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Liverpool have been linked with a move for Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella recently, and the Italian could solve a long-term issue in Jurgen Klopp’s side should he make the move to Merseyside.

According to reports from Italy, the Reds manager is very keen on signing the 25-year-old this summer as he looks to add to his midfield options at Anfield.

The report suggests that Inter are unwilling to let him go as he is contracted at the San Siro for another four years, but Liverpool could offer an exchange to make the Serie A outfit lower their demands.

While tying down Mohamed Salah to a new contract was the news that many Liverpool fans were hoping for this summer, signing Barella would arguably be an even bigger deal for the club.

Klopp has already shown that he is casting an eye towards the future with the signings of Calvin Ramsay, Darwin Nunez and Fabio Carvalho, and one area in which the Reds need long-term solutions is midfield.

Thiago is 31, Jordan Henderson is 32 and James Milner is 36, so the German won’t be able to rely upon those options for much longer. Meanwhile, Naby Keita’s injury problems and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s potential departure threaten to leave the Reds short in midfield again next season.

Although they have Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones as potential options for the future, Barella is arguably at his peak right now and would offer an elite option in midfield next season, with his performances in Serie A in recent years emphasising his ability and consistency.

We have already seen Liverpool’s likely title rivals Manchester City on the brink of recruiting Kalvin Phillips as their long-term successor to Fernandinho, and the Reds arguably need to take the same approach if they are to compete with Pep Guardiola’s side again next season.

Barella enjoyed another impressive campaign with the Nerazzurri last time out, contributing three goals and 12 assists in 36 top-flight appearances, averaging a superb 7.13 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

Klopp is already a fan of the midfielder and knows what he is capable of. The Reds manager spoke highly of the 25-year-old ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Inter in the Champions League last season, saying: “He’s a really good player, a really good player and I like him a lot. He has all the things you want from a midfield player: he is aggressive, he is technical, he can run for ages and all these kinds of things. That’s a top-class player.”

Therefore, considering Liverpool’s ageing midfield options, and with Klopp clearly keen on signing him, FSG should definitely do all they can to bring Barella to Anfield this summer.

In other news… Fabrizio Romano drops big transfer update on £34.4m Liverpool target, FSG must act now

A big Rangers transfer claim has dropped regarding one of the most sought-after talents in the European game.

What’s the news?

The claim is regarding Borussia Dortmund youngster Gio Reyna, with journalist Manuel Veth tweeting: “Whispers that #USMNT midfielder Gio Reyna could be loaned by #BVB to Scottish side Rangers.

“Source told me that that is extremely unlikely. Terzic is hopeful to get the American back on track this season and Reyna has worked hard on his fitness in the offseason.”

Although the tweet clearly explains that Dortmund plan on keeping the player around next season, never say never.

Reyna would be a wonderful addition

Giovanni van Bronckhorst has been busy over the last few days, adding striker Antonio Colak to his Rangers side and reportedly winning the race to sign Tom Lawrence.

After a few weeks without any new signing announcements, it is a bit of relief to the Ibrox faithful that there will be at least a couple of new faces heading through the door.

A move for Reyna might just be a tad unrealistic, though the American is named after the Rangers manager as the Dutchman and Claudio Reyna formed a close bond during their spell at the club and Gio Reyna appears to be extremely gifted.

Reyna suffered an injury-plagued campaign last season, missing 32 of Dortmund’s 46 matches as his excellent progress was dented. He missed the entire first half of the season with a muscle injury which undoubtedly weakened Dortmund as they looked to battle it out with Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga title.

He did feature for Dortmund in the Europa League first-leg clash against Rangers in February, which ended in a 4-2 defeat for the German heavyweights.

A move to Glasgow, however, would surely send the supporters into a frenzy.

Look at what happened when Aaron Ramsey touched down from Italy in January and walked out to a rapturous crowd at Ibrox as the club signed him on a six-month loan deal.

The Ibrox faithful can only dream.

AND in other news: Bid prepared: Rangers eye 6 figure swoop for 17 y/o sensation, he can be Jack 2.0

Leeds United could look at two more signings in the reminder of the summer transfer window, reliable journalist Phil Hay has claimed.

The Lowdown: Raphinha money available

On Friday, Raphinha clinched a big-money move to Barcelona, bringing to an end a transfer saga that had rumbled on throughout the summer.

While losing the Brazilian is clearly a big blow for Leeds, Jesse Marsch will now have a huge amount of money available to make important reinforcements after the winger added to the funds provided from Kalvin Phillips’ exit earlier in the window.

And according to a fresh claim from Hay, the Whites have got plenty of work still planned for supporters to look forward to.

The Latest: Hay backs double signing

Taking to Twitter on Saturday morning, Hay said that a new goalscorer could well be joined by another left-back after the injury to Junior Firpo:

“The Raphinha money will be thrown at a new forward but with Junior Firpo injured, the smart money would be on signing another left-back too.”

The Verdict: Make it three?

This is an encouraging update from Hay and one that is to be expected, with back-up for the injury-prone Patrick Bamford surely the number one priority.

Bringing in a like-for-like replacement for the Whites’ outgoing winger could also be one to watch though, ensuring they have plenty of end product around whoever takes the number nine role and not heaping all the pressure to replace Raphinha’s output onto Luis Sinisterra.

Arsenal man Nicolas Pepe has been linked with a move, although whether or not he is consistent enough is up for debate.

Equally, a new left-back is also vital, considering Junior Firpo could be out for around two months and Stuart Dallas is also missing for the foreseeable future with a serious leg injury.

A major update on the future of Carney Chukwuemeka has emerged after he reportedly rejected Aston Villa’s latest contract offer…

What’s the word?

The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath has dropped the latest news on the situation, he said on Twitter:

“Carney Chukwuemeka has rejected #AVFC contract extension and no sign of agreement. He can seal [a] pre-contract with another club in January and leave for around £400,000 next summer, which many would explore in his situation. Clubs expected to bid before that.”

Villa boss Steven Gerrard left the 18-year-old out of their pre-season tour of Australia last week and it’s believed that the Midlands outfit have slapped a £20m price tag on his head, though they are yet to receive any offers of this calibre.

Football Insider believed the Bodymoor Heath gem is asking for wages of around £100k-per-week, which would make him the club’s second-highest earner behind Danny Ings (£120k-per-week) and ahead of the likes of John McGinn (£25k-per-week) and Tyrone Mings (£80k-per-week).

Frustrating news

Premier League rivals Leeds United and Manchester United, as well as LaLiga giants FC Barcelona are said to be keen on signing the Villa youngster, and the latter side are free to speak to him from January onwards.

Losing one of their more promising youngsters to emerge from the academy would be a gutting and frustrating blow to the manager and the Villa Park faithful as Chukwuemeka has bags of potential.

Soon after his arrival in the Midlands, Gerrard waxed lyrical about the 18-year-old midfielder and stated that he would like him to stay.

“Hopefully he is going to be a big player for Aston Villa,” he told reporters (via the Express and Star). “We want him to stay here long-term. We believe this is the best place for Carney. I hope that situation progresses in a positive way.”

Elsewhere, former Villans striker Paul Merson believes the teen will become “an absolute star,” so it’s no wonder there are so many big teams interested in his signature, despite his hefty wage demands.

Villa will not be able to compete with the likes of United and Barcelona, particularly as both teams regularly compete in Europe, something that hasn’t happened at Villa Park since 2010.

Therefore, this update from the ever-reliable McGrath will surely leave many supporters reeling as it appears as if they will soon lose out on one of their best young talents.

AND in other news, Ashley Preece delivers Keinan Davis update…

Glasgow Rangers and Giovanni van Bronckhorst are keen on bringing left-back Ridvan Yilmaz to Ibrox this summer, according to the Daily Mail. 

The lowdown: Career so far

Born in Istanbul, Yilmaz has been an ever-present member of the international youth setup in Turkey from the Under 16 level before becoming a fully-fledged senior international.

The 21-year-old has come through the academy ranks at Besiktas and has gone on to make 62 first-team outings for the Super Lig side, directly contributing to 11 goals whilst playing a key role in a domestic Turkish treble in the process.

Previously targeted by Tottenham during the ongoing summer window, a fresh claim has emerged suggesting that Rangers could be set to make a move for the Turkish youngster…

The latest: Gers interested

As per the Daily Mail, the Glasgow giants are believed to be ‘exploring a potential move’ for Yilmaz.

It’s claimed that the six-cap starlet is the next target for the Ibrox outfit having completed the capture of defender Ben Davies from Liverpool.

The report states that Yilmaz – who was described as a ‘very smart’ operator by national team manager Stefan Kuntz – would ‘likely cost in excess of £4million’ despite entering the final 12 months of a contract with his boyhood club.

The verdict: Exciting times

As the ever-reliable Calvin Bassey prepares to complete a switch to Ajax, Van Bronckhorst is wise to explore the possibility of bringing in additional reinforcements for the backline.

Equally adept as a left-back and in central defence, the Teddy Bears’ boss is essentially losing two key options in one and as such, the signing of Davies cannot cover for the loss of the 22-year-old sensation alone.

Therefore, attempting to sign Yilmaz, who scored three times and provided four assists in 33 appearances across all competitions last season whilst operating as a left-back and left midfielder, would be a smart move from the Rangers hierarchy even were it to initially be as cover for Borna Barisic.

Overall, the talented Turkish youngster earned a 6.86 Sofascore rating last term, winning 3.7 duels, making 1.1 clearances and successfully completing 1.1 dribbles on average per top flight outing – impressively more completed dribbles than Gers loanee Amad Diallo managed in the Scottish Premiership – highlighting an attacking prowess to accompany defensive acumen.

Holding a market value of £5.85million (Transfermarkt), signing Yilmaz for anything close to the suggested £4million would be a sensational piece of business.

Journalist Rosario Dello Iavoco has now shared a potentially promising West Ham United transfer update as the club eye a move for Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski.

The Lowdown: West Ham talks held…

The 28-year-old, according to recent reports, is a player firmly on the agenda of West Ham and manager David Moyes with reliable club insider ExWHUemployee backing that negotiations have been held.

Zielinski is thought to be a real target for the east Londoners as they aim to further upgrade their squad in key areas and keep chase with the Premier League’s biggest sides.

West Ham have already added defender Nayef Aguerd, midfielder Flynn Downes, goalkeeper Alphonse Areola and striker Gianluca Scamacca to their ranks ahead of the 2022/2023 season but Zielinski could well join them depending on developments.

The Latest: Journalist shares promising Zielinski update…

Now, as per journalist Dello Iavoco (via Area Napoli), there’s been a potentially promising update on talks between Napoli and West Ham.

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Indeed, according to the reporter, the Serie A side and Irons have found an ‘agreement’ over Zielinski.

Dello Iavoco explained:

“Between Naples and West Ham I understand that an agreement has been reached for Zielinski for about 30 million pounds, which is equal to 35.63 million of euros, more than the bonuses that I do not know at the moment.” 

However, while both clubs have found common ground over the fee, it is claimed that personal terms are yet to be resolved.

The Verdict: Big few weeks…

The return of English top flight football is no longer far away and these next few weeks may well be crucial in determining whether West Ham can keep competing with the very best.

Landing their key targets will be a major factor in this and Napoli’s £106,000-per-week star could seriously upgrade Moyes’ midfield options, especially considering he’s even been likened to Man City star Kevin De Bruyne.

Nottingham Forest are believed to have set their sights on their next summer target, amid reports linking the newly-promoted side with Atalanta midfielder, Remo Freuler.

What’s the word?

As per journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Midlands outfit are currently in talks to sign the Switzerland international from the Serie A outfit in the current window, with the 30-year-old having spent the past eight years in Bergamo.

Writing on Twitter about that apparent interest in the 46-cap gem, the transfer insider stated: “Nottingham Forest are interested in Swiss midfielder Remo Freuler. Talks ongoing with Atalanta, still nothing agreed but he’s one of the targets in the list.

“Forest are also working for a new left back.”

Forest boss Steve Cooper has already overseen 12 new arrivals ahead of the club’s long-awaited return to Premier League action this weekend, although the Welshman recently admitted that more incomings could be on the cards.

Cooper masterclass

In what’s already been an impressive window thus far, Cooper could be yet to pull off another market masterclass with the signing of the 5 foot 11 maestro, having already wrapped up notable deals for the likes of former Manchester United man Jesse Lingard and club-record purchase Taiwo Awoniyi thus far.

Adding Freuler to the mix would be yet another astute piece of business, with the £18m-rated man set to provide undoubted quality to an area of the pitch that has been depleted by the return of last season’s loanee James Garner to Old Trafford.

Something of an all-action midfield presence, the £22k-per-week ace has thrived in Italy in recent years, notably netting once and providing three assists in his 29 league outings last term, while also showcasing his defensive strength by chipping in with 2.4 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game.

Such form has also seen him compare favourably to those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues, as he ranks in the top 14% for progressive carries and the top 7% for progressive passes, proving himself adept at impacting play in the final third.

The former Luzern man has also been a standout performer for his country of late, memorably providing a goal and an assist in the thrilling 3-3 draw with Germany in the Nations League back in October 2020.

Such an experienced figure could well be what is needed to help bolster and guide a largely youthful Forest dressing room this season, with his addition potentially set to prove vital as the club prepares to step up back into the top tier.

With 259 appearances under his belt at his current side, providing 43 goal contributions in that time, Freuler has proven himself an elite and reliable figure in one of the continent’s toughest leagues as well as in the Champions League – it could prove to be a real masterstroke to bring him to England this summer.

Southampton are willing to sell Che Adams this summer following links of a move to Leeds United.

The Lowdown: Leeds linked with Adams

The Whites appear to have their eye on the Saints attacker once again, with Victor Orta still on the hunt for a new forward before the September 1 deadline.

Recent rumours have suggested that Leeds are lining up a ‘shock move’ for the Scotland international, with Phil Hay believing that Adams may come onto the radar late in the transfer window if moves for other Elland Road targets fall away.

Leeds have made a first move by officially registering their interest in the 26-year-old last week, with Nottingham Forest also keen on the player’s services.

The Latest: Adams transfer update

The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell shared an in-depth Southampton story on Monday following their 4-1 defeat to Tottenham over the weekend.

The journalist provided a big update on Adams, who was an unused substitute in north London, claiming that the Saints are willing to offload the forward in the final weeks of the transfer window.

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The Verdict: Time for Orta to swoop

The two teams face each other this weekend at St Mary’s, but ahead of that match, the coming days could be the perfect chance for Leeds to get things in place over a move for Adams following this development.

The Whites would reportedly like to do a deal at £10m, a figure which could represent some smart business.

Adams has plenty of Premier League experience and could be the perfect third centre-forward alongside Patrick Bamford and Joe Gelhardt at Elland Road.

You’d like to think that the Scotland striker would get his fair share of game-time in Jesse Marsch’s narrow formation and wouldn’t hinder Gelhardt’s emergence in Yorkshire, so this could be one to monitor over the coming days or weeks.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have had somewhat of a strange transfer window so far this summer, with Bruno Lage failing to significantly strengthen his side ahead of another tough campaign.

Only two new arrivals have landed at Molineux, Nathan Collins and Goncalo Guedes from Valencia in a £27.5m deal, although this won’t be enough to overcome the Midlands side’s woeful goalscoring issues.

With club captain Conor Coady leaving the club to join Everton on loan for the rest of the season in another intriguing move, Lage will be keen to add some defensive reinforcements to his team. One such player being considered is Welshman Ethan Ampadu.

Their next Coady?

There are a number of clubs from Italy who are interested in signing the Chelsea youngster, with Wolves also keen on adding him to their ranks.

Having spent the previous two seasons out on loan at Sheffield United and Venezia while playing regular football, it appears that the 21-year-old will be hoping for the same this season.

With Chelsea having signed Kalidou Koulibaly and a move for Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana being touted, Ampadu’s playing time could be severely restricted at the London side this season.

He could be the perfect Coady heir if he moved to Molineux and could well form an excellent defensive partnership with new signing Nathan Collins at the heart of the Wolves’ backline.

Last season, Ampadu actually won more tackles (43 to 18), made more pressures (429 to 197), and won a higher percentage of aerial duels (64.2% to 57.4%) compared to Coady, proving that he wouldn’t only be a replacement, but could also come in and significantly improve the team.

The biggest similarity between the two falls in their ability to play in a number of different positions.

His international manager, Rob Page, praised the youngster by describing him as “versatile” with Ampadu possessing the ability to play in a defensive midfield position too as well as at centre-back.

Although the Portuguese manager never utilised the club’s former skipper in that role, it’s one where he played in before moving to Wolves, with Jamie Carragher documenting the following:

“A lot more football is played through midfield in the modern game and I am not sure he was quite quick enough with his feet in there. That’s something that would have stopped me playing at the real top level as a midfielder too.

“With his leadership qualities, physique and reading of the game, he just looked like a centre-back to me. The Wolves manager has to take credit because he has really pushed him there.”

Indeed, similar can be said of Ampadu who like Coady is a formidable reader of the game, ranking in the top 19% of centre-backs in the 2020/21 Premier League season for interceptions, as well as in the top 12% for dribblers tackled.

It’s clear the £12k-per-week “diamond” – in the words of scout Jacek Kulig – is unlikely to be at Chelsea for much longer, and with less than two weeks to go until the transfer window slams shut, Lage needs to act fast or he might be severely short at the heart of his defence after allowing Coady to depart.

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

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Express, who claim that, following a number of reports linking David Moyes with a move for the Leicester City left-back in recent weeks, the 21-year-old does indeed have a number of admirers in east London, however, the club are yet to firm up their interest with a formal offer for the England U21 international.

The Guardian also reported the Irons’ interest in the full-back last month, while the Daily Mail claimed that it would require a £20m offer for West Ham to prise the youngster away from Brendan Rodgers’ side prior to September’s transfer deadline.

The next Ben Chilwell

Considering just how exciting a prospect Thomas quite clearly is, in addition to the fact that the signing of a new left-back is reported to be one of Moyes’ priorities over the remainder of the summer transfer window, it is not difficult to see why the 59-year-old would be keen on a deal for the 21-year-old defender.

Indeed, the £10.8m-rated full-back burst onto the Foxes scene over three Premier League appearances back in 2019/20, providing one assist and making an average of 3.3 key passes over fixtures against Sheffield United, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United – averaging an eye-catching SofaScore match rating of 7.10 over these games.

The 21-year-old continued his remarkable rise in first-team football over 14 league fixtures in 2020/21, scoring one goal and creating one big chance, in addition to making an average of 1.6 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 0.5 key passes per outing – demonstrating his ability both at the back and when going forwards.

The £11.5k-per-week talent once again impressed over his 22 Premier League appearances last time out, registering one assist and creating three big chances, as well as making an average of 2.3 tackles – more than Declan Rice’s 2.2 – 1.8 interceptions and 0.5 key passes per game.

As such, with Thomas being strong at the back and capable in attack, it is easy to see why the Daily Mail’s secret scout claimed that watching the 21-year-old is like “looking at a mirror image” of Ben Chilwell – the former Leicester left-back who scored four goals and provided 12 assists over his 123 appearances for the club, before joining Chelsea in a £50m deal in the summer of 2020.

Indeed, should Moyes manage to get a £20m deal over the line for the England youth international who James Maddison dubbed both a “special player” and “unreal,” it would very much appear as if he could have unearthed the next Chilwell at West Ham – something that is sure to be an incredibly exciting prospect for supporters.