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According to newspaper Il Messaggero, as relayed by Calcio News 24, there has been a big update on Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer plans involving Roma defender Roger Ibanez.

The Lowdown: Spurs set to be busy…

It’s no secret that Spurs head coach Antonio Conte is eyeing fresh additions to his backline, specifically at centre-half, with links emerging to a plethora of names.

GiveMeSport sum it up by revealing that Alessandro Bastoni, Josko Gvardiol, Pau Torres, Marc Guehi, Gleison Bremer, Stefan De Vrij and Clement Lenglet have all been on the shortlist at various points.

Another central defensive target in Roma star Ibanez has also now been linked with Il Messaggero (via Calcio News 24) now sharing what could be a significant update.

The Latest: Tottenham table bid…

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According to the newspaper, Premier League sides Spurs and Newcastle United have both ‘proposed’ €30 million (£26m) to sign the player who is ‘very popular’ and in-demand.

However, it may take more to prise away Ibanez, who has a big release clause of €80m (£68m).

The Verdict: Press further?

We believe £68m may be too much to spend on Ibanez given Tottenham have other ‘world class’ targets like Torres of Villarreal available for less.

The Brazilian has been a brilliant player for Jose Mourinho at the Stadio Olimpico, making more interceptions per 90 than any Roma player whilst ranking in as their sixth-best performing player (WhoScored).

However, Torres has been just as effective under Unai Emery in La Liga and is available for much less with his £55m release clause.

As Fabio Paratici weighs his next move, all options must be considered carefully.

In other news: ‘Big’ – Tottenham expected to make move for ‘supremely underrated’ star! Find out more here.

Aston Villa have been urged to make a move for soon-to-be free agent Gareth Bale.

What’s the word?

The 32-year-old Welshman’s contract at Real Madrid expires at the end of this month, so he will be able to sign for whichever club he chooses via the Bosman rule, and Gabby Agbonlahor believes that Steven Gerrard should duly pounce.

Asked whether Villa should move for Bale on talkSPORT [via Birmingham Mail], the club’s former striker said: “I’d take him, yeah. Because Leon Bailey had his injury problems and not performed. Aston Villa have got options in Coutinho and Buendia but Bale would offer something different coming from the wide position.”

A shock signing?

Villa’s name being mentioned in conjunction with Bale may come as something of a shock. Amid reports mooting several clubs with a possible move for the Wales forward, the Midlanders have been conspicuous by their absence.

While Agbonlahor may be among the first to cite Villa as a possible destination for the 32-year-old, it is certainly not the worst shout in the world.

When Bale – who has been dubbed “unplayable” by Seb Stafford-Bloor – returned to the Premier League on loan in autumn 2020, there was plenty of scrutiny surrounding him. However, he inevitably delivered for Jose Mourinho at Spurs, with 13 attacking returns in 20 top-flight appearances in the form of 11 goals and two assists.

Despite Carlo Ancelotti’s return to Real Madrid, Bale has not been given a chance at all under the manager who first brought him to the Bernabeu in 2013, making just five appearances in La Liga with one goal to show for it. Nonetheless, they all add up, with Bale’s career total now sitting at 183 goals.

A switch to an ambitious Villa side under perhaps a more trusting manager in Gerrard could be enough to rejuvenate Bale’s passion for the game and would likely help the Villans to make a stronger push for European qualification.

This is a prospective move which could pay dividends for both parties, giving Bale the opportunity to gather strong club form ahead of the World Cup with Wales later this year.

Agbonlahor has got this completely right, in our view.

In other news: Gerrard must pounce on Villa swoop for £263k-p/w “stallion” who supporters would love 

Aston Villa had been linked with a move for Roma star Henrikh Mkhitaryan in recent weeks but the Armenia international now looks set to join Serie A rivals Inter as he targets Champions League football.

What’s the word?

Villa had been named as one potential destination for the former Manchester United and Arsenal man this summer, with the 33-year-old available on a free transfer with his Roma contract set to expire later this month.

However, journalist Fabrizio Romano has now confirmed that he will be swapping Rome for Milan, as he tweeted:

“More on Henrikh Mkhitaryan deal. He’s set to sign a two-year contract with Inter, he wanted Champions League football so he decided to refuse AS Roma proposal. Inter Deal completed, medical tests and official statement pending. Here we go.”

Villa supporters will be gutted

Although Mkhitaryan’s spell in the Premier League didn’t live up to expectations, following his impressive form for Borussia Dortmund prior to his move to Old Trafford, he could have been a solid addition to Steven Gerrard’s squad.

Since joining Roma from Arsenal in 2020, the experienced midfielder has gone on to make 117 appearances for I Giallorossi, in which he has contributed an impressive 29 goals and 28 assists.

Gerrard might boast a number of attacking-midfield options including Philippe Coutinho, Emi Buendia and Jacob Ramsey, but Mhkitaryan would have added some real versatility and quality to the Villans’ attack and considering he was available on a free transfer, it would have been a no-brainer for the Midlands club.

After Arsenal signed him in 2018, Arsene Wenger was extremely complimentary of the Armenian, saying:

“Henrikh is a very complete player. He creates chances, he defends well, he can absorb distances and he’s very committed as well.

“I must say he’s a player who has all the attributes.”

While he might have lost a yard of pace in the four years since, he was still a key player for Jose Mourinho’s Roma last season, averaging an impressive 6.99 rating from WhoScored for his performances in Serie A after notching five goals and six assists.

Therefore, Villa fans should be gutted that their side wasn’t able to entice Mkhitaryan to Villa Park.

And, in other news… Aston Villa can form dream duo with free transfer swoop

Wolves are plotting a bid for RC Lens midfielder Cheick Doucoure as Bruno Lage aims to rejuvenate his squad ahead of next season.

What’s the word?

According to The Mirror, the 22-year-old is set to leave Lens for a move to the Premier League this summer, with the midfielder in high demand.

Wolves are interested, although they face a battle alongside Arsenal, Everton, Brighton and Crystal Palace, who are all keen to secure his signature.

With his market value currently sitting at £9m, the report states a bid of £18m could be the fee to secure his services.

Lage could bolster his midfield

Wolves have had a solid first season under the leadership of Lage as they secured a third top-half finish in four seasons since their promotion from the Championship in 2018. The aim for next term will surely to be in amongst the European places as the manager looks to emulate Nuno Espirito Santo, who guided the club into Europe in 2019.

This will be a challenging task, and with the rumours circling over the future of Ruben Neves, the squad will need to be strengthened over the summer.

Doucoure would be an excellent addition at Molineux. With an average WhoScored rating of 6.94, which ranks him fifth in the Lens squad, and an 87.5% pass success rate, it’s clear to see why the 22-year-old is such a wanted man.

The midfielder places in the top 7% compared to positional peers in the big five European leagues for progressive passes (6.26 per 90) and progressive carries (6.87). Although he is a defensive midfielder, his willingness to get forward and support the attack as much as possible will surely please Lage.

Indeed, Doucoure plundered four assists in Ligue 1 this season, the same tally as Wolves’ chief creator Raul Jimenez in the Premier League.

Following a stellar performance against Nice in April, in which he was key in all three of Lens’ goals, his display came in for plenty of praise. French football journalist Andres Ramos stated that the 22-year-lld was “destroying everyone” that day, and this battling attitude is something from which Wolves could benefit next season.

The club could land a bargain for £18m by signing the all-action Doucoure, a no-nonsense defensive midfielder who can still contribute plenty in the final third. That sounds like the kind of player that Lage badly needs at Molineux, where goals were in short supply this season.

AND in other news, in talks: Lage can unearth Wolves’ new Neves & Moutinho in double swoop for £12.8m duo

Recent reports have suggested that Celtic are nearing a £6.5m move for loan star Jota, the Portuguese starlet having dazzled as the Hoops reclaimed the Scottish Premiership title from their Old Firm rivals.

In 29 league outings the 23-year-old – who joined the club on deadline day last summer – scored ten goals and recorded a further ten assists, with only James Tavernier having registered more assists in the Scottish top-flight (13).

Such form has seen him earn praise from fans and pundits alike, with Owen Hargreaves dubbing him a “terrific player” for his impactful displays this term under Ange Postecoglou.

There has unsurprisingly been a clamour to see him snapped up from parent club Benfica on a permanent deal in the coming months, with the £4.95m-rated gem likely to be integral to the Celtic Park outfit if they are to retain their title next season and enjoy a strong run in the Champions League.

His reported fee may well appear a bargain price anyway, particularly in the modern market, although the club’s supporters will likely be stunned by the fact that he could have been signed for a much-reduced price years earlier, only for the Glasgow outfit to snub the deal.

According to former scout David Moss, the Scottish champions could have struck a deal for the Lisbon-born playmaker years prior to his eventual move, with a fee of just £200k having been mooted – less than 30 times less than what his expected asking price is set to be in the upcoming window.

The then 16-year-old had been recommended by Benfica coach Helena Costa to Moss, although he revealed that the club failed to act upon the scout report.

Reflecting on that missed opportunity, the scout stated that: “I was scouting for the Celtic academy when she [Costa]said to me: ‘David, you need to try and sign this winger before he signs a contract with Benfica.’ I went over there a few times to watch him and met him and his parents.

“For whatever reason, I just don’t think Celtic were in a position back then to go and spend £200k or whatever the fee would have been to take on a teenage player with no first-team experience.”

Although it hasn’t proven a case of one that got away, with the player eventually ending up in Scotland, it will no doubt serve as a real headscratcher to both Postecoglou and supporters that the club overlooked such a promising talent the first time around.

There is no doubt sense in not forking out a fee for player yet to taste senior action, although the club are now set to pay the price for that inaction, with the only saving grace being that the potential deal this summer won’t come at too great a cost.

In other news, Celtic can unearth a new Giakoumakis after submitting bid for “very strong” £2.5m gem

On-loan Celtic winger Jota is reportedly focused on kicking on at Parkhead, further suggesting that he will sign a permanent deal this summer.

The Lowdown: Jota superb for Hoops

The Hoops won the Scottish Premiership title earlier this month, following a memorable first season with Ange Postecoglou in charge.

Jota was undoubtedly a key player throughout the campaign, picking up 15 goal contributions (seven goals and eight assists) in the league and being hailed as ‘absolutely brilliant’ by Marvin Bartley.

The Portuguese starlet is only on loan from Benfica currently, however, and the hope is that he stays for good this summer.

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The Latest: Jota open to signing

According to A Bola [via Sport Witness], Jota has gone on holiday ‘with the conviction’ that he will ‘continue to shine’ at Parkhead moving forward.

He is thought to have a ‘very happy relationship’ with Celtic in general, with the report even describing it as a ‘marriage’ which he will say ‘yes’ to.

Contract terms are already being negotiated, claims the report, with Celtic informing Benfica they will trigger the buy option.

The Verdict: A no-brainer for Celtic

This is a hugely positive update from a Celtic perspective, with Jota such a talented attacking player who could potentially be a future icon at the club.

At 23, he has so many years ahead of him and he has shown in his short time with the Hoops what a devastating wide player he can be in the Scottish Premiership.

Jota will surely be licking his lips at the prospect of playing in the Champions League next season, too, which is surely another big reason why he looks ready to sign permanently.

In other news, Kieran Devlin has dropped a key Celtic transfer claim. Read more here.

Newcastle United plan to have an £80million-plus-sales transfer budget for this summer’s window, The Athletic’s George Caulkin says. 

The lowdown

Newcastle are gearing up for their first summer market since their Saudi-led takeover went through back in the autumn.

In January, the new owners sanctioned a record spend of around £90million on five new players: Bruno Guimaraes, Chris Wood, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and loan signing Matt Targett.

Manager Eddie Howe has cooled any expectation of a revolution on Tyneside this summer, stressing that Newcastle will have to work within the constraints of Financial Fair Play rules.

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The latest

Addressing supporters on The Athletic’s matchday discussion board shortly before kick-off on Monday, Caulkin shared some insight on Newcastle’s likely spending power.

He says player sales could furnish Howe with a similar budget to the winter window and allow for another ‘transformative’ transfer season.

“Sources have told us it could go up to £80m,” he said. “Players will also leave. So let’s add that to the pot – another £20 million, say.

“That takes Newcastle’s spending power to within touching distance of January and January was transformative.”

The verdict

We can expect a large chunk of that initial £80million to be spent on a striker.

The I’s Mark Douglas has claimed that recruiting a new no. 9 is an absolute priority for the club this summer.

They’re said to hold an interest in Benfica’s Darwin Nunez, available for €60million (£50.4million) according to The Athletic.

If they were to spend more than 60% of their budget on the Uruguayan, then they may be forced to dip into the loan market or free agents pool to strengthen their squad elsewhere.

As for sales, Matt Ritchie, Isaac Hayden, Ciaran Clark, Dwight Gayle and Karl Darlow have been named as some of the players who could be moved on to clear space and raise funds.

In other news, Luke Edwards shares an exciting summer claim for NUFC.

Wolves goalkeeping coach Tony Roberts is the latest individual to have tested positive for Covid at the club, according to reliable journalist Tim Spiers.

The Lowdown: Huge test for Wolves

Wanderers are back in Premier League action on Wednesday evening, as they welcome red-hot title favourites Manchester City to Molineux.

The match is not only important for City, however, with Wolves still in with a chance of qualifying for Europe next season, sitting eighth in the table and five points adrift of West Ham with a game in hand.

Bruno Lage will likely be absent from the game because of Covid – unless he can test negative in the next 24 hours – and now another update has emerged with even more bad news.

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The Latest: Roberts tests positive

Taking to Twitter, Spiers confirmed that Roberts, who filled in for Lage at the weekend, will also be isolating for Wednesday’s game:

“Covid continues to hit the Wolves staff. GK coach Tony Roberts has now tested positive.”

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The Verdict: Another blow for Wanderers

While no players have been affected by Covid ahead of the visit of City, this can’t be helping their preparation ahead of one of the biggest tests they could ask for.

Fitness coach Carlos Cachada is on press conference duty and could, therefore, be in charge in the dugout on Wednesday, being given information by the housebound Lage throughout proceedings.

If Wolves manage to pull off a shock result without both their manager and the fill-in, it would not only keep their European dream alive but also act as a huge boost for Liverpool, who will be willing Wanderers on at Molineux.

In other news, Wolves have been backed to sign one attacking player this summer. Find out who it is here.

Former England striker Alan Shearer took to social media to laud Everton full-back Vitaliy Mykolenko for his ‘stunning’ strike against Leicester City this afternoon. 

The lowdown: Dream start for Everton

The Toffees made the perfect start to their crucial match at the King Power Stadium  as Frank Lampard’s side look to get themselves out of the Premier League relegation zone.

With just six minutes on the clock, following some last-ditch defending from Yerry Mina, Alex Iwobi picked out Mykolenko on the edge of the penalty area before the Ukrainian full-back crashed a powerful volley beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel.

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The visitors  couldn’t hold onto their goal advantage for long as Patson Daka levelled the score soon after before Mason Holgate restored the lead…

The latest: Shearer impressed by Mykolenko goal

Taking to Twitter in the immediate aftermath of Mykoelnko’s early goal, the all-time Premier League top scorer Shearer hailed the 22-year-old’s effort.

The Newcastle legend gushed: “Wow. What a stunning a strike from #Mykolenko for his first @premierleague goal #LEIEVE”

In fact, this was the 21-cap defender’s first direct goal involvement for Lampard’s team, having signed from Dynamo Kyiv in January.

The verdict: Mykolenko has done well

Even though Daka quickly cancelled out that early goal, the joy on Mykolenko’s face and indeed the pandemonium in the away end at the King Power was a pleasure to behold for Evertonians.

Since coming to Goodison Park for a reported £17m (BBC), the young full-back has endured the hardship of witnessing his homeland facing an invasion from Russia.

All credit should go to Mykolenko for being able to focus on the Everton cause, posting some decent performances so far and carving out a regular spot in Lampard’s first XI, and indeed coming up with such a special moment in a match of this magnitude.

In other news, find out what ‘serious upgrade’ Everton are now eyeing

Respected transfer insider Gianluca Di Marzio has dropped an exciting update regarding Arsenal’s interest in Monaco midfielder, Aurelien Tchouameni…

What’s the word?

Speaking to German outlet Wettfreunde, the Italian Sky Sports journalist revealed that the Gunners are one of the clubs that “are following” the talented Frenchman, with the 22-year-old said to be keen on a Premier League move.

Previous reports have credited Mikel Arteta’s side with an interest in the former Bordeaux man, although they may face stiff competition from both Manchester United and Chelsea in the race for his signature.

In full, he said: “A lot of clubs in the Premier League are following him. Arsenal, Manchester United to name just two. He would like to play in the Premier League. He has stayed at Monaco for another year to await a chance to play in the Premier League. I think that will be the summer when he changes.”

Supporters will be buzzing

The north London outfit are currently flying high with a Champions League spot well within their grasp, although one position that remains an area of concern is central midfield, with Arteta currently down to the bare bones with regards to potential options.

Summer signing Albert Sambi Lokonga is yet to truly establish himself in the side, while former Atletico Madrid powerhouse Thomas Partey has been plagued by injuries since his £45m switch two years ago, with the Ghanian facing a race against time to feature again this season.

That has left both Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny as the club’s senior midfield options, although the latter faces an uncertain future with just a month or so left on his existing deal, despite having been the subject of praise from pundit Owen Hargreaves.

A new addition is then of paramount importance this summer, with Tchouameni seemingly the perfect fit as the defensive presence in an attack-minded side.

Not only does he fit with the club’s youthful transfer policy of late – with the Emirates outfit signing six players under the age of 23 last summer – but he also offers genuine quality, having been tipped to become a “complete midfielder” by teammate and former Gunner Cesc Fabregas.

The Spaniard knows what it takes to star in an Arsenal side, with his club colleague showing all the signs that he can be the man to pull the strings in midfield for years to come. However, his physical qualities are also symbolic of a certain Patrick Vieira, someone the north Londoners have been trying to replace for over a decade now.

The Monaco man has enjoyed another fine campaign for club and country, having made 2.8 tackles and 2.5 interceptions per game in his 32 Ligue 1 outings so far this season, while he’s also won an impressive 64% of his total duels.

Equally, he also ranks in the top 17% for progressive passes made and in the top 13% for total shots among players in his position in Europe’s top five leagues, showcasing he is much more than just a midfield destroyer.

Dubbed a “monster” by France U21 boss Sylvain Ripoll for his athletic ability, the £36m-rated ace is the type of player that the Gunners are simply crying out for at present, with a marquee midfield addition needed to help them kick on again next year.

IN other news, 0 passes all game: Arsenal flop doing a “Sanogo impression” must now never start again…