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It's been a tumultuous, roller-coaster of a summer transfer window for Liverpool, who saw the imperative midfield rebuild hindered by Saudi Arabian interest in Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, who have both completed transfers away from Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp has provided the Merseyside outfit with two exciting creative signings in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, while the signing of Wataru Endo for £16m could prove to be an astute piece of business after missing out on Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea.

There is still a sense that another face would be welcomed with outstretched arms by Klopp and co, and with a whirlwind of names circulating on the transfer front, Manchester City's Kalvin Phillips appears to be a possible candidate.

What's the latest on Kalvin Phillips to Liverpool?

That's according to talkSPORT, who have revealed that the 27-year-old midfielder is on the Reds' radar as Klopp looks to complete his transfer activity this month.

Read the latest Liverpool transfer news HERE…

Phillips signed for City from Leeds United for £45m last summer but has failed to break into the starting squad, and previous reports this year have touted him at £35m following earlier interest from Liverpool.

How good is Kalvin Phillips?

Liverpool supporters might be concerned over Phillips' injury record, with the England international having missed 18 matches last term after missing 16 the year prior, with Leeds, but he was an absolute "machine" – as claimed by reporter Jordan Campbell – when the Whites emphatically returned to the Premier League in 2020 and secured a ninth-placed finish.

There might also be worries that Citizen boss Pep Guardiola would not boost a direct rival like Liverpool, but fears may well be allayed when recalling the sales of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal last summer.

And while Phillips has been on the periphery at the Etihad Stadium, playing just 21 times and starting only four matches across all competitions, he was tremendous for Leeds in the 2020/21 season.

He recorded an exceptional average Sofascore rating of 7.21 that year as Leeds secured a ninth-placed finish upon their return to the top-flight, completing 85% of his passes across his 29 outings, also making 1.2 key passes, 2.6 tackles and 1.6 interceptions, furthering the awe around his performances by succeeding in 63% of his dribble attempts.

The "br £150k-per-week ace could emulate James Milner's move from the pastel blue side of Manchester and leap towards the brilliant red of Liverpool, with the 37-year-old enjoying a lucrative and lengthy stay at Anfield before joining Brighton & Hove Albion on a free transfer this summer.

Indeed, Milner made 332 appearances for Liverpool after joining in 2015, gleaning the whole gamut of silverware during Klopp's reign to date, after enjoying a successful spell with Manchester City, where he played 203 matches.

He's been hailed as a "revelation" by Reds legend Terry McDermott for his dynamic, unwavering energy and application for Liverpool, and Phillips could replicate such intensity with his 'machine-like' presence in the centre.

It could prove to be a stroke of genius from Klopp, and while there will be doubters from the Reds side, Phillips has demonstrated his prowess as one of England's finest midfielders when fit and firing, so this could be the fresh start he needs to recalibrate and rekindle his career.

As such, the Merseyside giants must consider a late move for Phillips, one that would see them repeat a successful old trick from the past.

George Dobell in Adelaide03-Dec-2017England hope Mark Wood will be available to play for them in the two-day warm-up match in Perth ahead of the third Test.While Wood is not currently part of the England squad, the Test team’s chronic lack of pace and variation has been shown up in the early days of an Ashes series in which England have only taken 18 wickets.As a result, the England management are planning on adding Wood to the squad – subject to fitness tests – and seeing how he bowls in thematch at Richardson Park (on December 9 and 10) with a view to selecting him for the Perth Test.Wood, currently a member of the England Lions squad, has struggled with a series of ankle injuries in recent times. He bowled withimpressive pace in the Lions match against Queensland, however, and is seen by the England team management as a point-of-difference player for them.If the addition of Wood – a man who reckoned he was only bowling at around 80 percent of his optimum a couple of weeks ago – might seem a little desperate, it is probably no coincidence.But there are injury doubts about most other pace-bowling options. Liam Plunkett has been struggling with a hamstring problem, Steven Finn has just undergone knee surgery, Jamie Overton is still recovering from a stress fractureand George Garton endured a miserable game for the Lions where he proved eye-wateringly expensive (10 overs for 86) and delivered three beamers.

Rapid centuries from Anmolpreet Singh and Gurkeerat Singh helped Punjab speed away from Chhattisgarh in Raipur, ending the second day with four wickets in hand and a first-innings lead of 243.Replying to Chhattisgarh’s 238, Punjab were 57 for 1 overnight. Opener Jiwanjot Singh moved from 40 to 75 (108 balls, 9×4) before both he and Uday Kaul fell in the space of five overs to leave Punjab 122 for 3. That brought Anmolpreet and Gurkeerat together, and the fourth-wicket pair proceeded to add 212 off 211 balls. Medium-pacer Shourabh Kharwar, who would go on to end the day with three wickets, dismissed Gurkeerat for 111 (112 balls, 17×4), but Punjab’s dominance did not cease. Anmolpreet added 55 for the fifth wicket with Abhishek Gupta (33), 42 for the sixth with Abhishek Sharma (24), and an unbroken 50 for the seventh with Vinay Choudhary (19*) to end the day batting on 171 (183 balls, 20×4, 2×6). This was 19-year-old Anmolpreet’s second hundred in successive first-class matches.Mohammed Shami and Ashok Dinda led Bengal‘s defence of their first-innings 419, leaving Himachal Pradesh five down and trailing by 256 runs at stumps at Eden Gardens.Fifties from Priyanshu Khanduri and Sumeet Verma, who added 92 for the second wicket, moved Himachal to a solid 101 for 1, but they then lost four wickets for the addition of only 58 runs, the last two falling in the last two overs of the day. Shami and Dinda picked up two wickets apiece, while the other wicket went to the third seamer Mukesh Kumar. Shami was expensive, though, conceding 74 in 13 overs.Bengal began the day on 306 for 5, with captain Manoj Tiwary batting on 78. He put on 64 for the sixth wicket with Shreevats Goswami (28) and brought up his 24th first-class hundred before being seventh out for 123 (223b, 11×4, 1×6). Shami then came in at No. 9 and tonked 26 off 22 balls to help the last three wickets add 31 to Bengal’s total. Seamers Rishi Dhawan and Pankaj Jaiswal, who mopped up the lower order, finished with four and three wickets respectively.Offspinner Akshay Wakhare chipped away at Services‘ batting to leave Vidarbha in control at the old VCA Stadium in Nagpur. Replying to Vidarbha’s 385, Services went to stumps at 141 for 4, their hopes pinned on the middle-order batsman Rahul Singh, who was batting on 57. Wakhare, who did the bulk of Vidarbha’s bowling, ended the day with figures of 23-8-43-3.Starting the day on 259 for 3, Vidarbha lost their last seven wickets for 126 runs. Overnight centurion Faiz Fazal only added eight runs to his score before falling for 136, and wickets fell steadily thereafter, but Ganesh Satish held firm at one end, scoring 78 off 131 balls (11×4, 1×6) before he was eighth man out.

Mark Cosgrove put up lone resistance as Leicestershire’s slump shows no signs of abating

ECB Reporters Network07-Sep-2017Leicestershire 222 (Cosgrove 92, Shaw 4-54) and 154 for 7 (Cosgrove 68, Norwell 5-37) lead Gloucestershire 376 (Bracey 63, Dent 57, Roderick 57, Raine 3-92) by eight runs
Liam Norwell made light work of Leicestershire’s top order•Getty Images

Liam Norwell took five wickets in an innings for the third time against Leicestershire this season to leave Gloucestershire on the brink of victory against the Foxes in their Specsavers County Championship match at the Fischer County Ground.Leicestershire led by eight runs with just three second innings wickets remaining when bad light ended play 14 overs early, with only the ever-consistent Mark Cosgrove offering any real resistance. The Australian left-hander, who hit 92 in Leicestershire’s first innings, scored 68 before being given out caught behind off Norwell.Before that there were failures for Michael Carberry – his fourth in as many innings since joining Leicestershire on loan until the end of the season – as well as Colin Ackermann and Harry Dearden as the Foxes, having conceded a first innings deficit of 146, were reduced to 51-3 in their second attempt.Carberry edged a delivery which left him off the pitch low to first slip, Ackermann was leg before to a ball which seamed back in and Dearden was held at the second attempt at third slip after edging an attempted drive.Cosgrove, who begun by pulling Josh Shaw for two boundaries through midwicket, and Ned Eckersley added 79 for the fourth wicket, but just as Eckersley was beginning to look comfortable, he played lazily forward to a gentle Kieran Noema-Barnett in-swinger and was bowled for 30.Norwell then returned to bowl Neil Dexter with a delivery which seamed back in to clip the off bail, before Cosgrove got a rising delivery from Norwell that umpire Nigel Cowley adjudged had taken the edge on its way through to Roderick.Earlier the visitors had extended their first innings from 218-3 to 368, despite quickly losing George Hankins, bowled middle stump by a quick, in-swinging delivery from left-arm seamer Dieter Klein.James Bracey was then joined by captain Phil Mustard in adding 74 for the fifth wicket, with the 20-year-old Bracey scoring his first half-century for Gloucestershire before Mustard was bowled by Matthew Pillans, trying to cut a ball just outside off-stump and inside edging the ball on to his wicket.Bracey, on 63, was then unfortunate to be run out at the non-striker’s end as bowler Pillans deflected a straight drive from Jack Taylor on to the stumps.Leicestershire’s spirits were further lifted going in to lunch when the left-handed Noema-Barnett left a delivery from Pillans from around the wicket that went on to hit his off-stump, and Josh Shaw was leg before to a Ben Raine delivery which kept low.

Tottenham Hotspur are "still interested" in completing a summer deal for Nottingham Forest attacking midfielder Brennan Johnson, according to The Athletic journalist Paul Taylor.

Is Brennan Johnson leaving Nottingham Forest?

Since graduating from the club’s academy to get promoted to the first team back in 2019, Johnson has become an integral member of Steve Cooper’s senior side having made 33 starts in the Premier League last season, but despite his contract not expiring for another three years, there’s a possibility that he could be on the move in the weeks ahead.

The Wales international emerged as the second-best performer in an offensive position at The City Ground during the previous campaign, via WhoScored, and has caught the eye of chiefs in N17.

Indeed, Football Insider reported that the Lilywhites had joined the race to secure his services after sending a scout to watch him live in action – a display that clearly impressed those looking on, with Spurs attempting to bounce back from last year's disappointing Premier League campaign.

Thomas Frank’s Brentford are the other top-flight club to have been the most heavily linked with a move for the 22-year-old after seeing two offers rejected, but with former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou now in charge in the capital, Daniel Levy may well be keeping close tabs on his target in the east Midlands until the window closes.

Read The Latest Tottenham Transfer News HERE…

Are Tottenham signing Brennan Johnson?

Taking to Twitter, Taylor revealed that Tottenham remain keen on Johnson, though as it stands, a deal looks unlikely to take place, not only as a result of Nottingham Forest's valuation, but also due to the fact that Steve Cooper has reaffirmed to the player how much he is appreciated at the club.

He wrote: "Another bid rejected from Brentford. Other clubs – including Spurs – still interested but NFFC value him at £50m. Informal discussions have been held with Steve Cooper over Brennan Johnson's future and he remains an integral figure at the CG."

Why are Spurs interested in Brennan Johnson?

In the Premier League last season, Johnson clocked up 11 goal contributions (eight goals and three assists) in 38 appearances, with his pace against an opposition’s backline having previously seen him dubbed a “real handful” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, so it’s no surprise that the attacking midfielder is being pursued by Spurs.

The 2022 World Cup participant also registered a total of 52 shots over the course of the campaign, which was the second-highest total throughout his squad, via FBref, while another attractive aspect of his repertoire will likely be his versatility to operate in several different positions over the pitch – including across the frontline, despite his natural role being in the centre of the park.

Furthermore, Johnson shares the same agent, Unique Sports Group, as Ryan Sessegnon and Brandon Austin, so this existing connection that his representative already has to the club – having negotiated a deal for his other clients in the past – could give the board a small advantage should they decide to open talks and attempt to close a deal for Johnson before 1st September.

Faf du Plessis had cause to anticipate a satisfying return to the Test captaincy as South Africa took a potentially decisive first-innings lead of 130

The Report by David Hopps15-Jul-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsJoe Root took a sharp catch at second slip to remove Keshav Maharaj•Getty ImagesFaf du Plessis had cause to anticipate a satisfying return to the Test captaincy as South Africa took a potentially decisive first-innings lead of 130 midway into the final session of the second day of the second Investec Test at Trent Bridge. The birth of a son followed by the prospect of a Test victory to square the series: personal delight and professional satisfaction in quick succession.South Africa’s lead at the close of the second day was 205, for the loss of Heino Kuhn, unpicked by James Anderson at second slip. England do have the consolation of a sunny forecast for the fourth day, but historically Trent Bridge surfaces deteriorate more than average in this country so it is hard to conceive of an escape route.They have already lost one review, failing in a cockeyed attempt to win an lbw decision against Kuhn: a long way down the pitch, a new ball, impact high on the pad: there was not much to like. Anderson therefore joined Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad in failed reviews. At least Joe Root is spreading his largesse to all, but he has some reflecting to do.The panache of Root, a young captain eager to assert himself, provided England’s main sustenance as they mustered only 205 in awkward batting conditions, dismissed in only 51.5 overs as they trusted to enterprise and came up short. Only late in the innings could England be described as reckless, but at no point did they deserve to be termed resilient.Root has slipped down to No 4 this summer in his first summer as captain, but wherever he bats, he bears an onerous responsibility. His elegance, at least, made light of the challenge posed by South Africa’s attack as he required only 76 balls for his 78. He played with authority from the outset, before a misjudgement against Morne Morkel saw him edge to the wicketkeeper.The rest of England’s first innings had less to commend it as South Africa held sway on a pitch that had quickened since the opening day and with plentiful swing and seam on offer under overcast skies. Root’s Yorkshire team-mates Gary Ballance and Jonny Bairstow sought a response. But the openers failed and Root’s dismissal began a sequence in which the last seven wickets evaporated for 62 in 22.4 overs. Still, at least it ensured regular activity on a day when the over-rate was a pitiful 12.5 an hour.Morkel and Vernon Philander, South Africa’s new-ball pair, posed most of the threat and Morkel, in particular, was unfortunate to finish with only two wickets on a day when he was always an imposing figure. When they were obliged to turn to the left-arm spin of Keshav Maharaj, with a holding operation in mind, he came up trumps with the wickets of Stokes, for nought, and Bairstow shortly before tea. Chris Morris, lightly used after a short initial spell – short in both senses of the word – adorned his figures with three late wickets.Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings were rounded up in only 4.1 overs before lunch as it soon became apparent that South Africa’s 335 offered them the chance of a sizeable first-innings advantage.It took a review to remove Cook, with South Africa searching, initially at least, for an lbw as an inswinger from Philander flew off the pad to the wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock. That mode of dismissal was ruled out by an inside nick, only for Cook to be dismissed courtesy of the keeper’s catch.Jennings fell to the next delivery, this time from Morkel, a peach of a ball from around the wicket which bounced and left the Durham left-hander. He had no cause to berate himself about getting out to that.The rest of the morning was a story of South African ill-discipline as Root and Ballance included 14 boundaries in an 83-run partnership spanning, in all, only 84 balls. Root produced some princely off-sides drives from the outset and had another Test fifty to his name by the interval. Ballance, who got off the mark with a fortunate edge wide of gully off Philander, offering hunched support, sitting deep in his crease with the suspicious air of a mole peering out of a mole hill.South Africa’s challenge was much more focused throughout the afternoon, although their back-up seamers carried limited potency before Morris’ late intervention. They achieved this, lest we forget, without Kagiso Rabada.Ballance, very much Root’s pick, has laboured to prove his worth. Once again, he got a start but failed to prosper. He perished in the second over after lunch, bowled by Philander as he deflected the ball loosely onto his pads. Bairstow, who lacked Root’s certainty, was more of a bellwether. He reached 45, but survived two hairy moments against Morkel on the way, the ball twice flying perilously close to his stumps off a play-and-miss that escaped for four byes and an inside edge. Another edge spared him when South Africa reviewed a refused lbw appeal by Philander.Maharaj then took a hand. Stokes fell for a 12-ball duck, his inside edge onto his pads, finally clutched at the second attempt, off his shoulder, by de Kock as he changed direction. There was a suspicion of helmet involved, which would have spared him, but after innumerable replays he was sent on his way.Maharaj also found a hint of turn to bowl Bairstow, bringing South Africa their fourth wicket in a productive session.England’s problems intensified after tea as three wickets fell within eight balls. Moeen Ali fell tamely to a pre-conceived plan, flapping a full ball from Morris out of the footholes to du Plessis at point. Broad received the cheers awarded to a local boy, but his innings are always hair-raising affairs and this one did not make it past the first ball as South Africa successfully reviewed Morris’ lbw appeal.Liam Dawson had managed to escape a fourth successive Test duck – Bob Holland, Ajit Agarkar and Mohammad Asif hold the record with five – before overturning a caught behind decision against Morris, replays showing the ball had missed the bat by a distance. He did not make much use of his let-off, as he top-edged Maharaj to square leg.England’s increasingly tame affair came to a conclusion when Mark Wood deflected a rearing delivery from Morris to second slip.Earlier, James Anderson had demolished South Africa’s tail in a spell of 4 for 4 in only 20 deliveries to finish with 5 for 72, taking five in an innings for the 22nd time in his Test career.England had carped about the second new ball on the previous evening, and they managed to negotiate an immediate change on the second morning. The skies were grey, the floodlights were on and Anderson had a spring in his step, his 34 years falling off him with every delivery.The best of his wickets was Maharaj, for nought, outwitted by the inswinger/outswinger routine, his edge inviting Root to hold a flamboyant catch at second slip. He had provided a brief masterclass, but South Africa were to make good use of their own opportunity.

Gloucestershire picked up their first Specsavers County Championship victory of the season by beating Leicestershire by an innings and six runs at The Brightside Ground in Bristol

ECB Reporters Network16-Apr-2017
ScorecardIt was a memorable match for Liam Norwell•Getty ImagesGloucestershire picked up their first Specsavers County Championship victory of the season by beating Leicestershire by an innings and six runs at The Brightside Ground in Bristol.Having scored 466 for 8 declared in their first innings, Phil Mustard’s side bowled out Leicestershire twice, inside two days, with Liam Norwell returning match-winning figures of 10 for 99.The win will certainly go some way towards softening the blow of last week’s heavy defeat at the hands of Kent. For Leicestershire, however, there is little or no consolation. That’s two chastening defeats in as many games.Resuming on 165 for 6 on day three, the visitors soon found themselves in trouble at the hands of Norwell, who bowled very well indeed from the Ashley Down End. The Dorset-born seamer sent back Clint McKay in the first over of the day to celebrate his 200th first-class wicket.To their credit, Ned Eckersley and Richard Jones proved what was capable with an ounce of application and a genuine appetite for the fight, as they added 89 for the eighth wicket. Unfortunately, for the visitors, it was never likely to be enough to help the Foxes avoid the follow on and subsequently, another disappointing loss.Eckersley led the way with 88 off 103 balls, having passed 50 off 66 deliveries. However, when he departed, bowled by Norwell, at 255 for 8, Leicestershire were still well short of their initial target of saving the follow on.Gavin Griffiths became Norwell’s fifth victim of the innings, four runs later, and with Colin Ackermann unable to bat after retiring hurt on day two, their innings came to a close on 259 for 9.Unfortunately for Leicestershire, whose second innings progressed to 6 for 0 at lunch, the afternoon session was every bit a disappointing. And it was that man Norwell who was once again responsible.Bowling in tandem with David Payne, Norwell ripped the heart out of Leicestershire’s top and middle order. After Payne had kicked off the session by having Paul Horton caught by wicketkeeper Mustard for 6, Norwell sent back Harry Dearden, Neil Dexter and Mark Pettini during a seven-over spell that saw him return the impressive figures of 3 for 19.When Payne added his second wicket, that of Mark Cosgrove at 51 for 5, the game looked as though it would be all over by tea.Thankfully, for Leicestershire, Eckersley knuckled down to the task in hand and added 86 with Ben Raine for the sixth wicket. Having helped himself to a first half century of the summer in the first innings, Eckersley was unbeaten on 53 at tea, having passed 50 off as many balls, with eight fours. The pair had looked in little trouble until Raine carelessly ran himself out for 42.McKay’s cameo – 29 off 39 deliveries – once again held up Gloucestershire. However, when Norwell had the Australian caught in the slips by George Hankins, shortly after tea, the end was nigh.Mustard picked up a wonderful catch to send back Richard Jones in Payne’s next over and though Eckersley batted beautifully for 85, he finally holed out to Jack Taylor on the point boundary off the bowling of Norwell. A fitting end for the bowler who deservedly received a standing ovation from those who saw it.

Nottingham Forest are reportedly interested in Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, as he looks to rebuild his career in England.

Steve Cooper must add firepower to his squad this summer should they wish to remain in the Premier League, after securing safety in the penultimate game of the 2022/23 campaign.

The Reds have been linked to an array of talent ahead of the new term, as the City Ground eyes star names to add to their promising squad that sit on the fence between the top and second division.

After scoring just 38 goals in 38 games, Cooper must install a significant threat to his attack as Forest bid to improve in the final third, which is something Cooper could achieve in signing Hudson-Odoi.

As reported by a journalist associated with Football Transfers, Forest are among the 'favourites' to sign the 22-year-old, who according to the Guardian could leave Chelsea for a fee of £15m.

AC Milan have also been named as a club that could potentially acquire the Chelsea academy graduate, in a move that could see him follow the likes of Fikayo Tomori and Ruben Loftus-Cheek to Milan.

What could Callum Hudson-Odoi offer to Nottingham Forest?

After playing for the Blues since U8s level, the Englishman could call it quits from his home surroundings as his contract nears its 2024 expiry date.

The tricky winger has returned to the Blues after an underwhelming season-long loan at Bayer Leverkusen, in which he scored just once in 21 appearances in all competitions for Die Werkself.

A number of years tainted by injury have seen the Londoner fall down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, after bursting onto the scene in the 2019/20 campaign, in which he registered one goal and five assists in 22 Premier League appearances for Chelsea.

Despite enduring a difficult period in his budding career, the Champions League winner could rejuvenate his past form in a new environment, and could flourish in Coopers’ set-up at the City Ground.

The 22-year-old could follow the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White in opting for change to become a firm starter in the top division, in a move that could be successful for the club and player.

Hailed as “frightening” by Scouted Football, Hudson-Odoi could add a threat from the wing to Forest’s game plan. Indeed, he represents a player particularly well suited to featuring alongside the talent of Gibbs-White.

The former Wolves midfielder has lit up the City Ground after signing from Molineux last summer, in a campaign that saw him voted as the BBC’s pick for Forest Player of the Season.

As per FBref, the playmaker averaged an impressive 1.91 key passes and 2.29 passes into the final third per 90 in the 2022/23 Premier League campaign, providing chances all over the pitch for his teammates.

Cooper could further the exploits of his star man by signing Hudson-Odoi, who flexes strengths in the final third that suggest he could be the perfect partner for the 23-year-old ace.

Despite not being at his most dangerous, the winger ranked in the top 13% of those in his position in Europe over the past year in terms of progressive carries, averaging 4.71 per 90 as well as 2.02 successful take-ons, via FBref.

The Englishman’s threat could be integral to adding a new-found fear factor to Cooper's XI, in a talent that could be dispatched frequently by the likes of Gibbs-White in the bid to take Forest higher up the table.

Newcastle United are closing in on a move for AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali, but it might yet come at a cost for Eddie Howe's side.

What is the latest with Newcastle United's transfer business?

Widespread reports suggest Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth is in Milan finalising terms for Tonali, who will set the Magpies back around £55m.

However, should that deal indeed go through, Sky Sports reports that a move for Leicester City's £50m-rated James Maddison will in turn become a lot more difficult.

That is because the Magpies, who will compete in the Champions League group stage next season for the first time in two decades, risk falling outside of Financial Fair Play rules if they bring in both players.

Should Newcastle prioritise signing James Maddison?

There is no doubting Tonali's quality, which was clear to see last season when featuring in 34 of Milan's 38 Serie A matches and starting all 12 games as they fell just short of reaching the Champions League final.

However, Milan's supposed haggling over a fee means Newcastle will have to make Tonali the second-most expensive signing in their history, behind only the £63m spent to sign Alexander Isak last year.

As football writer Sam Tighe put it following reports United's initial offer had been knocked back, "Tonali is pretty overrated and not worth spending €50m on. Newcastle are fortunate it got rejected and should not bid more."

Toon fans were quick to dispel that opinion, but the argument is only strengthened when factoring in that Maddison is unlikely to be at St James' Park next season should Tonali arrive.

The midfield duo are far from like-for-like in terms of their playing styles – Tonali is a holding midfielder, whereas Maddison is far more attack-minded – so comparing the two in certain areas does not make sense.

However, in terms of what they can bring to Newcastle, Maddison surely must be higher up the list.

Newcastle had the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League last season, level on 33 goals conceded with champions Manchester City, whereas their tally of 68 goals scored – while still impressive – was only the sixth best, behind the likes of Tottenham Hotspur (70) and Brighton and Hove Albion (72).

Tonali would make Newcastle stronger defensively, while also providing some further balance to midfield, but with Bruno Guimaraes bossing things in that area last season, Maddison looks ideally suited to playing just off Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson – or just one of the two should Howe opt for one up top.

With ten goals and nine assists last season in an otherwise poor Leicester side – only Wilson (23) had more goal involvements among Newcastle players – Maddison, hailed as "sensational" by former Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers, showed his quality once again.

Indeed, he ranked in the top 4% of all midfielders across Europe's top five leagues for goals scored last season and in the top 8% for touches in the opposition box, as per The Analyst.

While impressive in a number of different other areas, Tonali still only ranked in the top 43% for possession won – again among midfielders in Europe's elite leagues – and 50% for touches. It was in terms of chances created the Italian thrived (top 16%), yet he could not come close to Maddison (top 6%).

Howe, therefore, has a huge decision to make if it is a shoot-out between which of the two to sign. On the basis of what the players can offer, and what Newcastle need right now, Maddison might just be the smart choice.

Aston Villa are reportedly eyeing Serie A ace Hirving Lozano as the Villans prepare to introduce reinforcements to their squad.

Unai Emery isn’t expected to be the only Spaniard with control in the market this summer, with former Sevilla sporting director Monchi sealing a move to Villa Park.

The club have been linked to a host of top talent already, with the latest link being a potentially strong suitor to partner Ollie Watkins.

What’s the latest on Hirving Lozano to Aston Villa?

As reported by various Spanish outlets this week, Aston Villa have emerged as a club interested in Napoli forward Lozano.

One report states that Villa have shown ‘clear interest’ in the Mexico international, who could depart Naples this summer due to a frailed relationship with the board.

It’s claimed the Midlands club are among the ‘most attractive’ options for the 27-year-old, with Villa planning a ‘formal offer’ believed to be in the region of €30m (£26m).

What could Hirving Lozano offer to Aston Villa?

Hailed as a “sensation” by broadcaster Bolarinwa Olajide, the forward could be a revolutionary addition to Emery’s attack.

Likened to Premier League ace Bukayo Saka based on statistics by FBref, the winger is a seasoned attacker, as supported by his career statistics representing PSV, Napoli and Pachuca.

As per Transfermarkt, the Mexican has contributed to 184 goals in 383 recorded appearances, scoring 113 goals and registering 71 assists in consistent streaks that convey a danger in the final third.

When speaking to The Athletic in April, Emery revealed his plans to sign a second striker to play either alongside Watkins or in rotation with the Englishman – which is something he could deliver in signing Lozano.

While the two are most notably strong in front of goal, they have opposing attributes that suggest they could form a complete partnership leading the line at Villa Park.

In the past, Lozano has been likened to Lionel Messi, with his low centre of gravity contributing to him being called “explosive and agile” by PSV director of football Marcel Brands, who formerly scouted the forward – as relayed by football.london.

As per FBref, the £97k-per-week attacker averages better than Watkins in areas that could greatly benefit the ex-Brentford man, registering 4.78 progressive carries per 90 to his average of 1.44.

Having a player that excels in progressive play beside him could be vital to taking the 15-goal striker to the next level, with an added benefit being the Napoli star’s ability to score himself.

Emery has a comprehensive right-winger already in his arsenal in Jacob Ramsey, but to adhere to the Spaniard’s aims of adding depth to his squad that will challenge in Europe next campaign, the move could be significant.

Lozano's contract in Naples expires next summer, so it’s likely that the Serie A champions will wish to cash in on his talents rather than see him leave as a free agent at the close of next season.