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West Ham United are reportedly eyeing an audacious move for Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka, as David Moyes continues his quest to replace Declan Rice.

The Hammers obtained £105m for their captain, who departed for Arsenal earlier this month, with a host of talent identified as potential heirs to the Englishman.

Could West Ham sign Leon Goretzka?

As reported by Sky Sports in Germany last week, the Irons have emerged as one of the clubs eyeing Goretzka, whose future in Bavaria is ‘still uncertain’.

The report claims that the Germany international is one of ‘five candidates’ on the club’s list to replace Rice, with him valued between €40m-€50m (£34m-£43m).

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Ben Jacobs called the potential move a ‘dream’ for the east Londoners, saying in full:

"Goretzka, for West Ham, is kind of a dream. There's no denying that they like the player. But, at this point, there's nothing more advanced than that."

How good is Leon Goretzka?

Lauded as a “top-class” player by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the 28-year-old has enjoyed an emphatic career in Germany, winning the Bundesliga on five occasions, as well as winning the Champions League with Bayern in 2020.

Now, a new challenge could be on the horizon in England, as the Hammers plot an ambitious move for the German.

For West Ham, the introduction of the VfL Bochum academy graduate could be the perfect coup in their bid to fill the void left by Rice, who was dubbed “admirable” by Tony Cascarino via talkSPORT after his 150th Premier League appearance.

While the 24-year-old’s departure will be a tough pill to swallow for the Hammers, Moyes could quickly forget about the former captain if he secured the signing of Goretzka.

The 28-year-old averaged 0.23 assists per 90 over the past year, ranking him in the top 4% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues, as per FBref.

Having registered a total of 38 Bundesliga assists in his career, the Bayern Munich gem could provide the Irons with a bolstered skill set on Rice, who was criticised by Gary Neville and Roy Keane for not scoring or assisting enough.

When comparing the respective 2022/23 league campaigns of the two midfielders, the numbers suggest that Moyes could sufficiently replace Rice with Goretzka, as per FBref.

The Bochum-born ace averaged 2.24 tackles and 1.09 key passes per 90 in comparison to the Englishman’s 2.17 tackles and 1.02 key passes per 90 in the Premier League last term.

A pivotal area for strength required in the engine room is an eye for progressive play, identified as a decimal mirrored by the two stars, with Rice averaging 6.60 progressive passes and 2.42 progressive carries to Goretzka’s 5.94 progressive passes and 2.19 progressive carries per 90.

Praised for his “aggressiveness and pace” by former Bayern Munich boss Niko Kovac, the 28-year-old could be the difference maker for West Ham, in a player that could fill the void, and more, left by Rice.

Moyes could take the Hammers to further heights next season by signing the Germany international, who would no doubt be a dream replacement for their former skipper.

Manchester United are reportedly in the running to sign Bayern Munich midfielder, Leon Goretzka, with the German international seemingly surplus to requirements at the Allianz Arena.

What is the latest on Goretzka to Man United?

According to Sky Sports Germany, the 28-year-old has been deemed 'expendable' by Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel ahead of next season, albeit with the former Schalke ace still hoping to stay put in Bavaria beyond the September deadline.

As per the report, however, United are believed to be keeping tabs on the player's situation if he does opt to move on elsewhere this summer, with the Red Devils monitoring the Bochum native 'very closely' despite already having strengthened the midfeld with the signing of Mason Mount.

The piece notes that if Erik ten Hag's are to step up their interest in the 6 foot 2 maestro, then they will have to lodge a bid in the region of €50m (£43m) in order to strike a deal.

What is Goretzka's style of play?

Despite having seemingly fallen out of favour under Tuchel, the towering titan had previously been a firm favourite of former boss Julian Nagelsmann, with the out of work coach having lauded the midfielder's all action style in the centre of the park:

"Leon is one of the best box-to-box players in Europe. He has incredible goal threat and knows when to bomb forward."

That desire to get forward at every opportunity, as well as his imposing, physical stature, may well spark similarities among United supporters to a certain Paul Pogba, with the 6 foot 3 Frenchman having previously been utilised in that role at Old Trafford.

The mercurial 30-year-old – who returned to Juventus after six years in Manchester last summer – was undoubtedly a polarising figure during his time with the Red Devils, having notably sparked fury after repeatedly angling for moves away from the club.

That being said, however, at his best the World Cup winner had the ability to make a telling impact in his playmaking berth, having notably registered three goals and nine assists in 20 Premier League outings during his final season at the Theatre of Dreams, while creating six big chances in that time.

Despite scoring just two goals and contributing three assists in 27 Bundesliga appearances last season, Goretzka showcased that he can match Pogba's creative flair after creating seven big chances in total.

The duo have also both enjoyed similar returns with regard to goal contributions in recent years, with the latter man having chipped in with 90 goals and assists in 233 games during his two spells in Manchester, while his Bayern counterpart boasts 69 goals and assists in 179 appearances for the German giants.

While United supporters may be fearful of landing a carbon copy of Pogba, those concerns can be eased by the fact that Goretzka does boast a superior record with regard to his defensive ability and work rate, having chipped in with 2.7 tackles and interceptions per game in the league in 2022/23, as well as winning 67% of his aerial duels as a marker of that physical dominance.

The current Juve man, by contrast, averaged just 1.4 tackles and interceptions per game during the 2021/22 campaign under both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick, having won just 64% of his aerial duels.

That would suggest that while Goretzka has the ability to match Pogba's attacking quality, he also has the added bonus of being able to put in the hard yards defensively, something which should be a real cause for excitement among the Old Trafford faithful – if a deal can be agreed.

Anfield – the place where miracles can happen; the place where trophies have been sealed, where legendary goals have been scored; where legendary players have slipped. It is truly one of the most iconic stadiums in the world of football.

The spine-tingling renditions of You’ll Never Walk Alone are simply unmatched. It’s no wonder Liverpool have enjoyed so many special nights at the stadium. That song alone holds the power of motivation to pull off mission impossible time and time again.

Now, that rendition will be getting even louder, after the Reds splashed out to build a new Anfield Road stand, increasing the stadium’s capacity ahead of the new season.

How much will it cost Liverpool to build the new Anfield Road stand?

According to The Athletic, the stand – which you can see in official footage shared above – cost the Premier League giants a hefty £80m to build this summer, in what the club hopes will be a worthwhile improvement to the stadium.

It will see 7,000 more seats added, taking Anfield’s capacity up to 61,000, overtaking the capacity of Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

Liverpool’s first home game of the season is set to take place against Bournemouth on 19 August. And with the construction of the new stand well underway, and on course to be finished in time, the Reds may well be boosted by the extra numbers in attendance.

Before that, though, they must travel to Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the Premier League season, where they’ll face Chelsea in Mauricio Pochettino’s first game in charge of the Blues.

What is the latest Liverpool transfer news?

It’s fair to say that Liverpool are have had a busy summer so far. Getting off to the perfect start by signing Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton & Hove Albion for a reported £35m, Dominik Szoboszlai then followed through the door for a reported £60m to further aid Jurgen Klopp’s midfield rebuild.

Things have taken a slight turn since, however, with club captain Jordan Henderson, and Fabinho set to swap Merseyside for Saudi Arabia.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Henderson is set to leave Liverpool in favour of a move to join Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq side.

Meanwhile, Romano has also reported that Fabinho is still working to make the move to Al-Ittihad this summer for a reported £40m fee.

Should the duo depart in the current window, Klopp will be left worryingly short in midfield, perhaps leading to another dive into the market, before the start of the season.

The Merseyside club have already been linked with a number of names, with Crystal Palace’s Cheik Doucoure, and Fulham’s Joao Palhinha among the names mentioned. Though, Doucoure would cost between £70-80m, according to Sam Mokbel of The Daily Mail.

West Ham United, meanwhile, have seen a £40m bid rejected for Palhinha, as per Jack Rosser of The Sun.

Romeo Lavia has been the consistent name spoken about when it comes to Liverpool transfer news this summer, however, with the teenager making Klopp’s shortlist of targets, as per Romano.

It remains to be seen what Liverpool’s midfield will look like come the start of the season, with further additions potentially arriving to enjoy the new-look Anfield next term.

Newcastle United will be looking for new additions who can add depth to their squad ahead of their Champions League campaign next season and now a new update has emerged on a potential transfer target.

What's the latest on Newcastle's interest in Federico Chiesa?

According to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera (via Sport Witness), Newcastle have made a proposal for Juventus winger Federico Chiesa, and it has not been dismissed.

As per the report, it is claimed that Chiesa is intrigued by a move to St James' Park this summer after turning down Aston Villa, however, despite a reported proposal there is no hint of a transfer fee or how far Newcastle are prepared to go to secure his signature this summer.

What makes Chiesa so good?

There is no doubt that Eddie Howe will be thrilled with the rapid progress and success that has been delivered by his current crop of players in the Newcastle squad, however, with a long-awaited return to Champions League football imminent it would be advantageous to bring in some more experience in European competition.

The Magpies have already confirmed the signing of Sandro Tonali to add quality depth to their midfield presence ahead of next season and now the focus looks to be on bolstering the forward line with Leicester City's Harvey Barnes also reportedly a target for the Tyneside club.

As a result, the signing of Chiesa would be a great piece of business given his clear talent and quality, as well as the advantage over Barnes in having a wealth of experience in playing on the European stage for Juventus.

Despite his injury struggles over the last 18 months, the Italian winger has been a stand-out performer in Europe for the Serie A giants with 25 appearances tallied up over the Europa and Champions League, as well as eight goals and three assists in those respective competitions.

Now Howe could benefit from adding another Italian whiz into his squad and from his midfield role, Tonali could be an incredible partner for Chiesa should his international teammate join him in the North East.

Whilst Newcastle already boasts the talents of Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes, Tonali is an exceptional presence in the centre of the pitch and will make a huge impact on the attacking threat next season.

As per FBref, the newly-signed Newcastle dynamo ranks in the top 10% of his positional peers across the top five European leagues over the last 12 months for assists, as well as ranking in the top 25% for progressive carries and shot-creating actions per 90 minutes played, demonstrating that he is a reliable creative outlet.

Meanwhile, Chiesa – who was once hailed a "joy to watch" by journalist Josh Bunting – ranks in the top 20% of his positional peers for total shots, assists and progressive carries per 90 over the last 12 months, so he could really benefit from Tonali's creativity to make an instant impact in the Newcastle forward line and boost goal contributions across all competitions.

Despite a reported proposal from Newcastle, it is reported that Juventus are demanding a transfer fee of €60m (£51m) this summer, something that could prove difficult for the Magpies due to Financial Fair Play restrictions hindering their freedom to spend heavily, so a move for Chiesa would likely prompt the sale of another player in the squad.

With that being said, if Newcastle can land Chiesa this summer it would show their ambitious intent to compete comfortably in the Champions League next season and would give Howe another fantastic talent to deploy in the final third.

Arsenal have now made their first move to sign Real Valladolid right-back Ivan Fresneda by contacting the Spanish club to discuss a deal, according to a recent report from Mundo Deportivo.

What's the latest Arsenal transfer news?

Ajax defender Jurrien Timber and West Ham midfielder Declan Rice appear to be on their way to the Emirates Stadium, with it being detailed that Mikel Arteta is set to utilise the 22-year-old at right-back next season, despite playing at centre-back for the majority of his career so far.

Back in February, journalist Ben Jacobs explained that the Gunners are looking to plan for the future by bringing in a new option at right-back, telling CaughtOffside:

“Arsenal will look at a right back this summer to add a bit of depth and plan for the long term,”

“Arsenal’s priority remains Ivan Fresneda, who they tried to sign in January. Fresneda opted to stay at Real Valladolid until the end of the season despite offers from both the Gunners and Borussia Dortmund. Fresneda’s agent Luis Bardaji actually said up to 30 teams had made enquiries for the 18-year-old. Newcastle were also tracking him"

Despite the move for Timber now edging closer to completion, there has now been a suggestion that Arteta could go back in for his January transfer target, with Mundo Deportivo reporting Arsenal have reignited their interest and that contact would have already started.

The Real Valladolid ace has always been liked by Arteta, and he is now set to be available for a reduced fee, with his release clause dropping to €20m (£17m) after his side's relegation from La Liga last season.

There is also interest in the 18-year-old from abroad, with AC Milan being named as potential suitors, however the Gunners have now made contact with Valladolid, in order to make sure they win the race for his signature. Barcelona are interested in signing the youngster, but the move is not progressing due to the economic issues at the Camp Nou.

Is Ivan Fresneda signing for Arsenal?

Given Barca's current financial limitations, Arsenal are seemingly very well-placed to finally wrap up a deal for the Spaniard, who has already managed to impress considerably in La Liga.

Matt Clark, of the La Liga Lowdown podcast, has described the starlet as a "remarkably complete right-back despite his young age, balancing his defensive duties with the odd attack too", while also lauding him for his "technical ability".

Having made his breakthrough last season, the last thing the young right-back would've wanted is for his side to get relegated, but he had some very solid displays on a personal level, ranking in the 93rd percentile for blocks and clearances per 90 in the past year.

That said, the defender's form did trail off towards the end of the season, putting in a string of very poor performances from March onwards, receiving a 5.9 SofaScore match rating against Athletic Bilbao, and a 5.8 against Real Madrid.

Of course, Fresneda was not helped by the fact he played in a relatively poor team that dropped down a division last season, so he could still be a good signing for Arsenal, particularly considering he will now be available for the reduced fee of £17m.

Arsenal could be set to secure a deal with West Ham United for one of their English talents, in a move separate from their pursuit of Declan Rice…

What's the latest on Ben Johnson to Arsenal?

That's according to insider ExWHUemployee, who issued a transfer update on the Hammers' young defender, Ben Johnson.

Within the report, he noted how the 23-year-old is continuing to evade contract talks with his boyhood club, who in turn are refusing to pay him the wages he desires. Likely searching for more first-team assurances, he could look elsewhere. It is likely that he would be more comfortable as a backup for a team like Mikel Arteta's, or as a starter for Everton, than sticking with his current position.

As the Gunners seem set to battle with the Toffees for his signature, it is worth noting that The Guardian had expected the £11m-rated stalwart to leave back in June. This new interest could reaffirm those claims.

How good is Ben Johnson?

Although Johnson could only muster 17 league appearances last season under David Moyes – nine of which were starts – he has shown glimpses of the titanic defender he could be one day across his short career.

Arteta likely sees these superior physical assets and believes that investing early in this versatile ace could allow him to instil the core values of his philosophy within this project player.

The 2021/22 campaign arguably outlines the apex of his Premier League tenure thus far, as he managed 20 appearances whilst maintaining a 6.89 average rating. This was a figure largely buoyed by his defensive excellence, to which he mustered 1.1 interceptions, 1.6 tackles and 2.5 clearances per game, via Sofascore.

However, this was underpinned by a miserable 71% pass accuracy that the Spanish coach would strive to improve.

To emphasise just how physically superior Johnson is to most of his peers, when compared to Arsenal's hulking centre-back William Saliba, the youngster shines.

When placing their defensive statistics side by side, which consists of tackles, interceptions, blocks, clearances and aerials won per 90, West Ham's defensive prodigy outperforms the towering Frenchman in every single metric except for the latter. It is this mastery that suggests the Englishman is far more physical than even Arsenal's second-best-performing defender from last term.

It is no surprise to see former professional footballer Anton Ferdinand brand him "immense" in the past, lauding the club's depth.

However, it could now be Arteta that adds to his wealth of talent, by engaging in a passion project of his own to mould these various physical assets into a technically proficient star for his system.

Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker Adama Traore is expected to leave the club this summer when his contract expires, according to Dean Jones.

What's the latest on Adama Traore?

After joining the club permanently back in 2018, Traore is getting ready to call quits on his Molineux career. The forward's contract expires this June and it looks as if the Spanish international is readying himself for a move across Europe.

The baby-oiled winger has consistently flattered to deceive at Wolves, showcasing his raw pace and power on a frequent basis but often failing to find the finishing touch in key moments.

On his day, the 27-year-old is unplayable, but those days have been few and far between in recent seasons, with the former Barcelona player only managing three goals and two assists in 40 matches last term.

Stefano Pioli's Milan could very well be his next destination, while Jose Mourinho holds an interest in the attacker at Roma. Traore is currently on £55,000-a-week and, given he will require no transfer fee, could be a sensible option for both Italian clubs in the market.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Dean Jones stated: "Adama Traore is likely to go soon. He has got a couple of options, being looked into at the moment, that will probably accelerate over the course of this week."

Wolves have already lost another star player in Ruben Neves, who joined Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia for £47m, while Joao Moutinho and Diego Costa will leave the club when their contracts expire in June. Meanwhile, Conor Coady is set to leave for Leicester City on a permanent deal.

In terms of incomings, Adama's namesake Boubacar Traore has already agreed a permanent switch to Molineux following his loan from Metz last season, while Matheus Cunha will follow the same path from Atletico Madrid.

Julen Lopetegui will be hoping to have enough funds to bolster his squad this summer and will need to reinvest the money received from Neves' transfer wisely.

Who are Wolves signing?

There hasn't been a vast amount of transfer news coming from Molineux, with most of the focus on outgoings so far in the window.

One man that has been linked with a move to Wanderers is Sevilla's Lucas Ocampos, fresh from his Europa League triumph with the Spanish club. The Guardian report that a £13m switch could be on the cards, although Fulham are also in talks for the winger.

The Argentine spent the first half of last season on loan with Ajax, before returning to Seville, and has 11 caps for the Argentina national team.

Manchester City have entered the race to sign Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga, according to Fabrizio Romano.

What’s the latest Man City transfer news?

Pep Guardiola and those at the Etihad have already made a start on their summer business by bringing in Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea. The midfielder looks likely to fill the void left by Ilkay Gundogan, who is set to join Barcelona when his City contract officially expires at the end of the month.

Kovacic may not be the only Croatia international to make the move to the treble winners, though, with RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol reportedly a top target in defence and personal terms already agreed.

Another midfielder to join Kovacic could also be in the works, and after City pulled out of the race to sign Declan Rice from West Ham, it appears as if Veiga is a target despite Liverpool leading the race for his services. Recent reports have claimed those at Anfield are 'well ahead of any club' in the race for Veiga, although 'many twists and turns could still take place', and it looks as if that could come from Manchester.

According to Romano in the last 48 hours, City are now in the race and informed when it comes to a possible deal for Veiga, who has a release clause set at €40m (£34.5m).

“Manchester City have entered the race for Spanish talent Gabri Veiga after pulling out of Declan Rice deal.

“He’s one of the options now being considered at the club. Liverpool and Chelsea remain interested but City also informed now. Release clause: €40m.”

Who is Gabri Veiga?

Veiga, who has been hailed as a "very electric player" by Romano, is 21 years of age and is primarily a central midfielder who can also play in attacking and defensive midfield roles.

The Spaniard has progressed through Celta Vigo’s academy and has gone on to make 55 senior appearances for his current employers – 40 of which came during the 2022/23 season. Veiga has scored 11 times and has registered four assists with Celta Vigo and has seen his Transfermarkt valuation rocket to a career-high €30m.

As per FBref, Veiga already ranks in the 99th percentile for goals and assists for midfielders and the 98th percentile for successful take-ons that lead to a goal, showing his ability in the final third.

He looks to be a real star in the making, and by the looks of it, City could look to capitalise over the coming weeks, potentially making him the club’s second midfield addition of the summer to rival the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and co.

Leeds United seem to be closing in on their top manager target, with imminent talks expected…

What's the latest on Patrick Vieira to Leeds United?

That's according to journalist Sami Mokbel who, writing for the Daily Mail, suggested in an article that ex-Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira had emerged as a serious contender to take over from Sam Allardyce at Elland Road despite others remaining in the frame.

Daniel Farke and Scott Parker are both referenced, and yet it is the Frenchman who is reportedly well-admired in Yorkshire, with talks planned for the coming days.

The 46-year-old head coach has been out of work since his dismissal in March, but seems raring to return to management according to reports in France.

Would Patrick Vieira suit Leeds United?

A drop down to the Championship could prove the perfect platform to rebuild a budding career, as the 49ers seek to instil a winning mentality in this fragile squad. Given his playing days, there are arguably few better placed to disseminate such ideals.

Although last term turned into something of a disaster for the former Arsenal midfielder, having failed to win in 11 before his sacking, his work the season prior must be remembered when measuring how successful Vieira could be in Leeds.

After all, many expected the worst when he was brought into Selhurst Park, only for him to secure a 12th-placed finish and an FA Cup semi-final spot.

The Premier League legend is still in the infancy of his coaching career, yet remains aligned with a 4-3-3 formation that seeks to dominate possession. Given how the Whites have often struggled when on the ball to seize the impetus, the Frenchman will be hoping to transfer his killer instinct that made him such a revered player.

During his playing career, he was a powerful central midfielder but boasted a touch of class beyond most for his era. As such, he captained the Gunners to great success, including a Premier League title in which they were not beaten once.

This came amongst two other league titles in England, a World Cup and European Championship triumph and a Champions League across his glittering career, further emphasising the claims of Ray Parlour that he is a "winner".

Having converted that mentality into a fine tactical intelligence now, he bred a free-flowing Eagles team that captured the eye for a whole year. Journalist Omar Muhammed even noted: "Crystal Palace are really fun to watch. Talent coursing through the entire side with a really smart manager in Patrick Vieira. We need to start giving them their flowers."

Perhaps his installation into Elland Road could hand him that vital second chance in English football, to iron out his errors of the past and return this famous institution back to where it belongs, with his winning pedigree sure to be a vital factor.

Michael Beale has already made five signings for Glasgow Rangers since taking charge of the Ibrox side back in November last year, with Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell joining in January, while Kieran Dowell, Dujon Sterling and Jack Butland have all joined on free transfers over the previous few weeks.

No stone is being left unturned in Beale’s chase to knock Celtic off their perch and with a host of players departing Ibrox, the 42-year-old will need to be extremely diligent to replace them effectively and without splurging vast sums on players who might not impress.

One player who the Light Blues have been linked with since the new boss arrived is FC Cincinnati forward Brandon Vazquez, with scouts having been sent to monitor his performances, although the likes of Everton and Crystal Palace are also keen on making a move for the American.

The Gers are thin in resources with regard to their attacking department, especially due to Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent leaving, although Vazquez certainly has the capabilities to fill the void vacated by the Colombian.

Could Rangers sign Brandon Vazquez?

Nothing can be ruled out at this stage, particularly due to a potentially large turnover in playing staff over the coming weeks.

The 24-year-old has set MLS alight with his performances over the previous 18 months, netting 20 goals in all competitions during 2022, while already grabbing six in 20 so far this term, suggesting he is consistent in front of goal.

Beale could certainly form a formidable duo with him and the aforementioned Cantwell, as the Englishman has enjoyed somewhat of a career rejuvenation since joining the Gers in January.

Having registered zero goal contributions in 18 games for Norwich City during the first half of the season, Beale sparked a belief that he could succeed in Scotland and was rewarded with six goals and five assists in 20 matches, announcing himself to the Premiership.

Now imagine these two in the same team, creating chaos for opposition defences throughout Scotland and even in Europe. The 25-year-old created five big chances and made 1.3 key passes per game in the league during his brief spell in Glasgow already, indicating that Vazquez would be fed regularly with opportunities to add to his goal tally.

Having scored a goal once every 154 minutes, the Cincinnati hitman could take advantage of Cantwell’s creativity. His 19 MLS goals were spread fairly evenly between his right and left foot, alongside scoring a few with his head, therefore, the English midfielder could feed the ball into him several different ways, and it would still prove successful, such is his adaptability with both feet.

Former journalist turned agent Chris Smith, described Vazquez as a player who “has developed into a ruthless goalscoring machine” and Beale is in desperate need of someone like this ahead of a vital 2023/24 season.