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Liverpool could yet swoop in and try to sign Edmond Tapsoba from under Tottenham's noses, with 90min reporting that the Reds are monitoring the situation and have been "informed" of what is going on with the player.

How has Edmond Tapsoba played this season?

With 33 games and 32 starts in the league for Bayer Leverkusen over the 2022/23 season, the defender has now become a key player for the German side. He is a regular feature in their defensive line and is a reliable face at the back for them. In fact, since joining from Vitoria, the player has already racked up a total of 100 top flight games for the Bundesliga outfit. That's despite the fact he is still only 24-years-old – showing just how important he has become to the club.

In addition, he also averages 5.76 progressive passes per 90 and 1.46 progressive carries per 90. They rank him within the top eight percent for both categories amongst other centre-backs across the Men's 'Top Five' big leagues in Europe – and it shows how crucial to a team's build-up he can be from his deep position.

Now, these showings have caught the eye of Premier League teams. Tottenham have seemingly been leading the race to bring him in, but it might not be so straightforward according to a fresh report from 90min. It states that there are several other English sides, including Liverpool, who have now been "informed" about the ongoing situation.

With the Reds looking for another centre-back option, they are now keeping tabs on the Spurs target.

What could Edmond Tapsoba cost?

There is no mention of what a potential fee could be for the player, but CIES Football Observatory suggest that he could cost around 30 million Euros (or £26m). If that is the case, then Tapsoba would earn current club Bayer Leverkusen a profit on what they signed him for, whilst also not costing whichever club does snap him up a fortune in transfer fees.

He could be worth that amount too if that does turn out to be his value. Football journalist Josh Bunting has stated that the defender's stock "keeps rising" because of how good he has been in Germany and also added that he is very "attack-minded" for a player who predominantly plays in a backline, while journalist Jack Collins has called him "sensational".

It means that, if Liverpool did decide to act on this interest and try and bring him in, they could land a player that could fit straight into their defence and contribute at both ends of the field.

Liverpool are believed to be interested in a shock move to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen during the summer transfer window, according to a new report.

Is Osimhen leaving Napoli?

The Nigerian enjoyed a superb season in Naples, helping inspire them to their first Serie A title triumph since 1990, standing out as one of their star players.

The £93,000-a-week-earning Osimhen scored 26 goals in just 32 league matches, not to mention bagging four assists for teammates, and he is arguably one of the world's leading strikers on current form.

It remains to be seen if the 24-year-old will leave Napoli before the beginning of next season, as while the Italian giants are no doubt keen to retain his services, there has been plenty of Premier League interest in him, including from Manchester United and Chelsea, though suitors have been warned they'll have to shell out a huge £150m price tag get him in.

Could Liverpool make shock move for Osimhen?

According to Gazzetta dello Sport [via Sport Witness], Liverpool "have chosen Osimhen" as their primary target in attack this summer, in a rumour certainly comes as a surprise, given the depth at their disposal in that area versus their struggles in midfield.

It is claimed that "there is no doubt" that the Napoli man fit the profile for what Jurgen Klopp wants – he is "greatly appreciated" by the boss – in terms of fitting his style of play and the demands he has for his attacking players.

The report goes on to add that Liverpool are "looking for a striker who can make a difference", because the signings of Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo "did not work as hoped", with enquries now made through the player's agent.

This is a rumour that seems to have come from nowhere, with Osimhen rarely seen as a Reds target, especially with midfield additions far more pressing in this upcoming transfer window.

In truth, it is hard to see a move coming to fruition, given the price tag that Napoli have slapped on his shoulders, and the fact that Liverpool won't have a limitless amount of money to spend. In Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Nunez and Gakpo, Klopp has five great options at his disposal, and it would be difficult to keep everyone happy if Osimhen came in, too.

Should the move suddenly happen, it would certainly be no bad thing – Walter Mazzarri has described the Nigeria international as "phenomenal" and Jose Mourinho has compared him to Didier Drogba – but it would be a real shock unless someone like Nunez or Salah moves on and creates a huge gap in the Reds' ranks.

Crystal Palace are reportedly interested in signing Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun this summer in an attempt to solve their striker conundrum.

Crystal Palace transfer news – could they sign Folarin Balogun?

According to the Express, Balogun is prepared to leave Arsenal this summer to pursue regular first-team football after a successful loan spell in France last season.

It is believed the Gunners are due to hold talks with Balogun’s agent, Eddie Bonsu, after the current international break in which the 21-year-old striker has starred for the United States.

The striker has insisted he will not be sent out on loan again by Arsenal and demands regular first-team football at the Emirates or to be sold to somewhere he will get that playing time.

"I'm not sure what's going to happen. But I'm just committed to now; I try to stay present. I obviously want to enjoy the moment with my team and my family” Balogun told reporters after the USMNT defeated Canada in the CONCACAF Nations League final.

"What I can say is that I definitely won't go on loan again."

Is Balogun the man to fix Crystal Palace’s woes up front?

There’s no doubt the quality Balogun can bring to a new team, as shown by his stellar season last year in France.

The youngster signed for Stade Reims on a season long loan deal back in the summer window of 2023 and grew into one of the best strikers in the league.

In 37 appearances, Balogun hit the net 21 times and registered 3 assists, which made up 53% of his sides’ goal contribution.

His eye for goal saw him finish as the fifth top goalscorer in Ligue 1 behind the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Canadian star Jonathan David.

Balogun didn’t want to wait for an England call up either, recently committing to the USMNT and starring in their CONCACAF Nations League triumph. ‘Flo’ even notched his first goal for the U.S in the 3-0 stuffing of Canada in the final.

Former American international striker and current CBS football pundit Charlie Davis told the Los Angeles Times that Balogun can be a ‘game changer’ for the USMNT.

“If you score 20-plus goals in a top European league, you’re bringing something different to the group.

“This could be a massive game changer because of his runs, his ability, his tactical knowledge to open up space. But it’s all potential. You’ve got to bring it to the pitch.”

Palace haven’t had an out-and-out goalscorer up front since the Glenn Murray days when the former Brighton striker helped catapult the club to promotion in 2013.

Palace’s top goalscorer last season was midfielder Eberechi Eze with 10 goals. He was the only player to reach double figures.

Former Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard was signed to be the club’s main number nine back in 2021, but he managed just seven goals this season and started just over half of the clubs Premier League matches.

Palace’s other forward options, Jordan Ayew and Jean-Phillippe Mateta, managed just four and two goals this season respectively.

Balogun could be the missing piece in a Palace team that will be pushing for a top half finish next season, but they will face competition from European heavyweights like RB Leipzig to secure his signature, per the Express.

Potential new Manchester United owner Sheikh Jassim is thought to be planning a move for Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe, according to reports.

What’s the latest Man United transfer news?

Jassim is still battling Sir Jim Ratcliffe when it comes to taking over at Old Trafford from the Glazers. The Qatar group made a fifth and final offer last week to take control at United, however, he is still none the wiser when it comes to knowing if his bid has been successful.

There was recent speculation that Jassim and co were set to win the race for the Red Devils, however, that has since been shut down. It does look as if Jassim is looking at potential marquee Manchester United signings, though, with an update emerging on the future of Mbappe.

According to Football Insider, Jassim feels that the France superstar “belongs at Man United” and is planning a sensational move, should his takeover bid prove successful.

Mbappe is valued at £170m, and if he doesn’t accept a new PSG offer this summer, it is likely that he will be sold prior to the 2023/24 season.

How much does Kylian Mbappe earn?

Mbappe, hailed as "unstoppable" in the media, could prove to be a game-changing signing by Jassim and one that would surely win over every United supporter.

The 24-year-old is a world superstar and currently picks up a whopping £893,000-a-week, so alongside a £170m transfer fee, could end up costing the Qatar group hundreds of millions of pounds in total.

However, Mbappe is now a name known around the world following his displays in recent years, including scoring a hat trick in the World Cup final last year. The French forward has deals with the likes of EA Sports and Nike and has scored 212 goals and provided 98 assists in just 260 games for PSG.

Mainly a centre-forward who can also play on the left, Mbappe has gone from strength to strength in his native count and could be open to a move to the Premier League due to his contract situation at PSG.

Real Madrid have also been heavily linked with Mbappe in recent years, though, so the Spanish giants may fancy their chances of a deal, but it is good to see that Jassim is already looking at ambitious United transfers, looking to take Erik ten Hag’s side to the next level.

Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland could soon sign an extension at the Etihad, according a huge update regarding his future.

What is Haaland's current contract situation?

The Norwegian joined City last summer in arguably the most high-profile signing of the year, coming in on a contract earning him £375,000 per week. He hasn't disappointed, with so much expected of him when he came in, producing one of the greatest individual seasons in English football history.

Haaland scored 36 goals in just 33 starts in the Premier League, as well as 12 in ten in the Champions League, with Saturday's final against Inter Milan still to come. Many regard him as one of the greatest footballers on the planet currently – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has even called him the "best striker in the world" in recent times.

The 22-year-old already has a contract keeping him at the Etihad until the summer of 2027, but Real Madrid have been linked with a move for him, potentially forcing City to further improve the terms of his current deal before the transfer window opens on June 14.

Could Haaland sign City extension?

According to The Telegraph, there is hope that Haaland could sign a new contract at the Etihad, helped by City's memorable season, with a treble on offer this weekend:

"Manchester City’s historic Treble bid has increased hopes of Erling Haaland committing to a longer contract at the Etihad Stadium this summer.

"The Norway striker, 22, arrived for the start of the campaign but is in the frame for the fresh terms to make it even harder for Real Madrid to launch Operation Haaland and land the player who has scored 52 goals this season.

"There is confidence at City that an extension has a strong chance of being agreed, given Haaland’s happiness at the club."

This is massive news from a City perspective, with the risk of Haaland joining Madrid always something that feels like a nagging concern, especially with Karim Benzema leaving the La Liga giants this summer.

Signing a new-and-improved deal would clearly alleviate that issue, and while the lure of Madrid is great for most players, you wonder why the Etihad favourite would want to go anywhere else at the moment, considering the success he is enjoying under Pep Guardiola.

The hope is that Haaland spends the entirety of his career at City, and while that could be wishful thinking, with a new challenge possibly appealing one day, it is imperative that they do all they can to keep him for as long as possible.

At the tender age of just 14, Chelsea decided to release a budding young prodigy.

At the time, not much would have been made of that decision. Many an academy prospect will get dumped at a young age and go on to enjoy careers away from the game.

However, the boy in this case has made those at Cobham eat their words; Declan Rice.

Once upon a time, he was deemed too small and so off he went in search of a club that valued him more dearly. That happened to be West Ham United, the side he has gone on to captain to a European final this season.

The midfielder has also reached the final of the European Championship as a mainstay of Gareth Southgate's England squad.

Inevitably, the 24-year-old has been linked with a return to Stamford Bridge but Chelsea's London rivals, Arsenal, are thought to now be the favourites to secure his signature. However, what if Todd Boehly and co could bring a very similar player to west London this summer?

Well, a deal could well be on the table for a certain Moises Caicedo.

What's the latest on Moises Caicedo's future?

The Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder was coincidently linked heavily with the Gunners back in January.

The Ecuador international handed in a transfer request in a bid to secure a move away but it ended in disappointment. Instead of moving then, Roberto De Zerbi promised a switch at the end of the campaign, something he now looks set to seal.

Arsenal remain interested in the £90m man, yet Chelsea are now believed to be at the front of the queue. That's according to one VBETnews journalist who took to Twitter yesterday to say:

"Chelsea are frontrunners in the race to sign Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo."

The news comes amid a busy period of transfer activity for this season's underperformers who also appear to be close to landing Manuel Ugarte from Sporting CP, with the player reportedly favouring a move to Mauricio Pochettino's outfit.

Who does Moises Caicedo play like?

According to FBref's similar players model, Caicedo is comparable to the likes of Thiago Alcantara, Jorginho and Nemanja Matic.

However, it's the player that falls fourth in this statistical comparison that will set pulses racing at the Bridge; a certain Rice.

That will arguably come as no surprise given the position they play on the pitch, but it outlines them as two assets willing to impact games in a whole manner of ways.

The first similarity to note is their tough-tackling nature with Caicedo winning 1.43 tackles per 90 this season compared to Rice's 1.04. They make an almost identical number of blocks too, proving their ability to be in the right place at the right time more often than not to close down a shooting opportunity. The former makes 1.23 to the latter's 1.24 per 90 minutes.

That ability to read the game is aptly summed up the number of interceptions these two midfield warriors make with the Brighton ace registering 1.60 per 90 to the West Ham captain's 1.73.

Although Rice is more of a marauder, making 2.42 progressive carries every 90 to the Chelsea target's 1.09, they are similarly active in the final third, with the former registering 2.75 shot-creating actions to the latter's 2.52.

What this all outlines is that they are incredibly combative in central areas, boasting the ability to grab the game by the scruff of the neck in every third of the pitch.

Chelsea may well rue their decision to let Rice depart ten years ago but in the Brighton "revelation" – as he was dubbed by Jamie Redknapp, they could finally make up for that hurt.

It will cost a pretty penny to prise him away from the south coast but it would surely be worth it.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been linked to a starlet ahead of the summer transfer window, in a signing that could relieve the clubs’ goal-scoring woes.

The end of the season confirmed that Wolves were the lowest-scorers of the campaign, netting just 31 times in 38 Premier League games.

Despite ongoing FFP issues that will inevitably leave Julen Lopetegui with financial constraints this summer, Molineux could snatch a real talent in their latest link for extremely cheap.

What’s the latest on Adama Bojang to Wolves?

As reported by Standard Sport yesterday, Wolves have joined the race to sign The Gambia starlet Adama Bojang this summer.

The 19-year-old is rumoured to be valued at just £650k, currently representing Gambian club Steve Biko FC.

Wolves join Chelsea, Crystal Palace and a host of clubs around Europe in the pursuit of the 6 foot 3 forward, who caught the world’s attention for his role in The Gambia’s U20 African Cup of Nations run that saw them reach the final.

What could Adama Bojang bring to Wolves?

Lauded for his skills in finishing, pace and flair among a host of other attributes by U23 talent scout Antonio Mango, Bojang could be the man to finally unlock Wolves' suffering attack.

Earlier this year, the teenager was named in the U20 AFCON team of the competition for firing his country to a second-place finish, scoring four goals and assisting one in six games – as per Sofascore.

A similar feat is ongoing at the U20 World Cup, where the forward has maintained a 7.0 Sofascore match rating, scoring two goals in the opening three fixtures, and averaging a massive six shots per game.

Hailed as being an “insane talent” by Mango on Twitter, the young forward has been likened to Roma striker Tammy Abraham, who has previously had some fortune in the Midlands.

The Englishman scored 26 goals for Aston Villa in the Championship and has previously been regarded as a “goal machine”, showing the heights that young Bojang could reach so early in his career.

Having scored fewer goals than games played this season in the Premier League, Lopetegui must solve the equation that is limiting his side’s output in the final third.

With two strikers expected to depart in Diego Costa and Raul Jimenez, the Spaniard could have the perfect spot for the budding talent to develop and show his worth in the Premier League.

Wolves must recruit smartly this summer, in moves that maintain quality as well as being kind financially, investing in hungry young talent such as Bojang for less than £1m could prove to be a sensational move by Lopetegui, and one that ends their torrid striker curse.

Tottenham Hotspur are back in Premier League action today, as they travel to face Leeds United in a clash that could have huge repercussions at both ends of the table.

Whilst Ryan Mason will be seeking to ensure his side's presence in the Europa Conference League for next year, the best possible finish he could secure for whoever the new manager might be, instead Sam Allardyce is seeking to demolish the Lilywhites in order to secure survival. Even then they would remain reliant on Everton dropping points, making the day a dismal-looking one for the Yorkshire outfit.

Many of the travelling fans will likely welcome the end of this abysmal campaign, which has seen three different managers grace their dugout and many of the playing staff reveal their true colours.

It is clear to many that this is a squad far from capable of leading the club into a brighter future, and for Daniel Levy, this summer represents a time to thin out those far from the requisite level to return them that level.

As such, this clash could even mark a farewell game for some, with Ben Davies being one who should be shown the exit door.

Will Ben Davies leave Tottenham Hotspur?

Pundit Jamie O'Hara summed it up perfectly when he noted that the Welshman was part of a back three that was "not good enough" for the club only in March.

However, with few other viable options within the squad, today might have to be his last start.

The 30-year-old moved to north London back in 2014 as one of Mauricio Pochettino's first signings, and has since gone on to feature 310 times for the Lilywhites, marking him out as a mainstay throughout his period at the club.

However, as has been the case with many this term, under the scrutiny this season has commanded, the former Swansea City full-back has wilted.

A 6.81 average rating is indicative of his consistently underwhelming displays, with only one of his last five league games surpassing a 6.7 rating. Such figures are only maintained when delving deeper into his statistics for the year, as an 83% pass accuracy alongside 0.6 interceptions and 0.8 tackles per game are hardly stunning for someone often deployed at centre-back, via Sofascore.

Although it was some time ago now, the £80k-per-week dud was even branded "embarrassing" by pundit Noel Whelan for one particularly poor passing display, with the aforementioned accuracy from this campaign suggesting that little has changed since then. He remains the average asset he has always been, never offering anything outstanding, but seldom letting the side down.

It is no surprise that such mediocrity has seen his future already questioned, with Levy reportedly open to offers for the defender. As part of a revolutionary summer, this kind of dead weight must be binned and improved upon, thus making today what should be his final game in a Spurs shirt.

Football.London correspondent Rob Guest has now mooted chairman Daniel Levy to strike a ‘decent’ Tottenham Hotspur deal for Inter Milan star Stefan de Vrij this summer.

The Lowdown: Spurs in mix…

The Netherlands international, out of contract in 2023, has been at the centre of recent reports linking him with a San Siro exit and Spurs are firmly in contention to bring him to the Premier League.

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Rumours of transfer chief Fabio Paratici and the club’s interest can be traced as far back as November with those links continuing long into 2022.

Lilywhites head coach Antonio Conte is allegedly a real fan of de Vrij and could well move for his former Inter star in the next transfer window, as per murmurs out of Italy.

Now, a source closer to home in football.london reporter Guest has mooted a potentially ‘decent’ Spurs deal for the 30-year-old who could save the club ‘millions’.

The Latest: Guest moots ‘decent’ de Vrij deal…

The journalist, citing chairman Daniel Levy, believes Tottenham’s chairman ‘could possibly get a decent deal’ to sign de Vrij due to his contractual situation.

Guest also believes that the centre-back may be a ‘cheaper option’ due to his age with also preferring experienced figureheads.

As a result, the reporter backs that de Vrij is a target Paratici and co may ‘consider’ as the window looms.

The Verdict: Make a move…

All of these factors suggest Conte’s ex-mainstay for Inter is not only a financially viable signing, but also one which could tick many factors in terms of a seasoned, quality addition.

Hailed as a ‘world-beater’ by former Leeds striker Noel Whelan, another pundit in ex-Spurs defender Alan Hutton has also claimed that de Vrij could be the ‘perfect’ player to partner Cristian Romero in a back-three.

Recent reports have suggested that the Nerazzurri could green-light his sale for as little as £15 million, arguably very little considering his reputation and glowing endorsements.

He could well be the answer for Spurs as Conte eyes a major overhaul.

In other news: Fabrizio Romano: Conte could now lose ‘monster’ Spurs player who’s ‘expected to leave’! Find out more here.

Celtic have cashed in on a number of their players over the past few years such as Odsonne Edouard, Kristoffer Ajer and Moussa Dembele among others.

Another man for whom the Parkhead club picked up a significant transfer fee is left-back Kieran Tierney, who joined Premier League club Arsenal in August 2019 for £25m.

A product of the Parkhead club’s youth system, the defender made 170 appearances for the Hoops across all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing 37 assists in the process.

Prior to joining the north London club, Barry Ferguson claimed that a transfer fee of £50m for the full-back would have been cheap, highlighting just how highly the 24-year-old was rated during his days in Scotland.

Now that the summer transfer window is around the corner, this could give Ange Postecoglou the chance to sign his own version of Tierney and bring a new left-back to Celtic.

Back in December, the Parkhead club were linked with a move for Hibernian full-back Josh Doig, but they failed to secure his signature in the January transfer window.

With the summer in mind, this should give the Hoops an ideal period to reignite their interest in him and finally bring the 19-year-old to Glasgow.

Having played in 74 senior games for his current club, the teenager has scored one goal and provided six assists along the way.

In comparison to current Celtic left-back Greg Taylor, the Hibs youngster has shown just how capable he is of playing in the Premiership. This season has seen the 19-year-old record more crosses, interceptions and tackles than Taylor.

Even though the Hibs youngster has played 10 more games than the Celtic defender, he has still committed fewer fouls (12) than his fellow countryman (21). This shows that he may not be as much of a liability as Taylor, whilst still having the talent to be a defensive and attacking threat.

Hailed as a “phenomenal” player by Ray McKinnon, Doig could be an ideal long-term replacement for Tierney and be a major competitor for Taylor in the Hoops’ line-up.

Moving forward, if Postecoglou thinks that his defence needs some reinforcements during the summer, securing a deal for the Hibs talent should be at the top of their list.

In other news: Postecoglou can finally axe “unacceptable” Celtic dud with move for “class” £1.6m star