzagli.

In other news, one Liverpool player has been backed to leave this summer. Find out who it is here.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst enjoyed a solid first season at Rangers, winning the Scottish Cup for the first time in 13 years and reaching the Europa League final.

Having arrived at the club in mid-November, the Dutchman was working with a squad that he didn’t build, and even though he added Aaron Ramsey, Amad Diallo and James Sands in January, these were all loan deals.

The 47-year-old will now have a full summer ahead to bring in some new faces and freshen up the squad following a hectic 2021/22 campaign. There has already been some news, with Steven Davis, Scott Arfield and Connor Goldson all signing new contracts to keep them at the Ibrox side for next season.

However, Jordan Campbell of The Athletic has dropped a teasing summer update which could well send the fans into overdrive.

He has reported that there is a deal on the table for Allan McGregor to extend his stay at Rangers beyond his 41st birthday, despite the fanfare at the Scottish Cup final as he was substituted on with a minute to go in what looked liked being his final appearance for the Light Blues.

With Van Bronckhorst aiming to rebuild the squad, this news might come as a surprise to some. Although many fans may be excited that McGregor could remain, judging by the rousing reception that he got at Hampden Park a couple of weeks ago, it might end up having a negative effect further down the line.

The 40-year-old made some high-profile mistakes this season, notably against Hearts and Ross County as the Premiership title drifted out of the Gers’ reach.

Having McGregor still involved at Rangers after his playing career was the scenario which looked most likely following the Scottish Cup triumph, potentially a coaching role.

This news has thrown a spanner in the works, though, and could it postpone the search for a new keeper? McLaughlin is 34 and has shown his talents in the past, whereas 24-year-old Robbie McCrorie is at an age where he needs regular first-team football to utilise his potential, having made just two senior appearances for the Gers.

Many of Ibrox faithful will likely be happy to see McGregor remain, but it remains to be seen what role he will have next season if a new deal is agreed.

AND in other news, Big blow: Behind-the-scenes Rangers development emerges that’ll frustrate Van Bronckhorst…

Everton just about secured another season in the Premier League after a difficult relegation battle and are now looking at options to strengthen the squad, with a new transfer update emerging on one particular target.

What’s the latest?

According to the Daily Mail, the Toffees are eyeing up a move for Nottingham Forest youngster Brennan Johnson this summer.

As per the report, Johnson is at the top of Everton’s transfer list alongside Burnley defender James Tarkowski, and their offer will depend on the outcome of the Championship play-off final this weekend.

If Forest secure Premier League promotion on Sunday, then the Wales international will reportedly open talks to extend his contract at the City Ground, and a move away from his boyhood club would seem unlikely in that event.

Richarlison 2.0

Amidst speculation that Richarlison could leave Goodison Park this summer, Frank Lampard could use the opportunity to develop some upcoming young talent, and Johnson could be Richarlison 2.0 for Everton if he makes the move to Merseyside this summer.

The £20m-valued ace, who was hailed “unbelievable” by ex-Forest manager Sabri Lamouchi, has been phenomenal for the Reds, scoring 19 goals and registering nine assists over 52 appearances in all competitions. He has a goal involvement every 159 minutes this season, which is an astonishing return for a 21-year-old.

Johnson’s output has not only guided his team to potential Premier League promotion, he has also gained individual recognition as he was named EFL Young Player of the Year recently too. That will all be a huge attraction for Everton, who are desperate to improve their goalscoring return next season.

The Toffees’ top scorer in 2021/22 was the aforementioned Richarlison with 11 goals and five assists in all competitions. He was the only player in blue to hit a double-figure goal tally during the campaign.

Lampard’s side finished the season 16th in the Premier League, with the fifth-worst goal difference out of all 20 teams, and this will need to drastically improve if the Merseyside club want to avoid another relegation fight next term.

The young Forest attacker, who was dubbed a “talent” by football.london reporter Alasdair Gold, could thrive under the watchful eye of an attack-minded coach like Lampard. The 43-year-old is experienced in nurturing young players such as Champions League winner Mason Mount, so the prospective signing of Johnson could be a major coup for Everton if it comes off, and also a huge opportunity for the Welshman to grow his career.

AND in other news – “Sources tell me..”: Journalist drops big Everton transfer claim, it’ll delight supporters

Rangers undoubtedly had a rollercoaster 2021/22 season with plenty happening on and off the pitch at Ibrox.

Having said goodbye to the former boss and hello to Giovanni van Bronckhorst as their new manager, the Dutchman got Rangers to the Europa League final and secured the Scottish Cup in his final game of the campaign.

One player that was a rather prominent figure for the Ibrox club this season was midfielder John Lundstram.

After making the move to Rangers in the previous summer window on a free transfer from Sheffield United, the 28-year-old went on to make 47 appearances for the Gers across all competitions in his debut season.

With a passing success percentage of 90.2%, the Englishman has shown how capable he is on the ball as well as how much of a useful defensive figure he is by racking up an average of 1.3 tackles per game in the league.

Now that this very busy season has finally come to an end, the focus can now turn to the summer transfer window and give Van Bronckhorst the chance to make whatever changes to the squad that he sees fit.

With that in mind, one midfield figure that has been linked with a move to Ibrox in recent weeks that could be a good fit next to Lundstram is Abdoulaye Sissako.

Since joining Belgium club Zulte Waregem back in 2019, the £4.5k-per-week midfielder has gone on to make 63 appearances for the Belgian club across all competitions, chipping in with three goals and eight assists along the way.

Having racked up an average of 1.7 tackles per game in the Belgian league this season, the Frenchman certainly has the defensive capabilities to be a solid addition to Van Bronckhorst’s squad.

This, therefore, could make a midfield duo of Sissako and Lundstram a rather scary prospect for Rangers’ opponents next season given the duo’s individual difficulty to play against.

Taking into account how his current side have been close to getting relegated from Belgium’s top division, this could pave the way for Rangers to pounce this summer and try and convince Sissako to make the move to Ibrox, helping them to win trophies domestically and in Europe instead of sticking with his current struggling side.

In other news: “Would be surprised”: Journo drops behind-scenes Rangers claim, it’s bad news for GvB