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Journalist Graeme Bailey of 90min has a fresh update for Tottenham Hotspur supporters as their club and manager Antonio Conte re-join the race to sign Adama Traore.

The Lowdown: Spurs eye return?

Reports have suggested that a third attempt to sign Wolves’ star, who spent the second half of 2021/2022 on loan at Barcelona, may well be on the cards.

This comes after Spurs tried to bring in Traore on a temporary deal themselves before the Catalans swooped in.

Conte was eyeing a move for the Spaniard in a quick-fix to his right-wing-back issue, seeing Traore as a capable makeshift option and superior to both Matt Doherty and Emerson Royal at the time (The Athletic).

The Latest: Conte in the mix…

As now backed by 90min and transfer ‘insider’ Bailey, the Lilywhites and by extension Conte are back in the mix to sign him this summer alongside Leeds United and Newcastle United.

Despite Barca not taking up the option to sign him permanently, it is believed Traore is set to leave this summer as he enters the final year of his deal at Molineux.

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The Verdict: Make the move?

Failing to agree terms the first time, at least according to 90min, we believe a swoop should be considered once again but only if it can be wrapped up swiftly this time around.

Tottenham spent a large portion of January attempting to tie up the 26-year-old only to see Barca hijack a move in what was a very regrettable moment for club chiefs.

Lauded as a ‘world-beater’ when at his best, Traore has the quality to strengthen Spurs, with former manager Tim Sherwood once drawing attention to how ‘big’ and ‘powerful’ he is as a player.

Calciomercato also recently claimed that he ‘likes’ Tottenham, so given he’s allegedly open to joining Conte, perhaps a move may be easier this time round.

In other news: ‘Definitely’ – Alasdair Gold says ‘exciting’ Conte target is now eyeing a move to Tottenham! Find out more here.

Leeds United will now ‘go for’ a striker during the summer window, transfer insider Dean Jones has told GiveMeSport.

The lowdown

Jesse Marsch has already made his first signing as Whites manager, kicking off the club’s summer business with a £25m deal for Brenden Aaronson from RB Salzburg.

The 48-year-old already has the likes of Patrick Bamford, Joe Gelhardt and Daniel James available as centre-forward options, but he may be unsure whether he can depend on the former over the course of the season after injury restricted the 28-year-old to just nine Premier League appearances in 2021/22.

Gelhardt may have been deemed too inexperienced to lead the line at this stage, having only turned 20 earlier this month and made just 22 senior appearances for the club; while James might lack the required potency in front of goal, having netted only four times in 37 outings in the most recent campaign.

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The latest

Jones expects three more significant signings to follow Aaronson through the door at Elland Road over the summer, saying that one of those will undoubtedly be a centre-forward.

He told GiveMeSport: “I think, realistically, four good signings is probably what you could expect because of the way the market is going to be in terms of the value of people.

“They’re going to go for a striker, there’s no doubt about that.”

The verdict

Who could the new striker potentially be?

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has previously reported that the Whites would like to sign a Premier League marksman, and journalist Pete O’Rourke has suggested that Liverpool’s Takumi Minamino and Chelsea’s Armando Broja, who spent last season on loan at Southampton, are potential targets.

Marsch may potentially lean towards Minamino because, according to O’Rourke, the Leeds manager ‘knows all about him from his time at Salzburg’. Indeed, the current Anfield ace played 22 times under Marsch in Austria, helping himself to 20 goal contributions in that time.

That surely wouldn’t be a bad thing for Leeds given that the Japan international bagged another 10 goals this season for Liverpool, impressively averaging one for every 101 minutes of action.

In other news, Leeds are the ‘most interested’ club in this transfer battle

Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a boost in their bid to bring Romelu Lukaku to north London in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian publication Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness), who claim that Antonio Conte is now in an advantageous position in his pursuit of the Chelsea centre-forward, as Tottenham have the money to close a deal for the 29-year-old this summer – unlike Inter Milan.

The report goes on to state that, while the Belgium international is keen on the idea of a return to Serie A, Lukaku would also find it difficult to say no to sealing a reunion with the 52-year-old at Spurs.

Meanwhile, from the Blues’ point of view, it is believed that Thomas Tuchel would very much welcome the money received from the permanent sale of the striker – even if it meant selling Lukaku to a direct rival in the Premier League.

“Out of this world”

While it is true that, following his £97.5m move to Chelsea last summer, Lukaku did not enjoy the best campaign of his career in 2021/22 – scoring 15 goals over 44 appearances for the Blues in all competitions – considering just how effective the 29-year-old was for Conte at Inter, it is not difficult to see why the Italian would like to work with the forward once more at Tottenham.

Indeed, over his 95 fixtures under the 52-year-old at Inter, the £76.5m-rated talent bagged a quite astonishing 64 goals and provided his teammates with 17 assists – averaging a direct goal involvement every 96 minutes over the course of his two-year stay at the San Siro.

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The £350k-per-week forward most impressed over his 36 Serie A appearances in 2020/21, scoring 24 goals, registering 11 assists and creating ten big chances, as well as averaging a SofaScore match rating of 7.32 – ranking him not only as Conte’s best performer in the league but also as the joint 12th-best player in the division as a whole.

As such, should Conte believe that he can help the player who Luis Miguel Echegaray dubbed both “out of this world” and “ridiculous” refind this form at Tottenham, the centre-forward’s reported £85m asking price would appear well worth paying, as a peak-performing Lukaku would undoubtedly help to transform Spurs from a top-four contender to a title challenger under the 52-year-old next season.

AND in other news: “As of today…”: Romano reveals huge Spurs transfer twist, supporters will be gutted

Liverpool are willing to trigger Gavi’s €50million (£42.5m) release clause at Barcelona this summer, according to an exciting transfer report from Spain.

The Lowdown: Gavi’s future not yet decided

The 17-year-old is considered one of the most prodigiously gifted young players in world football, having been described as a ‘spectacular’ talent by Xavi.

Gavi is already featuring regularly for both Barcelona and Spain, registering six assists in 46 appearances for the former and winning nine caps for the latter.

The midfielder is yet to sign a new deal at Barca however and his current contract expires next summer, with Liverpool linked with a move in the recent past and Fabrizio Romano revealing on Friday there is still no agreement over a new deal just yet.

The Latest: Liverpool still keen on move

According to Spanish outlet Beteve, the Reds are still interested in signing Gavi this summer and are happy to pay his £42.5million release clause.

It is thought that his preference is still to remain a Barcelona player, but he is yet to be impressed with their contract offers and the Reds would be willing to give him €9m a year, which equates to about £147k-per-week.

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The Verdict: Feels unlikely

While the idea of seeing Liverpool sign Gavi is hugely exciting, it is a move that feels unlikely, given his ties to Barca and the loyalty he will likely show to his boyhood club.

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In Xavi, he has a legendary figure to learn from as manager and he and his representatives will surely feel that it is best for his development to stay put and mature at the Camp Nou.

It is great to see Liverpool even in the conversation for such a special talent, however, further highlighting the force Jurgen Klopp has turned them into.

In other news, one player is set for a Liverpool medical. Find out who it is here.

Leeds United are lining up a move for Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge, according to Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Phillips to Man City rumours

Manchester City have been heavily linked with a move for Kalvin Phillips and have reportedly firmed up their interest with an offer this week.

The Premier League champions view the boyhood Leeds fan as a replacement for Fernandinho and to provide competition to Rodri at the Etihad Stadium. Ian Abrahams believes that a move is edging closer, and it looks as if the Whites are now preparing for life without their star midfielder.

The Latest: Berge interest from Leeds

Writing in a column for GiveMeSport, Jones claimed that Berge is emerging as a Leeds target to replace Phillips.

The transfer insider stated that Victor Orta will have a good chance to sign the 24-year-old, should a pursuit receive the green light, with Sheffield United valuing Berge at £25m.

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The Verdict: Too expensive?

A valuation of £25m appears to be quite expensive when you take into consideration that Berge’s Transfermarkt valuation has never hit £20m.

The Norwegian has been labelled a ‘complete midfielder’ by former Blades boss Chris Wilder but he missed large parts of last season with a hamstring injury and played mainly as a box-to-box midfielder.

Berge does have 18 months experience of playing in the Premier League and is primarily a holding midfielder.

However, Orta may well get more value for money outside of England, having looked to do so already this summer with moves for Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen and prospective new arrival Marc Roca.

In other news: Leeds now want to sign £20m ‘game-changer’; Orta’s already made contact

Italian football journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has now revealed some significant Everton news involving Harry Winks and Richarlison.

The Lowdown: Swap deal?

The Goodison Park outfit have been strongly linked with a move for Tottenham midfielder Winks throughout the window so far, while Spurs have been linked with a move for Richarlison.

It begs the question as to whether the two Premier League clubs could potentially arrange a swap deal involving the two players, with Spurs giving some extra cash to sweeten it.

The Latest: Romano gives transfer update

Taking to Twitter, Romano has now shared an update on both players’ situations, claiming that a potential move for Richarlison ‘was discussed in talks’ between both clubs over Winks, as the latter ‘could’ be included in a swap deal.

The Italian journalist claimed: “Tottenham are still well informed on Richarlison – was discussed during talks for Harry Winks-Everton. Richarlison would be open to Spurs move #THFC. It also depends on Raphinha domino.

“Winks talks going slow, as he could be included in Richarlison talks or separated deal.”

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The Verdict: Depends on Tottenham offer…

Whether Everton should accept a swap deal involving Winks and Richarlison should depend on how much money Spurs are prepared to throw in along with the Englishman to bring in the Brazil international.

Winks is currently rated at £13.5m by Transfermarkt, while Richarlison is worth significantly more at £43.2m, so the north London club would surely have to stump up some extra cash to make a swap deal viable.

Moreover, the Brazilian would be very difficult to replace at Goodison Park given that he finished as the Toffees’ top scorer and highest-rated performer in the Premier League last season (WhoScored), so they could do with a significant amount of extra money from any potential Richarlison/Winks swap deal.

Having finally wrapped up the signing of Morocco international, Nayef Aguerd, West Ham United boss David Moyes is reportedly set to press on with further transfer business…

What’s the word?

According to the Evening Standard’s Giuseppe Muro, the Hammers are said to be targeting as many as six additional signings to that of the 26-year-old, centre-back, with Moyes set to be significantly backed ahead of a campaign that will see the club once again juggle domestic and European commitments.

While no potential targets or priority positions are mentioned in the report, the latest suggestion is that a new centre-forward is one area that needs addressing, with Chelsea youngster Armando Broja believed to be a current player of interest, following his impressive stint on loan at Southampton.

The Albania international’s former Saints teammate James Ward-Prowse is another name to have been linked with a move to the London Stadium, while Alphonse Areola could be set for a permanent stay after his recent temporary spell.

Supporters buzzing

Although it remains somewhat difficult to narrow down who the Irons’ actual targets are this summer, the fact that they appear set to recruit so extensively will be music to the ears of the club’s support, as Moyes’ men look to kick on again next term.

Having secured European qualification for the second season running last term, the former Manchester United boss will be acutely aware that his side will need to be strengthened, with resources having been stretched, particularly defensively, as a result of their remarkable run to the Europa League semi-finals last season.

That lack of potential squad depth has been hampered even further by the retirement of club captain Mark Noble, while fellow midfielder Alex Kral appears unlikely to see his loan move made permanent, having made just a single Premier League appearance in the 2021/22 campaign.

Equally, Croatia international Nikola Vlasic appears set for a swift departure after just a solitary campaign with the club, while veteran winger Andriy Yarmolenko is set for pastures new following the expiry of his contract, with full-back Ryan Fredericks set to follow him out the door.

Those departures – or potential exits – have left a number of holes to be plugged for Moyes and co this summer, while in attack the lack of genuine competition to Michail Antonio also remains a concern, with the club simply unable to rely on 32-year-old alone for another campaign.

To know that the Hammers are plotting to hopefully solve those issues, however, with a raft of new additions will no doubt be of great delight to the club’s supporters, with the arrival of the aforementioned Aguerd seemingly just the tip of the iceberg in the current window.

IN other news, Moyes plotting move for “special” £45m “baller”, he’d be a “superstar” for West Ham

West Ham United and manager David Moyes are ‘also’ set to bid for a ‘really, really exciting’ player, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Irons keep busy…

After signing both Nayef Aguerd from Rennes and sealing goalkeeper Alphonse Areola on a permanent deal from Paris-Saint Germain, it is reliably believed that the Irons will keep pushing in the transfer market.

As per Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth, West Ham are expected to be ‘very busy’ and Moyes wants at least six new signings in total before commencing the 2022/2023 Premier League season.

The east Londoners must strengthen to keep pace with England’s best sides and Moyes, it is claimed, now wants to bolster his attacking options first and foremost.

The Latest: West Ham ‘also’ set for ‘exciting’ player bid…

Club owners GSB and head of recruitment Rob Newman, according to reports, are set to make a move for Jesse Lingard.

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However, as per journalist Ryan Taylor of The Daily Express, a West Ham ‘bid’ for Chelsea striker Armando Broja, who Gary Neville called a ‘really, really exciting’ player, is ‘also on agenda’ for Moyes.

The Verdict: Push for deal?

The 20-year-old enjoyed a brilliant loan spell at Southampton over-all last season with Saints legend Francis Benali branding him ‘sensational’.

Standing at a colossal 6 foot 3, Broja, possesses a physicality tailor-made for top flight football and could prove to be a different outlet for West Ham in the attacking areas.

The Hammers have arguably been without a traditional ‘target man’ since club-record signing Sebastien Haller left Rush Green and we believe Albania’s international starlet could be an ideal, long overdue replacement.

West Ham United may be about to hatch a plan B in terms of midfield recruitment after seeing a bid for Lille’s Amadou Onana rejected. 

The lowdown

As per the Daily Mail, the Hammers offered the Ligue 1 side £20m for the defensive midfielder, but they were rebuffed. Lille, who finished 10th in the French top flight, are said to be adamant that the 20-year-old is not for sale this summer.

Les Dogues have already lost Sven Botman to Newcastle United in a £33.3m deal, while right-back Zeki Celik has been lured to Roma (via Transfermarkt).

Another midfielder in Renato Sanches could also be set to leave the club after agreeing terms with Paris Saint-Germain.

The latest

The Daily Mail’s Simon Jones reported that West Ham are ‘considering other midfield options’ after Lille dismissed the Irons’ offer for Onana.

It seems that, rather than testing the French club’s resolve with an improved fee, the Premier League outfit might instead turn their attention to a different target in that position.

The verdict

Who else might interest West Ham in terms of defensive midfield acquisitions?

It’s certainly an area that they need to address, with Alex Kral leaving the club following his season-long loan spell and Mark Noble hanging up his boots. Cover and competition for Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek is required.

They could look at a player who is stylistically similar and has Premier League experience in Brentford’s Vitaly Janelt. The German may not be quite as young as Onana, but at the age of 24, he is still only at the beginning of what should be his peak footballing years.

Valued at £12.6million by Transfermarkt, he might prove to be a more achievable acquisition.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been linked with a move for Portuguese midfielder Andre Almeida in recent weeks but the youngster’s disappointing form last season suggests he could be another Vitinha at Molineux.

Recent reports have claimed that the Old Gold are preparing a bid for the Vitoria Guimaraes midfielder, who would reportedly cost £9m, as Bruno Lage looks to add to his options in the middle of the park.

However, it is difficult to see what the 22-year-old would add at Molineux, as his performances in recent seasons have been less than impressive.

In the 2021/22 league campaign, Almeida made 31 appearances in the Portuguese top-flight, contributing no goals or assists and averaging a poor 6.63 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

He also averaged just 24.3 passes per game last season, whereas both Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho were closer to 60 passes per fixture in the Premier League, so it is difficult to see what qualities he would offer Wolves as a central midfielder.

Almeida might have a lot of potential, but he has no experience of the Premier League and struggled in Portugal last season, so it would be a surprise if he was a success in a more physical and competitive league.

His signing would perhaps be reminiscent of the deal that saw Vitinha join Wolves on loan from Porto in 2020, with the youngster going to make just 19 appearances for the Old Gold, the majority of which came from the bench.

He would average a shocking 6.23 rating from WhoScored for his performances, while Nuno Espirito Santo suggested he perhaps wasn’t ready for the Premier League, so it was definitely a failed signing.

While he has subsequently gone on to star for Porto and earn himself a move to PSG this summer, Almeida’s lack of goals and assists for Vitoria Guimaraes suggests that he will not follow the same trajectory.

If Wolves are to rectify their shocking form from the end of last season and propel themselves up the Premier League table next season, then Lage arguably needs to be aiming much higher with his new signings.

AND in other news: Lage must seal Wolves swoop for £18m machine who’s “exploding”, imagine him & Neves