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Sunderland journalist and podcaster Philip West has been left bemoaning some transfer news that he has now heard from Sky Sports.

The Lowdown: Interest

As per Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas, Swansea City are now ‘rivalling’ the Wearside club to sign Gooch as a free agent, as his contract at the Stadium of Light expires at the end of the month.

Preston North End are also thought to have shown an ‘interest’ in his signature, but it looks as if it is going to be between the other two clubs.

The Latest: West reacts

Taking to Twitter, West bemoaned the transfer news after hearing it, claiming that it would ‘be a real shame’ if Gooch were to move on from the Black Cats this summer:

“I think it would be a real shame to see Lynden Gooch move on this summer. He’s the ultimate team player, Alex Neil seems to value his versatility & work rate, and we all saw how much the Wembley victory meant to him, as well. Keep him if possible, for me.”

The Verdict: Keep

Given interest from a number of their Championship rivals, Neil’s side need to give Gooch a new deal and keep him at all costs.

The United States international was a mainstay in the team last season, supplying six assists on route to promotion from League One, and it would be devastating to see him leave for nothing.

Nonetheless, there is still time for the club to sort out a new contract, which in turn would also protect his market value should they wish to sell Gooch later on in his career.

In other news, find out which ‘bullish’ predator SAFC now hold an ‘interest’ in here!

Leeds United supporters may not be too thrilled to see a familiar name linked with a switch to Elland Road this week…

What’s the word?

According to TEAMtalk editor James Marshment, relaying news from his website, the Yorkshire giants are keen on signing Adama Traore from Wolves in a cut-price deal.

“@TEAMtalk understands Victor Orta remains keen on a deal for Adama Traore this summer amid claims Wolves will now accept a cut-price £20m fee. Winger was brought to Boro by Orta back in August 2016,” he tweeted alongside an accompanying article written by his colleague Graeme Bailey.

Spurs have also shown strong interest in the Spaniard and there is currently no plan for Barcelona to sign him permanently following a mixed loan spell in LaLiga last season.

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Poor Raphinha replacement

With the future of Raphinha so uncertain in west Yorkshire, there won’t be many supporters happy to see Traore’s name mentioned with a move to Leeds this off-season.

The Brazil international finished the 2021/22 campaign as their top scorer in all competitions and proved to be their major creative outlet on the wing, having averaged 0.7 more key passes per game than any other player, as per WhoScored.

It remains to be seen where or if he will go, though he’s going to rake in at least £45m, according to Fabrizio Romano (via Metro).

Simply put, Traore isn’t fit to lace Raphinha’s boots and would be something of a dire replacement, with his end-product a big, big issue.

“Last season his numbers were poor. Go back two or three seasons it was all about his end product not being good enough and it probably wasn’t,” claimed Danny Mills to Football Insider.

Indeed, at the Nou Camp, he could only muster up two assists across 11 appearances, taking his total combined for both Barcelona and Wolves in 2021/22 to one goal and four assists in 40 games, via Transfermarkt.

On that evidence, the current Leeds star is leagues apart from Traore, and Orta would be making a bad decision in signing him this summer, with some fans already left fuming on social media.

AND in other news, Leeds United can land their own Declan Rice by signing “unbelievable” £38k-p/w gem…

West Ham United are making moves behind-the-scenes after completing the capture of Nayed Aguerd from Rennes with news emerging on striker Giovanni Simeone.

The Lowdown: Moyes set for busy summer?

According to reports, Irons boss David Moyes is seriously gearing up for what could be a ‘very busy’ window as seeks to make ‘at least’ six new signings for the club (Dharmesh Sheth).

A striker is said to be firmly on the agenda amid serious links to Chelsea forward Armando Broja, who could cost in the region of around £25 million to bring across London.

While the Premier League forward is thought to be a target, the Irons have other options, with 90min sharing news on Simeone.

The Latest: West Ham talks held for Simeone…

As per their information, a major update has come to light involving the Hammers and Hellas Verona’s frontman.

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90min claim that West Ham ‘talks have been held’ with Simeone’s agents over a possible move to the London Stadium.

It is added that Moyes and co are paying ‘close attention’ to the Argentine after his fine Serie A season over 2021/2022.

The Verdict: Get it done?

A possible alterative to Broja, we believe the 26-year-old could be a serious asset under manager Moyes.

Bagging a career total 87 goals, Simeone scored 17 of them on loan in Verona over 2021/2022 – drawing acclaim from members of the media.

Indeed, Radio/TV pundit and freelance football writer Adeyemi Adesanya branded the South American ‘extraordinary’ last season for his brilliant run of form and now may be the time for him to think about joining West Ham in England.

Sunderland have agreed a deal to sign young defender Daniel Ballard, according to reliable journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Championship experience

The 22-year-old Arsenal man enjoyed a successful loan spell in the Championship last season after joining Millwall for the year.

The centre-back made 30 league appearances for the Lions; with the total expected to have been far higher if it wasn’t for undergoing knee surgery halfway through the campaign.

According to WhoScored, the Arsenal loanee was Millwall’s fourth best player all season, having averaged an impressive 6.93 match rating.

The defender averaged 1.9 tackles, 1.6 interceptions, 3.4 clearances and 0.6 blocks per game, gaining valuable experience playing in the Championship.

The Latest: O’Rourke’s news

O’Rourke has revealed the next chapter in Ballard’s footballing career. Taking to Twitter, the journalist claimed:

“Understand Sunderland have agreed a deal for Arsenal and Northern Ireland defender Daniel Ballard. #safc #afc #Arsenal

“Ballard has completed a medical at the Stadium of Light and is set to sign a four-year deal with Sunderland. #SAFC #AFC”

The Verdict: Great signing

With Alex Neil’s side preparing for life in the Championship, the 22-year-old’s arrival would add second tier experience to the Black Cats’ back-line.

Having already made ten international appearances for Northern Ireland, the defender is clearly highly rated, yet he has never been given a chance with Arsenal’s first-team, perhaps explaining why he is so keen to get out and impress.

Dubbed a ‘huge talent’ by Northern Irish press, the former Millwall loanee looks to be a brilliant signing for Sunderland.

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has dropped a claim regarding the current summer transfer window.

What’s the latest?

Speaking after seeing his side beat Wiener Viktoria 7-0 in their first pre-season game of the summer, the Hoops boss had this to say about what transfer business he’d like to see take place before the window shuts.

He said: “I still think there are one or two areas where we need some more robustness in terms of the squad, just some quality in depth. I wouldn’t expect too many but there are still one or two areas I’m looking to strengthen knowing what’s ahead for us.

“We are definitely looking to bring in one or two more before the window closes. Again it is about identifying what we want and making sure they fit all aspects and we are working towards that.”

Celtic fans will be buzzing

Celtic have secured permanent deals for Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers this summer, as well as seeing Daizen Maeda make his stay at the club permanent following his loan spell last season. The Parkhead club have also brought in Benjamin Siegrist and Alexandro Bernabei so it’s been a rather active window.

If supporters weren’t already delighted with the business done, the idea that Postecoglou is still looking to bring at least one or two more players in will be very exciting for everyone involved.

In terms of the areas that Postecoglou could be referring to in his latest comments, a new midfielder should be at the top of the priority list. The club have seen Tom Rogic and Nir Bitton leave Glasgow following the end of the previous SPFL campaign so more cover should arrive in Glasgow before the window slams shut.

The Hoops have already been diligent with their business but supporters would no doubt be delighted if they saw their central areas strengthened in the coming weeks.

With their preseason period kicking off with a rather hefty victory, it shows the Bhoys are already in an extremely promising position ahead of the new campaign, one where they’ll certainly be hoping to have another successful season.

AND in other news: “Soon..”: Journalist drops big Celtic transfer claim that’ll have supporters gutted

Leeds United have welcomed several new faces to the Yorkshire club throughout the current summer transfer window.

Back in May, it was revealed that the Whites had secured a five-year deal to sign Brenden Aaronson from RB Salzburg, which was made official at the start of the month.

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During his time with the Austrian club, the 21-year-old attacking midfielder ended up scoring 13 goals and delivering 15 assists in 66 appearances, which would have presumably been what caught Leeds’ attention.

This gives an idea as to what the Leeds fans and Jesse Marsch will be hoping to see from the player once their next Premier League season kicks off.

While there is still some time left before the summer window shuts, this could give the Yorkshire club the chance to bring in a player that Marsch can use to form a potentially deadly duo alongside Aaronson.

Last month, the Whites were linked with a transfer move for Sassuolo’s attacking midfielder Hamed Junior Traore.

After scoring 20 goals and supplying 14 assists in 110 games for Empoli across their senior and youth sides, the 22-year-old made his move to Sassuolo back in the 2019 summer transfer window on loan before signing permanently the year after.

Since then, the Ivorian has found the net 18 times and provided eight assists in 100 appearances.

To compare his previous domestic season in Italy with Aaronson’s last campaign with Salzburg, both players started 21 league games and racked up just over 50 shots at goal and delivered a combined total of 62 crosses between them.

This shows how similar the pair are and what sort of attacking and creative talents they could offer Leeds.

It also backs up why football talent scout, Jacek Kulig hailed Traore’s 2021/22 Serie A campaign as “magnificent.”

Bearing in mind how Sassuolo are reportedly looking to get €30m (£25m) for their young talent this summer, this could be another deal worth making for the Yorkshire club.

Should the Whites end up striking a deal for Traore and adding him to their list of summer recruits, Marsch could then have the opportunity to form what would be a tricky and potentially scary duo between the two players.

AND in other news: “Told…”: Journalist reveals huge Leeds United transfer update, Marsch will be gutted

Leeds United are ‘highly serious’ about signing Club Brugge forward Charles De Ketelaere, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

The Lowdown: De Ketelaere linked with Leeds

The Whites may want a new centre-forward to complete their summer transfer business after signing Tyler Adams and Luis Sinisterra this week.

Described as ‘complete’ by legendary Brugge midfielder Gert Verheyen, De Ketelaere has been heavily linked with an Elland Road move, with Leeds reportedly making an offer in the region of £25.7m.

AC Milan are also working on a deal for the Belgium international, who mainly lined out as a striker for Brugge last season, scoring 18 times to take his tally for club and country to 26.

The Latest: Jacobs’ comments

Talking to GiveMeSport, Jacobs said that ‘De Ketelaere is the other one to watch’ with regard to incomings, claiming that Leeds are ‘highly serious’ over a potential move.

The reporter outlined:

“De Ketelaere is the other one to watch and Leeds are very much serious about bringing on board the Club Brugge forward.

“They’re in competition with Leicester, who are very much circling around the player too.

“I think that it is fair to say Adams’ arrival will turn Leeds’ interest in De Ketelaere into being highly, highly serious as well.”

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The Verdict: Ambitious

De Ketelaere reportedly wants to play Champions League football, something that AC Milan can offer to the forward.

Therefore, Leeds’ continued interest appears to be ambitious, and they may well be fighting a losing battle when it comes to signing the 21-year-old.

They view De Ketelaere as an inside forward or a secondary striker to support Patrick Bamford, but you’d expect that Victor Orta would have alternative attacking targets on his radar.

It’ll be interesting to see how long Leeds pursue De Ketelaere, and with the new season fast approaching, they may be wise to set a deadline before ending their interest and looking elsewhere.

Crystal Palace have been regularly linked with Burnley’s Dwight McNeil throughout the transfer window, and he could prove to be Patrick Vieira’s next £40m player at Selhurst Park.

Both Palace and West Ham are said to be interested in the 22-year-old, who could be set to leave Turf Moor following Burnley’s relegation to the Championship.

The 22-year-old, who would reportedly cost £15m, is a product of Burnley’s academy and has gone on to make 147 appearances for the club, in which he has contributed seven goals and 17 assists.

When he first broke onto the scene with the Lancashire club, Sean Dyche was full of praise for the winger, saying:

“He continues to grow. Every time I wonder whether I should leave him out, I think, ‘No, keep the boy playing’. It’s good for him and it’s good for us.

“If he keeps his head down and keeps working like he is doing, he’s got a massive future.”

Although he struggled for form last season, he is still only 22 and could easily still develop into a top player under Vieira’s coaching.

According to FbRef, the most similar player to McNeil in terms of play style is Everton youngster Anthony Gordon.

After a breakthrough campaign that saw the 21-year-old contribute four and two assists in the Premier League, Gordon has been linked with Newcastle United, but the Toon have been told to pay £40m for his services.

According to WhoScored both McNeil and Gordon like to cross and take long shots, which suggests that they are equally as confident taking the ball down the line and crossing as they are at cutting in at shooting.

FbRef also sees both McNeil and Gordon score extremely highly for tackles, interceptions, pressures and blocks, which suggests that both wingers are more than willing to track back and defend, something which Vieira would surely appreciate.

Therefore, it is clear that the two are very similar players, and given that McNeil is just one year older than the Everton man, there seems no reason why he can’t have a similarly good season in a Palace shirt and also be valued at £40m in the near future.

AND, in other news: Patrick Vieira reveals huge Palace transfer development, supporters will be devastated

Aston Villa delivered their transfer business as quickly as possible this summer with five new signings, however, they could be about to make one more move after a new development emerged.

What’s the latest?

According to The Athletic, Manchester City are considering sending James McAtee out on loan this summer.

As per the report, the Midlands side have been named alongside several Premier League clubs including Brighton & Hove Albion, Leeds United, Leicester City and Southampton as interested in the Man City youngster.

McAtee has received an overwhelming amount of loan offers which has led to the Premier League champions to consider the potential of their player getting 12 months of first-team football to further his development.

He’s better than Chukwuemeka

Villa are currently struggling to keep hold of their very own young prodigy Carney Chukwuemeka with the player rejecting the opportunity to extend his contract which expires in June 2023.

As a result, there has been huge interest in the youngster and he is expected to leave the club imminently to move onto his next challenge, but instead of dwelling on their loss Steven Gerrard could sign a new and improved Chukwuemeka in McAtee, who could play a key part in the team next season.

McAtee has been impressing the world of football and last season made his senior Premier League debut under Pep Guardiola in a 3-0 victory over Everton in November 2021, as well as making his Champions League debut with a 45-minute appearance against Sporting CP in the round of 16 too.

The talented attacking midfielder who was hailed a “massive talent” by journalist Jonathan Smith, has already made 98 appearances and scored 44 goals in his rise through Man City’s youth system and has earned six England caps in the U18s and U20s so far.

McAtee was the top goal scorer in the Premier League 2 last season, scoring 18 goals and delivering seven assists in just 23 appearances, with a goal contribution every 79 minutes, proving that he is now potentially ready for his step up to first-team football.

If Gerrard can secure a loan deal for McAtee and offer him the first-team football that would convince Man City to part ways with their star for a season it could be a major coup for Villa and give them even more attacking options.

With that being said, this could be a huge opportunity for Villa to not only save millions on a new signing but also potentially boost the goal contributions within the team when the side return to action next month.

AND in other news: Gerrard could unearth his younger self in Villa bid for “special” £100k-p/w “talent”

Journalist Josh Bunting has urged Sunderland manager Alex Neil to start young right-back Trai Hume against Coventry on Sunday.

The Lowdown: Sunderland’s opener

The Black Cats start their Championship campaign this weekend as they are set to face Coventry City at the Stadium of Light.

Neil is hoping the Wearside club will have made one or two additional signings by then, with his squad worryingly thin as they head into the first match of the new season.

As a result, a number of youngsters could receive extended minutes for the first few games, whilst the board sort out any potential incomings.

The Latest: Bunting’s claim

After watching the Black Cats face off against Hartlepool United in the recent 1-1 friendly, Bunting is buzzing with one of Sunderland’s most talented youngsters.

Taking to Twitter, the journalist claimed:

“He has to start on Sunday for me, I trust Alex Neil immensely but in my opinion, Trai Hume has been the standout over pre-season. Fantastic tonight.”

The Verdict: Great potential

Having arrived in the North-East in January after joining from Northern Irish outfit Linfield for a mere £216,000 fee, Hume has stirred up a lot of excitement at the Stadium of Light.

At just 20-years-old, the full-back made over 50 senior appearances in his home country, and also amassed five caps for the U21 national team.

Having player under major pressure in the qualifying stages of the Champions League, Hume has since been handed three appearances for the Black Cats first-team, and with a full pre-season under his belt, this figure could increase significantly this season.