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Leeds United will have to battle Liverpool for the signature of Rodrigo de Paul this summer, according to a fresh report which has emerged from Italy.

The Lowdown: Constant interest in De Paul

The Udinese midfielder has been linked with a move to Leeds numerous times in recent months, as Marcelo Bielsa eyes up some key reinforcements.

The 26-year-old has shone in Serie A this season, registering nine goals and assists apiece, while scout and analyst Dan Altman once described him as a ‘great fit’ for Marcelo Bielsa’s style due to his ability to contribute end product and also cover lots of ground.

The Latest: Fresh link emerges

Now, a new link has emerged from Il Milanista [via Sport Witness], which claims that Leeds and Liverpool will lock horns for the signing of De Paul.

It is stated that the two clubs are in the ‘first row’ of potential suitors, providing ‘fierce competition’ to AC Milan, who may not be able to pay the required €40million (£34.4m) for him.

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The Verdict: Sprinkling of stardust

Leeds certainly don’t need numerous additions this summer, but De Paul is a player who could take Bielsa’s team up another level.

He is a midfielder who is primarily attack-minded but also savvy defensively, averaging 1.2 dribbles per game in Serie A this season, but also exactly the same number of tackles.

De Paul can be that sprinkling of magic who gives Leeds’ midfield an extra dimension, potentially elevating those around him in the way Bruno Fernandes has at Manchester United.

In other news, Leeds have been handed a boost after a rumoured target rejected a new deal at his current club. Find out who it is here.

Everton could secure manager Rafa Benitez his next Pablo Aimar after being linked with a transfer move for Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek.

What’s the story?

According to ESPN, the Toffees are one of several Premier League clubs keen to secure the signature of the 24-year-old over the coming months, with a loan move touted as the most likely option.

The report states that: “Sources have told ESPN that Van de Beek is keen to explore his options ahead of the January transfer window…

“Everton and Newcastle United are among a host of Premier League clubs interested in signing Van de Beek on loan in January.”

He could be Benitez’s next Pablo Aimar

The Netherlands international was first linked with a move to Goodison Park last summer after a hugely underwhelming first 12 months on English shores.

After arriving at United via a £40m move from boyhood club Ajax, Van de Beek was only awarded four Premier League starts by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, despite some positive performances.

One impressive showing against Istanbul Başakşehir in the Champions League led to BT Sport pundit Owen Hargreaves labelling him “perfect” while Juan Mata even dubbed him “very clever”, but regular game time failed to materialise.

And then, in the previous window, it appeared as though an exit was on the cards as Everton attempted to prize the creative talent away from Old Trafford.

Marcel Brands, the Toffees director of football, openly admitted that the £22.5m-rated Van de Beek was on his list of potential targets before the deal collapsed.

“We had him on our list. At the beginning of the transfer window, we enquired at United, then it was impossible,” he told Dutch outlet NOS.

“At the end of the window, I received a call from Guido Albers, his agent, that he might be rented out after all. But at the last minute, it was cancelled. Stopped again.”

However, it appears as though the Merseyside outfit and Brands are planning to revive their interest in Van de Beek, and his arrival could supply Benitez with the sort of playmaker he previously achieved great success with.

Pablo Aimar was one of the most highly-regarded No.10’s in world football in the 2000’s after claiming two La Liga titles and the UEFA Cup crown under Benitez’s tutelage at Valencia where the current Toffees boss hailed him for being better than Ronaldinho.

While replicating those achievements at Everton may be unrealistic, Van de Beek’s acquisition could be the catalyst that finally inspires the Blues to fulfil their potential, replicating the effect that Aimar had with Benitez in Spain.

And, in other news…Rafa could save Everton’s form by extracting more from “resilient” £22.5m-rated gem

Another win, another clean sheet and another Declan Rice masterclass.

West Ham United went clear at the top of Group H in the Europa League on Thursday night with another impressive victory, defeating Belgian outfit Genk 3-0 at the London Stadium.

The Irons enjoyed the bulk of the possession and their pressure was rewarded when Craig Dawson looped a header past the visiting goalkeeper right on half-time.

They came out after the break even more rampant and notched a further two goals. This time Issa Diop headed home off the crossbar from another pinpoint Aaron Cresswell delivery, before Jarrod Bowen fired home a fine solo effort just before the hour mark.

All three goalscorers would have been worthy of the ‘Man of the Match’ award but it was Rice who dropped another performance which was off the charts.

He was withdrawn after 67 minutes, with this weekend’s London derby clash against Tottenham Hotspur in mind, and he had recorded 89 touches of the ball, which was the second-most of any Hammers player.

That only goes to show just how big of an influence he is to their success, and had he played for longer, then he would’ve undoubtedly ranked first ahead of midfield partner Tomas Soucek.

‘Once again looked a class above everyone else on the pitch, so calm on the ball and always seemed to have time to pick a pass,’ is how football.london reporter Tom Clark described his performance after the game.

Industrious as ever, the England international registered three tackles and one clearance and won four ground duels, via SofaScore.

Elsewhere, he was faultless with the ball at his feet, only losing possession six times from all those touches, and he also enjoyed an impressive 97% passing accuracy from 75 attempts – the best rate on the pitch, so that goes to show that he really was a touch above everyone else on the night.

Just over a week ago, former West Ham teammate Jack Wilshere lauded the 22-year-old as “a freak physically” and a player who “can do anything” to talkSPORT.

We saw exactly that once again.

Rice, who earns a reported £60k-per-week in east London, absolutely stole the show for Moyes on Thursday.

AND in other news, Newman could seal West Ham’s best signing since Soucek in £19.8m-rated “goal machine”…

As per Italian newspaper Corriere Torino, via Sport Witness, a Tottenham Hotspur transfer update has come to light involving Juventus winger Dejan Kulusevski.

The Lowdown: Tottenham in frame…

The Sweden international is said to be on the agenda of Spurs ahead of January as managing director Fabio Paratici looks to bolster Antonio Conte’s attacking options.

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Both men are apparently admirers of Kulusevski with a report from TUTTOmercatoWEB explaining that they share the same ‘esteem’ and believe he is a gem with huge potential.

Other sources, like reporter Daniele Longo, even say there have already been contacts for the player ahead of January

The Latest: Spurs eye January bid…

As per CT, via Sport Witness, Tottenham and Arsenal are in contention for his signing with Kulusevski himself thought to be open to moving in search of more game time.

Is it is believed that Spurs and their bitter rivals ‘have indicated their intention to sink the blow in January in case the right conditions arise’ – presumably meaning they’re weighing a bid.

Paratici is personally the youngster’s ‘number one fan’ according to this report with Spurs’ transfer chief well and truly eyeing a move.

The Verdict: Get it done?

Lauded as an ‘explosive’ attacker by former Sweden striker Marcus Allback, the pundit also claims that Kulusevski is hard-working and tracks back to defend (The Sun) – surely an endearing quality for Spurs supporters and for Conte.

The only caveat may be his alleged €35 million (£29.6m) asking price with Juventus apparently refusing to budge on that price tag.

Amid Tottenham’s financial troubles as they also aim to sign a centre-half and in-demand striker Dusan Vlahovic, Kulusevski perhaps should be put on Paratici’s back burner.

In other news: Conte ready to axe Tottenham player as agents begin work behind the scenes, find out more here.

Newcastle United have teased the return of Callum Wilson with an update on their official Twitter page.

The St. James’ Park faithful tweeted a handful of photos of the former AFC Bournemouth ace back in training with the added caption ‘back soon’.

Wilson has missed the last five games for the North East club in the Premier League with a hamstring injury that he unfortunately picked up in the 3-2 home win over Southampton back in February, and since then they have not managed to win a single match, losing two and drawing their last three (Transfermarkt).

Newcastle need Wilson back

The story of the past few fixtures is that the Tyneside club have struggled badly without Wilson in the team, scoring a mere three goals in the last five games without their star striker (Transfermarkt).

His 10 goals in the top flight so far in the 2020/21 term are more than double the next highest scorer for Steve Bruce’s side in Miguel Almiron (four), while his impressive tally of five assists is also the most out of any Magpies player (Whoscored).

With the Toon currently lurking ever so dangerously above the drop zone at the moment, NUFC clearly need the England international back as soon as possible, with a real threat of relegation on their hands.

In other news, find out what claim an arbitrator has dropped on Michael Beloff ahead of the pending takeover case here!

Everton are rightly set to release Joshua King at the end of his contract this summer, having proven to be an utter disaster since signing from AFC Bournemouth.

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, Blues chiefs have seen enough from King since his Deadline Day arrival last month to opt against retaining the Norway international.

Everton paid Bournemouth £2m to take over the final six-months of the forward’s £45,000-per-week contract, with the option to later trigger a longer-term deal.

But Carlo Ancelotti has decided against activating the clause, which would have seen the Cherries owed up to a further £3m, and will instead pursue alternative options in the next transfer window.

The Italian tactician is thought to have been unimpressed by King’s results since moving to Merseyside on the final day of the winter window, and has often overlooked the 29-year-old even when without Dominic Calvert-Lewin through injury.

King is yet to start a single fixture for the Toffees, with each of his eight appearances to date coming from the bench and totalling a combined 117 minutes.

Four of the 52-cap forward’s outings have lasted less than 10 minutes, and he is yet to provide a single goal or assist in royal blue.

King, who had previously expressed intentions to remain at Goodison Park for next season, has recently been linked with a move to Fenerbahce with claims of an approach being made by Super Lig outfit to his representatives.

Should Everton release King?

Claims of Ancelotti being unimpressed by King’s performances for Everton are hardly surprising given his lack of playing time so far, making a decision to part ways with the £9m-rated forward the best option for both sides.

Being released at the end of his contract will allow King to explore options that will return the highest payout, given claims in January that the Norwegian was pushing for a £120k-p/w deal.

Not taking up the option to extend King’s contract will also allow Everton to begin exploring potential replacements, knowing they will not be held back by first having to find a suitor willing to take on his wages.

King’s salary, plus the £2m paid to Bournemouth, has so far cost the Toffees £20,000 for each minute he has played, with the former Manchester United trainee taking in £315,000 for his 117 minutes of action since February 1st.

It is highly likely that King will continue to steal a living at Goodison Park until his terms lapse in 17 weeks’ time on June 30th, with the further £765,000 that Everton are locked into paying the striker going on a bench warmer based on his current record.

Simply put, King’s move has proven to be an utter disaster for the Toffees, who have not seen anything from the player who former Cherries boss Eddie Howe once lauded as the “complete package”.

AND in other news, Farhad Moshiri is set to back Everton as Carlo Ancelotti eyes a 29-y/o he described as “the best” in the world…

An update has emerged on Rangers and their interest in bringing a Scotland international back to Ibrox.

What’s the talk?

According to 90min, the Gers are one of the possible destinations for their former academy starlet, Billy Gilmour, in the summer as he looks set for a loan move.

The report claims that his parent club will allow him to leave on a temporary basis again and Rangers are one of the teams in the mix for his signature.

Gio van Bronckhorst must get it done

This is a major deal that the Dutch head coach must get over the line as he would be a fantastic addition to the squad next season.

Despite Norwich’s struggles in the Premier League, Gilmour has shown flashes of Premier League quality this season with an average SofaScore rating of 6.84.

He has made 2.7 tackles and interceptions along with creating 1.2 chances per game in midfield, showing off his ability to win the ball back at one end and his ability in possession at the other. Although, he has lost 51% of his duels and may need to improve on the physical side of the game in the years to come.

Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness lavished him with praise last year. The ex-Liverpool man said: “He’s a fabulous little football player and when you factor in that last season he only made five starts in the Premier League for Chelsea, he’s not played a lot of football and he came into what was a hothouse of a game – high tempo, loads of pressing – and he managed to stay there.

“He’s just got that all round awareness of where people are all of the time and his first touch is generally away from the man who is marking him. He creates space for himself.”

He was previously hailed as “world-class” by Manchester United legend Roy Keane and his performances on the international stage suggest that he deserves that tag. In World Cup qualifiers for Scotland, Gilmour has averaged a sublime SofaScore rating of 7.13 – showing that he has been producing consistently brilliant displays for his country in competitive matches.

The £28k-per-week gem’s impressive form for Scotland and the glimpses he has shown with Norwich in England suggest that he would be a major signing for Rangers. He has the quality to dominate games in midfield with his aforementioned ability on and off the ball and van Bronckhorst would surely love to work with the 20-year-old to help him fulfill his potential.

Get it done.

AND in other news, Sources: Shock Rangers transfer claim emerges that will leave Wilson excited…

Andre Gomes was Carlo Ancelotti’s true hero in Wednesday night’s 1-1 draw with Leicester City, as the Everton midfielder stepped up to fill the void left by Abdoulaye Doucoure.

Ancelotti was without his £20m summer signing from Watford with Doucoure suspended after being issued his fifth yellow card of the Premier League campaign at Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier in the month.

The Frenchman’s continually evolving relationship with Allan had helped to see Gomes forced out of the starting line-up, with his midweek appearance at Goodison Park marking the 29-cap Portugal international’s first top-flight start since November 1.

Gomes was given a run for his money at home to Leicester with the Foxes often dictating the pace of the game as Everton sat in deep to protect their initial one-goal lead, but stood up to the test only to be let down by Jordan Pickford.

Gomes’ efforts in the engine room beside Tom Davies played a key role in the Toffees’ staying ahead following James Rodriguez’s curling first-half opener, struck on his weaker right foot after Wesley Fofana’s unconvincing clearance fell into the Colombian’s path.

Yet another horror moment from Pickford would gift Leicester a draw, having only managed to push Youri Tielemans’ shot on to the post and into his net, despite getting both hands on the ball.

Everton were set to move up to fourth in the table with a win and with two games in hand on the Leicester in third, but ended the night seventh and will host Newcastle United on Saturday looking to claim what will only be a third home victory in eight league games.

Gomes had his work cut out stepping in to the fill the void of Doucoure in Ancelotti’s midfield, with the Frenchman an instrumental aspect of the Italian’s plans with only centre-half duo Michael Keane (64.2) and Yerry Mina (62.2) averaging a higher number of total passes (50.7) per game, per WhoScored, as they set the Blues up to play out from the back.

Doucoure also offers the third-most successful tackles (1.9) among those to have featured more than once for Ancelotti this term, and has the ability to give an outlet in attack after setting Everton up to break with the fifth-most shots (0.8) and sixth-most key balls (0.7).

Gomes may have been unable to match Doucoure’s offensive output against Leicester with the 27-year-old failing to create a single direct goal-scoring opportunity for himself or a teammate, yet he helped to stamp the Toffees’ style on the game with more successful dribbles (5) than any player for either side as he progressed the ball up the field.

His drive to bring play forward, rather than palm off possession, additionally saw Gomes cover the second-furthest distance with the ball at their feet by an Everton player at 174-yards, and with the most progressive carries (4) beyond the defensive 40% zone of the field to push Leicester back into their own territory, per FBref.

But it was defensively were Gomes flourished, with the £18m-rated ace recovering 14 loose balls – more than any player who featured – and with a game-high four tackles attempted and three won. He was also the only Everton player to win possession in the middle third of the pitch (2) and with three-times the number of pressures (9) as any of his teammates in the region, to thwart Brendan Rodgers’ side in many of their countless attacks.

It remains to be seen if his efforts are enough to earn a start in Saturday’s showdown with Newcastle, who won the reverse fixture 2-1, but Gomes’ performance will undoubtedly have given the former FC Barcelona midfielder confidence of a reprieve after months as nothing more than a back-up.

AND in other news, Everton are in talks over the future of a £6.5m-rated flop courted by several sides…

Manchester City fell to a 3-2 defeat on Tuesday night, with Pep Guardiola’s side blowing a 2-0 lead against the Seagulls.

Ilkay Gundogan gave the Citizens an early lead but Joao Cancelo’s early red card made things difficult for the champions at the Amex Stadium as Brighton came from behind to seal a win in front of their fans.

It had seemed as if City would be able to see out the victory when Phil Foden scored a superb solo goal to make it 2-0 but the hosts quickly got one back through Leandro Trossard, and then went on to win the game thanks to goals from Adam Webster and Dan Burn.

Although Cancelo will have to take a lot of the blame for the defeat, his red card looked to be very harsh, and at 2-0, you would’ve hoped that the City team would have enough experience and quality to see the game out, even with ten men.

Unfortunately, there were plenty of poor performers on Tuesday night, which will give Guardiola plenty to think about ahead of the Champions League final later this month.

One man who disappointed against Graham Potter’s side was Bernardo Silva, with SofaScore rating him a 5.9/10 for his performance, which was the worst of any City player to feature other than Cancelo.

During the game, the Portugal international would have just 34 touches of the ball, completing 17 passes, which was the fewest of any Man City player to play at least 45 minutes, including Ederson.

Considering he has averaged 52.8 passes per game in the Premier League this season, it was clear that he was nowhere near involved as much as usual against Brighton and clearly struggled with the intensity of playing with 10 men.

The former AS Monaco man would fail in both of his dribble attempts during the game, whilst he failed to register a single shot at the Amex.

He would also win just three of his 11 duels and would lose possession on 11 occasions against Potter’s side, which emphasises that the Brighton players simply had the better of him throughout.

The “exceptional” 26-year-old will have to produce much better if he wants to keep his place in the side for the game against Chelsea later this month.

And, in other news… Guardiola handed huge potential boost with “unbelievable” gem, City fans will be buzzing

Leicester City’s hopes of finishing in a Champions League qualification place were extinguished on Sunday afternoon after they fell to a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur.

It was a desperately disappointing end to an otherwise outstanding campaign for the Foxes, who lifted their first-ever FA Cup crown just a few weeks ago.

For much of the season, it seemed inevitable that Brendan Rodgers’ men would finish inside the Premier League’s top four and return to Europe’s elite cup competition for the first time since 2016/17, but defeats to Newcastle United, Chelsea and Spurs in their final four league games saw them end up in fifth place.

It’s the second consecutive campaign where the Midlands outfit have missed out on a Champions League spot on the last day of the season, however, this one may hurt Rodgers even more, given Leicester led on two occasions over the weekend.

Chelsea’s defeat to Aston Villa meant three points would have seen the 2016 Premier League champions leapfrog the Blues in the top-flight table, and it seemed as though that would be the case with under 15 minutes of action remaining.

That was until a rare goalkeeping howling from Kasper Schmeichel badly let Rodgers and his teammates down. The 34-year-old shot-stopper punched the ball into the back of his own net when attempting to clear a corner, levelling the scores in the 79th minute.

As per SofaScore, the Denmark international received a rating of 5.4/10, by far the lowest score awarded to any player on the King Power pitch.

The big error topped off an underwhelming display from the usually dependable keeper. He let in four goals, he only had a passing accuracy of just 68%, and managed to pick out a teammate with only four of his 11 attempted long balls.

Fortunately for the Foxes, this kind of display is certainly infrequent as far as Schmeichel is concerned, and he received the backing of his manager after a mistake against Burnely a few months back.

“He’s been brilliant for me in my time here, there’s moments where it looks like it’s going to be a goal and he pulls off a save,” said Rodgers. “His concentration and his desire to stop the ball going in the net is so good.

“He always produces for us, he’s absolutely outstanding when he had to be here. That’s why he’s one of the top keepers at this level.”

The Leicester fans will surely forgive their great Dane on this occasion, given his past heroics, but it will still be a disappointing way to end 2020/21 nonetheless and it was, all in all, a hopeless performance from one of the club’s modern-day legends, a performance that cost his side a Champions League place.

And, in other news…Lost 60% of his duels: £21.6m-rated Leicester City lightweight badly let Rodgers down