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Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Steven Bergwijn is set to undergo a medical at Ajax on Wednesday as he closes in on a Tottenham exit.

The Lowdown: Bergwijn’s Ajax dream

The Dutchman still has three years remaining on his contract with the Premier League giants, but admitted earlier this year that he was open to leaving the Lilywhites this summer, with a return to his homeland a possibility that he’d very much like to explore.

The 24-year-old had received interest from fellow English sides Manchester United and Everton, but turned down a move to Spurs’ rivals to secure his dream switch back to the Eredivisie.

The N17 outfit rejected an opening bid from Ajax last month, but discussions have continued ever since, and following a fresh update, it now looks as though the winger is officially on his way back to the Netherlands.

The Latest: Bergwijn set for Ajax medical

Taking to Twitter, Romano revealed that Bergwijn will carry out medical tests on Wednesday ahead of completing his proposed move. He wrote:

“Steven Bergwijn will undergo medical tests on Wednesday and then sign as new Ajax player. €30m fee set to be received by Tottenham, always been the price tag required by Paratici.

“Official statement this week. Huge one for Ajax. Here we go.”

The Verdict: Bit-part player

Bergwijn, who was dubbed ‘quality’ by sports journalist Josh Bunting, played nothing more than a temporary role under the management of both Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte last season, making just four starts in 25 league appearances, via WhoScored, so it’s no surprise that he’s been looking elsewhere.

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This lack of game time wasn’t helped by the January arrival of Dejan Kulusevski either, who walked straight into the Italian’s starting XI and has been a revelation in north London ever since, not to mention the new signing of Richarlison in the final third.

Bergwijn’s looming departure is the next stage in the evolution of Conte’s attacking ranks as he prepares his Spurs squad for an exciting new campaign ahead.

Sky Sports pundit Paul Robinson is unsure about Everton signing Morgan Gibbs-White this summer, coming as a potential big boost for Wolves.

The Lowdown: Gibbs-White on the move?

The 22-year-old enjoyed a fruitful spell on loan at Sheffield United last season, scoring 12 goals and registering 10 assists in the Championship.

Gibbs-White has now returned to Molineux but there have been reports linking him with a permanent move away from the Black Country, with Everton seen as the front-runners to snap him up as they prepare to submit an offer.

The Old Gold are demanding £25m for his services as they look to keep hold of one of their most coveted young assets.

The Latest: Robinson plays down exit talk

Robinson spoke with Football Insider after hearing about the interest from Everton, casting doubt on a move and suggesting that £25m would be too much to spend on someone who remains relatively unproven.

The Sky Sports pundit said of the 22-year-old:

“He had a very good season in the Championship. Everton are clearly willing to take a chance on him.

“Look, £25million is hefty price tag for a player unproven in the Premier League when you look at Everton’s financial situation. It is a big price tag for a young player who has not really proved it at the top level.

“It would be a risk but perhaps one that is worth taking because he is very talented.”

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The Verdict: Wolves must keep hold of him

Gibbs-White is a precocious young footballer who has been hailed as a “great player” by David McGoldrick, with the Irishman adding that the ex-Sheffield United loanee has “the world at his feet”, so Wolves must do all they can to keep hold of him this summer.

With Ruben Neves quite possibly moving on, the 22-year-old could help to fill the void that the Portugal star would leave in the middle of the park, and he could now be ready to make the step up given his age.

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Losing such a special prospect at this point in his career would be a big blow for the Old Gold, but this claim from Robinson would suggest that Wolves could end up keeping Gibbs-White ahead of next season.

Should that happen, the onus would then be on him to prove his brilliance and justify the hype surrounding him.

Manchester United and Arsenal are both interested in signing Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans this summer, with the player favouring a move to the Gunners, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: United pip Arsenal to Martinez

The Red Devils recently made defender Lisandro Martinez their third summer signing after Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen. A deal is thought to be worth £57m, with United pipping Arsenal in the race for the Argentina international.

It now looks as if the two clubs could do battle in the transfer market again, this time for Tielemans, who has been hailed as ‘one of Europe’s top midfielders’ by Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers.

The Latest: Tielemans transfer latest

Football Insider shared an update regarding Tielemans on Monday evening, claiming that both United and Arsenal are interested in his services.

However, their report states that the Belgium international has told friends that he would favour a move to the Emirates Stadium over Old Trafford after entering the final 12 months of his Leicester contract.

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The Verdict: Not ideal

United don’t appear to be having any luck when it comes to their search for a new marquee central midfielder.

The Red Devils agreed on a fee with Barcelona for Frenkie de Jong, but the player has no intention of leaving the Nou Camp to reunite with his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.

It now seems as if United could also miss out on Tielemans, and with time ticking ahead of the new season, there’s a real possibility that Ten Hag will have to choose between Scott McTominay, Fred and Donny van de Beek when it comes to holding or central midfield.

Crystal Palace are reportedly eyeing a move for Strasbourg striker Ludovic Ajorque, although they will face competition from clubs across the Premier League.

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, the Eagles have been named as one of the clubs who are interested in landing the 28-year-old this summer, alongside Newcastle United and Leicester City, with the trio set to watch him in action in a pre-season friendly against Liverpool this weekend.

The Frenchman – who still has two years remaining on his deal at his current club – could well be allowed to leave in the coming weeks, with the report suggesting that he is keen to make a move to England.

Previous reports have outlined that the Ligue 1 outfit will demand at least €15m (£13m) for his signature in the current transfer window, having signed the towering forward for just £2m from Clermont in 2018.

Benteke’s heir at Palace

That move could well see Palace finally land a long-term heir for long-serving striker Christian Benteke, with the Belgium international likely coming towards the end of his time at the club with just a year remaining on his existing deal.

Although Patrick Vieira does have both Odsonne Edouard and Jean-Philippe Mateta as additional centre-forward options in his current squad, neither is seemingly of the same mould as Benteke, with the Eagles in need of an imposing and colossal figure who can eventually replace the 31-year-old.

This is where Ajorque comes in, with the 6 foot 6 giant offering that real focal point in attack and providing a much-needed goalscoring touch. The “complete” menace – as described by his manager Julien Stephan – scored 12 goals and provided eight assists in 36 league outings last season, after netting 16 league goals in the campaign prior.

Of those 12 strikes, six of them came via his head, showcasing a strong aerial presence similar to that of the aforementioned Benteke, with the former Aston Villa man trailing only Peter Crouch (40) for headed goals in Premier League history, having netted 33 thus far.

In a defensive sense, Ajorque also uses his physique to good effect, with the £14k-per-week brute notably ranking in the top 10% for aerial duels won among those in his position across Europe’s five big leagues, and in the top 3% for tackles made.

That record somewhat mirrors Benteke’s, with the 45-cap Belgian ranking in the top 5% for aerial duels won, as well as in the top 1% for clearances made – a metric in which Ajorque ranks in the top 14%.

For all the youthful, attacking energy that Vieira has at his disposal, having an experienced head in tow such as Ajorque could well provide a useful attacking alternative, with it wise to have a more robust presence who can lead the line and pose a real handful for defenders, as Benteke has been in recent years.

AND in other news: Fabrizio Romano reveals huge Crystal Palace development, supporters will be buzzing

An update has emerged on Sunderland and their attempts to strengthen their squad in the summer transfer window…

What’s the talk?

Journalist Alan Nixon has revealed that the Black Cats are still chasing two more signings ahead of the deadline at the end of August.

However, they appear to be struggling – along with the rest of the Championship – to get deals over the line for a myriad of reasons.

In response to a fan asking for an update on the club, he tweeted:

“Keeper and striker search goes on … not easy for anybody this summer … Lack of available talent … lack of funds … loads chasing the same players … hard times”

Supporters will be frustrated

This claim will surely leave supporters frustrated as the second-tier season kicks off next weekend and the Black Cats are yet to significantly add to their team from the 2021/22 campaign.

Alex Neil’s side won promotion to the Championship via the play-offs after failing to finish in the top two in League One and have added Daniel Ballard and Aji Alose to their squad, whilst signing Leon Dajaku and Jack Clarke on permanent deals after their loans.

They are making a step up to a league of higher quality and their business, thus far, has not improved a significant portion of the team to help them bridge the gap.

They have also lost Callum Doyle and Nathan Broadhead after they returned to their parent clubs, with the former signing for Coventry on loan from Manchester City. The latter, meanwhile, remains at Everton and is reportedly wanted by Sunderland for a second spell at the Stadium of Light.

In his time on Wearside last season, the Welshman caught the eye with an impressive 10 goals in 15 League One starts. He proved that he has the quality to make a big impact in the final third at that level, suggesting that he could be a useful player in the Championship.

Supporters will, therefore, be frustrated with the difficult time Sunderland are having in the market as not having Broadhead in the squad clearly weakens their attacking options and they are yet to bring him back or replace him with another player.

Hopefully, Kristjaan Speakman can work his magic in the final month and a bit of the window to give Neil the tools he needs to oversee a successful campaign.

AND in other news, Decision incoming: SAFC could land Broadhead 2.0 in deal for £2.4k-p/w “goal machine”…

Sunderland would be wise to follow the signing of Ellis Simms with the capture of Nathan Broadhead, according to Roker Report writer and podcaster Philip West.

The Lowdown: Broadhead impresses on loan

The 24-year-old enjoyed an impressive spell on loan at the Stadium of Light last season, playing his part in them eventually being promoted to the Championship.

Broadhead scored ten goals in just 15 starts in League One and was also hailed as ‘fantastic’ by former Black Cats manager Lee Johnson, such was his impact.

Now back at Everton, he has again been linked with a return to Sunderland, with his future very much up in the air and his teammate, Simms, already moving to Wearside this week.

The Latest: Podcaster wants summer move to happen

Someone who is keen for the move to happen is West, who took to Twitter to get behind the signing on Friday:

“I don’t want to be too greedy regarding signings (I do really) but if we could add Nathan Broadhead after the loan deal for Ellis Simms, that really gives us some considerable firepower. Would love it to happen.”

The Verdict: Ideal for attacking depth

Given the manner in which Broadhead shone for Sunderland last season, it makes perfect sense for them to bring him back again, even if it is on a permanent deal.

He only has one year remaining on his current Everton contract and the Toffees may be keen to sell him for a reduced amount, rather than risk losing him for free next summer.

Broadhead could come in and enjoy both a partnership and competition with the likes of Ross Stewart and Simms, ensuring the Black Cats are well-equipped to steer clear of the Championship relegation battle in 2022/23.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are holding a firm stance with regards to interest in one of their young stars…

 What’s the word?

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Old Gold have rejected Nottingham Forest’s new bid for Morgan Gibbs-White.

He goes on to quote Bruno Lage’s response to Forest’s interest: “He’s an important player for me, my dynamic and the future. He feels important, he is happy.”

Wolves had rejected a bid in the region of £30m, although Steve Cooper remains interested in the 22-year-old.

 Lage must give him game-time

A player in high demand, Lage seems intent on keeping Gibbs-White around. This could suggest that the midfielder is in for a run in the first team at last, finally graduating from being a youngster afforded mere scraps of game-time.

This is largely down to his sensational Championship performances on loan which saw Sheffield United mount a play-off push last term.

The “sensational” 22-year-old – as hailed by journalist Josh Bunting – was at the heart of a Blades team which lost out to Forest, who coincidentally now want to sign the starlet.

Last season he scored ten goals and set up a further eight from just behind the striker, and perhaps Lage is planning a slight formation tweak to see his conservative team turn the defensive midfield position into an attacking midfield role for the Englishman.

These numbers outperform any of Wolves players’ from 2021/22, with their top scorer Raul Jimenez – who is currently injured – only managing six league goals.

With Lage’s team built on its defensive solidity, perhaps allowing the £41k-per-week youngster a free role could help boost Wolves’ goal tally whilst retaining their structure.

Labelled a Blades “hero” by Sheffield-based journalist Chris Holt just a month into last season’s loan spell, Gibbs-White clearly enamoured himself to the Bramall Lane faithful. If given a run and some much-needed confidence in the Old Gold’s midfield, the 22-year-old could quickly become a hero at Molineux as well.

This is all dependent on the manager giving Gibbs-White regular game-time, which many would argue he has more than earned with his performances in Sheffield.

Lage did select the 22-year-old in his starting line-up against Leeds today, with the youngster delivering a performance which was dubbed “superb” by The Mirror’s Ben Husband as he featured for the full match.

If Gibbs-White earns the continued trust of his manager and keeps delivering “superb” performances, it could be a scary prospect for the rest of the Premier League this season.

West Ham United have now made an ‘important’ bid to sign Spezia defender Jakub Kiwior this summer, according to Sky Sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

The Lowdown: Irons eye new signings…

Irons boss David Moyes isn’t resting on his laurels ahead of the September 1 deadline with reliable reports claiming the Scotsman has his eye on even more West Ham signings.

Having sealed deals for Nayef Aguerd, Flynn Downes, Alphonse Areola, Gianluca Scamacca and Maxwel Cornet, a defensive crisis has prompted the Premier League side to take to the market once again.

Indeed, talks have apparently been held over Fenerbache star Attila Szalai while discussions are ongoing over a move for Paris-Saint Germain defender Thilo Kehrer (The Daily Express).

The Latest: West Ham make significant Kiwior bid…

Now, as per Sky Sports reporter Di Marzio, the Hammers have made an ‘important’ bid to sign Poland international ace Kiwior from Serie A side Spezia.

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The 22-year-old, also wanted by European giants AC Milan, seems intent on rejecting West Ham’s offer as things stand with his eyes set on regular football ahead of the World Cup.

The Verdict: Hope for a U-turn…

Di Marzio claims that Kiwior’s stance is ‘at least for the moment’, meaning something could potentially change depending on developments.

The Pole’s obvious quality will certainly have West Ham hoping for a U-turn on his alleged stance.

Kiwior even finished 21/22 as one of Spezia’s most solid defenders and made more tackles per 90 than any of his teammates domestically (WhoScored).

Out of their entire squad, the starlet also ranked in as their fourth-best performer by average match rating over last season, with it being clear he is certainly one to watch.

Leeds United have been keeping tabs on Martin Terrier for quite some time…

What’s the word?

That’s according to CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs, who revealed to GIVEMESPORT that the Yorkshire giants have done a lot of work surrounding the Stade Rennes striker.

“Terrier is the one that Leeds have kind of liked for a long, long time,” he said.

“And whilst looking at Kalimuendo, they were concurrently determining whether there was any possibility of signing him. And they’ve tracked him for a long time, they’ve put in a lot of work, they’ve done a lot of analysis.”

The 25-year-old is likely to cost in the region of £30m, as per The Athletic’s Phil Hay.

Shades of Sadio Mane

It’s now on director of football Victor Orta to end Leeds’ hunt for a new striker by making his move for the Frenchman.

Terrier is fresh off a campaign that saw him score a whopping 21 goals across 37 league appearances, also providing seven assists in all competitions, which took his total for the Ligue 1 club to 30 goals.

Meanwhile, the Whites had to suffer in front of goal in the same season. Leading talisman Patrick Bamford was restricted to nine outings in the Premier League because of injury and the recently-departed Raphinha led the team for goals (11) and creativity (1.9 key passes per game).

Therefore the need for a new frontman could be crucial to ensure that another relegation battle does not happen.

Terrier is an exciting target, seeing as he’s been likened to former Liverpool star Sadio Mane in terms of statistical profile by FBref.

When compared to other European players in his role as a seconary striker or winger, having been deployed out wide several times too, the 25-year-old gem ranks inside the top 3% for non-penalty goals (0.61 per 90), the top 9% for total shots (3.1 per 90) and the top 15% for touches in the opposition box, also via FBref.

This ability to cut inside and unleash a shot has also earned comparison to that of Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, who just like Mane, played both on the right and through the middle.

“He’s a very quick, left-sided right-footed attacking player whose trademark is coming in off the left flank and whipping shots in; a-la Thierry Henry,” claimed European football writer Tom Williams to the Sky Sports Transfer Talk podcast.

Terrier has also been lauded as a potential “real coup” for Leeds by journalist Pete O’Rourke during an interview with Football FanCast.

As such, the Spanish chief must look to seal a move for the Rennes frontman before deadline day, which is less than two weeks away. At £30m, it could be a risk worth taking as Leeds would be getting a monster that is shades of Mane, who was a lethal threat in the top-flight for several years.

AND in other news, Orta could seal “amazing” signing with late Leeds bid for £15m “maverick”…

Southampton are interested in poaching a youngster from a Premier League giant…

What’s the word?

According to The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell, Manchester United are open to permanent offers for James Garner, who spent last season on loan with Nottingham Forest.

Writing in his column for the Athletic, he notes that, as well as the Saints, Everton, Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur are all also interested.

A departure is said to only take place if it makes sense for both player and club, with the midfielder valued at £14m.

Imagine him and Ward-Prowse

Garner impressed last season with his workmanlike midfield displays that led to Forest’s promotion, and despite United’s shortcomings in that area, they seem happy to allow this “talented” youngster to leave.

To sign for the Saints could be a stroke of genius for Ralph Hasenhuttl, who could form a brilliant partnership in the engine room with his captain James Ward-Prowse.

He would also battle well with Oriol Romeu while further adding another level of quality over the Spaniard.

Garner, who was dubbed “absolutely unreal” by WhoScored’s Josh Wright, featured 40 times last term for Forest, chipping in with four goals and eight assists during a breakout year.

However, it is his 1.4 interceptions, 1.8 tackles and 0.9 clearances that would be of particular interest to Hasenhuttl, as he would offer the perfect balance to Ward-Prowse’s box-to-box nature.

Last season the England international scored ten and assisted five, thriving with the defensive security of Romeu beside him.

The side as a whole would surely benefit more when adding Garner to the midfield, whose 2.0 key passes per game also mark him out as a creative outlet from deep rather than a pure enforcer.

United’s £20k-per-week maestro could be a huge upgrade on what is already at St Mary’s Stadium, and to add him to their ranks would surely help steer the Saints away from a potential relegation battle.

He could add a silkiness to take some of the creative burden from Ward-Prowse, whilst also giving him even more space and freedom due to the added ability beside him.