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Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring Denzel Dumfries to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian publication Tuttosport (via Sport Witness), who claim that Fabio Paratici has already made contact with Giuseppe Marotta to inform the Inter Milan chief of Tottenham’s interest in signing the 26-year-old, who is reported to be available for around €40m (£33m) this summer.

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However, the report goes on to state that Bayern Munich have also contacted Inter concerning a deal for the Netherlands international, something which would suggest Spurs will have a fight on their hands if they are to land the wing-back this summer.

Conte can axe Emerson with Dumfries

Considering how impressive Dumfries has been for Inter following his €14m (£11.5m) move from PSV Eindhoven last summer, coupled with how underwhelming Emerson Royal has been for Spurs since his £25m switch from Barcelona in the same window, it is easy to see why Antonio Conte would be keen on a deal for the 26-year-old.

Indeed, over his 28 Serie A appearances this season, the £33m-rated wing-back has been in fantastic form for Simone Inzaghi’s side, scoring four goals, registering five assists and creating five big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of one shot and making 0.8 key passes per game.

The £51k-per-week defender has also impressed in metrics more typical of his role, helping the Nerazzurri keep seven clean sheets, in addition to making an average of 0.2 interceptions, 0.9 tackles, 0.6 clearances and winning 3.8 duels – at a success rate of 53% – per fixture.

These returns have seen the player who Siavoush Fallahi dubbed a “difference maker” average a very respectable SofaScore match rating of 6.85.

As such, with Emerson having already been linked with a move away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer, it would indeed appear a wise move for Conte to axe the £42k-per-week player who Stephen Pollard dubbed “truly hilarious” this summer, and used the funds raised from his sale to finance a swoop for the much more promising Dumfries.

AND in other news: Paratici can seal Conte’s dream signing as Spurs plot bid for “stunning” £60m “baller”

Keith Jackson has now revealed a fresh twist on the ongoing dispute between Glasgow Rangers and Scottish Premiership sponsor cinch.

The Lowdown: cinch Conflict

The club have refused to display Cinch’s branding on their jerseys or at Ibrox this season, as Gers chiefs believe that they are not obliged to promote the company, because of a conflict of interest with chairman Douglas Park’s own business Park’s of Hamilton (The Scottish Sun).

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There was a fresh twist in the ongoing conflict over the weekend, as Cinch’s branding was covered by masking tape when Giovanni van Bronckhorst was doing his post-match interview with Sky TV, after his side won 3-1 at Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.

The Latest: Rangers talks

Writing in his latest piece for The Daily Record, Jackson has revealed that the Teddy Bears have now been ‘holding discussions behind the scenes’ with league chiefs in order to try and defuse the stand-off.

There are concerns that Cinch may not pay out the full £1.6m that is due to be shared out at the end of the season, or even pull the plug on the deal completely.

Of course, this impacts the Light Blues as well as the other clubs in Scottish football’s hierarchy, and so they have now decided to take action.

The Verdict: Worrying

The situation is getting to a stage now where it should worry the supporters, as the campaign draws to a close.

Given the club’s stature and progression in the UEFA Europa League, the Gers should not be as financially affected as the majority of the other teams, but they will still want the money in the bank in order to best prepare for the summer.

Nonetheless, this stand-off may affect future lucrative sponsorships with the SPFL, which would have a long-term impact on them.

In other news, find out which ‘excellent’ attacker has been told he can now leave RFC here!

Aston Villa have suffered a mixed season in the Premier League so far, with the club appointing Steven Gerrard in mid-November in order to take them to the next level, it hasn’t really worked out like that.

Although Gerrard has only had one January window to bring in his own players and a full summer and pre-season will give more of an indication of where things lie.

Bringing in Philippe Coutinho on loan during January was a masterstroke and there will be hopes that a permanent deal can be sorted, although there are talks of Villa landing a Premier League talent.

Journalist Josh Holland told GIVEMESPORT that Villa should sign £36m-rated Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace and he would be a “good signing.”

The winger has received praise throughout his Palace career with Tony Cascarino dubbing him “unplayable” at times, whilst former manager Roy Hodgson labelled him a “game-changer” and on that basis, he would be an excellent acquisition for Gerrard and his team.

There is no question that he would be an upgrade on Leon Bailey too, with Zaha scoring 12 goals to Bailey’s one this season in the league (although he has played 11 more games).

Zaha has completed 78.8% of his passes compared to just 66.5% for Bailey, while the Palace winger creates almost four times as many shot-creating actions (94) in contrast to the Villa player (21).

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These attacking and passing stats prove that Gerrard and NSWE can definitely seal an upgrade on the player who signed for Villa for a sizeable £25m just last summer.

The Palace winger won’t come cheap, but if Gerrard can sell a few players and make a profit, then there is no reason why he can’t add the talented player to his squad for next season.

He could be all the difference in a chase for a European spot.

AND in other news, Source: AVFC’s “difficult” dud could now leave Villa Park, it’s great news for Gerrard

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is attracting interest from Manchester City ahead of the expiry of his contract, The Daily Mail reports.

The lowdown

United’s interim manager Ralf Rangnick said last month that Pogba is likely to leave the club at the end of the season.

According to The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell, the Red Devils offered the Frenchman a £400,000-per-week deal last summer, but he left it ‘sitting there’.

In addition to City, Pogba’s former club Juventus and Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain are also thought to be keen.

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The latest

Journalists Mike Keegan and Sami Mokbel write that City are exploring the possibility of signing Pogba ahead of his impending free agency.

Keegan said on Twitter it would be an ‘explosive’ move between the two local rivals.

The Frenchman features on Guardiola’s list of candidates as he looks to add another ‘versatile central midfielder’ to his ranks.

Pogba would at least ‘consider the option’ of making the move to The Etihad despite his current allegiance to United.

While clubs abroad have been able to negotiate with Pogba since January, City can’t table a formal offer until the end of the season.

The verdict

Is there a precedent for cross-Manchester moves? Perhaps the highest profile recent example is Carlos Tevez’s switch to City in 2009.

Tevez had spent two seasons on loan at United but turned down the offer of a permanent deal at Old Trafford and instead joined Mark Hughes’ side.

Pogba is already a divisive figure at the club, with some supporters booing him as he was substituted against Norwich City last month.

And he can expect an almighty, unanimous backlash if, after eight years and two spells at United, he agreed to play for City.

In other news, Manchester United have made contact with this Bundesliga star. 

Newcastle United are reportedly now eyeing up a move for Cameron Carter-Vickers in the summer.

The Lowdown: ‘Outstanding’ season

As Celtic legend John Hartson has put it, Carter-Vickers has had an ‘outstanding’ season at the Hoops on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

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He has been a number of options that Antonio Conte already has at his disposal in the centre of defence, he could well be moved on this summer.

The Latest: Newcastle lurking

As per SBI Soccer, a source close to Carter-Vickers has revealed that the St. James’ Park faithful have now joined the lost of teams looking to sign the United States international.

They were interested in him last summer, but the Celts beat them to his loan signing.

They have a buy option which with add-ons is worth a total of $12.3m (£10m), but Southampton and Fulham are also in the race with the Magpies for his signature.

The Verdict: Smart buy

At potentially just £10m, Carter-Vickers could well be a smart buy from the North East club, should they be able to sign him.

Once dubbed an ‘absolute beast’ by former Spurs teammate Jan Vertonghen when he was coming through their youth ranks, he is still only 24 years of age, and so has the potential to become one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League if he can continue the kind of improvement he’s shown this term.

He’s also a player that assistant coach Jason Tindall knows well from his time at AFC Bournemouth, and so is surely one that Eddie Howe could help get the best out of.

In other news, find out which ‘world-class’ magician NUFC are now eyeing here!

Everton are reportedly now eyeing up a move to sign Tom Lawrence on a free transfer in the summer.

The Lowdown: Lampard favourite

The 28-year-old is a player that Frank Lampard knows very well from his time in charge at Derby County.

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The winger did not miss a game in the Championship under the current Toffees manager when he was available, scoring seven goals and providing a further five assists in 39 matches across all competitions in the 2018/19 season (Transfermarkt).

Lawrence heaped praise on Lampard during the 43-year-old’s time at Pride Park, and it is clear that the two have a very good relationship.

The Latest: Everton interest in Lawrence

As per The Daily Mail, Everton are among a number of clubs who are interested in signing Lawrence for free this summer, given that he will be out of contract.

Leeds United, Fulham, Burnley, Norwich City, Watford and Anderlecht are also thought to be keen, amid question marks over whether he would want to play in League One given Derby’s relegation this year.

The Verdict: Smart signing

Given that he would be signing on a free transfer, and that Lampard knows him well, Lawrence would certainly be a smart signing by the Merseyside club.

Dubbed ‘magnificent’ by his current boss and former Everton player Wayne Rooney earlier this season after two goals in an impressive performance against promotion hopefuls Sheffield United, the Wales international managed 11 strikes and five assists in the Championship for the relegated Rams (Transfermarkt).

As their captain, Lawrence also possesses leadership qualities that would be useful in a dressing room which has also been under threat of relegation, and at 28 years of age, this summer presents the perfect time for Everton to snap him up.

In other news, Everton are now battling with Liverpool to sign this predator

Aston Villa sent club officials to watch Rangers defender Calvin Bassey on Saturday ahead of a possible summer move.

The Lowdown: Bassey linked with Villa

A left-back who can also turn out at centre-back, Bassey appears to be next on Steven Gerrard’s radar after the club secured a permanent move for Phillipe Coutinho earlier this month and also seem to be closing in on Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara.

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Reliable reporter John Percy recently stated that Villa are considering a move for the 22-year-old, who has starred at Ibrox this season. The Nigeria international made a whopping 50 appearances in all competitions in 2021/22 and caught the eye during the Europa League final defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in midweek.

The Latest: Villa staff watch Bassey

The Daily Record’s Scott Burns shared an update regarding Bassey and Villa late on Friday evening.

He stated that Villa would have officials in attendance at Hampden Park for the Scottish Cup final to watch Bassey in action, with Gerrard keen to sign the player that he brought to Scotland back in 2020.

The Verdict: They’ll have been impressed

Rangers put their Europa League heartbreak behind them to lift the Scottish Cup on Saturday, beating Hearts 2-0 after extra time.

Bassey once again impressed, earning a 9/10 match rating, with journalist Colin Duncan stating that the defender is ‘fast becoming’ the club’s ‘most important and influential player’.

You’d expect that Villa officials would have been impressed after ‘a monster of a performance’ from the versatile defender, so it wouldn’t come as a shock if NSWE got the chequebook out over the coming weeks.

In other news: ‘Excellent’ Aston Villa player set to leave as contact made over possible move

Thursday night saw Aston Villa take on Burnley in an eventful game which ended as a 1-1 stalemate.

Emi Buendia was the main character in this week’s storyline for the hosts, having been involved in both goals.

He was responsible for the penalty which was slotted home by Ashley Barnes on the stroke of half-time, after inviting the trickster that is Maxwell Cornet onto his dangled leg. The former Lyon ace quite literally chucked himself at the opportunity, although he didn’t have much choice as he was fouled.

However, the Argentine – whose resurgence has seen Philippe Coutinho’s minutes decrease as of late – saved his blushes by finding the net just three minutes after the interval to make the game all-square.

Despite dominating the ball, achieving 71% possession and generating 22 shots in the process, Gerrard’s side could not find the winning goal against a stubborn Burnley outfit.

In terms of xG though, it was Mike Jackson’s side who came out on top, with the Clarets’ 1.63 pipping Villa’s 1.48. This is down to the two big chances created from a team playing five-at-the-back and also demonstrates that they were able to play through the middle third of the pitch on multiple occasions, a pattern that Gerrard clearly identified.

His frustration was apparent with youngster Carney Chukwuemeka, who was handed a rare start – indeed, it was his first under Gerrard’s tenure. Unfortunately, the youngster fumbled his opportunity to impress, with the Villa boss clearly frustrated with the 18-year-old.

Consequently, the teenager was subbed off in the 57th minute, making way for Bertrand Traore. Whilst the youngster managed a pass completion percentage of 92%, completing 22 out of his 24 passes, this was the lowest pass total across the Villa midfield and third lowest total out of the Villa starting XI, just ahead of goalkeeper Martinez and striker Watkins.

With just 31 touches, Chukwuemeka registered fewer than Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope. He also had a poor game defensively, winning just three duels out of a possible eight, a success rate of just 37.5%.

It was a night to forget for the 18-year-old, and with the uncertainty surrounding his future at Villa, it remains to be seen as to whether he will start for Gerrard again.

In other news: Villa eye summer move for “exceptional” £50m brute, he’s their next Idrissa Gueye