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Manchester City have been urged to do all that they can to get Pep Guardiola to sign a new deal at the Etihad Stadium. 

The Lowdown: Guardiola’s current contract

The 51-year-old’s current deal at the Premier League champions is set to expire at the end of June, which would take him to seven years in charge of City.

Prior to the 2-1 defeat against Brentford on Saturday, the Spaniard revealed that the situation regarding his future is “under control” and will be discussed with the club’s hierarchy at the right time.

With no definitive answer over whether Guardiola will put pen to paper on a new deal at City, one former top-flight player has urged the club to make sure it happens.

The Latest: City urged to seal new deal for Guardiola

Speaking to Football Insider, Alan Hutton implored City to retain the 51-year-old’s services beyond the end of this season.

The ex-Tottenham defender said: “Just give him what he wants. You can see what he has done. The Champions League is the holy grail, that is what they are searching for and that is what they want.

“I do not think he will be happy until he wins that. He has done an incredible job. He is one of the best managers in the world, if not the best. Why would you not want to keep him at the club?

“He just keeps churning it out. He keeps changing the squad in little bits and all of a sudden it all just clicks. They are unbelievable.

“They will be absolutely desperate to keep hold of him. He is the main man at the club and there is no doubt they will want to tie him down long term.”

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The Verdict: No-brainer for City

In 374 games in charge of the Citizens across all competitions, Guardiola has seen his side win a mammoth 276.

Taking into account how successful the former Bayern Munich and Barcelona manager has been during his time at the Etihad in terms of the number of trophies won and the records his team have broken, it should undoubtedly be the club’s number one priority to keep hold of him for as long as possible.

Also, if the club can get the Spaniard to sign a new deal during the current World Cup break, this should put to bed any concerns that some City supporters may have regarding Guardiola’s future.

Leeds United have endured something of a turbulent start to their 2022/23 Premier League campaign, with Jesse Marsch’s side having won three, drawn three and lost six of their opening 12 fixtures of the season – results that have left the Whites down in 15th place in the top flight standings.

However, despite the club’s inconsistent form, two of Victor Orta’s summer signings, Marc Roca and Tyler Adams, have highly impressed at Elland Road, with the central midfield duo currently ranking as Marsch’s second and fourth-best performers in the Premier League respectively.

As a result of their eye-catching displays, Mateusz Klich has not enjoyed a great deal of game time in the middle of the park, with the 32-year-old being yet to start a league game in 2022/23, with all of his 11 outings in the competition this term coming from the bench.

And, when he has been on the pitch, the £5m-rated talent has not exactly seized his opportunity to impress, with the Poland international failing to score, register an assist or create a big chance, as well as taking an average of just 0.3 shots, making 0.5 key passes and completing 0.1 dribbles per game.

The Poland international has also disappointed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of a mere one tackle, 0.0 interceptions, completing 7.4 passes and winning 1.5 duels – at a success rate of 48% – per fixture.

These returns have seen the £34k-per-week midfielder – who Joe Donnohue claimed “hardly broke a sweat” in an outing for the U21s on Tuesday night – average a well below-par SofaScore match rating of 6.55, ranking him as Marsch’s 18th-worst performer in the Premier League.

As such, with the winter World Cup kicking off in just 17 days’ time, despite Polish football journalist Kacper Klasinski recently stating his belief that Klich should make it into Czesław Michniewicz’s squad for the tournament, it would appear as if the 32-year-old has not exactly staked a huge claim for a seat on the plane to Qatar – with his chances certainly looking in danger.

Manchester United are keeping tabs on Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Adams at Leeds

Adams, a USA international, made the move to Leeds over the summer from RB Leipzig. The 23-year-old central midfielder has been a regular at Elland Road, missing just one Premier League game.

His displays in a struggling Leeds side appear to be catching the eye of Old Trafford officials, and it looks as if a future Old Trafford move could be on the cards.

The Latest: United keen

FI reporter Wayne Veysey shared a story on Wednesday evening regarding Adams and Manchester United.

He revealed that the Red Devils have a long-term interest in the midfielder and are keeping close tabs on his situation as they shortlist midfield targets.

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The Verdict: If Leeds are relegated?

Erik ten Hag bolstered his midfield ranks in the summer by bringing in Christian Eriksen and Casemiro, but it looks as if he wants further arrivals in 2023.

Adams is still fairly young at 23 and has impressed with his ‘energy and dynamism’, so if the midfielder suffers relegation with Leeds, you’d expect he may be open to the idea of remaining in the Premier League.

That may open the door for United to make their move, so his performances could be one to keep an eye on ahead of a potential transfer next year.

A worrying injury update has emerged on Newcastle United centre-forward Alexander Isak…

What’s the talk?

Daily Mail journalist Craig Hope has revealed that Eddie Howe will be without the £60m signing for the next two matches, having missed the clash with Manchester United shortly after this claim, after breaking down in training.

Hope said: “Exclusive: Newcastle’s Alexander Isak suffers setback in recovery from thigh injury after pulling up with same problem. £60m striker was nearing return but now set to miss at least next 3 games after fresh blow. More news awaited on full timescale.”

The accompanying article states that the club expected him to be available for selection this week before he suffered a reoccurrence of his knock recently.

Huge blow

This could be a huge blow for Howe as Isak was a club-record signing in the summer and enjoyed a superb start to his career at St. James’ Park by scoring two goals in three Premier League appearances.

Back in August, the head coach heaped praise on the forward and backed him to hit the ground running in England as he said:

“He has the mix of qualities I like in a forward. He scores goals, he has pace, technical ability, dribbling ability and he’s got a bit of an X-factor about him.

“The English game will suit his profile, he’s a really good athlete and technically really good so he’s got a whole host of things going for him and his best years are still ahead of him.”

Isak’s first few performances for the Magpies proved the former Bournemouth boss right as he found the back of the net against Liverpool and the Cherries, whilst also creating three chances for his teammates in that time.

The Sweden international joined Newcastle after scoring 23 goals in his last two full La Liga seasons combined for Real Sociedad and his fast start in front of goal in the Premier League suggests that he has the quality to replicate that form on Tyneside.

He has the potential to be a prolific number nine for Howe and that is why this injury setback is a big blow for the head coach as it now remains to be seen when he will be available for selection again.

Callum Wilson is currently fit and starting games for the club but he has missed a whopping 43 competitive games due to injury since the start of the 2020/21 campaign and this suggests that there is a reasonable chance that he suffers a knock before Isak is back.

That would leave the club with Chris Wood as their only number nine to select and he has scored just twice in 25 league matches since joining from Burnley in January.

Therefore, losing Isak for an undetermined period of time is a seismic blow for Newcastle and Howe will be hoping that it does not drag on any longer than Hope’s claim of a minimum of three matches.

Brandon Aveiro was once regarded as one of the brightest talents in Crystal Palace’s academy but the youngster’s career has gone sour since leaving Selhurst Park.

The attacking midfielder signed a professional contract with the Eagles aged 17 and was a regular for the U23s, but is now without a club after being released from QPR during the summer.

Aveiro joined Palace as an eight-year-old and was tipped for big things by academy director Gary Issott when he signed the pro deal in 2018.

He said: “It is a great success story for Brandon having been with us since being eight years old and he is an exciting player who can play wide, or is just as comfortable playing behind the front two.

“He has shown incredible intensity to keep improving his game, but with signing his first professional contract the hard work starts here for him, and I wish him all the best with us for the future.”

The Portuguese youngster was even linked with a move to European giants Benfica after receiving a Portugal U18 call-up and starring for Palace’s U18s, scoring 14 goals and assisting ten.

However, he would struggle to replicate that form with the U23s and was released by the club last summer after failing to make a single appearance for the first team.

He would join QPR but once again failed to make the grade with the Championship side, and now finds himself without a club as a 21-year-old without a senior appearance to his name.

Aveiro’s career thus far emphasises how easily things can change for a young footballer, as he was clearly deemed a top talent by a number of clubs, as West Ham, Everton and Sporting Lisbon were all linked with signing him just two years ago.

However, no club has taken a chance on the midfielder and he remains unemployed nearly two months into the new season, which suggests that if he can’t find a new club soon, he may have to quit football completely, which represents a huge decline from his standing at Palace only a few years ago.

Tottenham Hotspur are in talks over a deal to bring Daniel James to north London this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, with the Italian journalist revealing in a recent post on Twitter that, following earlier reports of Spurs’ interest in a “shock” move the Leeds United winger, Fabio Paratici is indeed in discussions with the Whites regarding a deal for the 24-year-old over the remainder of the summer transfer window.

The transfer insider went on to state that Tottenham are hoping to secure the Wales international on a season-long loan with an option to purchase – believed to be in the region of £20m – the forward next summer, although it is also claimed that Jesse Marsch is not against keeping the attacker at Elland Road beyond Thursday’s transfer deadline.

In his post, Romano said: “Tottenham have discussed potential loan with buy option for Daniel James with Leeds last week – not an easy deal, also Everton asked for Dan. Situation remains open, it’s up to the player – Leeds would be happy to keep James.”

Paratici’s biggest mistake

While it is true that Antonio Conte has stated his desire to sign a replacement for Bryan Gil before sanctioning the Spain U21 international’s agreed loan to Valencia, considering just how poor James has been for Leeds since his £25m move from Manchester United last summer, the argument that the Welshman’s signing would be his biggest mistake yet is an easy one to make.

Indeed, according to FBref, the £16.2m-rated forward ranks in the bottom 28% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s big five leagues and European competitions for non-penalty goals per 90, as well as the bottom 37% for assists, the bottom 8% for xG assisted – xG which follows a pass that assists a shot – and the bottom 6% for shot-creating actions over the last 365 days.

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Furthermore, the 34-cap international also ranks in the bottom 1% for passes attempted per 90, in addition to the bottom 5% for passes completed, the bottom 9% for progressive passes, the bottom 21% for progressive carries and the bottom 4% for dribbles completed over the past 12 months.

The £50k-per-week forward once again fails to impress in his defensive metrics, ranking in the bottom 30% for interceptions per 90, as well as the bottom 32% for blocks, the bottom 42% for aerial duels won and the bottom 49% for tackles over the last year.

As such, with James evidently being ineffective in the final third, poor in both his passing and carrying of the ball and underwhelming when working back in a defensive capacity, exactly what Paratici has seen in the 24-year-old to identify him as a suitable match for Conte’s squad is very much up for debate.

However, one thing that would seem much more certain is that should the Italian sporting director go on to agree a loan with a £20m option to buy the Welshman in the coming days, it would undoubtedly be his biggest mistake at Tottenham to date after an impressive transfer haul throughout 2022 so far.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tanguy Ndombele won’t be returning to former club Lyon this summer but does have other suitors in France, according to The Athletic’s Charlie Eccleshare.

The Lowdown: Ndombele’s prospects

Having already fallen out of favour at Hotspur Way, the arrival of manager Antonio Conte did nothing to change this situation; in fact, the Italian even banished the player from training with his squad.

Consequently, the Frenchman left Spurs in January on a loan deal for the remainder of the season, joining up with his former club Lyon.

However, nearing the end of his sixth-month tenure, the Ligue 1 outfit decided they weren’t going to make the move permanent.

Upon his return in north London, the 25-year-old failed to make Conte’s pre-season squad, hinting at his impending exit from the Premier League club.

The Latest: Eccleshare’s news

Eccleshare understands that a move away from Tottenham is expected for the former France international this summer, but he doesn’t believe a return to Lyon is on the cards in any capacity.

Speaking with GiveMeSport, The Athletic journalist said:

“Obviously he went to Lyon in the second half of last season, but I’m not sure that’s going to happen again, that’s my understanding.

“There are other clubs in France who are interested, Marseille for instance, but that’s one again where the buying or loaning club can wait.”

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The Verdict: Needs the move

Making Lyon’s starting eleven on just seven occasions in the league last season, it appears Ndombele failed to impress whilst on loan at his former club.

Therefore, with Champions League bound Marseille reportedly interested, the 25-year-old should jump at the chance to make a permanent return to Ligue 1, where he once dominated the division, earning that staggering £63m move to the Lilywhites back in 2019.

Elsewhere, La Liga outfit Villarreal have been touted with interest. As per the Daily Mail, Unai Emery’s side are keen to bring the Frenchman in on loan this summer.

With the potential to start afresh in a new country, this could also be a great option for Ndombele, who has been fully ousted at Hotspur Way, despite having made 91 appearances for the club.

Initially, his Spurs teammates were highly complimentary of his abilities. West Ham skipper Declan Rice was even quoted having said: “All the Spurs boys at England say he’s unbelievable as well so Ndombele… proper player.”

It is a mystery just how the situation at Tottenham turned so sour for the former Lyon star.

Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has made an exciting claim about the possibility of further transfer business at Newcastle United this summer. 

The lowdown: Three in…

So far during the off-season, sporting director Dan Ashworth and ownership group PIF have added Matt Targett (permanently), Sven Botman and Nick Pope to Eddie Howe’s squad, spending £59.4m in the process (Transfermarkt).

Meanwhile, outcast striker Dwight Gayle became the latest player to leave the Magpies as the 34-year-old joined Stoke City, following Isaac Hayden, Ciaran Clark, Freddie Woodman and Jeff Hendrick out the door at St James’ Park.

With the transfer window set to remain open until September 1, there is plenty of time for Newcastle to get deals over the line, something that one well-informed onlooker now expects to happen…

The latest: ‘A few more additions’

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Sheth has claimed that the Magpies will almost certainly add to their ranks before the deadline, earmarking two key positions in particular.

He said: “Callum Wilson, of course, is their number nine at the moment, but he’s got a history of injuries, and when he’s played, his goals to games ratio is fantastic, but he misses too many games.

“So, I think they will want to reinforce that area and reinforce the area on the right-wing as well.

“So, all along the forward line, I would expect before 31st of August, maybe not necessarily before the start of the season, but definitely before the window closes, for Newcastle to have a few more additions.”

The verdict: Fingers crossed

Newcastle have been left somewhat frustrated in multiple pursuits during the window thus far, with the long and ultimately fruitless endeavour to sign talented French striker Hugo Ekitike, particularly time-consuming.

However, despite interest in many targets seemingly falling by the wayside, including the current pursuit of Jack Harrison from Leeds United, the Tynesiders must continue to seek out worthwhile targets in order to suitably strengthen the options at Howe’s disposal.

While there was a major upturn in fortunes last season following the appointment of the 44-year-old and the January spending sanctioned by chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the depth of the squad remains threadbare in places. In order to continue on an upwards trajectory in the Premier League and perhaps mount a genuine cup run, further signings will be required.

Recently linked with a move for attacking trio Memphis Depay, Kamaldeen Sulemana and Marco Asensio, there is still a distinct possibility that there will indeed be further much-needed incomings to the Newcastle ranks.

Leeds United are set to sign teenage free agent striker Sonny Perkins, according to a report from the Daily Mail. 

The lowdown: Slow-moving deal

The Whites have been linked with a move for the 18-year-old for some time now, with reputable transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano initially reporting that the parties had ‘opened talks’ at the start of June.

However, the England youth international – who has come through the youth system at West Ham – remains a free agent after the expiry of his deal at the London Stadium after rejecting a professional contract offer.

A fresh report has now emerged claiming that Leeds are finally about to make Perkins the latest addition at Elland Road…

The latest: Leeds ‘on the brink’ of Perkins swoop

As per the Daily Mail, Leeds are believed to be ‘on the brink’ of signing the England under-18 starlet.

It’s claimed that the Yorkshire club ‘are signing’ Perkins – who was hailed by Carlton Cole for his ‘outstanding’ form for the Hammers’ under-23 side, for whom he scored 10 times in 22 outings – despite interest from the Whites’ Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Tottenham.

The report also stated that 16-year-old Leeds youngster Archie Gray will have his ‘ankle assessed’ following a tackle from Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn in the 1-0 pre-season defeat over the weekend.

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The verdict: Bright future

Already boasting the youthful attacking talents of Joe Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood and Gray himself, should Perkins indeed join as expected, the Whites are certainly developing a strong nucleus of exciting forwards for the immediate and long-term future.

While the ex-West Ham starlet has only made three senior appearances to date, Jesse Marsch has already shown a willingness to create a clear pathway through to first-team football at Elland Road for prodigious youngsters, a factor which may have helped Victor Orta in luring the Londoner to Yorkshire ahead of other clubs.

Capable of playing as a recognised centre-forward, on either wing and in deeper midfield roles, Perkins brings additional versatility and an ability to act as an immediate understudy to Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo to the Leeds ranks, and his imminent signing could prove to be a masterstroke from Orta and co over time.

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Ousmane Dembele recently, and the Frenchman could be Jurgen Klopp’s own version of Neymar at Anfield.

The Reds have been linked with a move for the former Barcelona winger in recent days and could bring him in on a free transfer, as his contract with the La Liga side has now officially expired.

While injuries have plagued his time in Spain, Dembele’s previous form with Rennes and Borussia Dortmund emphasises his incredible talent; and if he could find his feet at Liverpool, he could prove to be a superb acquisition.

The 25-year-old enjoyed arguably his best season in a Barcelona shirt in 2021/22, as he contributed one goal and 13 assists in just 21 La Liga appearances and posted the best WhoScored rating of his time at Camp Nou. However, the club’s shocking financial issues meant that a new deal for the France international was always going to prove difficult to arrange.

Considering that the £27m-rated winger could be signed for free, it is surely a no-brainer for those at Liverpool to try and get him in, especially following the departure of Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich earlier in the transfer window.

When Dembele first established himself at Rennes, he was described as a “phenomenon” by team-mate Gelson Fernandes. At just 25, there seems little reason why he couldn’t rediscover those performances under Klopp’s tutelage at Anfield.

If he were to make the move to Merseyside, he could be a similar player to Brazilian sensation Neymar, with FBRef suggesting that the PSG star is the most akin to Dembele in terms of their respective styles of play.

It is easy to see why the Frenchman has earned this comparison, as last season he scored in the 99th percentile among positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues for dribbles completed, progressive carries and assists in his performances for Barcelona.

WhoScored also suggests that Dembele and Neymar’s strengths include dribbling and key passes, while both like to cut inside and offer a serious counter-attacking threat.

Therefore, the similarities between the two are clear to see. It is also easy to envisage what Dembele could offer Klopp at Anfield next season, so Liverpool should definitely consider signing the free agent this summer.

In other news… Klopp could seal Liverpool’s very own Modric with swoop for “top class” £77m maestro