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Everton are interested in a summer deal to bring Angers SCO midfielder Batista Mendy to the Premier League, according to reports.

Who is Batista Mendy?

Mendy first arrived at the Raymond Kopa Stadium from FC Nantes on a free transfer back in 2021, and he’s since gone on to make a total of 73 appearances to date. The Frenchman started 35 out of the 38 Ligue 1 games last season and established himself as Alexandre Dujeux’s third best-performing defensive player, but despite his displays, his future is up in the air.

The Kelyxane Sport Agency client will be out of contract at the end of next season meaning that the upcoming window will be his club’s final big opportunity to cash in should they not want to risk losing him for free in 12 months time, and if he was to depart, he won’t be short of potential suitors in the top-flight.

Are Everton signing Mendy?

According to L’Equipe (via Sport Witness), Mendy is being “followed” by Everton, Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers, with the midfielder having “emerged as a target” for the trio ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Angers are expected to sell their prized asset in the coming weeks and months and have already placed a €6m (£5m) price tag on his head, a fee that they would be happy to receive in order to “part ways” with him.

The Toffees and Sean Dyche “want to take advantage” of his side’s relegation to see if they could “lower” the demanded sum, but it’s currently “not clear” whether they would be willing to do such a thing.

Should Farhad Moshiri move for Mendy?

Everton will be in need of several new reinforcements over the summer to ensure that they don’t find themselves in danger of relegation again next season, but Mendy is not a player that they should be aiming to bring to Merseyside.

France’s former U19s international was ranked by WhoScored as Angers’ 16th overall worst-performing player last campaign with a match rating of 6.35, not to mention that he was averaging 1.9 fouls per league game which was higher than any other of his fellow teammates.

The 6 foot 3 defensive midfield colossus also lacks any kind of threat going forward having posted zero goals or assists across all competitions during the previous term, so fails to have a positive impact at either end of the pitch, therefore making this a deal that the hierarchy should avoid.

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Julen Lopetegui is set for a 'really important week' as he reflects on what the club can change going forward at Molineux, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest news involving Wolverhampton Wanderers and Julen Lopetegui?

According to BBC Sport, Lopetegui thinks that it will be difficult for Wolves to compete in the English top flight next term amid Financial Fair play issues at Molineux, as he stated: "I have had that meeting [with chairman Jeff Shi] and there are some Financial Fair Play problems I didn't know before. I hope we will solve this issue. It's very difficult to compete in the Premier League without investment."

The report states that the Old Gold posted a £46.1 million deficit in their last financial results in an environment where Premier League clubs are only allowed to record £105 million of losses in a three-year period.

Several first-team players could be on their way out at Wolves this summer in order to balance the books, one of them being club captain Ruben Neves, who is being courted by La Liga giants Barcelona, as per AS.

Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, Roma and Aston Villa have been linked with a move for Wolves striker Hwang Hee-chan, who could become another asset used to raise funds to combat their financial restrictions, as per The Mirror.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones thinks that Lopetegui will be anxious to seek clarity over what the future may hold for Wolves next season.

Jones told FFC: "I think it's going to be a really important week or so to reflect on what Lopetegui has actually changed about the club and what he's going to be able to change going forward. That's what he needs to be assured of, that the work that's gone in over the past five or six months can continue and that's, I think, is his big concern."

Who could Wolverhampton Wanderers bring in to supplement potential departures?

Obviously, Wolves will also need to try and bring in players in the summer to supplement prospective departures to build a team capable of competing in the Premier League in 2023/24.

Writing in his column for Caught Offside, journalist Ben Jacobs has stated that Liverpool youngster Fabio Carvalho has emerged as a target for the Old Gold, with a loan deal in the off-season believed to be a possibility.

FC Metz forward Georges Mikautadze has also cropped up on the Old Gold's radar according to reports in France, potentially adding some quality to Lopetegui's forward line.

talkSPORT understand that Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres is someone Wolves want to bring in ahead of next season; however, it may cost the best part of £25 million to bring him to Molineux.

Chelsea attacker Kai Havertz is being targeted by Real Madrid independently of their other business, Fabrizio Romano has revealed.

What's the latest on Kai Havertz?

It was recently revealed that Real Madrid are lining up a shock move for the 23-year-old, as they aim to add a versatile attacking option to their squad.

The forward is set to be targeted irrespective of the future of Karim Benzema or their reported interest in Harry Kane, and it has now been announced that Benzema will depart the club after days of uncertainty.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano claimed that Havertz is a target regardless of the decision over Benzema and their other attackers.

"The priority of Real Madrid now, I told you about Kai Havertz, but this is not dependent on Benzema in or out, in any case, Real Madrid want to go for others, and will try to understand the conditions of the deal," he stated.

"For Havertz, it's different, Havertz is a different kind of player, and Real Madrid are interested in him in any case."

Should Havertz go to Real Madrid?

The German international has been mostly disappointing at Chelsea, as despite scoring the winner in the Champions League final, his performances in front of goal have been underwhelming.

The attacker is yet to score more than ten league goals in a season since arriving at Stamford Bridge for around £75m in 2020, and Chelsea particularly struggled in front of goal this season, scoring just 38 times in 38 games.

This may raise questions about why the European Champions are interested in a move for the £150k-per-week forward, and whether Havertz will benefit from moving to the Spanish giants.

Real Madrid have announced that Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio, Mariano and Benzema will all leave this summer, and a versatile attacker as depth is now desired.

Havertz is seen as an option, given that he has played significant minutes on both wings, in midfield and as a false number nine in his career so far, and he could provide cover for wingers Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, and any striker that may come in to replace Benzema.

With Chelsea also targeting a forward, with Victor Osimhen linked, a move away may be the best option for Havertz, as he aims to revive his career as his value continues to fall.

This may be the best time for Chelsea to sell the attacker, given that he has two years left on his deal, and his performances have not warranted either a starting spot or a contract extension.

Liverpool are interested in signing Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips, according to a report from The Mirror. 

The lowdown: Phillips a wanted man

Currently a one-club man, Phillips came through the ranks in Yorkshire and has amassed 234 appearances for his boyhood club so far.

Many of those outings came in the Championship before Leeds returned to the Premier League in 2020, and since then the 26-year-old has proven his worth in the top flight and become a regular England international.

Such strong performances have sparked an increased level of transfer interest as Manchester United, Manchester City and West Ham all reporetdly take admiring glances at the combative midfielder.

The latest: Liverpool in the mix for Phillips

As per The Mirror, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is now ‘ready to rival’ Pep Guardiola for the signing of the 19-cap England ace.

It is claimed that the German is ‘understood to admire’ Phillips, with Leeds ‘bracing themselves for interest’ this summer after narrowly avoiding relegation last month.

The report added that it will cost around £60m to sign the midfielder, who was hailed as ‘superb’ at Euro 2020 by Oliver Kay after starting all seven games for Gareth Southgate’s side at the finals.

The verdict: Worthwhile target

Seemingly set to miss out on Aurelien Tchouameni, with Real Madrid the hot favourites to land the AS Monaco sensation, it’s no surprise that Klopp and Julian Ward would be seeking an alternative option for the upcoming transfer window.

During an injury-hit 2021/22 campaign, Phillips earned a 6.84 Sofascore rating whilst winning an impressive 4.8 duels, making 1.2 interceptions and completing 38.9 accurate passes per game.

Aside from the battling qualities that the first of those metrics indicates, the 26-year-old displayed impressive versatility in the process when operating as a central defender, and as a more natural defensive midfielder.

Despite the lofty asking price, signing the Englishman as an understudy to Fabinho and to supplement Jordan Henderson would be a smart move by Liverpool, given his proven Premier League experience, age profile and positive impact on the all-important homegrown quota within the squad.

In other news: A fresh rumour has emerged over a possible Sadio Mane successor

Pundit Frank McAvennie has been reacting to Aston Villa’s reported interest in Rangers defender Calvin Bassey, as per Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Villa closing in?

Steven Gerrard and NSWE have been extremely busy over recent weeks, getting a number of deals in place ahead of the summer transfer window.

Villa have secured permanent deals for Philippe Coutinho and Boubacar Kamara and have also reached an agreement for centre-back Diego Carlos.

It looks as if another defender could be on the way, with The Times suggesting that Villa are also closing in on a move for Rangers colossus Bassey, who played under the 42-year-old at Ibrox.

The Latest: McAvennie slams Bassey

Scottish pundit McAvennie was talking to Football Insider regarding a potential reunion between Gerrard and Bassey.

He didn’t seem too impressed, though, believing that the 22-year-old isn’t good enough for the Premier League and would get ‘ripped apart’ by the likes of former Villa star Jack Grealish.

McAvennie said:

“Can he go in and play in the Premier League right now? No.

“I don’t think he is good enough for the Premier League. If Gerrard is buying him, it’s because he has done a job in Scotland.

“England is a whole different game. He’s muscle-bound but if he comes up against someone like Jack Grealish he will get ripped apart.

“I’m sorry to say Bassey but that’s the truth. Another year up with Rangers and maybe he might be ready.

“At this moment in time, the brutal truth is he’s good enough.”

The Verdict: Get it done

Bassey starred in both the Europa League final and Scottish Cup final this month and appears to have outgrown the Scottish Premiership, picking up Rangers’ Young Player of the Season award.

The Nigerian was a regular at Ibrox in the 2021/22 season, lining out as a centre-back and left-back and duly providing Gerrard with cover in two important areas.

His impressive displays over recent months seem to suggest that he is ready for the next step in his career, and that could well be at Villa Park, possibly alongside Carlos.

In other news: Villa may now move for another Rangers star after Bassey; Gerrard loves him – transfer insider. 

Tottenham Hotspur could sign Gareth Bale 2.0 this off-season…

What’s the word?

According to The Mirror, Antonio Conte is set to make Eintracht Frankfurt wing-back Filip Kostic his first summer signing at Spurs as part of a £150m spending spree.

Both the Italian head coach and sporting director Fabio Paratici are said to be keen to invest in his consistency, whilst the Express recently claimed that the north Londoners had scouts in attendance as the Bundesliga outfit clinched the Europa League over Rangers last week.

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Meanwhile, the very reliable Alasdair Gold of football.london has seemingly confirmed their interest, as he revealed on his YouTube channel:

“I know certainly that they’ve got a lot of interest in Eintracht Frankfurt’s 29-year-old Filip Kostic – their left wing-back, so that’s one they’re going to look at, they’re going to try and sign.

“I think there’s a lot of interest in him, but we’ll see. I think there’s a growing confidence that he might be someone that they can bring in this summer.”

He could be available for just €15m (£12.5m).

Bale 2.0

Indeed, the Serbia international has been a mark of consistency over the years, delivering the goods for Frankfurt since 2018.

Kostic finished the season as Oliver Glasner’s highest-rated player in the German top flight, averaging a WhoScored rating of 7.11, only further emphasising his ability to impact games week in, week out.

He bagged seven goals and provided 13 assists across the Bundesliga and Europa League, playing at left wing-back, and those returns far usurp all of Conte’s current wide options in defence combined.

Across the last three domestic campaigns, the 29-year-old has proved to be a major creative influence, averaging at least 2.4 key passes per game, on top of a minimum of 1.4 tackles per game.

Interestingly, Kostic has earned comparisons to Bale throughout his career. After all, the Welsh legend started his career in the very same role before transitioning into a lethal presence in the final third.

Dubbed a “mentality monster” by team-mate Kevin Trapp and described as having an “outstanding ability” by Glasner, the £18m-rated machine would evidently be a fantastic upgrade to Conte’s squad.

He is practically the perfect fit for what the Italian is trying to achieve in N17, and for just £12.5m, Paratici and co would be foolish to not pay it.

AND in other news, Kane eyeing new Spurs contract in big Conte boost…

Liverpool currently have the second-best defence in the Premier League this season, with just 25 goals conceded in 37 games.

Even though the Reds still have one match left to play in this top-flight campaign, which could potentially end with Jurgen Klopp’s side winning the league title, it seems as though the manager and the club’s hierarchy have identified one player who could make a move to Anfield in the summer.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from Voetbal International (via Sport Witness), Liverpool have joined the race to sign PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ibrahim Sangare.

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The report also claimed that fellow Premier League clubs Aston Villa, Leicester City and Newcastle United are all interested in signing the 24-year-old.

After scoring two goals and providing five assists in 86 appearances for Toulouse, the midfielder joined his current club in September 2020.

Since then, the Ivory Coast international has gone on to make 87 appearances in Eindhoven across all competitions, scoring five goals and supplying six assists along the way.

With 29 league appearances to his name this season, no other PSV player has racked up more minutes than Sangare, showing just how important he has been to the Eredivisie giants.

To further highlight his significance to the team and his defensive talents, he has the highest average for tackles (3.3) and interceptions (2.6) per game of any PSV player in the 2021/22 campaign.

Klopp’s own Yaya Toure?

Speaking about the PSV maestro, African journalist Alpha Balde put him in the same frame as two of the Premier League’s most decorated midfield stars of yesteryear. He said of the 24-year-old: “Physically, he’s like Yaya Toure but he reminds me of Michael Essien.”

Sangare has also received praise in the past from his former Toulouse boss Alain Casanova, who dubbed the Ivorian a “complete” player who is “calm in small spaces and comes out of pressure in incredible ways.”

Casanova also said that the PSV midfielder has “a great ability to recover the ball and does a huge amount of running.”

Taking all this into account, if Liverpool are to secure a deal for Sangare in the summer, which could reportedly cost them £30m, this could end up being a great bit of business from the Merseyside club and strengthen what is already a world-class squad.

In other news: FSG eyeing Liverpool swoop for £106m-rated titan, he will “be better than Van Dijk”

Leeds United have not found scoring goals quite as simple this season as they made it look in their previous Premier League campaign.

With 36 top-flight games played this term, the Whites have scored 39 goals, fewer than the likes of Brentford, Southampton and Newcastle United.

To put that into perspective, the Yorkshire club had scored 57 goals by the same point last season.

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One man who has been a shining light for Jesse Marsch’s side in an attacking sense is Raphinha.

With 33 league games under his belt, the Brazilian has scored 10 goals and provided three assists along the way, leaving no other Leeds player with more goal contributions.

Looking ahead to the summer transfer window, one man who the Yorkshire club could look to bring in and who may have what it takes to improve the Whites’ attack and potentially form a deadly duo with Raphinha is Liverpool’s Takumi Minamino.

Back in January, Leeds were linked with a move for the Japan international, only for him to stay at Anfield.

Liverpool struck a deal for Minamino back in December 2019 from Marsch’s former club RB Salzburg. Since then, the 27-year-old has made 54 appearances for the Reds across all competitions, scoring 13 goals and delivering three assists along the way.

During his time under Marsch’s management in Austria, the winger scored nine goals and provided 11 assists in 22 appearances, which shows that the American knows how to get the best out of the player.

Taking into account how Minamino has only made 10 appearances for Liverpool in the Premier League this season and hasn’t even been involved in a top-flight matchday squad since March, it’s safe to say that he’s nowhere near the top of the pecking order in Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

With Liverpool having the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz in their ranks, it doesn’t look good for the former Salzburg star’s his future at Anfield.

Praised by Klopp for his “exceptional” performances in the past, Minamino could be a valuable asset for Leeds as an extra attacking presence in their side who certainly has what it takes to link up with Raphinha and form a scary duo under his one-time Salzburg manager once again.

With all this in mind, if the Whites can avoid relegation, launching a move for the Liverpool outcast could be a great move for all parties concerned.

In other news – Could’ve signed for £4m, now valued at £135m: Leeds had shocker over 85-goal “cyborg”

Everton are reportedly now ‘tracking’ Gavin Bazunu ahead of a potential move in the summer.

The Lowdown: Standout season

Bazunu has enjoyed a standout season at Portsmouth on loan from Manchester City, where he picked up their Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards.

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He surprisingly missed out on League One’s Team of the Season, something which manager Danny Cowley branded as ‘ridiculous’, but it is clear that the six-foot-two colossus has the potential to reach the very top.

The Latest: Everton interest

Taking to Twitter, The Irish Independent journalist Daniel McDonnell has revealed that the Goodison Park faithful have been ‘tracking’ Bazunu’s performances in League One, and are now ‘considering’ a move for him this summer:

“Everton are considering a summer move for Gavin Bazunu – have been tracking his L1 performances and interested if Man City opt to sell. As reported elsewhere, Southampton very keen and Bournemouth/Sheff U also in mix. If MCFC sell buyback option on cards.”

The Verdict: Depends on Pickford

A move for Bazunu may well depend on whether Jordan Pickford stays or goes next season.

It has been reported that the Merseyside club would be willing to listen to offers for their number one, whether they stay up or not, which would then pave the way for a new goalkeeper.

Dubbed ‘different class’ by Pompey central defender Clark Robertson, Bazunu has already grabbed the number one spot for the Republic of Ireland, but at just 20 years of age, it may be too soon for him to be starting in the Premier League just yet.

In other news, find out who was ‘absolutely wretched’ against Watford here!

Pundit and former Leeds United defender Danny Mills has made an injury claim regarding Patrick Bamford, as per Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Bamford back on the pitch

The 28-year-old has been limited to a mere seven Premier League starts this season, playing just 559 minutes of action due to a number of injuries.

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His latest foot issue came against Wolves in March, although it looks as if he could have a part to play in the final games of the season as Leeds battle to avoid the drop.

Jesse Marsch confirmed last week that the striker has been back out on the Thorp Arch training pitches, but Mills had his concerns regarding Bamford’s fitness.

The Latest: Mills’ claim on Bamford

Mills, who contributes for Sky Sports, was talking to Football Insider regarding the Leeds striker.

He said that starting Bamford and having to take him off would be ‘disruptive’ to Marsch’s tactical setup and urged caution over the use of the 28-year-old given his injury troubles over the past few months.

The 44-year-old warned:

“It would be a real risk to have him as the main man up front going forward.

“He could break down at any moment, so to have him playing minutes if he’s not 100% – it’s a risk.

“If you have to then take him off, it’s disruptive. You’ve laid all your plans around him playing and having an impact.

“If you then have to take him off, it’s a bit like ‘oh no’ – because you have to change your set-up and your tactics completely if you’re Jesse Marsch.”

The Verdict: Impact sub?

Should Bamford return to the matchday squad for the final three games of the season, it could be wise if Marsch decided for an opposing plan to the one back in March.

Bamford was given the nod from the off in wins over Norwich and Wolves, but he failed to play more than 45 minutes in either game.

Therefore, it could be wise to use the striker as an impact sub instead of starting in upcoming games against Brighton, Brentford and possibly even Chelsea on Wednesday, with the Whites now at a make-or-break stage of the season.

In other news: Leeds and Orta now make first move to sign ‘undefendable’ star in blow to Everton