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Wolverhampton Wanderers are planning to make a bid for Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey in January, according to Friday’s edition of Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport (via Birmingham Mail). 

The lowdown

The 30-year-old has been limited to 97 minutes of Serie A action since the start of the season and finds himself behind Manuel Locatelli, Rodrigo Bentancur, Adrien Rabiot and Weston McKennie in the pecking order in Turin.

When he joined the Old Lady in 2019, it was reported that his contract was worth as much as £400,000 per week. That’s four times more than Wolves’ current top earner Joao Moutinho. With that deal not due to expire until June 2023, Ramsey is valued at £12.6m by Transfermarkt.

The latest

As per Corriere dello Sport (via Birmingham Mail), Wolves apparently wanted to sign Ramsey during the summer transfer window and will revisit the potential deal when January rolls around.

They are readying an offer for the 30-year-old but could face competition from the likes of Everton and West Ham United.

The verdict

The centre of the Wolves midfield could do with investment – they’re a little light on depth and Moutinho has just turned 35 – but this would probably be too great a risk.

Even if he agrees to take a massive pay cut, you’d expect Ramsey to still be the highest earner at Molineux. Also, when you consider his unrelenting injuries, you can easily see how the deal might backfire.

If Wolves want to beef up their central midfield options, they should look elsewhere.

In other news, some Wolves fans don’t want this loanee to return

Many Arsenal fans have slammed the performance of Takehiro Tomiyasu in their 0-0 draw at Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday evening.

The Japan international endured a pretty torrid time up against Marc Cucurella in what was the firstgame where he has struggled since arriving from Bologna in the summer transfer window.

Tomiyasu lost out on five of his duels and also failed to block any shots or make any tackles, dribbles, key passes or crosses from right-back (Sofascore).

He also lost possession of the ball on 13 separate occasions in the match, the joint-fourth most of any of his teammates (Sofascore).

Nonetheless, with the international break coming up, Tomiyasu will now be able to take his mind away from the Gunners and then come back stronger when they face Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in their next Premier League fixture on 18 October.

 Arsenal fans on Tomiyasu display

These Gooners on Twitter slammed the 22-year-old’s performance at the Amex Stadium, as one Arsenal supporter claimed that he was ‘exposed’ by Brighton:

“Tomiyasu was exposed today.”

Credit: @cuthie23

“Tierney, Tomiyasu, White were awful today. Gabriel was solid again. Tierney normally our best player but was poor today.”

Credit: @___13245

“Tomi worst game for Arsenal today. Had 3 brilliant games for his first 3 but was really poor today. Cucurella ripped him apart in the 1st half but he’s still young still adapting to the league. Let’s just hope its a one off and not a regular theme.”

Credit: @IREAFCreviews

“Tomiyasu had his WORST performance by far, Cucurella ran past him anytime he wanted.”

Credit: @_BurgessP

“Tomiyasu zero. Can’t defend and lost the ball every time he got it”

Credit: @JackyLanis

“Tomiyasu was dreadful, how did he lock up Son and then perform like that”

Credit: @rafifreeman

In other news, find out whose display against Burnley was slammed here!

Speaking in a football.london Q&A, reliable correspondent Alasdair Gold has shared ‘further good news’ for Spurs involving transfer target Takehiro Tomiyasu.

The Lowdown: Spurs closing in?

Tottenham have been targeting a move for the Japan international since the start of July, originally having a £12.9m (€15m) bid, plus an extra £2.6m (€3m) in add-ons, rejected by Bologna (Sky Sports).

The Athletic then reported that Spurs were closing in on a deal for the versatile defender and finalising terms on an agreement worth around £15 million plus add-ons.

While reports died down soon after, Gold shared news last week from Tomiyasu’s side – with the journalist claiming those close to the deal were ‘confident’ that a Lilywhites move ‘will be agreed’ after his involvement in the Olympics (football.london Q&A).

The Latest: Gold drops another Tomiyasu update…

Reiterating what he said last week, Gold still expects Spurs to come back in for Tomiyasu with his part in the Tokyo games now finished.

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Sharing ‘further good news’, the journalist has also relayed that the 22-year-old’s ankle injury has now cleared up – meaning he could be match fit in time for the new season if he does indeed sign for Tottenham.

“He’s just finished his time at the Olympics with Japan and some people involved in the deal on his side told me a few days ago that they were confident he would become a Tottenham player this window,” Gold explained (via football.london).

“Let’s see whether they now push that through. It’s not huge money we’re talking about in relation to the Romero deal as I’d be surprised if they don’t.

“Japan are now done at the Olympics following their defeat to Mexico in the bronze medal match. In further good news, that ankle injury from earlier in the tournament appears to have now cleared up.”

The Verdict: Get it done…

Tomiyasu’s possible signing for Spurs has been on the cards since mid-way through last month and it’s high time sporting director Fabio Paratici got it done.

The young defender can operate as both a centre-back and full-back, potentially killing two birds with one stone for new manager Nuno Espirito Santo – adding depth in multiple positions all for a relatively meagre potential fee.

Cristian Romero’s signing is just one of two defensive additions Spurs would, ideally, like to add this summer (football.london) – and we believe Tomiyasu should certainly be next.

In other news: Bid made – Tottenham have now lodged offer to sign player with ‘gigantic buzz’, find out more here.

Aston Villa have been handed a potential boost ahead of the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

In recent comments cited by Birmingham Live, Steven Gerrard’s replacement at Rangers, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, revealed that he has already spoken to the new Aston Villa manager about the job at Ibrox, before going to suggest that the pair will continue to stay in touch regarding potential business in the January transfer window.

The report goes on to state that all three of Connor Goldson, Ryan Kent and Borna Barisic have been mentioned as potential targets for Gerrard this winter, with Van Bronckhorst’s comments looking to suggest he would be open to discussing a number of deals with the former Liverpool captain.

Speaking in his inaugural press conference as Rangers boss, the Dutchman said:

“He sent a message by email – which was really nice. Of course for him [it is] also a change in clubs. But I think we will definitely be in contact in the coming weeks to talk about stuff. He’s done a really great job at Rangers and now moved to the Premier League at Aston Villa. I personally wish him all the best and there will be some contact in the next weeks, yes.”

Gerrard & Co will be buzzing

Considering just how impressive the likes of Goldson, Kent and Barisic were under the leadership of Gerrard during his time in charge of Rangers, the news that Van Bronckhorst appears open to speaking with his predecessor this winter is sure to have left the 41-year-old, as well as Christian Purslow and Johan Lange, buzzing.

After all, a healthy and vibrant relationship with the Dutchman could well be used to Villa’s advantage when it comes to negotiating transfer dealings between the two clubs in the winter and beyond, something that represents a significant boost.

Indeed, with Barisic, Goldson and Kent ranking as Gers’ second, third and fourth-best performers respectively in the club’s unbeaten Scottish Premiership title-winning campaign last season. Gerrard would undoubtedly be more than happy to welcome any of this trio to Villa Park in the coming months and the better his friendship is with his former employers, the more likely that is to happen.

And, with it being reported that Rangers may need to cash in on a number of their more valuable assets this January in order to balance the books at Ibrox, Purslow and Lange could perhaps be able to negotiate a much more palatable transfer fee for a particular target due to the Scottish side’s need to sell.

As such, the 46-year-old Rangers manager’s comments will certainly come as a very welcome boost ahead of the January transfer for all concerned at Villa Park.

In other news: Gerrard must ruthlessly axe “inconsistent” £63k-p/w flop, he’s ransacked Villa of £23m

Newcastle United are reportedly in talks to sign Mario Lemina in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Lemina impresses

Despite Fulham getting relegated from the Premier League down to the EFL Championship at the end of the 2020/21 season, Lemina had a fine individual campaign while on loan there from Southampton.

The Gabon international won no fewer than 4.5 of his duels per game in the top flight, and also averaged 2.2 tackles and 1.1 interceptions a match (Sofascore).

The Latest: Lemina talks

As per The Daily Mail, the St. James’ Park faithful have revived talks with the Saints over signing Lemina in a deal worth in the region of £4m, and hope to reach an agreement later on this week.

The North East club tried to sign him last month, offering players in exchange, but Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team were keen to cash in on a player with just a year left on his current deal at St. Mary’s.

The Verdict: Sign

Lemina has plenty of experience of playing in the Premier League, and at 27 years of age, is about to enter his prime years as a footballer.

While his £64,000-per-week wages may prove to be a stumbling block, to sign him for just a £4m fee could certainly prove to be a bargain, given that he is currently valued at £9m by Transfermarkt.

Nonetheless, he would be a welcome addition as another handy option for Steve Bruce in the centre of midfield, where his options will be looking very thin if a deal for loan favourite Joe Willock cannot be completed.

In other news, find out what promising takeover claim Steve Wraith has issued here!

Leeds United were keen on bringing Emiliano Buendia to the club before he joined Aston Villa, according to former Whites striker Noel Whelan.

The Lowdown: Buendia joins Villa

The Argentine was arguably the outstanding player in the Championship last season as Norwich City won the title and sealed a return to the Premier League.

On Monday, it was confirmed that Buendia had agreed a £33m move to Villa, with the Canaries always likely to find it tough to keep hold of him.

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The Latest: Pundit makes key claim

Leeds are also on the lookout for attacking additions in the summer transfer window and it appears as though they missed out on snapping up the 24-year-old.

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan claimed that the Whites were keen on bringing Buendia to Elland Road, hailing his quality as a player. The 46-year-old said:

“I think we missed a trick there.

“Number 10 is such an important position and there is only really Rodrigo as a decent option in there. You can never have enough good creative players in your side and Buendia is certainly one of those.

“He is a player who plays in between the lines and can change a game in a moment. He is a special player who can see passes that other can’t. That little bit of magic, he has got it.

“He was the standout performer in the Championship last season and I was very impressed with him when he played in the Premier League for Norwich City. He has proved that he can do it against the best.

“Leeds were interested and there was a lot of talk about a potential move but they clearly never pursued that interest. Great players like that cost a lot of money but they are worth every penny.”

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The Verdict: Leeds missed a trick

Buendia is a superb attacking player who brings guaranteed numbers in the final third, scoring 15 goals and registering 16 assists in the Championship last season.

The idea of him linking up with Leeds’ other creative attacking players such as Raphinha and Rodrigo seemed a mouthwatering one, but it wasn’t meant to be.

The Whites would likely have had to break their transfer record to sign Buendia given the £33m fee agreed with Villa, and they seemingly couldn’t justify parting with such a big sum of money. Let’s just hope he doesn’t make Leeds regret missing out on him.

In other news, one Leeds player has been tipped to excel next season – find out who it is here.

Tottenham Hotspur legend Graham Roberts insists that the club may be stuck with Serge Aurier, as no club is likely to buy him this summer.

The right-back has not made a single appearance for the club this season and was largely absent from pre-season, until the friendly against Chelsea.

Aurier has yet to be included in a competitive squad by Nuno Espirito Santo, with Japhet Tanganga seemingly the first-choice right-back in the squad after his impressive performances against Manchester City and Wolves.

Matt Doherty is his back-up in the squad, and Aurier had confirmed earlier this summer that he had reached an agreement to leave Spurs, with PSG seemingly interested in taking him back to France.

However, they have since signed Achraf Hakimi from Inter Milan, seemingly ending any chance of Aurier returning to the French capital.

And Roberts believes he may just run down his contract at the club, which runs until 2022.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, he said: “But who’s going to buy him? The problem you’ve got is Paris Saint-Germain were going to buy Aurier, so they kept saying.

“Well, they’re nowhere near him. What football club is going to buy him? I think we’re going to be stuck with him and we’re just going to have to see his contract out.”

Dean Windass is confident that West Ham will sign Jesse Lingard before the transfer window closes later this month.

Lingard has been linked with a return to the London Stadium following his memorable loan spell during the second half of last season, with The Athletic claiming last month that he would cost £30m.

However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has previously said that Lingard is part of his plans for the current season despite the array of attacking players at his disposal.

Lingard featured heavily in pre-season, but a positive COVID-19 test saw him miss out on being involved in United’s opening-day victory over Leeds.

He was back in the frame at Southampton on Sunday – and made his first Premier League appearance for the Red Devils since the final day of the 2019-2020 campaign.

But Lingard played only the final five minutes, which suggests he’s some way down the pecking order, with both Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford to come back into the fold.

West Ham first-team coach Stuart Pearce recently told talkSPORT that West Ham are still interested in signing him, and Windass exclusively told FFC that he will return to east London:

“I think West Ham will do that. I just can’t see him being at Manchester United with Sancho coming in now, and you’ve still got Martial and Dan James.”

As Football FanCast exclusively revealed earlier this month, Everton are in the hunt to find themselves a new winger this summer.

A number of names have been linked already, including Gareth Bale and rather typically for the Toffees, Wilfried Zaha.

What’s the word?

A fresh face has now emerged on Carlo Ancelotti’s radar with the Toffees in the race to sign Valencia forward Goncalo Guedes.

That’s according to Football Insider who suggest Everton are competing with Wolves in order to bring him to the Premier League.

The Old Gold are confident of landing him ahead of the Goodison Park outfit, however, with a part-exchange deal being discussed that would see Patrick Cutrone go in the opposite direction.

Guedes cost Valencia £34.5m back in 2018 so they may have to face losing any profit on the Portuguese this summer.

Deulofeu 2.0

By luring Guedes to Goodison Park in the coming months, Marcel Brands could unearth Everton’s brand new Gerard Deulofeu.

That’s because the duo play in a pretty similar way.

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The Valencia winger has had an impressive campaign at the Mestalla, scoring seven goals and also registering seven assists.

A tricky attacker, the Portugal international is capable of dribbling past a man with ease, just as Deulofeu proved he could do in the Premier League.

During the course of this season, Guedes managed 2.1 dribbles per game in La Liga. Deulofeu, on the other hand, managed 2.2 in his last full season with Watford.

They are also capable of providing and scoring goals at a similar rate. Over the last two campaigns, Everton’s former Spaniard has scored a goal every 7.1 games. That’s compared to every 6.5 outings for Guedes.

What perfectly epitomises the pair of them is their enigmatic nature. At their best, they are capable of frightening the life out of defenders. However, in the very next game, they could be full of inconsistency.

Talking about the Everton target a few years ago, former Ballon d’Or winner Luis Figo commented: “Guedes is a fast, irreverent and unpredictable player, who himself builds actions for his teammates and is also able to finish well.”

The unpredictable nature is what could swerve Everton from making a move. That said, it would bolster their forward line considerably.

Named in Portugal’s squad for the European Championships, the 24-year-old ended the season in fine fettle; providing four assists and four goals in his final 13 outings.

This might just be worth the gamble from the Everton hierarchy.

AND in other news, Everton eye move for “exceptional” 17-goal monster, he’d be a huge upgrade on Iwobi…

A big update has emerged regarding Newcastle United and their interest in Nottingham Forest winger Brennan Johnson.

What’s the talk?

According to The Independent, the Magpies are scheduled to hold talks with the player’s representatives ahead of the summer, along with Leicester and Villarreal.

Brentford and Everton are also interested in the gem and are hoping to snap him up for a fee in the region of £20m-£25m. He has one year left on his contract with the Championship club and his agency – including his father – wants him to make the step up to the Premier League next season.

Johnson can get St James’ Park rocking

PIF can get St James’ Park rocking with a deal for Johnson, as he would be an exciting addition to the Newcastle squad in the short- and long-term.

He has been in phenomenal form for Forest in the Championship this season and has shown that he has the potential to make the step up to the Premier League next term.

Ex-Forest striker Glenn Murray showered the youngster with praise earlier this season, saying: “For me, Brennan, he just looks special. He just looks a cut above and he’s destined for the top.

“Yes, he’s not getting everything right at the moment but he looks at the top-level easily. I expect a really big future from him.”

In the current Championship campaign, Johnson has produced 15 goals and 10 assists for Steve Cooper’s team. This shows that he has been able to make a big impact in the final third as he has consistently delivered with the ball at his feet, scoring and setting up goals on a regular basis.

At the age of 20, he is still in the infancy of his professional career. He is just getting started and should have plenty of scope left to grow and develop as a player. This means that he would be a sublime long-term signing for the Magpies, as they would be able to watch his improvement over time and benefit from it on the pitch as he hones his skills.

Newcastle fans will surely be buzzing with the club’s efforts to bring such a talented and promising young player to the club. St James’ Park would be rocking with excitement if PIF can get a deal over the line for the 20-year-old, and that is why the Magpies hierarchy must work hard to snap him up in the coming months.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Bruno: PIF must finally launch NUFC move for “outrageous” £50m dynamo…