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Nottingham Forest have seemingly been given the green light in their hopes of signing Rangers’ midfield maestro Joe Aribo.

What’s the word?

That is according to a report from Rangers Review journalist Joshua Barrie, who took to Twitter to issue an update on the Scottish club’s contract stance regarding the Nigerian midfielder.

Barrie stated: “Regarding Joe Aribo I’m told that Rangers are relaxed about his contract situation. There is interest from the Premier League, but I understand the club remain confident they can make a significant profit for Aribo in this window. In keeping with the player trading model.”

As per a report from All Nigeria Soccer, Forest are highly interested in the 25-year-old, along with Premier League rivals Crystal Palace and Fulham.

Zinckernagel upgrade

With Philip Zinckernagel’s loan now expired and no way of getting him back amidst his upcoming transfer to Olympiakos, there is a gaping hole in the attacking midfield position of which Forest manager Steve Cooper will be all too aware.

The Danish midfielder was on loan from Watford last season and became a key player for the Reds in a central attacking role behind two forwards.

Making 45 league appearances for the Tricky Trees, the 27-year-old chipped in with 13 attacking returns in the form of six goals and seven assists, so Cooper will require a reliable, consistent attacking threat to carry out this role, this time in the Premier League. This is where the £9m-rated Aribo comes in.

The Nigeria international found his goalscoring touch in Rangers’ title-winning and record-breaking season under Steven Gerrard in 2020/21, netting seven times in the league that term.

Functioning in the same role as Zinckernagel for Forest last season, Aribo continued his run of returns and ended the Scottish Premiership campaign with eight goals and six assists, a better return than what the Dane managed at the City Ground.

As a scorer in the Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt, he has demonstrated his ability to thrive on the big stage, and he would represent an astute and affordable upgrade on the departing Zinckernagel.

With Rangers potentially open to selling the 25-year-old, Cooper should get this deal done pronto.

In other news – “Negotiations…”: Romano drops huge Forest transfer update that’ll excite supporters 

Tottenham Hotspur could reportedly have been handed a boost in their hopes of signing Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans…

What’s the word?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook has revealed that Spurs remain in the mix to sign the Belgian, with arch-rivals Arsenal having seen their position weaken due to their top-four failure.

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Amid reports that the 25-year-old could be on his way to the Emirates Stadium, the transfer insider has revealed that, while the Gunners remain in pole position, that lack of Champions League football could come back to bite them.

Crook said: “I think Tottenham are lurking in the background as well, and I think even Leicester are willing to offer him a new contract to keep him there. So, maybe Arsenal isn’t as attractive a proposition as it was, but he was definitely in the building in January, his agent was anyway, holding talks.

“I would still make them the frontrunners, but their position has definitely been weakened by the fact that they’re not in the Champions League.”

That could put Antonio Conte and co firmly back in the race for the 51-cap international’s signature, having been linked with the playmaker in recent weeks, with any deal reportedly set to cost in the region of £25m.

“One of the best”

With just one year remaining on his current Leicester contract, it could prove to be a vital summer for the former Monaco man, with clubs unsurprisingly lining up to try and land “arguably one of the best midfielders in the Premier League”, as he has been dubbed by Emile Heskey.

Tielemans’ statistics would seemingly corroborate that claim, as even amid an up-and-down campaign for the Foxes as a whole, the £49.5m-rated man still chipped in with six goals and four assists in 32 Premier League appearances, an impressive return for a player who largely operates in a deeper midfield role.

That quality in the final third and with the ball at his feet (he also ranks in the top 12% for progressive passes for those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues) is coupled with a dogged defensive ability, with the £120k-per-week machine also averaging 2.3 tackles and 1.1 clearances per game in the top flight last term.

A silky, composed player in possession, the “special” talent – as he has been described by occasional Sky Sports analyst Statman Dave – would seemingly be able to slot straight in to Conte’s midfield, offering additional competition to a squad which is already set to be bolstered by the impending arrival of Brighton’s Yves Bissouma.

Such quality, Premier League-ready additions could help fire the Lilywhites back into contention for big prizes, both domestically and in Europe, with it hard to turn down such an immense signing for what would likely be a relative bargain price.

IN other news, Paratici has “genuine interest” in sealing “magic” £47m Spurs deal, he’s Robben 2.0

Nottingham Forest will be looking to strengthen their team this summer as they take on their first season back in the Premier League for 23 years, and now a new potential transfer target has emerged.

What’s the latest?

According to Nottinghamshire Live, Steve Cooper and his recruitment team are interested in signing Neco Williams this summer.

As per the report, Brennan Johnson’s Wales teammate is someone the club is looking at signing as an alternative to their former loan player Djed Spence.

It comes as The Express journalist Ryan Taylor claims Tottenham Hotspur “will offer £20m” to Middlesbrough for Spence.

Williams can replace Spence

Cooper will surely be disappointed that it is now looking unlikely that he will be able to complete a deal for the Middlesbrough right-back to remain at The City Ground upon promotion to the Premier League, however, the manager is clearly not waiting around to find the right replacement.

Spence who was hailed “swashbuckling” by Ian Wright had teased Forest supporters following their win in the play-off finals saying he would “hopefully” make a permanent move, however, Spurs are now looking close to hijacking that opportunity.

However, not all is lost as there is a great opportunity to permanently sign a right-back that can be the perfect replacement for Spence, as Neco Williams has been phenomenal during his short spell in the Championship with fellow Premier League promoted side Fulham.

The £15m dynamo who was hailed “majestic” by Wales Online journalist Paul Abbandonato, joined the West London outfit on loan from Liverpool for six months in January, and made 14 impressive performances for the side.

Williams scored two goals, delivered two assists and created two big chances showing that like Spence, he can be a swashbuckling presence on the right. He also made 2.6 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 1.6 clearances on average per game, as well as winning the majority of his duels combined (53%) and was successful in completing the majority of his dribbles too (51%).

The attacking-minded Welsh youngster has proved he has a lot to offer in both defensive and offensive play which could be really valuable to Cooper next season as he takes on the challenge to maintain Forest’s top-flight status further from their initial return.

With that being said, if Forest can reach a deal to sign Williams this summer it would be a coup in their efforts to build their Premier League competing squad and move away from relying on loan deals by permanently signing players who can become part of the new chapter for the club.

AND in other news: Forest now “leading the race” to sign “remarkable” 6ft2 monster, he’s a Davis upgrade

A big claim has emerged on Leeds United and their efforts to keep Raphinha at Elland Road during the upcoming summer transfer window. 

What’s the talk?

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Whites are putting up a fight to ward off interest from Spanish giants Barcelona.

He tweeted:

“Not less than €55m, no payments in many years/installments. Leeds have not changed their conditions for Raphinha’s transfer. #LUFC Barcelona are in advanced talks with the player since February, but talks with Leeds are definitely not easy.”

Jesse Marsch will be buzzing

Leeds head coach Jesse March will surely be buzzing with this claim for multiple reasons.

Firstly, it proves that Victor Orta is not going to be a pushover when it comes to selling the club’s best players during the window. The Leeds chief will not allow Barcelona to walk over them and snap Raphinha up for a fee that does not represent a worthwhile deal.

Retaining their Premier League status on the final day of the 2021/22 campaign means that they are under no financial pressure to sell. It may have been a different story if the club were dropping down to the Championship and needed to cash in on assets to maintain their finances but that is not the case.

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Marsch will be feeling relieved knowing that Orta will not be selling Raphinha, or any of his other players, in cut-price deals that will limit the money he can spend on their potential replacements.

He will also be buzzing as this stance seemingly increases the club’s chances of keeping hold of Raphinha. The Brazilian is a significant player for the Lillywhites and retaining his services would be a huge boost for the head coach.

In the Premier League, the winger produced 11 goals and three assists in 35 appearances as he dragged the team to safety with his silky skills and composed finishes. This came after he managed six goals and nine assists in his debut campaign in England, showing that he has the quality to both score and assist goals in the top-flight.

Therefore, Marsch will be delighted by the prospect of keeping him as he has the potential to be a huge player for the club again next term. He is a proven performer in the division and can be a match-winner with his quality in the final third, as shown by his impressive statistics.

AND in other news, Orta can seal “outstanding” Raphinha replacement with Leeds bid for £72k-p/w “machine”…

West Ham United manager David Moyes has set his sights on a potential ‘huge’ signing for the club, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Big summer ahead…

The 2022 summer transfer window officially swings open tomorrow and it’s safe to say this could be West Ham’s biggest one in years.

Having just missed out on a place in the Premier League top six last season to Manchester United, Moyes had to settle for a place in the Europa Conference League with there being no prospect of a dream Europa League journey next campaign.

The Hammers went on an unprecedented run to the semi-finals over 2021/2022, eventually falling to Eintracht Frankfurt, and supporters will be hoping they can build upon that with a memorable domestic campaign over 22/23.

West Ham will need reinforcements to compete with England’s elite, though, with 90min reporter Toby Cudworth now sharing news on a familiar face targeted personally by Moyes.

The Latest: Moyes eyeing Lingard move…

As per the journalist (via Twitter), West Ham are still eyeing a Bosman move for Jesse Lingard with the 29-year-old now confirmed to be leaving Manchester United upon the expiry of his contract.

Cudworth explained that ‘Moyes loves him’ and their interest in sealing a return for the Englishman is ‘unchanged’.

The Verdict: Get it done?

Lingard shone on a temporary spell at the London Stadium over 2020/2021, scoring nine goals and assisting four others in 16 top flight starts under Moyes.

He also received praise from members of the West Ham squad during his time at Rush Green and it’s safe to say he took to Claret and Blue like a duck to water.

Fitting in seamlessly for Moyes, re-signing the attacker permanently for zero transfer cost comes a s a real no-brainer, especially given members of the media have called Lingard a potential ‘huge’ signing for West Ham (Paul Robinson, Football Insider).

In other news: West Ham officials dispatched as GSB eye ‘superstar’ signing for Moyes! Find out more here.

Aston Villa are closing in on the permanent signing of goalkeeper Robin Olsen, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

What’s the word?

As per the transfer insider, the Midlands outfit appear keen to exercise the buy option in the Swede’s loan deal, with the 32-year-old having joined the club on a temporary switch from Serie A side AS Roma back in January.

Writing on Twitter about the situation regarding the 56-cap international, Romano revealed that an agreement is close: “Aston Villa are getting closer to find full agreement with AS Roma on Robin Olsen deal. Buy option clause for €3.5m expected to be triggered soon, as Aston Villa want to keep Olsen at the club. Talks in progress, the deal could be completed soon.”

The £1.8m-rated giant had spent the first half of the 2021/22 season on loan at Championship outfit Sheffield United, prior to moving to Villa Park, having also played the role of understudy to Jordan Pickford at Everton the year prior.

Supporters delighted

It may not prove to be quite as exciting as the club’s other summer business – having already snapped up Boubacar Kamara, Diego Carlos and Philippe Coutinho – yet supporters will no doubt be delighted to see the proactive attitude to Steven Gerrard’s squad rebuild, with the former Rangers boss seemingly wanting to get his transfer dealings done swiftly.

With further additions also in the pipeline, amid links to soon-to-be free agent Luis Suarez, the former England skipper appears to be receiving substantial backing in order to put his stamp on the squad, with expectations for next term now likely to have sky-rocketed.

As for Olsen, there may not be too many fireworks over a player who was technically already at the club and had made just a solitary Premier League appearance during his six-month loan stint, although he will no doubt provide quality cover to undisputed first-choice, Emi Martinez.

The 6 foot 5 stopper’s solitary top-flight outing came in that remarkable final-day defeat to eventual champions Manchester City at the Etihad, with the visitors squandering a two-goal to help hand Pep Guardiola’s men the title.

The one-time Malmo man had hardly been culpable for any of City’s excellently crafted goals – nor did he deserve to be on the receiving of an awful, post-match assault from a home supporter – with Villa’s problems this term having largely been among the defence, rather than between the sticks – shipping 54 goals in the most recent campaign.

A veteran at international level, Olsen also provides valuable experience to a dressing room that is beginning to overflow with top-class talent, with his presence in the dressing room potentially set to prove vital next term.

As for supporters, they will likely be glad to see the deal wrapped up quickly, so that the club can prioritise other areas of need.

IN other news, Gerrard can land AVFC’s next Southgate with move for “outstanding” £120k-p/w warrior

Sunderland winger Patrick Roberts faces uncertainty over his future at the Stadium of Light, with his current deal set to expire in the summer.

What’s the word?

As per a report from Chronicle Live, Roberts remains coy over his future and is uncertain of where his career will take him next.

After Sunderland secured promotion in a 2-0 win over Wycombe on Saturday, Roberts insisted that he would just enjoy the moment, with the short term contract that he signed in January nearing its expiration.

Asked what was next, the 25-year-old said: “I’ve no idea to be honest, that’s for the next few weeks.

“I’ll just enjoy tonight and do whatever I can see what happens. We’ll have a few drinks and a lot of partying. You’ve got to enjoy these moments. I think Sunderland fans will enjoy theirs more.”

“I’ve only been here six months but you can see since the manager has came in, all the players have come in and the ones that are here, it means a lot. At the start of the season we had a rocky period with everything going on, we’ve steadied ourselves, got the wins and results and we can enjoy tonight and the summer.”

Neil must keep Roberts

Having scored the vital goal in the second-leg of the League One play-off semi-final, and having performed as a big threat against Wycombe on Saturday, Roberts has been first-class for Sunderland and has acted as the cherry on top for a well-versed Black Cats side who all seem to be on the same page.

Since his switch to Sunderland in January, the former Manchester City prospect has created 15 chances at a rate of 2.2 chances per game, with two of these being big chances.

Having featured 17 times for Neil’s side since January, Roberts has been a first-team regular and a key part of their promotion push which has now landed them Championship football for next season.

For a player who still has a lot more to give and possesses skills akin to technical excellence, Neil should not be messing around with a player who was deemed “one of the hottest talents in England” at the age of 17, and should consequently offer the 25-year-old a new deal.

In other news: Neil already heading for big summer disaster on SAFC’s star talent “who truly gets it” 

Liverpool will offer Sadio Mane a new contract this summer but he won’t be offered extortionate wages, according to a fresh update on the situation.

The Lowdown: Mane saga goes on

While Mohamed Salah’s future is dominating a lot of the headlines at the moment, there is also constant speculation surrounding Mane’s.

The Senegalese sensation is out of contract at Liverpool at the end of next season, and as of yet, his representatives and the club haven’t reached an agreement over an extension.

Now, another key update has surfaced regarding Mane’s next chapter.

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The Latest: Offer incoming

According to Football Insider, a Liverpool source has informed them that a fresh contract offer will come Mane’s way at the end of the season.

It is stated that FSG won’t ‘break the bank’ to keep hold of the Senegal superstar, however, which has the potential to be a stumbling block if another club offers more.

The Verdict: Simply have to keep him

Assuming Mane wants to stay at Liverpool, giving him a new deal is an absolute no-brainer this summer, with the attacker hailed as ‘world-class’ by Jurgen Klopp.

He has scored 15 Premier League goals in 31 starts this season and is already flourishing in the new central role he has taken up since Luis Diaz arrived.

It would be a massive blow to lose Mane at this point in his career, with the Reds legend more than capable of remaining at the very top for several more years, with the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema still at their peak in their mid-30s.

In other news, Liverpool have been linked with a move for a big-name player. Find out who it is 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

Burnley defender James Tarkowski is thought to be bound for Newcastle United this summer, The Daily Mirror’s James Nursey reports. 

The lowdown

The centre-back’s Burnley contract is due to expire at the end of the 2021/22 season.

And The Athletic recently reported that he definitively ‘will leave’, having ‘made his intentions clear’ to the club hierarchy.

Newcastle did sign a centre-half in January in the form of Brighton’s Dan Burn, who cost £13million.

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The latest

Nursey tweeted on Friday lunchtime that West Ham United have chosen to ‘end their interest in free agent’ Tarkowski because ‘they expect him to go to Newcastle’.

In the attached story, he explains that West Ham are ‘long-term admirers’ of the Englishman, but that Eddie Howe is ‘desperate’ to land a new centre-back this summer.

The Irons have now decided to move onto other targets, with Tarkowski set to secure a significant boost to his £50,000-per-week salary when he joins Newcastle.

The verdict

This looks like intelligent business from Newcastle.

Tarkowski is a £19.8million-rated asset with 192 games of Premier League experience and two caps for England, and they’re seemingly getting him on a free transfer.

He’s regarded as a ‘top player’ by his former team-mate Paul Robinson and ex-manager Sean Dyche.

And he’s simply a monster when it comes to aerial duels, winning 4.4 per game (70%) compared to 3.3 (66%) for 6 foot 7 defender Burn.

Indeed, according to WhoScored, only two players in the league – Ivan Toney and Ethan Pinnock – have won more per 90 this season.

Howe reportedly has a budget of less than £90million at his disposal for the summer window, and this deal will allow him to tick an important box without eating into it.

In other news, this man is now ‘set to leave’ SJP in the summer.