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Sunderland should be doing all they can to sign Dion Sanderson this summer after a legend from his current club suggested that the player is not highly rated by the Premier League side.

What’s the talk?

Wolves legend Steve Bull has suggested that the Premier League side do not believe Sanderson will ever be good enough for the top level. The retired striker believes that the Midlands outfit would have loaned him out by now if they saw him as a player with the potential to return in the future, hinting at a permanent exit from Molineux.

He told FFC:

“I think that Wolves would have sent him out on loan to see if he managed to get any better, but obviously, they don’t think he has.

“In other people’s eyes, he’s probably a top-class player but, in Wolves’ eyes, he’s not and they must have somebody else on their radar that is better.”

Sanderson spent last season on loan to Sunderland in League One and the northern side are reportedly interested in signing him for a second spell.

Johnson will be on cloud nine

Lee Johnson will be left on cloud nine if Sunderland are able to complete a deal for the defender.

Whilst the Premier League side may not have faith in him, The Black Cats are keen on a deal to bring him back and Kristjaan Speakman could be encouraged by Bull’s comments.

The 21-year-old defender is already used to playing in Sunderland’s system and would need no period of adaptation upon joining the club. Whereas, other signings may come with a degree of risk as it is tough to tell exactly how they would fit within the set-up and how they would cope with League One football.

Johnson made his feelings clear on the “Rolls-Royce” of a defender last season. The former Bristol City coach hailed him as a shining light at the back in League One.

He told The Chronicle:

“He was the one that was kind of a shining light in terms of the defensive performance.

“That can be clouded sometimes by the team [performance] because individually he has done alright. I think that’s where it starts for all of us – make sure you are a leader for at least two people.

“If you’re playing at centre-back, then look after a central midfielder, the other centre-half, and maybe the right-back. If you look after those, it switches you on and helps you to focus and concentrate.”

“He’s a centre-half and at his age level, he is an absolute Rolls-Royce.”

The starlet averaged an impressive WhoScored rating of 6.88 in 17 starts as a centre-back in the third tier for Sunderland last season. This shows that he is capable of being consistent despite his young age and that he is able to put in quality performances, which is why Johnson will be buzzing with the prospect of working with him again next term.

Speakman must do all he can to get Sanderson back to Sunderland this summer.

AND in other news, Speakman could strike gold for Sunderland as 6ft 1 beast agrees to join The Black Cats…

Sunderland have little hope of truly competing with local rivals Newcastle United for the signing of Dion Sanderson, Black Cats great Kevin Phillips has admitted.

The lowdown

According to The Athletic, Newcastle have already seen a £1million bid turned down for the Wolves centre-back, who spent last season on loan at the Stadium of Light.

The Magpies’ bid was described as ‘speculative’ and is thought to be well below Wolves’ valuation.

The Midlands outfit are hopeful of extending his contract, but Sanderson has turned down their most recent offer.

Sanderson was Sunderland’s young player of the season in 2020/21 despite only starting 19 League One games.

He averaged 2.3 successful aerial duels, 2.7 clearances, one tackle and 0.9 interceptions per 90 minutes (via WhoScored).

Football Insider claim Sunderland, losing play-off semifinalists, also failed with a £1million attempt to sign Sanderson permanently last month.

The latest

With the two clubs battling for his signature, Phillips fears that the allure of the Premier League will inevitably sway Sanderson towards the Magpies.

That, he says, would be particularly tough for supporters to take.

But he did note that Sunderland could offer the 21-year-old a guaranteed starting place and added incentives such as tshe captaincy.

“It would be a big, big blow to lose him to Newcastle,” Phillips told Football Insider.

“If Newcastle make a concrete move there is not much competition, as much as I hate to say it.

“They are in the Premier League and it is as simple as that. Any young kid wants to play in the Premier League.

“It would take a huge effort to persuade Sanderson to join if Newcastle matched their offer.

“The only guarantee Lee Johnson can give him is that he is going to play week in, week out.

“Perhaps they could offer him the captain’s armband next season, who knows. Something like that could stop him joining Newcastle.”

The verdict

The Athletic’s report reveals that Newcastle view Sanderson as very much a long-term option, and that he could be sent straight out on loan if he does sign.

You’d think that any loan move would be to the Championship, the natural step-up after his dominant performances in League One.

Sunderland’s only hope, then, would appear to be sentimentality – Sanderson rejecting Newcastle out of gratitude to Sunderland.

But surely supporters could forgive him for instead doing what’s best for his own career.

In other news, Liam Kennedy has dropped fresh insight from those involved in the potential takeover.  

Paul Stewart reckons that Tottenham youngster Japhet Tanganga could be good enough should he cut out the mistakes.

The 22-year-old was given his first-team opportunity by Jose Mourinho in January 2020, but his progress has been stalled by several different injuries over the last two seasons.

Tanganga has missed 24 matches with back, shoulder and muscle problems, which has stopped him from getting a long run in the team.

But with Serge Aurier and Matt Doherty both unable to nail down that starting place at right-back, he did make six Premier League appearances from February onwards, all coming in two-game spurts.

Tanganga turned out seven further times in the Europe League and the domestic cups and will be hoping to remain fit and impress the new manager Nuno Espirito Santo in pre-season, especially with his ability to play in more than one different position.

But Stewart exclusively told Football FanCast that the defender must eradiate his lapses in concentration:

“Tanganga is another one, he could be a good player but has too many mistakes – too many errors that lead to goals.”

Arsenal must beat north London rivals Spurs to the signing of Bologna centre-back Takehiro Tomiyasu this summer.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that Arsenal are in talks to sign Ben White from fellow Premier League side Brighton, but it now appears the club have got their eye on another versatile defender.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are battling Spurs for the signing of Tomiyasu, and that they are talking to Serie A side Bologna to find an agreement.

A new Koscielny

Just like Koscielny was in his prime, Tomiyasu is as reliable as they come, and doesn’t often let opponents go past him, with his combination of strength, speed and reading of the game.

His current teammate at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Mitchell Dijks, dubbed him “very strong” and a “true Japanese warrior” at a press conference, via Tuttosport.

In fact, speaking about the defender’s potential, former Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni said: “He is a complete player and Bologna got a real bargain with Tomiyasu. He’s a good player and was compared to Maya Yoshida, who has been playing in Europe for a decade. He’s got the quality to be a real star.”

Able to play at centre-back, right-back, left-back and in holding midfield too, the £18m-rated ace’s versatility marks him out as someone who would be a bargain alternative to White.

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that the Brighton defender has a valuation of around the £50m mark, but when you compare the two, Tomiyasu favours well.

According to FBREF, the 6 ft 2 defender is extremely competent in one on one duels – as per 90 minutes, Tomiyasu tackled 56.7% of players who attempted to dribble past him in Serie A, significantly better than White’s 37.5%.

The Japan international also boasts a far better successful pressure percentage (ie closing down opponents), while he is considerably better on the ball too.

He had a higher successful dribble percentage, made progressive carries, and had a better pass accuracy over both short and long passes – and it’s those stats both on and off the ball that are also eerily reminiscent of Koscielny.

A profile done on the Frenchman by Sky Sports back in 2016 read: “His reading of the game, his anticipation of opponents and his positional awareness are excellent. Koscielny is as accomplished with the ball as he is without it, boasting an average pass completion rate of 91.37 per cent in the Premier League over the last two seasons.”

Tomiyasu has everything in his locker to be a new Koscielny for Arsenal and be a better signing for the Gunners than White.

Meanwhile, Arsenal could sign a new Fabregas in this star…

Celtic’s swoop for free agent Bosun Lawal is ‘done’, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Lawal spotted at Parkhead

Lawal’s contract at Watford expired earlier this month, making him a free agent. However, Celtic will have to pay a compensation fee to the Hornets.

The 18-year-old Irish midfielder was actually spotted at Parkhead on Wednesday in what has been a busy few days for the Hoops on the transfer front.

Celtic have signed winger Liel Abada and appear to be edging closer to a move for centre-back Carl Starfelt from Rubin Kazan.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/celtic-updates-9/” title=”Celtic updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Latest: Lawal deal ‘done’

According to Football Insider, who were informed by a Celtic source, the relative paperwork has been completed and a move for Lawal is ‘done’.

The Hoops are yet to officially announce a transfer but a move is wrapped up with a medical completed before he made the journey to Glasgow.

Celtic will pay Watford a six-figure compensation fee despite Lawal being a free agent, due to development costs.

The Verdict: Building for the long-term

Celtic have already signed Abada, Liam Shaw, Joey Dawson and Osaze Urhoghide this summer, and it now seems as if Lawal can join that list.

The oldest of those five mentioned is just 21 years of age, so it appears as if the Hoops are building for the future.

Troy Deeney hailed Lawal just two months ago, labelling his ability to go past a man as ‘effortless’. The forward tipped the midfielder to go on and have a successful career, and hopefully, he’ll hit his prime in Glasgow with Celtic.

In other news: Source drops Celtic transfer development after Starfelt update; McKay trying to work some magic.

Leicester City must snub Arsenal’s advances for key midfielder James Maddison this summer as Brendan Rodgers looks to build a side capable of finishing in the Champions League places.

What’s the story?

According to the Daily Mail, the Gunners would be willing to offer a number of unwanted fringe players in an attempt to land the 24-year-old over the coming months.

The report claims that a £50m offer from the north London outfit would not be enough to bring Leicester to the negotiating table, but Arsenal would allow the likes of Reiss Nelson and Ainsley Maitland-Niles to move in the opposite direction to help sweeten any deal.

Rudkin risks upsetting Rodgers

Maddison has been a central figure to Leicester’s success ever since he arrived at the King Power Stadium back in 2018. And he was rewarded for his impressive performances with a new four-year contract worth £100,000-per-week just 12 months ago.

Therefore, the Foxes are in an extremely strong bargaining position when it comes to the creative talent, and it could be a perfect opportunity for director of football Jon Rudkin to make a stand.

Much of Leicester’s recent success has been based upon their policy of selling one important player for a huge sum each summer, before wisely reinvesting the funds into the playing squad.

N’Golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez, Harry Magure, Danny Drinkwater and Ben Chilwell have all departed the Midlands outfit for astronomical profit in recent years, allowing the current FA Cup holding to continually punch about their weight.

However, after two consecutive fifth-place finishes under Rodgers, the time has now come to keep hold of their best places and make the final leap required to finish inside the top-four of the Premier League.

Unfortunately for Leicester, if the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United come calling for one of their prized assets and offer an acceptable fee, then there’s not much they can do, but Arsenal are longer in the same bracket as the aforementioned clubs.

The capital club have finished below Rodgers’ charges in the last two campaigns and face a season without European football for the first time since 1995.

If Leicester want to join the elite band of English clubs and keep their highly-rated manager happy, then Rudkin must reject any advance Arsenal make for Maddison, keeping the core of their impress squad together for at least another year.

And, in other news…Journo drops exciting Leicester update on £33k-p/w beast that’ll leave Rodgers buzzing 

Reliable reporter Alan Nixon believes Aston Villa have ‘got a fair chance’ of signing Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey this summer.

The Lowdown: £25m bid rejected

Villa were first linked with a move for the 23-year-old on Wednesday.

Reports suggested that Villa viewed Bailey as an attainable target, and they firmed up their interest 48 hours later with a formal offer.

Bayer Leverkusen rejected Villa’s £25m bid for the Jamaican, who is open to a move to Premier League. Although Villa saw their opening offer turned down, Nixon still feels a potential deal still has legs.

The Latest: Nixon’s claim

Nixon, who writes for The Sun, was asked on Twitter if he thinks Bailey to Villa will happen.

He replied, believing a transfer has ‘got a fair chance’ – an interesting four-word admission following Villa’s rejected bid.

“Think it’s got a fair chance but when you get into negotiating there’s always someone who wants to be smart … in just about every deal everywhere.”

The Verdict: Villa to repeat Smith Rowe offers?

Before Villa swooped for Bailey, they were seriously after Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe.

The Gunners turned down an opening offer of £25m and a second bid of £30m for the attacking midfielder, who has since signed a new deal at the Emirates.

Villa may well take the same route as they did with Smith Rowe by making a second bid in the region of £30m for Bailey. That may still not be enough, but it makes sense to increase offers slightly instead of paying over the odds.

In other news: ‘Not ready for this’ – Many AVFC fans react as ‘tragic’ exit link emerges. 

Many West Ham United fans have been angered on Twitter, in reaction to David Moyes’ post-match comments which featured in an official club post after their 6-2 triumph over Celtic.

In a fixture where the Hammers ran out comfortable winners, Moyes would’ve undoubtedly been pleased to see Michael Antonio, Jarrod Bowen, Armstrong Oko-Flex, Said Benrahma and Mark Noble get on the scoresheet [Daily Mail].

Speaking to the Irons official media channel, the Scot shared his delight at his sides’ performance, stating:

“You never know what the results mean in pre-season, but all I do know is we’re getting better and I want a new West Ham who play and win, try to do the right things and I thought today, we did a lot of the right things.”

Of course, Moyes will be desperate for his side to carry this free-flowing momentum into their first Premier League trip of the campaign away to Newcastle United on the 15th August [Newcastle United FC Official].

Despite this, many West Ham United diehards took to Twitter to scold the lack of action surrounding incomings at the London Stadium this summer.

West Ham United fans react:

Replying to the West Ham United FC official Twitter account, here is what some Hammers had to say upon hearing Moyes’ comments:

“Sign some players”

Credit: @Joe_Parker0

“Poor guy. Gets us to our best Prem finish and isn’t backed.”

Credit: @WHUsamzini

“Then tell Summerhouse Sully to give you the money and buy some players”

Credit: @whujosep2

“If you can’t afford to back Moyes then sell up. It’s beyond a joke now. #GSBOUT”

Credit: @CharKWHU

“Imagine finishing 6th and not getting backed”

Credit: @JoshVernege

“#GSBOUT”

Credit: @BrexitIniesta16

In other news, West Ham United have had contact with a Brazilian star.

Southampton fans are far from happy with Aston Villa’s £25m bid for midfielder James Ward-Prowse, an offer they believe to be far too low.

The Saints are preparing for the new season under Ralph Hasenhuttl, and £27m-valued Ward-Prowse (Transfermarkt) is likely to once again play a huge role for the St. Mary’s Stadium outfit.

He is the club captain, after all, and has incredibly played in every single Premier League game across the last two campaigns (Transfermarkt). The nine goals and eight assists he managed last term also illustrated his attacking threat.

Aston Villa clearly see his ability, and have made a bid of £25m. That was rejected by the Saints (Sky Sports), but the Southampton supporters are still far from happy with the offer – they clearly believe he is worth far more than that.

The news of the bid was shared on Twitter by @SaintsExtra, and it attracted plenty of attention from the Southampton supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts, with one calling it a ‘joke’.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Ward-Prowse news

“Wouldn’t even accept double that”

Credit: @sam_ratliffe

“Obviously! Insulting!”

Credit: @bfgfox

“Worst bid I’ve ever seen”

Credit: @IngsIsKing

“25 million bless their cotton socks!”

Credit: @KevanBrown05

“joke of a bid”

Credit: @sotonianwill

“£25m for the best set piece taker in the world LOOOOOL villa is a joke, they’re shaking in their boots now grealish is gone”

Credit: @sfctom_

In other news, Southampton fans were livid at this transfer news.

Southampton could be set for a flurry of late transfer activity, with the club recently confirming that Danny Ings has left the club in favour of a move to Aston Villa. 

It is reported that Ings departed for a fee in the region of £30million, which could leave Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side looking to find a replacement in the near future and with the funds to do so.

The St Mary’s Stadium faithful could have been fearful over the futures of their other key players, with James Ward-Prowse being among those.

The midfielder has been with Southampton since 2003, and has made 322 senior appearances for the club, which includes 44 in the 2020/21 season.

Ward-Prowse chipped in with nine goals and seven assists in all competitions last term, perhaps his best individual campaign to date.

The Daily Mail have recently reported that Aston Villa are interested in signing the Southampton midfielder, with it being claimed that Dean Smith’s side have made a second bid for Ward-Prowse, after an opening bid of £25million was rejected.

But BBC Radio Solent’s Sports Editor Adam Blackmore has revealed that Ward-Prowse is ‘going nowhere’ this summer, and plenty of Southampton fans were quick to take to social media to react to this important update.

Take a look at the best of the reaction from supporters to Blackmore’s tweet down below…

Southampton fans ecstatic

“Great news really. Losing him at this stage would have been hard.”

Credit: @JoePaine168

“Big statement this from Adam! Adds a bit of calm to the fanbase. Should calm some Villa fans down aswell.”

Credit: @JordanStevens92

“Now I can enjoy my day, thanks Adam.”

Credit: @kelvin93256120

“Some good news at least.”

Credit: @Tigs76

“Hope you are right as he is the heartbeat of the team – our track record as a selling club is cause for concern though.”

Credit: @Saintmick66

“My Captain. JWP is a legend”

Credit: @DAVEHYPEGAMES

“So good to read.”

Credit: @SFCMart

“Good news now can everyone stop saying he is going to leave.”

Credit: @DavidCook2913