"Remarkable" £50m Star Promises He’ll Join Man United

Manchester United have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund, as the striker has now promised he'll move to Old Trafford, and he is currently waiting for the two clubs to strike an agreement, according to a report

Who are Man United signing this summer?

As reported by CaughtOffside, Man United are now firming up plans to solve their striker issues, with fresh approaches expected for Hojlund and Goncalo Ramos in the near future, as moves for Tottenham's Harry Kane and Napoli's Victor Osimhen now deemed unrealistic.

Kane's clear preference is to complete a move to Bayern Munich, with Tottenham never keen on selling their star player to a Premier League rival, while Napoli are not willing to accept offers of less than €150m (£128m) for Osimhen, making him too expensive for the Red Devils.

Ramos and Hojlund are now United's priority targets in attack, with Atalanta said to be holding out for a fee of £50m to sanction the striker's departure, and personal terms have already been agreed with the 20-year-old, who is keen on moving to Old Trafford.

According to a report from Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness), the young forward has now "promised himself" to Man United, and he is currently waiting to see whether the two clubs are able to strike an agreement.

After arriving in the Serie A from Sturm Graz in a €17.2m (£14.7m) move last summer, the starlet has done enough to impress Old Trafford chiefs, and it now appears as though the deal is there to be done, if they are willing to meet Atalanta's asking price.

How many goals has Rasmus Hojlund scored?

Despite regularly being compared to Manchester City star Erling Haaland, the Atalanta ace has not been quite as clinical in front of goal as the Norwegian throughout his career so far, netting nine goals in 32 Serie A games last season.

Similar to Haaland, the youngster also spent some time in the Austrian Bundesliga, where his attacking record was impressive, recording 12 goals and four assists in 21 appearances for Sturm Graz, and he has already scored six goals for Denmark.

rasmus-hojlund-man-united-premier-league-transfers

Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini was impressed by the former Sturm Graz man during his first season in Italy, saying:

"Hojlund has this spirit, energy, intensity, but also technical quality that is just remarkable. He still has so much margin for improvement, too. He has very similar characteristics to Haaland, not just his face".

Before also adding:

"Hojlund's so quick, he’s under 11 seconds over 100m & that’s not even trying very hard. Considering his height, he has a low centre of gravity & can move his legs very fast. I am convinced he’ll have a great career, he just gets stronger every day".

Although Erik ten Hag will no doubt be disappointed if he is unable to make a marquee signing, such as Kane or Osimhen, Hojlund has great potential, and given his age, he could lead the line for Man United for the next decade, and by the looks of things, we could see him in a United shirt next season.

Leeds Could Secure Farke’s New Isak In £66k-p/w "Machine"

Leeds United could be set to hand Daniel Farke a new man to spearhead his reign, who bears a striking resemblance to an old star of his…

Who is Yussef Poulsen?

The latest on that proposed move came early last week, as it was reported that the Whites were interested in a swoop for RB Leipzig's Yussuf Poulsen.

Standing at 6 foot 4, the hulking striker has endured a largely profligate career but boasts a stunning work rate that could make him an asset to a new-look side.

Having kickstarted his tenure in his homeland, the 29-year-old moved to Germany in 2013 and has never looked back. He has been a mainstay throughout the Red Bull revolution of the club, starting when they were in the third tier and progressing up into the Bundesliga.

He could now be set to finally depart, moving to Elland Road to help earn another promotion. The speedster has just one year left on his £66k-per-week deal.

Farke will likely notice the physical similarities the lanky front-man shares with Alexander Isak, who the German boss managed briefly during his time with Borussia Dortmund's reserve team.

How many goals did Alexander Isak score last season?

Both of these men have come a long way since their paths last crossed, as the coach has since led Norwich City to two Championship promotions, whilst the Sweden international has become Newcastle United's record purchase, joining from Real Sociedad.

Last year marked his first in English football, with the gangly forward acclimatising to its physicality well. He would notch 10 goals in just 22 Premier League appearances, impressing through what was an injury-hit campaign.

Although he likely is a far more technically-superior asset, given he has also starred from the wing, Poulsen has also shown a similar turn of pace to rival this dynamism, clocking a 21.2 mph top speed in the Bundesliga just five years ago. That has since dropped to a still-strong 18.95 mph.

alexander-isak

However, his 23-year-old counterpart showcases that youthful exuberance well, given how the 6 foot 4 Magpies ace ranks against other strikers across Europe. He sits in the top 7% for successful take-ons per 90, whilst also being in the top 5% for blocks made per 90, via FBref.

It is such solid defensive work rate that truly brings the two even closer together, with the RB Leipzig man having been lauded by teammate Willi Orban for such a tireless attitude: "With or without the ball he's a machine. And he does an incredible amount of work for us."

Boasting 68 caps for his country too, the experience he would bring to Yorkshire would be phenomenal.

Not to mention that he does know where the back of the net is, although he might not find it with as much regularity as he would like.

Just last season saw him score just four goals in all competitions, and the year before a further six in the Bundesliga alone. However, it is his mere physicality that would prove to be a huge asset, especially in a league as physically demanding as the Championship.

Although their time together was short-lived, Farke could still seek to reimagine his relationship with Isak by signing Poulsen this summer.

Arsenal Could Replace Partey With £25m "Monster"

Mikel Arteta has enjoyed a productive transfer window for Arsenal thus far, signing Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber from Chelsea and Ajax respectively, while a deal to bring Declan Rice to the Emirates has been confirmed.

The Spaniard doesn’t appear to have finished his business however, with another couple of signings expected before the window closes, while a potential deal for a Brazilian midfielder may have to be next on the list…

Could Arsenal sign Andre Trindade?

According to 90min, Arsenal, along with fellow Premier League clubs Liverpool, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have all been spoken to by Andre Trindade’s representatives as he is clearly attracting a lot of attention.

It could well be Fulham who make the biggest move for the player however, with the Cottagers making a solid push and are looking to tie up a deal soon, meaning Arteta will need to act swiftly to bring him to the Gunners.

He could cost the Emirates outfit around £25m in order to swap Fluminense for Arsenal in the coming weeks and considering he has already made his debut for Brazil and is just 21 years old, it could be a wise investment.

Is Thomas Partey leaving Arsenal?

Although Arteta is aiming to strengthen his squad this summer, especially with Champions League football lying ahead next term, he is also moving players on who can still attract big fees.

Granit Xhaka has left to join Bayer Leverkusen for £21.5m while Thomas Partey could also be departing the club, with Arsenal considering offers in excess of £30m for the Ghanaian midfielder.

Having impressed in the Premier League last term, ranking fourth across the squad for overall Sofascore rating while displaying his tenacious nature, finishing first in the squad for tackles per game, Partey became a key performer at the heart of the midfield in the Gunners’ attempt at claiming domestic glory.

Should he leave however, could Andre take over as the ideal heir for the 30-year-old? Judging by his statistics for Fluminense recently, there is no doubt he would be a worthy successor.

Across just 11 league matches so far this season for the Brazilian side, he ranks fourth in the squad while mirroring Partey’s dogged nature by making 2.4 tackles per game, enough to rank him second, while also being able to circulate the ball well, evidenced by a stunning 94% pass success rate which ranks him as the best in the squad for this metric.

andre-trindade-premier-league-liverpool-transfers

Journalist Fernando Campos lauded the 21-year-old as a “monster” last year, and it is clear that he could well be an excellent addition to the heart of Arsenal’s midfield, showing the characteristics that would enable him to be a success immediately.

Arteta is looking to bring the average age of his squad down and with Timber (22), Rice (24) and Andre (21) all under the age of 25, he could be building a team which will be able to compete both domestically and in Europe over the foreseeable future, with the Brazilian replacing Partey in the process.

Aston Villa: Fabrizio Romano drops key Moussa Diaby transfer claim

Aston Villa target Moussa Diaby remains a 'priority' transfer target at Villa Park as speculation continues to swirl over his future at Bayer Leverkusen, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Is Moussa Diaby going to Aston Villa?

According to Football Insider, Diaby is still 'yet to be convinced' over the prospect of moving to Villa Park to work under Unai Emery despite Aston Villa's endeavours to land the France international.

The report states that Aston Villa have submitted a £42 million bid for the £37k-a-week earner and talks continue to progress regarding a prospective transfer.

As per The Daily Mail, Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr are attempting to gazump Aston Villa in the race for Diaby to offer him the opportunity to play alongside stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo Brozovic.

Bayer Leverkusen are seeking to recoup around £50 million for Diaby before considering sanctioning his departure. Rennes winger Jeremy Doku an alternative option that could be courted by Aston Villa as Emery looks to secure a new wide man.

Last term, Diaby produced some admirable form for Bayer Leverkusen and managed to notch 14 goals and 11 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

WhoScored show that Diaby has the capacity to perform several attacking functions to a high degree of respectability, as he recorded an average of 2.4 shots, 1.8 key passes and 1.5 completed dribbles in the Bundesliga over the course of 2022/23.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, transfer expert Romano has indicated that Diaby still remains a key target for Aston Villa this summer.

Romano said: "The priority remains Moussa Diaby. Their opening proposal was €35m plus add-ons, not €45m, €35m plus add-ons. And the answer from Bayer Leverkusen was no. They want way more than that, but they're also aware of the desire of the player to make his move to the Premier League and join Unai Emery."

Who else could Aston Villa sign this window?

According to Marca journalist David G. Medina speaking about reports from L'Equipe regarding Atletico Madrid striker Joao Felix being a target for Aston Villa, the Villans have received a boost in the bid to land the Portugal international, as he stated on Twitter: "As we have counted in Marca, there is NO interest from PSG in Joao. The one who DOES love the Portuguese is Aston Villa. L'Equipe, the most reliable medium with PSG and with so many other topics, confirms it."

Gazzetta dello Sport detailed earlier this month that Aston Villa saw a bid of €25 million turned down for AC Milan midfielder Charles De Ketalaere, with a gap in valuation being the reason for the rebuffed offer as the Italian giants seek €30 million for the Belgium international.

AC Milan'sCharlesDeKetelaere

Conversations have take place between Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest involving Wales international Brennan Johnson, who is another name that Emery is looking to add to the ranks in the West Midlands, according to The Daily Mail.

Nottingham Forest may have to sell Johnson to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations and a fee of £40 million may be enough to entice the 22-year-old to Villa Park.

Chelsea Could Replace Courtois With £30m Monster

Chelsea’s goalkeeping conundrum is still shrouded in uncertainty.

Kepa Arrizabalaga is currently on track to start the upcoming season as the first choice, but there have been mixed reports about the situation.

Is Kepa Arrizabalaga staying at Chelsea?

After the pre-season draw with Newcastle, Mauricio Pochettino provided the following statement on the Spaniard: “We are so happy with him. He shows great commitment and adapting to the new demands. He is a fantastic keeper.”

However, despite this glowing praise, there are also rumours suggesting that the Argentine is seeking to upgrade the position and move Kepa to one side.

As per Nathan Gissing (via The Chelsea Chronicle), the Blues are still keeping a keen eye on the goalkeeper market.

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga

He said: “I am told Chelsea are still looking at a goalkeeper. They liked Onana, but never made a move. Maignan, I believe he’s too expensive for Chelsea, so they’re looking for that player who is not overly expensive, but can still compete with Kepa.”

Therefore, whilst ruling these candidates out, another player who could be a fantastic addition to Stamford Bridge is Emiliano Martinez.

Is Emiliano Martinez joining Chelsea?

Football Insider reported earlier this summer that the Blues were eyeing a move for the Aston Villa star as part of Pochettino’s major squad overhaul.

That said, a deal has been complicated by Martinez’s current long-term contract at Villa Park with it set to take a 'huge fee' to lure him away from the Midlands. At present, Football Transfers value the player at £30m.

Since joining Villa in 2020, the 30-cap international, hailed as “unbelievable” by Matty Cash, has enjoyed a meteoric rise to domestic and worldwide prominence thanks to his impressive consistency.

Across 112 appearances for the Midlands club, the world-cup winner has kept 39 clean sheets.

How good is Emiliano Martinez?

During this time, the former Arsenal man has played under Dean Smith, Steven Gerrard, and Unai Emery, all of whom of retained undeterred faith in Martinez, as he has featured in 110 of the club’s last 114 Premier League games.

Last term, the £120k-per-week star recorded the most high claims (60) in the division and ranks within the top 1% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for the percentage of crosses stopped per 90, as well as the best 22% for goals against per 90.

This player is a pillar of reliability and composure – two traits that Thibaut Courtois possessed in abundance. Since making his debut for the Blues in 2014, he exuded confidence and permanently displaced none other than club legend Petr Cech as the first-choice keeper.

Thibaut-Courtois-Chelsea

Across his time in west London, the domineering Belgian won the Premier League twice and the Golden Glove once, keeping 58 clean sheets in 154 outings.

Courtois’ Chelsea career unravelled into a completely different direction to Kepa, who has received a torrent of criticism due to his inconsistency.

Mario Melchiot labelled him as a “liability” and the decision of the previous hierarchy to sign Edouard Mendy and promote the Senegalese as the first choice was a clear indication of the Spaniard's faltering pedigree.

In the present day, the £150k-per-week shot-stopper now finds himself as a potential starter due to Mendy’s sudden decline and exit for Saudi Arabia.

Kepa, who was originally tasked to be Courtois’ replacement, has not fulfilled the assignment, and it would be an extremely risky strategy for Pochettino to not consider Martinez as Chelsea’s new goalkeeper.

Having been named the best goalkeeper in the world last year, he could well be the club's finest stopper since the days of their towering Belgian.

Arsenal Plotting Swoop For "Underrated" £21m Raya Partner

As Arsenal step up their interest in Brentford goalkeeper, David Raya, reports in Italy have suggested that the Gunners are now also plotting a move for Dinamo Zagreb defender, Josip Sutalo…

How much would Josip Sutalo cost?

According to Corriere dello Sport – via Sport Witness – the north Londoners are believed to have joined Serie A side, Fiorentina in the race for the Croatian centre-back, with the presence of Mikel Arteta's side seemingly set to prove something of a problem for the Italian outfit.

As per the report, the Florence-based side are said to have already seen a €15m (£13m) offer rejected by the 23-year-old's current side, with the selling party seemingly hoping to recoup close to €25m (£21m) if they are to cash in this summer.

Read the latest Arsenal transfer news HERE…

That figure is deemed to be 'frightening' for I Viola, although the expectation is that those at the Emirates would be far more able to match that asking price, if the Premier League giants are to step up their interest.

Who is Josip Sutalo?

That interest in the 6 foot 3 titan may come as something of a surprise considering that Arteta has already moved to bring Jurrien Timber to the club to help compete with the likes of Gabriel, William Saliba and Jakub Kiwior, although having been regarded as "one of the most underrated U-23 CBs in Europe" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, it is easy to see why Sutalo has caught the eye.

It does appear that following their unsuccessful title charge last season, the Gunners are particularly keen to bolster their strength in depth, amid reports that the club have agreed personal terms with the aforementioned Raya in order to provide competition for Aaron Ramsdale in the sticks.

Brentford's David Raya

With the Spain international having even been described as a "better keeper" than Ramsdale by talkSPORT's Gabby Agbonlahor, it may be that the current Bees could be the man in the sticks on a regular basis next term, with the promising Sutalo stationed ahead of him in one of those centre-back berths.

Much like Raya – who ranked first in the division last season for saves made – Sutalo is seemingly the type of player that will do all he can try and deny the opposition, as he notably ranks in the top 3% among his European peers for blocks made, as well as in the top 18% for tackles made.

That ball-winning prowess was particularly evident last season as the towering colossus averaged 2.9 tackles and interceptions from his 27 league appearances in his homeland, with that a better record than both Gabriel (2.1) and Saliba (two) for instance.

What is also striking about the Zagreb man is his ease at playing out from the back as he also ranks in the top 13% for successful take-ons as a marker of his ability to drive up the pitch, while he also recorded an average pass accuracy rate of 93% in 2022/23, again a greater record than both Gabriel (90%) and Saliba (91%).

That trait could ensure that Sutalo is able to comfortably link up with Raya in the defensive unit, with the latter man also a master in possession. As Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp stated back in 2021, the Barcelona-born 'keeper "could wear the number ten shirt" such is his brilliance on the ball, with the 27-year-old set to be able to pick out the Croatian defender with relative ease.

If not installed as starting options straight away, that pairing could swiftly cement themselves as key figures under Arteta for the upcoming campaign.

Nottingham Forest Set To Make Offer For "Complete" £11.7m Striker

Nottingham Forest are set to make a new bid for Rosario Central striker Alejo Veliz, who has informed his current club he wants to leave this summer, according to reports from Argentina.

What's the latest Nottingham Forest transfer news?

Forest are in hot pursuit of a new striker, having recently been linked with a swoop for Strasbourg's Habib Diallo, with Steve Cooper making the 28-year-old, who is valued at around £20m, one of his "top priorities".

The manager does have some other attacking targets in mind, with reports circulating that a deal for Alexis Sanchez was in the offing, but transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has recently quashed those rumours, saying:

"Nottingham Forest never had any talk or conversation with Alexis Sanchez — no negotiations taking place at this stage despite reports. Forest remain focused on Dean Henderson and Ismail Jakobs deals."

Veliz has also emerged as a transfer target for the Reds, with recent reports detailing they have "initiated contacts" with Rosario Central over a move to the Premier League, although he is also attracting interest from European giants AC Milan.

Forest have now taken the next steps in their pursuit of the forward, with a new offer set to be made, having had a bid of £7.8m rejected last weekend, as Rosario Central are looking to hold out for an offer close to his release clause of £11.7m (Argentine media, via Sport Witness).

There is no mention of the fee the Tricky Trees are willing to offer, but they have been handed a potential boost, as the 19-year-old has informed his current club he wants to leave this summer.

The Argentine side are aware they cannot keep rejecting offers, and they are willing to facilitate a move, but they are set to request that the youngster returns to the club on loan until the end of the year.

Who is Alejo Veliz?

The Argentinian starlet has burst onto the scene with Rosario Central over the past two seasons, but his 2023 campaign was by far his most prolific, scoring a total of 11 goals in 23 Liga Professional appearances.

At international level, the centre-forward has also looked very impressive, scoring three goals in four games at the U20 World Cup, showcasing that he could soon make a push for the first team and earn his first international cap.

It is unclear whether Cooper is targeting the Rosario Central star as someone to immediately come into the first-team setup at the City Ground, however he is showing all the signs that he could be ready to make the step-up to the Premier League.

Argentina striker Alejo Veliz.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has described the marksman as a "complete forward", while also praising him for his aerial prowess, finishing and movement, also likening him to former Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Raul Jimenez.

The striker only averaged 0.5 key passes per game in the 2023 campaign, ranking him ninth in the Rosario Central squad, which indicates he is an out-and-out striker, whose main focus is goals.

That is by no means a bad thing, as Forest are in need of some extra firepower in attack, scoring just 38 league goals last season, and Veliz could be a fantastic long-term addition to the squad.

Leeds Could Secure "Brave" £4m-rated Cooper Replacement

Leeds United seem to be closing in on a key target that could revolutionise their backline, once again adding proven top-level quality to aid in their push for Championship promotion…

Who are Leeds United signing this summer?

With new acquisitions Ethan Ampadu, Sam Byram and Karl Darlow all boasting experience playing in the Premier League, on top of those who remain after last season's disappointing relegation, the Whites are slowly forging a squad capable of cruising through their new division under Daniel Farke.

However, their latest touted addition could prove the most important, as they seek to shore up a fragile backline that shipped 78 goals last term, the most in the league.

Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…

That's according to Phil Hay, who wrote an article for The Athletic that suggested the west Yorkshire outfit are closing in on a deal for Tottenham Hotspur defender Joe Rodon.

Although the £4m-rated titan would only be joining on a year-long loan, it could still provide enough time for the 25-year-old to make his mark at Elland Road and propel them towards the title.

How good is Joe Rodon?

Although Rodon has only featured 24 times for the Lilywhites' first team, the Wales international did enjoy a fine recent loan spell in France, to showcase an ability to shine within another top-flight league.

However, it is also worth noting just how imperious he was before he even moved to north London, as his exploits as a youngster for Swansea City suggest that he could so easily dominate the Championship again.

In what was his first campaign at that level, during the 2018/19 term, he maintained a 7.03 average rating, buoyed by his 87% pass accuracy, 91% dribble success rate, 1.2 interceptions and 5.1 tackles per game, via Sofascore. He showcased both his quality on the ball and his steely defensive qualities, which have not waned over time.

As such, his 6.88 average rating in Ligue 1 also saw him record a 90% pass accuracy alongside 3.4 clearances per game, via Sofascore.

Someone who is unflinching in the tackle and never shy to stick a foot in or stride out from the back, he earned particular praise from Jose Mourinho during his tenure at Spurs:

"He showed good personality, good concentration, was good on the ball. First half building well and going for duels. Not a coward for not to assume the duels, a brave boy to go for every duel, even against difficult opponents like they are."

liam-cooper

It is these qualities that suggest he could more than replace the ageing Liam Cooper, who has recently been ruled out for up to eight weeks, to compound his persisting injury woes.

When available, the 31-year-old Scotsman actually profiles similarly to Rodon, perhaps without as much confidence in possession.

During his last fully-fit season, which arguably came as Leeds won the Championship title, his 7.07 average rating partnered an 82% pass accuracy, as well as 1.8 interceptions, 1.4 tackles and three clearances per game, via Sofascore.

Given the two centre-backs in question stand at 6 foot 2 and 6 foot 4 respectively, there would be little change in the physical presence at the back too, to emphasise their similarities further.

Rodon represents a fine alternative to the often-injured cult hero and adds to their ever-growing list of players capable not only of starring in this division, but the one they will hope to rise back into soon.

Burnley Could Head For Late Transfer Window Disaster

In the short term, failure and bad decisions are often magnified to a much higher extent, whereas success is often only truly appreciated in the long run and with the benefit of hindsight.

For a newly-promoted Premier League side like Burnley, you are not afforded the benefit of hindsight and there is no room for error.

The squad has to become curated to the best of your abilities and incomings need to be logical, purposeful, and impactful.

The Clarets are certainly a team in this boat and their summer business has signalled their desire to retain their top-flight status.

Vincent Kompany's men have already spent £78m and their recent £12m coup of Sander Berge from promotion rivals Sheffield United is indicative of their intent.

This signing looks to have defused the flame of the Albert Sambi-Lokonga rumours, which could be the best eventuality for both parties…

Are Burnley signing a new midfielder?

At the end of July, as per the Evening Standard, Burnley had been leading the race to sign Albert-Sambi Lokonga either on loan or as a permanent deal.

Kompany was said to be driving the interest in the young Belgian, who he worked with whilst he was in charge of Anderlecht.

However, it was recently reported by Sacha Tavolieri that Burnley didn’t meet the player’s expectations regarding personal terms and the deal has become ‘complicated.’

As a result, Monaco has also expressed an interest in the midfielder but ‘nothing concrete’ has materialised.

How good is Albert Sambi-Lokonga?

Lokonga joined Arsenal in the summer of 2021 for £17.2m, but in two years he has managed just 14 Premier League starts, and last season he only accumulated nine domestic appearances before joining Crystal Palace on loan in January 2023.

Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga.

This was supposedly meant to signal a fresh start for the £50k-per-week man, but Palace failed to win any of the six Premier League games that he started.

Palace’s abysmal form meant that Roy Hodgson was reinstated as the manager, but the veteran coach was reluctant to deploy Lokonga in the club’s battle to distance itself from relegation as he was an unused substitute in eight of the final ten outings.

Statistically, it is clear to see Lokonga’s failed impact as he ranks within the lowest 33% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for shot-creating actions, progressive carries, and successful take-ons per 90, as well as the bottom 14% for tackles and blocks per 90.

His inability to stamp any meaningful authority at either end of the pitch is a worry for a club like Burnley, which require players to immediately acclimatise to avoid the drop zone.

Roy Keane has previously described his form as a “big concern” and with his Arsenal career seemingly written off, Burnley could make far more astute steps in the market.

They may have already done so with Berge, who has two seasons of consecutive, gruelling Championship football under his belt – the second of which saw Sheffield United secure promotion back to the top flight. Lokonga, however, does not have that in his locker and it would be a mistake to think he could make a desirable impact at this level.

Indeed, for the Belgian, the next step of his career may need to come outside English football as a relegation scrap at Burnley doesn’t seem the ideal environment where he can thrive.

Everton Boosted In Pursuit Of 19-Year-Old Attacker

Everton have been pursuing a move for Leeds United winger Wilfried Gnonto all summer long, and they have received a fresh boost in their efforts.

Do Everton want to sign Wilfried Gnonto?

The 19-year-old has arguably been one of the most talked-about players during the summer transfer window, with his future very much up in the air. He became an immediate key man for Leeds after joining last summer, but their relegation from the Premier League to the Championship is making it tough for them to retain his services.

While the Whites are clearly digging their heels in and doing all they can to keep hold of Gnonto, it has also become obvious that the Italian wants to seal a move away from Elland Road this summer, rather than languish in the second tier of English football for at least a year.

It is Everton who have arguably stood out as the favourites to acquire the winger's signature between now and the end of the month, with various reports emerging regarding their strong interest in him.

Gnonto may still be a Leeds player as it stands, but there is still time for that to change and a new update will be viewed as a positive one by Everton supporters.

What's the latest on Wilfried Gnonto to Everton?

According to Gazzetta dello Sport [via Sport Witness], Gnonto "has only one goal" at the moment, and that is to secure a move away from Leeds before the transfer window slams shut at the end of August. The report also states that he "chases the Premier League" in order to "save his place in the national team", acting as a further boost for the Blues, who have had offers rejected for the forward.

Everton then get a mention as a club that the Leeds youngster "could be saved" by, with the Merseysiders already "winking" at him throughout the summer and therefore still keen on signing.

This is certainly a good update for Blues man to hear, with Gnonto's intentions clear and his mind firmly set on a speedy return to the Premier League. Whether Leeds budge at any point remains to be seen, but the Blues must further test their resolves with an improved bid for him.

While the Italy international may not necessarily come in and transform Everton's fortunes on his own, he would add an unpredictable spark to the attack from the off, combining speed, trickery and solid end product for his age, having registered six goal contributions (two goals and four assists) in the Premier League last season.

Read the latest Everton transfer news HERE…

Gnonto has been hailed as "absolutely crucial" for Leeds by football talent scout Jacek Kulig in the recent past, as well as "superb", and his long-term potential makes him someone who could be a fantastic addition at Goodison Park for a number of years to come.

It is still so clear that Everton are in huge need of more firepower in their attack, both out wide and in central areas, but if they could get a deal for Gnonto over the line, it would be a massive positive, hopefully nailing him down for many years to come.

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