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Everton are poised to move for Almeria forward El Bilal Toure this summer after narrowly missing out on relegation from the Premier League during the 22/23 campaign.

Could Everton sign El Bilal Toure?

While Sean Dyche's Toffees are believed to be in advanced negotiations for the Malian striker, Italian Serie A side Almeria are also considering a swoop following Manchester United's vested interest in prodigious talisman Rasmus Hojlund.

That's following some recent updates from Fabrizio Romano, underlining Atalanta's position on their "top target", but also hinting that Blues owner Farhad Moshiri could yet move; the Merseyside outfit have already blown the Nerazzurri out of the water with a €30m (£26m) bid.

The pre-eminent transfer specialist since confirmed that Almeria are honing in on Lorient's Ibrahima Kone to replace their prized asset, claiming that Everton are "pushing to make it happen".

How good is El Bilal Toure?

Just 21-years-old, Bilal Toure scored seven goals and supplied a further two assists from just 15 LaLiga starts last term after completing a transfer from Reims for €10m (£9m).

The 15-cap Mali international – with five goals to his name – would link up with compatriot Abdoulaye Doucoure at Goodison Park, and could prove to emulate the box-crashing midfielder – whose goal against Bournemouth on the final day of the season preserved Everton's top-flight status.

Praised for one "towering" performance several months ago by The Athletic's Patrick Boyland, Doucoure has been instrumental under Dyche and scored all five of his strikes last term under the 52-year-old's wing, with the former Clarets boss taking the reins in January.

Signing from Watford for £20m in 2020, the 30-year-old has demonstrated the path needed to succeed on the Blue side of Liverpool, headstrong, positive and resilient – ranking among the top 2% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 11% for touches in the attacking penalty area and the top 20% for blocks per 90, as per FBref.

Bilal Toure can indeed mirror his £120k-per-week countryman's endeavours by maintaining his similarly fruitful mentality, himself ranking among the top 4% of forwards for clearances per 90.

This illustrates tenacity and willingness to get stuck in, complementing his teammates with a bustling approach – all the while channelling his innate goalscoring instinct.

The "major talent" – as he has previously been dubbed by Graeme Bailey – boasted an average Sofascore rating of 6.81 in the league last term, taking an average of 1.4 shots per game and demonstrating his versatility by dividing his seven strikes up – four scored with his right foot, one with his left; Bilal Toure netted twice with his head.

He also bettered Everton forwards Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ellis Simms and Neal Maupay's respective Sofascore ratings (6.74, 6.62 and 6.56) which bodes well for his future fortunes.

In securing such a promising starlet, Dyche would wield a forward with genuine capabilities of spearheading an ascent to prominence once again, and it could be a big season for the Toffees if they manage to beat Atalanta and secure Bilal Toure's signature.

Tottenham Hotspur could be set to bolster their backline tenfold in one fell swoop this summer, as they continue to be linked with a host of top defenders…

Who are Tottenham Hotspur signing this summer?

The latest on this pursuit comes via a report by journalist Alan Nixon, who suggests that Spurs are set to rival Newcastle United in the race to sign Crystal Palace's Joachim Andersen.

It is noted that Ange Postecoglou is keen on the centre-back, who has impressed with his ability on the ball in recent years for a side that has at times struggled.

However, Roy Hodgson is expected to demand a huge fee to deter the suitors of his main man, as the report details a mouth-watering £50m price tag.

Given the Lilywhites' are also chasing deals for Micky van de Ven and Edmond Tapsoba, it is unlikely that they could afford all three when the fees are set to be so astronomical. However, with the latter of these two noted as the preferred option, it is worth imagining the fine partnership he and Andersen could strike up in north London.

How good is Joachim Andersen?

Having first garnered attention with his performances at Fulham, the Eagles were willing recipients of the Danish international upon their relegation, signing the defender from his parent club Lyon.

They would spend just £14.9m to tempt the 27-year-old to Selhurst Park, where he has shone ever since. Just last season saw him enjoy arguably his best personal campaign since moving to England in 2020, as he maintained a 6.96 average rating in the league buoyed by an 80% pass accuracy, 1.3 tackles and 5.8 clearances per game, via Sofascore.

His technical quality remains high, but standing at 6 foot 4, his physicality matches these levels.

He is the quintessential modern-day centre-back, with his former coach at Midtjylland, Svend Graversen, claiming: "He’s always been very good on the long passes. He was the leader in defence — I put him at centre-back but he was normally a midfielder. You could see the calmness on the ball, his awareness, especially the space in front of him in the defence was very good."

Fortunately for Postecoglou, should he acquire him and his other top target, so too is Tapsoba. In no time at all he could revolutionise his back four and forge one of the best ball-playing defences in the division, set to catapult them back into contention for European football.

Given Andersen's imperious defensive qualities though, his addition beside the Burkina Faso international could provide the perfect foundation with which the 24-year-old could truly shine.

After all, when compared to other centre-backs across Europe, Tapsoba ranks in the top 10% for passes attempted, the top 5% for progressive passes and the top 6% for successful take-ons per 90, via FBref. If he were to receive assurances that an improved squad and Postecoglou's tactics would provide, these could reach imperious heights in north London.

This, plus the fact the Leverkusen ace also maintained 1.5 tackles and three clearances per game last term in the Bundesliga, denotes a defensively-sound yet technically-superior pairing that could soon be formed involving the 6 foot 4 menace and Andersen.

Arsenal have contacted Manchester City to make an offer of €16m (£14m) for Kyle Walker, while they are also interested in his teammate, Julian Alvarez, according to a recent report.

What's the latest Arsenal transfer news?

With it recently emerging that Mikel Arteta plans to play Jurrien Timber at right-back next season, you perhaps wouldn't them to be in the market for another player in that area of the pitch, but there have been reports they are still interested in Ivan Fresneda.

The Gunners are said to have made contact with Real Valladolid over a deal for Fresneda, a player Arteta has always liked, and he will now be available for a cut-price fee, with his release clause dropping to just €20m (£17m) after his side's relegation from La Liga.

Journalist Ben Jacobs has also claimed that Joao Cancelo is a potential target for Arsenal, recently telling GiveMeSport:

"We know that Arsenal would love to explore Joao Cancelo if that's possible, and it will be very intriguing to see if Manchester City are open to a deal because a year ago Man City were happy to do business with Arsenal because they didn't really see them as a title challenger.

Arteta is seemingly looking to raid his former club for a whole host of new players, with a report from Nacional (via Football365) detailing that contact has been made with Man City over a proposed €16m (£14m) deal for Walker.

Not only that, the Gunners are also keen on signing Alvarez, although that may be a very difficult transfer to orchestrate, as Pep Guardiola is delighted to have the Argentine, and does not want to let him leave.

On the other hand, Walker's contract situation means that a deal for the England international would be an "easier case to solve", with just one year remaining on his current deal at the Etihad Stadium.

Is Kyle Walker leaving Manchester City?

On Saturday, it was reported that the Englishman is still undecided on his future, despite being offered a new contract, with Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel pushing hard to secure his signature this summer.

The news that Arsenal have allegedly made a move for the right-back is certainly eyebrow-raising, given that he previously played for Tottenham Hotspur, making 229 appearances for the Gunners' rivals before making the move up north to join City.

There is no denying the defender's ability, however, having been lauded as "absolutely incredible" by members of the media in light of his performance for England in the World Cup quarter-final against France, "eliminating the threat" of Kylian Mbappe.

The 33-year-old is now very accustomed to competing for major silverware, having won five Premier League titles, and he once again played a key role last season, making 27 appearances in the top flight.

That said, if Arteta wants to build a long-term project at the Emirates Stadium, the manager should look to target younger players, and it would be unwise to sanction a move for Walker, despite his talent.

Everton target Joel Piroe is "interested" in joining the club this summer thanks to the successful "groundwork" done by the Toffees to convince the Swansea City man, journalist Paul Brown has told GIVEMESPORT.

Everton transfer news – What's the latest on Joel Piroe?

It was another near-cataclysmic season for the blue half of Merseyside last year, with Sean Dyche's men only staving off Premier League relegation thanks to an incredibly nervy 1-0 win at home to Bournemouth on the last day of the season.

It's perhaps no surprise then that the summer has already seen the start of a massive overhaul of the playing squad, with players like Conor Coady, Yerry Mina, and Tom Davies all leaving Goodison Park.

One of those touted for an exit is academy product Ellis Simms, with the Mailonline reporting that Championship side Swansea have proposed a swap deal with Everton that would see their striker Piroe don the blue and white of the Toffees.

With forward being a position of the team Dyche needs to improve, the offer could prove too good to turn down, especially as the Daily Mail report that the Swans value him at £12m, meaning a swap deal could significantly reduce that fee, if not erase it entirely.

What has Paul Brown said about Joel Piroe to Everton?

Brown revealed that Everton have already been speaking to the player and his team regarding a move to Merseyside, with those efforts appearing to pay off.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, he said: "Piroe is certainly an interesting one, and it seems that Everton have done their groundwork there, because his camp are saying that Everton are one of the clubs that he'd be interested in joining.

"He's only got a year left on his contract, as far as I'm aware, which means there wouldn't be a huge fee involved."

Would Joel Piroe be good enough for Everton?

It was an excellent season for the 23-year-old in the Championship last season as he scored 19 goals and assisted another two in 43 appearances, giving him a goal contribution every two games.

In stark contrast, Everton's top scorer in the league last season was Dwight McNeil, who managed just seven, or 0.24 goals per 90, a huge difference in productivity.

According to WhoScored, the Dutchman also averaged a very impressive rating of 6.93 across those 43 league games, maintaining a pass success rate of 82.8% and having 3.3 shots per game.

Swans manager Russell Martin was full of praise for the dynamic forward upon reaching 40 goals for the team last season, saying:

“Joel has been amazing since we have been here, he is just a great young man, first and foremost. As a footballer, he is adaptable and intelligent. He is technically really gifted with both feet and good movement.

"His willingness and capacity to learn is incredible, and his understanding of what we are trying to do is amazing."

Whilst Piroe certainly looks like the real deal, it is worth remembering that he is entirely unproven in the Premier League, and so there is an element of risk in signing him, but if the club can get him for a cut price fee with Sims going the other way it seems well worth the gamble.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Ben Davies could be part of a Spurs swap deal to sign Roma star Roger Ibanez, according to Italian media reports.

Who will Spurs sign this summer?

Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou, despite not officially starting work till Saturday, is said to be making preparations for the 2022./2023 season behind-the-scenes.

There have apparently been transfer strategy meetings with chairman Daniel Levy, leading to interest in a wide variety of targets, while Tottenham have already sealed a deal for goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario from Empoli.

The Lilywhites are also said to be seriously chasing a move for Leicester City star James Maddison, with talks advancing over an agreement which would end their long search for an attacking midfielder.

However, one position Spurs arguably need reinforcements in is centre-back, especially given no other top flight side above 15th conceded more goals than them last season.

As a result, it is believed Tottenham have shortlisted many candidates for the role, with Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba, Man United's Harry Maguire and Juventus star Gleison Bremer among them (The Telegraph).

Ibanez, who impressed for Roma in parts last season, has also been sporadically linked with a move to north London.

According to newspaper Leggo, relayed by Corriere Giallo Rosso.com, there is an interesting line on this with a swap deal potentially in the offing.

Indeed, it is claimed that Spurs defender Davies could be used as a makeweight in a "hypothetical exchange" for the Brazilian given Jose Mourinho is a fan of the former.

Not much else is said in regards to detail but a Tottenham swap for Ibanez could apparently be possible.

What's been said about Roger Ibanez?

Ibanez showcased some impressive stats for Roma last season, making more Serie A interceptions per 90 than anyone in their squad (WhoScored).

The 24-year-old was also among their best for successful tackles and clearances per 90, potentially leading to Tottenham's interest.

Former Roma fullback Vincent Candela has even claimed he could become one of the world's best in his position, but gives a note of caution, namely that his "concentration" could improve.

"Ibanez can become one of the world’s best defenders," said Candela.

"But he must work on his concentration. It’s a shame, because after that mistake of his in the derby something changed for the rest of the team.”

Mourinho also branded Ibanez an "untouchable" member of his squad early last campaign, so it will be intriguing to see if he does part ways.

Liverpool’s signing of Alexis Mac Allister understandably had fans thrilled, as it marked the start of what promised to be a revolutionary summer.

However, since that early June acquisition, it seems to have all gone quiet on the transfer front, despite Fabrizio Romano promising that Jurgen Klopp wanted “two or three midfielders” back in late April.

With nearly a month and a half until the new Premier League season gets underway, the German is likely far from where he envisions his team to end up come that trip to Chelsea.

However, that could all be set to change with one marquee addition, which could leave rival clubs stunned and petrified at the prospect of facing the Reds once more.

With reports emerging late last week, it seems that this could well be the case, as the Merseyside outfit are one of the clubs listed as interested in Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, a striker valued at £60m by FootballTransfers.

In linking this in-form front-man with their new Argentinian maestro, they could form a fine partnership to catapult them back to the apex of the English game.

Would Victor Osimhen improve Liverpool?

Whilst Mac Allister is far from the most expansive attacking midfielder, his offensive figures for a Brighton and Hove Albion side that finished below Liverpool remained impressive. This is emphasised given he was often forced into numerous roles across a stellar campaign, including a defensive one too.

After all, notching ten goals and two assists merely scratched the surface of his 87% pass completion rate and 1.3 key passes per game in the league, via Sofascore.

The 24-year-old has only just begun to light up English football, with his future made all the more exciting by his Anfield switch.

This kind of goalscoring quality, combined with the lethal presence of Osimhen, could form a terrifying partnership the likes of which this striker has already been a part of. Not to mention he has the quality to drop deep and supplement such a powerful asset due to his versatility.

Journalist Marco Messina noted one such pairing he has starred in that has already brought widespread success, as he wrote on Twitter: “I can’t figure out who is more scary to play against: Kvara or Osimhen. They’re THAT good”.

With 31 goals in all competitions for the Serie A-winning Naples outfit, the 24-year-old was instrumental in bringing the Scudetto back to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium for the first time since 1990.

However, it is not just his ability in front of goal that suggests he and Mac Allister would thrive together. When given space, the World Cup-winning gem can prove particularly deadly in the attacking third, as he proved last campaign with the Seagulls.

Given the immense power and pace Osimhen offers, with journalist Raj Chohan having branded him a “monster”, his mere presence would attract multiple defenders to quell his threat.

If that should be the case, Klopp’s first summer signing will truly be able to exercise his qualities in the pockets of space that will open up. Should the opposition then push up to keep him quiet, the 6 foot 1 marksman will instead punish them in behind.

Whilst midfield might remain the priority, this is one move which would take many by surprise, and likely take the league by storm.

Everton are interested in a move for Inter Milan forward Joaquin Correa, according to reports in Italy.

What's the latest on Joaquin Correa to Everton?

According to reports in Italy (via FC Inter News), both the Toffees and West Ham United have made contact with Correa so far this summer, with the forward and the Inter Milan looking to part ways after an unsuccessful spell.

Correa's current valuation is as low as £17m, as per FootballTransfers, which is a significantly lower price than the €30m (£27m) that Inter paid Lazio for the forward back in July of 2022.

The drop in valuation should help the Argentine's exit this summer, who looks set to leave the club just one year after making his deal permanent.

Linked with a move to the Premier League, it will certainly be interesting to keep an eye on just where Correa ends up this summer.

Should Everton avoid Joaquin Correa?

With their Premier League status hanging by a thread in the last two seasons, Everton can ill afford yet another transfer flop, particularly in attack.

Last season, the Toffees spent a staggering €78m (£67m) on reinforcements. And the season before that, they spent close to €40 million (£35m) on adding to supposed quality needed to comfortably survive.

Things were anything but comfortable though, as Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche were forced to keep their sides afloat on the final days of their respective seasons in charge, so the issue hasn't exactly been a lack of funding.

The problem therein lies with the recruitment in the transfer market.

In many ways, moving for Correa – a forward who scored just four goals all of last season – would be a classic Everton move of recent times.

In fact, it would almost mirror their £25.1m deal to sign Moise Kean back in 2019.

The Italian arrived with so much promise, before scoring just four goals in 39 appearances and eventually finding his way back to Juventus.

Those in Italy have not been impressed with the Juventus forward, either, with the Liverpool Echo reporting that Italian newspapers labelled the 23-year-old 'lazy' and 'the worst' back in September as the Serie A side struggled domestically.

Correa's stats are even more damming, however.

At least Kean showed signs of promise prior to his Goodison Park move. Correa, contrastingly, has never looked like bursting into life for Inter.

Statistically speaking, too, when comparing the Argentina international with the former Everton man during his time in England's top flight, it is Correa who comes out the worse player.

During the 2019/20 campaign, Kean had more goal involvements per 90, whilst also enjoying a better take-on success, as per FBref.

Perhaps a killer blow for Dyche, which should end all plans to sign the Inter flop, is his poor aerial duel success.

Last season, the reported transfer target won just 25% of his duels, something that would not bode well in an often scrappy, yet effective, Dyche setup.

The more that it's looked at, the more it seems as though Everton would be better off avoiding a Kean mistake in signing Correa, who writer Jerry Mancini claimed had been "awful this season" before the new campaign gets underway.

The summer transfer window officially opened for business earlier this month and Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has added to his side with one signing to date.

Youri Tielemans is set to arrive on a free transfer at the start of July, after his contract with Leicester expires, and the club have now appointed Monchi as their president of football operations to bolster their efforts to improve the squad.

One player who has been linked with a possible move to the club this summer is Leeds United forward Crysencio Summerville, who has been valued at around €12m (£10m) by the relegated team.

Where would Crysencio Summerville fit in at Aston Villa?

The Netherlands U21 international has played the majority of his career to date as a right winger but he is also capable of lining up on the left and through the middle, which means that Emery could deploy him in a multitude of ways.

Villa's head coach could, however, use the 21-year-old in his favoured role on the right and brutally ditch current attacker Leon Bailey in the process.

Last month, journalist Dean Jones claimed that he would be "surprised" if the Jamaica international is still at the club come the start of the 2023/24 campaign, as there could be a market for teams interested in his services.

This suggests that the Villans could cash in on the 25-year-old winger this summer and bringing Summerville in as his replacement could be a shrewd move by Emery and Monchi.

The Leeds wizard, who was once hailed as a speed merchant whilst playing for the club's U21 side, produced four goals and two assists in 12 Premier League starts during the 2022/23 campaign and completed 52% of his attempted dribbles.

Bailey, meanwhile, scored four and assisted four in his 26 starts for Villa throughout the season and was stopped in 57% of his dribbles, suggesting that Summerville is more effective at committing and beating opposition defenders to drive forward with the ball.

The Dutch wizard has averaged more non-penalty goals (0.25) and shot-creating actions (3.09) per 90 over the last 365 days than Bailey (0.18 and 2.84) has for the Villans, indicating that the talented youngster could provide more quality in the final third, both in terms of scoring goals and creating opportunities for others.

Summerville, who was once dubbed "unplayable" by journalist Beren Cross, is also four years younger than the ex-Bayer Leverkusen dynamo, meaning that he has more long-term potential to develop and improve, whilst already having the quality to offer more on the pitch in the immediate term.

Therefore, Emery could ruthlessly ditch Bailey and cash in on the dud this summer by signing the Whites magician as his replacement.

Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be among the clubs interested in sealing a summer move for Fiorentina star, Sofyan Amrabat, according to reports in Spain.

What's the latest on Amrabat to Tottenham?

As per Mundo Deportivo (via Sports Witness), the Lilywhites – as well as German giants Bayern Munich – are said to have joined the race for the 26-year-old's signature, with both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid also eyeing said to be eyeing a move.

The report suggests that the Morocco international 'will leave' the Serie A outfit this summer after three seasons in Florence, with the midfielder currently having just a year left to run on his existing deal.

That expiring contract has ensured that – according to the report – the Netherlands-born maestro could be available for as little as €20m (£17m), hence the growing list of high-profile suitors.

Should Tottenham sign Amrabat?

The north Londoners' apparent interest in the former Club Brugge ace comes amid reports that new boss Ange Postecoglou could be ready to move on midfield everpresent, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg this summer, with The Sun claiming that the Danish destroyer is facing an 'uncertain' future at the club.

A further report from 90min has also suggested that the 27-year-old could be allowed to depart as he is not currently part of Postecoglou's thinking, despite having racked up 145 appearances in just three seasons at N17 since signing on a £15m deal from Southampton.

The Athletic's Charlie Eccleshare had suggested previously that Hojbjerg could be one of the potential casualties of the change in the dugout, with the respected insider stating that the one-time Bayern Munich man is not a 'natural fit for either the No 6 or No 8 role' under the ex-Celtic coach.

As Eccleshare also noted, Postecoglou likes to deploy more of a playmaking figure at the base of the midfield who 'can drop deep, collect the ball from the centre-backs and spray ambitious passes to the full-backs and wingers', with Hojbjerg arguably more of a ball-winning presence, as he ranks in the top 20% among his European peers for interceptions made.

The signing of Amrabat could prove to be the solution that the Greek-Aussie will be craving in that pivot role, with the 6 foot 1 ace possessing that ability to dictate play as he ranks in the top 8% for progressive passes and the top 5% for pass completion – with the current Spurs man ranking in just the top 21% and the top 8% for those same two metrics, respectively.

Hailed as "criminally underrated" by journalist Muhammad Butt during the recent Europa Conference League meeting with West Ham United, the 48-cap rock showed his ability to 'spray' passes from deep in the build-up to his side's equaliser in that eventual showpiece defeat, having picked out teammate Nico Gonzalez with a delightful lofted pass, prior to Giacomo Bonaventura then duly dispatching the striker's knockdown.

Also described as a "monster" by journalist Carlo Garganese at the World Cup in Qatar, Amrabat would certainly be an astute addition for Postecoglou, particularly for that reported price of just £17m.

That signing would therefore mean that with Hojbjerg seemingly not the man for the job in that deep-lying role, the £100k-per-week must be ruthlessly shown the door.

Lionel Messi has called teammate Neymar a "beautiful person" in his goodbye message after the Argentine played his last game for Paris Saint-Germain.

What did Messi say to Neymar?

Having already sealed the Ligue 1 title, the 35-year-old took the pitch for the final time as a PSG player on the weekend – in a 3-2 loss at home to Clermont Foot.

His now former side confirmed the news on their official Twitter page, writing: "Paris Saint-Germain would like to warmly thank the seven-time Ballon d'Or, winner of a Trophée des Champions and two French championship titles wearing the Red & Blue colours."

Oddly enough, despite being universally loved for all his footballing achievements, the PSG fans actually booed Messi at his final game – apparently still unhappy with his performances in the Champions League and his recent unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia (via Daily Mail).

However, it seems teammate Neymar still has the utmost respect for the World Cup winner as the Brazilian sent an emotional message on Instagram.

He wrote: "Brother… it didn't turn out as we thought but we tried everything. It was a pleasure to share two more years with you.

Good luck in your new stage and be happy. I love you."

To which Messi replied: "Thanks Ney! Beyond all that remains, that we enjoyed playing together and sharing the day-to-day. I wish you all the best. Besides being a crackhead, you're a beautiful person and that's all that matters at the end. I love you so much."

Where will Messi end up next?

Obviously, it catches the eye that Messi appears to call Neymar something which is interpreted as something derogatory in English but this is just a mistranslation as he writes "Aparte de ser crack". Crack is a phrase often used in Spanish as a compliment, so if you were saying someone is good at football, you might say: “Sos un crack en futbol”.

Of course, the Brazilian doesn't have the best reputation when it comes to his off-field behaviour. According to French paper Le Parisien (via The Sun), he has been throwing house parties this season that have "infuriated" his neighbours of late. And that same article claimed he threw a party that didn't finish until 5am after PSG sealed the Ligue 1 title last season.

But Messi isn't referencing any of this as he calls Neymar "a beautiful person" and points out that this actually matters more than anything he's done on the pitch.

All in all, it's quite a sweet interaction between the players, which is nice as they haven't quite achieved what they set out to in Paris – with the club still unable to win the Champions League.

The big question now is, though, where will Messi end up next? Barcelona, Inter Miami and teams in Saudi Arabia have all been touted.