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Tottenham fans are going to love what The Athletic’s Daniel Taylor has had to say about Djed Spence.

The Lowdown: Closing in

Spence’s move to N17 is nearly a done deal by all accounts, as Fabrizio Romano has even shared images of the young wing-back fulfilling his media duties as the soon to be sixth signing of the summer.

Richarlison, Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma and Clement Lenglet have already arrived in the club’s most memorable summer since they spent the infamous Gareth Bale money, and barring any dramatic late twists, it looks like Spence will soon be confirmed as the next piece of business.

The Latest: Taylor sends Spence message

Taking to Twitter to share his verdict on Antonio Conte’s latest target, The Athletic’s Taylor, a Nottingham Forest fan, has told the Lilywhites faithful to get excited.

“Spurs fans: you’re getting a hell of a talent/athlete in Djed Spence. One of the best loan signings I’ve ever seen at Forest (maybe *the* best).

“He’s rapid. He’s fun and he’ll get you off your feet. Needs a bit of guidance, might make a few mistakes, but enjoy him.”

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The Verdict: Best one yet?

The likes of Richarlison and Bissouma arrive with the perfect balance of Premier League experience and with plenty of room to develop, but we feel Spence is the most exciting capture of the summer so far.

His performances in the FA Cup last season showed exactly how he stacks up against top flight opposition, dubbed ‘unbelievable’ by Ian Wright for his display against Arsenal and a ‘Premier League player’ by Trevor Sinclair following the demolition of Leicester in the following round.

His numbers in league action back that praise up too, racking up six goal involvements from the right flank last season and marking himself out as the perfect fit to bomb up and down the wing for Conte’s famous three-at-the-back system.

As far as signings go, it’s hard to imagine anything better than a 21 year-old homegrown player in the form of his life with a perfect style for his new manager.

Jesse Marsch is hopeful that Leeds United pair Luis Sinisterra and Adam Forshaw didn’t pick up serious injuries in their pre-season clash against Crystal Palace.

The Lowdown: Double injury concern for Leeds

The Whites drew 1-1 with the Eagles on Friday in their latest friendly of the summer as both clubs’ preparations for the new Premier League season continue.

There were two injury concerns during the match, though, as new signing Sinisterra and long-serving midfielder Forshaw were both forced to leave the pitch.

Leeds fans will no doubt be concerned over the severity of both issues, but a positive update has emerged regarding the situation.

The Latest: Marsch allays Leeds injury fears

Taking to Twitter, Hay confirmed that Marsch is hopeful that neither Sinisterra nor Forshaw are expected to be out for a long period.

The journalist relayed behind-the-scenes comments from the Leeds manager, stating:

“Marsch says Sinisterra has a ‘little hamstring injury’. Forshaw tweaked a knee. He’s hoping neither problem is a major issue.”

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The Verdict: Massive sigh of relief for Leeds

This is a relief for anyone of a Whites persuasion, with injuries to a number of key players completely derailing their 2021/22 season, with Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips and Patrick Bamford among those laid low by lengthy absences.

The manner in which Sinisterra went down with nobody around him was a big worry, while Forshaw’s well-documented fitness issues in recent years made his injury a big concern, too.

The pair could still be out for a while but the hope is that they will be available for the season curtain-raiser at home to Wolves on August 6 as Marsch looks for vast improvements from his squad in 2022/23.

Arsenal have received an update on mooted transfer target Cody Gakpo this week…

What’s the word?

According to Italian transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Eredivisie outfit PSV Eindhoven are looking for around €40-45m (£33-37.5m) to let the Dutch winger leave during what remains of the summer transfer window.

“At the moment, despite some speculation involving Arsenal, the situation is quiet around Cody Gakpo,” he told CaughtOffside.

“He has always been on the list for Leeds United, but not in the first position, just after Luis Sinisterra, who was a priority of the club.

“PSV Eindhoven are hoping to keep him and his price tag has always been around €40-45m (around £33.5m to £38m).

“He may be a name to monitor in the coming weeks as a big opportunity for many clubs.”

Arsenal’s next Thierry Henry

After missing out on moves for Raphinha, who opted for a dream transfer to FC Barcelona, and former youngster Serge Gnabry, who signed a contract extension at Bayern Munich, Gakpo could emerge as a viable option for technical director Edu Gaspar and co.

Primarily a left winger, the 23-year-old gem is capable of playing anywhere across the frontline, having also played on the right flank, as a centre-forward and as a no.10, as per Transfermarkt.

Last season was a breakthrough season for Gakpo as he delivered a whopping 21 goals and 15 assists across 46 appearances, even captaining the side on several occasions.

Reports in the past suggest that the Gunners may well see the PSV man as a potential option up top but his versatility opens up substantial depth to manager Mikel Arteta.

He could even look to repeat Arsene Wenger’s masterclass with Thierry Henry, who started out on the wing before becoming one of the Premier League’s most lethal marksmen.

In fact, the Arsenal legend was a player that gave Gakpo inspiration early on in his career. “Everybody wants to play one time in the Prem. I don’t favour one team but I like Arsenal a lot,” he once told The Sun. “I looked up to Henry when I was younger because he was a tall guy who played on the wing.”

Also compared to Tottenham Hotspur sensation Heung-min Son, it’s clear that Gakpo is a presence that could add plenty of goal contributions to the Gunners’ squad, wherever he plays along the frontline.

The 6 foot 2 dynamo, dubbed “special” and “phenomenal” by scout Jacek Kulig, must be targeted by Edu and Arteta heading into the final month of the window.

A deal worth around £38m could be a worthwhile investment indeed.

AND in other news, Dharmesh Sheth drops £200m transfer claim at Arsenal…

Wolves will reportedly make a ‘last move’ for transfer target Matheus Nunes this weekend when Wanderers come up against Sporting CP in a friendly.

The Lowdown: Nunes a long-time target

Throughout this summer, Wolves have been constantly linked with bringing the midfielder to the club, with Liverpool also thought to be interested in signing him.

Nunes, who has a release clause of €60m (£51m), has been a key man for Sporting in recent years, making 33 Primeira Liga appearances last season and also forcing his way into Portugal’s team, winning eight caps to date.

Ironically, Wolves take on Sporting on Saturday evening, in what could prove to be a more important day off the pitch than on it.

The Latest: Wolves to make ‘last move’

According to Correio da Manha [via Sport Witness], Wanderers will make a ‘last move’ for Nunes this weekend, walking away from a deal if they fail to make significant progress.

Sporting are aware that it is going to be ‘hard’ to keep hold of the 25-year-old, given his potential preference for a new challenge.

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The Verdict: Make-or-break weekend

Nunes is a top-quality midfielder who could be a fantastic signing for Wolves, so it is no surprise to see them trying so hard to get their man. His pass completion rate of 86.2% in the league last season is proof of the technical ability he could bring to Bruno Lage’s side.

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If Wanderers fail in their efforts to snap up the midfielder, it is vital that either a similar player comes in this summer or Ruben Neves ends up staying put.

Encouragingly, talk surrounding the Portuguese’s future has gone a little quiet of late and keeping hold of him would arguably be more significant than any new signing, Nunes included, considering he has been a fulcrum of Wolves’ midfield for five years now, making 212 appearances in total.

Rangers could well be handed a major boost ahead of their midweek Champions League clash with Union Saint-Gilloise, following an injury update regarding forward, Ryan Kent.

What’s the word?

Speaking after the Old Firm side’s win over Kilmarnock at Ibrox on Saturday, Gers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst revealed that the Englishman could be in line to feature in that crucial second-leg clash on Tuesday evening.

Asked for an update on the 25-year-old’s fitness, as per Rangers Review, the Dutchman stated: “Today came too soon for Ryan [Kent] but we’re working hard to get him ready for Tuesday, hopefully, we will manage to do so.”

The former Liverpool man – who arrived in Glasgow on an initial loan deal four years ago – had picked up a knock in the opening day victory over Livingston, keeping him out of the past two games.

Massive boost

All being well the Oldham-born starlet will be available for selection for that vital encounter in just a few days’ time, with his return set to prove a massive boost as the Scottish Premiership side look to overturn that two-goal, first-leg deficit.

Welcoming back the £15.75m-rated man to the first-team fold would prove such a sizeable boost such has been his impact for the club in recent seasons, with Kent having scored 30 goals and provided 49 assists in 175 games in all competitions to date.

That tally includes a haul of three goals and a remarkable 20 assists in all competitions last season, notably providing six goal contributions in 13 games as part of the club’s surge to the Europa League final.

Previously dubbed “sensational” by former boss Steven Gerrard, the £18k-per-week menace has dazzled in attack for the club in recent times, having also proven integral to the title triumph during the 2020/21 campaign.

That quality was also on show last week in the comeback win over Livingston, with the 5 foot 8 menace teeing up Scott Arfield to head home to help get the new season off to the perfect start.

His impact will certainly be needed as Van Bronckhorst’s men look to avoid another exit from the Champions League at the third qualifying round, having fallen at the same hurdle last season against Malmo.

In truth, that meeting could have major repercussions for how the season pans out for Rangers, with having Kent in tow likely to make a sizeable task somewhat more manageable.

Sunderland are believed to be closing in on the signing of highly-rated Morecambe defender, Connor Pye, according to recent reports.

What’s the word?

As per Football Insider, the Black Cats are said to have ‘agreed a deal’ for the 18-year-old, having secured a ‘breakthrough’ in negotiations with the League One outfit for the promising left-back.

The report suggests that the teenager – who is said to have two years left on his current deal – is seemingly a player for the future at the Stadium of Light, as he is ‘unlikely’ to go straight into manager Alex Neil’s plans at senior level.

As per the report, the full-back was one of a number of players made ‘available for transfer’ by the shrimps earlier this summer due to financial restrictions, thus allowing the northeast side to pounce.

Neil should love it

Managing to secure the signing of a player who has been likened to Liverpool ace Andy Robertson would no doubt be a great source of delight for the Sunderland boss, with Neil set to love securing what would be a seventh major signing of the summer thus far.

Although Pye – who has made just a solitary senior outing for his current side – appears unlikely to make an impact for the Championship side this season, his capture could prove to be a notable coup in the longer term, having previously been linked with a move to Premier League outfit, Everton.

With Dennis Cirkin currently the only recognised left-back option in the first-team squad, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that the impressive starlet could force his way into the manager’s plans sooner rather than later, with depth undoubtedly needed in what will likely be a gruelling season.

A move for the Englishman will also help the club to move on from the disappointment of missing out on former loanee Nathan Broadhead, with the 24-year-old recently opting to join Wigan Athletic on a loan deal from the Toffees.

The forward had reportedly been targetted by Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman ahead of a potential return to the club, although has favoured a move to the Latics in search of more regular game time.

Getting another new arrival in the door in the form of Pye, however, could ensure that transfer failure is swiftly forgotten about, with Neil no doubt set to love the chance to help nurture such a well-regarded young talent.

Arsenal have been tracking Yeremi Pino ahead of a potential move before the summer transfer deadline…

What’s the word?

That’s according to Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, who revealed the exciting claim to GIVEMESPORT this week.

He said:

“They are one of many clubs that have been following him for a long time. He’s doing great with Villarreal. At the moment, there is still no bid or nothing advanced for Pino.”

GOAL recently claimed that the Gunners were interested in signing the 19-year-old sensation but the Yellow Submarines were holding out for a fee in the region of €45m (£38m), despite having an €80m (£67m) release clause in his current €57.7k-per-week (£48.5k-per-week) contract.

Arteta’s own Jarrod Bowen

The Spanish teenager, who has now been capped four times at senior level for his national side, has been a key player for former Arsenal boss Unai Emery at the Yellow Submarines over the past two years as they clinched the Europa League trophy over Manchester United in 2020.

It was a true breakthrough year for Pino last season, though, as he delivered seven goals and four assists across 40 appearances, via Transfermarkt.

That level of form has certainly attracted the interest of technical director Edu Gaspar as he looks to bolster Mikel Arteta’s squad with another winger, having missed out on Raphinha to Villarreal’s LaLiga rivals, FC Barcelona.

The 19-year-old, who Romano even lauded as a “special talent” earlier this year, has an interesting profile for a winger with FBref highlighting some likeness to West Ham United star Jarrod Bowen, who too has been linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium this window.

Not only is he delivering in the final third but Pino also tracks back to help out his side defensively, which is always a bonus – when compared to fellow wingers across Europe over the last year, the youngster ranks inside the top 1% for blocks (2.62 per 90) and the top 24% for tackles (1.79 per 90), also via FBref.

Meanwhile, last season in LaLiga alone, he was within the top 2% for shots on target, the top 5% for goals per shot and the top 10% for non-penalty expected goals and assists, showing a similar sort of pizzaz to the West Ham star in the final third.

Bowen returned a whopping 12 goals and 12 assists in the Premier League for the Hammers last season and seems unlikely to be sold, particularly this late in the window, so in Pino, they could have a really viable alternative.

£38m may be a sizeable investment for a teenager but it’s some way off the premium fee it would take the Irons to sell. He thought to have an eye-watering £75m price tag.

As such, Edu and his recruitment staff should look to sign Pino before September 1st as Arteta could get his very own Bowen, which is a mouthwatering prospect along that right flank.

AND in other news, Arsenal have “genuine interest” in £25m “phenomenon”, could be a dream Arteta signing…

West Ham United are interested in a deal to bring Seko Fofana to the London Stadium this summer.

That’s according to ExWHUemployee, who revealed on a recent episode of The West Ham Way podcast that, despite RC Lens not being overly keen on the idea of parting with the €35m (£29.5m) central midfielder in the coming weeks, the Ivory Coast international is nonetheless a player on David Moyes’ list of targets prior to the closure of the current market next month.

Regarding the club’s interest in the 27-year-old, the Hammers insider said: “There’s also potentially a guy from Lens, although they’re not keen to sell him – they’ve already expressed that. But it’s Seko Fofana, who has emerged as a potential target. Although, that one, I think, is lower down on the list.”

The next Yaya Toure

While Fofana has undoubtedly been something of a late bloomer following his departure from Manchester City back in the summer of 2016, the 27-year-old is finally beginning to prove just how talented a midfielder he truly is – as well as one who deserves a second crack at Premier League football.

Indeed, after enjoying an impressive campaign with Lens in his debut season at the club in the 2020/21 campaign – scoring two goals, registering three assists and creating five big chances over his 30 Ligue 1 appearances – the £22.5m-rated talent took his game to a whole new level last time out.

Over his 38 league fixtures, the £25k-per-week Ivorian demonstrated just how much of an attacking threat he can be from the middle of the park, scoring eight goals, providing one assist and creating two big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.6 shots, making 1.1 key passes and completing 2.1 dribbles per game.

From these returns, it is easy to see why Fofana credited Yaya Toure as being one of the most influential players for him during his formative years in Manchester, as his compatriot was also an incredibly dangerous option in the heart of midfield – something that is evidenced by his 20 goals and eight assists over 35 fixtures in his remarkable 2013/14 Premier League campaign with City.

As such, should David Moyes be able to convince Lens to part with their “relentless” talent this summer, the Scot could well have unearthed the next Toure at the London Stadium, something that is sure to be an incredibly exciting prospect for supporters of the east London club.

Everton have reportedly made another approach to try and sign Wolves winger Adama Traore.

The Lowdown: Revisiting an old deal?

Football Insider reported back in June that the Goodison Park outfit had registered their interest in Traore, and were ‘keeping tabs’ on his situation at Molineux.

Director of Football Kevin Thelwell is thought to be a ‘big admirer’ of the Spain international, believing that he could add a ‘new dimension’ to Frank Lampard’s attack with his speed.

£20m was the quoted fee to secure his signature, although it was thought that the Wanderers could accept less.

The Latest: Approach made

Football Insider are now reporting that the Merseyside club have made a new approach over the possibility of signing Traore, and are working on signing a pacy forward capable of playing out wide or through the middle in case Anthony Gordon goes to Chelsea.

Traore is now in the final year of his contract, so it is thought that Bruno Lage’s side may look to cash in on him now, rather than risking losing him on a free transfer at the end of the season.

The Verdict: Avoid

While a move for Traore may seem exciting on paper – after all he has been hailed as ‘devastating’ when at his best by pundit Andy Townsend – unfortunately he is just far too inconsistent.

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The attacker has only managed a mere 12 goals and 18 assists in 157 games in total for Wolves over the last five seasons (Transfermarkt), not numbers to be proud of.

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury, the Toffees need their other attacking players to be chipping in with goals and assists, and Traore has not shown consistently enough that he can provide that.

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has shared that Newcastle United have made a bid for Rennes attacker Martin Terrier.

The Lowdown: Attacking reinforcements

Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak has arrived on Tyneside for his medical after a club-record £58m bid from the St. James’ Park outfit was accepted by the Basque club.

He is not expected to be the only attacking arrival to the North East before the transfer window closes however, with wingers like Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic and Leeds United’s Jack Harrison linked with a move to Eddie Howe’s side over the past week.

The Latest: Terrier bid

Speaking to The Transfer Tavern, O’Rourke has shared that Terrier, who typically plays as a ‘second striker’ but can function as a number nine or on the wing, is another player the Magpies have made a bid for over the last few weeks:

“I think Terrier is one of a number of players the Newcastle have made bids for in the last few weeks and as I said Eddie Howe is desperate to bring in those striking reinforcements as soon as possible, especially now with this injury concern over Callum Wilson.”

The Verdict: Double deal?

Adding both Isak and the versatile Terrier before the deadline will certainly strengthen Howe’s attacking options, especially given Wilson’s injury.

The Daily Telegraph’s Luke Edwards has revealed that Wilson is expected to be out for between three and four weeks with a hamstring injury, and he has proven time and time again they cannot depend on his long-term fitness.

Terrier meanwhile has recently signed a new deal with Rennes, so it would likely take a huge offer to pry him away before the deadline, but he could well be worth the extra money, solving the depth issues up front once and for all by adding two deadly new signings.

Hailed as ‘phenomenal’ last season and likened to Premier League and France legend Thierry Henry by European football journalist Tim Williams, the winger managed a very impressive 21 goals and seven assists in total over all competitions (Transfermarkt).

This campaign, he has already opened his account with a wonderful strike at home to AC Ajaccio in Ligue 1 last weekend, while he has also had the most touches in the opposition’s box of any player in Europe’s top five leagues.

Nonetheless, the Frenchman would be a major signing if the Toon can pull it off.