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Speaking to FootballFanCast, former Tottenham Hotspur defender Graham Roberts has just dropped a big transfer claim involving Bologna defender Takehiro Tomiyasu.

The Lowdown: Spurs in Tomiyasu talks…

As per the Athletic, Tottenham are closing in on a deal for Tomiyasu deal with both the Lilywhites and Bologna said to be finalising the terms.

Spurs have been in talks to sign the Japan international for a while, lodging a £12.9m (€15m) bid, plus an extra £2.6m (€3m) in add-ons, which was swiftly rejected (Sky Sports).

The Latest: Roberts drops big Spurs claim…

Speaking to FFC, Spurs favourite Roberts has now made his own big claim as he shares what he’s heard ‘through the grapevine’ at Tottenham.

Indeed, the former Lilywhites man has heard that Tomiyasu has in fact agreed personal terms with Spurs.

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“I’ve been told through the grapevine that he’s agreed terms with Tottenham, and it’s just the fee now,” he explained.

“But that could take up to the end of August the way we deal with things. But that could be one of the centre-halves in.”

The Verdict: Tomiyasu edging closer?

All the signs point towards Tomiyasu possibly becoming Spurs’ first major signing of the summer in what is potentially good news for Nuno Espirito Santo.

Tottenham are reportedly aiming to oversee a major defensive revamp which may see two new centre-backs come in, with Spurs also aiming to shift surplus-to-requirements players.

The 22-year-old, who started 31 Serie A games last season, could prove a viable asset given he can play both at right-back and in the centre – killing two birds with one stone.

Serge Aurier may well be one of the names leaving Tottenham this summer and Tomiyasu could come as suitable additional depth in that spot.

In other news: Tottenham chiefs perform Harry Kane U-turn as report shares behind-scenes developments, find out more here.

Tottenham Hotspur are considering a move for Sassuolo’s Domenico Berardi, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport. 

The lowdown

Berardi was directly involved in 25 goals (17 goals, eight assists) in 30 appearances for Sassuolo last season.

The 26-year-old averaged 3.8 shots, 1.9 key passes and one dribble per game in Serie A (via WhoScored).

He earned a call-up from Roberto Mancini for the European Championships and created Italy’s opener against Turkey on Friday.

He also created five chances in that game, with The Athletic’s Mark Carey hailing him as a ‘real threat’.

The latest

With three years still to run on his contract, Sassuolo are said to have slipped a €50million (£43million) price tag on Berardi.

But the player himself ‘feels ready for the big leap’ of a high-profile move, and the report claims the most significant interest has come from the Premier League, with Spurs ‘thinking about’ a swoop.

Fabio Paratici, who will take up his post as managing director of football in July, is apparently a long-term admirer of Berardi.

Arsenal and Manchester United could rival Spurs, having ‘knocked on the door’ of Sassuolo.

The verdict

Berardi’s numbers in Serie A are hugely impressive but he would have to adjust to a new league after spending his entire career in Italy.

At just 26 years of age though, he has plenty of time to develop as he enters his prime, and he could well be the final piece of the puzzle in the Spurs attack – he once scored four times in a Serie A match aged just 19, becoming the youngest player to do so and even prompting Mario Balotelli, his opponent on the day, to drool over his display on Twitter (via ESPN).

Maybe Spurs will be reluctant to shell out £43m, but if Paratici is really a big fan of the man who has bagged 105 goals with 67 assists in 291 Sassuolo appearances, then perhaps Daniel Levy would be wise to pull the trigger and let his new transfer guru start off with a bang.

In other news, Spurs are eyeing another Serie A star. 

According to an update by reporter Jack Rosser on Twitter, of the Evening Standard, West Ham United are ‘keen to press on’ with a move to sign 2020/2021 loan sensation Jesse Lingard on a permanent deal.

The Lowdown: West Ham eye Lingard…

One transfer saga which is guaranteed to be ever-present this summer is Lingard’s possible switch to the Hammers.

The Englishman is said to be one of West Ham boss David Moyes’ major priorities for this window alongside the acquisition of a new striker and centre-back (Claret & Hugh).

Lingard really impressed whilst on a second-half season loan at the London Stadium from Manchester United, scoring nine goals and assisting four others in 16 Premier League starts (WhoScored).

The Latest: West Ham eager to make their move…

As reported by Rosser, sharing an update on the situation, the Irons are eager to make their move for Lingard but are waiting for him to make a decision on his Old Trafford future.

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West Ham are also not expecting any movement on that front until after the Red Devils finally seal the signing of former Manchester City academy star Jadon Sancho, who has been lighting up the Bundesliga.

Once Sancho arrives back in Manchester, Rosser believes this could change his position in regards to signing for the Hammers permanently, with Lingard thought to prefer staying at his current club as it stands (Evening Standard).

The Verdict: Anxious wait…

The 28-year-old’s practically unstoppable form at points in 2021 means West Ham should do all they can to seal a deal.

Sancho’s potential arrival at Man United could be a big boost for the Hammers going by this update and supporters will be hoping this will be enough to push Lingard out the exit door and down south.

Lauded as a ‘sensational’ by former West Ham man Nigel Winterburn (The Sun), it is clear signing Lingard permanently would be a real statement ahead of a busy 2021/2022 campaign.

In other news: Moyes tells West Ham hierarchy to sign this colossal 29-goal beast, find out more here.

Derby County are reportedly one of a number of Championship clubs interested in signing striker Kyle Lafferty in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Lafferty impresses for Kilmarnock

The 33-year-old is currently a free agent, having impressed for Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership last season.

Lafferty scored 13 goals in as many appearances for Tommy Wright’s side, proving that he is still a player who possesses plenty of quality in the final third.

The Latest: Derby keen on move

According to Football League World, Derby are one of a host of clubs eyeing up a summer move for the Northern Ireland international.

Lafferty would be available on a free transfer and could be someone that Wayne Rooney sees as being a regular source of goals in the Championship, as the Rams look to surge higher up the table next season.

The report states that West Brom, Cardiff City, Middlesbrough, Birmingham City, Ipswich Town and Wigan Athletic are all monitoring the situation, too.

The Verdict: Worth the risk?

Admittedly, the Championship is arguably a step up in quality from any of the Scottish leagues, but Lafferty could be worth taking a gamble on.

He has won 82 caps for Northern Ireland, scoring 20 goals along the way, playing in pressurised situations and not shrinking when expectations are high. His record for Kilmarnock also speaks for itself.

Lafferty doesn’t represent the long-term future and may not quite be the player he was, but he could thrive as an experienced option working alongside Rooney, who mastered the art of being a striker during his playing days.

In other news, Derby are believed to be interested in signing a star player for another team. Find out who it is here.

Derby County have been dealt a huge blow to their hopes of keeping Jack Marriott at Pride Park this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a statement posted on the Derby County website, in which the club revealed that the EFL has blocked their move to extend the 26-year-old’s contract for a further 12 months.

The club state that, despite their initial communication that Marriott would remain with the Rams until the summer of 2022, the governing body subsequently withdrew their approval of his registration, with Derby having been in discussions with the player’s representatives and the EFL regarding the deal since January.

Rooney will be livid

While it is not specified as to why the EFL blocked Derby’s attempt to extend the contract of Marriott in the recent club statement, Derbyshire Live claim that the decision could be a result of the Championship club’s ongoing off-field issues.

If this is indeed the case, it would certainly not bode well for Wayne Rooney’s summer transfer business, with the 35-year-old looking to build a squad capable of much more than simply surviving relegation in their upcoming campaign.

And, with the club still currently operating under an embargo imposed by the EFL as a result of Mel Morris’ failure to finalise a deal to sell the club, the manager’s business in the transfer window had already been limited to loan deals and free transfers.

So, while Rooney will undoubtedly be frustrated with the fact that he looks likely to lose the services of the £18k-per-week Marriott this summer, a player whom Stan Collymore dubbed a “maverick,” if the EFL continue to block a number of the Rams’ other offers and bids for new recruits this summer, it will be sure to leave the former England star livid.

In other news: Get it done: Rooney must sanction Derby summer swoop for £1.9k-p/w “driving force”

Southampton are the latest side to have been linked with a move for Ryan Gauld ahead of the summer transfer window, and he could be a superb addition to Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Record, the Saints have joined the race to sign the former Dundee United man after his impressive spell with Portuguese side SC Farense.

The likes of Norwich City, Sheffield United, Brentford, Blackburn Rovers, Swansea City and Brighton have all been linked with the 25-year-old, who is available on a free transfer, as his deal at Estadio de São Luís is set to expire in June.

Would he be a good signing?

Gauld has had a very strange career thus far, signing for Sporting Lisbon from Dundee United when he was just 18-years-old and earning comparisons with Barcelona legend Lionel Messi for his style of play.

Whilst things wouldn’t work out for him with the current Liga NOS champions, as he made just five appearances, he has rebuilt his reputation with Farense in recent seasons.

In 71 appearances for the Portuguese side, he has contributed an impressive 20 goals and 12 assists, including nine goals and seven assists in the most recent season, which helped him average a superb 7.19 rating from WhoScored.

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Therefore, it is no surprise that he is attracting interest ahead of the summer transfer window, as he could be a bargain option for any Premier League or Championship side.

There are certainly a lot of similarities between Gauld and Southampton ace Stuart Armstrong, as both were youngsters at Dundee United, both are attack-minded players and both could arrive at St Mary’s in bargain deals, as the Saints paid just £7m for Armstrong from Celtic in 2018, which has certainly proved to be an excellent signing.

Therefore, the potential arrival of Gauld, who has been described as a “top player” by one of his coaches at Farense, could well end up being a repeat of that Armstrong signing, so is one that Martin Semmens should definitely be looking to complete.

And, in other news… £6m down the drain: Southampton potentially cost new signing, Hasenhuttl surely fuming

According to a report by Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur have now held three rounds of talks with Roberto Martinez and more in recent days as the club ‘close in’ on appointing a new manager.

The Lowdown: Spurs hold ‘extensive’ Martinez discussions

Recent reports by the same outlet indicated that ‘extensive discussions’ have been held with the 47-year-old who has been shortlisted by Tottenham for the role.

They also emphatically claimed that the Spaniard has been making a ‘huge play’ for the job behind closed doors and is very keen on succeeding former boss Jose Mourinho.

The Latest: Further talks emerge…

Bringing an update on this story, Football Insider now believe that further negotiations have been held in recent days which brings the total to three rounds of Spurs discussions with Martinez.

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The first two came before the 2020/2021 Premier League season ended last weekend, meanwhile the third round of talks have come only in the last few days.

Football Insider also say that the Lilywhites also closing in on a new manager with Martinez shortlisted.

Indeed, in an encouraging claim, the outlet believe that Tottenham are ‘confident’ of appointing a new manager this week and in a matter of days.

The Verdict: Mixed bag…

While it is fantastic news that Spurs are allegedly close to an appointment behind the scenes, Spurs fans may be hoping that man isn’t Martinez despite former Scotland boss Alex McLeish lauding him as ‘world class’ recently (Football Insider).

Reports have now emerged that former fan favourite Mauricio Pochettino has held talks with Spurs and is apparently eager to make a return to the north London club (The Athletic).

Depending on the validity of these claims, with conflicting reports also emerging, we believe that the Argentine would be a far superior candidate to Martinez given everything he achieved at Tottenham in his first spell – including a Champions League final appearance.

However, if Spurs want to appoint him, they will apparently have to fight tooth and nail given PSG’s alleged stance.

In other news: Spurs now want to sign this ‘nearly unplayable’ star, find out more here.

Crystal Palace could land a dream partner for Wilfried Zaha in RB Leipzig’s Hwang Hee-chan.

What’s the story?

According to recent reports from The Telegraph, Roy Hodgson’s side have their sights set on signing the South Korea forward this summer, but are set to face significant competition from the likes of fellow Premier League outfit West Ham.

Imagine him and Zaha

An article on Bundesliga.com raved about his Roberto Firmino-esque ability to be the sole striker or having players alongside him, and that should be music to the ears of Zaha.

It said: “Hwang is not dissimilar to Liverpool’s former Hoffenheim striker Firmino. Happy leading the line as part of either a duo or a front three, Leipzig’s first summer signing likes to get on the ball and has a trick or two up his sleeve to shake off a defender.

“Comfortable with both feet, with the strength to hold off an opponent and the pace to exploit space, he could cause problems for many a Bundesliga defence – just like Brazil international Firmino did before him.”

Meanwhile, former Salzburg boss Peter Zeidler added: “He’s exceptional, has a brutal dynamism. I’ve rarely seen anything like it.”

With 63 goals and 41 assists over his career thus far, Hwang has proven before that he can be effective at both finding the net himself and setting up his teammates to score.

What Zaha desperately needs at Selhurst Park is someone who can really ease both the goal-scoring and creative burden on his shoulders – once again, he tops the charts for the Eagles in terms of most goal contributions this season.

Having Hwang in the team alongside him would give him someone to both feed and combine with, and that could prove to be the kind of lethal strike duo which gives Palace a much-needed cutting edge outside of just relying on Zaha to conjure a bit of magic.

Hwang is everything that Palace need, and he is someone Steve Parish should be looking to land this summer.

In other news, read more on the latest twist in the reported search for Hodgson’s successor at Selhurst Park.

Ben Jacobs has dropped a big claim after news emerged on Mike Ashley’s case versus the Premier League on the handling of the Newcastle United takeover.

The Lowdown: Ashley launches takeover case

Ashley has launched an anti-competition lawsuit against the top flight with regards to their decision-making process in the failed takeover of the St. James’ Park faithful from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium.

The chief executive of Sports Direct has since appointed Daniel Jowell as his QC for the case, which is separate from the arbitration hearing due to take place between the two parties.

The Latest: Jacobs on takeover case

Jacobs, who is a sports journalist and has been following the takeover saga closely, has since shared the news that the PL have been granted an extension to respond to the anti-competition case of the North East club, but have in turn failed to gain access to some confidential evidence.

The pending arbitration hearing has also been set for July on an expedited basis.

Reacting to this, Jacobs tweeted that it is now ‘highly likely’ that Ashley will still be the owner on Tyneside come the first game of the 2021/22 season.

The Verdict: Newcastle face more uncertainty

Going into the summer transfer window, the Magpies face uncertainty once more over what kind of calibre of players that they should be looking to buy, especially with the financial impact of the global pandemic.

It is looking likely that the takeover saga could well drag on into the new campaign, and hypothetically if the takeover were to be completed after the market closes, then the Toon may face the prospect of relegation again if they cannot bring in the players they desire.

Nonetheless, this is now a vital period in the history of NUFC, as they await the start of what looks like being a fierce and complex legal battle against the Premier League.

In other news, find out what big claim has been dropped on the Newcastle takeover lawyer here!

Pep Guardiola looks to have suffered a significant blow at Manchester City after Kevin De Bruyne was forced off in the FA Cup semi-final defeat against Chelsea on Saturday afternoon.

Whilst the Spanish manager will undoubtedly be disappointed that his side’s quadruple hopes are now over, he may well be more concerned about his star midfielder, who looked in a lot of pain before being replaced by Phil Foden at Wembley.

Following the game, Guardiola provided an update on the Belgian international, saying:

“He has pain now. Tomorrow he has a test with doctors. Apparently, it doesn’t look good but we will see tomorrow.”

There was no contact between De Bruyne and Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante, so there is definitely a reason to be concerned that the City man’s injury could be a significant one.

The Citizens’ hectic schedule between now and the end of the season means that even if the 28-year-old’s injury does only keep him out for a few weeks, then he could miss huge matches against PSG in the Champions League and Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup final.

Given how dominant City have been this season, you could argue that if they only managed to win the Premier League at this point then it would be something of a disappointment, so losing someone as influential as De Bruyne could well define the rest of their campaign.

After his starring performance in the 2-1 first-leg win against Borussia Dortmund recently, Foden was full of praise for his teammate, who signed from Wolfsburg for £55m in 2015, saying:

“We know how special he is. He always finds the right pass at the right time.”

It would be a huge blow for Guardiola to lose one of his star players at this point in the season and he may well be worried that, after a less than inspiring second-half display without him against Chelsea, City could really struggle in their important upcoming fixtures without the influential Belgian.

And, in other news… Fewer passes than Steffen: Anonymous Man City dud cost Pep with another woeful display