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Everton could move for Conor Gallagher as Frank Lampard targets a midfielder with Premier League experience. 

That’s according to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, who was speaking to GiveMeSport.

The lowdown

Lampard’s first summer transfer window as Everton manager is officially underway.

The Blues are said to be close to strengthening their backline with the signing of free agent James Tarkowski.

But the midfield ranks have already been depleted by the departure of Fabian Delph at the end of his contract.

And Andre Gomes could yet follow him out of the door amid reported interest from the Primeira Liga. Everton are said to be willing to let the 28-year-old move on for the right price.

Gallagher, meanwhile, has just completed his season-long loan at Crystal Palace and is set to rejoin his Chelsea team-mates for pre-season.

The latest

Crook says that Lampard is looking to bolster his midfield ranks with a player who’s already proven themselves in the top flight.

However, the move could be contingent on whether Chelsea are prepared to sanction another temporary exit for Gallagher.

“I think Frank Lampard is looking for Premier League experience.

“He definitely wants a midfielder in. I think he’s keen on Conor Gallagher if Chelsea are willing to send him out on loan again.”

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The verdict

Gallagher was outstanding in a Palace shirt last season.

Of all the players in the Eagles’ ranks, only Wilfried Zaha (17) bettered his tally of 13 goal involvements (eight goals, five assists).

Having been named Player of the Year for Patrick Vieira’s side, it would be a ‘big surprise’ if he isn’t part of Chelsea’s plans for next season, according to The Athletic’s Simon Johnson.

Gallagher has been compared to Lampard himself, and the Everton boss will be hoping that Chelsea are about to make a shock decision.

In other news, Everton are eyeing this midfielder from a big-six side.

Recent reports have seen Scottish Champions Celtic linked with a move for Welsh youngster Rabbi Matondo, the former Manchester City man set to be yet another player with Etihad links to make the switch to Parkhead.

Currently on the books of Schalke – having joined from City in an £11.3m deal three years ago – the 21-year-old appears set for pastures new with just 12 months remaining on his existing deal having spent the most recent campaign on loan at Belgian outfit, Cercle Brugge.

With the Pro League side recently announcing that they won’t be making his move permanent – having opted against exercising the reported €3.5m (£3m) option to buy fee – the door has been opened for other potential suitors to make their move.

Although Premier League sides are believed to be sniffing around – notably Leeds United – those of a Hoops persuasion will be hoping that the “electrifying” starlet – as he has been dubbed by Ryan Giggs – will favour a move to the Glasgow outfit this summer.

Should the £3.6m-rated gem make the move in the current window, he could potentially form an explosive duo with the hero of the most recent campaign, Jota, with the Portuguese starlet believed to be “very close” to making his loan move permanent.

The 23-year-old plundered ten goals and a further ten assists in 29 Scottish Premiership games in last season’s triumphant campaign, having initially joined the Old Firm side on a temporary deal on deadline day last summer.

The fleet-footed star has dazzled with his speed and trickery on the flanks under manager Ange Postecoglou, with the former Yokohama boss potentially set to be able to form a lethal wing-duo should Matondo join him at Celtic Park prior to the start of next term.

It is a mouthwatering notion just thinking about the pair tearing defences apart down both flanks, with the two men also likely to provide high-quality entertainment for the home crowd, with the Welshman, in particular, having been dubbed “very exciting to watch” by journalist Ian Mitchelmore.

The £12k-per-week “wing wizard” – as he has been described by Alex Chaffer – proved just what an asset he can be during his loan stint in the 2021/22 campaign, netting ten goals and providing two assists in all competitions to show just a flavour of what he can produce if handed regular game time.

As Postecoglou’s men look to kick on again next term, having such a deadly attacking partnership in tow would no doubt help in their quest for even more glory.

IN other news, Deal Imminent: Celtic “very close” to big summer move, it’d be Ange’s best swoop yet…

Everton are reportedly now fighting a number of other clubs to sign Ben Brereton Diaz.

The Lowdown: Premier League bound?

After 22 goals and three assists in the Championship this season (Premier League.

Clubs from the top flight have taken gambles on second-tier strikers before, such as Adam Armstrong moving from the Rovers to Southampton last summer and Ollie Watkins from Brentford to Aston Villa the previous year, so it seems likely that a swarm of suitors will now come after Brereton Diaz while he is still in the Championship.

The Latest: Everton target Brereton Diaz

According to reports relayed by The Daily Mail, Everton are now fighting both Leeds United and newly-promoted Bournemouth for Brereton Diaz, while Sevilla, Real Betis and Valencia have also registered an interest from La Liga.

The striker would cost in the region of £13m, given that he only has one year left on his current deal at Ewood Park.

The Verdict: Sign him

Once dubbed a ‘beast‘ by his Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray, Brereton Diaz is a handful for defenders, as his 6 foot 2 stature would suggest.

At 23 years of age, the Chile international will only get better with a taste of Premier League football, and with the Everton future of Moise Kean in doubt, Brereton Diaz could be the perfect low-risk replacement.

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Also, he shares the same agent as five other Toffees players, which could help to push a deal through.

In other news, find out who Everton are now in contact with over signing here!

Liverpool have held talks with Bayern Munich winger Serge Gnabry, according to reports relayed by the Liverpool Echo.

The Lowdown: Mane set to leave

As per reliable transfer window expert Fabrizio Romano, legendary Liverpool winger Mane has decided to leave the club this summer.

It is widely reported that German giants Bayern Munich are keen to do a deal for the 30-year-old, who has a year left on his Reds contract.

The Athletic have claimed that Bayern’s £25.5m valuation of the Senegal international falls below the Merseyside outfit’s asking price, which is believed to be closer to £42.5m.

The Latest: Gnabry in?

Following the Mane exit news, rumours surrounding possible replacements have begun to circulate in the media.

According to a report by Anfield Central (via Liverpool Echo), Liverpool have held talks with Gnabry’s representatives over a potential switch this summer.

Whilst Bayern value their man at £68m, the 26-year-old’s contract is set to expire next year, meaning the Bundesliga club could be forced into settling for a fee in the region of £30m-£34m in order to avoid losing him for free next summer.

The Verdict: Fantastic signing

Having left Arsenal for Werder Bremen in 2017, the Germany international has gone on to establish himself as one of Europe’s most exciting wingers.

According to FB Ref, the attacker ranks in the 97th percentile for non-penalty goals and in the 94th percentile for progressive carries when compared with positional peers across Europe over the past year.

After watching Gnabry light up the Champions League during Bayern’s winning run in the 2019/20 tournament, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand was full of praise for the German: “His stats are phenomenal. He’s sitting in the top level, world class”.

If Julian Ward can negotiate the price down – perhaps using the interest in Mane – and secure Gnabry’s services, then this could prove to be a fantastic signing for Jurgen Klopp.

In other news: Fabrizio Romano drops latest on Divock Origi…

West Bromwich Albion are interested in signing Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Amer Gojak this summer, according to Germanijak. 

The lowdown: Career so far

Gojak enjoyed an eye-catching pathway to senior football after netting 20 goals as a teenager in a 2013/14 Under 17 league campaign in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Following a move to Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb in 2015, the creative maestro amassed 200 outings for the club, being scouted by Barcelona and Manchester City during the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League campaign.

Since then, the 25-year-old has spent a spell at Serie A outfit Torino on loan before heading back to Zagreb, where a permanent departure could now be on the cards…

The latest: Baggies’ interested

As per Germanijak, West Brom are believed to be in the mix to sign the Bosnian international.

It’s claimed that Gojak ‘wants’ to head to the Hawthorns this summer and the Midlands club ‘would have no problem obtaining a work permit’ for the 29-cap ace.

The report also states that Dinamo would sell the star for ‘less than’ €2million (£1.6million) this summer after Torino rejected an option to buy.

The verdict: No brainer

During the 2021/22 season, Gojak scored twice and provided one assist in 39 appearances across all competitions, winning 2.3 duels and completing 22.4 accurate passes on average per game whilst earning a 6.69 Sofascore rating.

Now predominantly operating as a defensive midfielder, the Bosnian has played in a plethora of positions during a stop-start career so far and would therefore provide Steve Bruce with much-needed versatility in the squad.

Having allowed Romaine Sawyers to leave the club, signing the £2.25million valued Gojak to follow the addition of John Swift from Reading would be a superb piece of business as the Baggies plan for a successful Championship campaign next term.

In other news, Joseph Masi has confirmed West Brom’s interest in one player. Find out who it is here.

A big Rangers update has emerged regarding Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s stance on star Ibrox defender Calvin Bassey this summer.

What’s the talk?

According to the Daily Record, Rangers’ sporting director Ross Wilson will demand a fee which eclipses the £16m that they received for former Gers defender Nathan Patterson in January to allow the versatile defender to leave if any clubs make offers for him in the coming months.

The report claims that a host of suitors from south of the border are chasing the 22-year-old’s services after his impressive displays in the Europa League for Rangers.

Aston Villa, Wolves, Fulham and Brentford are all keen on the defender, but it remains to be seen whether or not they will be willing to stump up the cash required to land him.

Wilson must avoid Bassey blunder

Ibrox chief Wilson must now avoid making a huge blunder this summer. He must stick to his guns and not waiver on his valuation of the former Leicester man, as losing him for anything less than a club-record fee would be a disaster.

Bassey has proven himself throughout the campaign and recently caught the eye in the Europa League final in Seville.

talkSPORT duo Jason Cundy and Jamie O’Hara waxed lyrical about the Nigerian’s performance against Eintracht Frankfurt, with the former saying: “He looked sensational tonight, absolutely sensational. I thought he was the best player on the pitch.

“He was immense, 22 years of age. He is destined for big things, this kid – he was absolutely superb tonight.”

O’Hara added: “What a player, he was like [Virgil] Van Dijk!”

In the European run, Bassey averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.90. He played 14 matches en route to the final and made three tackles and interceptions per game, winning 60% of his duels in total.

The centre-back was also crucial in the Premiership for Gio van Bronckhorst. In 29 league appearances, he averaged a rating of 6.97 as he won 63% of his duels and helped the team to keep 13 clean sheets, playing at both left-back and at the heart of the defence.

Whilst he may not be quite as good as the Liverpool metronome, the Gers defender – as O’Hara intimated – is Van Bronckhorst’s own Virgil van Dijk, who has won 74% of his duels in the Premier League. Like the 30-year-old, Bassey a physical centre-back who wins the majority of his duels against attackers, as shown by his statistics domestically and in Europe.

At the age of 22, the Nigerian tank has plenty of time left on his side to develop and hone his skills to a point where he is playing at the very top level. His form for Rangers suggests that he has the potential to do so, given his superb performances in the Europa League at such a young age, and that is why Wilson must not sell him for anything less than a club-record deal.

AND in other news, Ross Wilson plotting Rangers swoop for 16 y/o “teen talent”, GvB will be buzzing…

Wolves rounded off their 2021/22 Premier League season with a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool having taken the lead in the third minute through Pedro Neto.

Goals from Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson secured the comeback for the Reds as defeat condemned Wolves to a tenth place finish in the Premier League, having spent plenty of recent weeks in eighth.

Eyes were on Bruno Lage’s side to see whether or not they could play a part in the title race with their opponents in need of a victory as well as Manchester City dropping points against Aston Villa to be crowned Champions of England.

However, Pep Guardiola’s side sensationally scored three goals in five minutes to go from 2-0 down to 3-2 leaders as City secured a fourth Premier League title in five seasons.

Although Wolves couldn’t cause a shock at Anfield, it was, at times, a spirited performance from Lage’s men.

However, what has been a poor end to a decent campaign was rounded off with another defeat, with midfielder Joao Moutinho quiet on what could potentially be his final appearance for the West Midlands outfit.

The 35-year-old’s contract at Molineux is set to expire next month, although Lage has confirmed that the Portuguese veteran wants to stay at Wolves.

At Anfield, the midfielder lost all of his four attempted duels whilst losing possession nine times having made 52 touches, an average of once every 5.8 touches.

Moreover, Moutinho failed to make a single tackle as well as making just one interception and clearance whilst being dribbled past twice.

A decision now has to be made by the hierarchy at the West Midlands outfit regarding the future of the veteran with Lage undoubtedly keen to build on his first season in England and make Wolves genuine contenders for European football next term.

Whether or not that involves extending the midfielder’s contract will be a decision made by Jeff Shi and Fosun in the near future.

However, rounding off the campaign with one win in nine matches will certainly be a major disappointment for Wolves who will strive for improvement come August.

AND in other news: Great news: Huge Wolves transfer development emerges; supporters will be ecstatic

Long-serving Crystal Palace midfielder Luka Milivojevic could be nearing a departure from the club this summer, according to journalist Matt Woosnam.

What’s the word?

Writing on Twitter about the club captain’s situation, the trusted insider admitted that it might be “time to move on” for the Serbian gem, having struggled for game time under Patrick Vieira this term.

Going into further depth on the 31-year-old’s future in his piece for The Athletic, Woosnam revealed that the 39-cap international had even been booed at the club’s end of season awards night, with frustration brewing among some sections of support for his on-field failings, as well as his reported breach of pandemic restrictions last year.

This follows a report earlier this week that suggested the £4.5m-rated man is considering an exit from Selhurst Park in the upcoming window, with former club Olympiakos – who he left to join the Premier League outfit in January 2017 – keen on a reunion.

Time to go

Although he may not have endeared himself to the club’s supporters for his off-field actions in recent times – as mentioned above – it is his form on the pitch which is likely to be a key factor in his departure, with few sorry to see him go should he find a new home in the coming months.

A solid servant of the south London side over the past five-and-a-half years, the defensive midfielder has netted 28 Premier League goals in that time, proving himself to be a lethal presence from dead-ball situations.

Having bagged an impressive 22 top-flight goals in just his first two full campaigns at the club, the goals have since dried up for the £80k-per-week skipper, however, with the arrival of new boss Vieira also restricting him to just 14 league outings this season – only nine of which have been starts.

Among a largely youthful and exuberant side, the ageing gem has somewhat stuck out like a sore thumb, failing to keep pace with the energetic and relentless teammates around him.

That has been illustrated by his underwhelming statistics so far this term, with Milivojevic averaging just 0.7 interceptions and 0.9 clearances per game thus far, while also winning possession just 0.3 times per 90, as well as providing just 0.8 key passes on average.

The one-time Anderlecht star also ranks poorly among those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues, as per FBref, ranking in just the top 90% for interceptions made, while he also has a fairly dismal pass completion rate of just 79.8% and averages just 4.14 progressive passes per game, proving himself ineffectual in both attack and defence.

Despite what is set to be a summer of change in midfield – with both Cheikhou Kouyate and James McArthur out of contract and Conor Gallagher set to return to parent club Chelsea – Vieira must not hesitate in wielding the axe on his current skipper.

Although there will be a fondness for his service to the club, supporters will likely be keen to see the back of him at the end of the campaign.

AND in other news: Vieira now heading for 1st summer transfer disaster, Palace supporters will be gutted

An exciting Newcastle United injury lift has emerged over the weekend regarding two first-team players…

What’s the talk?

Magpies boss Eddie Howe has reacted to Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson both making their long-awaited returns from their respective knocks.

Both players came off the bench in what turned out to be a disappointing afternoon for the Toon army as they lost 5-0 to Manchester City at The Etihad in the Premier League.

After the match, The Chronicle quoted Howe as saying: “Massive boost for everyone connected at Newcastle to see them back. We have missed them.”

Supporters will be buzzing

The supporters will surely be buzzing with both of them being back in action for the Magpies for multiple reasons.

Firstly, it means that Trippier and Wilson can both have a say in where Newcastle finish in the league table. They are currently one point off the top half of the table and this means that they are in with a realistic chance of landing in the top-10 if they can pick up results against Arsenal and Burnley.

Both players being fit and available will be a boost because they have proven that they can put in top performances for the club. Trippier has averaged an exceptional SofaScore rating of 7.42 since arriving from Atletico Madrid in the January transfer window and has scored two goals for the club to date, showing that he can make an impact in the final third whilst putting in sublime all-round displays from full-back.

Wilson, on the other hand, has scored 18 Premier League goals since the start of last season. He has found the back of the net six times in 14 starts this term after managing 12 goals and five assists in 23 starts in 2020/21, which shows that he is capable of being a match-winner for the Magpies with his knack for scoring goals.

Therefore, both players have the requisite quality to have a major say in Newcastle’s last two matches of the campaign. They can help the team to finish in the top half and that would be an exciting way to end Howe’s first season at the club.

The fans will also be buzzing with their availability as it means that they will be getting game time under their belt ahead of 2022/23. It means that they will not be arriving for pre-season with more work to do than the others as they have been fully integrated back into the group this month.

AND in other news, Forget Dubravka: £23k-p/w NUFC lightweight who lost 75% duels let Howe down badly…

Jurgen Klopp will make a late decision over Roberto Firmino’s involvement in Liverpool’s crucial Premier League clash with Tottenham this weekend.

The Lowdown: Massive game at Anfield

The Reds are looking to return to the top of the table on Saturday evening, for the time being at least, as they welcome Spurs to Anfield for one of the biggest games of the season.

Antonio Conte’s side are battling for a top-four finish with rivals Arsenal, so the eventual outcome on Merseyside could be enormous for both sides.

Firmino has been Liverpool’s only injury absentee of late but a key update has now emerged regarding his fitness ahead of the match.

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The Latest: Late call on Firmino

Taking to Twitter, journalist James Pearce relayed Klopp’s words on the Brazilian, saying he will decide whether or not to include him in the squad on the day:

“Klopp on Firmino: “He’s back in training so now we have to make a decision. It might make more sense for him to just train through the weekend and then he’ll be a big stop closer for Tuesday.”

The Verdict: No need to risk him

There was a time when an injury to Firmino felt disastrous, with Klopp so reliant on him staying fit for long spells, along with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

Liverpool have incredible attacking depth after signing Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz, however, so there is no need to rush back a potentially undercooked player.

Divock Origi is an option from the substitutes’ bench, too, given his penchant for scoring important goals, so it would make more sense to allow Firmino to continue his recovery over the weekend, potentially featuring at Aston Villa on Tuesday night.

In other news, a pundit has torn into one ‘shocking’ Liverpool player. Find out who it is here.