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According to reports, Tottenham Hotspur are now looking to complete the signing of Villarreal defender Pau Torres alongside Barcelona’s Clement Lenglet.

The Lowdown: Second bite of the cherry

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano revealed on Thursday that the latter has agreed a deal to join the Lilywhites on loan, with an announcement of his arrival expected imminently following a medical.

Spurs were heavily linked with Torres earlier in the summer but appeared to have given up the chase and moved on to other targets. However, it now seems as though Antonio Conte isn’t finished with the idea of adding the Spaniard to his defensive ranks.

The Latest: Spurs ready to move for Torres

In an article published by 90min, it is claimed that Tottenham want to ‘push ahead with a move’ for Torres, ‘regardless’ of the Lenglet deal being finalised.

The source stated that Conte is looking to ‘add depth’ in that centre-back role, and the Spurs manager duly remains keen on bringing the 25-year-old to the Premier League.

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The Verdict: Impact at both ends

Cristian Romero and Eric Dier are two names that many Spurs fans would have down as first-choice centre-backs, and whilst Ben Davies has performed well in a more central role, Lenglet is bound to come in and take his place, just as you imagine Torres would if he were to come in at N17.

The 6 foot 3 colossus, who was once dubbed a ‘quality’ player by Sky Sports pundit Kevin Campbell, would likely be a fantastic addition to Tottenham’s starting XI, having averaged 3.1 clearances per La Liga game last term and posted six goal contributions, via WhoScored.

This ability to affect the game at both ends of the pitch ought to be more than enough to compete for a starting spot in north London, and Conte is bound to make every effort into trying to prove successful in the second pursuit of his long-time target.

Everton transfer target Levi Colwill is looking ‘increasingly likely’ to leave Chelsea, according to The Athletic’s Simon Johnson.

The lowdown

The 19-year-old spent the 2021/22 season on loan in the Championship with Huddersfield Town, helping them to reach the play-off final.

He has now returned to the Stamford Bridge fold, but even after the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, there may not be a first-team vacancy for him in Thomas Tuchel’s side.

That’s because Chelsea have moved to add Kalidou Koulibaly to their ranks and want two more centre-backs in the form of Jules Kounde and Presnel Kimpembe.

The latest

Johnson wrote on Twitter: “Injury ruled Levi Colwill out of #CFC’s first pre-season game but a bigger concern right now is his future. The club’s ambitions in the transfer market means there is a danger he will never play for the senior side.”

In the corresponding article for The Athletic, Johnson wrote that if the Blues were to sign another defender, then the expectation is that ‘he will look to leave’, foregoing potential Champions League football. In turn, ‘there is a danger he will never play for the senior side’, with a permanent move potentially in the offing.

Chelsea don’t see the merits of sanctioning another loan, when suitors are already willing to spend big money on Colwill, and they would simply be left with a similar dilemma in 12 months’ time.

Everton are one of the teams ‘in the hunt’, along with Crystal Palace, Fulham, Southampton, Leicester City and Brighton. Right now, the Eagles are said to be ‘confident’ of winning the transfer race, but no agreement has been reached as of yet.

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The verdict

Palace appear to have the advantage right now, but Everton could throw a spanner in the works if they were to outbid the Eagles.

Lampard has already strengthened his defensive ranks by signing James Tarkowski following his departure from Burnley, so signing Colwill could offer the 44-year-old a whole new partnership at centre-back.

There’s a great deal of excitement around the 19-year-old, who would potentially be an excellent long-term addition.

Johnson wrote that Colwill could be in the frame for an England call-up ‘soon enough’ if he features regularly for a Premier League side, and his former Terriers boss Carlos Corberan has backed the teenager to become one of his country’s ‘most important’ centre-backs.

Fittingly, he has been billed by some as the ‘new John Terry’ – a glowing comparison considering the Stamford Bridge legend’s accomplishments during his playing career.

West Ham United are looking to finalise a €42m (£35.7m) deal for Sassuolo attacker Gianluca Scamacca.

 What’s the word?

That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, who took to Twitter late on Friday night to issue an update on the Irons’ interest in multiple transfer targets.

The Italian stated: “West Ham and Sassuolo are preparing paperworks for Gianluca Scamacca deal. Full agreement for €36m plus €6m in add-ons. Details on personal terms to be finalised tomorrow”.

Romano also noted the Hammers’ interest in Filip Kostic, for whom they have submitted a bid and await a response.

Moyes will be buzzing

At last West Ham seem to have found the successor to the extraordinary and irreplaceable Michail Antonio.

His role for the club has been a selfless one, as he has sacrificed his body for the greater good of the team. The Jamaican runs relentlessly and challenges for everything in the air, and Moyes will look to mould Scamacca in this image.

Standing at a hulking 6 foot 4 but good with his feet, the Italian appears to possess all the natural abilities to succeed in the Premier League. His 16 goals last season only further sells him to this notion, as he clearly knows how to find the net.

The seven-cap Italy international also averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.03, bested only by Domenico Berardi amongst his Sassuolo team-mates.

Italy under-21 coach Luigi Di Biago even compared the 23-year-old to other great Italian strikers in Serie A, with Ciro Immobile and Andrea Belotti among those mentioned. He went on to label Scamacca “very strong” and claimed that “he has the technique of a 1.75 m tall player and the physicality of a 1.95 m tall player.”

Di Biago continued: “He is complete: right foot, left, head, he attacks from deep, but also plays on the edge for his teammates. He can become a very high-level centre-forward.”

It’s also worth noting that Scamacca ranked in the 93rd percentile for non-penalty goals among strikers in Europe’s top five leagues in 2021/22.

Moyes will be buzzing to finally capture a striker of similar ilk to Antonio who could potentially even replace the 32-year-old Jamaica international as West Ham’s go-to man up top in the coming years.

AND in other news – “A big blow”: Journalist shares West Ham update, supporters will be worried

Tottenham Hotspur want to add Jermain Defoe to their staff after reaching an agreement with Yaya Toure, according to Sky Sports News.

The lowdown

Toure, formerly of Manchester City and Barcelona, has already been working with the Lilywhites in order to earn his coaching badges, and he will now take up a permanent position.

Defoe, meanwhile, announced his retirement from playing at the end of March and is now lining up his next move.

The English striker had two spells with Spurs during his career, joining from West Ham in a £9.45million deal in 2004. He would then make a £14.76million move to Portsmouth in January 2008, but only lasted a year at Fratton Park before returning to Spurs.

Defoe spent another five years in North London, bidding farewell to the club in 2014 when he headed off to MLS outfit Toronto.

The latest

Presenter Bela Shah broke two pieces of news live on air on Tuesday morning.

With Spurs having finalised the appointment of Toure, they’re now closing in on a deal with Defoe.

“Plenty of breaking news today,” she said. “This concerns Tottenham. They’ve made an agreement with Yaya Toure to become an academy coach at the club.

“And talks [are] also at an advanced stage to bring in Jermain Defoe to take up a similar role.”

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The verdict

This isn’t Defoe’s first coaching gig. He may only be 39 years old, but he already has some valuable experience to bring to the role.

He worked as an assistant to Steven Gerrard at Rangers from June until November last year, in combination with playing duties.

Gerrard believes Defoe can utilise his ‘amazing experience’ in a new capacity and pass on his ‘professionalism’ to the players.

The Londoner is the ninth-highest goalscorer in Premier League history, and so Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson suggested that he would be particularly helpful for up-and-coming attackers.

Could this be the first step of an illustrious career in the dugout?

According to Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol, Fulham have sent out scouts to watch Ludovic Ajorque in action ahead of a potential move to the Premier League.

The Lowdown: Star of the show

The 6 foot 6 striker was involved in Strasbourg’s 3-0 pre-season victory over Liverpool last weekend, grabbing an assist in what was a surprising result for the Ligue 1 outfit.

Despite still having two years remaining on his contract in France, his performance at Anfield appeared to have impressed a host of top-flight clubs who were in attendance, with the Cottagers being one of those name-checked.

The Latest: Fulham on Ajorque watch

As quoted on the Sky Sports Transfer Centre, Solhekol shared that Fulham sent representatives to watch Ajorque against Liverpool, but face stiff competition for his signature.

“A player who we could be hearing a lot more from in the next couple of weeks played against Liverpool for Strasbourg at the weekend.

“He’s a striker called Ludovic Ajorque, 6ft 6in striker with a very good scoring record for them, is available for £18m.

“I’m told the clubs that watched him yesterday were Wolves, Everton, Leicester, West Ham, Fulham, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Newcastle. He’s someone we might be hearing a lot more from.”

The Verdict: An absolute steal

Marco Silva will now be in the final stages of preparing his squad for their return to the Premier League, and he will need all of the attacking firepower he can get if he wants to successfully keep his team in the division.

Ajorque, labelled a ‘beast physically’ by Daily Express writer Alessandro Schiavone, has the ability to provide an extra threat along with Aleksandar Mitrovic in the final third with his towering height, netting 12 league goals and registering eight assists for Strasbourg last season, via Transfermarkt.

With the asking price only being £18m, this would be an absolute bargain for the Fulham boss, affording him the chance to rest Mitrovic without losing the team’s focal point, or even deploy the pair together to potentially cause absolute mayhem at set pieces.

Former BBC pundit Noel Whelan has claimed that Glasgow Rangers supporters ‘will be absolutely over the moon’ with some ‘huge’ news involving Ryan Kent.

The Lowdown: Contract talks

As per Football Scotland, Kent is now in talks to sign a new contract at Ibrox.

His current deal expires at the end of the season, and he has been linked with a move to both Leeds United and Aston Villa, so it would certainly be a wise move from Ross Wilson and Co to get him signed up long into the future, even if they do eventually want to sell.

The Latest: Whelan reacts

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan has claimed that it would be ‘huge’ if Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team could tie Kent down, adding that the supporters ‘will be absolutely over the moon’ if he ends up signing:

“I think Rangers fans will be absolutely over the moon if Kent signs a new contract.

“He’s one player who is at the right age now. He’s coming into his prime years.

“He’s exciting, scores goals, assists, loads of pace – and he’s tenacious in that midfield area.

“He is exactly the sort of player who fills the stadium and gets fans off their seats. To tie him down would be huge, a huge reassurance.

“The money they’d have to pay would be money well spent – it gives Rangers that peace of mind.”

The Verdict: Huge indeed

It would indeed be huge if Kent ends up signing a new deal with the Gers.

He managed two goals and eight assists in the Scottish Premiership last season, and finished as their second-best performer in the UEFA Europa League, grabbing one goal and three assists and ranking highly among his teammates in terms of average shots, key passes and dribbles per game (WhoScored).

Nonetheless, the English winger is still just 25 years of age, and so is a big asset for the Teddy Bears with years left to grow into an even better player.

It will be difficult to fend off Premier League interest in the future, but supporters will be happy if the club can keep Kent on at least for this season while also increasing his price tag in the mean time.

Everton have secured two new signings this week with Conor Coady and Amadou Onana joining the side, and now a new update has emerged on a potential transfer target that could join the club before the transfer window closes.

What’s the latest?

According to 90min, Everton have registered their interest in Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi.

As per the report, sources have told the publication that the player is ready to push for a move after returning to full fitness and wanting first-team football, with Everton not the only club keen on securing the player’s signature this summer.

Newcastle United, Crystal Palace, Borussia Dortmund, West Ham United, Leicester City and Southampton are named as potential suitors for the player.

Imagine him & McNeil

Everton are desperate to identify the perfect striker signing over the coming days and weeks remaining in the transfer window following a hamstring injury that has seen Dominic Calvert-Lewin sidelined for over a month, but they could now turn to a goal-scorer who usually plays in a wider role.

The club are not just toying with the idea of bringing in another forward this summer, it has become an absolute necessity that a deal is done as soon as possible with Frank Lampard having to play Anthony Gordon in the central role against Chelsea last weekend.

Granted, Hudson-Odoi has only played in the centre-forward position eight times in his career so far but didn’t struggle to continue his goal-scoring consistency, netting four goals and delivering two assists over those performances.

The Champions League-winning forward doesn’t have any difficulty finding the back of the net scoring 47 goals and delivering 40 assists over his career so far, with a goal contribution in every 2.1 of his 187 appearances, but he has had difficulty getting game-time at Chelsea, something that shouldn’t be a problem at Everton right now.

The Everton boss is, of course, no stranger to the boyhood Chelsea talent managing Hudson-Odoi back in the 2020/21 season when he was head coach at Stamford Bridge and lavished praise on the player after scoring in the Champions League against Rennes:

“There are loads of great things about Callum and there are things he can improve in his game and he knows that. He’s a big player for Chelsea, he’s [got] a big future with us. I’m delighted for him, his all round game today on and off the ball was fantastic and he gets his goal.”

If the versatile 21-year-old did make a move to Merseyside this summer, the Everton manager could form a formidable forward-line partnership between Hudson-Odoi and new signing Dwight McNeil who is still finding his feet in the team.

Combining the two young player’s creativity skills in front of goal could amount to more goal-scoring opportunities with McNeil ranked in the top 25 creative players in the Premier League last season with 47 chances delivered.

Something McNeil does lack though is finishing skills scoring no goals last season, and that is where Hudson-Odoi comes in. The player’s ability to find the back of the net or make the last pass to deliver a goal has been improving, and the pair together could be a huge threat to opponents as a result.

With all considered, Lampard could now finish the development he started with the £25m-rated Englishman by bringing him in at Goodison Park to help with the challenge ahead of the Toffees in the Premier League, where he can gain the consistent game time he clearly desires.

West Ham United are reportedly one of the clubs who are interested in Brighton and Hove Albion starlet Moises Caicedo, as manager David Moyes seeks to bolster his midfield ranks.

What’s the word?

According to the Mirror, the Hammers – as well as fellow Premier League side Arsenal – are believed to ‘keeping tabs’ on the 20-year-old, while clubs across Europe are also sniffing about following the Ecuadorian’s impressive start to the new season.

The 23-cap gem – who signed for the Seagulls on a £4.5m deal back in February 2021 – notably starred in the opening day triumph over Manchester United, with the Red Devils now said to also be contemplating a move before the September deadline.

The report does suggest, however, that Graham Potter and co are in no rush to part ways with the youngster, having already sold the likes of Marc Cucurella and Yves Bissouma so far this summer.

Game changer

Caicedo could well prove to be the answer to West Ham’s prayers, with the club having yet to adequately bolster their midfield ranks in the window thus far, having notably missed out on Amadou Onana to top-flight rivals, Everton.

With long-serving captain Mark Noble out of the door – as well as loan flop Alex Kral – Moyes has seemingly been left with a real dearth of quality and depth in the centre of the park, with it yet to be seen how involved summer arrival Flynn Downes will be this season.

Currently reliant on both Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice, the pair could no doubt benefit from more intense competition, with the Brighton gem seemingly the ideal, Premier League-ready option who can pose a genuine threat to their regular starting berths.

The £3.5k-per-week maestro was lauded for his “sensational” display against Erik ten Hag’s side at Old Trafford last week by journalist Josh Bunting, having completely overrun the home side’s ailing midfield.

That performance was merely a continuation of the form he had shown in the latter stages of last season, having started all of his side’s last ten league games (two this season and eight last season) since making his debut in the competition back in April – losing just once away at Manchester City.

Such a remarkable string of eye-catching displays has seen him labelled an “absolute game-changer” by journalist Charlie Heffenden, with those at the London Stadium no doubt hoping he can make a similar impact were he to make the switch this summer.

While the 5 foot 10 menace views himself as potentially more of an attacking threat, his ball-winning ability has been evident of late, as he notably ranks in the top 16% for tackles made among those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues.

That record is far superior to the aforementioned pairing of Rice (top 44%) and Soucek (top 65%), with Caicedo potentially offering something that West Ham’s current first-choice duo appears to lack.

In that regard, he could well prove something of a game-changing signing for Moyes and co, if they can fend off the competition to get him through the door.

Everton have reportedly ‘expressed an interest’ in signing Blackburn striker Ben Brereton Diaz, and he is one of five forwards being considered.

The Lowdown: Too good for the Championship?

Brereton Diaz has showed this season and last that he may be too good for the Championship.

He scored a hefty 22 goals in the division last season, and already has two this term from his first four games (Transfermarkt).

Hailed as a ‘beast’ by former Rovers manager Tony Mowbray, the 23-year-old now seems destined for a move to the Premier League.

The Latest: Everton ‘interest’

Taking to Twitter, journalist Alan Myers has revealed that the Goodison Park outfit have ‘expressed an interest’ in Brereton Diaz, and he is one of five strikers ‘being considered’ by the Merseyside club to fill the void left by the injury to Dominic Calvert-Lewin:

“Everton have expressed an interest in @Rovers striker Ben Brereton Diaz, the Chile international is one of a number of players being considered by the club, which also includes Broja, Maupay, Gyokeres and Adams. Nice have had a bid of around £10M pound rejected for BBD.”

The Verdict: Sign Brereton Diaz

Although the likes of Armando Broja, Neal Maupay and Che Adams would offer Premier League experience, Brereton Diaz has a very high ceiling at just 23.

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Having already broken into the Chilean national team with four goals in 14 caps (Transfermarkt), he will no doubt be hungry to show that he can play at a high level on a consistent basis.

The Premier League would offer him the chance to do that, and with the Toffees’ need for a striker, it could well be the perfect match.

Nottingham Forest have already signed 16 new players this summer but are showing no signs of slowing down, and they could be set for a last-gasp swoop for a new potential target.

What’s the latest?

According to French news outlet Media Foot, the Premier League club are interested in signing Lyon playmaker Lucas Paqueta this summer.

As per the report, Newcastle United, West Ham United and Arsenal are all also interested in the attacking midfielder, but Forest are now set to compete with their fellow top-flight clubs for his signature.

However, a new update from Fabrizio Romano suggests that a spanner could have been put in the works for the Reds, as West Ham have submitted a second offer for the player.

The Italian tweeted: “Lucas Paquetá agents, in London to discuss with West Ham after new bid submitted. There’s still work to do on club’s side – West Ham want to push for Brazilian star.

“Paquetá dreams of Premier League football – but agreement has to be reached with OL president Aulas.”

Marinakis must act fast

With Paqueta’s agents already in London to discuss deals with potential suitors and West Ham pushing for his signature, Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis must act fast to secure a deal for the player before another club gets there first.

It comes as no surprise that the Brazilian is the subject of so much attention in England, as he has been a standout performer in an advanced midfield role for Lyon.

Compared to his positional peers in the top five European leagues over the last 12 months, Paqueta ranks in the top 1% for tackles, top 10% for aerial duels won, successful pressures and progressive passes received and top 15% for total shots and clearances.

The 24-year-old – who was dubbed “extraordinary” by his manager Peter Bosz – scored nine goals, delivered six assists and created nine big chances in 2021/22. He made 1.2 key passes and won 7.3 duels per game, while also successfully completing 69% of his dribble attempts, proving that he is a top-quality attacking threat.

Indeed, Forest have already signed Morgan Gibbs-White and Jesse Lingard this summer, both of whom play in a similar role to the Lyon star. However, considering the quality of Paqueta, it would be an ambitious statement set if Forest could seal a deal for the player, who comes with a reported price tag of €50m (£42.1m).

If Marinakis can beat Forest’s Premier League competitors to the signing of the Brazilian, it would be a massive coup and a big statement as to their intent to retain their top-flight status and challenge comfortably at this level.