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West Ham United's efforts to bring in Alex Scott have stepped up it seems, with The Daily Mail reporting that they are currently in discussions over a potential bid for the player.

What is the latest West Ham United transfer news?

The Hammers appear to have a few targets on their wanted list this summer, with plenty of names already being linked with a switch to the London Stadium. Yunus Musah is one, with the club seemingly in pole position when it comes to Premier League clubs trying to poach the American from Valencia. They haven't tabled an official bid for him yet, but it looks like they will have to battle AC Milan to bring the midfielder in.

Another name rumoured to be a target is Daniel Ballard of Sunderland. He's another name that they haven't launched an official bid for but the Hammers are keen to add to their defensive ranks and with the former Arsenal man impressing in the Championship, they could give him the opportunity to try his luck in the top flight.

Are West Ham United signing Alex Scott?

West Ham aren't averse to trying out the most exciting EFL players, having done so in the past and to great success with Jarrod Bowen. Now, according to a report from The Daily Mail, they could be set to swoop for arguably one of the second tier's most talented prospects too in Alex Scott from Bristol City.

The club hold an interest in the midfielder and it appears as though their interest in the Englishman is stepping up, with the Irons now in discussions over a potential bid for the young talent.

That offer is believed to be around £22m – so it would be a significant fee for a Championship player. However, it could perhaps be enough to tempt the Robins into parting ways with Scott this window.

Scott is a player that plenty have been raving about already thanks to his showings in the Championship. He was handed the league's Young Player of the Season award for 2022/23 and football talent scout Jacek Kulig also stated that the player has a "big future ahead".

Having already made a splash in the second tier then, he has earnt the right to have a go in the Premier League. It appears as though that opportunity could come with West Ham, who are now finally advancing to the stage of lining up a bid to try and bring him to the top flight.

In the past, due to Newcastle’s tenuous position battling relegation, their best players were often pinched by more attractive clubs.

Yohan Cabaye, Moussa Sissoko, Ayoze Perez, Demba Ba, and Georginio Wijnaldum have all previously departed the north-east in search of more stability and prosperous opportunities.

However, in recent times, the Magpies have enjoyed an extraordinary role reversal in which they now find themselves as an extremely sought-after and popular destination.

The club achieved an incredible top-four finish that has secured Champions League football and has expanded the Toon's options within the transfer market.

One player that could be poached from a former top-flight rival is James Maddison.

What’s the latest on James Maddison to Newcastle United?

According to GIVEMESPORT, the high-flyers are looking to follow the impending Sandro Tonali deal by also convincing Maddison to join.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano exclusively revealed: "It's true that they want Tonali and they are closing in on him. For sure he was on the list at Newcastle alongside of course Maddison, who remains a target for Newcastle and Tottenham."

After their relegation and the expiration of Maddison’s contract next summer, the playmaker could be available for around £40m, and Newcastle should accelerate their attempts to conclude the signing.

How could Newcastle line up next season?

During the last two Premier League campaigns, Maddison has been at the heart of all of Leicester City’s most penetrating creativity and cleanest potency. In his previous 65 Premier League games, the £110k-per-week “superstar” has registered 39 goal involvements.

This year, he recorded the highest average rating (7.24) within the squad, along with nine assists and an average of 1.5 dribbles and 2.3 key passes per game. Regarding the latter metric, Kieran Trippier is the only Newcastle player to better Maddison in that category (2.9).

He also ranks impressively across the continent, as across the top five leagues and European competitions, he sits within the top 15% for progressive passes, shot-creating actions and total shots per 90.

With the Englishman occupying the role just behind the striker or as an advanced No 8, his arrival on Tyneside could make for a magnificent duo with the incoming Sandro Tonali, who would sit slightly deeper.

In Serie A, the Italian averaged 1.9 tackles and 1.8 key passes per game as his energy, ball recovery, and composure would perfectly complement Maddison’s innovative play style, affording him more freedom.

The 23-year-old also has 18 appearances in the Champions League in his career, which could be invaluable in a squad with limited European experience.

It is remarkable that Newcastle find themselves in this position in such a short space of time, and it is impossible not to be excited, especially when considering the special midfield they could boast come August.

Rangers are “insisting” in talks for Nottingham Forest defender Jonathan Panzo after confirming Sam Lammers’ signing, according to reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Who could join Rangers this summer?

Watching Old Firm rivals Celtic clinch a domestic treble last season would’ve been a painful one for Gers supporters, but the departure of their manager, Ange Postecoglou, could give Michael Beale’s side a chance to fight back dominance over Scottish football.

The Gers saw a plethora of former first team stars leave the club in May, with Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent, Allan McGregor, Scott Arfield, Filip Helander and Steven Davis all departing at the end of their contracts.

In what has been a major overhaul under Beale so far, Rangers have already confirmed the arrivals of Dujon Sterling, Jack Butland and, now, Lammers from Sampdoria.

The 26-year-old forward joins Rangers on a four-year contract with the Ibrox outfit confirming his arrival on Thursday afternoon.

Following their capture of Lammers, attention now turns to other targets as Rangers aim to strengthen Beale’s ranks further.

One player heavily linked in the last few days is Panzo, who has been subject to approaches from the Glasgow giants as they continue to prepare for the 2023/2024 campaign.

Reliable transfer journalist Romano, taking to Twitter, says the Gers are “insisting” in talks for the Premier League defender after concluding a deal for Lammers.

However, he is a man in demand, as “many clubs” want to sign him this summer.

Who is Jonathan Panzo?

The 22-year-old was a member of England’s Under-17 World Cup-winning squad and has faced off against the likes of Kylian Mbappe during spells with AS Monaco and Dijon in France.

Panzo also made his Forest debut in 2022 against Hull City and would come to Rangers with plenty of potential, especially after a very productive 22/23 loan spell at Coventry City.

The player starred under Mark Robins on route to a Championship Play-Off Final last season, and given he is still very young, there could be plenty more to come.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been linked to a young defender ahead of the transfer window, as Julen Lopetegui aims to bolster his squad this summer.

The Spaniard has been faced with the additional challenge of making improvements on a budget amidst Wolves’ FFP issues, however, the latest name on the radar at Molineux could be a cost-effective introduction.

What’s the latest on Cesar Montes to Wolves?

As reported by Mexican outlet POSTA, Wolves are interested in Espanyol defender Cesar Montes.

The report claims that following Espanyol’s relegation from La Liga, the centre-back’s future is a ‘mystery’, with a number of clubs interested in his services.

Wolves, as well as Club America and Mallorca are named as those interested in the Mexican who is believed to be valued between €10m and €12m (£10m).

What could Cesar Montes offer Wolves?

Lauded as a “monster” by members of the media, the 26-year-old could prove to be a worthy addition to Lopetegui’s defence this summer.

The Midlands side conceded the seventh-highest number of goals this campaign in the Premier League, conceding an average of 1.53 goals per game in a season that highlighted significant room for improvement.

Wolves added strength to their back line in January, signing Craig Dawson from West Ham United, with the 33-year-old becoming a crucial figure in Lopetegui’s defence by the end of the season.

With 263 Premier League appearances under his belt, the Englishman has been a reliable addition to Molineux, however at 33, the club must look towards a replacement for the future with the former West Brom veteran moving forwards in seasons beyond.

26-year-old Montes could be an encouraging signing for Wolves, and has performed better than the experienced Dawson in certain defensive attributes this term in La Liga.

As per Sofascore, the £11k-per-week gem averages a monstrous 5.0 clearances per game, as well as winning 57% of his total duels, with an average of 4.6 won per game.

In the same areas, the Wolves defender comes up short, with 3.3 duels won per game and a percentage of 54%, and an average of four clearances per game, via Sofascore.

At 6 foot 3, the towering centre-back could add an improved aerial presence at the heart of defence, winning 63% of his aerial duels with an average of 3.4 per game to Dawson’s 1.9.

The assured La Liga maestro failed to record a single error leading to a shot or a goal in 20 appearances, showing his composure in one of the busiest areas on the pitch.

With the added pressure of Max Kilman’s future at Molineux being uncertain amidst interest from Tottenham, Lopetegui should turn his attention to sealing defensive reinforcements, for both the future and the present.

At just £10m, the Midlands club could land themselves an experienced centre-back without facing negative financial repercussions.

An update has emerged on Glasgow Rangers and their efforts to improve their defensive options in the summer transfer window…

What's the latest on Jonathan Panzo to Rangers?

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Light Blues have asked about a potential deal to sign Jonathan Panzo from Premier League side Nottingham Forest ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The reporter revealed:

"Rangers are set to complete deal to sign Sam Lammers this week — medicals are scheduled on Wednesday. #Rangers Understand Rangers have also asked for Jonathan Panzo again as new centre-back, talks are ongoing — but there are also German and English clubs keen on signing him."

This comes after Football Insider reported that a fee in the region of £2m could be enough to secure the 22-year-old's signature.

How would Jonathan Panzo fit in at Rangers?

The English centre-back, who was once hailed as "exciting" by Forest boss Steve Cooper, is a left-footed battler who could line up on his favoured foot next to the experienced Connor Goldson.

Having the natural balance of a left-footed and right-footed central defensive pairing can be crucial to the build-up play as they would be able to open up onto their favourite side to pass the ball out from the back, whether that is to the flanks or by breaking lines into midfield.

This means that Panzo and Goldson are a viable partnership and the Gers could, therefore, form a monster pairing for Michael Beale as they are both dominant titans who are able to bully opposition forwards.

The 22-year-old brute spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan at Coventry City in the Championship and enjoyed a solid year.

He averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.99 across 29 appearances and won 58% of his individual duels, which came after he won the same percentage of his battles in 22 outings in Ligue 1 for Dijon during the 2021/22 season.

These statistics show that the English talent is able to win the majority of his physical contests at the back and does not allow himself to be ousted by opposing attackers too often.

Goldson, meanwhile, averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.29 in 25 Scottish Premiership matches for Rangers and won an impressive 67% of his duels, which came after he came out on top in 68% of his fights in the league in the previous campaign.

The experienced 30-year-old enforcer has proven himself to be a dominant centre-back in Scotland and Panzo, who is eight years younger than him, could improve his own game in that regard by learning from the former Brighton & Hove Albion titan.

Therefore, they could be a monstrous pairing at the back for Beale as they are both physically intimidating players who have the potential to strike fear into opposition teams.

According to Simon Phillips, Mauricio Pochettino wants to keep Mason Mount at Chelsea this summer, amid links with a move to Manchester United.

Is Mason Mount leaving Chelsea?

Mount’s Chelsea future reportedly remains uncertain.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the England international is keen on a move to Manchester United, who have been quoted €80m (£68m) for the potential transfer.

The Red Devils are reportedly set to table their opening bid, however, given Mount’s interest in making the move.

It could be a case of now or never when it comes to cashing in for Chelsea, as Mount’s current contract comes to an end this time next year, leaving him free to leave.

According to Martyn Ziegler of The Times, the Blues will need to offload some players in order to adhere to Financial Fair Play rules, meaning that allowing Mount to leave could help fix a major problem of theirs.

Does Mauricio Pochettino want to keep Mason Mount?

According to Phillips, incoming manager Pochettino wants to keep Mount, leading to internal conversations about keeping the midfielder, no matter the contract situation.

If that is to be the case, Mount would leave on a free deal next summer.

Phillips said on his Substack: "Mauricio Pochettino is desperate to keep Mason Mount and that is leading to internal conversations about not selling him this summer whether a new contract is signed or not."

Given the chaos on and off the pitch at Stamford Bridge, the question rises at whether Chelsea can afford to let a player of Mount’s calibre leave this summer, especially to a direct rival in Manchester United.

Mount is not short on fans at Old Trafford, either, with former player John O’Shea heaping praise on the midfielder.

O’Shea told TalkSport: “He’s definitely shown over the last few years in the Premier League and in Europe the quality he possesses.

“And if you think how he’s performed for England too, he’s definitely a player you’d be looking at.

“And if they can get business like that done early, it’s a fantastic addition, and he will add to the goals in terms of creating and scoring them himself too.”

It remains to be seen whether Pochettino can convince Mount to stay put this summer and be part of the pending rebuild at Stamford Bridge.

An academy graduate at the Blues, the midfielder's heart may just yet still be at the club, or, at least, that may be the hope of the incoming manager.

With plenty of the summer transfer saga to come, Mount’s future remains undecided, as Pochettino arrives at Chelsea and United continue their interest.

Burnley manager Vincent Kompany could be a busy man over the next few months as the Belgian attempts to build a squad capable of competing in the Premier League.

The head coach led the club to glory in the Championship, winning the title with 101 points, and could look to the summer transfer window to improve his team.

Foot Mercato recently reported that the Clarets are seriously considering a swoop to sign Bristol City defensive midfielder Han-Noah Massengo, who has been on loan at Auxerre this season.

The 21-year-old is out of contract at Ashton Gate this summer after joining them from Monaco for €8m (£6.9m) in 2019 and is set to be available as a free agent, which could make him a bargain signing for Kompany.

How has Han-Noah Massengo performed this season?

He joined Ligue 1 side Auxerre on loan for the second half of the 2022/23 campaign and enjoyed a strong five months of action in his home country.

The talented France U21 youngster, who was once dubbed a "roaming playmaker" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has showcased his defensive instincts in the middle of the park and his ability as a holding midfielder could make him the perfect heir to 33-year-old Burnley ace Jack Cork.

Massengo averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.85 across 13 appearances in Ligue 1, where he also made 3.3 tackles and interceptions per game, which shows that the French enforcer is able to win the ball back for his side on a regular basis.

Cork, on the other hand, averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.77 across his 39 outings, where he made 2.5 tackles and interceptions per league match for the Clarets.

The former Monaco man has also won 53% of his duels in comparison to the Englishman's 51% and this means that the youngster has made more defensive interventions per appearance whilst also being more efficient in his attempted challenges.

Both players have a pass completion rate between 86 and 87% and have the quality to be reliable in possession to go along with their excellent defending in front of the back line.

Massengo is also 12 years younger than Cork and this means that the ace has plenty of years left ahead of him to grow and develop and could do just that under Kompany's coaching at Turf Moor.

Therefore, the soon-to-be free agent could be the dream long-term heir to the veteran defensive midfielder and could lean on the Englishman's experience to help him improve before eventually taking over in that position in the team.

A big Celtic summer transfer window update has emerged on the club’s plans for Cameron Carter-Vickers…

What’s the talk?

Transfer insider Pete O’Rourke has revealed that the Hoops’ number one objective ahead of the 2022/23 campaign is to sign the American defender at the end of his loan spell at Parkhead.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I’m sure Celtic have got a list of potential replacements if they’re not able to make this Carter-Vickers deal a permanent arrangement from Tottenham.

“But that’s the priority right now. They want to make this deal permanent.”

Spurs reportedly want a deal worth up to £10m for the central defender and O’Rourke has confirmed that the club will be pushing to get a move over the line.

Great news for Ange Postecoglou

This is great news for the Celtic head coach as bringing Carter-Vickers in on a permanent basis would be a terrific signing for the club in the short and long-term.

The defender enjoyed a phenomenal season on loan in Glasgow as he played a huge role in the team winning the Premiership title. He arrived on a temporary basis last summer and hit the ground running as he quickly established himself at the heart of the backline for Postecoglou.

Carter-Vickers ended the campaign with an average SofaScore rating of 7.33 across 33 appearances – out of a possible 38 – in the Scottish top-flight. The defender won 68% of his individual duels in the competition and made 4.1 clearances per game as he proved his quality at his level.

This shows that he will be a fantastic addition to the squad in the short-term next season, as Celtic know that he is able to consistently perform to a high standard.

In the long-term, Carter-Vickers will be an investment for the club. At the age of 24, he has plenty of development left ahead of him and this means that he can improve as a player and increase his potential value.

The centre-back can be sold on for a huge profit in the future if he is able to fulfil his potential and make himself an attractive target for top European teams. This makes him a shrewd signing both in terms of what he offers on the pitch and what he can offer to the club in the future in a financial sense.

Therefore, it is great news for Postecoglou that the club have made a permanent swoop for the centre-back a priority.

AND in other news, Agreement made: Behind-scenes transfer development emerges, it’s bad news for Celtic…

Sunderland journalist James Copley has shared some big VAR news before their League One play-off final against Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday, shortly before official confirmation came from the EFL.

The Lowdown: Huge game for Sunderland

After knocking out Sheffield Wednesday over two legs in the play-off semi-finals, Alex Neil knows that his side are now only one win away from returning to the Championship.

Beating Wycombe will not be easy though, as they knocked out third-placed MK Dons in the other semi-final, and they were promoted from League One through this very route just a couple of years ago.

The Latest: VAR news

Taking to Twitter on Sunday, Sunderland Echo journalist Copley revealed that ‘discussions’ had been ‘ongoing’ between the two clubs and the EFL over the use of VAR at Wembley for the final.

He outlined: “I’m told ‘discussions are ongoing’ between the EFL, Sunderland and Wycombe Wanderers in regards to potentially using VAR in the League One play-off final.”

At noon on Monday, the EFL confirmed that VAR will indeed be used for all three play-off finals to be held at Wembley over the next fortnight.

The Verdict: Needed

Even though VAR has not been used for the entirety of the League One campaign, this is simply too big a game to ignore it, with the stakes too high not to make use of the technology when it is available.

It had been suggested that the teams competing in the Championship play-offs would welcome its use, and judging by Copley’s tweet about the ‘discussions’ involving the relevant clubs, it seems as if those involved in the League One and League Two play-offs are also open to VAR being utilised if needed.

The technology is there to help the referees reach the right decisions, and while it has had its critics, the EFL’s decision should be welcomed by both Sunderland and Wycombe ahead of Saturday’s pivotal showdown.

In other news, this Sunderland ‘pocket dynamo’ is now being linked with a summer exit

West Ham stands on the brink of a historic season, with David Moyes and his men close to a Europa League final appearance and challenging for a top-six spot in the Premier League.

This has been a remarkable turnaround since Moyes took charge of his second spell at the Hammers and is a direct product of his excellent recruitment that have propelled them to unparalleled heights so far this term.

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Recruitment is key for success obviously but promoting youth talents should also be deemed paramount to long-term glory and West Ham have a fair few talents blossoming in the U23 squad.

One such player is left winger Armstrong Okoflex, who signed from Celtic last summer and is one of the squad’s brightest talents.  As a result, Moyes should get ready to unleash him in the near future as he could cause all kinds of threats.

The 20-year-old has 11 goals and two assists in 21 matches in the Premier League 2 this season and this is the type of form that Moyes will be paying close attention to.

Former Hammer Carlton Cole dubbed him as a “revelation” just a couple of months ago and with 17 goals in all competitions, it’s hard to argue with this sort of praise.

Okofloex could well be Said Benrahma 2.0 as the two are rather similar, with both playing in the same position and the pair having a similar eye for goal.

Indeed, the young talent even dreams of following in the Algerian’s footsteps, revealing in an interview: “The likes of Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen, I’ve been trying to learn as much as I can, especially Benrahma because of the way he dribbles with the ball and is creative. I’m happy to be here around the first team whenever I can.”

It would be nice for Moyes to have some added competition in the first team, especially for the likes of Benrahma and although this season could be a step too soon for the 20-year-old, the manager might unleash him after the summer.

The future is bright for Okoflex, the main question is, will he take his opportunity when it comes?

AND in other news, Contact made: West Ham plot bid for 14-goal gem, he could become a £63m-rated talent