Transfer insider Dean Jones has shed some light on the multiple planned transfer swoops from West Ham United this summer. 

The lowdown: Reinforcements wanted

The Hammers have been pulling up trees domestically and in Europe during David Moyes’ second spell at the helm in east London, finishing inside the top seven of the top-flight in consecutive campaigns for the first time in the Premier League era.

Despite the successes, there has been a reluctance from the London Stadium hierarchy to spend lavishly, highlighted by the failure to land a replacement for Sebastien Haller after the Ivorian left for Ajax in January 2021.

However, following reports claiming that GSB were willing to shell out £100m on a sensational triple swoop for Armando Broja, Gianlucca Scamacca and Amadou Onana, in addition to the possible signing of free agent Jesse Lingard, an expert in the market has had his say on the potential transfers…

The latest: ‘Big few days’

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones has claimed that West Ham are about to get busy as they attempt to bolster their squad ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

He said: “It’s true they are progressing various deals at the moment and just waiting for one to show signs of a breakthrough.

“Onana is looking good, there’s promise over Scamacca, Broja is still up in the air, and they are waiting for Lingard to make his announcement. It’s a big few days ahead.”

The verdict: High-profile moves

While all four aforementioned transfers would certainly set tongues wagging and provide additional options for Moyes, the deal for Gianluca Scamacca is the one which may appeal most of all to the Scot.

The 23-year-old Italy international scored 16 Serie A goals last season and has been dubbed ‘a bit Zlatan-ish’ by sports journalist Maxi Angelo due to his towering 6 foot 5 frame and strong aerial ability (WhoScored).

Not only a dominant target man, Scamacca shares similar stylistic traits with a variety of strikers such as Jamie Vardy, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and former Irons forward Marko Arnautovic (FBRef), which indicates his excellent all-round ability to accompany a towering presence.

Valued at £27m and under contract until 2026 (Transfermarkt), Sassuolo are likely to hold out for a significant fee for their prized asset, but it’s one that GSB and Rob Newman should be doing everything in their power to meet.

Manchester City waved goodbye to a club legend last summer as Sergio Aguero brought an end to his 10 years at the Etihad Stadium.

Arriving from Atletico Madrid in 2011 after signing a deal worth £38m, the striker went on to score 259 goals in 388 appearances across all competitions for the reigning Premier League champions.

Having left the Manchester club with an astonishing goal record and a significant legacy, it would be hard for anyone to try and replicate the sort of impact that Aguero had at City and in English football in general.

Despite having already brought in Erling Haaland, the summer transfer window could see Pep Guardiola’s side swoop for someone who could be their next version of Aguero.

Last month, it was claimed by journalist Bruno Andrade on Twitter that the City manager wants to bring Joao Felix to the Etihad this summer.

Having started his career in his native Portugal, the attacker joined Atletico from Benfica three years ago this week for a fee of £113m.

This is a similar career path to that of Aguero, who joined the Spanish club from his boyhood side Independiente back in 2006.

In 109 appearances for Diego Simeone’s team, Felix has found the net 28 times and provided 15 assists along the way. In his 82 La Liga appearances, the 22-year-old – who is currently picking up a wage of £154k-per-week – has racked up 139 shots at goal, 140 shot-creating actions and 80 successful dribbles.

This highlights the clear attacking talent that he has and shows why he would be a useful asset for City should they end up securing his signature this summer.

Labelled as being “at the point where he can be one of the best players in the Atletico squad”, according to Felix’s youth coach Joao Tralhao, the Portugal international could go on to become an ideal next version of Aguero at the Etihad if he can find himself playing regularly and delivering goals and assists for the team.

If City see an opportunity to sign the attacker from Atletico this summer, then they should definitely do all they can to bring him to Manchester.

Then, if he can have even half the success that the Argentine enjoyed during his time in England, it would be a very lucrative swoop for Guardiola’s side.

AND in other news: Pep can land dream Sterling heir as City eye move for “phenomenal” £58.5m-rated wizard

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

Crystal Palace look to be closing in on Swansea’s young midfielder Flynn Downes.

What’s the word?

That’s according to Football.London, who notes that Patrick Vieira seems to have beaten out the competition to secure his signature.

Both Wolves and Southampton are referenced as potential suitors, but Palace was the only option.

They had tried to sign him back when he played for Ipswich, noting their long-time interest in the player. Swansea are reportedly demanding £12m for the player.

Vieira will love him

Vieira appears to be crafting quite the versatile midfield, having already secured the signing of Cheick Doucoure, and constantly linked to several other midfielders all with different profiles.

However, with Downes, he is guaranteed a workmanlike midfielder who can graft alongside another of his new signings.

One benefit to signing this Swansea youngster is his reliability, as he featured in 37 Championship games last season. Despite being more of a ball-winning midfielder, he still managed to chip in with a goal and two assists.

This led to his solid SofaScore rating of 6.83, which given the context of his long season and Swansea’s sub-par 15th placed finish, is not bad at all.

Both fans and manager alike have been quick to praise his intelligence and hard work, with Russell Martin claiming: “Flynn was incredible, it’s difficult to single people out, but he does the dirty work perfectly well”, after a man of the match display early in the season.

This dirty work and his overall play is best exemplified in his defensive actions, where he averages 1.3 tackles, 1.1 interceptions and 1.1 clearances per game.

Downes is everywhere on the pitch, and in his quest to cover every blade of grass he loves to get stuck into opposition attackers.

With him, Vieira can further bolster his options as the new Premier League season draws near.

After what was a surprisingly impressive season last year, the French boss will want to continue moving forward, and signing young hungry Championship talent is a move proven to work for this club.

He will love it if they can tie down the midfielder and have a repeat of their previous successes.

AND, in other news: Vieira can unearth his next Gallagher as Palace plot bid for “sensational” £20m talent.

Everton have only managed to make one signing so far this summer, with James Tarkowski joining the Goodison Park outfit – meaning there is still a lot of work to be done for Frank Lampard to turn around the Toffees’ present situation.

The former Chelsea boss took over as manager at the Merseyside club back in January and managed – by the skin of his teeth – to secure survival in the Premier League in the penultimate game of the season. And, the summer transfer window is the perfect opportunity to strengthen his team ahead of their return to top-flight action next month.

Everton’s desperation for quality players who can make an instant positive impact on the team has heightened considerably since the departure of Brazilian winger Richarlison last week, with the player making a move to Tottenham Hotspur.

As a result, not only will Lampard need to strengthen his current squad but now has a gaping hole to fill in order to replace Richarlison’s output in the team – with the added challenge of doing so on a tight budget due to ongoing financial troubles at the club.

One player who has been linked with a move to the Blues is Nottingham Forest youngster Brennan Johnson, who last season played a huge part in helping his team secure promotion back into the Premier League for the first time in 23 years.

Johnson has played various roles in the attacking third with the player occupying left-wing, right-wing, attacking midfield and second striker positions throughout last season. However, despite moving around a lot in terms of positioning, this didn’t stop him proving how much of a valuable asset he can be.

The 21-year-old who was hailed a “superstar” by Wales boss Rob Page scored 16 goals, delivered 10 assists and created 15 big chances, as well as making an average of 1.3 key passes and winning 3.5 duels on average per game and successfully completing the majority of his dribble attempts over 46 Championship appearances last season.

As a result of his impact on Nottingham Forest’s play-off victory, the £13.5m-rated gem was also named Championship Young Player of the Year, proving that has been a standout performer not only for his club but in the league in general.

There is nothing Lampard thrives in more as a manager than developing youth, with the Toffees boss having a hand in the development of Reece James, Armando Broja, Mason Mount and many more during his time at Chelsea, so Johnson would be in a great position to fulfil his potential under the manager’s watchful eye.

With that being said, the signing of Johnson could be a major coup for Everton this summer if they could convince Forest to sell their prized asset, as he could be the perfect Richarlison heir to get the team back to where they belong climbing up the Premier League table next season.

AND in other news: Alan Myers delivers seven-word Everton transfer claim that’ll leave supporters excited

Aston Villa are plotting a bid for Espanyol centre-forward Raul de Tomas.

What’s the word?

That’s according a report from Spain (via TheHardTackle), who claim that Villa are one of four Premier League teams vying for the Spaniard’s signature this summer.

Espanyol are willing to listen to offers for their star man in a bid to gather funds for the manager to spend. The club are hoping for a fee in the region of €35m (£30m).

Other than Steven Gerrard’s side, Everton, West Ham United and Newcastle United are all linked with a move.

 Could spell the end of Danny Ings

Aston Villa have been somewhat cursed over the past couple of years with strikers, as none have managed to set the world alight despite their performances prior to joining.

Perhaps Gerrard could finally get it right with this unflappable Spaniard with an eye for goal, entering the prime of his career.

Last season the 27-year-old notched up 17 league goals as Espanyol faltered to a 14th-place finish. His performances for a lacklustre side have allowed him to become the standout candidate for an upgrade, and he could provide the perfect marriage with Villa.

However, the forward does not bring just goals. The 5-foot-9 striker’s link-up play is also phenomenal, whilst he possesses an incredible desire to do the dirty work. Perhaps this combination is what led to James Dodd labelling the attacker “emphatic”.

De Tomas sits in the 99th percentile for pass completion rate per 90 amongst strikers in Europe’s big five leagues, while he is also in the 94th percentile for clearances over the past 12 months. His passing is close to perfect, but he obviously can provide a fluidity that could work well with Villa’s many attacking options.

It should come as no surprise therefore to see his average SofaScore rating at an impressive 7.09, outlining him as Espanyol’s best performer of those who played over three matches last season.

His introduction could spell the end for Danny Ings, who was only recruited last summer for £25m. Just seven league goals last year was wholly disappointing for a man who clearly has such an eye for goal, and it could suggest the decline of his poacher’s instinct.

He recently admitted that his debut season for the Villains had been “underwhelming” and perhaps now is the best time for Gerrard to cash in on the forward and replace him with a wildcard in De Tomas who could light up the Premier League.

AND in other news: Reliable journo now reveals huge transfer development, Villa supporters will be gutted

Liverpool have ‘enquired’ about Ajax forward Antony ahead of a potential summer move, according to a fresh transfer rumour on Tuesday morning.

The Lowdown: Antony to leave Ajax?

The Brazilian has become a star player for the Eredivisie champions, registering 42 goal involvements (22 goals and 20 assists) in 78 appearances overall.

Antony has been linked with a move to Liverpool in the recent past but rivals Manchester United have also been tipped to snap him up, with the player of course holding a good relationship with Erik ten Hag.

Now, a new update suggests the Reds’ interest isn’t going away.

The Latest: Liverpool approach

According to Football Insider, Liverpool have ‘made contact’ with Ajax regarding the signing of Antony as they eye up a ‘potential deal’.

It is stated that the Dutch giants value the 22-year-old at £59million however, with the Reds currently unwilling to pay that amount.

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The Verdict: Is he needed?

While Antony is unquestionably an exciting young footballer – Paul Robinson has called him a ‘top player’ – it is hard to see how Liverpool can pay so much for someone they can’t guarantee regular playing time to.

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Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez will arguably make up the Reds’ strongest new-look front-three next season, while Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino are also key figures in their own right.

Antony would likely have to bide his time in order to earn minutes, so moving to United, where there are fewer world-class attacking options, still feels more likely.

Derek Rae has dropped an update on reported Glasgow Rangers transfer target Malik Tillman.

What’s the talk?

In a number of recent posts on Twitter, the ESPN journalist revealed that, following reports linking Rangers with a move for the Bayern Munich attacking midfielder this summer, they would be willing to loan the 20-year-old out ahead of the 2022/23 campaign – something that would appear to open the door for both Ross Wilson and Giovanni van Bronckhorst to launch an offensive for the USA international.

In his tweets, Rae said: “Have had so many questions about Rangers’ interest in Bayern’s Malik Tillman, who is now committed to the USMNT rather than Germany. Reporting on this interest has so far all come from colleagues in Scotland. Nothing new from Germany.

“What we can say is that Bayern don’t feel Tillman is someone who is going to challenge for regular first-team football at the moment & a loan has been a strong possibility for a while.”

Supporters will be buzzing

Considering just how exciting a prospect Tillman undoubtedly is, Rae’s update suggesting that Bayern would be willing to allow the forward to leave the Allianz Arena on a temporary basis this summer is sure to have left Van Bronckhorst and his Rangers transfer team buzzing.

Indeed, the £1.35m-rated prospect has highly impressed throughout the various age groups in Bayern’s youth setup, scoring 15 goals and providing 10 assists over 42 appearances for the U17s, bagging 17 goals and registering 11 assists over 36 outings for the U19s and netting seven goals and providing four assists over 24 fixtures for Bayern Munich II.

These returns have seen the £5k-per-week starlet fast-tracked into Julian Nagelsmann’s first-team squad, with the 20-year-old making seven appearances for the senior side in 2021/22 – scoring one goal in the process.

Furthermore, those in the know quite clearly expect big things from Tillman in the not too distant future, with the USMNT head coach, Gregg Berhalter, stating in an interview with The Athletic of the attacking midfielder – who scored three goals in four appearances for Germany’s U21s prior to making the switch to America – earlier this year:

“I think he’s an attacking midfielder in a 3-4-2-1, he could be a pocket winger in a 4-3-3, could be a centre mid in a 4-3-3, depending on if he can get his defensive work up to it. But he’s really talented between the lines, really natural with scoring goals, good and calm around the penalty box. Good technique, good with both feet, so a really interesting player.”

As such, it is clear to see that, should Wilson and Van Bronckhorst manage to get a deal over the line for the versatile forward this summer, Rangers will have a real talent on their hands heading into their 2022/23 campaign – something that is sure to be an incredibly exciting prospect for both the Ibrox faithful and the Dutch manager alike.

AND in other news: Rangers keen on “strong” £2.5k-p/w gem with a “high ceiling”, he’s a Jack upgrade

Crystal Palace have been heavily linked with Wolves midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White in recent weeks and it now seems as if the Eagles have made him their top priority.

What’s the word?

After a superb loan spell at Sheffield United last season, which saw him named the Blades’ player of the season as they reached the playoffs, the likes of Palace, Everton and Nottingham Forest have all been linked with a permanent move for the 22-year-old.

In a recent interview with GIVEMESPORT, talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook shared the latest on the transfer saga.

He said: “There’s lots of clubs in for him as far afield as AC Milan.

“Palace, having missed out on Flynn Downes, have made him their priority target.

“Wolves are looking for £20m. I think he’ll probably leave.”

Supporters will be buzzing

Previous reports have suggested that Palace were in pole position to sign Gibbs-White and supporters will surely be delighted to hear that the exciting young midfielder is now the club’s top priority.

There is certainly a big gap in Patrick Vieira’s side to be filled, unless Connor Gallagher can be convinced to return to Selhurst Park next season, but Gibbs-White’s performances last season certainly suggest that he has the quality to be the top player for the Eagles.

The Wolves man would contribute 12 goals and ten assists for the Blades in 37 appearances, averaging a superb 7.14 rating from WhoScored for his performances, which led journalist Alex Barker to describe his season as “unreal” on Twitter.

While the 22-year-old has never really set the world alight in his time with Wolves, regular football last season emphasised just what he is capable of, and he could add some real quality to Vieira’s midfield next season.

As Gallagher was Palace’s second top-scorer last season, the Eagles will need to replace his goals from midfield, and Gibbs-White could be the ideal candidate, as WhoScored suggests that finishing is one of his many strengths.

He can also offer creativity, with his through balls, dribbling and ability to play key passes, so this would be an exciting signing for Palace and supporters will surely be delighted to hear that they are pushing ahead in their attempts to sign him.

AND, in other news: Parish readies Crystal Palace bid for £10.1m wonderkid, it could be bye-bye Zaha

Nottingham Forest are willing to battle Everton for the signing of Wolfsburg youngster Aster Vranckx this summer, according to a fresh transfer claim.

The Lowdown: Vranckx impresses for Wolfsburg

The 19-year-old burst onto the scene in Germany last season, making an impressive 24 appearances in the Bundesliga, scoring twice in the competition.

Vranckx has been watched by both Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola in the past, which highlights the reputation he has as an exciting young prospect.

The midfielder still isn’t without suitors and it could be that a move to the Premier League is on the cards this summer.

The Latest: Forest ready to battle Everton

According to journalist Loic Tanzi on Twitter [via Sport Witness], both Forest and Everton ‘advance’ in regards to their interest in snapping up Vranckx.

The pair both ‘hope to sign’ the talented Belgian before the start of the new season.

The Verdict: One for the present and future

Vranckx looks like a huge prospect – he has three caps to his name for Belgium’s Under-21s – and it would be exciting to see Forest acquire his services this summer.

He possesses the technical quality to thrive in a Steve Cooper side – he also averaged 1.4 tackles per game in the league last season – and his playing time in the Bundesliga last season proves that he can cut it in a top European league.

Granted, Vranckx would necessarily come in as an immediate starter, but he could be a strong squad player who matures into a key man as the years pass.