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Tottenham Hotspur have edged towards completing their first summer signing, after agreeing personal terms with Bologna full-back Takehiro Tomiyasu [Calcio Mercato via The Boot Room].

The Lowdown: Spurs gear up for the 2021/22 season

Looking ahead to 2021/22, Nuno Espirito Santo will be desperate to acquire high-profile individuals to sculpt a push for UEFA Champions League football this season.

Though they haven’t completed any dealings as of yet, the North Londoners have been heavily linked with moves for Marcel Sabitzer and Conor Coady.

Significantly, they now look to be veering towards finalising their inaugural transfer recruit of the window following recent reports.

The Latest: Personal terms agreed; only need to sort out a fee to complete the deal

Spurs are said to have reached a personal agreement with 22-year-old Tomiyasu. Barring any last minute hitches, the deal is expected is expected to go through.

In the current moment, Tottenham have offered around £15.4 million whilst the Serie A outfit value the Japan internationalist at closer to £17.1 million [The Boot Room], but all indications are these difference will soon be ironed out.

Newcastle United and Manchester United formerly held an interest in his services, but it looks as if though the Lilywhites will win the race.

The Verdict: Huge relief for Spurs

In need of defensive reinforcements, this news will come as an enormous relief to the Tottenham Hotspur hierarchy after a summer of turmoil so far.

Capable of playing at right-back or centre-half, the Japanese stopper has excelled within the Italian top-flight. In 2020/21, he made 33 appearances for his current employers, notching two goals [Transfermarkt].

Encouragingly, his propensity to anticipate danger rather than react to it will make him an attractive proposition to newly appointed boss Nuno.

Across the 2020/21 campaign, he made an average of 3.3 clearances and 1.7 interceptions per game. [WhoScored].

Showing an impressive level of consistency whilst having plenty of room to develop, Tottenham should look to ratify the transfer as swiftly as possible.

In other news, Spurs have made an approach for an Italian superstar.

Swansea City have been handed a boost to their chances of bringing Freddie Woodman back to the Liberty Stadium this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football Insider, who claim that the Newcastle United goalkeeper was the subject of a bid by Premier League side Leeds United, thought to initially be a loan deal with an option to purchase the 24-year-old at a later date.

However, the report goes on to state that Woodman has rejected the advances of Marcelo Bielsa’s side, as the former England U21 international does not want to play second-fiddle to the Whites’ first-choice shot-stopper Illan Meslier.

It has previously been reported that Swansea are once again keen to secure a deal for Woodman in the summer transfer window, with Newcastle thought to be willing to accept an offer of around £10m for the U17 World Cup winner.

Cooper surely buzzing

With the latest development proving that Woodman is extremely keen to play regular first-team football next season, something that it would be difficult to find at a Premier League club this summer, Swansea appear to have just received a rather huge boost to their chances of resigning the highly-rated ‘keeper ahead of next season.

Indeed, it is easy to see why the Swans are so eager for Woodman to return to the Liberty Stadium, as the 24-year-old highly impressed over his two seasons on loan with the Welsh side.

Over his 43 Championship appearances in his debut season with the club back in 2019/20, the £9m-rated man helped his side keep 12 clean sheets and stopped three out of the five penalties he faced, as well as making an average of 2.6 saves per game – earning a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.89.

The ‘keeper then improved on his previous returns over 45 Championship appearances in Swansea’s 2020/21 campaign, keeping a whopping 20 clean sheets and making an average of 2.2 saves per league fixture.

These returns saw the man Lee Clarke dubbed an “unbelievable” player earn an average SofaScore match rating of 6.92, ranking him as Cooper’s 12th-best performer in the second tier of English football, playing a key role in the club’s run all the way to the play-off final.

As such, should Swansea manage to secure the services of Woodman once again this summer, be it on a permanent or a temporary basis, it would undoubtedly be a huge boost to the club’s promotion hopes next season, as well as being a transfer that would leave Cooper rather understandably buzzing.

In other news: Swansea plotting summer swoop for “exceptional” £12m machine, Cooper would love him

Newcastle United have been handed a potentially significant boost in their pursuit of Marseille defender Boubacar Kamara.

What’s the story?

According to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, the 21-year-old has turned down the offer of a new contract from his boyhood club, with his current deal set to expire in the summer of 2022.

An asking price of £15m has been mooted for the highly-rated Kamara, although Steve Bruce may have to move quickly in order to secure his man as Lazio and AC Milan are also credited with an interest.

Bruce will surely be buzzing

Comfortable playing either at the base of midfield or in the centre of defence, the France under-21 international has cultivated a solid reputation in his homeland, making 122 appearances for Marseille despite his tender years.

However, it appears as though Kamara is ready for pastures new after growing tired of life at the Ligue 1 giants. In an interview back in April, he expressed his open-minded approach to his future in the south of France, stating: “I think I’m ready to go anywhere after what I have experienced at OM.”

Kamara’s impressive displays have attracted numerous plaudits over the last couple of campaigns, including from former Marseille teammate Rolando.

“This kid is a phenomenon. When he started training with us, he was 15 years old. And from day one, I said, no, but this little one is going to be a great player,” revealed the experienced defender.

“He’s the kind of central defender I like. He is full of qualities and, above all, he works, he listens. It is out of the ordinary”

The Magpies have been linked with a move for Kamara in recent weeks as he edges closer to the Stade Velodrome exit door, and the club’s hierarchy may decide to make a formal offer for the youngster following this latest revelation.

With fellow transfer target Kristoffer Ajer appearing to move towards Premier League rivals Brentford, Newcastle manager Steve Bruce will surely be buzzing to learn of Kamara’s decision to turn down a new contract in France, potentially opening the door for a switch to Tyneside.

In other news… Newcastle suffer blow in pursuit of “inspirational” £20m gem, Bruce will be gutted 

According to The Telegraph, Southampton are interested in signing Manchester City midfielder Yangel Herrera this summer.

The Lowdown: Saints prepare for new campaign

Ralph Hasenhuttl is preparing his squad for the new season as the Saints aim to improve on their 15th-placed finish in the Premier League last term.

Only Romain Perraud has been added to their squad so far this summer, though (Transfermarkt), and we are fast approaching the start of the new season.

The Latest: Saints eye Herrera

The Telegraph reported that Southampton are interested in Herrera, who spent last season on loan at Granada in Spain.

West Ham United and Crystal Palace are also in pursuit of the 23-year-old, but the Hammers have the advantage of being able to offer European football to the Venezuela international.

The Verdict: Emerging talent

While Herrera is yet to make a single appearance for the Citizens, he has already proven himself elsewhere throughout his career, right from when 2010 World Cup winner David Villa said that he was “the best player in the 2018 season in Major League Soccer” (The Manchester Evening News).

He has made 82 appearances across two seasons for Granada (Transfermarkt), helping them reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League in the process, and he also has 24 caps for his country.

Valued at £16.2m by Transfermarkt, it is said that City are looking for up to £20m to part ways with him. That would be a significant outlay for Southampton, but sometimes you must speculate to accumulate. If they don’t take this calculated gamble, they may end up regretting missing out on the 23-year-old.

In other news, Southampton also want to sign this Premier League defender.

Aston Villa fans have been showing the love for Trezeguet on Twitter, following an official post from the club reminiscing about the winger’s crucial goal in their 1-0 win over Arsenal on this day in 2020.

In what was one of the most important fixtures in Villa’s recent trajectory as a club, the victory took the Clarets out of the relegation zone on goal difference heading into the final game of the 2019/20 season [BBC].

In a game of tight margins, Trezeguet’s wonder volley from a corner proved to be the difference.

Intriguingly, anything less than three points that night would’ve seen the Midlands outfit relegated to the Sky Bet Championship upon completion of the campaign.

As you can imagine, loads of Aston Villa supporters took to Twitter to share their feelings about the strike.

Aston Villa fans react:

Replying to the Aston Villa FC Official Twitter account, here is what some supporters had to say about the pivotal goal from the ace who is currently nursing a serious knee injury:

“what a man”

Credit: @catrinedwards18″Wow Villa beating arsenal, what’s new”Credit: @liam_davies7″Death. Taxes. Trez at the back post”Credit: @ColinCahalane”The sound of the net”Credit: @villanews11″Big game baller. Hope he’s on the mend”Credit: @moneychimp”BACK POST TREZZZZZ”Credit: @1OnkarSinghIn other news, Aston Villa fans react to a training update.

According to a report by TUTTOmercatoWEB, direct contacts are underway for Tottenham Hotspur defensive target Nikola Milenkovic as managing director Fabio Paratici expands his scope.

The Lowdown: Spurs in defender market…

Tottenham, ideally, would like to sign two new centre-backs this summer according to reports – a goal which may have even been intensified since the club officially sold Toby Alderweireld to Qatari side Al-Duhail.

Spurs have been in talks to sign the likes of Cristian Romero and Takehiro Tomiyasu over this last month to name a few, but Paratici also have other targets on his radar.

The Latest: Spurs contacts for Milenkovic underway…

As per TMW, ‘direct contacts are underway’ with Fiorentina over their defensive powerhouse Milenkovic as Tottenham eye other centre-back targets.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-updates-copy/” title=”Tottenham latest developments…” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Paratici has apparently earmarked the Serbian as an alternative to Romero with both Spurs and Atalanta still locked in negotiations.

While La Viola have not approved of Milenkovic’s exit this summer, TMW state that his contract situation could make this a viable swoop for Spurs.

The 23-year-old’s current deal expires in 2022, meaning Fiorentina have only a limited time to make money off his sale.

As well as this, Milenkovic is apparently already open for ‘relocation to London’ this summer.

The Verdict: Sound alternative…

All signs point towards the towering 6 foot 4 powerhouse being a very fruitful Romero alternative.

Charlie Eccleshare, journalist of The Athletic, believes he would be a ‘relatively straightforward deal’ and could leave Italy for as little as €15 million (£12.7m).

Lauded as ‘extraordinary’ and ‘ready for a great team’ by Spanish defender Pol Lirola (SOSFantacalcio via xsport.news), Milenkovic started 34 league matches for Fiorentina last season and won the second-most aerial duels per 90 (3) on average out of their whole squad (WhoScored).

He also made the most clearances per 90 (3.6) out of any La Viola player with over ten Serie A starts, so £12.7m could be a real snip if Fiorentina are indeed willing to sell at that meagre price.

In other news: ‘They might even’…Pundit backs Spurs to seal star striker signing right at the end of the window, find out more here.

Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Adama Traore is on Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer shortlist this summer, according to a report from the Daily Mail.

Spurs are, of course, now managed by former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

They’ve yet to make ‘official contact’ with the Midlands outfit but are said to be weighing up a move.

Wolves, for their part, are ‘open’ to letting Spain international Traore leave.

However, they have slapped a £45million price tag on the 25-year-old, who has two years left on his contract. They see similarities with Diogo Jota’s move to Liverpool last summer.

Another of Traore’s potential suitors, Leeds United, apparently have alternative targets in mind.

How has Wolves star Traore performed recently?

He scored three goals and provided two assists in 46 appearances last season, a considerable slump after registering 18 goal contributions in 2019/20.

However, Traore did top the Premier League for successful dribbles per 90 minutes with 4.1, edging Newcastle United’s Allan Saint-Maximin (via WhoScored).

Twitter fan feed Talking Wolves relayed the news, and here’s how supporters reacted, with one fan encouraging the club to build the squad around the winger.

These Wolves fans urge club not to sell Traore

“If we let him go that is just stupid.. we need to bring in at least 2 first team players, not sell first team players”

Credit: @wwfcsam1

“He goes, we’re down”

Credit: @dougan_the

“The only attacking threat we have, that would be stupid”

Credit: @satsomboon

“We need to add to the squad, not just replace especially Adama who is different to every option we have in attack”

Credit: @MattPrice_02

“Nuno don’t you dare”

Credit: @sophiaeclayton

“Neves, Neto and Traore are Wolves crown jewels. The club should be building a squad around them.”

Credit: @MoHussain19

In other news, fans react to this update on a potential incoming. 

Lots of Wolves fans have been left buzzing as a transfer update emerged on Rafa Mir.

As per Marca, the striker will sign for Atletico Madrid ahead of Sevilla and a number of other clubs in the UEFA Champions League.

The fee quoted is €15m (£12.7m), and he will sign on a four-year deal after his exploits at the Olympic Games with Spain.

Mir has only played in four senior matches for Wolves throughout his career, so to get £12.7m for a player who is not guaranteed many games at all at Molineux seems like very good business from chairman Jeff Shi.

That money can now be used to reinvest back into Bruno Lage’s squad ahead of the new Premier League season, potentially in a new striker or in other key areas of the pitch.

Wolves fans on Mir transfer update

These Wolves supporters were left buzzing as the transfer update on Mir was shared by Talking Wolves on their Twitter page:

“Nice”

Credit: @wwfcglover

“Pretty good deal”

Credit: @OliRobinson26

“More than £10m, we’ve done really well”

Credit: @suen3j

“This is so good. Credit where it’s due, Jeff Shi masterclass”

Credit: @xGJHP

“Unbelievable deal really. He’s not very good and we paid 10 times less. Daylight robbery.”

Credit: @NHCasual

“I’m happy with that”

Credit: @Rich2086

In other news, some Wolves fans slammed this man’s display against Celta Vigo

There is plenty of interest in Mikkel Damsgaard this summer, with former professional player David Norris believing that if he were to join Leeds United, he would get more game time.

According to Sport Mediaset, Liverpool and Leeds are interested in the Denmark international, while the likes of Tottenham and Aston Villa are said to be keen too.

Damsgaard featured in 37 games for Sampdoria in all competitions last season, getting on the scoresheet twice and setting up a further four goals. After his club season had concluded, Damsgaard joined up with the Denmark squad at Euro 2020, scoring two goals for his country, including a brilliant free-kick against England in the semi-finals.

With a lot of interest in the midfielder, David Norris believes he would get more first-team football at Leeds, exclusively telling Football FanCast: “I think that’s exactly it if he wants to come and play first-team football and you’d look at it on paper and expect him to have more chances at Leeds.”

The Sport Mediaset article also reports that Sampdoria are looking for around €35m (£29.7m) for Damsgaard and with plenty of interest in his signature, if Leeds want to land him and take him to Elland Road this summer, they’re going to have to move swiftly.

Queens Park Rangers centre-back Conor Masterson could be set to depart the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium this summer.

What’s the talk?

In a recent interview with West London Sport, Mark Warburton revealed that the QPR defender is attracting a significant amount of attention in the summer transfer window, with the manager appearing open to the idea of sending the 23-year-old out on loan.

However, the 58-year-old goes on to state that, if he is to sanction the temporary departure of the Republic of Ireland U21 this summer, it must be to a club that both the Rs boss and Les Ferdinand believe will help further the player’s development, or else they are more than happy to keep the £3.4k-per-week man in west London for the club’s 2021/22 campaign.

Warburton said: “There’s interest in Conor. He’s done well for us at Championship level and if he goes out on loan, it’s got to be the right move for his development.

“Clubs are well aware of Conor. Les will work on the right move. It has to be right – you don’t just send a player out willy-nilly. You have to make sure it’ll be right for his career development path.

“If that opportunity arises for Conor then we’ll take it. If not, then we’re very happy to have him here.”

Music to the ears of fans

Despite QPR getting their Championship campaign off to a rather slow start in a 1-1 draw with Millwall last weekend, there is nevertheless plenty of reason for fans of the club to be excited at present.

Indeed, Warburton has overseen arguably one of the most impressive transfer windows of any Championship side this summer, securing deals for the likes of Andre Dozzell, Stefan Johansen, Charlie Austin, Jordy de Wijs, Sam Field, Sam McCallum and Jimmy Dunne, all of whom cost the club a reported total of just £1.67m in transfer fees.

Furthermore, following Warburton’s latest comments regarding Masterson, it is evident that the manager and his transfer team are not only planning for the here and now with QPR but are also considering the long term future of the club.

Indeed, there are countless examples of clubs sending youth prospects on loan further town the EFL pyramid with the aim of simply affording the player first-team experience, rather than taking into account the style of football a team plays, the manager in charge of a side, or even the general brand of football that is evident in the league as a whole – with the latter being particularly important if sending a player on loan overseas.

However, in order for a loan deal to be truly beneficial for the development of a youngster, all of these factors must be taken into account.

This is something that, from Warburton’s words concerning the player who he himself dubbed an “excellent” talent, it is evident the Rs boss also believes, with his recent remarks more than likely being music to the ears of QPR fans – whose club appears to be in very safe hands with the 58-year-old at the helm.

In other news: Lost 8 duels: Careless £7.5k-p/w QPR dud who lost the ball 17x badly failed Warburton