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Liverpool are ready to rival Barcelona for the signing of highly-rated Fenerbahce youngster Arda Guler this summer, according to a new transfer claim.

Who is Fenerbahce star Arda Guler?

The Reds are looking to enjoy a hugely productive summer transfer window, with a lack of signings in recent years arguably holding them back. They endured a very disappointing 2022/23 season, finishing fifth in the Premier League and falling way below previous standards, and it showed why three or four significant additions are required before the beginning of next season.

Midfield is clearly the area that is being focused on most heavily, with Alexis Mac Allister already arriving from Brighton and more additions expected.

That's where Guler comes into play, with the 18-year-old already linked with a move to Liverpool in the past. He has caught the eye for Fenerbahce this season, registering seven goal contributions (four goals and three assists) in the Turkish Super Lig.

Guler is an attack-minded central midfielder with the ability to play as a number ten or in the false nine role, and has been likened to a young Mesut Ozil due to his silky feet and eye for a pass.

Are Liverpool signing Guler?

According to Aksam [via Sport Witness], both Liverpool and Barca "want" to secure the services of Guler during the summer window, and the pair have "stepped in" and "accelerated attempts" to make it happen.

The report states that he has also played on the right wing this season, suggesting he could be a good backup for Mohamed Salah, although he is more known for his exploits in the middle. Fenerbahce are keen to keep hold of him for another year, with his current deal expiring in the summer of 2025.

Guler could be a really eye-catching signing by Liverpool – Andrea Pirlo has said there is "no limit to his potential" – not necessarily coming straight in as a key man, given his age, but proving to be a strong squad option and someone with a massive future in the game.

As mentioned, his versatility is a positive attribute, with Jurgen Klopp potentially liking the idea of using him in various positions, and he should only develop by training and playing alongside elite footballers at Anfield.

If Guler was to come in as an attacking option, it is still essential that two former central midfielders arrive at Liverpool this summer, with Khephren Thuram and Manu Kone two ideal additions, as the pair continue to be linked with moves to Merseyside.

Signing those three players alongside Mac Allister, with a left-sided centre-back also potentially coming in, would represent a top-class window for the Reds, strengthening their squad greatly in the process.

Everton are ready to look at the summer transfer window, as Sean Dyche aims to improve his squad following securing their Premier League survival.

The Toffees confirmed their top-division stay on the final day with a win over Bournemouth, while the celebrations were fuelled by relief, the club must look towards improvement during the break in issues both on and off the field.

Most recently, the Blues have been linked to a Bundesliga starlet, who could be on the move to Goodison.

What’s the latest on Tom Krauss to Everton?

As reported by Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, RB Leipzig midfielder Tom Krauss has gained interest from Everton following a successful loan spell at Schalke.

The 21-year-old also has interest from fellow German clubs Mainz and Borussia Monchengladbach, with the Toffees included as one party who could sign the youngster.

The report speculates that the defensive midfielder is expected to cost in the region of €5m-€7m (£4m-£6m) making him an affordable asset for the Blues.

What could Tom Krauss bring to Everton?

Hailed by U23 talent scout Antonio Mango as “outstanding”, the German has spent the season on loan at Schalke, which despite ending in relegation, allowed him to showcase his abilities in deep midfield.

The 21-year-old averaged a Sofascore match rating of 6.80, cementing himself as one of the club’s top ten performers this campaign.

With Everton’s reported interest comes an exciting prospect for the Blues, as there is a player with great potential in the Leipzig-born ace.

Dyche may opt to plan for the future this summer, with Everton almost replicating the disappointment of the season before, a reshuffle is expected to be made at Goodison.

Krauss could be a strong heir to Idrissa Gueye, who despite being commanding in midfield, is closer to the end of his career than his best at 33-years-old.

The two bear many similarities to their games, as reinforced through their statistics in attributes essential for a player in deep midfield.

As per FBref, Gueye averages 1.96 interceptions, 1.75 blocks and 1.19 clearances per 90 over the past year, with the German hitting similar levels with 1.29 interceptions, 1.40 blocks and 1.25 clearances per 90 in the Bundesliga.

What stands out for the 21-year-old is his rate of tackles, ranking him in the top 1% of players in his position in Europe’s top five leagues, averaging a mammoth 4.01 per 90, with Gueye scoring 3.39 in this area.

Lauded as being capable of doing “almost everything” by members of the media, the young midfielder has earned his praise, and equally mass interest from both clubs within his home country and of course the Premier League.

Dyche could ease the transition in midfield when Gueye nears the end of his career at Goodison with the energy of the young maestro, and being available at such a low cost is a bonus in what could be a truly exciting link this summer.

Liverpool look to have finally entered a transitional phase following an action-packed campaign that now has them placed as rank outsiders to qualify for the Champions League heading into the final day.

Jurgen Klopp has commented on why their hopes of securing a place in Europe's elite competition for next campaign have all but faded, as cited by The Liverpool Echo, stating: “I think the whole season is a season where we qualify for the Europa League and not for Champions League." He then added: “We were too long not good enough or ourselves. I think we made it pretty exciting. I didn’t think that was possible seven weeks ago. The boys did really well in that period."

Truthfully, Liverpool did come closer than a lot of people would've expected in their hunt to sneak into the top-four, though will now be looking ahead to the summer as change engulfs the horizon at Anfield.

Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all confirmed to be leaving the club once their contracts expire in the off-season. Nevertheless, Red TV pundit Paul Machin has a belief that the Reds could turn to their academy to provide squad depth in another positional area come 2023/24.

Who could emerge next season and become a regular first-teamer at Anfield?

Speaking to Football FanCast, Machin believes that youngster Ben Doak, who has been hailed as "unplayable", could come into the fold next season and help to supplement their squad depth in the wide areas.

Machin told FFC: "We're looking at who can be Mohamed Salah's understudy and I think I think one of Doak or Gordon will be that potentially this season."

In the case of Doak, there is definitely potential for the former Celtic youngster to have a path to first-team opportunities at Anfield and he has even been praised by Liverpool and Celtic icon Kenny Dalglish as his stock continues to rise.

As per Football Scotland, Dalglish said: "He certainly looks the part. He will get there eventually but let's not push him too quickly. The wee man has done brilliant at Liverpool. "He's got good vision, he can go past players and he's not selfish. He's always looking for team-mates. It's asking a lot at 17 to go in there with a Premier League team on a regular basis, but, when he's been in there, he's done all right."

In total, he has made five senior appearances for Liverpool in all competitions, though combined with his exploits at underage levels, Doak has registered 11 goals and eight assists in 32 outings across 2022/23, as per Transfermarkt.

WhoScored shows that Doak completed three dribbles in just 16 minutes on the pitch for the Reds in their triumph against Derby County in the EFL Cup last December, demonstrating his capacity to regularly beat his opposition marker and advance into dangerous territory.

Klopp was quick to talk up his performance on what was his senior debut that night, as per Glasgow Live, stating: “That’s Ben. His instructions were easy: do what you do all the time. He’s really a lively boy, a smart player, good dribbler, fast, can use both legs."

Of course, he is hardly going to be earmarked as a first-choice to replace £350,000 per week earner Mohamed Salah for example, who has bagged 30 goals and 15 assists this campaign, though Scotland Under-21 international Doak could most certainly be used more frequently at senior level.

Starlet Gordon could also be another one to watch going into 2023/24, with the 18-year-old having notched 15 goals and seven assists combined across all competitions he has featured in, as per Transfermarkt.

For now, Doak is probably slightly closer to a first-team breakthrough and has already experienced a taste of a big occasion. In February 2022, at just 16, the Dalry-born speedster appeared for Celtic in the final stages of a vital 3-0 Glasgow Derby victory over Rangers.

Doak looks to have a bright future ahead on Merseyside and there is every chance he could be accelerated into a more prominent role at Liverpool as they gear up for next season.

It has already proven a hugely promising post-season for Aston Villa thus far, with the Midlands outfit having already brought in three marquee arrivals, with that exciting, early business having taken place before the window has even officially opened.

The Steven Gerrard revolution appears to be in full swing as the Englishman seeks to reshape the Villa squad into his image, although the latest indication is that the Liverpool legend is seeking even more investment this summer, with NSWE seemingly set to back their man once again.

One area that appears in need of bolstering is in attack, with pundit Richard Dunne tipping his former side to sign Watford striker Emmanuel Dennis, with the Nigerian having caught the eye in his debut Premier League campaign last term.

In comments recently cited by Birmingham Live, Dunne stated that Gerrard and co should look to take advantage of the Hornets’ top-flight relegation by making a move for their leading marksman: “I’m sure clubs will start looking at [James] Tarkowski from Burnley and Dennis from Watford now they have gone down. They would benefit a few teams in Villa’s area.

“They [Villa] need another attacking player to give them more options up top and another central midfielder. They aren’t crying out for someone in any position but they are looking for that next level of player to push them up the league, they have a decent strong squad.”

The 24-year-old netted ten goals and registered six assists in a standout league campaign on a personal level, albeit with that form unable to prevent his current side avoid a swift return to the second tier.

The former Club Brugge gem – who made the switch to Vicarage Road on a reported £3.6m deal last summer – will likely be on the radar of a number of top-flight clubs, with West Ham United reportedly one of those, with a fee of around £20m having been mooted.

That would likely represent something of a bargain for a player who has compared favourably to those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues, ranking in the top 5% for aerial duels won and in the top 11% for dribbles completed, illustrating to both hold the play up as well as drive his side up the pitch.

That dynamism – as well as his obvious speed – could well evoke memories of a former Villan, with Dennis seemingly carrying similar traits to that of one-club man Gabby Agbonlahor, the forward-turned-pundit having at one stage been a real, lightning prospect for the club.

Having burst onto the scene back in 2006 at the age of 19, the three-cap England international went on to score an impressive 74 goals and record 34 assists in 322 top tier games during his lengthy spell at Villa Park, notably reaching double figures for goals in three successive seasons between 2007 and 2010.

The club’s leading scorer in the Premier League era, Agbonlahor would prove a tough act to try and replicate, although in Dennis the club could well find a fitting heir, with the “superb” striker – as he has been dubbed by one journalist – deserving of another shot in the top division.

IN other news, Gerrard can land AVFC’s next Southgate with move for “outstanding” £120k-p/w warrior

Manchester United’s era has hardly started with a bang under Erik ten Hag but some key decisions have already been made at Old Trafford.

What’s the word?

On Wednesday it was confirmed that Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard would indeed be leaving United behind at the end of their contracts this summer.

It marks a sad end for the midfield duo but it’s now crucial ten Hag gets to business in the transfer market.

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One player he could sign is Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio with fresh reports dictating that his agent is set to offer the Spaniard to Man United.

That’s according to sources in Spain, via Sport Witness, who report that Jorge Mendes wants to take the 26-year-old to the Premier League in the coming months.

The player has not closed the door on an exit from the Bernabeu but it’s not known at this stage whether United actually want the player.

Asensio has a whopping €700m (£596m) release clause in his Madrid contract but Transfermarkt values the attacker at £36m.

Their own Foden

It will be interesting to see how ten Hag attacks the transfer window after being appointed the new manager of United.

It’s clear that a number of areas need reinforcing throughout the summer and they will need to unearth someone who can not only create more goal-scoring opportunities but also find the back of the net.

Only Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes surpassed double figures for goals in 2021/21 so Asensio could certainly help improve that.

He found the net 12 times throughout the current campaign, which included ten strikes in 31 La Liga outings.

Capable of playing on the wing or in a number 10 role, his versatility and overall qualities are similar to that of Manchester City’s Phil Foden.

The young Englishman is the very definition of a wonderkid and helped himself to a haul of 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions as Man City won the Premier League title.

According to FB Ref’s similar players model, the pair are comparable and when you look at the stats, it’s clear to see why.

They both score 0.16 goals per shot and have the exact same xG per 90 minutes of 0.39. Furthermore, they are both similarly measurable when it comes to short pass success, with Asensio completing 89.3% compared to Foden’s 90.8%

Furthermore, the Madrid star makes 6.93 passes under pressure per 90 compared to the Man City starlet’s 7.37. There is a small gap but it still makes them incredibly alike.

To further illustrate how similar the offensive duo are, Foden produces 3.51 shot-creating actions per 90 compared to Asensio’s 3.38. Finally, their carries in possession of the ball are almost identical with the former registering 42.8 to the latter’s 42.3.

Although the Spain international is four years older than the Premier League title-winner, he’d still be a superb signing. After all, the attacker has been dubbed “magical” by teammate Casemiro.

This is certainly someone that ten Hag should be looking to build his new team around.

AND in other news, MUFC can sign their answer to Haaland in “magical” £222k-p/w gem who’s “like Maradona”…

Rangers ended the Premiership season in second place as they failed to retain their title after lifting it at Ibrox last term.

The Gers finished four points adrift of their arch rivals and there are a number of reasons why Gio van Bronckhorst’s men failed to get over the line.

A deep run in the Europa League could have diverted attention away from the top-flight, whilst injuries to key players like Ianis Hagi and Alfredo Morelos did not help.

At the end of the league season, strikers Morelos (11) and Kemar Roofe (10) were the only players in double figures for goals. The Gers lacked a third centre-forward to provide them with real competition, in the way that Jermain Defoe could have done at the peak of his Ibrox power.

The now-retired striker scored 32 goals in 74 games for Rangers, providing ten assists along the way, as he proved to be a useful player to call upon when needed. He had the quality to pop up with goals, as his record shows, and van Bronckhorst could do with his own Defoe.

Cedric Itten has not been that player as he has scored eight goals and managed three assists in 49 matches for the Light Blues since his move to Glasgow. He has not been an adequate option to provide competition for Morelos and Roofe at the top end of the pitch.

This is where Sunderland striker Ross Stewart could come in. He can finally replace Defoe at Ibrox and be the player to put the pressure on the existing forwards at the club to give van Bronckhort a much-needed boost in that part of the squad.

The Gers have been linked with a swoop for the Scottish number nine and he would be an excellent addition to the team.

He produced 26 goals and three assists in League One for the Black Cats this season as he has shown that he can be lethal in front of goal on a consistent basis, albeit that it is difficult to gauge the difference in quality between that and the Premiership.

He was dubbed as a player “who never gives up” by ex-Sunderland man Kevin Phillips and this suggests that he would work his socks off for the team. Couple this with his potential to be an outstanding goalscorer and you have a player who can finally replace Defoe and give van Bronckhorst a strong group of striking options to work with next season. 

Therefore, the club must work hard to strike a deal with Stewart, if possible, as he would be an exciting, excellent, signing for the team.

AND in other news, Gvb must brutally axe £2.7m “out the picture” Rangers liability, he’s not good enough…

Wolverhampton Wanderers look set to miss out on a permanent deal for Barcelona-loanee Francisco Trincao this summer.

What’s the word?

That is according to a journalist in Portugal, who claims that the 22-year-old winger has already decided his next move.

Taking to Twitter, the following statement was issued: “Sporting’s priority target, Trincão has already given the “yes” to being directed again by Rúben Amorim, with whom he worked at SC Braga. It is the ideal replacement for Sarabia. Talks for a 1-year loan are moving in a positive way – salary issues with Barcelona still need to be settled.”

The latest report echos the word ‘rebuild’ even louder around the Molineux, with Trincao yet another name who will leave at the end of the summer. Another face constantly linked with the exit door is Ruben Neves and it’s still uncertain whether he’ll be in the Midlands next term.

Wolves had an option to buy Trincao for around £25m, though Lage has not executed this and now it looks as though Sporting CP will seal a reunion between former Braga duo Ruben Amorim and Trincao.

Lage surely fuming

Having managed just three returns in the form of goals and assist across 27 Premier League games, Trincao has endured a rocky time at Wolves for the most part, but in fairness has shown glimpses of the quality that we saw in his final season at Braga, where he bagged goals and assists in 27 games.

His recent goal against Chelsea was one of these positive displays, though they have been few and far between for a player previously described as “magic.”

With the latest news around Trincao’s loan spell faltering to become permanent, Lage has a rebuild on his hands and this departure could add yet further complication.

In an ideal world, the Old Gold boss may have hoped for a straight swap deal between Adama and the £19.8m-rated Trincao, though, just like the option to buy, this is now not viable.

In this case, Lage will surely be kicking himself for his indecisiveness around a player who could have flourished next season, after taking this season to settle into what is such a fast-paced and physical league.

Tactically, it weakens the side, with a lack of inverted options at the right wing position, leaving just Pedro Neto as the only left-footed winger in the side. That’s a piece of news that will surely be gutting to Lage and his coaching staff.

In other news: Wolves now plot bid for “flourishing” £20m gem, he’s better than Moutinho 

Manchester United have been handed a boost over the potential signing of Benfica’s Uruguayan goal machine, Darwin Nunez.

What’s the word?

That is according to a report from The Mirror, who state that the 22-year-old has decided that he wants a move to the Premier League.

As per the report, Nunez’s advisors have given a positive indication on where his future may lie and believe his style could be well suited to English football. And United clearly think so too, with the Old Trafford side now monitoring developments around the 22-year-old.

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There is both a positive and a negative to come out of this report though.

On one hand, Man United should not suffer any threat for the Uruguayan’s signature from the likes of Manchester City, having just agreed to sign Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.

Though, there is a potential sticking point that could make life difficult for United, and that is the lack of Champions League football for next season.

It is said that Nunez, who has a £130m buy-out clause could be prised from the clutches of Benfica for a figure of around £70m, and his reported ambition of playing Premier League football of course serves as a major boost for United.

Imagine Nunez & CR7

Whilst the lack of top European football for next season is annoying, if “Mr. Champions League” Cristiano Ronaldo can put up with it, then so can Nunez.

With Ronaldo looking as though he may stay at United for at least another year if Ten Hag confirms that he is in his plans, the partnership between Nunez and the great Portuguese forward could be unstoppable.

He may already be testing the efficiency of this system with the idea of putting both Nunez and Ronaldo up top in what would make for an unplayable strike partnership.

Having just won the Eredivisie title for the third time with Ajax, the last three games saw him deploy a 4-1-2-1-2 system and a 4-3-1-2 variation also. What’s the relevance you may ask?

The Dutchman has veered away from his usual 4-3-3 over the last three matches and has opted for two formations that utilise two strikers up-top.

With a combined domestic goals total of 44 – 26 goals for Nunez and 18 goals for Ronaldo – they could take the Premier League by storm, and with the latter’s underrated creative ability, we could well see a playmaking side to the Portuguese veteran that Nunez would most certainly benefit from.

The centre-forward has been described as a “diamond” by Steve McManaman, and indeed, that’s exactly what he’d be if he signed for United; a precious entity who can blossom next to Ronaldo.

In other news: Better than Pogba: MUFC can land dream Rice alternative in “exceptional” £50m monster