Leeds United are said to be in conversations with a striker as they look to add to their capture of Harry Wilson. The Whites agreed a contract with the soon-to-be former Fulham forward, who is coming off the best season of his career so far.
Wilson joins a number of his Welsh teammates at Elland Road, including Ethan Ampadu, Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon and Dan James. Given Wilson’s form last season, it is a huge coup for Leeds, with the former Liverpool forward having tipped for a move to one of the European hopefuls this summer.
But the work goes on for Leeds, and their striker search appears to have led them to a forward currently playing in France.
Sinayoko interest ramps up
Lassine Sinayoko is attracting interest aplenty this summer, having impressed for Auxerre last season, scoring 12 and assisting four. Sebastien Denis of FootMercato says a number of French clubs are speaking to Sinayoko over a summer move, while Leeds and Brighton are both said to be in talks with his representatives this summer.
The striker added fire to the transfer rumours at the end of May, when he said: “It’s a period I really enjoy because I want to know where I stand, to know who’s going wherever they are, whether it’s here or at any other club. So it’s really a window I like a lot. But now, it’s no longer up to me. Anything that’s being said here and there, unless it comes from me or my representatives, I don’t pay attention to it, I don’t believe it.”
The report claims talks are ongoing with a number of clubs, and the decision will likely come down to the striker himself, who will be able to choose where he ends up.
Sinayoko a ‘complete attacker’
Ulrik Pedersen/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA
Sinayoko’s reputation has been getting bigger and bigger over recent years, and he was said to have been one step away from signing for Lens last summer only for a U-turn to keep him with Auxerre. He helped keep the team in Ligue 1 without any real struggle during the season just gone, but it now seems inevitable he will take the next step in his career.
French Football Weekly provided a profile on the player, and they describe: “Beyond his statistics, Sinayoko is a complete attacker. Tireless in his efforts and always valuable in the defensive withdrawal, the Malian international often acted as the first defender of his team. In a season where AJA regularly suffered without the ball, its unfailing commitment was unanimously praised internally.”
Given Leeds are not likely to dominate teams week-in, week-out, that kind of hard-working striker who will defend from the front could be the ideal fit for what Daniel Farke wants.
Rangers have set their sights on Hull City goalkeeper Ivor Pandur and are preparing a swap deal for the Croatian, according to Alan Nixon.
Pandur has emerged as a target as the Gers look to add a senior shot-stopper to new manager Derek McInnes’ squad. They are said to have also explored a move for Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson, but are now focused on Hull’s number one.
The 26-year-old enjoyed a fine season with the Tigers, helping them earn promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs. He has been at MKM Stadium since January 2024 and has just one year left on his contract.
Rangers Ready Swap Deal For Pandur
Nixon claims on Patreon that Rangers don’t want to pay Hull’s £10million asking price for Pandur. Instead, they are willing to send Jack Butland in the opposite direction.
The 33-year-old was Danny Rohl’s number one throughout last season, appearing 55 times across competitions. A player plus cash deal could appeal to the newly-promoted Premier League side.
Pandur is currently on international duty with Croatia at the World Cup but could be on the move during the tournament. McInnes will expect to be backed in the summer transfer window, and the Croat could be the first of many new faces to arrive at Ibrox.
Crystal Palace are reportedly eyeing Toulouse defender Charlie Cresswell as a potential Maxence Lacroix replacement, according to Alan Nixon.
Lacroix looks likely to be headed for the exit door at Selhurst Park as Chelsea look to sign the French centre-back. Fabrizio Romano reports that the west London outfit have started talks to bring the 26-year-old to Stamford Bridge.
Palace sold Marc Guehi to Manchester City in January for £20m, and losing Lacroix will be a massive blow. He’s been a rock in central defence ever since arriving from VfL Wolfsburg in August 2024 for £18m.
Newly-appointed Eagles boss Pierre Sage will have been keen on working with the player who earned a call-up to France’s squad for the World Cup. Steve Parish’s transfer chiefs appear to be putting plans in place to try to deal with his exit and could turn to Cresswell.
New Crystal Palace boss is a big fan of Cresswell
Nixon reports on his Patreon that Palace are “looking into a deal for Cresswell” and Sage is a “big fan.” He’ll have come up against the former Leeds United man during his time coaching Lens and Lyon in Ligue 1.
Cresswell joined Toulouse from Leeds back in July 2024 for £3.8m, and he’s been a mainstay in the French team ever since. Last season, he made 32 appearances across competitions, even posting four goals and three assists.
Palace could sign the former England U21 international “if the price is right,” and he’s viewed as an ideal replacement for Lacroix. His powerful profile and “warrior” playing style could be a good fit.
Palace may not reinvest Lacroix money at all
There is a possibility that the South London outfit sticks with their current options. Chadi Riad has been excellent since returning from injury and has been a standout performer for Morocco at the World Cup.
Jaydee Canvot stepped up following Guehi’s departure and earned a regular starting berth in Oliver Glasner’s side. He partnered Lacroix and the always consistent Chris Richards in defence.
Cresswell could be a solid addition to Sage’s squad, but shouldn’t be viewed as a priority. A previous report from The Athletic claims that Toulouse values the player at around £26m after rebuffing an offer from Wolfsburg in January.
Palace could be aided by their relationship with the Ligue 1 club, from whom they signed Canvot last summer. They paid £23m for the young French centre-back and might be able to draw on prior business between the two clubs.
Tottenham have received a big boost in their reported bid to land a statement Premier League deal this summer. Spurs have been one of the busiest teams in the summer transfer window so far, snapping up four new signings already, including Martin Dubravka, who is their latest signing.
Roberto De Zerbi wants a whole new look to his Tottenham squad, and few can blame him, given how poorly Spurs have performed in the last two Premier League campaigns. There is a real ‘enough is enough’ feel to this particular Tottenham recruitment drive, and money will continue to be spent over the coming weeks and months.
Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali has emerged as one of Tottenham’s top targets in this window. In fact, Spurs have already seen a £75million offer for the Italian rejected, with Newcastle holding out for something between £80million and £90million.
There were reports doing the rounds that Tonali would prefer a move elsewhere as he looks to play Champions League football, but according to a fresh report from Sky Sports News. that is not the case.
According to the report, Tonali is, in fact, ready to join Tottenham, as long as they can reach a deal with a current club. It’s reported the midfielder is keen to play for De Zerbi, and he is said to have been offered £275,000-per-week to make the move to Hotspur Way.
Why do Tottenham want Tonali?
via Reuters
Tottenham are willing to spend big money to land Tonali, and that’s because they know they would be getting a proven Premier League player who is capable of playing in just about any midfield. De Zerbi wants this Spurs side to be dominant and attacking, and that’s what Tonali brings.
The Italian is an aggressive player whose game revolves around winning the ball back as quick as possible and driving up the pitch. Described as ‘fast’ and a ‘complete midfielder’ who is able to play as a six, eight and a 10 by The Athletic, Tonali – pardon the pun – is a tone-setting midfielder who demands those around him to play with an attacking mindset.
He is not the player for a more patient and structured team, but that is not how De Zerbi wants this Spurs team to play. He wants front-footed football, and Tonali can help make that happen.
