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The Times journalist Paul Joyce has revealed that Everton are now ‘stepping up attempts’ to try and re-sign Idrissa Gueye.

The Lowdown: Approach made

It was reported earlier this week that the Goodison Park outfit made an approach to try and sign the Senegalese midfielder, with talks with Paris Saint-Germain set to be held over the next few days.

The reigning Ligue 1 champions would like to offload the 32-year-old, which suggests that a deal with the Merseyside club could be struck.

The Latest: Stepping up attempts

Taking to Twitter, Joyce has revealed that Frank Lampard’s team are now ‘stepping up attempts’ to sign Gueye, and talks with PSG are ‘ongoing’.

The reporter tweeted: “Everton stepping up attempts to re-sign Idrissa Gueye. Talks with PSG ongoing.”

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The Verdict: Get it done

Gueye was a fan favourite during his time at Everton, so much so that some supporters have even called for his return in the past.

He managed 108 appearances over three consecutive seasons at Goodison Park between 2016 and 2019, scoring four goals and providing a further five assists (Transfermarkt).

Once dubbed a ‘monster’ by Tim Sherwood when he was managing the player at Aston Villa, Gueye boasts the experience of playing in the Premier League with two different clubs, while he has also played for one of the top teams in European football in PSG.

Signing him would help to get the Toffees’ fanbase on board for the new campaign, when they will be hoping to avoid another relegation battle.

Glasgow Rangers could receive a big injury lift over attacker Ryan Kent in the Premiership this week… 

What’s the latest?

Giovanni van Bronckhorst has said that he is hoping to have the mercurial winger back in the squad for the clash with Kilmarnock at Ibrox on Saturday.

The gem was absent as the Light Blues lost away from home in their Champions League qualifier on Tuesday night and the head coach has provided an update on the Englishman’s knock.

He told Premier Sport, via Football Scotland: “Ryan had a bad moment on Saturday when he had some problems with his ankle. Hopefully, he will be better for Saturday or Tuesday. John (Souttar) also has a problem so we are assessing him.”

He was missed

Journalist Josh Bunting claimed that the Gers “missed Ryan Kent badly” and it is not hard to see why van Bronckhorst felt the impact of his absence.

BBC Sport’s report claimed that their attack was choked by the opposition and that may be because they did not have the former Liverpool man’s quality out wide.

Kent is a player capable of consistently making things happen in the final third with his ability to take players on and create chances for his teammates. He could have used his pace to cause problems on the counter-attack, which would get the team up the pitch and push the opposition back – giving the Gers a foothold in the match.

The winger would then have had the end product on the ball to unlock the defence with a cross or splitting pass. In the Premiership last term, the Englishman created a whopping 10 ‘big chances’ and racked up eight assists, whilst making 1.7 key passes per match.

This came after he produced nine assists in the Scottish top-flight in 2020/21, creating nine ‘big chances’ and making 1.8 key passes per game.

The gem also started the current campaign in fine form as he created four chances in the 2-1 win over Livingston and set up Scott Arfield’s equalising goal.

These statistics suggest that he has the creativity to break teams down in tight games and that is why van Bronckhorst missed him badly in the loss to Union Saint-Gilloise.

The manager will, therefore, be hoping that the attacker is now able to overcome his injury issue in order to face Kilmarnock at the weekend as his quality will be needed out on the left wing.

Tottenham Hotspur have made an offer to sign AS Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo, with the Serie A giants responding, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Spurs flying…

Spurs head coach Antonio Conte has orchestrated a stunning transformation at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since his appointment last November.

Their qualification for this season’s Champions League has granted the Lilywhites a new lease of life both on and off the pitch as they got off to a flying start to this 2022/23 campaign.

A comfortable 4-1 win over Southampton on the opening Premier League weekend has perhaps set the tone for Conte’s standards, and with just a few weeks remaining of the current transfer window, sporting director Fabio Paratici will potentially be looking to boost Spurs’ options with more new signings.

Zaniolo is one player who has been strongly linked with a move to north London.

The Latest: Zaniolo offer made…

Reports from Italy have now shared another update on the 23-year-old and his possible switch to Spurs.

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Newspaper La Repubblica (as shared by Calciomercato) claim that Paratici has tabled a bid for Zaniolo in the form of a €55m (£46m) offer ‘between cash and counterparts’.

They also state that Roma ‘resist’ for now but Spurs could well come back with another offer for a player who is ‘very much liked’ by Conte.

The Verdict: Come back again…

Time is running out for Paratici and co to seal a deal for Zaniolo, and we believe that the Italy international is certainly worth a serious pursuit.

As per WhoScored, no Roma player – or Spurs player for that matter – completed more successful take-ons per 90 or attracted a higher number of fouls than the 23-year-old last season.

This shows what a tricky opponent the attacking midfielder can be when at his very best, backing former Juventus left-back Federico Balzaretti’s verdict that the Roma starlet is a ‘special’ player.

Everton could reportedly make an ‘offer’ to RC Strasbourg to sign striker Ludovic Ajorque.

The Lowdown: One of the options

The Goodison Park outfit have reportedly already watched Ajorque in action, and he is one of the strikers that they are considering bringing in following the injury to Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

They played without a recognised centre-forward in the 1-0 loss at home to Chelsea on the opening Premier League weekend, and so are in desperate need of filling that void.

The Latest: ‘Offer’ prepared

Taking to Twitter, transfer reporter Santi Aouna has revealed that the Merseyside club could ‘offer’ Strasbourg a loan with an option to buy for Ajorque, adding that first talks have already been opened:

“Everton are interested in Ajorque and could offer a loan with an option to buy. The first exchanges took place. An English intermediary is involved in the case. Strasbourg prefers to sell Ajorque and blocks Diallo’s departure.”

The Verdict: Get it done

Given their striker shortage at the moment, this is a deal that Frank Lampard’s team simply need to get done.

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Dubbed a ‘beast’ by journalist Alessandro Schiavone, the six-foot-six Ajorque managed an impressive 12 goals and eight assists in Ligue 1 last term, and he has 81 goals in total over the course of his club career so far (Transfermarkt).

In Strasbourg’s opening game in Ligue 1 against AS Monaco this season, Ajorque won five of his seven aerial duels (SofaScore), showing that he could be a real powerhouse for the Toffees, and an ideal replacement for Calvert-Lewin until the Englishman recovers from his injury.

West Ham United are expected to keep chasing Belgium international Hans Vanaken, with Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth making a claim in that regard.

The Lowdown: West Ham in talks…

The Hammers and their manager David Moyes are said to be in talks for multiple players as they seek to bolster their options.

At the outset of what could be a crucial Premier League season, West Ham have started the campaign with two straight defeats, and the east Londoners will be looking to bounce back quickly.

Emerson Palmieri of Chelsea, along with Club Brugge’s Vanaken, are two players who are of serious interest to West Ham before the September 1 deadline, with Sheth sharing some news out of Rush Green on the latter.

The Latest: West Ham expected to go back for Vanaken…

Taking to social media, the Sky Sports journalist has made a claim involving the 29-year-old attacker.

Sheth stated that, after West Ham’s ‘opening bid’ – reportedly €10m (£8.4m) – was rejected, Moyes is ‘expected’ to make another attempt to sign the Belgium international.

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The reporter explained: “Club Brugge have rejected West Ham United’s opening bid for midfielder Hans Vanaken. Offer believed to be €10m. West Ham expected to go back in – growing feeling player wants to go.”

The Verdict: Make the move?

Vanaken has been prolific in Belgium’s top two divisions, racking up 145 goals in total since the 2009/10 season, and has also tallied 21 caps for a star-studded Red Devils national team.

Standing at a colossal 6 foot 4, the attacking midfielder possesses a physicality which seems tailor-made for the English top flight, with Moyes’ interest also justified by Vanaken’s impressive numbers going forward.

It will be interesting to see if West Ham can add the Club Brugge star to their ranks before it’s too late.

Leeds United have reached an agreement over personal terms with FC Zurich forward Wilfried Gnonto, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Gnonto links

The 18-year-old, who Italy coach Roberto Mancini called ‘fast’, is into the final 12 months of his contract with the Swiss champions.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Leeds have been following the forward for a ‘long time’, and it looks as if they have stepped up their interest in the teenager.

Sky Sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio recently claimed that the Whites want to finalise a transfer by Thursday, and the Premier League club have taken a big step by sorting terms with the player.

The Latest: Personal terms breakthrough

According to Football Insider in a story shared in the last 24 hours, Leeds ‘are closing in on a deal for the Italian forward after further negotiations’.

They claimed on Sunday morning that an agreement has been reached with Gnonto and his representatives, with Victor Orta and Andrea Radrizzani’s attention now turning to settling on a transfer fee.

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The Verdict: Matter of time?

Jesse Marsch has described Gnonto as a ‘long-term project’ and wasn’t sure if a transfer would be finalised this summer.

However, it looks as if a late summer move is gathering pace, with the two clubs currently £3m apart in valuation.

Leeds have reportedly offered £4m whereas Zurich want £7m, so you’d like to think that all parties involved will want to strike a deal, with the player seemingly agreeing on personal terms in Yorkshire.

Di Marzio’s previous August 25 date for a transfer to go through could well prove accurate, which could then give the Whites time to go after a more experienced forward in the final days of the transfer window.

Everton are in desperate need of a striker as Deadline Day looms over Goodison Park with just one week left to find the right replacement to cover Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s absence, and now a reliable source has given an update on a potential target.

What’s the latest?

According to Italian journalist and transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Frank Lampard is set to “decide” on whether to make an approach for Ben Brereton Diaz.

Romano tweeted:

“Everton are also working on Ben Brereton Díaz deal – Lampard has to decide if he wants him or not. #EFC”

Dream Calvert-Lewin alternative

There is no doubt that the Everton boss will be desperate to bring in a player who can make a big impact in the forward line as the Toffees remain winless in the Premier League after three games.

Following a difficult relegation scrap last season, Richarlison’s move to Tottenham Hotspur and Calvert-Lewin’s injury issues, the Toffees have found themselves in a sticky situation and with just one point tallied up on the league table the slippery slope to another bottom of the table battle is looking quite possible at this point.

Despite only converting two chances so far this season, Everton have had no trouble in creating chances with 42 shots on goal so far which has made the glaringly obvious gaping hole in their forward-line even bigger, something that Lampard can fix with the addition of Brereton Diaz.

A striker who can finish the chances being created on the blue side of Merseyside would surely put Everton in a much better position to take points from their games ahead and keep them safe from any kind of relegation worries.

The Blackburn Rovers striker has had no trouble finding the back of the net in the Championship with 22 goals and three assists over last season and those numbers don’t appear to be drying up as he has already scored two goals and delivered one assist over five appearances this season too.

Although he is most often deployed as a centre-forward, Brereton Diaz can offer Everton more than just a stop gap for Calvert-Lewin’s absence but also a strike partner too as the Chile international has a lot of experience playing in the winger roles too with 84 appearances combined in the wider positions.

Rovers have reportedly set an asking price at £20m to let go of their star player, who was hailed a “standout talent” by Jacque Talbot, and it could be a really worthwhile investment to the Toffees considering his versatility in positioning which would add depth to Lampard’s options in the attacking third.

With that being said, the signing of Brereton Diaz would be a great piece of business for Everton to get more for their money on a player who could become a part of the first team permanently instead of just signing a Calvin-Lewin replacement to cover for the next few weeks.

Liverpool have endured a strange start to their Premier League campaign, especially considering just how excellent they were during last season, where they came within 180 minutes of a stunning quadruple triumph.

Two successive draws against Fulham and Crystal Palace might not have been enough to set alarm bells ringing, but a lacklustre performance against Manchester United side in turmoil resulted in a 2-1 defeat and condemned the Anfield side to just two points from nine.

A morale boosting 9-0 thrashing of Bournemouth appeared to be a return to the norm for Jurgen Klopp and his men, however, they struggled to a last-gasp victory over Newcastle, and with the Merseyside derby next, Klopp will need to sort out his side’s Jekyll and Hyde form.

He could be helped by a major summer acquisition, who is back in the fold following a three-match suspension.

On the chalkboard

Darwin Nunez arrived at Anfield for a club-record fee of £85m and there were high expectations placed on the 22-year-old.

Having scored 48 goals and registering 16 assists in 85 matches for Benfica, the £180k-p/w man was expected to become the new focal point for a changed Liverpool front three, with Sadio Mane leaving for Bayern Munich.

He made a positive start, coming off the bench to make his debut against Manchester City in the Community Shield, the striker scoring during injury time to wrap up the win.

A goal and assist came during his Premier League debut against Fulham but controversy followed as he was sent off following a headbutt on Crystal Palace player Joachim Anderson and he subsequently faced a three-match ban.

The Merseyside derby will be his first match since then, but Klopp has to unleash the striker against a timid Everton defence who have conceded six goals in the league and he will be desperate to get back into the manager’s good books.

It would be harsh on Roberto Firmino who has started off the season with three goals and three assists, but with Nunez raring to go following suspension, the derby could be the best time for Klopp to let Nunez loose and he could certainly be a “handful” for Frank Lampard and his side.

Arsenal are no longer pursuing a move for Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha despite interest, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Pepe replacement sought

Mikel Arteta is seemingly in the market for a new winger after Nicolas Pepe joined Nice on a season-long loan last week, leaving the Gunners with only three natural wide attacking options.

The Premier League giants had identified the 29-year-old as a potential target as he is now in the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park, but with just a few days of the transfer window remaining, the chances of the north Londoners pulling off a move for Zaha appear unlikely.

The Latest: Arsenal end Zaha pursuit

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones insisted that the Palace star is not a player for whom Arsenal are currently considering an approach.

He said: “Where we are now with a couple of days left of the window, I don’t think that he is actually [an option].

“They definitely had an eye on it, I have been unwilling to rule it out because I know they have rated him and had him on a long list.

“I know there is one person in particular at the club that has been pushing it but from what I’m hearing right now, Zaha is not a live option they’re looking to pursue.”

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The Verdict: Big mistake

Palace’s valuation of Zaha yet remains to be seen, but Arsenal are definitely missing a trick if they decide against not going after him this week before Thursday’s transfer deadline.

The Ivorian, who was once dubbed ‘unplayable’ by talkSPORT presenter Tony Cascarino, netted 14 goals and averaged 2.1 shots per game in the top flight last season (WhoScored), highlighting his creative spark in the final third.

Only Bukayo Saka among Arteta’s current squad had a better shooting average in 2021/22, while nobody at the Emirates Stadium came close to the 29-year-old’s average of five successful dribbles per match.

Zaha has previously admitted that he’s always been an Arsenal fan, which could have handed the Gunners an advantage, but it looks like Edu must have other targets in mind before deadline day.

Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur could return from injury this weekend against Chelsea, according to journalist Rahman Osman.

The Lowdown: McArthur’s injury

McArthur made 23 appearances in all competitions during Patrick Vieira’s first year in charge but hasn’t featured so far this season due to injury.

The 34-year-old suffered a recurrence of a groin problem in pre-season after featuring in friendlies against Gillingham and Queens Park Rangers, with the setback in July ruling him out until now.

However, it looks as if the experienced midfielder could make his long-awaited return to action on Saturday afternoon, as Graham Potter makes his Premier League bow for the Blues at Selhurst Park.

The Latest: Osman’s update

Osman, who reports for London World, took to Twitter on Thursday morning to provide an update on McArthur.

He stated that the midfielder ‘could return after a lengthy lay-off this weekend’, adding that McArthur ‘has been working well this week’.

The Verdict: Good news

McArthur is one of two out-and-out central midfielders at the club alongside Will Hughes, so his return will be welcome news for Vieira in what is a busy six weeks prior to the World Cup.

The Eagles have nine fixtures before domestic football stops for the international tournament in Qatar starting tomorrow, so you’d expect that McArthur could be needed in a frantic schedule.

Vieira has a number of defensive midfielders available, but having McArthur back will give him a different option, potentially from the bench over the coming weeks following his lengthy layoff.