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Leeds United are ready to sign Southampton forward Che Adams this summer, should the Saints suffer relegation, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: 49ers takeover

It looks likely that the 49ers Enterprises will be in control at Elland Road from the summer, with Phil Hay recently saying there’s a ‘very strong chance’ that the 49ers will be in charge from July, regardless of what division Leeds find themselves in.

There is an agreement in place with Andrea Radrizzani over a deal, with Reports suggesting that the 49ers ‘expect to be in control in Yorkshire for 10-15 years once they seal a full takeover.

And the board already appear to be looking at potential signings for the summer, with Adams still thought to be of interest.

The Latest: Transfer update

FI reporter Pete O’Rourke shared an update regarding Leeds and Adams on Monday afternoon.

He said that the Whites are plotting a summer move for the Scotland international and are ready to sign him “in a heartbeat” if the Saints are relegated to the Championship. Those at Elland Road are still “big admirers” of Adams after failing to sign him in recent transfer windows.

The Verdict: One to watch…

Adams, who Ralph Hasenhuttl has hailed for having a ‘fantastic’ attitude, appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high €22m Transfermarkt valuation.

The 26-year-old has contributed to seven Premier League goals this season, with the Whites struggling in the final third since domestic action resumed after the World Cup.

Leeds have netted just seven times in 11 top-flight games, so bringing in someone like Adams could be a smart move. He’s actually scored three goals in eight games against Leeds and could be just what is required in Yorkshire, making this one to watch.

The limelight of Liverpool's transfer activity for what seems like an age has been the pursuit of coveted Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham, but manager Jurgen Klopp might have distinguished the perfect alternative.

What's the latest on Gabri Veiga to Liverpool?

According to ESPN, the talented ace has also attracted the attention of Manchester United, Newcastle United, AC Milan and Napoli, following January interest from the likes of Bournemouth and Leeds United.

The 20-year-old is believed to have a €40m (£35m) release clause in his current deal, which could narrow the competition considerably.

With Real Madrid also considered suitors for the precocious talent, it seems unlikely that Los Celestes will succeed in their attempts to tie him down to a new long-term deal, with his current contract expiring in 2026.

Could Liverpool forget Bellingham with Veiga swoop?

Last year, Veiga tantalised glimpses of future prowess with his performances for Celta Vigo B, playing in the Spanish third division, where he scored nine goals and registered an assist from 31 matches.

Playing seven times in La Liga that term, each outing a cameo from the bench, Veiga looked to be asserting himself as a glistening prospect at the maiden phase of his career, and provided the platform to impress this season, he has taken his opportunity to resounding success.

Having scored eight goals and supplied three assists from 17 starts in the top-flight, Veiga is indeed now one of the most coveted starlets in the country, hailed as a "joy of a player" by Alberto Casas.

Speaking to The Guardian, Celta teammate and former Liverpool player Iago Aspas also waxed lyrical, saying: “He has desire, enthusiasm, quality. He’s comfortable here and hope he stays for a long time. If he has to go, let it be leaving behind many millions.”

As per FBref, Veiga ranks among the top 1% of midfielders across Europe's elite five divisions for goals, 16% for assists, 2% for successful take-ons and 7% for progressive carries per 90, illustrating the impact he could have on Klopp's system.

With a successful bid for his name, the Merseyside outfit could boast a player in the mould of Bellingham, who has been touted at as much as £129m by the Yellow Wall.

With the former Birmingham City prodigy among the superlative midfielders in world football right now, scoring ten goals and serving six assists this season from his engine-room deployment and ranking among the top 9% of midfielders across Europe's elite five divisions for goals, the top 13% for assists, the top 11% for progressive carries and the top 1% for successful take-ons per 90, he is discernibly prolific as a robust and all-encompassing phenom.

And with striking similarities between the respective players, Liverpool might be inclined to move for the shrewder avenue and tie up a deal for Vigo's most coveted asset, one who holds all the promise of a future machine flourishing at the very highest level and for a far cheaper price.

Phil Hay was surprised that Leeds United’s fourth goal on Saturday was allowed to stand.

The Lowdown: VAR decisions go Leeds’ way

Leeds will have been thanking the VAR officials on Saturday as some big decisions went their way in the form of Junior Firpo not being penalised for fouling Nelson Semedo in the box, while Michael Salisbury decided that Roca hadn’t fouled Traore prior to Rodrigo’s late strike despite being sent to the monitor.

The latter decision was unlikely to impact the game as it was so late on, as Leeds were already leading and Wolves were down to 10 men following Jonny’s shocking challenge on Luke Ayling.

No matter if Leeds were comfortable or not, the difference between staying up and begin relegated this season could well come down to goal difference, and if Leeds stay up by one goal, this incident could be what saves them.

The Latest: Roca appeared to foul Traore

Hay has admitted on The Phil Hay Show that he feels Roca intended to foul Traore in the build-up to Rodrigo’s goal and it probably shouldn’t have stood.

He said: “In the way that I was certain that VAR would send Jonny off, I thought VAR would rule that goal out, and I thought when the referee went to the screen, he would probably do the same.

“I don’t actually have a problem with the fact that he hasn’t – and I mean that from a neutral sense, I didn’t think it was a particularly physical pull on Traore and the ball was still there for him to have it – but it was an attempted foul, without a doubt.”

The Verdict: Leeds ride their luck in a crucial game

Despite the result, had some refereeing decisions not gone Leeds’ way, they could have easily dropped points against Wolves and been a lot closer to the relegation zone than they currently are.

However, a win is a win and Leeds certainly took their chances by scoring four goals from their four shots on target, which shows they are starting to discover a clinical and ruthless nature under Javi Gracia.

Something that does still need to be improved upon is their defensive side of the game, with the Whites having kept just one clean sheet under their Spanish coach, so if they have dreams of staying in the division, keeping the ball out of their own net would be a good place to start.

Manchester United really want to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen this summer, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.

The Lowdown: 23 goals…

Osimhen, labelled as a ‘beast’ by members of the media, has been in fine goalscoring form this season. The Nigeria international, as of Sunday morning, had scored 23 times in 28 games, four of which have come in this season’s Champions League.

United have been heavily linked with a move for the player who reportedly heads their striker shortlist, with Didi Hamman waxing lyrical over the ‘complete striker’.

“He has everything a good striker needs.

“He heads the goals, is lightning fast, has a great finish, is clever, has good dribbling – he’s the complete striker. Currently the best striker in Europe.”

Hamman isn’t the only one to be impressed by Osimhen, with legendary striker David Trezeguet also describing the forward as ‘unique’.

“He’s a unique player, a prototype of the new player, fast, and he moves a lot. I think he has become a striker with an important profile. He knows how to move and manage himself in the match.”

The Latest: Plettenberg’s comments

Plettenberg was talking about Osimhen to Sky Sports Germany in a story shared in the last 48 hours. He said that the forward ‘wants to take the next step’ in his career, with United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain all linked.

The reporter believes a transfer for the striker would be a ‘huge package’ and said on United that they rate him higher than Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani.

‘Manchester United really want him. We’re hearing that he’s also ranked higher than Kolo Muani internally.’

The Verdict: Get it done

Erik ten Hag has made a new forward one of his transfer priorities this summer, so Osimhen could be the missing piece in the Old Trafford jigsaw.

The Red Devils could sell Anthony Martial this summer, while loanee Wout Weghorst will return to his parent club, which may leave Ten Hag with no senior strikers on the books.

Therefore, bringing in Osimhen, who appears to be at the peak of his powers, could help take United to the next level and back to challenging for league titles.

The club may need to pay big for his services, however, they could well be under new ownership by the summer, so those who may take over from the Glazers could look to win the fans over immediately by securing a marquee transfer for Osimhen.

Liverpool's next generation is one of the most sparkling in the Premier League, with Jurgen Klopp often left enamoured with the rapidity and consistency with which they produce such incredible talent.

Just last year the legendary German wrote in programme notes: "I am never short of a positive word to say about the work our Academy guys do. They help to nurture players who are exceptional young men as well as very talented athletes. Their hunger to learn is what stands out.

"The opportunity at this club is always there. I’ve referenced the outstanding football education they get in the Academy but within my first-team staff they also have amazing champions."

His record with affording them play time is equally impressive too, so all-in-all their relationship is only solidified. It felt like Klopp was crafted specifically for the Reds, and although things have been tough this season, he remains an esteemed figure around Anfield.

Currently enduring a transitional period, with plenty of his stars nearing the twilight of their careers, he has already begun transforming the squad with the additions of Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo. But, if the club's history is anything to go by, they will not be allowed to spend big to resolve every position.

Perhaps the 55-year-old could look to dip into that rich academy as part of this rebuild, to save some money on key positions. Notably with James Norris to soon fill the left-back spot.

Who is James Norris?

Born within the city, the 19-year-old scouser has been a mainstay for the U21 side for some time now.

With the ability to play in midfield and at left back, there are shades of Trent Alexander-Arnold in his ability on the ball and his attacking impetus.

However, it is Andrew Robertson who would be under threat, should he start to progress further into the first team. He does boast two appearances for the senior squad already and was involved in their run to win the FA Cup.

Writer Carl Clemente even outlined his outstanding moment, as he wrote on Twitter: "James Norris makes history & becomes the youngest ever Scouser to play for #LFC's first team at the age of 16 years, 8 months & 13 days old."

The Scotsman has been a revelation since he first moved to the club, establishing himself as one of the Premier League's best offensive fullbacks with immediacy. Such is his pedigree, this season saw him surpass Leighton Baines' record as the defender with the most assists.

Across his 256 appearances for the Reds, the 29-year-old boasts eight goals and 61 assists, but Norris threatens to emulate such numbers with his form in the youth squads.

In 15 Premier League 2 games this season the teenage sensation already has five goals and one assist, as he seems poised to demolish his six goal contributions from the year prior.

His boss Barry Lewtas reserved specific praise for the 5 foot 7 maestro, for his role in their victory in the Lancashire FA Senior Cup final. He noted: "But when the ball dropped and Chuck hit it, it was a fantastic goal – a great finish. It deserved to win any cup final."

With a quality far ahead that of the youth level, he will likely have to bide his time until Robertson steps away from the post. But, when he does, Norris is the perfect man to replace the impressive Scotsman.

Chelsea are keen on a deal to sign Hajduk Split defender Luka Vuskovic this summer, according to reports.

Who is Vuskovic?

The Croatian is a promising young centre-back who has been largely playing his football for his club’s U19s side, but following his high standard of performances, has recently made the breakthrough into the senior first-team set-up, notching five appearances to date. The 16-year-old’s contract with Ivan Leko’s outfit isn’t set to expire until 2026, and despite him still being in the early stages of development and discovering his potential as a professional, has been generating interest ahead of the upcoming window.

Since Todd Boehly’s arrival at Stamford Bridge, the owner has been known for identifying younger prospects and bringing them to the capital as he maps out what he wants the long-term future of his club to look like, and it appears that the talented teen is firmly on his radar as someone he wants to secure for Graham Potter.

According to 90min, Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle are all “showing an interest” in wanting to sign Vuskovic ahead of the 2023/24 campaign. Premier League rivals Manchester City have already “opened the bidding” having submitted an offer worth €12m (£10m), with Paris Saint-Germain another suitor to have tabled an unknown proposal.

Hajduk are “expected to agree a sale” this summer but are in “no rush” to reach an agreement, with them hoping to secure a fee of closer to €15m (£13m) for their prized asset. PSG, Lyon, Benfica, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Juventus, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are additionally “keen” to wrap up a deal, but wherever he ends up, it’s stated that his preference would be to remain with his current club for one more season.

Should Chelsea sign Vuskovic?

Vuskovic is still at such a young age and therefore would more than likely be a signing purely for the academy to begin with – or potentially to return to his current club on loan – but he would certainly be an exciting acquisition for the first-team future of Chelsea.

The 6 foot 3 colossus is a rock at the heart of the backline with his physical and aerial presence, but is also equally as strong at the opposite end of the pitch having scored nine goals in 23 appearances across all competitions this season, highlighting the threat he provides from set pieces.

Vuskovic has also already made a name for himself on the international stage with five caps for Croatia’s U17s and this form has seen him lauded an “elite talent” by football scout Jacek Kulig, so he’s sure to be one to watch in the months ahead.

Liverpool's thrilling 2-2 draw with rivals Arsenal on Sunday saw misfiring forward Diogo Jota continue his long-running goal drought, with the Portugal international having now gone 32 games without finding the back of the net at club level.

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers man – who arrived at Anfield on a £41m deal back in the summer of 2020 – had initially been a clinical presence in front of goal for Jurgen Klopp's side, notably scoring 15 Premier League goals last season in the club's push for the title.

While injury has restricted the 26-year-old to just seven starts in the competition this time around, it is still rather concerning that the Porto native has been unable to get off the mark, with supporters likely to be losing patience with the dynamic marksman.

How did Jota perform against Arsenal?

On the face of it, the £140k-per-week dud did make a handful of vital contributions against the Gunners yesterday after teeing up Jordan Henderson in the build-up to Mohamed Salah's first-half effort, having also won a penalty for his side after the break, after cleverly buying a foul off Rob Holding.

While such an impact was 'not bad considering he is still nowhere near his sharpest', as per GOAL's Neil Jones, Jota did little else to truly justify his starting berth, having looked like a player who is 'desperately in need of a goal', according to the Echo's Ian Doyle – who awarded the striker a 5/10 match rating.

Those woes were laid bare by the forward's limited involvement prior to his withdrawal on the hour mark, having recorded just 30 touches in his 60-minute outing – fewer than what teammate Alisson achieved in the sticks (67).

The one-time Molineux hero also lost possession on ten occasions as a marker of his struggles and failed to complete a single dribble, while also failing to offer much in a defensive sense after winning just four of his ten total duels and being dribbled past once.

While Jota's replacement – Darwin Nunez – didn't fare much better after squandering a gilt-edged chance late on, it may be time for the Uruguayan to be unleashed in his place moving forward, with the summer signing having scored 14 goals in all competitions this season.

It has been a particularly difficult run of fixtures after facing Manchester City, Chelsea and the north London outfit in quick succession, although with the Reds now on a run of four league games without a win, changes will seemingly be needed to get the club's European qualification hopes back on track.

If there is to be any potential casualty in the coming games, it should well be that of Jota.

Everton have had little to shout about in recent weeks, with the slight upturn in form seen after Sean Dyche's appointment having now given way to allow normal service to resume. The battle for survival is hotting up, whilst the Toffees are running cold.

Goodison Park has played host to a team devoid of any confidence, which in turn seems to sap all their technical quality away. For all the efforts of the fanbase to keep their side afloat, it seems to get harder and harder to maintain the same level of support that essentially steered them away from the drop last campaign.

However, that was also a year in which they boasted the attacking talents of Richarlison, who took that season by the scruff of its neck to ensure relegation was not even a possibility.

In a team lacking any cutting edge, the Brazilian somehow notched ten goals and five assists to swiftly announce himself as a hero on Merseyside.

His exit was inevitable, and his replacement was seemingly not found.

However, there have been glimpses of someone who might be at the very least trying to step up amidst the misery and mediocrity, in Dwight McNeil. Although they fell to another poor defeat on Saturday against Fulham, the former Burnley winger was one of few who could have finished feeling somewhat proud of their display.

How did Dwight McNeil play vs Fulham?

Having seen his teammates spurn numerous golden opportunities during their sole period of dominance, the 23-year-old seemingly took it upon himself to fire them level; the kind of quality and character that has been lacking within this squad.

Turning from James Garner's pass, the trickster opened up onto his left foot and arrowed an equaliser into the bottom right corner. This came just minutes before he would set up Neal Maupay, who couldn't miss yet somehow found a way. Finishing the game with a goal and two key passes merited his 7.8 Sofascore rating, the joint-highest of anyone on the pitch.

Frustrated writer Peter Guy took to Twitter to hand as much praise as he could muster for the youngster, claiming: "For me, McNeil was the only one with any credit today."

This strike marked his second goal in his last three home games, showing how Goodison Park is finally starting to become a true home for the summer signing who joined on a £20m fee. For comparison, the £25k-per-week gem had scored twice in his previous 24 league appearances this season.

It may not be the most imperious form, but at the very least it notes someone standing up to try and keep this huge club in the division. For this, Dyche deserves credit; but to ensure another season of Premier League football, he must encourage others in his squad to follow suit.

Newcastle United are eyeing up Amadou Haidara as a potential midfield option for the summer transfer window amid links to Declan Rice.

Will Newcastle sign a new midfielder?

Going into the Premier League run-in, Eddie Howe's Magpies have the opportunity to do something they could have only dreamed of back in August in landing a spot in the Champions League spots.

They could move one step closer on Sunday when they face their top-four rivals, Tottenham hotspur, on Tyneside with three points taking them six points clear of the north London side.

And if they are to secure their spot in next season's elite European competition, it will be a major test of the squad currently playing at St. James' Park.

There is a belief that Dan Ashworth and Howe are keen to bolster their options in the midfield with reports claiming they will be looking to make two additions over the coming months.

Recent suggestions claim the Magpies could make an ambitious move to bring in West Ham United's main man, Rice, with his future in London up in the air.

However, journalist Aaron Stokes has suggested RB Leipzig's Haidara is another option that could prove a cheaper alternative, as he spoke on the Everything Is Black & White podcast:

"It's my understanding that they have been very, very keen on a player called Amadou Haidara for pretty much over a year now, they tried to get him last summer from Leipzig.

"25-year-old African midfielder, very, very highly rated, very, very close to joining Brighton in January. And you know, Newcastle certainly think he ticks a lot of boxes.

"Leipzig pretty much resigned to losing him this summer. I think there'll be a very big bidding war for him. But yeah, it's my understanding that Newcastle are still very keen to make him a player this summer."

"I think you'd probably be looking at – for a player of his age and quality – £40m/£50m, which is certainly in their budget. So I don't think it would break the bank."

Would Haidara be a good option for Newcastle?

Given Rice's experience in the Premier League and England squad, the 24-year-old will likely come with a huge price tag if he is to be sold in the summer.

It is believed the England midfielder could cost any side in excess of £80m with West Ham valuing him highly despite his contract winding down to its final year.

However, Stokes has suggested the 25-year-old from Leipzig could cost around half of that with the midfielder expected to be valued in the region of £40m-£50m.

Analyst Statman Dave has hailed the 25-year-old as "excellent" and he ranks inside the upper second percentile for interceptions made across midfielders in the top five leagues (via FBref).

However, in comparison to Rice (2.27), he has made fewer tackles (1.61) and a lower number of shot-creating actions (1.93) than the Englishman (2.80) (via FBref).

But it must be noted that the Mali international has only made 10 starts for Leipzig in the Bundesliga this season with less than half the minutes accumulated by Rice thus far.

Although the £16.5k-per-week midfielder will likely come with a much lower price tag than Rice, it does also seem as if Newcastle could be getting a player who would potentially provide less of an impact.

Everton are a club that have truly fallen into disrepute, having become something of a laughing stock within the Premier League due to their dramatic downturn.

With countless funds wasted and a second relegation battle in as many seasons ongoing, the once great club are in very serious threat of making their first trip to the Championship since 1951.

However, what has arguably been a culmination of such embarrassment is their ongoing fiasco with Dele Alli, who Frank Lampard brought in last year in an effort to fire them to safety.

Acquired initially on a free transfer, various clauses were inserted that meant if a certain number of games were played he would trigger a fee. However, given their financial woes, they have managed to sidestep such an occasion for now.

That's not to suggest that the deal has been anything other than a shocker though, with the former England international having struggled for game time in a Royal Blue shirt, and then been sent packing from Turkey in his search for it out on loan.

Now pictured with a balloon in mouth upon his return to England, this bout of nitrous oxide was unfortunately not administered for the surgery he would later undergo to fix his hip issue. Once the golden boy of English football, few have endured a greater downfall than the former Tottenham Hotspur star.

How much is Dele Alli worth now?

Having only mustered 13 appearances thus far for the Toffees, there was an initial expectation that Lampard would be the perfect man to reignite the midfielder's faltering career. Previously starring under Mauricio Pochettino, particularly during his 18-goal and nine-assist season in 2016, his fall from grace was evident in the final half of a season in north London, which brought about just one league goal.

Whether it be through the terror his fee might incur, or simply a lack of faith in his abilities anymore, Alli has been completely frozen out of the first team picture this year.

His latest scandal is sure to only see that intensify, with Sean Dyche unlikely to be receptive to such recklessness.

TalkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan was quick to lambast the maestro, with his latest scathing rant exacerbating his failures: "Dele Alli, for two or three years now, has wasted everybody’s time. His own, his employers’, his teammates’. He’s a shadow of himself and he’s chosen this path.

"He turns up on a pitch looking like a refugee as I said before,” Jordan added. "An escapee is a better word, from Pirates of the Caribbean."

To further outline such a decline, the £100k-per-week flop has unsurprisingly seen his value plummet too. Standing at a once admirable €22m (£19.3m) upon joining, that figure has since halved to just €11m (£9.6m) and only seems set to fall further.

With a future seemingly wasted that had promised so much, Dyche must give up on Lampard's failed experiment and get rid of Alli this summer.