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Liverpool have wasted no time in getting their midfield rebuild started with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai joining this summer but now a fresh update has emerged on another potential transfer target.

What's the latest on Liverpool's interest in Marcos Llorente?

According to reports coming out of Spain, Liverpool are competing with Manchester United for the signing of Atletico Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente.

As per the report, it is claimed that the two Premier League giants and bitter rivals are both interested in snapping up Llorente's services ahead of next season and it would take an offer of €60m (£51m) for Atletico to part ways with their player this summer.

Is Marcos Llorente a good player?

Jurgen Klopp will be thrilled with the business that has already been completed at Anfield, however, there is definitely still work to be done and potential moves to be made during the summer transfer window to ensure Liverpool can get back to competing at the highest level.

Following the departures of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner it has paved the way for a full refresh in midfield, and it is not only the recent who Klopp will need to consider replacing in the near future.

Both Thiago Alcantara and club captain Jordan Henderson are well into their 30s at this point and reaching the latter stages of their careers, so if an opportunity arises to bring in worthy successors for the duo it should be taken.

As a result, the signing of Llorente could be a fantastic piece of business for Liverpool and would not only provide them with an experienced winner but an ideal heir for Henderson.

As per FBref, the 28-year-old – who has become an "incredible footballer" in the eyes football talent scout Jacek Kulig – ranks in the top 5% of his positional peers across the top five European leagues for progressive carries, progressive passes received and touches, as well as ranking in the top 25% for shot-creating actions too. Such a play style means he's a far more mobile asset than Henderson.

As it happens, though, when comparing the Spaniard's output last season to the Liverpool skipper, Llorente offered many similarities in key attributes to Henderson including pass completion rate (80.9% v 83%), shot-creating actions per 90 (3.17 v 3.13), tackles and interceptions (49 v 53), successful take-ons (44.4% v 52.2%) and crosses (44 v 45), despite playing 13 fewer league games.

Not only that, Llorente is an incredibly versatile all-action talent who could be the perfect utility player for Klopp as the German coach tries to navigate the best way to deploy Trent Alexander-Arnold; who has become a revelation in a new role that has seen him play as an inverted right-back for Liverpool and also deployed successfully in a midfield three for England in recent months.

The 18-cap Spain international is experienced in several positions including defensive, central, attacking and right midfield, as well as also making 11 appearances at right-back too, demonstrating a similar diverse skill-set to that of Milner which would be a huge asset and attractive prospect to Klopp.

With that being said, a move for Llorente would certainly provide the club with an experienced and worthy heir to succeed Henderson, so if FSG could sanction a move this summer it could further improve Liverpool's midfield presence.

The summer transfer window is well underway and Glasgow Rangers have been incredibly busy ahead of the 2023/24 Scottish Premiership campaign.

Dujon Sterling, Jack Butland, Kieran Dowell, Abdallah Sima, and Sam Lammers have all joined the club to bolster the squad from last season, while the likes of Alfredo Morelos, Scott Arfield, and Ryan Kent have moved on from Ibrox.

The Daily Record have also claimed that the club are closing in on the signings of Jose Cifuentes, from LAFC, and Cyriel Dessers, from Cremonese, to take the number of new arrivals to seven.

However, Michael Beale could also add to his first-team options by promoting one of the B-Team stars over to the senior group if they impress during pre-season, with Lewis Mayo, Ben Williamson, Cole McKinnon, Kieran Wright, and Arron Lyall all reportedly joining the manager's squad for training this week.

Who is Arron Lyall?

The 19-year-old, who is part of the group of young players attempting to catch the eye of the boss, is an exciting winger who predominantly plays on the right but is also capable of playing on the left or through the middle.

Rangers have been linked with interest in signing a new wide player, with LAFC's Kwadwo Opoku a reported €4.8m (£4.1m) transfer target, and Beale could now save the club millions by unleashing Lyall as a first-team player, preventing the need for a fresh addition from elsewhere.

The teenage wizard, who was described as "exciting" by ex-boss Neil McCann, enjoyed a prolific 2022/23 campaign as he plundered 15 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions, including 13 in 34 Lowland League outings.

Meanwhile, Antonio Colak (14) and James Tavernier (16) were the only senior stars with more league goals, while Malik Tillman was the highest-scoring midfielder with ten.

This suggests that the speed demon, whose "terrific" burst of pace was hailed by journalist Jordan Campbell, has the potential to be an excellent wide option for Beale if he can translate his impressive B-Team form over to the Premiership.

He did enough to convince the manager to hand him his debut for Rangers off the bench against Hibernian at the end of last season, which suggests that the 42-year-old tactician views the goalscoring winger as a prospect with the quality to play first-team football.

It's an exciting time to be part of the toward line at Ibrox right now, something that will be boosted by Dessers' arrival. He found the net on ten occasions last term and the 28-year-old, who is now in his prime, could be one of the players to immediately take Lyall under his wing and develop him as a footballer.

It is unlikely the teen will get too many minutes immediately but it could be the start of a fresh new partnership at Ibrox.

Beale must start by offering Lyall enough opportunities to impress in pre-season with a view to increasing his role in the senior side next term, if he can handle the step up to playing at that level on a regular basis.

Such an eventuality could subsequently prevent any need for Rangers to sign a new winger.

Leeds United are reportedly not close to appointing a new manager despite speculation claiming Daniel Farke has agreed on Elland Road terms.

What’s the latest Leeds manager news?

The Whites are still looking to bring in a new long-term manager under new owners the 49ers Enterprises. However, the club appear to be waiting for the EFL to give the green light on a takeover before any official announcement is made on a new manager.

Time is ticking, though, with a number of Leeds’ first-team players set to report back for pre-season ahead of the new Championship season over the coming days.

There have been plenty of rumours about Farke making the move to Yorkshire, with The Daily Mail claiming on Thursday lunchtime that the German has now agreed on terms with the Whites and has even been shown around the Thorp Arch training complex following a lengthy interview process.

However, according to talkSPORT’s Jason Bourne, Leeds are not close to appointing a new manager, saying on Thursday evening:

“Sources close to Leeds suggesting to talkSPORT they're not close with an appointment of a head coach yet. Daniel Farke is being heavily linked with the role today.”

What other managers have been linked with Leeds?

It has been a lengthy process on the search for a new manager after Sam Allardyce was relieved of his duties following a temporary stint, and Farke isn’t the only name to have been linked with a move to Leeds.

Reports earlier this month claimed that former Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira and ex-Bournemouth boss Scott Parker were also among the leading candidates. However, it looks as if Vieira is one of the favourites to take over at French side Strasbourg, so a move to Elland Road may not be on the cards.

Speculation has gone quiet with Parker, but on the face of things, you could argue that Farke is the standout option for the three mentioned.

Vieira doesn’t have any experience of the Championship, although Parker has two promotions to the Premier League on his CV with Bournemouth and Fulham, one of which came via the playoffs.

Farke plays a 4-2-3-1 system and has racked up a whopping 251 points in 138 games in the Championship with Norwich City. He led the Canaries to two titles in the second tier, so he could look to make it three with Leeds, but by the looks of it, a move may not be as advanced as some believe.

Chelsea are reportedly leading the chase to sign goalkeeper Mike Maignan from AC Milan this summer as Mauricio Pochettino aims to significantly strengthen his squad.

What’s the latest on Mike Maignan to Chelsea?

According to Italian outlet Corriere della Sera, the Blues are one of the sides at the top of the list to sign Maignan this summer, and any potential move could cost the club around €70m (£60m).

The ‘keeper is refusing to sign a new contract with the Serie A side due to Paolo Maldini’s controversial departure from the Rossoneri recently, and this could allow the Stamford Bridge outfit to make a move for the Frenchman.

Could Mike Maignan improve Chelsea?

Pochettino looks set to undergo a full overhaul of the Chelsea squad during the transfer window, with the likes of Kai Havertz, Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante at least partly out the door, Todd Boehly is also keen on moving on plenty more, with Edouard Mendy another player who could leave, as a move to Saudi Arabia is being touted.

This would leave Pochettino with just Kepa Arrizabalaga as the sole choice for the No 1 jersey and while he kept nine clean sheets and conceded 33 goals across 29 Premier League matches, he has been dubbed a “liability” previously by former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot, and perhaps a new direction will be taken ahead of Pochettino’s debut campaign.

Maignan enjoyed a stellar 2022/23 season, conceding only 27 goals from 29 appearances across all competitions, while also keeping ten clean sheets during those matches.

The “impressive” titan – as so dubbed by journalist Josh Bunting – has proven his ability across the big five European leagues during the previous 365 days, ranking in the top 11% for goals against per 90 (0.93) and percentage of penalty kicks saved (50%).

In contrast, the Chelsea shot-stopper ranks in just the top 24% for goals against per 90 (1.09), while he also hasn’t made a penalty save during the last 365 days, ranking him in the lowest 77% across Europe’s big five leagues. This indicates that Maignan could be an upgrade for Pochettino.

The 27-year-old could also give the new manager an abundance of leadership qualities from the back, having marshalled a side which lost eight times last season – the joint second-lowest in Serie A. This is something which was sorely lacking at the Blues last term as they struggled to a 12th-place finish in the Premier League.

Indeed, France manager Didier Deschamps lavished praise upon Maignan following a game against the Republic of Ireland in March, saying: “Mike has great qualities, his stature and his mentality. He saved a penalty last Friday, but this was more significant. I never had any doubts about him. He is a great leader and a great player.”

The eight-cap star could finally be the leader that Chelsea require in order to challenge for trophies once again, and following his impressive campaign, where he nearly led Milan to a Champions League final, a move to England certainly wouldn’t faze him in the slightest.

According to recent reports in the media, Neymar is pushing hard to return to Barcelona this summer and Paris Saint-Germain are prepared to sanction his exit.

What is the latest Neymar transfer news?

Back in August of 2017, the Brazilian superstar left La Liga for Ligue 1 in a world-record transfer move which cost €222m (£200m) after his buyout clause was met.

While he has won plenty with PSG – including five league titles – it could be argued that his career has been on a bit of a downward trajectory since arriving in France.

After all, he hasn't been able to win the Ballon d'Or, nor has he lifted the Champions League or won a major trophy with Brazil since leaving Barca.

Now aged 31, it appears he could be ready for a new step in his career with reports from Spain (via Sport) suggesting he wants to follow Lionel Messi out the door this summer.

Indeed, the article explains that Neymar is keen to move back to Barcelona and hopes to use Pini Zahavi – who was key in his initial Camp Nou exit – as a way of getting back to La Liga, with the Israeli representative a "great friend" of the Barca president, Joan Laporta.

How much does Neymar get paid?

What's more, it's also noted in the report that PSG are open to selling the player as he is on such big wages, tied to a contract that still runs until June 30, 2025.

Although he scored an impressive 18 goals and picked 17 assists last term, he was only fit to play 29 games in total – and missed the Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich with injury too.

This combined with his £941k-per-week wages, shows why his current side may be happy enough to sell this summer.

Of course, though, it also means an awful lot of money will be required to sign him and it remains unclear if Barca could afford to do that.

After all, they still have major concerns thanks to La Liga's Financial Fair Play rules, with a wage bill that stood at around €655m [£582m] when reported by Daily Mail in March.

Finally, the Sport article also mentions that manager Xavi has already made it clear that Neymar is not among his priorities, and he could only consider the deal once a few signings such as a midfielder and a defender have also been made.

Leeds United have "enquired" about making former Fulham and Bournemouth boss Scott Parker their new manager, according to a new update.

Has Parker been linked with Leeds?

A host of different names have been linked with taking charge at Elland Road this summer, whether it be Brendan Rodgers, Steven Gerrard or Carlos Corberan, as the Whites prepare for life in the Championship.

One such individual is Parker, who is currently not in a managerial job, having left his post as Club Brugge boss earlier this year. The 42-year-old has plenty of experience in the second tier, having managed both Fulham and Bournemouth, guiding both into the Premier League.

It remains to be seen who will end up getting the Leeds job, but a fresh update certainly suggests that Parker is a strong candidate to come in.

What's the latest on Parker to Elland Road?

According to talkSPORT's Alex Crook, Leeds remain interested in making Parker their next manager, having made contact about his availability after his "brutal" departure from Belgium:

"Managerless Leeds have enquired about the availability of former Fulham and Bournemouth manager Scott Parker.

"Parker has been out of work since being brutally axed by Belgian side Club Brugge in March after only 12 games in charge.

"Leeds, who have also considered Parker’s ex-England teammate Steven Gerrard, are attracted to Parker due to his proven record of leading teams out of the Championship.

"Parker is also believed to be on the radar of Leicester, although talkSPORT understands the Foxes have not given up hope of tempting Graham Potter to drop down a division."

There is plenty of sense in Leeds naming Parker as their new boss this summer – Pep Guardiola has said he has a "lot of respect" for him in the past – with the report itself making it clear that the Whites could be swayed by bringing in someone with proven Championship pedigree.

It is essential that the club makes a quickfire return to the Premier League, rather than getting stuck in the second tier as so many clubs do, and the former England international could be a safer pair of hands than some of those in the running to take charge.

Granted, Parker hasn't necessarily gone on to thrive in the top flight, but he remains a young manager who is learning all the time, and he should be considered a strong option.

There could be better choices out there, depending on your stance, but it is hard to see him coming in and doing badly, judging by what he has achieved in the Championship in the past.

An update has emerged on Leeds United’s pursuit of Huddersfield’s Lewis O’Brien heading into the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

According to The Sun, Whites chief Victor Orta is plotting a fresh £10m bid to sign the midfielder ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, after missing out on a deal for him last year.

The report claimed that his current club would attempt to offer him a new contract if they won the play-off final but they went on to lose 1-0 to Nottingham Forest at Wembley.

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Big Mateusz Klich upgrade

Leeds can land a big upgrade on the Poland international by bringing O’Brien to Elland Road in the upcoming window.

In the Premier League, Klich averaged an unimpressive SofaScore rating of 6.67 in 33 appearances as he lost 60% of his duels. He failed to turn in good performances on a regular basis and struggled with the physicality of the games, which is why he is currently a weakling in the side.

O’Brien, meanwhile, won 56% of his individual battles in the Championship – winning 7.5 duels per game – and has earned a reputation for being a battler in the middle of the park.

Former Huddersfield goalkeeper Matt Glennon previously lauded the midfielder’s engine, saying: “He closes down until the 95th, 96th minute, still running to the corners, stopping defenders, he’s got unlimited energy.

“Lewis O’Brien wants to put the hard yards in and wants to be at the very top of where he can get to. He’s one of those lads who works ridiculously hard which, for me, is your minimum in any league, but he’s got that quality, the drop of a shoulder, that strength to keep people off him, a low centre of gravity to glide past people, arm aloft when they try to knock him off the ball.”

The gem also impressed in possession as he chipped in three goals and three assists as he created 1.0 chances per game. This is along with his 3.0 tackles and interceptions per match and an excellent average SofaScore rating of 7.00.

He has shown, albeit in the second tier, that he can excel as a box-to-box midfielder and he has plenty of room left to grow at the age of 23. Marsch can work with him over time to help him fulfill his potential but, in the short-term, his statistics suggest that he can be an immediate upgrade on Klich.

O’Brien can offer a level of physicality that the Poland international has been unable to provide, whilst also possessing the quality on the ball to function as part of the team on the ball.

AND in other news, Orta eyeing Leeds swoop for “exceptional” £20k-p/w “example”, Marsch needs him badly…

Sunderland will either be celebrating with tears of joy or wallowing in tears of sadness by the end of the day as they face the daunting prospect of a play-off final.

The Black Cats are up against Wycombe in the League One showpiece clash at Wembley this afternoon as they battle for a place in next season’s Championship.

Alex Neil’s men made their way through to the decider by beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals, drawing the second leg 1-1.

Will the Black Cats boss make any changes to his starting XI from that match? We are suggesting that he makes at least one by unleashing Jay Matete from the start, as he can win promotion for the club.

Matete must start for Sunderland

Corry Evans struggled in the middle of the park against Wednesday, and his experience may be of more use off the bench if Neil needs to bring on a calm head to see out the game in the second half.

Against the Owls, the ex-Blackburn man failed to impress. As per SofaScore, he lost five of his seven individual battles and was unsuccessful in two of his three tackles as he was dribbled past twice. He also completed just 69% of his passes – including one of his seven long passes – and did not create a single chance.

Meanwhile, Matete is a machine in midfield and will be able to slot into the team and break up Wycombe’s play throughout the match. In League One this season, he has made three tackles and interceptions per game and won 58% of his duels in total, showing that he is a strong presence in the team.

Journalist Josh Bunting previously heaped praise on him, tweeting: “Jay Matete again for me Sunderland’s best performer this afternoon, broke the play up when he needed to and drove forward trying to get the Black Cats on the front foot, he’s been a real master stroke of a signing, that run that he got the shot away from was superb #SAFC”

These quotes, and the aforementioned statistics, show that Kristjaan Speakman played a blinder by bringing the 21-year-old in from Fleetwood in January.

That deal can now win Sunderland promotion, as starting him at Wembley today can seal the win for the Black Cats against Gareth Ainsworth’s outfit.

Matete has shown that he has the bite required to compete in big games, and Neil will need that drive and strength to break up Wycombe attacks before attacking the space and allowing his side to dominate the game, which is why the youngster’s presence could make the difference today.

AND in other news, “He’s trained..”: Huge Sunderland injury update emerges that’ll leave supporters buzzing…

Manchester City have suffered two injury setbacks as they prepare to host Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium where they hope to move three points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

City can capitalise on Liverpool dropping points yesterday and head into the final three games with a three-point cushion if they claim victory this afternoon. However, they face an in-form Newcastle who have won four of their last six games and aim to move back into the top ten.

It won’t be an easy test for Guardiola’s side who crashed out of the Champions League earlier this week after losing dramatically to Real Madrid in extra time, and they will have to be without two of their key players.

What’s the story?

If the reigning Champions are to collect the three points then they will have to do it without the help of Kyle Walker and John Stones. Both have been casualties of the clubs tough European run in, with Stones being rushed back from injury for the first leg only to be substituted in the first half.

Walker on the other hand limped off the pitch during Wednesday’s defeat with an injury. He may have aggravated an existing problem with his ankle and City are now set to monitor him ahead of the clash according to the BBC. That said, it feels doubtful that he’ll feature.

Pep Guardiola will hope that both players aren’t sidelined for long as they can be key to the final push for silverware. Last year the Spaniard said that Walker had been “crucial” to the team’s success since he became manager so he’ll surely be somewhat worried not to have him available.

In his eyes, it will be a huge miss but Newcastle can’t take too much confidence due to the strength and depth that City have. Walker can easily be covered for by Joao Cancelo who can fill in at right-back with Oleksandr Zinchenko available to fill in Cancelo’s usual left-back spot.

Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte are also a more than capable defensive partnership with Nathan Ake also available from the bench if needed.

The strength City have in their squad is the reason they are on course to win a fourth title in five years. Their dominance over the last decade has been incredible, and despite failing yet again in their efforts at clinching that Champions League crown, they still have a lot to celebrate.

They can’t take their foot off the gas just yet, but the finishing line is in sight.

IN other news: Huge boost: Newcastle handed major injury lift ahead of MCFC, it’s great news for Howe…

Crystal Palace are amongst the Premier League clubs interested in signing Tottenham defender Cameron Carter-Vickers.

What’s the story?

That’s according to 90min journalist Matt O’Connor-Simpson, who tweeted: “Cameron Carter-Vickers is attracting plenty of interest. Fulham & Southampton are the latest to join the race but the likes of Crystal Palace, West Ham & Wolves are looking too.”

The 24-year-old centre-back has spent this season on loan at Scottish giants Celtic and appears to have no future at Tottenham under Antonio Conte.

Previous reports claim he could cost in the region of £10m.

Palace should sign Carter-Vickers

At least one centre-back must be on Patrick Vieira’s transfer list this summer with both James Tomkins and Jaroslaw Jak’s respective contracts set to expire next month.

Moreover, 21-year-old Nathan Ferguson could be a player that the south London outfit look to cash in on this transfer window with the defender’s current deal set to expire next summer.

The signings of Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen have proven to be shrewd with the duo amounting to a combined 74 appearances across all competitions this term.

Defensively, Vieira’s men have been decent, conceding 42 goals in 35 matches in the Premier League at a rate of 1.2 a game, with only seven other sides boasting the same or better records.

However, adding depth at the back to the Eagles squad is vital.

Carter-Vickers has enjoyed a successful loan spell in Glasgow, with Chris Sutton describing one of the defender’s Old Firm performances as “immense.”

The £20k-per-week USA international has made 42 appearances for the Hoops and looks set to lift the Scottish Premiership title with Celtic boasting a six-point advantage over fierce rivals Rangers at the summit of the Scottish top-flight.

However, whether the 24-year-old is good enough to become a regular at Selhurst Park is yet to be seen, particularly after strong seasons from Guehi and Andersen.

Although, if the American was to shift one of the two centre-backs out of the starting line up it would most likely be Andersen.

The Dane has averaged a match rating of 6.89/10 this term whilst his English teammate has achieved a rating of 7.03 whilst also captaining Palace on occasion and making his senior England debut in March.

Therefore, if Carter-Vickers is to join Crystal Palace as a regular first-team player, it could be bad news for Andersen.

AND in other news, Sources: CPFC now plot bid for “top-notch” 6 ft 3 titan, just imagine him and Guehi…