Glasgow Rangers are reportedly now set to offer Calvin Bassey a ‘massive’ new deal.
The Lowdown: Premier League interest
As per Football Insider, there are numerous suitors from the English Premier League eyeing a swoop for the 22-year-old.
They reported that the likes of Aston Villa, West Ham United and Fulham have all shown interest in signing Bassey in the summer, after impressing with some recent performances.
The Athletic journalist Jordan Campbell hailed him as an ‘incredible’ athlete after their 2-0 win against Hearts in the Scottish Cup final this weekend, while Giovanni van Bronckhorst has lauded the player’s ‘tremendous’ development.
The Latest: Deal lined up
According to Football Insider, the Teddy Bears are now preparing to offer Bassey a new contract in order to try and keep him at the club.
A source from inside Ibrox has revealed that they are lining up talks over a new deal, and will be offered a ‘massive’ pay rise.
He would duly become one of the highest earners at the club in a deal which would help to fend off transfer interest this summer.
The Verdict: Big boost
It will certainly be a big boost for the Light Blues faithful to hear that Bassey has been lined up for a new deal amid interest from the Premier League.
He has ranked highly among his team-mates in terms of average tackles, blocks, passes and crosses per game this season (WhoScored), and his ability to play at both left-back and as a central defender has really helped the team, especially considering that they got to the final of both the Scottish Cup and the UEFA Europa League.
Bassey is a key player for the team, so the Gers will surely want to keep him at all costs.
In other news, find out which other RFC star is now attracting Premier League interest here!
Wolves centre-back Romain Saiss was ‘waving goodbye’ to supporters after his team’s Premier League clash against Norwich City at the weekend, according to journalist Tim Spiers.
The Lowdown: Wolves draw with Norwich
It has been a disappointing end to the season for Bruno Lage’s side, who bowed out at Molineux for another campaign with a 1-1 draw against the relegated Canaries on Sunday afternoon.
It means that Wolves’ European dream is over for another year but the players still got a nice reception from the crowd as they showed their appreciation after the final whistle.
It was a moment to gauge the body language of some, in order to see if it looked as though they were saying their farewells in the Black Country.
[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/all-the-latest-from-wolves-6/” title=”All the latest from Wolves!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]
The Latest: Spiers reckons Saiss was ‘waving goodbye’
That certainly appeared to be the case with Saiss, with Spiers taking to Twitter to claim that the Moroccan may have played at Molineux for the last time as he shared a clip of the Wolves players acknowledging the fans in a post-match lap of honour.
The journalist tweeted: “Saiss at the end there. Waving goodbye you’d have to say.”
[freshpress-poll id=“388780″]
The Verdict: Great servant for Wolves
It makes sense for Saiss to move on at this point, with his contract expiring next month. At 32, it would seem that his best days are no longer in front of him.
He should be remembered as a brilliant servant for Wolves, though, with the Moroccan making 206 appearances for the club, scoring 15 goals for good measure and standing out as one of their best performers this term.
It is now a case of replacing Saiss, who has been such a reliable and regular part of the defence for a number of years, to ensure that Lage’s side remain as defensively savvy next season as they were for the bulk of 2021/22.
In other news, Spiers has also lamented the decline of one Wolves player. Find out who it is here.
A major Newcastle United claim has emerged regarding PIF’s plans for the upcoming summer transfer window…
What’s the talk?
The Telegraph reporter Luke Edwards has revealed how many additions the Magpies are hoping to make to their squad ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
PIF showcased their ambition in January as they brought in Matt Targett, Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn, Chris Wood and Kieran Trippier, and now they are set to dip into the market again.
Edwards tweeted: “Multiple sources have confirmed the plan for #nufc this summer is to bring in between four and six signings to boost first team strength. Will depend on how much money raised through sales but also looking closely at loan market with at least one likely towards end of window.”
Supporters will be excited
Toon supporters will surely be left feeling excited by this claim from Edwards, as it shows that the club will be looking to improve the squad in several areas this summer.
This was far from the case at this point last year, as Joe Willock ended up being the only senior arrival at St James’ Park in summer 2021 when he joined on a permanent deal from Arsenal. Mike Ashley was prudent with his cash and gave Steve Bruce little in the way of help to build a strong squad.
The noises coming out of the club now suggest that Howe will not find himself in that position with PIF at the helm, as the owners are keen to progress the club in the coming years. Newcastle are on course to comfortably avoid relegation from the top flight and are only one point off the top half of the Premier League table, which may be the aim for next season – 10th and higher.
Fans will surely want to see progression on and off the pitch, and bringing in new talent to improve the team is one way of going about achieving that. They will be excited to see what kind of players Howe wants to bring in and who he wants to axe from the squad, as some duds will need to be offloaded in order to make way for additions.
Supporters will be buzzing to see deadwood players who are deemed to not be good enough cut from the squad in the summer, as it means that they will not have to worry about watching them in action again in the Premier League.
It is now over to PIF to put their plan into action and enjoy a successful summer of ins and outs on Tyneside…
AND in other news, Craig Hope drops worrying worrying £50m NUFC claim, it’s a first major disaster for PIF…
Tottenham Hotspur may have been given a real boost in their quest to bring colossal Villarreal defender Pau Torres to the Premier League.
The Lowdown: Spurs in Torres chase…
The Spain international, as he’s admitted to the media, rejected the chance to join Spurs last summer – choosing to stick it under Unai Emery due to their presence in the Champions League.
However, The Daily Mail claimed earlier this week that the Lilywhites and transfer chief Fabio Paratici could come back in for the 25-year-old after being given encouragement by his change in stance.
It is now believed that Torres is ‘ready to leave’ Villarreal in a possible boost for Antonio Conte’s side.
Now, sharing another update, a Football Insider ‘source’ has lifted the lid on yet another cause for optimism over signing the central defender.
The Latest: Emery gifts discount?
According to their information, there is now growing ‘confidence’ at Hotspur Way that Villarreal will sell Torres to Spurs for a bargain price.
Spurs insiders are allegedly operating under the belief that Paratici could seal the centre-half’s signing for £10 million less than his asking price – £45 million instead of his £55 million clause specifically.
This is due to the La Liga side’s financial problems with last season’s Europa League winners apparently needing to raise cash through player sales.
The Verdict: Time to move?
Called a would-be ‘great signing’ for Spurs by journalist Pete O’Rourke, his national team partnership with Aymeric Laporte at the Euros last summer prompted ‘sensational’ praise from manager Luis Enrique.
He’s continued his good form well into 2021/2022, winning more aerial duels per 90 and playing more minutes than any of his teammates – standing out as a really pivotal player for Emery (WhoScored).
Even for £45m, Torres would arguably come as a snip for Spurs.
In other news: ‘Hope for a miracle…’ – Journalist shares what Conte has now ‘told Tottenham’, find out more here.
talkSPORT pundit Gabby Agbonlahor has dropped a big claim on Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips and a possible move to Aston Villa.
The Lowdown: Aston Villa and Manchester United links
Phillips is currently in the process of changing agents and appears to be a man in demand ahead of the summer window.
[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-42/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]
The central midfielder has long been linked with Aston Villa, with reports suggesting Steven Gerrard’s side were leading the race in a possible £60m move.
Newcastle United, Manchester United and West Ham have also been linked, and the England international came up in conversation live on talkSPORT on Thursday morning.
The Latest: Agbonlahor’s claim
Agbonlahor, speaking on talkSPORT breakfast, gave his thoughts on Phillips and Manchester United, admitting he doesn’t think a move to Old Trafford will materialise this summer.
However, the pundit then said this on a transfer to Villa Park:
“I’m hearing that maybe Aston Villa are in for Kalvin Phillips. I think that will be a better choice for him.”
The Verdict: Phillips to stay, Raphinha to go?
It could be a summer of change at Elland Road ahead of Jesse Marsch’s first full season in charge, with Barcelona ‘very close’ over a move for Raphinha.
Should Leeds stay up and Raphinha seals a move to the Nou Camp, you’d expect that Whites’ chiefs would be desperate to keep hold of Phillips.
It would be a big blow two lose arguably the club’s two best players in the same window, and with Phillips open to penning new terms in Yorkshire, there’s every chance he’ll stay put despite Agbonlahor’s latest claim.
In other news: ‘So unfortunate…’ – Leeds employee gutted at ‘disappointing’ Thorp Arch injury news for Marsch.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have now registered their interest in signing Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Garcia on loan in the January transfer window, alongside a whole host of rival Premier League clubs.
Fosun would’ve been hoping Rob Edwards could breathe new life into a Wolves side that have massively disappointed so far this season, but the manager was on the receiving end of a defeat in his first match in charge, with Crystal Palace emerging as 2-0 winners at Molineux on Saturday.
Edwards’ side actually looked better from an attacking point of view, recording an xG of 1.79, compared to 1.27 from the Eagles, but they were unable to take their chances, with both Jhon Arias and Ladislav Krejci squandering big opportunities.
Things are looking bleak for the Old Gold, who are still searching for their first win of the Premier League season, and now sit nine points from safety, given that they have the worst attacking and defensive records in the top flight, scoring seven and conceding 27.
As such, if the Wanderers are to stand any chance of avoiding the drop, they may need to make major improvements at both ends of the pitch in the upcoming transfer window, and they have now made an approach for a new centre-forward.
Wolves make approach to sign Gonzalo Garcia on loan
According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, in a report for Football Insider, Wolves are one of a number of clubs in the race for Real Madrid forward Garcia this January, although it remains to be seen whether they will be willing to sanction a departure.
The Spanish side are concerned about a lack of attacking depth, which means they may not be willing to let the 21-year-old leave, despite several English sides queuing up to get a deal done, with O’Rourke saying: “If Real Madrid are willing to loan him out, I’m sure it’s more than just Leeds will be interested in him. I believe Brighton, Villa and Wolves have all registered interest.
“A lot will depend on Real Madrid. If there’s any injuries to their forwards then it might mean there’s no chance that Garcia goes out and loan.”
Hailed as a “goal machine” in the media, the youngster clearly has a lot of potential, having starred for Madrid at the Club World Cup in the summer, bagging four goals and an assist in six outings out in the USA.
Wolves are in dire need of a fresh injection of quality in attack, having failed to score in four out of their last five Premier League games, with Jorgen Strand Larsen failing to impress, finding the back of the net just once in 10 top-flight outings.
As such, a move for Garcia would make sense, but it will be strange if the Real Madrid ace is willing to move to a club in huge danger of relegation, given that there is likely to be plenty of other options on the table.
Wolves prioritising move for ex-Man City target as Edwards' first signing Wolves now prioritising move for ex-Man City target as Edwards' first signing
The Midlands side are ready to back their new manager.
As fears begin to re-emerge that Bruno Fernandes could leave the club, one Manchester United insider has claimed that the Red Devils are already preparing an internal replacement.
Update on Fernandes' Man Utd future
Whilst Saudi Arabia did come calling and there was a brief moment that some believed Fernandes could be on his way out of Old Trafford, his heart ultimately lied at Man United. Their star man stayed put instead of sealing a transfer that could have been worth as much as £100m, but the saga may not be done there.
Fernandes’ reward for staying put has been a new role in Ruben Amorim’s side. Instead of playing in one of the two advanced roles as arguably one of the Premier League’s best creators, the United captain is being asked to play in a deeper role alongside either Manuel Ugarte or Casemiro and his output has taken a major hit as a result.
Goals
0.24
0.29
Assists
0
0.3
Carries into penalty area
0.29
0.42
Take-ons
0.57
0.84
It seems unlikely that Fernandes will repeat last season’s 18 goal involvements without having a direct influence inside the area and if United aren’t getting the best out of their star man, questions will arrive about his future.
According to Football Insider, the Portugal international could be tempted to leave Old Trafford with clubs in the Saudi Pro League once again interested in a £100m deal.
Roy Keane names "big personality" he dreams will replace Amorim at Man Utd
The Old Trafford legend has had his say.
ByTom Cunningham Oct 10, 2025
It was difficult to see how the Red Devils would cope without Fernandes last season. Everything positive went through him. Now that he’s in a deeper role, however, INEOS may believe that it’s worth cashing in on the 31-year-old whilst they still can.
If that does prove to be the case, then one Man United insider believes that Amorim will turn towards an internal replacement.
Insider believes Mainoo could replace Fernandes
According to former Old Trafford scout Mick Brown, Man United are already preparing Kobbie Mainoo to replace Fernandes despite concerns that he could also leave the club amid a lack of game time.
It would certainly make sense. Mainoo is a talented player who should be part of Ruben Amorim’s plans this season and Fernandes’ deeper role may have opened the door for the Carrington graduate.
If the United captain departs, then Mainoo represents the perfect player to step into that new role as the likes of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo carry the creative mantle left behind.
Manchester United have always had some of the best young talents in English football on their books. Of course, a lot of that has come from their academy, dating back to the Busby Babes and the Class of ‘92, and, more recently, the likes of Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo.
Yet, that does not mean United’s teen talents are always homegrown. Gerard Pique, for example, was a teenager when he first moved to Old Trafford.
However, the most famous examples of highly-rated teen stars at United who weren’t graduates of their esteemed academy are certainly Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.
Rooney and Ronaldo’s stats as teenagers at United
Rooney and Ronaldo joined United a year apart, with the former signing after Euro 2004, and the latter joining one summer prior, in August 2003.
They instantly struck up a deadly partnership at Old Trafford.
Those early days, when the pair were still teenagers, were extraordinary. Despite their age and relative lack of experience, both youngsters took to playing for United like a duck to water.
Despite linking up for 27 goals in the 205 they played together, it might come as a surprise to learn that they only combined once when they were both teenagers, as per Transfermarkt.
That particular strike was Rooney’s iconic effort against Liverpool, teed up by Ronaldo, which saw United win the game.
Individually, they racked up strong numbers for United before turning 20. The Red Devils’ all-time leading goalscorer found the back of the net 21 times as a teenager for the club.
As for Ronaldo, the Portuguese legend fired home 11 goals for United before his 20th birthday.
There is certainly a strong case to be made that United have not had a teen talent as exciting as either Rooney or Ronaldo since the pair turned 20.
However, one of their current players could certainly fit the bill.
The United teen as exciting as Rooney and Ronaldo
The former United duo showed in the early 2000s exactly what it takes to shine for United as a teenager. The bravery and intensity with which you must play, and the pressure you must cope with, can make things tough.
Well, one member of the current United squad who seems to manage those demands well is 19-year-old Frenchman Leny Yoro. The centre-back has shone during his time at the club so far, with Statman Dave going as far as calling him a “generational” player.
After recovering from an ankle injury he picked up last preseason, the former Lille youngster has cemented his place in Ruben Amorim’s starting lineup at Old Trafford.
He’s now played 40 games for the club, with his first goal coming last season in the Europa League against Lyon.
The assured defender has tended to operate on the right-hand side of Amorim’s back three. Analyst H, who works for The Overlap, said he is a perfect fit to play that role due to how “athletic” he is, praising his defensive work in the channels.
But, it is not just the 19-year-old’s off-the-ball work that makes him such an exciting talent. His progressive numbers are a huge standout, particularly when carrying the ball.
Over the last year, he ranks in the top 6% of centre-backs in Europe’s big five leagues for progressive carries, averaging 1.74 actions per 90 minutes.
Pass accuracy
91.3%
86th
Progressive passes
3.67
58th
Progressive carries
1.74
94th
Tackles
1.91
80th
Interceptions
1.32
75th
There is no doubting that Yoro is an exciting talent. At just 19 years of age, he’s cemented himself as a key player in United’s starting lineup, showcasing excellent progressive attributes and intelligent and athletic defending.
It is certainly exciting when a club strikes gold on a talented teenager from outside of the academy.
The last two players to really fit into the bracket are surely Rooney and Ronaldo, but in Yoro, it feels as though they have someone else who can be put into that conversation.
Amorim is turning Man Utd star into their new Rooney & it's not Sesko
Manchester United may have their next Wayne Rooney, but it might be in the form of a player many would expect.
Last summer, Arsenal needed to sign a new centre-forward. Benjamin Sesko was in their crosshairs but he ultimately ended up signing a new contract with current employers, RB Leipzig.
In the end, the Gunners went without. The only signing to bolster the forward line was Raheem Sterling.
The Chelsea loanee promised we’d see the best of him. That did not happen.
In January, Mikel Arteta was crying out for a striker again but it wasn’t forthcoming. What happened next? Kai Havertz sustained a nasty hamstring injury during a warm-weather training camp in Dubai.
Arsenal’s Premier League form suffered drastically and it ultimately tripped them up in Paris when they exited the Champions League at the semi-final stages.
Arsenal's KaiHavertzwith manager MikelArtetaafter being substituted
So, a year on from when a new centre-forward first should have arrived, Arteta and Co are back at square one, chasing Sesko again.
Arsenal moving closer to signing a new centre forward
When you end the campaign with Mikel Merino up top, you know something has gone drastically wrong.
In all fairness, Merino was fine. Fine being the key word. He wasn’t exceptional, he wasn’t the spearhead you need to win a Premier League or continental title but he did score six goals in 12 outings as a striker.
That’s not bad at all, but it’s not the 54-goal tally Viktor Gyokeres scored. It’s not the 27 goals Alexander Isak scored. It’s not the 21 goals Sesko scored either.
All three of those players would be excellent signings, but it’s Sesko who looks the most likely to arrive at the moment.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
That’s according to German publication BILD, via Sport Witness. They report on Wednesday that a deal is beginning to move on the player side.
Indeed, BILD states that Arsenal have ‘reached an agreement’ on personal terms between them and the striker.
RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskocelebrates
While that doesn’t mean anything is wrapped up with Leipzig, the report does note that Arsenal have signalled to the Bundesliga club that they are set to made a bid that will not fall below their expectations financially.
It’s likely to take an offer between £68m-£85m to convince them to sell.
How Sesko could replicate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Arsenal
It’s safe to say that since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left Arsenal behind, Arteta has lacked a real potent centre-forward.
That’s not to say it was a mistake to let him go. After all, the Gabonese striker departed in controversial circumstances, stripped of the captaincy (video below) and then flying out to Barcelona on a trip that wasn’t sanctioned by the club.
Despite his flaws, Aubameyang was a mighty fine player for the club and was a key reason behind Arteta’s only trophy as a manager so far, the FA Cup in 2019/20.
Given Arsenal’s recent progress, it’s remarkable that they’re currently in the middle of a five-year trophy drought, but it’s perhaps no coincidence that they’re yet to win any major honours since Auba departed.
His record with the Gunners was exceptional, scoring 92 goals in 163 outings, most notably winning the Premier League Golden Boot in 2018/19.
He was one of the meanest forwards in the whole of English football during his time at the Emirates Stadium and even deservedly found his way into the PFA Team of the Year for 2019/20.
Aubameyang was relentless, netting 31 goals in 51 games throughout 2018/19 and then the following term, he bagged 29 in 44 matches.
Well, if Sesko did arrive then he’d certainly have a lot to live up to but there are similarities in the way they play the game.
Described as “the new Haaland” by scout Jacek Kulig, the Slovenian possesses a tall frame, standing at 6 foot 5. In contrast, the former Arsenal forward stands at 6 foot 2.
There is a slight difference there but what their height allows is for a longer and more powerful stride pattern. They can burst beyond the last line of the defence and surge towards goal in a similarly explosive fashion.
Rather than relying on intricate build-up play, they’re also very clever with their movement and rely on their instinctive finishing ability. In essence, they’re both mighty fine poachers. More often than not, they’re always in the right place at the right time.
Shots
2.50
2.61
Shot on target %
43.9%
44%
Average shot distance
17.5 yards
15.5 yards
Expected goals (xG)
0.38
0.42
Shot-creating actions
1.93
1.98
Touches
34.1
35.4
Carries
16.8
20.9
Completed passes
15.7
17.6
Key passes
0.72
0.75
Pass completion %
67.6%
67.3%
Comparing one of Aubameyang’s best seasons at Arsenal with Sesko’s latest campaign, we can see see alike the pair are.
They took a near identical number of touches and completed a near identical rate of successful passes per 90 minutes, suggesting their actions in the build-up are very similar.
Likewise, they come out very closely for key passes and shot-creating actions, underlining how often they make something happen in the final third of the pitch.
Aged just 22, Sesko clearly has a lot of development left to do but if Arteta could extract that in north London, the Spaniard may well have the next Aubameyang on his hands, just without the excess baggage. That doesn’t sound too bad, does it?
He's shades of Nwaneri: Berta holds talks to sign £40m star for Arsenal
Arsenal are looking at signing one of Europe’s best young prospects this summer.
Manchester United are now in a transfer race with arch-rivals Manchester City in a bid to sign a “world-class” Paris Saint-Germain player, according to a recent report.
Man Utd ready to cut losses to make room for new signings
The first week or so of the summer transfer window has seen United agree a move for Matheus Cunha and work on a deal to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford. But while Ruben Amorim wants to strengthen his team over the coming months, the Portuguese also wants to move players on, as the club looks to bring in money and cut the size of the squad, given there is no European football next season.
£84m Garnacho upgrade: Man Utd in talks for 'one of the best in the world'
Man Utd appear to be seeking a statement replacement for Alejandro Garnacho this summer
ByRobbie Walls Jun 8, 2025
The likes of Antony, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Andre Onana have been tipped for exits, but the two most high-profile departures from Old Trafford this summer could be Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho.
That is because Inter Milan are keen on signing Hojlund, reportedly looking into signing the Dane on loan before getting him on a permanent basis for £38 million next year. The fee is considerably lower than the £72 million United paid in 2023, but his departure could fund a move for a more prolific number nine.
Meanwhile, an exit has been on the cards for Garnacho in the last six months, and now Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the Argentine will be leaving Old Trafford. Since that news, Saudi team Al-Nassr are interested in a deal for Garnacho, should they be unable to agree a deal with Liverpool to sign Luis Diaz.
Man Utd trying to beat Man City to Donnarumma
An exit for both Hojlund and Garnacho would free up money for the Red Devils, and they may already know how to spend it. According to L’Equipe, Man United have expressed an interest in signing goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from PSG.
The Italian is under contract in Paris until June 2026, but the French and European champions want to extend that deal and have been trying to do so for the last few months. However, a positive outcome has yet to be reached. Donnarumma has an offer on the table from PSG, but he is said be unhappy with what the current terms.
That has now left the door open for United and City, who are both interested in a deal, and the report claims the goalkeeper has already spoken to some of his teammates about possibly making a move to England.
Apps
154
Goals conceded
152
Clean sheets
51
The 26-year-old, who has been dubbed “world-class” by Carlo Ancelotti in the past, was sensational for PSG in the Champions League. He kept six clean sheets in 15 games and played a crucial role in them getting past the likes of Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Liverpool in the knockout stages.
His potential arrival at Old Trafford would be an expensive one, as the goalkeeper earns €244,808 a week, which is roughly £206,000. It would also depend on what happens to Onana, as he’s been linked with a move away, but as of yet, no team has made a significant offer.