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Inter Milan teenager Kevin Zefi has been seen as a potential summer signing by Newcastle United in the summer transfer window and a big update has now emerged.

How old is Kevin Zefi?

The Irishman is just 18 years old currently and moved to Inter from Shamrock Rovers two years ago, such was his ability as a young and emerging footballer.

While Zefi is yet to make a senior first-team appearances for the Serie A giants, he has shone in the youth teams, scoring six goals and registering seven assists for the Under-17 side, as well as an incredible 16 strikes in just 13 games for the Under-18 outfit.

The young winger signed his first professional deal last years and is contracted at Inter until the summer of 2024, but it could be that he moves on before the current transfer window closes at the end of this month.

Newcastle have emerged as strong potential suitors for Zefi and a fresh update further suggests that he could be plying his trade at St James' Park in the very near future.

Will Newcastle sign Kevin Zefi?

Eddie Howe revealed Lewis Hall would be the last first-team signing, but according to NUFC Blog, Newcastle are now expected to sign Zefi for the academy:

"Newcastle United look set to follow the signings of AC Milan youngster Cathal Heffernan and Chelsea’s Lewis Hall with the arrival of fellow 18-year-old Kevin Zefi.

"The Dublin-born talent has impressed in Inter Milan’s academy and has 12 months left on his contract following a move from Shamrock Rovers two years ago.

"Zefi is being advised by former Toon defender Stephen Carr and is set to join our U21s after a breakthrough in talks. He also plays at international level alongside Toon duo Alex Murphy and Reece Byrne; two players Dan Ashworth has brought to the club’s academy over the past 12 months."

This is a very exciting update for Newcastle, as they continue to show that they are not only planning for the present, instead making sure they sign young players with big futures in the game.

In Zefi, they have someone who is considered something of a wonderkid, with former coach Shane Robinson explaining what makes him so special:

“Kevin is that type of player that catches the eye easily – he backs himself 100% in possession of the ball. He has lovely balance and uses his body very well to protect the ball.

"He has worked very hard on his overall game over the last number of years and deserves credit for that, he has gone up through the levels impressively from U15 to U19 with First Division appearances last season also."

While Zefi clearly wouldn't be arriving as an important member of the senior setup to begin with, given his lack of experience, he is someone who could continue to start at youth team level, gradually blossoming into a top-level footballer who can cut it on the biggest stage.

Read the latest Newcastle transfer news HERE…

It is always hard to gauge how a youngster will develop, with injuries and work ethic always potentially getting in the way, but the former Shamrock ace has all the tools to make it and could be a future hero on Tyneside.

Chelsea's expansive Cobham academy has unearthed its fair share of talent over the years, but with such a steady flow of budding potential, several gems have slipped through before the club could tie them down to professional deals.

And none more regrettable than West Ham United phenom Declan Rice, who has forged his way into eminent standing on the Premier League scene and been instrumental in the Irons' ascension to European endeavours over the past few seasons.

Why did Declan Rice leave Chelsea?

Rice had spent much of his formative years earning his stripes among the academy ranks in west London, but, according to The Athletic, was released at just 14-years-old after concerns that his lack of physicality and vacillation from the coaches on where the young starlet's best position would be; indecisiveness and a heavy influx off players, resulting in his bitter termination.

Following a youth stint with Fulham, Rice found a home with West Ham where he earned his professional breakthrough and remains to this day.

Now 24 years old, the 39-cap England international has made 225 appearances for his east London outfit and scored 12 goals and assists apiece, and given the Hammers' qualification for Europe in both of the past two seasons, the club's rise to eminence coinciding with the emergence of the “monster” – as dubbed by ESPN’s David Cartlidge – comes as little surprise.

How much is Rice worth now?

How Chelsea must rue their decision.

Earlier this season, the £60k-per-week machine sent shockwaves through David Moyes' team by confirming to the club that he wishes to depart at the end of the season, hoping to taste coveted Champions League football for the very first time, and given his pedigree, his hopes of reaching the very top are probably justified, given the years he has devoted to ensuring West Ham return to the upper end of the Premier League.

Many of England's top outfits have expressed an interest, and among those Chelsea, who have reportedly been mulling over a move to complete their midfield with a superlative and iron-clad anchor, with his outfit demanding £100m to grudgingly grant his departure, although a fee of £70m now appears a more realistic proposition.

Hailed a "force of nature" by journalist Rob Blanchette, Rice could be the perfect cog to get the Stamford Bridge outfit whirring, with the Blues currently languishing in tenth place in the English top-flight and beset with a startling fall from grace.

As per FBref, the 6 foot 1 ace ranks among the top 7% of midfielders in Europe's top five leagues for pass completion, 11% for progressive passes, 11% for progressive carries and 5% for interceptions per 90, illustrating his refined scope and assurance as one of Europe's foremost industrious central engines.

Given Blues owner Todd Boehly has spent more than £550m on new signings since taking a seat at the head of Stamford Bridge's table last year, it would not come as a surprise to anyone if a formal offer were to be lodged.

But considering transfer funds needn't have been a discussion in the first place, had he just been granted time to continue his development and channel his ability into what it is at present, there will be an unequivocal and unanimous acceptance that the club had a nightmare on this particular prodigy.

Fulham are "pushing" to reach an agreement with Chelsea for Callum Hudson-Odoi and they're in pole position, according to reports this week.

Who will Fulham sign?

As we enter the latter stages of this summer transfer window, Marco Silva's side appear to finally be getting busy after being linked with a plethora of targets.

The west Londoners are chasing the signing of a star centre-back, leading to their talks for both Calvin Bassey from Ajax and Southampton's Mohammed Salisu.

The former is apparently Fulham's first choice and talks are at an advanced stage to sign the ex-Rangers star, according to reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Meanwhile, the Whites have also signed Mexico international striker Raul Jimenez from Wolves, coming as Fulham's star forward from last season, Aleksandar Mitrovic, pushes for a move away.

"It's not the ideal situation, I have to tell you," said Silva on Mitrovic's possible move to Saudi Arabia.

"Not because he received an offer, it's the situation about himself. As you know, he's not going to play tomorrow, he didn't play last Wednesday.

"He's not working properly with his team mates and when I say this is not the ideal scenario, this is the situation."

Amid talks for new forwards and new defenders, it appears Fulham's preparations for the 2023/2024 season are formally underway. Silva's side have also been seriously linked with a move to sign Hudson-Odoi from Chelsea, who spent last season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen.

The winger is surplus-to-requirement at Chelsea, and it is their London rivals Fulham who are in "pole position" to sign him.

That is according to The Guardian and reliable journalist Jacob Steinberg, who writes that Fulham are "pushing" to seal a move for the forward this summer.

"Fulham are pushing to complete a deal for Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi," Steinberg wrote.

"Lazio are interested in the winger, who has a year left on a deal worth about £120,000 a week, but Fulham remain in pole position.

"The 22-year-old is keen on moving to Craven Cottage and is waiting for Fulham to agree a fee. Hudson-Odoi, who spent last season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen, has been training with Chelsea’s Under-21s.

"Fulham had their opening offer for Hudson-Odoi turned down last week and are looking for a compromise on a fee. Chelsea want to sell and are asking for about £8m, whereas Fulham have looked at paying £4m. Hudson-Odoi would compete with Willian for a place on the left wing at Fulham."

How good is Callum Hudson-Odoi?

Hudson-Odoi was tipped for the big time by Chelsea legend Frank Lampard back in 2019, who called him an "incredible" player at the time whilst predicting he could be "huge".

Now, Mauricio Pochettino's side want to sell the attacker – so much so they're very open to doing business with a west London rival.

While this doesn't give a great indication of his quality, members of the media did heap praise on Hudson-Odoi just last year.

FourFourTwo writer Mark White, taking to Twitter, called him a "special" player – all while highlighting the 22-year-old's "unbelievable vision" and "sheer mentality" in the final third.

Leeds United are reportedly interested in completing the signing of Venezia attacker Joel Pohjanpalo in the summer transfer window.

How old is Joel Pohjanpalo?

The Finnish striker is 28 years of age currently and has become a key player for Venezia, having arrived at the Serie B club from Bayer Leverkusen in 2022. Last season, Pohjanpalo scored 19 goals and registered seven assists in 40 appearances for his new team, outlining his relentless end product in the final third.

Pohjanpalo's current deal expires in 2025, and while his club will no doubt be desperate to keep hold of him until that point, they may be aware that there will be plenty of interest in him this summer.

Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…

Leeds are badly in need of adding firepower to their squad this season, with their Championship season getting off to a disappointing start with a 2-2 draw at home to Cardiff City, and it would be a surprise if they didn't strengthen in that area before the end of the summer transfer window.

Patrick Bamford doesn't look like the force he used to be, with injuries curtailing his progress in recent years, while Rodrigo has sealed a summer move to Saudi Arabia. Now, it looks as though Pohjanpalo is a target for Leeds in the current window, following a new report that has emerged.

Will Leeds sign Joel Pohjanpalo?

According to TuttoMercatoWeb [via Sport Witness], the Finland international is "tempting" clubs both in Italy and abroad, with the Whites one of those in the conversation to sign him. West Ham, Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers are all mentioned as possible suitors, with Genoa attacker Massimo Coda seen as a replacement for him at Venezia, suggesting they are resigned to losing him.

Pohjanpalo could be a fascinating signing by Leeds this summer, solving what has become an issue ahead of what is hopefully a promotion-winning season in the Championship. Wilfried Gnonto was used in the No.9 against Cardiff, but the young Italian is arguably at his best in a wider role.

The Venezia man has scored 100 goals at club level in his career, not to mention netting 14 times in 63 caps for Finland, so he is clearly someone who a lot of experience at the top down the years, suggesting he could come in and spearhead the Whites' promotion push.

The fact that there is some Premier League interest could act as a stumbling block, though, with the idea of playing in England's top flight something that is likely to appeal more, should West Ham retain their interest in him.

Pohjanpalo is also a character, as highlighted by him celebrating last season by drinking a beer straight after being substituted, and that personality could make him an immediate cult hero at Elland Road.

Having a relentless goalscorer in the Championship is vital for any team with aspirations of going up to the Premier League and that is no different with Leeds, who are unlikely to mount a serious challenge if that problem isn't addressed sooner rather than later.

Southampton are keen on raiding the Premier League for an exciting young striker this window as Russell Martin looks to strengthen his frontline, according to reports.

Is Cameron Archer moving to Southampton?

According to The Daily Mail, Southampton are keen on Aston Villa striker Cameron Archer this window as they look to add some attacking reinforcements in the latter stages of market activity.

The report states that Swansea City forward Joel Piroe is also on the radar at St Mary's Stadium; however, they face competition from Championship rivals Leeds United for both strikers.

Premier League newcomers Sheffield United are also keen on the £20k-a-week ace and saw a bid in the region of £10 million rejected for Archer earlier this month, with parent club Aston Villa said to want around £20 million before parting ways with the 21-year-old, as per Football Insider.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is believed to be open to letting Archer depart Villa Park this summer and has given the 'green light' to the Walsall-born star to leave before the end of the window.

Southampton look like they will need to enter the market to secure another striker as star man Che Adams is closing in on a move to Everton after a fee of £15 million was agreed between both parties for the Scotland international, according to FootballTransfers.

TEAMtalk understand that Saints have also inquired about the availability of Heart of Midlothian striker Lawrence Shankland as their search for a new forward gathers pace.

Nevertheless, the former Dundee United man has also attracted interest from the Saudi Pro League due to his blistering form in front of the target.

Would Cameron Archer be a good signing for Southampton?

Archer is someone who certainly possesses all the attributes to be a regular goalscorer at a decent level and definitely has room for development that can be accelerated by gaining regular game time.

Last term, the 21-year-old spent time out on loan at Middlesbrough and made a lasting impression at the Riverside Stadium, notching 11 goals and six assists in 23 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

According to FBRef, Archer, hailed as "outstanding" by Clinton Morrison, has also excelled in comparison to his positional peers across Europe's next eight leagues below the top five divisions on the continent in the art of successful take-ons, recording around 1.38 per 90 minutes in the last 365 days at the time of writing, putting him in the 89th percentile for this metric.

Realistically, additional depth in the final third at Southampton may be needed, especially in light of Bayer Leverkusen's pursuit of Nathan Tella.

Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg issued an update on X surrounding the admiration Bayer Leverkusen have for Tella, stating:

"Bayer 04 Leverkusen is pushing for Nathan Tella! Understand there‘s a verbal agreement with the 24 y/o winger from Southampton. But: No agreement between the clubs yet. Price expectation from Leverkusen around €16-18m guaranteed + add-ons at this stage. Southampton should demand between €25-30m. Negotiations ongoing."

Aberdeen forward Duk is being monitored by Southampton and Leeds United alongside two other sides and has been previously scouted by Saints, according to journalist Darren Witcoop.

With the dreaded international break currently underway, Leeds United boss Daniel Farke is likely to use this current halt to proceedings to take stock of his squad, following what has been a summer of upheaval at Elland Road.

Off the back of a miserable 2022/23 campaign that saw the Yorkshire giants slip back into the Championship – just three years on from sealing promotion – there was no doubt an expectancy that the club would struggle to keep hold of their star assets, particularly those with relegations clauses built into their contracts.

The Whites may not have been anticipating quite such a sizeable mass exodus following that return to the second tier, however, with 15 players having been moved on elsewhere amid the desire to continue competing in Europe's top leagues.

Despite managing to keep hold of Italy international, Wilfried Gnonto – even after the teenager put in a transfer request amid interest from Everton – there were few others who did not see their wishes granted, with Farke now in charge of an almost wholly refreshed and refurbished outfit.

That is not to suggest that every unwanted asset was moved on during the recent window, however, with underwhelming left-back, Junior Firpo among those who were unable to find a new home, despite struggling to perform in recent seasons.

In truth, on the evidence of his on-field woes and hefty financial burden, the former Barcelona man has simply rinsed Leeds since his arrival back in the summer of 2021.

How much did Leeds pay for Junior Firpo?

At the time, it may have looked like something of a coup for Marcelo Bielsa and co to have snapped up the defender from Camp Nou, with the former Spain U21 international having previously shone during his prior stint at Real Betis – for whom he scored five goals and registered seven assists in just 43 appearances.

Signed for a relatively minimal fee of £12.8m, the attacking full-back was acquired amid the need to find a long-term solution on the left side of the defence, following the departure of Ezgjan Alioski on a free transfer.

With Stuart Dallas having also been something of a makeshift option in that role during the 2020/21 season, there was evidently a desperate need for reinforcement at left-back, with Bielsa's side looking to build upon a solid ninth-place finish following their return from the Championship.

As it has proved, however, Leeds may be wishing they had invested their funds elsewhere rather than on the one-time Dominican Republic international – who was dubbed a "defensive liability" by journalist Juan Arango in Catalonia – such have been his woes in recent seasons.

How much does Firpo earn for Leeds?

While a victim of numerous, unfortunate injury setbacks in recent times, the 6 foot dud has hardly helped himself when he has taken to the field, with journalist Dean Jones suggesting earlier this year that he has had "had some difficulties in the Premier League".

Pundit John Newsome has also been particularly critical of the defender's performances during his stay at Elland Road, with the ex-Leeds man stating back in December:

“They signed Firpo, they put a lot of money into him. I don’t think he’s anywhere near good enough,”

With just two goals and four assists to his name in 52 outings to date, Firpo has hardly proven value for money in an attacking sense, while defensively he has also proven rather costly, in truth, notably giving away a penalty at the tail-end of last season in the 2-2 draw with Newcastle United following an "idiotic" handball – as per 90min's Graeme Bailey.

Such lapses of concentration having seemingly been commonplace for the former Barca man of late, with it hard to justify handing him a rather hefty £60k-per-week wage, particularly when he can't even stay fit long enough to be able to make an impact on the pitch.

How much has Firpo cost Leeds?

When taking into account that £60k-per-week salary – totalling roughly £6.2m to date – and his initial £12.8m transfer fee, the forgotten man has cost the club in the region of £19m over the last two years, with that likely to be viewed as money wasted by both the club and supporters.

The desire will likely be to get the 27-year-old off the books as soon as possible, with Capology revealing that he currently accounts for 11% of the total wage bill, due to his place as the third-highest earner among his teammates:

Georginio Rutter

£70k-per-week

Patrick Bamford

£70k-per-week

Junior Firpo

£65k-per-week

Daniel James

£50k-per-week

Pascal Struijk

£50k-per-week

Stuart Dallas

£45k-per-week

Helder Costa

£32.5k-per-week

Illan Meslier

£30k-per-week

Luke Ayling

£25k-per-week

Liam Cooper

£25k-per-week

While that has been somewhat distorted due to the string of players who were shipped off to new homes this summer, it serves as yet another reminder of just how poorly run the Elland Road outfit has been in recent times – with the sooner Firpo moves on the better.

When does Junior Firpo's contract expire?

Frustratingly, not only is the transfer window now at a close, but Firpo still has two years left to run on his existing deal at the club, ensuring it won't be straightforward if Farke and co are to attempt to move him on in the near future.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano had indicated back in June that the Santo Domingo-born talent was in line to join the likes of Rodrigo, Jack Harrison and Brenden Aaronson by sealing a move away this summer, albeit with no such exit having occurred.

That failure to secure a move was likely impacted by the player's current injury woes, with recent reports indicating that he is still facing two more months on the sidelines, having yet to feature so far this season.

Amid that spell on the treatment table, Firpo has revealed his desire to contribute to the team once he is back fit and firing, although, with the likes of Sam Byram and Leo Hjelde already at Farke's disposal, a January sale should be the first consideration for the Leeds hierarchy.

It is fair to say that the 2021 arrival has rinsed the club for long enough…

Nottingham Forest have seen Benfica goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos as a key target in the summer transfer window and now a new update could excite supporters.

Do Nottingham Forest want to sign Odysseas Vlachodimos?

The Reds have enjoyed a solid start to their Premier League season, as they look to build on retaining their top-flight status last time around, in what was their first year back in the division.

Two defeats to Arsenal and Manchester United may have been disappointing, but they were both one-goal losses where they made a good account of themselves, while the late 2-1 victory at home to Sheffield United was a positive night at the office earlier this month.

While Forest look well-equipped to once again compete well in the Premier League in 2023/24, some more signings could arguably do with arriving before the transfer window closes on Friday night.

A new goalkeeper seems to be at the top of their list of priorities, even though Matt Turner has already arrived from Arsenal, and Vlachodimos has emerged as a primary target in that position. The 29-year-old is currently plying his trade at Benfica, who he started 34 Primeira Liga games for last season, also appearing 10 times in the Champions League.

Now, a new update has emerged regarding Forest's chase for the 33-cap Greece international – one that has now seen some significant progress made.

Will Nottingham Forest sign Odysseas Vlachodimos?

According to a key update from journalist Fabrizio Romano on X, Forest have officially submitted an offer to sign Vlachodimos this summer, as the Reds look to seal a deal sooner rather than later:

"EXCL: Nottingham Forest submit formal bid for Odisseas Vlachodimos, package close to €9m fee — it’s the first official bid from Forest. Benfica want more to make it happen but talks continue. Vlachodimos, Man Utd 2nd option as backup GK after priority Bayindir."

Vlachodimos could be the ideal summer addition for Forest between now and the end of the window, possessing a huge amount of experience at a high level in Europe, as highlighted by regular playing time in the Champions League over the years.

He could come straight in and rival Turner between the sticks with Jurgen Klopp once praising him as the "best player" on the pitch when Benfica came up against his Liverpool side.

At 29, Vlachodimos appears to be at the peak of his powers, especially for a goalkeeper, with players in that position capable of being in their prime well into their 30s in the modern game.

Realistically, Forest will have matches this season when they are under big spells of pressure, and for them to get through those periods as best as possible, they need a proven figure between the sticks who can make key saves, make the defence feel safe and generally enjoy a big influence week in, week out, just like Keylor Navas did during his loan spell.

Vlachodimos looks like he could be the man to do exactly that, given his pedigree, so the Reds appear to be doing all they can to ensure that they get a deal over the line in the new few days.

Everton's James Garner could play "a much bigger role in midfield this year" if the club sign a fullback this summer, and should he do that, he could "have a big season", claims journalist Paul Brown.

Everton News – what does the future hold for James Garner?

It was a tough first season at the Toffees for the Birkenhead-born prospect last year.

Having joined from Manchester United in September, he spent his first two Premier League games at the club sitting on the bench before making his debut in a 2-1 loss to his former side on the ninth of October.

He would go on to feature in the next five league games for the club before suffering a back injury that meant he wouldn't play a minute of the following 14 league matches until finally making his return against Tottenham Hotspur on the third of April this year.

The 6 foot 1 midfielder endured yet more disruption in the closing weeks of the season when he was asked to fill in as a makeshift right-back following the injuries to both Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson, something he did better than most would've expected of him, as he even played there during the club's crucial final day victory over Bournemouth – a win that secured safety.

Being moved around the pitch to a position that is not your own is something that might cause a player to down tools or moan to the press, but in Garner's case, he seems grateful just to be playing, as in May, he said:

"If I am chosen to play there, I will be more than happy. I feel comfortable switching positions. From defence to midfield, midfield to right-back. I feel ready and more than capable of doing it."

While he might be happy to play where he is told to, journalist Paul Brown believes that moving back into midfield in the event of a new fullback joining the club would be best for the youngster.

What did Paul Brown say about James Garner and Everton?

Brown was keen to praise Garner for his performances last season and pointed out that if the club sign any fullbacks over the summer, he could potentially have a big year in the middle of the park next season.

Speaking to Football Fancast, he said: "I actually think he did really well anyway towards the end of last season, but depending where he plays if they get the fullback positions sorted out, I think you could see James Garner playing a much bigger role in midfield this year. And it'd be nice, as injuries kind of hampered his momentum a little bit last year. It'd be nice if he got in and broke through.

"I think there's potential there for him to have a big season as well."

How good was James Garner last season?

As Brown points out, it was a season hampered by injury last year for Garner. The 14 games he missed between November and February made it hard for him to develop any sort of positive momentum through the season.

That said, when he did play, he was able to show glimpses of quality, even if he never quite reached levels higher than his teammates.

According to WhoScored, across the 16 league games he did play, he averaged a rating of 6.43, picking up one assist and maintaining a pass accuracy of 80.9%.

While those statistics aren't anything to write home about, it's essential to look at them with the added context of a highly dysfunctional Everton side and that he was playing a lot of those final games in an unfamiliar position.

His underlying numbers are, again, fairly average, but within the context of a new position, they're decent enough.

According to FBref, who compare players in a similar position across Europe's top five leagues, the "highly rated" 22-year-old sits in the top 22% for aerial duals won, the top 24% for clearances, the top 26% for interceptions, the top 34% for assists, and the top 37% for non-penalty expected goals, all per 90.

Ultimately, while he did a good job as a temporary fullback for the team, should Everton bring in proper reinforcements in that area, Garner should be doing everything he can to stake a claim back in the midfield, and then we might see him reach the potential he has.

As Harry Kane’s future in North London remains uncertain, Tottenham Hotspur may turn their attentions to Nottingham Forest forward Brennan Johnson. Ryan Taylor of the Daily Express has spoken to GIVEMESPORT about just how likely this transfer is.

What does the future hold for Brennan Johnson?

Replacing Harry Kane is a nigh-on impossible task, hence why the rumoured fee for Tottenham’s attacking star is so high, despite the fact his contract is soon to expire. It would be ridiculous to think that Brennan Johnson would be directly filling the Kane-sized void but he could prove to be a worthy option in the frontline alongside the likes of Dejan Kulusevski and Son Heung-Min.

The Daily Mail have previously reported that the new Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is interested in Johnson and could pull the trigger on a deal. Forest are rumoured to have priced Johnson at, at least £50 million, something which doesn’t seem to have deterred the Tottenham hierarchy.

Following on from a very cash heavy 2022 summer, the Reds may need to move on one or two key assets. At the heart of that could be their prized asset, Brennan Johnson, who has been hailed as a "top player".

Brentford were another club keeping tabs on the winger but they saw a £35 million bid rejected in the last couple of weeks. The Bees have already broken their transfer record once when they brought Nathan Collins in from Wolves and so any renewed interest in the Welshman would see them break it again.

What is Ryan Taylor's transfer update on Spurs?

“If Kane goes, I know Johnson isn’t the same kind of player as him, but I think Tottenham are going to have to sign more diverse attacking options.

“I think that will be the way to deal with losing Kane. I don't think you're going to replace someone like Kane, so you're better off having different options in changing the style.

“From what I understand their interest is actually very, very credible in Johnson.

“That said, there are other clubs in for Johnson, not least Brentford who have had a club record £35 million bid rejected.

“But there are other teams in the mix from the Premier League for Johnson as well. So I think that could be one to watch.”

Where would the Nottingham Forest ace fit in at Tottenham?

As previously mentioned, there are much more differences than similarities between Harry Kane and Brennan Johnson. For starters, the former is far more experienced and is also a recognized centre forward.

Tottenham have been heavily reliant on Kane’s goals for a number of years, meaning that Johnson would arrive and have to hit the ground running. That being said, James Maddison, Richarlison and Kulusevski are a few attacking players who have a number of years left in them. Between them all, they could tally together to go some way to replacing Kane’s output.

Spurs may have underperformed in 2022/23 but that didn’t stop the English icon from scoring 30 Premier League goals. Meanwhile, in his first season in the top flight, Johnson scored eight and assisted three in just under 3,000 minutes. This may not be on the level of the man who he would be replacing but it is a sign of things to come.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has received a major update in his pursuit of Aris Thessaloniki winger Luis Palma as speculation continues to rumble over his future, according to reports.

Is Luis Palma joining Celtic?

Greek journalist Giannis Chorianopoulos has issued a major update on the future of Palma amid reports linking the 23-year-old with a move to Celtic, as he stated on X: "Not confirmed 100% yet, but seems Luis Palma will be out of Aris Thessaloniki squad for the match v Lamia on Sunday. Celtic and two non European clubs offers are on the table. Palma wants Celtic."

The journalist, who works for Greece-based outlet Sportime, has since dropped further insight on Palma's potential next career steps and has indicated that the Honduras international is now closing in on a switch to Parkhead, stating: "Celtic are really close to sign Luis Palma from Aris Thessaloniki. Agreement in principle between the clubs, €4,1m. plus some bonuses. Palma 's contract €650.000 per season, probably for a 4 years contract."

Palma has been a coveted presence this summer, attracting interest from the Hoops' city rivals Rangers, Anderlecht and Watford among others; however, he now looks set to link up with former Liverpool boss Rodgers in Glasgow following a whirlwind couple of days where swift negotiations between both parties now look to be veering toward their conclusion.

Of course, Celtic have been in the hunt this window to find a replacement for Portuguese winger Jota, who was sold to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad for £25 million earlier in the summer, as per Sky Sports.

Rodgers has already signed off on six signings since returning to Parkhead in the form of Gustaf Lagerbielke, Maik Nawrocki, Odin Thiago Holm, Marco Tilio, Kwon Hyeok-kyu and Yang Hyun-jun, as per Transfermarkt.

In light of Palma's seemingly impending arrival, Celtic fringe man Sead Haksabanovic could find himself further down the pecking order at Parkhead and Football Insider claim that the Montenegro international is looking for an exit before the transfer deadline.

Is Luis Palma a good fit for Celtic?

Palma certainly fits the profile in terms of the style of recruitment Celtic have adopted this window, which has entailed bringing in young stars with potential with the aim of eventually selling them on in the future for a considerable profit.

His statistics also make for pleasant reading in his time at Aris, where he has notched 17 goals and 11 assists in 52 appearances for the Greek outfit encompassing all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

The Honduran arriving at Celtic would also spell the end to a long, drawn-out search for another wide option at Parkhead. Wolverhampton Wanderers star Daniel Podence was considered according to reports; however, it always seemed unlikely that the Hoops would fork out anywhere near the funds needed to satisfy his mooted £12 million price tag.

Scotland international Ryan Fraser was also courted by Celtic, though he is on the verge of completing a season-long loan move to Sky Bet Championship side Southampton, as per The Daily Echo.