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According to a report by The Times, Tottenham Hotspur have renewed their interest in signing Norwich City defender Max Aarons.

The Lowdown: Tottenham and Aarons

Links to the Canaries full-back are nothing new, with Spurs even eyeing him as far back as last summer. 

Indeed, Tottenham were touted with a move for the promising English ace in 2020 with reports detailing that they could now make a move this window.

Aarons played a big role in helping Norwich secure promotion back to the top flight and he has no shortage of suitors, with Sky Sports reporting they rate him at around £30 million amid interest.

The Latest: The Times say Spurs are eyeing Aarons…

Now, The Times have backed Tottenham’s fondness of Aarons and have namedropped him as one of a list of players who Spurs are well and truly keeping tabs on.

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As well as the 21-year-old, Spurs are eyeing a few other defenders in Serie A stars Takehiro Tomiyasu and Milan Skriniar.

After Tottenham appointed Nuno Espirito Santo as their new head coach, attention can now seemingly turn to the transfer market with an interesting summer up ahead.

The Verdict: Great option…

Serge Aurier has been strongly tipped with a move away from north London this summer with the player even admitting himself that he has reached the ‘end of a cycle’.

Tottenham will need a replacement and Aarons is someone who could fit the bill nicely, especially given his threat going forward.

Only Son Heung-min in the Lilywhites squad averaged more crosses into the box per 90 (1) than Aarons (0.8) over 2020/2021, with the youngster even equalling Gareth Bale’s total of 1.4 completed dribbles (WhoScored).

Lauded as a ‘special player’ with an ‘unbelievable future’ by Norwich boss Daniel Farke (pinkun.com), he has also been dubbed the ‘perfect right-back’ by pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor (Football Insider).

We believe he should, at the very least, be at the top of Tottenham’s summer transfer wish list.

In other news: Spurs in seven-horse race to sign this star who shone at Euro 2020, Levy will have to pay over £25.8m…find out more here.

Former Glasgow Rangers defender Craig Moore has expressed his concern as Connor Goldson’s contract at the club trickles down.

The Lowdown: Goldson has one year left on current deal

The 28-year-old is one of Steven Gerrard’s most important players but he currently has only one year left on his contract at the club (Transfermarkt).

The Gers are trying to tie him down to a new three-year deal amidst interest from West Ham (Football Insider), but there has so far been no official confirmation as to whether an agreement is close.

The Latest: Moore expresses concern

Speaking about Goldson’s situation, Moore said (via The Daily Record):

“When you’re coming into the last year of your contract you can re-sign if you want to stay and the club want to protect their asset. Or the flip side, which you see sometimes, is that the player just tries to run his contract down.

“I don’t know what Connor’s thinking but he’ll be 29 in December. So I’m surprised that he’s not signed an extension yet like the other senior players.

“I’d like to think that it’s something Rangers and Connor are discussing right now behind the scenes.

“After what the team achieved last season – and how important Connor was to that – hopefully he’ll want to stay at Rangers for a few more years.

“Every player wants to be able to perform at the highest possible level. At your club, that’s the Champions League. So of course Connor will want a crack at that – he’ll want to experience it.”

The Verdict: Crucial

After winning the Premiership last term and duly earning a place in the Champions League third qualifying round, the upcoming season is arguably an even bigger one for Rangers than 2020/21, and having Goldson settled and ready to perform is vital to the Gers’ chances of success.

In the previous season, Goldson was crucial. He played in every single minute of every match in all competitions as he made sure the Gers had a tight and sturdy defence, while he also scored eight times to take his career tally to a healthy 27 (16 of which have come for the Light Blues). At the heart of the back four, the 28-year-old is a leader, and it is vital that the 55-time Scottish champions tie him down to a new deal.

In other news, this Rangers man has received a four-game ban.

According to a report by Le10 Sport, Tottenham Hotspur have joined Arsenal, Paris-Saint Germain and Atletico Madrid in the race to sign Lyon star Houssem Aouar this summer.

The Lowdown: Spurs set for midfield overhaul?

Tottenham’s defence appears to be the main priority but that hasn’t stopped them from looking to bolster other positions as well.

The midfield could also see an overhaul as the Lilywhites become linked with the likes of Barcelona ace Miralem Pjanic and Sassuolo star Manuel Locatelli.

Some Lilywhites players have also been tipped to move on, with Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko having being told to find new clubs this summer (The Athletic).

The Latest: Spurs join Aouar race…

French media outlet Le10 Sport have now made a rather enticing Spurs claim as they join north London rivals Arsenal in the race to sign Aouar.

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The 23-year-old, once dubbed ‘incredible’ by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, has been linked with a move away from France for some time now.

Amid the global pandemic, Aouar could now leave for a figure of around €20m-€25m (£17.08m-£21.3m) this summer, with Le10 Sport citing that as Lyon’s demand.

Tottenham are now among the plethora of clubs interested in him, with the Lilywhites – and, by extension, chairman Daniel Levy – said to have ‘no problem’ paying that fee.

The Verdict: Don’t wait around…

Levy signing Aouar for new manager Nuno Espirito Santo, especially at such a reasonable price, definitely seems like a no-brainer in our view.

The midfield sensation has shone for Lyon since he burst on to the scene in 2017/18, continuing that form last season as he scored seven goals and set up three others over his 23 Ligue 1 starts (WhoScored). Aouar also managed the third-most attempts on goal per match (2.3) out of their entire Lyon squad, whilst completing 86% of his passes in that time (WhoScored).

His quality is perhaps best summed up by podcaster Tommy Lister, who shared his thoughts on Liverpool’s links to the player recently. Speaking to the LFC Transfer Room podcast, he called Aouar an ‘unbelievable dribbler’ and a ‘quality player’.

Given that he is still only 23 and coming off the back of consistently great seasons, Tottenham simply must do all they can to sign the Lyon maestro ahead of their local adversaries.

In other news: ‘In recent days’…Spurs have now made approach to sign £34.4m-rated ‘genius’, find out more here.

Fulham have been dealt a blow in their bid to bring Ike Ugbo to Craven Cottage this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Fabrizio Romano, who revealed in a post on Twitter that the centre-forward is set to leave Chelsea this summer, with Belgian side Genk appearing confident of completing a deal for the 22-year-old.

Romano goes on to state that Besiktas, Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven are also interested in a deal for the centre-forward in the summer transfer window, while earlier reports have also claimed Fulham are keen on the former England U20 international.

Silva surely gutted

Considering just how much potential Ugbo appears to possess, the fact that Fulham look set to miss out on the signing of the striker this summer is sure to have left Marco Silva feeling gutted.

Indeed, over his 32 Jupiler Pro League appearances while on loan at Cercle Brugge last season, the £4.05m-rated man bagged a whopping 16 goals, as well as taking an average of 1.8 shots and making 0.5 key passes per game.

These metrics saw the £38k-per-week forward earn a highly impressive average SofaScore match rating of 6.79, ranking him as the club’s eighth-best performer in the top tier of Belgian football.

The 22-year-old also returned impressive numbers during a loan spell at Roda JC Kerkrade in the season prior, scoring 13 goals and providing three assists over 28 appearances in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie.

As such, the addition of the man the Belgian media dubbed a “decisive” player to Silva’s attacking arsenal at Craven Cottage this summer would have certainly provided the club with a boost to their chances of securing an immediate return to the Premier League next season.

However, with it now appearing as if Genk will be the centre-forward’s next destination, the Portuguese Fulham boss will likely have to turn his focus in the transfer market elsewhere, something that will undoubtedly frustrate the 44-year-old.

In other news: Fulham dealt transfer blow over “outstanding” 21 G/A beast, Silva surely gutted

Odsonne Edouard is certain to leave Celtic before the transfer window closes, according to The Celtic Way reporter Anthony Heggarty.

Following an impressive season-long loan, Edouard joined the Scottish giants from Paris Saint-Germain for a club-record fee three years ago.

The striker has gone on to become a key figure for Celtic, with him scoring 83 goals in 168 appearances.

However, it appears Edouard is agitating for a move away from Celtic Park this summer and there are a number of interested clubs south of the border in the Premier League.

While Leicester City and Arsenal have previously been linked, Brighton & Hove Albion now appears to be his most likely destination as reports suggest Graham Potter’s side are lining up a bid.

Although new Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou would prefer to keep a goalscorer of Edouard’s calibre at the club, Heggarty cannot see a way for the frontman to remain at the Scottish club.

Speaking to The Transfer Tavern, Heggarty said: “I think Edouard is a certainty to leave the club.

“There are three players who have seemingly agitated for a move. The finger was pointed at Kristoffer Ajer, Ryan Christie and Odsonne Edouard. The three of them have been accused of downing tools. I don’t believe that a professional footballer would do that.

“There’s been no bids but I still expect Edouard to leave because he wants to leave the club. If you’ve got a player that wants to leave, it’s best for all concerned if they move him on.”

Many Aston Villa fans have been reminiscing on Twitter following an official post from the club marking their 2019/20 survival a year ago today, when Jack Grealish scored in a 1-1 draw against West Ham United [BBC].

In the match which eventually delivered top-flight safety for the Villains, the England international looked to have settled the London Stadium encounter with his 84th-minute strike. However, a nervy last few minutes were endured owing to Andriy Yarmolenko’s swift equaliser [BBC].

Nevertheless, the Midlands outfit did enough to stay in the Premier League after relegation rivals Watford succumbed to a 3-2 defeat at Arsenal. There were no such nerves the following season as Dean Smith’s side finished a comfortable 11th in the table.

Perhaps the most important league point in Aston Villa’s recent history, as they would have been relegated on goal difference had they lost to West Ham, it came as no surprise that plenty of Villa diehards took to Twitter to remember their nervy escape from the drop.

Aston Villa fans react

Replying to the club’s official Twitter account, here is how some supporters recalled that fateful Sunday.

“my club”

Credit: @catrinedwards18

“Never celebrated a goal as much as this”

Credit: @benavfc16

“From last day survival to pushing Europe in couple of seasons!!”

Credit: @SweeneyDougie

“Captain leading from the front! One of the greatest escapes in Premier League history!”

Credit: @Birchy1788

“What a moment this was. Can’t remember celebrating a goal like this one”

Credit: @Cameron_Avfc

“One year ago today. Tbh still can’t believe we stayed up #avfc”

Credit: @kathrynxjane

In other news, Aston Villa have received an offer for this midfielder.

Glasgow Rangers fans are far from happy with comments from journalist Peter Martin, who said the Gers were able to win the Premiership title last term because of their rivals’ complacency.

The Gers were, by far, the best team in Scotland last term. The won the league title with 102 points, 25 ahead of their nearest rivals Celtic, and they went through the whole competition without losing a single game (thefishy.co.uk).

Not only that, they set a new British record of just 13 goals conceded in a top flight campaign (thehindu.com) – it was as comprehensive a victory as possible.

However, it appears not everybody sees it that way. Writing for PLZ, Martin believes Celtic’s complacency allowed the the Gers to capture their 55th top-tier title – a rather insulting claim given how good Rangers actually were.

An extract from the article was shared on Twitter by @KerryFail, and it attracted plenty of attention from the Gers supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the the fans had to say about the Martin article below

“Peter – said when rangers got late penalty at hearts years ago that there was a stench of cheating … he can’t help himself”

Credit: @boxing_rugby

“Peter is a bitter boy that’s just embarrassing!!”

Credit: @glasgowgolfer77

“Sounds bitter”

Credit: @KennyRo72222630

“Tears”

Credit: @SC55RFC

“First Rangers team in a long time to bring not only a very dominant performance across the season but an actual bit of flair on the park. Some cracking individual and team performances. To label them this way to get readers is mediocre journalism”

Credit: @MarkDoc8458445

“He’s the type that’s stuck in the past that thinks every Xmas in the 80s was a white Xmas. The truth is this Rangers side would compete with any other team from any season you could mention”

Credit: @AlfieBoy78

In other news, Rangers fans were livid at this club update.

Derby County are preparing contracts in order to bring a number of trialists to Pride Park on a permanent basis this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Alan Nixon, with The Sun journalist revealing in a post on Twitter that Wayne Rooney’s side are currently in the process of selecting the free agents in training with the Rams that the club are going to offer a contract to.

Nixon continues by stating that the EFL have approved these deals, although the signings nevertheless have to fit certain criteria set by the governing body.

In his tweet, the journalist said: “Derby County. Now selecting the free agents they want to sign. EFL approval but with strings, as usual.”

Music to the ears of fans

With Derby kicking off their Championship campaign against Huddersfield Town in a little over a week’s time, and Rooney currently having just 13 contracted first-team players – two of whom are injured – in his squad, the news that the Rams are finally set to add a number of bodies to their ranks is sure to be music to the ears of fans.

At present, the 35-year-old manager is currently casting his eye over Sam Baldock, Sone Aluko, Ravel Morrison, Phil Jagielka, Andre Wisdom, Richard Stearman, Tom Carroll and Ryan Allsop, with the Rams having been given permission to sign five of these players on free transfers by the EFL.

Rooney has also been informed he can sign four players on loan deals in the summer transfer window, while the possibility of being able to land a further 10 free agents ahead of opening day rests on the HMRC being satisfied Derby have paid off some tax debt – which is expected to be completed this week.

As such, while the Rams are by no means out of the woods just yet regarding their off-field issues, at least the fans look as if they will have some new signings to get excited about in the coming days.

In other news: Morris could be heading for grave Derby County transfer error, fans would be fuming

Joe Wainman, formerly of All Leeds TV and now host of the JustJoe Football Show, insists that the club will not make a move to sign Matheus Pereira from West Bromwich Albion this summer.

Pereira has been linked with a number of clubs in this transfer window.

West Ham United have been heavily linked with a potential move to sign him, as have Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal FC.

To that end, Pereira has even released a statement claiming that he hopes to leave the Baggies in this transfer window, although he intends to do so in the proper manner.

Wainman claims that various Leeds supporters have commented on his YouTube videos asking why the club are not interested in a deal to sign the Brazilian.

But he cannot foresee the club trying to seal a transfer for the star, who scored 11 goals in the Premier League last season despite the Baggies’ relegation and is currently preparing for life in the Championship.

He said: “It doesn’t look like there is a real credible link there for Leeds United, because we have already been making the moves, like we have with Conor Gallagher.

“But a lot of Leeds fans especially, you know, on my YouTube comments, say ‘why don’t we go for Matheus Pereira?’

“But I think he’s wanted by a host of clubs in the Premier League and I just don’t think Leeds United are one of them.”

According to Sport, Barcelona forward Martin Braithwaite has a ‘preliminary agreement’ to join West Ham this summer – but there’s one issue holding up the move.

The Lowdown: Braithwaite on the way out…

The La Liga giants are in a financial crisis and have just had to let superstar Lionel Messi leave the club due to issues registering his porposed new deal.

Barcelona have been desperately trying to offload players in an attempt to reduce their large wage bill and Braithwaite is seen as one man who is surplus-to-requirements at the Camp Nou.

West Ham have been heavily linked with Braithwaite for some time and Sport now bring an update on his situation.

The Latest: Braithwaite has ‘preliminary agreement’ with West Ham…

The Spanish news source believes that the striker has a ‘preliminary agreement’ with West Ham and the operation for his transfer from Barcelona has ‘already’ been on track.

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However, Braithwaite himself may have something to say about it, with this report claiming he is now eyeing a possible move to Tottenham to replace Harry Kane – even despite a ‘firm offer’ from West Ham.

It is believed that the Dane ‘prefers’ a move to north London over the Hammers and has asked for time to consider his future as a result.

The Verdict: Blessing in disguise?

Amassing 93 career goals, Braithwaite hasn’t enjoyed prolific form at club level for quite some time and bagged just two strikes in 11 La Liga starts last season (WhoScored).

At 30-years-old, the striker also won’t bring much sell-on value in years to come and we believe West Ham could be about to dodge a bullet if Braithwaite gets his wish and secures a move to Spurs.

West Ham’s search for a striker has been long and arduous but there are arguably better options for David Moyes, namely Liverpool striker Divock Origi, who could become a target towards the end of this window (ExWHUemployee).

He may not be much more prolific, but is far younger with room to develop into the type of player Moyes is looking for.

In other news: Talks on: West Ham transfer twist emerges as GSB eye move for ‘very big’ player, find out more here.