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An update has emerged on Southampton and their plans to bolster their playing squad ahead of the 2023/24 Championship campaign…

What's the latest Southampton transfer news?

According to talkSPORT, the Saints are the favourites to secure a deal to sign Norwich City right-back Max Aarons before the end of the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the club are 'lining' up a swoop for the England U21 international to potentially replace Tino Livramento at St. Mary's.

This comes amid The Northern Echo stating that Newcastle United are set to make a renewed effort to land the former Chelsea academy prodigy from Southampton. His exit would leave a vacant spot in the squad for Aarons to potentially come in and fill.

How good is Max Aarons?

The Canaries starlet is an experienced defender in spite of the fact that he is only 23.

Aarons has made 213 first-team appearances for Norwich throughout his career to date, which includes 70 Premier League matches, and has been capped a whopping 27 times by England at U21 level.

Bringing the full-back in would be a masterclass of a move by Russell Martin as the Saints head coach could use his connections with his former club to secure a fantastic signing.

Martin, who once played alongside Aarons in a U23 match for Norwich, spent nine years at Carrow Road and Southampton could now benefit from his relationship with the Yellows.

Signing the former Luton Town academy prospect could ease the possible blow of losing Livramento as he has proven himself to be capable of excelling in a promotion-winning team at this level.

Aarons has been promoted as a title-winner in the Championship twice in his career and caught the eye with his displays during their 2020/21 success.

The £29k-per-week full-back averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.97 across 45 appearances as he created 1.4 chances per game, which would have placed him second within the Saints squad last term, as he helped his team to keep 17 clean sheets.

Livramento, who has never played at Championship level, averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.85 across 28 top-flight matches during the 2021/22 campaign and created just 0.7 chances per match from right-back to illuminate just how creative Aarons was in comparison.

This suggests that the potential is there for the young right-back to come in as an upgrade on the 20-year-old talent.

Livramento has also missed 47 competitive matches through injury since January 2022 and it remains to be seen whether or not he will be able to steer clear of further issues with his knee after a cruciate ligament rupture.

Whereas, Aarons, who was once hailed as "outstanding" by former England U21 boss Aidy Boothroyd, has only been absent for two games throughout his entire professional career with Norwich to date, which came due to an ankle injury in 2019.

The Saints target is an ultra-reliable player who has played in the Premier League and knows how to get out of the Championship, whilst still having room to develop and grow.

Therefore, Martin could pull off a blinder by using his connections to seal a deal for the young defender, who has the ability and pedigree to be a phenomenal signing.

Benny Howell hit back for Gloucestershire after Kiran Carlson fell nine runs short of a notable Glamorgan record

ECB Reporters Network20-Sep-2017

Benny Howell, a limited-overs specialist, has not played any championship cricket this season. Opening the innings for Gloucestershire is just as rare, although he fulfilled the role in 2012 when he joined the county from Hampshire.But when play ended early the 29-year-old all-rounder was only four runs away from a second Championship century, the first made against Leicestershire two years ago. Gloucestershire will resume on 161 for 1, still trailing by 281, with Howell on 96 and James Bracey on 45.Howell said: “It was very pleasing to hit the ball well after a frustrating season where I have been out of the side because of various niggles and injuries. I began my career as an opener, and after today hopefully I can push on and refresh my career in that position. I still want to play in all forms of cricket, especially the one- day format, and I could possibly move up the order and bat higher.”Howell adapted well to his new role, and with Chris Dent in fluent form, the opening pair put on 53 in 15 overs, before Dent sparred at one from Ruaidhri Smith to give wicketkeeper Chris Cooke a straightforward catch.Howell was then joined by 20-year-old James Bracey, a local product from the Bristol area, and after playing himself in, the wicketkeeper batsman played some elegant shots through the offside.The second wicket pair have added 108 for the second wicket, and with the slow pitch not offering anything to pace or spin, and with further rain likely to cause interruptions over the final two days, a draw is the likely outcome to this end of season encounter.Earlier Kiran Carlson was dismissed nine runs short of becoming Glamorgan’s youngest double centurion, when he chipped Jack Taylor to mid-on. The 19-year-old from Cardiff scored 191, an innings that lasted 7 hours 23 minutes.After losing two wickets in the final 15 minutes at the end of the first day, Smith helped Carlson add 97 runs for the eighth wicket, before Jack Taylor took two wickets in three balls, Smith edged Taylor’s arm ball to slip and Marchant De Lange was trapped leg before without scoring.

Tottenham Hotspur may "abandon" their pursuit of Micky van de Ven due to issues surrounding the player's price tag at Wolfsburg, according to Ben Jacobs.

Is Van de Ven joining Spurs?

The arrival of Ange Postecoglou in north London has shifted the mood around Hotspur Way.

There is a new and growing optimism around the club and its supporters as Tottenham prepare for a new era under the Australian coach, one which has been buoyed by several summer signings already in James Maddison and Guglielmo Vicario.

Postecoglou's charisma and attitude has endeared him to players and fans wherever he has been, most recently at Celtic, and the 57-year-old will be hoping that the good feeling around Spurs can last well into the new season.

However, if Spurs defend like they did last season, those warm fuzzy feelings will disappear pretty quickly.

Postecoglou's most difficult challenge will be transforming a backline low on confidence and quality and in dire need of reinvigoration. Bringing in a top-quality centre-back would be a great start and a couple of the Bundesliga's finest young prospects have already been linked.

Edmond Tapsoba of Bayer Leverkusen has been considered the priority target, but talks have reportedly advanced for Wolfsburg's Micky van de Ven.

According to journalist Jacobs, however, a deal for the latter could yet be abandoned due to the Dutchman's high valuation, with Spurs looking for a potentially more economical solution to their centre-back problem.

Speaking on The Football Terrace, Jacobs said: "I think Tottenham are looking for a centre-back, we've known this for quite some time. Micky van de Ven is one player that they've been considering and exploring, and price has been a little bit of an issue there.

"So, we know this is a key area because Ange Postecoglou is intent effectively on having ball-playing centre-backs and defenders more generally, but Spurs will abandon their pursuit of Micky van de Ven because of the fact that ultimately price is a problem and they're still looking for value in the market.

"So, that leads the towards, perhaps, Edmond Tapsoba, another one that's been on the list for quite some time. And he's a top target, I think it's fair to say, and the valuation there is somehwere in the region of £40m, some would say £45m. So, they're going to be ones to watch over the coming weeks."

Tapsoba's greater experience at senior level may influence Spurs' decision, with Postecoglou perhaps viewing the Burkina Faso international as a more first-team ready addition.

Jacobs didn't rule out the possibility of Van de Ven still making a move to the Lilywhites from Germany, but it certainly contradicts aforementioned claims that a deal is at a very advanced stage.

How good is Van de Ven?

The 22-year-old arrived at Wolfsburg from Volendam in his home country back in 2021, but only made five appearances in his first season with Die Wolfe as he adjusted to life in the Bundesliga.

Last year was the youngster's breakthrough campaign, featuring 36 times in all competitions and helping Wolfsburg to an eighth-placed finish, missing out on European football to Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt on the final day of the season.

Van de Ven is quick, something perfectly exemplified by a recent clip circulating on social media, and stands at 6ft3 – a formidable combination.

The fact that he is left-footed makes him an even more desirable asset due to the scarcity of top-tier centre-backs who thrive on the left-hand side of defence, while he is also comfortable playing at left-back or as one of three centre-backs in a back five.

Boasting an 87.7% pass accuracy in the league last season, he also ranked in the top 11% for successful take-ons and progressive carries per 90 compared to other Bundesliga centre-backs, showcasing his technical strengths.

If Postecoglou wants a ball-playing, modern centre-back, then he need not look much further than Van de Ven.

Watch more of The Football Terrace HERE!

More than A$1 million in fortnightly payments originally intended for out-of-contract players will instead be diverted directly to grassroots funding until an MoU is reached between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers Association

Daniel Brettig30-Jun-20175:38

Chappell: No deal a PR disaster for players, CA

More than A$1 million (US$768,000 approx) in fortnightly payments originally intended for out-of-contract players will instead be diverted directly to grassroots funding until an MoU is reached between Cricket Australia (CA) and the Australian Cricketers Association (ACA).On the final day before the expiry of the MoU unleashes a whole host of potentially chaotic scenarios – including doubt over forthcoming tours of South Africa, Bangladesh and India, a mess of commercial and sponsorship conflicts, and the possibility of a host of Australian players heading off to play overseas Twenty20 tournaments – CA underlined its hard-line stance in opposition to the players.Players had been informed earlier this week by the CA team performance manager Pat Howard that they would not be eligible for any back pay in the event of an extended dispute, a warning that was issued at the same time as a reminder that any players playing “disapproved cricket” during the dispute would face suspensions of at least six months under ICC regulations – banning them from participation in the Ashes this summer.Dispute leaves ‘bitter taste’ – Hazlewood

Josh Hazlewood, the Australia fast bowler, has said the nation’s cricketers will have a “bitter taste” waking up unemployed on Saturday after the expiry of the current MoU, but were prepared to see out the dispute with Cricket Australia to reach their desired result.
“To be contracted for the best part of 10 years, nearly, for me, it’s going to be a different stage and we’ll see how it pans out,” he said. “It [pay negotiations] never got to this point before in the past. It’s going to leave a bit of a bitter taste come that date [July 1] but we are, obviously, willing to do what we need to.”
Hazlewood took issue with CA’s contention that Sheffield Shield players did not contribute to the game’s financial health. “They always seem to point out the no crowds at Sheffield Shield cricket but they always leave out the Big Bash that draws in massive crowds every game,” he said. “The Australian cricket team isn’t really a part of that to be honest. It’s solely domestic players with a couple of internationals in different teams. But they provide a great spectacle. That six weeks is just thriving with crowds… I think they would feel disrespected, definitely.”

CA announced the tactic on Friday, a matter of hours before the current MoU was due to expire at midnight, without any sign that either side of the dispute was softening in their hardened stances – namely CA’s desire to breakup the fixed revenue percentage model at the heart of all agreements since 1998, and the ACA’s to retain it.”CA has previously confirmed that players without contracts will not be eligible to receive back pay when a new MoU is eventually agreed,” a CA spokesman said. “CA will allocate on a fortnightly basis all of the money it would otherwise be paying to out of contract players to the National Community Facilities Funding Scheme (NCFFS). This is expected to be in the order of AUD 1.2 million per fortnight.”The NCFFS is an existing fund that supports the establishment of new and refurbished playing and training facilities at grassroots level across Australia… established in conjunction with State & Territory Cricket Associations in 2014 to support the establishment of new and refurbished playing and training facilities at grassroots level across Australia.”CA has utilised the NCFFS to partner with local councils, state and territory governments, and local cricket clubs to make a significant impact in the quality and provision of community cricket facilities. Since its establishment, Australian Cricket has invested AUD 4.5 million into 410 projects worth AUD 41.6 million, which have significantly enhanced cricket infrastructure across Australia and supported increased participation in cricket.”The announcement was accompanied by a lengthy argument against the ACA’s position. “A week ago CA offered significant concessions in an effort to reach an agreement by 30 June,” the spokesman said. “These were also rejected out of hand through the media – again without any discussion – by the ACA. Those concessions were a genuine attempt by CA to address key concerns raised by players, including the inclusion of all domestic players alongside internationals in the share of the game’s surplus.”Over the past months CA has repeatedly sought to engage with the ACA in a genuine dialogue and to commence a proper negotiation process. It is regrettable that these efforts have been rebuffed, resulting in the current situation which CA recognises is not in the interests of either the players or the game. CA is concerned that many players will be without a contract from midnight tonight and this may place significant financial and emotional strain on them and their families.”It is unfortunate that the ACA’s hard-line and inflexible position has not been conducive to delivering any positive outcomes or certainty for players. CA has also been dismayed that the ACA’s rhetoric, both publicly and directly to the players, has burdened the current generation of players with an unfair sense of responsibility for defending a decades old pay model that no longer suits the very different needs of the modern game. The existing revenue share model has achieved its purpose and was never intended to be an heirloom passed down over the decades, never to be changed.”The ACA’s executive and a range of players, both domestic and international, are set to meet in Sydney on Sunday to discuss further action. The Australian women’s team is currently in the middle of a World Cup campaign in England.The ACA’s president Greg Dyer said the expiry of the deadline was the result of CA’s obvious intent to avoid negotiations on any terms other than the board’s own. “Refusing offers of flexibility and to attend mediation says a lot,” Dyer said. “As does the refusal of the CA CEO to be involved. It says they weren’t fair dinkum. It has been a case of divide and rule from the start, and when that failed the threats started and haven’t stopped. All of which has failed.”It’s quite incredible. Reasonable young men and women have been set upon by their employer with tactics not seen before in Australian sport. So, given they will be unemployed, the players have to consider how best to respond.”The ACA chief executive Alistair Nicholson said the meeting with players on Sunday would address numerous issues, including the status of those players chosen for the forthcoming Australia A tour to South Africa. Players are meant to convene in Brisbane for a pre-tour camp on Monday.”Given CA’s negotiation strategy from day one of these negotiations, we have made plans for this possibility,” Nicholson said. “We are ready to roll-out support to the players who need it. We have set aside funds to help players who need to pay their bills. And The Cricketers’ Brand will now be sourcing sponsorships as well. The players also have some very important decisions to make. That’s why an emergency executive meeting has been called.”

Lyon boss Fabio Grosso arrived at his side’s Ligue 1 clash with Marseille sporting a facial injury after fans threw rocks at the club’s team bus.

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Ligue 1 fixture at Stade VelodromeWindows smashed on busItalian coach required treatmentWHAT HAPPENED?

Home supporters gave their domestic rivals a raucous welcome to Stade Velodrome, with projectiles launched in the direction of the vehicle carrying players and coaches towards the stadium. Such behaviour was always asking for trouble, and so it proved.

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Lyon’s bus eventually pulled up with windows having been smashed. Those inside were unable to escape the attack being launched on them from outsiders, with it little surprise that injuries were suffered along the way.

DID YOU KNOW?

Grosso was left bleeding from a three centimetre gash to his face after being struck by shards of glass from the windows that were broken by flying rocks.

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WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Former Italy international Grosso was immediately taken for treatment, which left him with a plaster above his eye and a bandage wrapped around his head. A decision was subsequently taken to call the match off due to the pre-match incidents.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly identified their target to solve the clubs’ goal scoring woes, as Julen Lopetegui looks towards a busy summer.

The Spaniard will face a challenging transfer window following the emergence of Wolves’ FFP issues, however the show must go on and Molineux must see improvements over the break.

One name has been on the radar since the conclusion of the Premier League season, in a move that could transform Wolves in the final third.

What’s the latest on Viktor Gyokeres to Wolves?

As reported by talkSPORT at the beginning of May, Wolves are interested in Coventry City talisman Viktor Gyokeres.

Since the news first surfaced, it has emerged that the Midlands side will face competition for the striker, with Sporting Lisbon and Burnley also interested.

Portuguese outlet Record (as relayed by Sport Witness) revealed this week that Wolves remain in the race for the Swedish forward, with Sporting CP set to ‘struggle’ to battle the Premier League side due to their ‘bigger financial capacity’.

The report claimed that the price set by Coventry for the goalscoring machine is in the region of €20m (£17m).

What could Viktor Gyokeres bring to Wolves?

Ending the season as the lowest scorers in the Premier League, Lopetegui must solve the equation to get his side firing again, having netted just 31 goals in 38 games.

Once hailed as “unplayable” by former teammate Maxime Biamou, Gyokeres could be the man to end the stagnant nature in front of goal at Molineux, having scored 21 goals in the Championship this campaign.

While Wolves as a club would benefit hugely by the influence of having a goal machine leading the line once again, one player in particular could be unearthed by his presence.

Matheus Nunes made the move from Sporting CP to Molineux last summer, and has shown glimmers of his quality since arriving, but has been starved of having an attacking outlet to generate play with.

Having also been described as a “playmaker” by members of the media, the Portuguese ace averaged 0.8 key passes per game, a number that could be significantly raised should Lopetegui bring in the correct reinforcements.

As per FBref, the 24-year-old averaged 3.06 progressive passes per 90 this season, far fewer than his average the term before in Portugal, where he completed an average of 5.74 per 90, which shows what he is capable of should Wolves sign a frontman.

Gyokeres could finally unlock Nunes by acting as a player that is goal hungry and always looking for the ball, as communicated by his monstrous 11.01 progressive passes received per 90 over the past year, via FBref.

Placing financial constraints aside, Wolves must find a goal scorer this summer and not many could be more suited to the club than Gyokeres, who could prove to be a vast influence on Lopetegui’s attack.

Western Australia allrounder Hilton Cartwright has been included in the Australia squad for the second Test against Pakistan at the MCG

Brydon Coverdale and Daniel Brettig20-Dec-20160:49

Quick Facts – Hilton Cartwright

Australia’s selectors have pushed still further towards youth, ignoring Mitchell Marsh in order to draft his Western Australia team-mate Hilton Cartwright into the Boxing Day Test squad as all-round cover for a bowling attack heavily fatigued by their Gabba exertions.Cartwright, who had already been included in the Chappell-Hadlee ODI squad to face New Zealand but did not play, is an allrounder whose virtues have been pushed by the interim selector Greg Chappell in particular, as part of the developmental Cricket Australia XI that first played in the Matador Cup two summers ago.Last season he graduated to the Western Australia state side and performed strongly with the bat in the Sheffield Shield, something he has backed up this season to average 44.50 across 16 first-class matches. His bowling record is less notable, with a career tally of 15 first-class wickets at 41.93 and only four wickets at 74.75 in the current Shield campaign.

Test squad

David Warner, Matt Renshaw, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith (capt), Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddinson, Hilton Cartwright, Matthew Wade (wk), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird, Chadd Sayers

However, the acting selection chairman Trevor Hohns emphasised the desire for a batting allrounder to take a place in the top six, a role Marsh has been unable to adequately fill over time. The decision also means the incumbent No.6, Nic Maddinson, could face the axe after three Test innings of 0, 1 and 4 in Adelaide and Brisbane.”The bowlers got through a high workload in Brisbane and although everyone has pulled up okay, on reflection we wanted to give ourselves the option of including an allrounder in Melbourne to ease that workload somewhat,” Hohns said.”To do that, we wanted a batting allrounder, someone to bowl seam-up and capable of batting in the top six as well, and after considering several names we came to the conclusion that Hilton fits that bill. We have seen plenty of him, he has performed well this season and we believe that if called upon he will do an excellent job.”Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood each bowled 56 overs during the win over Pakistan at the Gabba, which for both men was their biggest workload not only in a Test match but in any first-class game. Jackson Bird sent down 45 overs, his highest tally in a Test. As such, the selection shift away from an allrounder, which took place when Marsh was dropped following the first Test of the summer, has been rethought.”It depends on what sort of wickets you play on,” Australia’s coach, Darren Lehmann, said after the win in Brisbane. “You would have probably liked to have an extra bowling option in this game but we went with the six batsmen, four bowlers and they got the job done, albeit a lot of work into our quicks.”Should Cartwright become Australia’s 450th Test cricketer when the XI is confirmed for Boxing Day, it would mean an uncertain Test future for Maddinson. On debut at Adelaide Oval, Maddinson was bowled for a 12-ball duck by Kagiso Rabada, while at the Gabba he was dropped on 0, then caught behind for 1 in the first innings. In the second, he was caught hooking for 4 as Australia sought quick runs and a declaration.”We’ve had two pink-ball Test matches, so red-ball Test coming up and we know he’s a fine player,” Lehmann said of Maddinson on Monday, before Cartwright was added to the squad. “He’s just got to believe at this level. I actually thought he did a really good team thing the other day [in the second innings].”I know there was some talk in the commentary and media that he probably could have gone up the order and done that, but Steve’s really strong on keeping the batting order very similar. So he came in for two balls, tried to get the game moving as quickly as he could. So I disregard the second innings of this one, and we’ve got some red-ball cricket coming up, so I’m sure he’ll do okay.”Another member of Australia’s new-look side who will be keen to justify the faith of the selectors is wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, who replaced Peter Nevill ahead of the Adelaide Test. The selectors preferred Wade’s batting fight down the order and although he scored two Test centuries in his previous incarnation in the baggy green, he has not made double figures since his recall.Wade’s work behind the stumps has also left a little to be desired. In Adelaide, he failed to move for a chance when Hashim Amla edged Mitchell Starc and first slip Matt Renshaw ultimately spilled the chance with his left hand. At the Gabba, Wade missed a stumping chance off Nathan Lyon when Sarfraz Ahmed had 31 in the first innings; he went on to make 59 not out. He also appeared to miss a possible catch when Yasir Shah tickled down leg off Starc late in Pakistan’s chase.”Obviously his batting ability, although he hasn’t got any runs at the moment,” Lehmann said when asked what Wade brought to the squad. “He’s been working pretty hard with that. And his energy behind the stumps. He’d like to keep better obviously, but I thought he’s improved his keeping out of sight in the last 12 to 18 months from where we were.”Peter Nevill is obviously a very good keeper as well. It’s a tight call whichever way you go. But Matthew’s got the chance to nail down the spot and we’ll see how he goes in Melbourne.”

Four Sri Lankans made 50-plus scores on day one of their tour match in South Africa

Andrew Fidel Fernando18-Dec-2016
ScorecardFile photo – Kusal Perera’s return to No. 3 suggests the team management is keen for him to resume batting in the top order•AFP

Sri Lanka’s batsmen made a bright start to the tour of South Africa, as Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva hit half-centuries on the first day of the tour match in Potchefstroom. The visitors went to stumps at 328 for the loss of six wickets, against a South Africa Invitation XI consisting of well-heeled first-class players and recent graduates of the Under-19 system.Especially encouraging for the Sri Lankans was the 159-run unbroken opening stand between Karunaratne and Silva, each of whom has struggled at various points during the course of the year. Both men were retired out at the end of the 45th over, Karunaratne with 71 runs to his name and Silva with 80.Kusal Perera only hit 25, but his entry at No. 3 suggests the team management is keen for him to resume batting in the top order as he had done for much of the series against Australia. This would also allow Kusal Mendis to come in at second drop. Mendis, who was in good form during the back end of the ODI tri-series in Zimbabwe, hit 10 fours in his 64-ball 51.Captain Angelo Mathews and vice-captain Dinesh Chandimal, both returning from injury, collected a five-ball duck and 23 respectively, before de Silva ensured the day ended briskly, with five fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 57 off 67.The Invitation XI’s batting appears its stronger suit, so it may be that a more thorough workout awaits the Sri Lankan bowlers than the batsmen, so far, have got. Left-arm spinner George Linde took 2 for 72 in the course of the day. Seamers Duanne Olivier and Jason Smith took one wicket each.

Celtic have already clinched the Scottish Premiership title for the 2022/23 campaign but this will not stop Ange Postecoglou from bolstering his squad this summer.

The Hoops have found success domestically and could now push on to compete in the latter stages of one of the three European competitions, after being knocked out in the group phase of the Champions League this season.

Earlier this month, the Daily Record reported that the Hoops are eyeing up a possible swoop for Albirex Niigata attacking midfielder Ryotaro Ito and he could come in with a view to improving their chances in Europe.

It was claimed that the club are keeping tabs on the 25-year-old, as Postecoglou is hoping to strengthen his midfield and attack in the upcoming transfer window, and the forward could come in to partner Kyogo Furuhashi in the final third.

How has Ryotaro Ito performed this season?

The playmaker, who is yet to be capped at senior level by Japan, has enjoyed a terrific start to life in the J1 League after catching the eye in the second division last term.

Ito has averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.54 across 14 appearances. He has scored seven goals and created 3.3 opportunities per game for his teammates so far, which illustrates the huge impact he has made in 2023 after he plundered nine goals and 11 assists in 42 outings in the J2 League in 2022.

He is a number ten with the ability to deliver goals and create chances on a regular basis and according to one Japanese author, boasts characteristics that make him a "mix of Jota and Reo [Hatate]."

Journalist Bence Bocsak further hailed the Celtic target as "intelligent" and stated that he has been "pulling the strings" for his side in the top-flight this year, which is backed up by his impressive chance creation numbers.

Ito's 3.3 key passes per match are 1.2 more per game than any Celtic player has managed in the Premiership this term, with Matt O'Riley's 2.1 leading the way for the Hoops. This suggests that the Niigata maestro could come in and be the standout creative force in midfield for Postecoglou.

Kyogo has scored 25 goals from 15.28 xG in the Scottish top-flight this season, proving that the Japan international is a lethal finisher who can magnify the quality of chances he is provided with due to his impressive finishing.

The 28-year-old is a proven and reliable scorer who could thrive from the creativity that Ito can provide from a number ten position if his compatriot can adapt to life in Scotland.

Therefore, Postecoglou could form an exciting and lethal duo at the top end of the pitch by landing the Niigata wizard, who also carries a goal threat with seven goals in 14 matches this year, to partner Kyogo domestically and in Europe in 2023/24.

Tottenham Hotspur are one of the sides who are said to be sniffing around the Manchester City centre-back Aymeric Laporte ahead of the summer transfer window.

Is Laporte leaving City this summer?

According to reports, the Premier League champions are now opening to allowing the Spaniard to leave in the summer as he looks for more regular action.

And one of the sides said to be interested in the possibility of signing him are Spurs as they aim to keep the 28-year-old in the Premier League.

However, it is also said the French giants Paris Saint-Germain could make a push for the City defender in the summer as City open their doors for an exit.

Spurs have been linked with a number of centre-backs over recent months with Kim Min-jae and Alessandro Bastoni both believed to be targets on Tottenham's radar.

The Lilywhites are expected to make a push in the summer to address their defence with two new centre-backs believed to be on the agenda.

And speaking on the Talking Transfers podcast, insider Graeme Bailey has claimed Laporte is a potential candidate to help solve their defensive issues from this season:

(32:25) "Laporte and his people have been going around Europe letting people know he's available and Tottenham are one of the ones who've had a sniff.

"To be fair, he's a very good Premier League centre-half, isn't he? Outside the top two or three, he would improve most teams, I think, or at least get a game.

"So yeah, I think there'll be a lot of interest in Laporte. It wouldn't surprise me to see him cross the Premier League."

Would Laporte improve the Spurs defence?

Tottenham's defence has been a major concern this season with the north London club only registering a +12 goal difference despite being the league's third-highest scorers.

Spurs have now conceded 41 goals this season and are joined as the eight-worst defence in the league alongside the relegation-battling Everton.

There has to be a caveat when looking at Laporte's stats from this season as his game time has been extremely limited with just 555 minutes of league action under his belt after the "warrior" underwent knee surgery last year (via Transfermarkt).

On top of that, the £120k-per-week ace is playing for one of the most dominant forces in Europe who have only conceded 26 goals in the Premier League this season.

Therefore, his return of 0.48 tackles per 90 minutes is significantly down on his return of more than double that (1.08) from last season where he made 33 league appearances (via FBref).

However, his ability on the ball has been sensational with the 28-year-old ranking inside the top third percentile for pass completion, progressive passes and carries.

And that is something which the Spurs defenders struggled with massively on Monday night as Eric Dier (16) and Clement Lenglet (11) were both victims of losing possession frequently (via SofaScore).

Laporte could also provide the Spurs backline with some much-needed experience and a winning mentality having won numerous trophies during his time at City.

But if the likes of PSG are going to fight for him over the summer, a move to north London could prove a challenging sell.