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According to Football Scotland, Celtic are now in the final steps of completing a permanent deal for Jota.

The Lowdown: Loan star

The 23-year-old first arrived in the Scottish Premiership when he joined the Hoops on a season-long loan from Benfica last summer, with an option to buy included as part of that agreement.

After a year full of impressive performances, Ange Postecoglou was unsurprisingly keen to retain the services of the winger, with the Glasgow giants having already agreed a £6.5m fee with the Portuguese outfit to purchase their man outright.

Former SPFL midfielder Marvin Bartley dubbed the loanee ‘absolutely brilliant’ and a ‘striker’s dream’, and it seems that dream is about to go on a little longer for the Parkhead faithful.

The Latest: Celtic at the finish line

In a new article published by Football Scotland, it’s claimed that Celtic are now ‘extremely close’ to concluding Jota’s permanent switch to the club, with the forward ‘in talks’ with the SPFL champions ever since the season ended.

The source further states that business has ‘ramped up’ in recent days, with the report revealing that the two parties are ‘almost at the finish line’ with regards to negotiations and wage package demands.

The Verdict: Finally

In his debut campaign at Parkhead, Jota flourished in the Hoops starting XI under Postecoglou and made himself a firm fan favourite with his outstanding return in front of goal.

Last season, the winger found the back of the net 13 times as well as providing a staggering 14 assists across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt, with his prolific form in the final third massively contributing to the club’s silverware success.

The Australian has already managed to tie down one of his other loanees, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and fans will surely be relieved with this update after a seemingly never-ending saga with Jota.

West Ham United have been given a boost in their pursuit of Manchester United midfielder and soon-to-be free agent, Jesse Lingard.

What’s the word?

That is according to a report from Express journalist Ryan Taylor, via GIVEMESPORT.

As per the report, Taylor states that West Ham are keen to speak to Lingard over a potential reunion and expects the 29-year-old to push for an “eye-catching” deal before he considers signing for Moyes’ side.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Taylor revealed: “The last I heard on Lingard was just that West Ham were open to looking at the numbers involved and what kind of contract Lingard’s obviously seeking. The fact that he’s on a free transfer, naturally him and his agent are probably bargaining for a lucrative contract.”

Supporters will be buzzing

The latest news surrounding Lingard denotes that West Ham are intent on signing the 29-year-old, which bodes well for a side who are set to lose Andriy Yarmolenko at the end of the month, due to his contract expiring.

Lingard will of course offer more to the attack than the Ukrainian managed, with the 32-cap England international registering some sensational numbers in the 16 Premier League games he managed on loan at the London Stadium.

five assists were enough to demonstrate his attacking prowess, numbers that put him fondly in the hearts of those at the London Stadium and they will no doubt be delighted to see him return, especially if he can produce similar returns in the final third. At the age of 29, meanwhile, he should be afforded regular game time and relative attacking freedom.

Moyes, particularly in his 4-2-3-1 system, can offer Lingard this prescribed tactical approach and can also provide the personal support and appreciation that a player like him needs.

Bagging Lingard by way of the Bosman ruling makes for a very astute piece of business for a player well into his prime years, and with the possibility of Lingard returning back to stellar form under a more organised and consistent play style, it will be worth the supposed lucrative wages in the eyes of many.

In other news: Sky Sports journo: Big transfer at West Ham is now “imminent”, Moyes will love him 

Sadio Mane has ‘made it clear’ that he wants to join Bayern Munich from Liverpool this summer, according to Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg.

The Lowdown: Mane on the move

The Senegalese sensation has enjoyed six legendary years at Anfield, winning all there is to win and being hailed as a ‘machine’ by Jurgen Klopp.

In a sad turn of events, however, Mane looks almost certain to be on the move this summer, as he looks for a fresh challenge before his prime years run out.

With Liverpool reportedly on the verge of signing Darwin Nunez from Benfica, that only heightens the chances of the 30-year-old moving on to pastures new.

The Latest: Plettenberg provides update

Taking to Twitter, Plettenberg shared an ‘update’ – Mane sees his future at Bayern and Bayern alone:

“Update Mane: Bayern spoke to him and he had a positive phone call with Nagelsmann. Mané made clear that he wants to join FCBayern! Bayern was impressed that Mané doesn’t have airs & graces. He made clear that he would do his best on every position.”

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The Verdict: All but a done deal

This feels like a matter of time now, with Mane’s decision made up and Bayern clearly seeing the forward as one of their primary summer transfer targets.

While losing the African superstar is a blow in many ways, it could be argued that he is now ever so slightly past his peak and that Liverpool are selling a good time, receiving a hefty fee for his services after already getting his best years.

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The hope is that Nunez comes in and fills the Mane-shaped void immediately, proving to be a worthy successor to him, not to mention being eight years his junior.

In other news, Liverpool have been linked with a fresh transfer target. Read more here.

Liverpool are interested in making a move for emerging Saint-Etienne centre-back Saidou Sow this summer, according to a new transfer report.

The Lowdown: Sow impresses in France

The 19-year-old is still very much a work in progress but he is already making a name for himself in France, following some impressive performances for his current club.

6 foot 1 Sow made 13 appearances in Ligue 1 last season, 11 of which were starts, and he averaged 2.2 aerial duel wins and tackles apiece per game.

The Guinean’s current Saint-Etienne deal doesn’t expire until 2025 but that hasn’t stopped Liverpool from expressing an interest.

The Latest: Liverpool keen on move

While all the attention this week is on the interest in Darwin Nunez, according to L’Equipe [via Sport Witness], Reds officials are also ‘watching’ Sow and have even sent scouts to watch him on international duty.

The youngster came up against Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in the game in which Liverpool ’emissaries’ were watching him, as the latter won 1-0.

It is claimed that his compatriot Naby Keita urged the club to have a look at him, ahead of a potential move.

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The Verdict: Gomez replacement?

Sow looks like a player with bags of potential and he could be a strong option to come in as a fourth-choice centre-back, especially if Joe Gomez leaves this summer.

Gomez has been strongly linked with a move to join Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa in search of more regular playing time ahead of this year’s World Cup in Qatar.

The teenager would have to accept that he is behind Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joel Matip in the pecking order but he could still get chances to shine in domestic cups.

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Eventually, Sow could mature into more of a regular, with Van Dijk and Matip in their 30s now and Konate possibly needing a new partner one day.

In other news, James Pearce loves a piece of Liverpool transfer news. Read more here.

West Ham have regularly been linked with a move for Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic in recent years, and if he were to join David Moyes’ side this summer, he could be their very own Harry Kane.

It was reported earlier this week that the Serbian striker is set to leave Real Madrid following their Champions League success, and given their long-standing interest in him, West Ham could be the ones to take advantage.

While his spell at the Santiago Bernabeu hasn’t gone to plan, he has been behind one of the greatest strikers of this generation in Karim Benzema, and his previous form at Eintracht Frankfurt suggests that he could be a huge success in the Premier League.

Since joining Los Blancos from the Bundesliga side in 2019, Jovic has appeared just 51 times for Madrid, contributing three goals and five assists.

However, with regular game time, there seems no reason why the Serbia international couldn’t rediscover the form he showed at Frankfurt in the 2018/19 season when he managed 27 goals and seven assists in all competitions.

There is little doubt that the Hammers need a striker to compete with Michail Antonio next season and Jovic could be the goal-poacher that Moyes’ side have arguably lacked in recent seasons, with Jarrod Bowen finishing as the top scorer in the Premier League with just 12.

FBref suggests that Jovic, who reportedly earns £152k per week at Madrid, has a very similar style of play to Kane, and if he were to even come close to the England captain’s performances for Tottenham Hotspur in recent seasons, then the Hammers would have a very good player on their hands.

Kane contributed 37 goals and 11 assists for Spurs last season and while he is still a deadly finisher in the box, some of his best work came from deep, where he would pick up the ball and dictate the play, regularly assisting teammate Heung-Min Son.

The Real Madrid man scores extremely impressively in terms of shots, assists and goal-creating actions, which suggests that he is far more than just a goalscorer and would offer Jovic a very different option in Moyes’ side next season.

Former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri labelled Jovic “dangerous” ahead of a game against Frankfurt in 2019, and if he can find his feet at West Ham after a difficult spell with Real Madrid, the 24-year-old could become as talismanic for the Hammers as Kane is for their London rivals.

And, in other news… In talks: West Ham now in “final stages” of £34m deal, he’s David Moyes’ dream signing

Richarlison has been linked with a move away from Everton for months following a disappointing season at Goodison Park, however, a new update has emerged on the Brazilian’s future.

What’s the latest?

According to Sky Sports Italy journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Real Madrid are not interested in signing Richarlison this summer.

This comes as a big twist to the tale following widespread reports that the Spanish side were indeed hoping to sign him over the summer months.

Di Marzio now claims that after Los Blancos lost out on Kylian Mbappe, they currently have no plans to take on another winger this summer after sporting director José Angel Sanchez and owner Florentino Perez held a meeting to discuss the transfer window strategy moving forward.

Supporters will be delighted

There is no doubt the news that Real Madrid have cooled their interest in Richarlison will delight supporters as he has been crucial for the Toffees in one of their most difficult seasons to date and has become a fan favourite at the club.

Despite the relegation worries throughout the season, the 25-year-old stepped up when it really mattered for Everton, scoring six of his ten Premier League goals in his last ten appearances making him the top goal contributor for the Toffees in 2021/22.

The Brazilian’s goals and assists this season compared to the players around him has ultimately saved the club from a spell in the Championship next season, something that supporters will be massively grateful for and it would be hard for fans to see him go after delivering impressive performances when it mattered most.

Richarlison has been a big hit at Goodison Park since he arrived in 2018, and has been one of the very few transfers that have worked out for Farhad Moshiri, scoring 53 goals and delivering 14 assists in his 152 appearances, so losing him this summer would be a huge loss and it would take a lot of work to replace a consistent goal threat of his quality.

With that being said, Real Madrid are not the only club that have reported interest in signing the attacker ahead of next season with Manchester United already making an approach to sign him last month. Therefore, Frank Lampard will need to do everything to convince the star to stay on Merseyside next term.

AND in other news: Everton still face uncertainty over £18m-rated “rock” who Lampard can’t afford to lose

West Bromwich Albion suffered a disappointing first season back in the Championship following relegation from the Premier League, and Steve Bruce is on a mission to get the Baggies back where they belong.

What’s the latest?

Speaking to Express & Star, the Baggies boss has made his intentions clear when it comes to the summer transfer window, and big changes are ahead at The Hawthorns.

Bruce revealed: “I think we all understand we weren’t good enough.

“We are in this position. We have to try and generate some income, we won’t be awash with money that is for sure.

“I have got to wheel and deal and beg, borrow and steal and if I have to sell one to make the squad bigger or better then I will do that.

“There is change in the air. There has to be. I think the time is right.”

Supporters will be excited

There is no doubt that supporters will want to see change this summer after the side fell from competing for an automatic promotion spot in the first half of the season to finishing tenth and the fact that Bruce is ready to address these problems and work on improving the squad this summer will excite supporters.

In terms of having what it takes to compete for promotion back into the Premier League next season, West Brom must score more goals as both Bournemouth and Fulham netted far more than the Baggies.

In fact, Marco Silva’s side scored over twice as many this term, and to compete next campaign Bruce must find a way for his team to finish more of their opportunities.

West Brom missed more chances than they scored this season with the fifth most chances missed in the Championship, scoring 52 times and missing 58 opportunities over the season, so the manager will need to identify ways to improve and find players that can be more clinical in front of goal.

With that being said, the club and the boss need to act fast and smart because they will need players to come into the team to make an instant impact and positively influence the team into a better position next season.

AND in other news: Forget Carroll: Bruce must do everything to sign “proven” £37k-p/w, West Brom need him

Sporting Lisbon will reportedly now ‘open talks’ with Everton to bring in Joao Virginia on loan again for next season.

The Lowdown: Lack of game-time

Virginia was sent out on loan to Sporting at the start of the campaign, but has only played in eight matches in total over all competitions.

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Now that the Goodison Park faithful have secured their safety in the Premier League, they will not be under as much pressure to sell England number one Jordan Pickford, so one would have to question whether Virginia would want to play second fiddle to the 28-year-old.

The Latest: Another loan?

As per Record (via Sport Witness), Sporting are now set to ‘open talks’ with the Merseyside club as early as next week to sign Virginia on loan once more.

There is a buyout clause of €5m (£4.2m) to sign him on a permanent deal, but the Portuguese outfit have deemed that price to be ‘excessive’.

The Verdict: Sell

Given his lack of game-time at Sporting this term, another loan for Virginia to the same club does not seem sensible from the Toffees’ point of view.

Having rarely featured for the senior team, they would surely want the goalkeeper to gain more experience in order to eventually challenge Pickford’s spot in net.

However, at 22 years of age, the 6 foot 3 colossus who David Unsworth once dubbed ‘unbelievable‘ surely needs to be moved on now, and the Blues should be looking to get as much money as possible from his sale.

In other news, find out what ‘significant breaking news’ from Sky Sports has now emerged involving EFC here!

West Bromwich Albion will release Romaine Sawyers once his contract expires in July, according to a report from the Express & Star. 

The lowdown: Surplus to requirements

Having previously been a mainstay under Slaven Bilic, the midfielder – who was a product of the Baggies’ youth system before undergoing multiple transfers – saw a dramatic reduction in game-time in the latter half of last season with Sam Allardyce in The Hawthorns hot seat.

The 30-year-old spent the 2021/22 campaign on loan at Stoke, where he directly contributed to seven goals in 29 outings.

Instead of returning to Albion, though, it appears that the St Kitts & Nevis international will be free to seek pastures new and find a home elsewhere…

The latest: West Brom won’t keep Sawyers

As per the Express & Star, West Brom manager Steve Bruce has chosen not to extend Sawyers’ stay with the Baggies.

It’s claimed that there was an option to add a further 12 months to the 30-cap midfielder’s contract, but the club have decided against triggering the clause.

The report added that The Hawthorns hierarchy would ‘rather spend the money needed’ in order to keep Sawyers at the club on adding fresh faces to the squad, with Reading’s John Swift cited as a potential target.

The verdict: Bruce missing a trick

While the Baggies academy graduate has failed to pull up any trees since returning to The Hawthorns in 2019, scoring just once and providing one assist in 64 appearances, Sawyers still remains an impressive Championship operator and therefore would’ve been of use to Bruce’s ranks without the requirement of a transfer fee.

During the recently completed season, the 30-year-old – who was once hailed as an ‘unbelievable technician’ by former West Brom academy coach Jimmy Shan – earned a 6.72 Sofascore rating whilst completing 32.1 accurate passes and 0.4 successful dribbles and winning 2.3 duels per game, having made 19 Championship starts.

Sawyers may no longer be a surefire starter at a Championship club with aspirations of promotion, but Bruce may yet live to regret not retaining his services for at least another 12 months.

In other news: Sawyers isn’t the only player who looks like he’ll be exiting West Brom this summer

Rangers chief Ross Wilson was active throughout the January transfer window as he brought in a host of players to bolster Gio van Bronckhorst’s squad.

The Gers signed James Sands, Amad Diallo and Aaron Ramsey on loan, whilst also sealing a permanent swoop for Mateusz Zukowski and a pre-contract deal with Hearts centre-back John Souttar.

One player who has struggled to perform on a consistent basis since arriving in Glasgow in January has been Ivorian, Diallo.

The 19-year-old winger joined on a temporary basis from Premier League giants Manchester United and made the perfect start to his career in Scotland as he scored on his Premiership debut against Ross County.

He then went on a run of six straight appearances for the club without registering a goal or assist and was an unused substitute on 13 occasions. Van Bronckhorst rarely used him between February and April and his lack of game time illustrates how poorly the majority of his time at the club has been.

Heading into May, Rangers fans – and the Dutch head coach – may have been looking forward to saying goodbye to him at the end of the season. However, a late burst of form from the attacker has shown that he does have the potential to explode in Glasgow.

In his last three appearances for the Gers, Diallo scored two goals, provided five key passes, and completed eight dribbles in the Premiership. He has been exciting to watch with his direct, forward-thinking, play in the front three and the supporters may now be rethinking their opinions on him.

His former Manchester United teammate Dan James previously lauded his “unbelievable feet” and claimed that he is “like Messi” in the way that players have to kick him to stop him, with the winger now showing why he is so highly-rated south of the border.

This burst of quality suggests that he has finally found his feet in Scotland and that is why van Bronckhorst must now swoop to bring him back for another spell at the club. Imagine how good he could be with a full pre-season and half-a-season of Premiership experience under his belt heading into 2022/23.

Therefore, the Gers coach can light up Ibrox next season by signing Diallo on another loan deal as the attacker has the potential to explode and become a huge player for the club if he can find consistency in his performances – as he has of late.

AND in other news, Teaser: Early Rangers UEL team news hint emerges that’ll excite supporters…