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Newcastle United have emerged as “firm favourites” to bring RB Leipzig midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai to the Premier League, according to journalist Bence Bocsak.

Is Dominik Szoboszlai leaving RB Leipzig?

Eddie Howe is reportedly looking to bolster his central ranks during the upcoming window and has highlighted the 22-year-old as a player that he would like to try and bring to the northeast in the weeks and months ahead.

Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg recently revealed that the Hungary international is “aware” of the “concrete interest” from PIF and Eddie Howe who have made him a “top target” after previously sending scouts to watch him twice within the space of a fortnight.

Marco Rose’s talisman has openly admitted that he “dreams” of joining a “big club” and named England as one of three countries alongside Spain and Germany as a possible destination, and despite there also being interest from Liverpool, it sounds like the black and white stripes are the ones currently in pole position.

Are Newcastle signing Szoboszlai?

Taking to Twitter, Bocsak claimed that Newcastle are leading the race to land Szoboszlai who is apparently attracted by the ongoing project at St. James’ Park. He wrote:

“My latest info on Szoboszlai. Leipzig are willing to reluctantly let him go. Many parties interested, but no one ready to pay his €70m [£60m] release clause. #NUFC are firm favourites, and their project is appealing. He also has other interest from Spain and PL. #LFC like him, but not in the race at this stage."

Newcastle going to the lengths that they have in their pursuit of Szoboszlai shows just how serious they are about securing his services, and having been dubbed a “magician” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, PIF should 100% cash out on the attacking midfielder.

The EM Sports Consulting client clocked up 14 goal contributions (eight assists and six goals) in 31 Bundesliga appearances last season and as recognition for his high standard of performances, received four man-of-the-match awards.

The Champions League participant was also a constant threat even when he wasn’t on the scoresheet during the previous term, recording 150 shot-creating actions which was higher than any of his teammates and 117 crosses which was the second-biggest total throughout his squad, as per FBRef.

Szoboszlai, who has the versatility to operate in seven different positions in midfield and attack, is additionally appreciated on the international stage having been named Hungary’s Footballer of the Year in 2022, so it would be a massive coup for the Magpies boss should he successfully land his target.

The West Ham board has been teetering for a while, endlessly agonising over David Moyes’ uncertain future.

The Scotsman has bought so much joy to East London. Incredibly, he managed consecutive top-seven finishes, as well as a commendable European excursion last season that was halted in the semi-finals by the eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt.

This term, the Irons have gone one step further on the continent and made it to the Europa Conference League Final.

Moyes and his squad are on the cusp of immortality, but failure to win this competition could spell the end for the veteran coach.

According to the Guardian, the Hammers are giving fresh consideration to Moyes’ dismissal to heighten the pressure on the game on Wednesday evening in Prague.

His fate rests upon reversing history and securing West Ham’s first major trophy in 43 years.

However, as per Foot Mercato’s Santi Aouna, Brendan Rodgers is a “leading candidate”, should Moyes fail at the last hurdle.

Would Brendan Rodgers be a good fit at West Ham?

A victim of recency bias would wrongly discount the obvious quality of Rodgers. The 50-year-old has endured a difficult campaign, unable to stem Leicester City’s downward spiral that culminated in a surprising relegation.

The club only signed two players last summer to leave Rodgers exposed and unevenly supported.

Prior to this tumultuous year at the King Power Stadium, the Northern Irishman had deservedly developed a prestigious reputation as quite simply, an unbelievable coach.

He first announced his managerial brilliance to British football with Swansea, securing promotion to the Premier League in 2012 via the play-offs.

The tactician was then announced as the boss of Liverpool and although it didn't quite go according to plan there, Merseyside legend Steven Gerrard was one effusive voice, heaping praise upon his managerial style.

He said: “His one-on-one management is the best I have known. He makes you go out onto the pitch feeling a million dollars — full of confidence and belief. He is a very confident manager.”

In more recent times, Rodgers managed the Foxes to their first-ever FA Cup victory in 2021 and had the club on the cusp of Champions League football.

Jurgen Klopp has expressed his admiration for his peers' work and said: “Leicester are built like you would like to build a team. Brilliant team. What they do is really good. Exciting, fresh; defend well; play football and are especially threatening in counter-attacks."

After an £166m outlay last summer, Moyes conceded that the spending “has not worked as well” as he would’ve liked, and given Rodgers' ability to pinpoint a player’s best role and mould a squad, his arrival at the London Stadium could be the perfect scenario.

Described as “unbelievable” by Michail Antonio, a player he could end up coaching, the appointment of Rodgers would herald a new era that could reignite the squad and the fan base.

Everton are reportedly taking an interest in Fenerbahce centre-back Kim Min-jae ahead of the summer transfer window, and with the South Korea international reportedly in England, a deal with a Premier League club could well be on the cards.

What’s the word?

According to Turkish journalist Volkan Demir, the Toffees and Tottenham Hotspur are both interested in signing the 25-year-old this summer after his impressive performances in Istanbul.

Both clubs are reported to have progressed in negotiations with the defender, and it seems as if Kim may well be on move again this summer after making the switch to Turkey in 2021.

An instant upgrade for Everton?

The 2021/22 season saw Kim make 31 appearances in the Turkish Super Lig, in which he averaged an impressive 6.91 rating from WhoScored for his performances, which was better than any defender in Everton’s squad in the Premier League.

Valued at just £12.6m, the centre-back would also represent a relatively cheap option for Frank Lampard this summer, as the 43-year-old looks to improve on a Toffees defence which shipped 66 goals in the most recent top-flight campaign.

Meanwhile, Fenerbahce conceded 38 goals in the same number of matches in their league, which suggests that, although the Super Lig is of a lower standard compared to the English top flight, Kim can be relied upon to keep opponents out.

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At 6 foot 3, he certainly won’t lack the physicality required to play in the Premier League, while his performances have also earned him the praise of Turkish news outlet Potomac, who described him as “indispensable” in recent months.

The 2021/22 season saw the 25-year-old average 1.5 tackles, 2.3 interceptions and 4.1 clearances per game in the Super Lig. This was more interceptions and clearances than anyone in Everton’s squad, while only Ben Godfrey averaged more tackles from Lampard’s central defensive options.

In addition to making an impact on the pitch, the signing of a popular South Korea international could do wonders for Everton off the field, as has been seen with the formation of South Korean Tottenham Hotspur fan clubs following the success of Heung-min Son in north London.

Therefore, it seems clear that Kim would be an excellent addition to Lampard’s squad this summer, and is a deal that Farhad Moshiri must now look to complete.

In other news… Everton in prime position to sign £19.8m-rated titan, he won’t cost a penny

Former Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton has made an ‘incredible’ claim regarding Rangers defender Calvin Bassey, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Villa closing in?

Steven Gerrard and NSWE have been hard at work in the transfer market over the last seven days, putting a number of deals in place ahead of the summer window.

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Villa have secured permanent deals for Philippe Coutinho and Boubacar Kamara and have also reached an agreement for centre-back Diego Carlos.

Another defender could be on the way, with The Times suggesting that Villa are also closing in on a move for Rangers star Bassey.

The Latest: Hutton’s comments

Hutton, who contributes for Sky Sports, was talking to FI about Bassey and Villa. He labelled a Villa swoop is a ‘no-brainer’ and waxed lyrical regarding the defender, describing him as ‘outstanding’ in the Europa League final and backed him to be an ‘incredible player’.

“He was outstanding in the Europa League final, and he carried that on in the Scottish Cup too.

“He’s growing in stature game-on-game. It doesn’t matter where he plays, centre-back or left-back – he gives you an unbelievable presence.

“He’s got such versatility – and that’s an attribute Villa will value so highly. For him to be putting in these kinds of performances at his age, and showing his capability at the highest level – it’s a no-brainer for someone like Villa to come in.

“If he can maintain that level and that consistency week-in, week-out – then wow, he could be an incredible player.”

The Verdict: Get it done

Bassey enjoyed a phenomenal season at Ibrox, making 49 appearances in all competitions. He turned out at centre-back and left-back, picking up the club’s Young Player of the Season award.

The Nigerian impressed many when it mattered most in cup finals against Frankfurt and Hearts, so a move to Villa Park could be a shrewd one.

The 22-year-old would provide Gerrard with another option at centre-back and cover for Lucas Digne at left-back, and you’d like to think he’ll only get better over the coming years.

In other news: Blow for NSWE: Villa will now miss out on key target after talks; Gerrard was desperate for him

Wolverhampton Wanderers are interested in signing Rangers’ Nigerian star, Calvin Bassey.

That is according to a report from Daily Record that was published earlier this week, claiming that Wolves were one of the potential destinations for the the 22-year-old.

As per the report, it would take a “club record” deal that would eclipse the reported £16m fee that Everton paid for Nathan Paterson in his recent move to Goodison Park, before the Gers would even consider selling. A fee of around £20m could be enough.

The Nigeria international has made use of the platform Rangers have afforded him and consequently, his leap of faith from the safe haven of the Leicester City Academy ranks has paid dividends for a player who has just put in a mesmeric performance in the Europa League Final for the Scottish Cup Champions and was dubbed “The Great Wall” for his display by Glasgow Times Football.

Operating as a left centre-back in a 4-3-3 formation for Van Bronckhorst’s side, he lasted the full 120 minutes and won 80% of his aerial duels in what was an inspired performance from a player who is clearly built for the highest level of football.

As a much sought after left-footed centre-back, his performances have piqued the interest of Wolves boss Bruno Lage, who could do with a replacement for Romain Saiss amidst the Moroccan star’s uncertainty over his future at the club.

Bassey’s numbers this year have been exceptional, with almost all of his defensive metrics bettering that of Saiss’.

The 22-year-old’s ability in possession, having played the majority of his football in a back-two, is particularly impressive and would be unlocked further through the ability to progress further up the pitch in Lage’s three-at-the-back system alongside club captain Conor Coady, someone he could establish a fierce and progressive partnership with.

Whilst he is able to progress the ball with his average of 43.20 carries per game, it’s his defensive acumen, more so for tackles and interceptions that could entice Lage to make a bid – with his average of 4.82 tackles plus interceptions a metric that could improve Wolves’ team average of 9.9 per game this season.

Bassey, who is ten years younger than Saiss, could not just replace the Moroccan, but would also serve as a big upgrade.

In other news: “Wolves want..” – Tim Spiers drops Molineux claim that’ll leave supporters buzzing