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Leeds United's questionable transfer policy in recent years was undoubtedly a huge contributor to their steady slope back into the Championship. For all the excitement that surrounded the club in 2020, 2023 swiftly wiped that away as they succumbed to relegation from the Premier League.

These rogue deals spanned the tenures of both Marcelo Bielsa and Jesse Marsch, although it could be argued that the latter truly put the nail in the coffin with some choice acquisitions that wasted funds.

The £24.7m expended to bring in Brenden Aaronson immediately springs to mind, and yet despite the American only scoring once all year before being recently shipped out on loan, it was not even the worst piece of business conducted during that campaign.

Staring down the drop, Marsch saw fit to unload another huge fee to tempt an unproven Georginio Rutter to Elland Road. Breaking the club record fee, the Frenchman immediately saw unnecessary pressure heaped onto his shoulders to drag them out of the mud. He would average just 24 minutes per match in the league.

Given they start this coming season at home to Cardiff City, this was clearly a failed venture.

However, that is not to suggest that he does not retain huge promise.

There is clearly a bright player in there, just waiting to be unleashed. Perhaps Daniel Farke could seek to usher that out with a few choice additions of his own.

In terms of supplementing the attackers he already boasts, there are arguably few better options on the market than Manchester United's Amad Diallo, to whom they have been linked with a swoop.

What position does Amad Diallo play in?

Fresh off the back of a scintillating season as a left winger with Sunderland, the £28k-per-week wide man proved to be a key asset for Tony Mowbray's side that pushed for an unexpected playoff spot.

Although they were felled by Luton Town, that did not stop the Ivorian from lighting up one of their clashes, thundering home from way out to equalise in the first leg.

That marked one of the many goal contributions the 21-year-old would record from that left flank, as he scored 13 and assisted a further three in the Championship.

To put this kind of potency onto the wing, likely commanding numerous opposition players to thwart, the space for Rutter to shine would surely see him showcase his true talents.

After all, former Hoffenheim boss Sebastian Hoeness has been full of praise for the youngster in the past: ''Georginio is very athletic, a good striker of a football and can play in a variety of forward roles. His combination of speed, athleticism and shooting ability with both feet means he has huge potential." The pieces are in place for him to pose a huge threat to English football.

Were he to be put in a one-on-one situation, which Diallo's presence could induce, the figures suggest that this forward would leave most in his wake.

After all, when compared to other forward across Europe, this 21-year-old ranks in the top 1% for successful take-ons per 90. However, what would make this relationship more even is the defensive work rate of the ex-Hoffenheim finisher, who also sits in the top 8% for tackles, the top 2% for interceptions and the top 8% for blocks per 90, via FBref.

This would in turn allow the man branded an "absolute wizard" by writer James Copley in the form of Diallo to unleash that magic more often, allowing both of these assets to dominate the Championship together.

It just makes sense to put Rutter and Diallo in the same team, given how the presence of both tricksters would help facilitate the success of their counterpart.

An update has emerged on Liverpool and their plans to bolster their academy options ahead of the 2023/24 campaign…

What's the latest on Trevan Sanusi to Liverpool?

According to the Daily Mail, the Reds are one of a number of teams eyeing up a swoop to sign Birmingham City winger Trevan Sanusi in the summer transfer window, as Jurgen Klopp looks to add another talented youngster to the club.

The report claims that fellow Premier League sides Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United have all been scouting the 16-year-old attacker and are interested in snapping him up.

It states that scouts from all of the above outfits have been keeping tabs on the teenage starlet, with the Reds being one of the interested parties.

The Daily Mail do not, however, reveal how much a deal would cost. He has not signed a scholarship contract with the Championship outfit but any team attempting to sign him would need to pay a compensation fee due to his age.

Where would Trevan Sanusi fit in at Liverpool?

Sanusi only turned 16 in April and would likely arrive to form part of the club's academy system with a view to working his way up to the first team in the future.

He could follow in the footsteps of Spain U18 international Stefan Bajcetic, who forced himself into Klopp's plans during the 2022/23 campaign.

The defensive midfielder played for the Reds at U18, U19, and U21 level before making 19 senior appearances for the German boss last season.

Klopp proved that he is willing to offer opportunities to young players as he handed the 18-year-old six Premier League starts in the middle of the park, showing that there would be a pathway for Sanusi at Anfield.

Earlier this year, Birmingham boss John Eustace was hopeful of the young sensation putting pen to paper on a scholarship deal. The head coach said: “He’s a really exciting young attacking player and we’re hoping that he signs for us and joins the academy."

There is little data to go off in regard to his form for the Blues at youth level but he did score once in three outings for England's U16s as they won the Development Tournament earlier this year and was named on the bench for Eustace's side for a Championship clash with Sheffield United.

This suggests that the 16-year-old dynamo, who was previously called up by England's U15s, has showcased himself to be an exceptional talent for his age, as the club's first-team manager has decided to bring him into the senior set-up.

Therefore, Liverpool could be bringing in a potential future star to develop during the years to come and he could follow Bajcetic in working his way through the various age groups before making an impact for Klopp in the Premier League.

Given they are currently 16 and 18, Sanusi could end up forming an important part of the club's long-term future alongside the Spanish midfielder if they are both able to sustain themselves as regulars in the side as they develop over the coming years.

Leeds United finally seem poised to appoint the man who will lead them into the future…

What's the latest on Daniel Farke to Leeds United?

That's according to the Daily Mail, who offer a slice of information regarding their manager search that bodes well for fans.

Despite the report focusing on their interest in Liverpool defender Nat Phillips, one line reads that they "are expected to finalise Daniel Farke as manager".

Having yet to spark up their transfer activity this summer, it seems that with this appointment the 49ers can now truly get to work in building a squad that can propel them towards instant promotion from the Championship.

Is Daniel Farke a good fit for Leeds United?

Given the German's history at this level, it could be argued that there are few active head coaches that could achieve what this new ownership will strive to attain with such precision.

The former Norwich City boss earned promotion on two separate occasions with the Norfolk outfit and boasts a stellar record in the second division. Across 138 games in the league, he has maintained a points-per-game average of 1.82, having lost only 29 times.

Although he may have struggled in the Premier League, the 49ers will likely look past that flaw given he is best placed to simply get them out of the Championship at the first time of asking.

However, it is not just his aforementioned fine record which will have earned him this post. The 46-year-old boasts a style of play that will likely resonate with the Elland Road crowd, as an all-action heavy metal philosophy that adds a little bit more structure to the similar outlook Marcelo Bielsa had.

If anything, Farke would draw more comparisons to Jurgen Klopp, given their shared nationality and alliance regarding the classic German Gegenpressing style.

The Liverpool boss has earned widespread success since his move to Anfield, curating a squad perfectly aligned with his disruptive game plan. As such, his tenure boasts a Premier League title, Champions League success and various domestic honours too without straying too far from these ideals.

In appointing their own German manager, the 49ers will hope that Farke can create a dynasty of his own in Yorkshire, spending many successful years there and slowly improving the club as a whole.

With a 4-2-3-1 brand that seeks to win the ball high up the pitch and forge chances from there, the tools would be in place to mimic the earlier years of the 56-year-old's impeccable Merseyside reign.

To emphasise these similarities further, it is clear that Klopp was a keen admirer of his compatriot's Canaries side back in 2021. He suggested that their manager was "world-class" for what he had done at Carrow Road before their clash.

Perhaps they could once again be set to lock horns in the near future, should Leeds earn that promotion they so desperately seek. If so, it will be interesting to see whether he can finally topple the legendary Reds coach, who has paved the way for many managers to follow in his ever-successful footsteps.

Everton are interested in acquiring the services of Swansea City forward Joel Piroe in the summer transfer window, according to a new update.

Who is Swansea star Joel Piroe?

The 23-year-old joined the Welsh side from PSV Eindhoven back in 2021 and has become a key player in that time, catching the eye with his performances in attack.

Last season, the £10,000-a-week-earning Piroe scored 19 goals in 43 appearances in the Championship, arguably standing out as one of the best attacking players in the division. The previous year, he netted 22 times in the competition, in what has been a hugely impressive two-year spell in Wales.

The Dutchman's displays clearly aren't going unnoticed, and with his current Swans deal expiring in the summer of 2024, it could be that they realise now is the best, and last, opportunity to receive a hefty amount of money for his services.

Everton are clearly on the lookout for more attacking quality ahead of the new Premier League season in August, and it looks as though they are in the conversation when it comes to Piroe's future.

Are Everton eyeing Piroe move this summer?

According to Wales Online, the Blues have shown an interest in snapping up the Swansea hero this summer, although they aren't alone in eyeing up a move:

"Leicester are likely to submit a bid over the coming days, although they aren't the only ones showing an interest.

"WalesOnline understands an unnamed Serie A side is also in the running, while Russell Martin's Southampton have also shown interest, although the ongoing tension between the two clubs may well complicate the prospect of a move to St Mary's.

"Premier League duo Everton and Nottingham Forest have also made tentative enquiries, but are yet to firm up any interest with a serious approach."

Piroe could be a really exciting signing by Everton, and while their interest doesn't necessarily seem hugely strong, it is encouraging that they are in the mix.

Granted, the step up to the Premier League from the Championship can be great, but he has shown such consistency since joining the Swans and he is a player who is only likely to get better.

Piroe has been lauded as an "excellent athlete" by former manager Russell Martin in the past, and a record of eight goals in just 13 caps for the Netherlands' Under-19s in the past further outlines his pedigree.

Tottenham Hotspur are now leading the race to sign Leicester City star James Maddison as manager Ange Postecoglou looks to craft a team capable of competing at the top of the Premier League.

What's the latest on James Maddison to Spurs?

That's according to The Athletic, who claim that the 26-year-old is closing on a move to Tottenham, with Fabrizio Romano corroborating the news with claims that chairman Daniel Levy has now "agreed personal terms", with negotiations "finally advancing."

Spurs are hoping to sign the England international for a fixed fee of £40m plus additional add-ons, while the Foxes are holding out for £60m, which is considered exorbitant given the club's relegation from the top-flight and Maddison having just one year left on his current deal.

Newcastle United have also been heavily linked with a move after failing with a £50m bid last summer, but after agreeing a €70m (61m) deal for AC Milan maestro Sandro Tonali, Postecoglou has the lead in the pursuit for the coveted midfielder.

How good is James Maddison?

It has been a period of uncertainty and strife in the Lilywhites camp, with the exit of Antonio Conte marking the fourth managerial dismissal in as many years; Postecoglou's recent appointment was incisive, there is no doubt about that, but whether the attractive philosophy of the Australian boss can be aptly implemented remains to be seen.

The club's interminable wait for silverware continues, but to exacerbate this knowledge, Tottenham's eighth-placed finish in the Premier League has resulted in a failure to qualify for European football for the first time since 2009, and the outfit is crying out for some energy and inspiration.

Enter Maddison. The £110k-per-week ace has been described as a "magician" by Statman Dave and rightly so – the three-cap Englishman posted an impressive return of ten goals and nine assists from just 28 starts in the top division despite Leicester's tepid exit, and he is now fated to return after retaining his merit amid a turbulent campaign.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 13% for shot-creating actions, the top 15% for progressive passes and the top 17% for tackles per 90.

An all-encompassing scope, and one which could play into Postecoglou's hands as he injects a fresh facet into the side, especially given that the "world-class" pro – as Gareth Southgate has dubbed him – could serve up a slice of creativity unseen at Tottenham for some time.

Talisman Harry Kane is one of the most dynamic forwards around, ranking among the top 4% of forwards for progressive passes and the top 10% for shot-creating actions per 90, also plundering 32 strikes last season for good merit.

And Son Heung-min, who has been so imperious on the left wing down the N17 since his £22m arrival from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, scoring 145 goals and supplying 80 assists from 372 matches, could also benefit immensely from Maddison's signing.

It's been an inauspicious year for Tottenham, and it's been a subpar year for Son, with the South Korean badly out of sorts until the latter phase of the year, albeit ending the season with 14 goals and six assists.

The 30-year-old forward did also end the Premier League season with an average of 1.8 key passes per game and eight big chances created, as per Sofascore, with his key pass metric the highest in the Tottenham squad. However, by placing Maddison into the fold as the creative centrepiece, Son could yet find the full scale of his prolific edge again.

In fact, the Foxes star is a great deal more creative than the South Korean, with Maddison averaging 2.3 key passes per game and creating 12 big chances, which trumps anyone in Spurs' squad and could allow Son to focus on the standout facet of his craft: his striking prowess.

Son can also only rank in the bottom 14% in Europe for progressive passes, the bottom 38% for assists and the bottom 49% for shot-creating actions, to underline how the Tottenham target eclipses him with regards to creativity.

Indeed, Maddison would open a melange of opportunities for Postecoglou's squad, and he simply has to be signed to ensure that a return to prominence is forthcoming.

An update has emerged on Glasgow Rangers and their efforts to bolster their defensive options ahead of the 2023/24 campaign…

What's the latest on Charlie Cresswell to Rangers?

According to Football League World, the Light Blues have had an offer turned down by English Championship side Leeds United for centre-back Charlie Cresswell.

The report claims that the Gers made a bid for the Millwall loanee's services, although the fee remains undisclosed at this time, and it was not enough to tempt the Whites into cashing in on the young talent.

It states that Michael Beale is interested in signing the 20-year-old enforcer, whose contract at Elland Road runs until 2025, and it now remains to be seen whether or not the Scottish giants will return with a second proposal.

Rangers have been busy in the transfer market this summer as they have already confirmed four new arrivals ahead of next season; including Jack Butland, Dujon Sterling, Kieran Dowell, and Sam Lammers.

Three of those players, with Lammers being the exception, are coming up from England, and Cresswell is the latest gem from Beale's home country to be targeted.

Who is Charlie Cresswell?

The central defender, who was once hailed as "unbelievable" by Leeds presenter Joe Wainman, is a talented young player who is coming off the back of an impressive campaign in the Championship on loan at Millwall.

Despite his young age, Cresswell, whose heading ability was lauded as "powerful" by journalist Josh Bunting, proved himself to be capable of delivering consistently excellent performances in the second tier of English football.

He averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.13 across 28 league appearances for the Lions and used his strength to win 60% of his individual duels, which shows that the towering 6 foot 3 colossus was able to dominate opposition forwards on a regular basis and that his youthful inexperience did not make him a liability from a physical perspective.

Connor Goldson, meanwhile, (7.29) was the only Rangers centre-back to average a higher average Sofascore rating than the English machine in the Scottish Premiership last term. This indicates that the Whites prospect is already performing at a level that could be an upgrade on Beale's other defensive options outside of Goldson.

The 20-year-old titan, who made 2.8 tackles and interceptions per game, also has Premier League experience. Cresswell won 65% of his contests across five top-flight outings for Leeds in 21/22 as a teenager, which highlights how highly rated he is within the walls at Elland Road.

Therefore, this bid being rejected by the Championship side is a blow for Beale as the young battler has the potential to be an excellent signing for the Light Blues.

With rumours abound that new Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou is set to oversee a mass clearout at N17 this summer, the Lilywhites will no doubt need to find suitable, quality replacements for those departing assets in the upcoming window.

Having been lauded for his "exceptional" recruitment record at former club Celtic – as hailed by ex-Hoops skipper, Scott Brown – the 57-year-old will seemingly be hoping to enjoy similar success with regard to his incomings in north London, with the aim of improving a squad that missed out on European qualification in 2022/23.

According to 90min, the Greek-Aussie could potentially return to his previous employers in order to make a handful of key additions, with the report suggesting that there are fears at Parkhead that the treble-winning coach could return to snap up Reo Hatate from the Glasgow side, among others.

The 25-year-old midfielder has proven a truly standout figure for the Old Firm outfit over the last 18 months or so, having initially been signed by Postecoglou for a fee of just £1.4m back in January 2022.

With 27 goals and assists to his name in just 66 games for his current side to date, the Japanese maestro has simply been a "joy to watch" in Scottish football in recent times – as per journalist Sacha Pisani – hence why it could prove an astute move for the Spurs boss to reunite with the 5 foot 8 dynamo over the coming weeks.

What's Reo Hatate's style of play?

It may be of interest to Tottenham supporters to note that the former Kawasaki Frontale sensation is believed to share a statistically, similar profile to that of Manchester City's, Ilkay Gundogan – according to analyst Ben Griffis – with the pair both thriving in the centre of the park for their respective clubs.

Much like Hatate – who bagged nine goals and registered 11 assists in all competitions this season – Gundogan has also been a reliable attacking presence for Pep Guardiola's side, having contributed 11 goals and seven assists so far this term.

That stellar haul for the German international notably includes a brace in last weekend's FA Cup final victory over rivals Manchester United, with the 32-year-old having previously been lauded as a "special player" by Red Devils legend, Roy Keane.

To be able to land their own version of the former Borussia Dortmund ace would then be a real coup for the north Londoners, as the club are arguably in need of a more reliable goalscoring presence in the centre of the park, with Rodrigo Bentancur having been the top scorer among his fellow midfielders with just six goals in 2022/23.

Hatate is also similar to the City star due to his creative quality having averaged 1.3 key passes and recorded ten big chances in 32 Scottish Premiership games, while Gundogan also averaged 1.3 key passes and created six big chances in his 31 Premier League outings.

Lauded as a "machine" and a "different animal" by pundit Kenny Miller, the Celtic man can also put in the hard yards defensively having averaged 1.2 tackles per game in the league, while the Etihad gem shares that willing work ethic having averaged one tackle per game in the top flight.

With Gundogan a player that can seemingly "do everything" – according to Guardiola – Hatate is also a jack of all trades, with pundit Alan Hutton previously stating of his talents: "He is all action, all energy, he is everywhere, tackling, scoring, creating".

As such, amid the chance to potentially acquire the latter man on the cheap – with the diminutive ace valued at just £6m, according to Football Transfers – Postecoglou must do all he can to push for a reunion.

With Ange Postecoglou now at the helm, Tottenham Hotspur are seemingly set to step up their summer transfer dealings, with the Lilywhites seeking to improve upon a rather turbulent and underwhelming 2022/23 campaign.

As per 90min, the 57-year-old has already given his approval with regard to certain transfer pursuits – including the club's interest in James Maddison – while there are also said to be fears among those at his former club, Celtic, that the Greek-Aussie may return to raid the Old Firm outfit.

The piece notes that among those who the one-time Australia head coach may be keen to reunite with is wing wizard, Jota, with the Portuguese sensation having dazzled under Postecoglou's watch over the last two seasons.

The 24-year-old was originally snapped up by the experienced coach on a season-long loan deal from Benfica back in the summer of 2021, before signing permanently with the Parkhead giants on a £6.4m deal a year ago.

That bargain capture already appears rather astute as the wide man is now said to be valued at around £12m, according to Football Transfers, with that a marker of the meteoric rise he has made of late.

Who is Celtic's Jota?

The £17k-per-week trickster could well prove to be the heir apparent to Heung-min Son on the left flank, with the Celtic star mirroring the South Korean international with his ability to offer quality service and a clinical presence in front of goal.

While Son endured a poor season by his own lofty standards – after scoring 'just' ten Premier League goals – the 30-year-old has typically been a consistent force for the Lilywhites over the years, bagging 145 goals and providing 80 assists in 372 games across all fronts.

Much like Jota would be to most Spurs supporters, the former Bayer Leverkusen ace was something of an unknown quantity after initially making the move to north London in 2015, although has gone on to establish himself as a "world class" talent, according to former boss, Antonio Conte.

While the Bhoys ace may not be quite at that level just yet, the Lisbon native has been something of a "revelation" in Scottish football to date, according to pundit Alex McLeish, having contributed 54 goals and assists in just 83 games in all competitions for his current side.

The 5 foot 9 ace notably showed flashes of his quality during the club's Champions League run having whipped in a delightful free-kick in the defeat to Real Madrid back in November, with pundit Frank McAvennie subsequently stating that it was "scary" that the playmaker could get even better, having not been fully fit at the time.

Evidently a man for the big occasion – having registered five goals and assists in just ten meetings with rivals Rangers – Jota also mirrors Son due to his creative quality having created 13 big chances and averaged 1.9 key passes per game in 33 Scottish Premiership games this season, while the current Spurs ace has created nine big chances and averaged 1.8 key passes per game from his 36 league outings.

Although Postecoglou is unlikely to upset the apple cart by replacing Son in the short term, the incoming boss could well find a suitable, long-term replacement for the long-serving speedster with the signing of his former asset.

West Ham lead to the race to sign Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes this summer, but face competition for his signature from other Premier League clubs, as per Matt Law of The Telegraph.

The fire sale has begun at the Kingpower Stadium after their disastrous season ended in relegation to the Championship, and a host of Premier League clubs have lined up to attempt to sign some of the club’s best assets this summer.

West Ham transfer news – Harvey Barnes

It is set to be a busy summer at the London Stadium after West Ham owner David Sullivan confirmed that Declan Rice would be leaving West Ham during this transfer window.

According to Sam Dean and Law, the Hammers have priced Declan Rice at £92m.

Bayern Munich and Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Rice, but Arsenal are currently leading the race to sign the Europa Conference League-winning captain.

West Ham aim to spend the windfall from Rice’s transfer to acquire English winger Harvey Barnes, according to the aforementioned report.

The Irons will face Premier League competition in the fight to sign Barnes, with Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United all expected to make a run at the 25-year-old.

It is believed that the Foxes currently value Barnes at £40m, but West Ham are likely to start the bidding at around £30m.

Should West Ham sign Harvey Barnes?

Since joining the Midlands outfit from Barnsley in 2018, Barnes has been an important piece in the side – as per Transfermarkt, he has notched 45 goals and 32 appearances in 187 appearances, primarily from a left-wing position.

The tricky winger, who has one cap for England, was a key member of the Leicester side that won the FA Cup in 2021, defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the final at Wembley Stadium.

Michael Cox of The Athletic once stated that Barnes’ game 'is almost solely based around the simplest concept in football: the give and go', arguing the Burnley native’s style is simple and direct, but effective.

Barnes, who Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp once hailed as an "unbelievable player," loves playing one-two passes with his inside forward, and this play style could work wonders in a David Moyes system where the striker often has his back to goal holding up play.

The speed of the player is also one of his greatest strengths.

His top speed of 35.44km/h ranked sixth of all Premier League midfielders last year, and this electric pace would surely be a significant upgrade on the left wing for West Ham over Said Benrahma.

An update has emerged on Everton and their plans to bolster their attacking options in the upcoming summer transfer window…

What's the latest on El Bilal Toure to Everton?

According to the Daily Mail, the Toffees are stepping up their interest in Almeria centre-forward El Bilal Toure as they eye a swoop to sign the ace.

The report claims that the club are keen on the 21-year-old as they want a replacement for current striker Neal Maupay, who could leave to join Salernitana in Italy.

It is stated that the La Liga outfit value the young forward at £25m and it remains to be seen how much Sean Dyche's side are willing to splash out on him this summer.

Who is El Bilal Toure?

He is a 6 foot 1 number nine who currently plays in the top-flight of Spanish football with Almeria and the marksman could be a huge upgrade on Maupay.

The Frenchman, previously of Brentford, averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.56 across 27 appearances in the Premier League and contributed with one goal and zero assists, starting 11 times, as the flop failed to consistently make an impact at the top end of the pitch.

He missed seven 'big chances' and did not create a single one for his teammates over the course of the campaign, which shows that the dud was wasteful in front of goal and offered almost nothing from a creative perspective, as he made 0.3 key passes per match.

Toure, meanwhile, has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.79 and plundered six goals and two assists in 20 outings in La Liga – starting 14 times. This suggests that the titan could provide more quality than Maupay in the final third if he can translate his form for Almeria over to England.

The youngster, who has completed 71% of his passes, was once dubbed a "major talent" by journalist Graeme Bailey and his form in 22/23 has started to back that up as the ace is making a big impact in a major European league despite his young age.

Maupay, 26, struggled badly in the top flight and did nowhere near enough to prove himself to be a reliable option for the manager heading into next season.

Therefore, Dyche swooping to bring Toure to Goodison Park could improve the club's squad as the Mali international has the ability to offer far more in front of goal than the ex-Brentford man.

This means that ruthlessly ditching the current Toffees striker in favour of a £25m swoop for the La Liga hotshot could be a terrific piece of business by Everton.