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West Ham United are believed to keen on Argentine striker Giovanni Simeone, according to reports in Italy.

What’s the word?

As per Wednesday’s edition of newspaper Corriere di Verona (via Sports Witness), the Hammers have been named as one of the clubs who are keeping tabs on the 26-year-old, with a summer move seemingly on the cards for the five-cap international.

The forward spent the most recent campaign on loan at Serie A side outfit Hellas Verona from parent club Cagliari, although is expected to move on in the upcoming window even if his temporary switch is made permanent.

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Verona are believed to be able to complete the signing for a fee of around €10.5m (£8.9m), although will then likely sell him on for profit, with both West Ham and Newcastle United potentially set to pounce.

Better than Antonio

The former Fiorentina man – who is the son of Atletico Madrid boss, Diego – has put himself on the radar of a number of clubs across Europe following his remarkable goalscoring spree in the 2021/22 campaign.

In 35 league outings in the Italian top-flight, the £15.3m-rated marksman netted an impressive 17 goals while also laying on a further five assists, with only three players having scored more goals in the division.

Such form has also seen the £47k-per-week ace compare favourably to those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues, with the “fearless” forward – as he has been described by journalist Martin Mazur – ranking in the top 11% for non-penalty goals, while also showcasing his defensive qualities as he ranks in the top 7% for blocks and the top 16% for pressures made.

Although never truly prolific prior to this latest season, such a sensational season is hard to ignore, with the Madrid-born star potentially the man to fill the striking void at the London Stadium.

The Hammers currently have just Michail Antonio as their only senior, recognised centre-forward – having failed to replace club-record flop Sebastian Haller – with the Jamaica international himself admitting the need for increased competition.

Despite an early flurry at the start of the season, the 30-year-old has rubberstamped the belief that he is not a long-term fit to lead the line, enduring a notable dry spell in 2022 in which he scored just three league goals following the turn of the year.

His total tally of 13 goals in all competitions is his best return in a season for the club, although that remains a relatively underwhelming figure for a number nine, particularly when compared to Simeone’s haul last term.

Also – somewhat surprisingly – Antonio ranks poorly for his defensive work compared to the potential new arrival, ranking in just the top 47% for pressures made and the top 51% for blocks made.

That’s not to suggest that Moyes and co should dispense with him this summer, although a quality replacement is needed if the east Londoners are to really kick on next season, with Simeone seemingly the man for the job.

IN other news, GSB plotting bid for £13.5m-rated “revelation”, he could be West Ham’s next Sinclair 

Celtic will complete the permanent signing of on-loan defender Cameron Carter-Vickers this summer, according to journalist Michael Bridge.

The Lowdown: Superb loan spell

The American traded Tottenham for the Hoops on a temporary basis last summer, having been told he wasn’t part of Nuno Espirito Santo’s plans.

It has proved to be a masterstroke of a loan move for Carter-Vickers, who won the Scottish Premiership and Scottish League Cup in 2021/22, standing out as a key man at centre-back.

Celtic are now working hard on signing the 24-year-old permanently, although there is interest from other clubs.

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The Latest: Journalist backs move

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Sky Sports’ Bridge backed Ange Postecoglou to get his man:

“I think that will happen, because he’s a player who’s been on loan to every other club, he’s never found his home. He’s had about 20 EFL loans, but he’s ended up winning the title with Celtic, so I think he’s found his home there.”

The Verdict: Surely it happens?

This is a deal that seemingly suits all parties, with Spurs happy to sell, Celtic desperate to buy and Carter-Vickers settling in brilliantly at Parkhead.

It would now be a huge surprise if the USA international decided to move elsewhere instead of the Hoops, also acting as an enormous blow in the process.

Carter-Vickers averaged an impressive 4.2 aerial duel wins per game in the league this season, as well as 4.2 clearances per match, highlighting his defensive prowess and further showing why he would be such a good signing for Celtic for years to come.

In other news, Celtic are eyeing up a move for a midfielder. Find out who it is here.

The latest indication is that Newcastle United are still hoping to secure a deal for Stade de Reims striker Hugo Ekitike, having previously missed out on the 19-year-old during the January transfer window.

The teenager revealed at the time that he had turned down an offer of a switch to St James’ Park as the “timing wasn’t right” during the winter, although the move could be on the cards again in the upcoming window, with a departure from the Ligue 1 outfit now seemingly likely.

The £18m-rated gem has become hot property following a standout campaign in the French top-flight, having netted ten league goals in 24 appearances, albeit while missing much of the second half of the season due to injury.

Dubbed the “next Mbappe” by journalist Graeme Bailey, the fledgling talent still has plenty to do to reach the heights of his compatriot, although his rapid progression of late has set tongues wagging in the northeast.

During his time at Bournemouth, manager Eddie Howe proved his knack of working and nurturing young talent, with the Englishman likely to be jumping at the chance to help develop such an exciting prospect.

Not that Ekitike will necessarily be the starting striker next term – with two centre-forward additions potentially on the cards – yet the starlet also possesses the ability to feature out wide, proving a useful asset in Howe’s squad.

Equally, the 6 foot 2 marksman is not simply a goalscorer, ranking in the top 3% for dribbles completed among those in his position in Europe’s big five leagues as well as in the top 17 % for progressive carries, showcasing his ability at driving his side up the pitch.

As they say, however, when one door opens another closes, with his potential arrival set to trigger some notable outgoings among the current squad, with 32-year-old Dwight Gayle one man seemingly destined for the axe.

The former Crystal Palace man was named as one of seven players who could be part of a mass exodus this summer, having failed to make any sort of mark in what has been a dismal last few seasons.

Having fired the club out of the Championship during his debut season on Tyneside, netting 23 league goals during the 2016/17 campaign, he has since scored just 11 top-flight goals for the Magpies, with arguably his best campaign having come on loan at West Bromwich Albion in 2018/19 when he again scored 23 second-tier goals.

In truth, the Englishman should likely have departed then with his stock high, yet has since been forced to wither away on the substitutes bench, failing to score a single goal in all competitions this season – albeit having been afforded just eight outings.

The £40k-per-week dud still has two years left to run on his existing contract, however, having bizarrely been handed a new three-year deal last summer.

Journalist Liam Kennedy stated at the time that such a move by the club was a “frustrating” one, as they had effectively opted to extend his contract in order to avoid having to spend money on a replacement.

That was under the Mike Ashley regime, however, with the new owners likely to see things differently.

In a side gearing up for an exciting future – and likely to contain young Ekitike – Gayle should be resigned to a figure of the past.

IN other news, Eddie Howe can now help NUFC sign “spectacular” £64m “nightmare”, he’s better than Saint-Maximin

Everton are looking to the transfer window to improve their squad this summer following a turbulent season in the Premier League, and Frank Lampard could reignite with one of his former players by bringing him back to Goodison Park.

What’s the latest?

According to journalist Paul Brown, the Toffees manager is looking to sign Chelsea youngster Billy Gilmour this summer.

When asked about Gilmour and Conor Gallagher by GIVEMESPORT, the Daily Star reporter replied: “I know Everton have looked at both players. I think they’ve got very little chance of getting Conor Gallagher because Gallagher knows he’ll get a chance at Chelsea.”

Supporters will love it

Not only has Lampard been the saviour in Everton’s relegation battle this season, but his connections in the Premier League as a legendary Chelsea player and former manager at Stamford Bridge should also put the Toffees in good stead to make some decent signings this summer to improve their squad.

Gilmour was given his top-flight debut by the former Chelsea boss in August 2019 and has gone from strength to strength ever since; and despite Norwich City’s relegation to the Championship this year, the youngster has shown glimpses of his talent whilst on a season-long loan at Carrow Road.

The 20-year-old made one key pass, 1.7 tackles, 1.2 clearances and 61.9 touches per game, delivering one assist and creating one big chance, whilst completing the majority of his dribbles (68%) in 24 Premier League appearances this term.

Gilmour will return to Chelsea this summer, but there is no reason why he won’t be offered out for another opportunity to prove himself next season after a campaign of struggle with Norwich, and Lampard’s Everton could offer a golden opportunity for the player to prove to Thomas Tuchel that he can be part of the long-term picture at Stamford Bridge.

With that in mind, the Toffees should do everything they can to sign the youngster this summer. It would not only be a good financial decision to bring in a loan player, Gilmour will surely be eager to impress, and he could work with a manager who has in-depth knowledge of his strengths and capabilities.

AND in other news: Fabrizio Romano reveals Everton have now “approached” £20m target, it would be a huge coup

Arsenal are in the market to bring a striker to the Emirates Stadium this summer and a fresh development in their pursuit has now emerged.

What’s the word?

A big update on Arsenal’s transfer movements this summer was issued by Fabrizio Romano on his YouTube channel this afternoon where he dropped the latest on the club’s chase of Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus.

He said: “Gabriel Jesus, remember the name because we had many rumours about Real Madrid and I’m told that’s true that Madrid had contact with his agents but it was weeks ago and not now, it’s not something advanced. They’ve had conversations but it’s not something advanced between Man City and Real Madrid.

“The feeling around sources is that Gabriel Jesus will play in the Premier League next season. He will leave Manchester City and the decision has been made. He is ready to go this summer.

“But now the race is open. Arsenal have been interested in him for a long time. He is a priority target but not the only club. It’s still an open deal. Arsenal are pushing and pushing with the Brazilian director Edu who has a good connection with Gabriel hoping to reach an agreement.”

Supporters will love it

Given how abundantly clear it is that Arsenal need to sign a striker this summer, supporters at the Emirates are sure to love that Jesus is a priority target during the window.

The Gunners said farewell to Pierre-Emerick Aubamayang back in January and it was a decision that ultimately came back to bite them.

Mikel Arteta’s men struggled for goals and as a result, missed out on a spot in next season’s Champions League by finishing fifth.

Alexandre Lacazette will leave the club at the end of his contract this month but his goal tally throughout 2021/22 was dismal. The Frenchman found the net on just six occasions, with only one strike coming in his last 16 Premier League outings.

As for Eddie Nketiah, he also found goals hard to come by until he got a chance at the end of the campaign, notching five in seven games.

The academy graduate looks set to pen a new deal but he cannot be relied upon over the course of an entire season to be their main centre-forward.

That’s why signing Jesus is a good idea. Compared to Spurs attacker Heung-min Son, the Brazil international scored 13 times and registered ten assists.

That might not be a mind-blowing goal tally but it’s important to factor in the fact that he only started 28 games during the entire campaign.

Thus, with more chance of attaining a regular place in the starting XI at Arsenal, those numbers would surely only increase.

Whether or not he can hold the burden of being the club’s main man remains to be seen, but it would be an exciting signing for supporters no doubt.

AND in other news, Arteta could unearth Arsenal’s new Aaron Ramsey in “mazy” 18 y/o Hale End sensation…

Rangers sensation Rory Wilson ‘will sign’ for Aston Villa on 1 July, transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano reports. 

The lowdown

Wilson seemingly has the potential to become a superstar, having bagged a whopping 49 goals at youth level last season.

The 16-year-old centre-forward has been capped 11 times by Scotland at Under-18 level and already scored eight goals.

The clubs have been in talks over a suitable package ‘for months’, but Rangers rejected Villa’s latest offer of around £300,000 (via The Athletic).

Unless one of the two sides agrees to compromise, the matter could be settled by a FIFA resolution committee.

The latest

Romano shared the news about Wilson in a tweet on Monday morning.

Villa are ‘set to sign’ the ‘talented Scottish striker from Rangers’ with ‘personal terms now agreed’.

He’ll officially become their player at the beginning of next month.

He adds that former Gers boss Steven Gerrard has been ‘the main factor’ in Wilson’s decision to move to the Midlands.

The verdict

This will be a blow for Rangers, who went to great lengths to try to persuade the starlet to commit long-term.

Football Insider claimed that Wilson was offered the most lucrative first-year professional deal in the club’s history. Giovanni van Bronckhorst and director of football Ross Wilson met with the player and his family to try to win him over.

The Gers could yet lose a senior player to Gerrard and Villa this summer too, with transfer insider Dean Jones telling GiveMeSport last week that the Premier League ‘seem to be in a good position to negotiate’ for Calvin Bassey.

They’re said to want £25million for the 22-year-old, which would represent a record sale.

In other news, Rangers have a potential Alfredo Morelos replacement in mind.

Journalist Jacque Talbot has now dropped some big Newcastle United transfer news regarding Lucas Paqueta.

The Lowdown: £50m mooted

As per The Times, the St James’ Park club are prepared to break their transfer record to sign the 24-year-old this summer.

The Lyon midfielder is thought to cost in the region of £50m, and the Magpies have been weighing up whether they should make a move for him.

The Latest: Paqueta transfer latest

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Talbot has said that Paqueta will not be moving to Tyneside this summer, despite Newcastle’s reported interest.

The journalist outlined: “He came to Newcastle to visit on holiday and I think it has literally stemmed from that. He’s friends with Bruno Guimaraes.

“I’ve been told from loads of sides – from the club side and the player side – there is nothing in Paqueta. He’s not going to go to Newcastle.

“Newcastle had him on a list, I think, in January. They like him, he is a talented player and he’s not happy at Lyon because of Juninho. In fact, Juninho has left and he is a little bit unsettled there, but Newcastle are not going to pay £50million for a player who is not in a priority position.”

The Verdict: It’s a shame

It would be a shame for the Magpies to miss out on Paqueta, as he could have linked up again with his compatriot former Lyon team-mate Bruno Guimaraes.

As Talbot points out, the duo are friends, and they could have formed a mouth-watering Brazilian trio with Joelinton in Newcastle’s midfield.

Paqueta scored an impressive 11 goals and supplied a further seven assists across all competitions last season (Transfermarkt), so he would have helped to ease the goalscoring burden on attackers Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson, who were the Magpies’ most productive assets in the final third in 2021/22.

Nonetheless, it is time to move onto other targets now, with Ibrahim Sangare and Moussa Diaby the latest names to be linked with a move to Eddie Howe’s team.

In other news, NUFC are now ‘interested’ in this ‘supernatural’ speedster

According to an Italian source, Liverpool are said to be plotting a shock move for Juventus defender Matthijs De Ligt.

The Lowdown: Strong Anfield links

The Dutchman has become a regular feature at the Allianz since joining the Italian giants from Ajax back in 2019, having made 117 appearances during his three-year spell to date.

Even though the 22-year-old still has two years remaining on his contract in the Serie A, he has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in recent weeks, in particular to Anfield, and after a fresh update, the Reds have now been put even more firmly into the picture for his signature.

The Latest: Liverpool join the race

In a new report published by Italian newspaper Tuttosport (via Sport Witness), it’s claimed that Liverpool have now ‘joined’ their top-flight rivals Chelsea in the race for De Ligt’s services, with the Reds ‘edging forward’ for a move.

The outlet says to ‘pay attention’ to the Merseysiders, with any big offers coming from England said to be too ‘difficult to refuse’.

It’s believed that Juventus ‘want to keep’ the £63m-rated star and have been trying to tempt him into signing a new deal, but would want him to agree to a decrease in wages, in return for a lower release clause, which opens up the chances of a cheaper move for potential suitors.

The Verdict: Not an essential signing

De Ligt, who was once hailed an “oil tanker” by Mino Raiola, will already have an established relationship with Virgil Van Dijk as a result of the pair representing the Netherlands together, but as solid as a centre-back he is, now is not the right time for Liverpool to be considering a move.

Jurgen Klopp already has the four incredible options of VVD, Matip, Gomez and Konate to choose from, and it seems unnecessary for FSG to be thinking about breaking the bank for the transfer of a player in a position that they don’t even need to cover for.

After spending a club-record £85m fee on the signing of Darwin Nunez, it would be sensible for the club to keep the rest of their pot at bay for the moment and then reassess the situation come next summer when a few individual situations may have altered.

Newcastle United have identified Nice’s Amine Gouiri as a potential alternative to Hugo Ekitike, according to The I’s Mark Douglas.

The lowdown

After finalising a deal for Lille centre-back Sven Botman, Newcastle now want to sign a striker and a right winger.

Ekitike was the primary no. 9 target for Eddie Howe but the club have now become frustrated over a lack of progress.

And that’s why they may now turn to Gouiri, the 22-year-old who’s under contract until 2024 and valued at £37.8million by Transfermarkt.

The latest

Douglas writes that Gouiri has been picked out as a potential plan B after the Ekitike move hit a wall.

He also names another candidate under consideration – Chelsea’s Armando Broja, who spent 21/22 on loan at Southampton.

A senior source has apparently informed Douglas that the club are ‘moving on’ from Ekitike due to an ‘unwillingness on either the player or his representative’s part to join Newcastle’.

The verdict

Gouiri appeared in all of Nice’s Ligue 1 games last season, scoring ten goals and providing nine assists. He also netted twice and set up another in the Coupe de France, helping his side reach the final (via Transfermarkt).

He’s yet to make a senior France debut but it’s hard to imagine that’s particularly far away now after 21 caps and 15 direct goal involvements (10 goals, five assists) for the Under-21s.

Gouiri typically played in a front two at Nice but it wouldn’t necessarily be accurate to characterise him as an out-and-out striker.

He’s extremely creative too, ranking in the top 15 percentiles amongst forwards in Europe for progressive passes and expected assists.

It’s perhaps not a surprise, then, that he’s drawn comparisons to Liverpool’s false nine Roberto Firmino, who also scores highly for those metrics.

A technically-gifted player with a ‘legendary first touch’ (in the words of European football expert Alex Barker), he could be a real hit on Tyneside.