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Southampton are standing firm when it comes to player sales this summer, with the likes of Romeo Lavia, Tino Livramento and James Ward-Prowse all still on their books.

Who are Southampton selling?

A number of players, including the likes of Theo Walcott and Mohamed Elyounoussi, departed Saint Mary's as free agents following Southampton's relegation from the Premier League.

Mislav Orsic has joined Trabzonspor, meanwhile, but the Saints have done well to retain all of their biggest names ahead of the start of the new Championship campaign next week.

However, that could easily change in a short space of time as Lavia, Livramento and captain Ward-Prowse all continue to be linked with Premier League clubs.

For now, manager Russell Martin is simply focusing on working with what he has. Having already brought in Shea Charles and Ryan Manning, the Daily Mail claims Southampton could further add to their squad by signing Hamza Choudhury from second-tier rivals Leicester City.

What position does Hamza Choudhury play?

Choudhury – who is on wages of £50k-a-week at the King Power Stadium, according to Capology – is a central midfielder who thrives in breaking up play and helping to keep things ticking over.

The 25-year-old has been on Leicester's books for the past 12 years, but he was loaned out to Watford last season – having also previously spent time at Burton Albion – and may be moved on permanently this summer.

Choudhury stood out in what was a disappointing campaign for Watford last time out, leading the way for tackles per game (three) and interceptions (2.3), as per WhoScored.

Indeed, only Sheffield United's Max Lowe (3.2) recorded more tackles per game in the Championship last season, while nobody managed more interceptions.

That tough-tackling approach often came at a cost last season, as Choudhury was cautioned 14 times – the joint-most of any player in the division, alongside Reading's Andy Yiadom.

That ability to break things up is something Southampton will desperately crave assuming Liverpool-linked Lavia does eventually depart St Mary's.

It would also ensure versatile midfielder Carlos Alcaraz has a licence to roam forward, knowing that Choudhury is behind him providing cover for the defence.

Keeping hold of Alcaraz would be a huge statement of intent from Southampton, as the Argentinian scored four times and assisted two more in 18 Premier League outings last season.

Martin used Alcaraz in midfield during Southampton's pre-season meeting with Bournemouth earlier this week, and that may well be where he is used most regularly when the real business gets going.

Boasting a pass-completion percentage of 86.2 – an identical figure to Lavia in the Premier League last season – Choudhury looks well suited to getting the ball into Alcaraz's feet.

As football reporter Ben Jacobs put it ahead of Choudhury's loan move to Watford last season, the Leicester academy graduate "still has huge potential", which Southampton may well get the chance to unlock.

Should that be the case, the future will look bright for the Saints regardless of what players move on between now and the end of the transfer window.

As Ange Postecoglou kicked off his Tottenham Hotspur tenure with a pre-season defeat to Premier League rivals West Ham United, it was perhaps clear as to why the Greek-Aussie has been looking to strengthen his defensive unit, in particular, this summer.

While it is often wise not to read too much into these warm-up encounters, the ex-Celtic boss may have still been concerned at seeing his side ship three times against the Hammers in Perth, with David Moyes' men surging into a two-goal lead inside 23 minutes.

Having endured the sixth-worst defensive record in the division last term, the Lilywhites will desperately need to improve next season if they are to have any hope of regaining their place in European competition, hence why a string of centre-back targets have been named.

What are the latest Tottenham transfer rumours?

Much of the speculation at present appears to be surrounding the north London outfit's interest in Bundesliga duo, Edmond Tapsoba and Micky van den Ven, with Daniel Levy and co said to have been engaging in talks with Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg, respectively, regarding the two central defenders.

That German-based pairing are not the only figures whom Tottenham are targetting, however, with The Sun having reported last week that Postecoglou is also showing an interest in Crystal Palace rock, Joachim Andersen, with Levy said to have been tracking the Denmark international since his prior stint on loan at Fulham.

While any deal for the former Lyon ace certainly won't come cheap – with the 27-year-old set to command a fee of £50m – his strong showings at Selhurst Park of late would suggest that he can be the defensive solution that Spurs are craving.

What is Joachim Andersen's style of play?

The 6 foot 4 powerhouse offers the benefit of being able to provide a towering, physical presence at the heart of the defence, while also having the quality to play out from the back when required, with that combination of qualities ensuring that the one-time Sampdoria man could be able to thrive at one of the Premier League's elite clubs.

That was the verdict of pundit Robbie Earle during Andersen's days at Craven Cottage, with the former Wimbledon midfielder discussing the defender's suitability to life at Liverpool:

“Right now, he would be a perfect fit for Liverpool Football Club, by the way. Good size, can play, looks commanding, looks like he can organise, he’s 24 years of age."

Those at N17 will also be intrigued by Andersen's apparent likeness to Manchester City's treble-winning ace, Ruben Dias, with the pair said to share a number of statistical and stylistic similarities, according to FBref.

That is shown by the two men's desire and willingness to get on the ball, with the Palace gem notably ranking in the top 20% among his European peers for attempted passes, while Dias ranks in the top 1% in that regard.

Equally, the pair are also able to offer a real threat at the other end of the pitch, with Andersen ranking in the top 13% for touches in the attacking penalty area, while his Portuguese counterpart ranks in the top 18% for that same metric.

That likeness can also be seen by their leadership qualities, with Andersen having been named captain during his temporary stint with the Cottagers, while Dias has also taken on the armband at times at the Etihad, having been dubbed a "leader of men" by Sky Sports pundit, Jamie Redknapp.

That comparison to the latter man is of interest such has been the 26-year-old's impact in Manchester over the last three years, with the former Benfica man having been hailed as a "man mountain" by pundit Michael Ball due to his standout showings under Pep Guardiola.

For Spurs to then snap up their own version of the 6 foot 1 titan in the form of Andersen could prove to be just what Postecoglou is searching for.

Arsenal could look at signing a new right-sided attacker and another central midfielder this summer, according to Sky Sports.

How much have Arsenal spent this summer?

The Gunners and Mikel Arteta have been busy in the transfer window so far ahead of the 2023/24 season, looking to go one step further in the Premier League.

The club have brought in Kai Havertz from Chelsea in a deal worth £65m, whereas Jurrien Timber has made the move to north London from Ajax for £38m.

Those two deals take Arsenal’s summer spend to £103m, and that will double with a move for Declan Rice. West Ham have confirmed that the England international has left the club and is poised to join Arsenal in a deal worth a guaranteed £100m plus £5m in add-ons.

There could still be more to come at the Emirates, though, with a transfer update emerging in the last 48 hours. Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth provided transfer news on Arsenal, claiming that the focus will now be on departures due to the money they have spent in recent weeks.

However, the reliable reporter did claim that a new right-sided attacker and another central midfielder could be deals to potentially keep an eye on before the window closes.

“The focus will be on departures simply because they have probably spent close to £200m once the Rice and the Timber deals go through.

“And maybe on the central midfielder area as well. I know that Declan Rice is on the verge of coming in but Granit Xhaka has left. But if Thomas Partey was to potentially leave, because we know that there is a lot of interest. It is just at an interest stage at the moment but if that was to develop then maybe Arsenal would potentially look into recruiting there as well.”

Who else could Arsenal sign?

With more than £200m spent so far this summer, Arsenal, as Sheth mentions, could be looking at moving payers on before bringing anyone else in. However, there have been players linked with moves to join Arteta’s side, including Gremio central midfielder Bitello.

Arsenal are “actually moving seriously” for Bitello, and reports have suggested that the club even have officials in Brazil to “analyse and send an offer” for the 23-year-old.

In attack, a player who has been linked with the Gunners is Barcelona’s Ferran Torres. It is believed that Arsenal would be willing to sign the forward on loan, and the La Liga champions would approve any temporary deal for him. Arteta previously worked with Torres at Manchester City, so moves for the Spaniard alongside Bitello could well be ones to keep an eye on over the coming weeks. Some players may need to be moved on first, though, so it may still be a busy few weeks in the market for Edu and co.

Manchester United are "one step away" from completing the signing of Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Is Andre Onana joining Manchester United?

The Cameroon international looks set to become the Red Devils' second signing of this summer window after the club completed a deal for Mason Mount earlier this week.

The club have been looking at the goalkeeper market for a while, and with last season's No 1 David de Gea confirming his Old Trafford exit after 545 appearances across 11 seasons, the decision has been made to reunite manager Erik ten Hag with his goalkeeper from his tenure as Ajax boss.

Reports state that the deal for 27-year-old Onana could cost United £43m, which could represent great value in the market for a shot-stopper given his age.

The Red Devils are eager to seal the deal by the end of next week according to reports, with the coaching staff wanting Onana to join the squad in time for their pre-season tour in the United States.

Speaking on his YouTube channel before De Gea announced his official departure, Romano revealed that the goalkeeper is "one step away" from completing the transfer, with the negotiations going really well.

"United will submit a new official proposal, and the feeling is that they will close the deal. All parties want this deal to be completed by the end of next week, so it is a matter of days and then Man United will complete the deal for Andre Onana.

"Erik ten Hag is really pushing and Onana is really one step away from joining Manchester United, the negotiation is going very, very well."

Is Andre Onana a good signing for Manchester United?

The signing of Onana could be a really positive move for the club, with the player's skillset opening up the possibility for United to play a more advanced Ten Hag-style of football.

The Cameroon international is one of the more proactive sweeper-keepers available on the market at this moment, with 18% of his open-play touches in the previous campaign coming from outside the penalty area, which is in contrast to De Gea, who managed just 13% outside his own box.

Onana is also a very reliable passer of the ball, and attracted praise from City boss Pep Guardiola after their Champions League final defeat, with the Spaniard saying the 'keeper played like a "holding midfielder".

His 93.8% pass accuracy in his own half was only bettered by 12 goalkeepers in Europe, with only three of those 12 attempting more passes per game than the former Ajax man. Should this translate to the Premier League, United could employ a much more expansive style of build-up, knowing that their goalkeeper can help carve out a number of promising attacks for them in a similar nature to some of the best in the division such as City's own Ederson thanks to his passing technique.

United fans should start getting excited about the prospect of Onana between the sticks next year, as well as the freedom and confidence he could give those around him at Old Trafford next season.

Arsenal have now been given the "green light" to negotiate a deal to sell former club captain Granit Xhaka to Bayer Leverkusen over the "next days", claims transfers expert Fabrizio Romano.

Arsenal transfer news – what's the latest on Granit Xhaka?

It has finally happened for Arsenal, after almost a week of silence following news that West Ham United had accepted an offer of £105m for their captain Declan Rice, it was confirmed that a payment structure has been agreed upon, and the England international will be having his medical with the Gunners in the coming days.

With the deal complete and at a huge cost to the Gunners, the plan to sell Switzerland international Xhaka has been given the go-ahead by the board.

It was revealed before the final game of the season that the former Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder would be leaving the club.

Still, any deal had to be put on hold until the situation with Rice was finalised, just as a precaution.

With that no longer being a concern, the club have reportedly accepted an offer worth £21.5m from Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen, who are said to have offered the 30-year-old a four-year deal.

It will be the end of a seven-year spell in north London that has seen him go from public enemy number one to a cult hero, but with Rice coming in, playing time would have inevitably become more limited.

Transfers expert Fabrizio Romano explained the situation on his YouTube channel, saying:

"Green light for Granit Xhaka to Bayer Leverkusen, so this deal will happen in the next days, they were just waiting to close the Declan Rice deal."

How good was Granit Xhaka last season?

It has been a rocky road for the Swiss captain in North London, to say the least, from a near-universally disliked figure among the match-going fans to a man that was serenaded for much of last season before getting a standing ovation on his final appearance for the club.

One of the main reasons for that turnaround has been his form for the club, going from a decent player to someone that was an unquestioned starter in a title chasing side.

According to WhoScored, the Basel-born machine achieved a brilliant average rating last season of 6.98 across his 37 appearances in the Premier League and seriously upped his attacking threat, scoring seven goals and assisting another seven.

His underlying numbers prove that it wasn't just luck last year either, but a sustained improvement to his overall game.

According to FBref, who compare players in a similar position across Europe's top five leagues, the midfield destroyer sits in the top 4% for touches in the opposition's penalty area, the top 8% for non-penalty goals, the top 15% for non-penalty expected goals and expected assists, and the top 16% for shot-creating actions, all per 90.

Mikel Arteta has made no secret of the admiration he feels for his player either, describing him as:

"Really, really important on every level, for the team and for the club as well. In the great moments like the season he has had, and in the difficult ones."

Whilst the Gunners are certainly getting an upgrade in the form of Rice, Xhaka has well and truly left his mark on the club and has been able to leave with his head held high.

Bayern Munich have prepared "a second offer" for Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane, with the German club being the England international's "preferred destination" should he leave the Premier League, according to Sky Sports reporter Mark McAdam.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news – What's the latest on Harry Kane?

Earlier this week German giants Bayern made an initial verbal offer to Spurs for the services of their talismanic captain and all-time leading goals scorer, Kane.

According to the Daily Mail, the opening offer was in the region of £60m, which was swiftly rejected by the north London side, who maintain their position that they would rather lose the player for free next year than sell him for a figure that low.

The publication also revealed that personal terms between the player and club had been agreed 'in principle', leaving the ball firmly in Daniel Levy and Co's court.

It would appear that the Bundesliga champions see the Englishman as one of their key targets this summer, as they are reportedly set to make a second offer to the north London club imminently.

Speaking on Sky Sports News, reporter Mark McAdam revealed the latest information on this unfolding transfer saga: "We are now being told by Sky Germany that there is a second offer being prepared, and this is a more formal offer in writing from Bayern Munich to Tottenham Hotspur.

"Their information is also that Harry Kane would be open to the move, and should he leave the Premier League, Bayern Munich would be his preferred destination.

"Of course, Spurs' stance has always been the same, they do not want to sell Harry Kane, they want to keep him, Ange Postecoglou would like him as part of squad for next season, and that they would be more happy to let him go on a free next season when his contract comes to an end.

"He is of course in the last year of his current Tottenham Hotspur deal at the moment and to try and find a replacement for man that scored 30 Premier League goals is almost impossible."

Just how good was Harry Kane last season?

In a season that saw headlines dominated by the sensational exploits of Erling Haaland, it has flown under the radar somewhat just how good of a campaign it was from an individual point of view for Kane.

The Walthamstow-born machine scored a seriously impressive 30 goals for a lacklustre Lilywhites side, coming up with a further three assists.

According to WhoScored, he averaged a rating of 7.51 across his 38 league appearances as well, highlighting that he wasn't just hiding behind a good goal tally.

His temporary boss Cristian Stellini certainly appreciated his goals in his short tenure, hailing the player as a "GOAT in this league" following their shock 1-0 win over Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.

Guardiola is another great of the game that has never hidden his admiration for the England captain, lauding him as "exceptional" and "one of the best I have ever seen."

It is hard to argue against Kane being one of the Premier League's greatest ever players, and with that, it is easier to understand Spurs' position of being happier to lose him for free next year if they can get another year of exceptional service out of him.

Whatever happens, and wherever Kane plays next season, he will likely be challenging for the golden boot all over again.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are not willing to match the £25m price-tag set by Bristol City for young midfield star Alex Scott, according to Dean Jones.

Scott has been linked with a move this summer after impressing for the Robins in the Championship last season.

Wolverhampton Wanderers transfer news – Alex Scott

Several Premier League clubs have entered the chase to sign Scott this summer, according to TalkSPORT, with Wolves among those.

The Midlands club reportedly face competition from West Ham United and Bournemouth for the teenager's signature this summer.

Meanwhile, Liverpool previously sent scouts to watch the midfielder, before cooling their interest.

As the summer goes on, it looks like Scott will have a big decision to make regarding his future.

What has Dean Jones said about Alex Scott and Wolverhampton Wanderers?

Speaking to Football FanCast, when asked about Scott and Wolves, Jones said: "Scott’s an interesting one. Bristol City value him at around £25m at the moment.

"That’s been quite off-putting for a lot of teams, it’s not just Wolves that aren’t willing to get to that make, so I think as the window goes further in, we might find that price-tag comes down a little."

How did Alex Scott perform in the Championship last season?Reports over a potential Premier League move for Scott come as no surprise after the Bristol City youngster picked up the Championship's Young Player of the Year award.

Many were quick to praise the 19-year-old throughout the season, with Robins manager Nigel Pearson saying, via Bristol World: "He’s just a very unique talent and he’s got a very impressive temperament.

“I think he’s destined for the very top, but football dictates to you what’s going to happen because you can’t always be in control of your own destiny.

"Alex Scott will, I think, continue to progress and he’ll be a top player. But he also knows that he’s got to do it for us while he’s here, he just enjoys playing football so it's good to have young hungry players at the club as well as senior players who want to continue to perform and get better.”

In total, the man in demand was involved in seven goals from midfield in the Championship last season, as well as particularly impressing through his progressive dribbling ability, making 2.34 progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.

Wherever he ends up this summer, there is no doubt that Scott has all the tools to become a top talent.

Everton supporters are bracing themselves for Amadou Onana's exit from Goodison Park this summer, but they should fear not as there is a ready-made replacement waiting to join.

Onana is reportedly being targeted by Chelsea should they fail to sign top target Moises Caicedo from Brighton and Hove Albion, with the Seagulls refusing to budge on their nine-figure valuation.

Everton are themselves said to be after £55m for Onana, which the big-spending Blues would likely pay, and the Toffees can then sign as good a player – if not better – for half of that fee.

What are the latest Everton transfer rumours?

According to the Daily Mail, Sean Dyche's side have already made enquiries over Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams, though the United States international is also wanted by Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and indeed Brighton.

The report suggests that the 5 foot 9 ace could be the subject of a £25m bid from the Seagulls.

Is Tyler Adams an upgrade on Amadou Onana for Everton?

Adams may have suffered relegation from the Premier League in his first season with Leeds, having only joined from RB Leipzig for a reported £20m last summer, but his reputation as a tough-tackling midfielder remains intact.

The American ranked joint-fourth in the Premier League last season in terms of tackles, level with Manchester United's Casemiro on 89, as per FBref. To put that in some perspective, Onana ranked 16th in the division with 72.

Adams (50) also ranked second, behind only Fulham's Joao Palhinha (71), for dribblers tackled in last season's Premier League, while he ranked tenth for tackles and interceptions combined (129).

That translates to 5.17 combined tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes for Adams, compared to 3.95 for Onana, the man he may be brought in to replace by Everton.

Not only would the Toffees be bringing in one of the finest around at breaking up play – he ranks in the top 4% of all midfielders across Europe's top five leagues in that metric, as per The Analyst – they also have a natural leader in the engine room, as pointed out by former Leeds boss Jesse Marsch.

"We used to have conversations in New York about whether we make Tyler the captain at 17, 18 years old," Marsch told The Athletic of the pair's time together at New York Red Bulls. "Everyone talked about his potential as a leader."

Adams is also comfortable on the ball, ranking in the top 17% of midfielders in the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Serie A for average number of touches per game, whereas Onana is in the bottom 14%.

The 24-year-old does not provide any sort of attacking threat, as highlighted by the fact he is in the lowest 2% of his positional peers across Europe's elite leagues for shots taken, but that is not what Everton are after.

In some ways, a bid from Chelsea for Onana should almost be welcomed by Everton. Not only will they be able to bring in a player for half the cost at £25m, as per the Daily Mail report, but they will also have money left over to strengthen other troublesome positions in the hope of a more positive 2023/24.

Liverpool are gathering information regarding what it would take to bring Fiorentina star Sofyan Amrabat to the Premier League, according to reports.

Who is Sofyan Amrabat?

Amrabat is a defensive midfielder who currently plays his football at the Artemio Franchi Stadium having joined back in 2020 from Hellas Verona. With his contract set to expire at the end of next season, Vincenzo Italiano is now facing his final opportunity to cash in should he not want to lose his prized asset for free in 12 months.

The Morocco international was his nation’s most regular outfield player at the 2022 World Cup having played 660 minutes of football, and excelled to the point where they made it all the way to the semi-finals, and these displays for his country grabbed the attention of Jurgen Klopp back in January.

The Athletic’s James Pearce reported that the Reds were considering a swoop for the 26-year-old as an outside alternative compared to some of their more high-profile targets at the time, Jude Bellingham being an example, and despite them eventually deciding against a move, it sounds like they might have since had a change of heart.

Are Liverpool signing Amrabat?

According to Spanish outlet Sport (via Sport Witness), Liverpool are "attentive" to Amrabat's situation and have "sounded out" the midfielder about a potential summer switch to Anfield.

Fiorentina are believed to have set a price tag of €30m (£25m) plus objectives for the player, who wants to leave and start afresh elsewhere "as soon as possible", but it's not specified whether the fee is one that the board would be happy to pay.

Could Amrabat be a good addition for Klopp?

Liverpool will know that Amrabat is stronger in the natural defensive aspect of his game having only recorded one assist across all competitions last season, but with the protection that he could give to the backline, he would be a great acquisition for FSG.

The Huizen native ranked in the 95th percentile for pass completion so is calm and composed in possession, and loves to get stuck in after averaging 1.3 tackles per league game during the previous campaign, preventing the danger before it was too late.

Fiorentina’s “monster”, as dubbed by reporter Carlo Garganese, would also add wonderful versatility to Klopp’s squad with his ability to operate in eight various positions across the pitch, including everywhere in the centre and even in defence, making him a useful option to have available.

Finally, Amrabat shares the same agent, CAA Stellar, as Ibrahima Konate, Caoimhin Kelleher and Rhys Williams, so this existing connection that their representative has to the club could hand them a small advantage should they try and get a deal over the line this summer.

Arsenal remain interested in a Premier League rival's player, with a recent update on their pursuit having now been dropped…

What's the latest on Joao Cancelo to Arsenal?

Speaking on The Gooner Talk YouTube channel, journalist Harry Symeou detailed the numerous players that the Gunners have been linked with despite the window having only truly opened on Wednesday.

Whilst the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Declan Rice were mentioned, what he noted about Joao Cancelo was perhaps the most interesting.

He claimed:

"I really do think that Arsenal want to do this deal, I really, really do. Whether they’ll be able to do it or not remains to be seen, because I think financially this is quite a difficult one to do.

“We know that there was an option-to-buy available for Bayern at around about €60m (£51m) and we know that Bayern don’t want to take that up. This suggests that Manchester City are of the belief that the player is worth [the] money and he absolutely is.

“It’s going to cost money to get him off of a rival and City do see us as that now, I don’t think they’re going to be letting people move across to Arsenal as freely as they did last summer looking at the way that elevated us."

How good could Joao Cancelo be at Arsenal?

Whilst the acquisition of someone so ingrained in a philosophy akin to Mikel Arteta's would offer widescale improvements, it could be argued that the comfortability of the defender in his role could have a particularly revolutionary effect on those within the back line.

After all, should he invert to form the base of a box midfield, just like he has done at times under Pep Guardiola, it could allow the likes of William Saliba to truly thrive and become one of the best ball-playing defenders in the game.

The way in which Cancelo accepts the ball in awkward areas, as a creatively unique full-back, would offer another key passing lane for the Frenchman who has enjoyed a stellar first full year playing English football.

When compared to other central defenders across Europe, the 22-year-old ranks in the top 8% for passes attempted and the top 7% for pass completion per 90, via FBref. This has boosted his 6.96 average rating, further upheld through 1.3 tackles and three clearances per game too, via Sofascore.

Meanwhile, the Portugal international, when put alongside other full-backs in Europe, blows them all out of the water creatively. He ranks in the top 2% for progressive carries, the top 2% for successful take-ons, the top 1% for assists, but most importantly for Saliba, the top 4% for progressive passes received, all per 90 via FBref.

This has led teammate Jack Grealish to wax lyrical about his qualities, claiming:

"He is so good technically. You know when we're playing one-touch, two-touch, he's just a joke and then he can shoot right foot, left foot from anywhere."

City's treble-winning boss Pep Guardiola would also supplement this, by outlining one particularly outstanding showing: "He was aggressive and has incredible quality with the ball."

With a defensive steel showcased in his 1.5 tackles and one interception per Bundesliga game last season, but an unparalleled ability to take the ball and forge opportunities, Cancelo has all the attributes to come into the Emirates and help make Saliba one of the best in his position.