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Manchester United are believed to be interested in making a move for Fulham sensation, Joao Palhinha this summer, with manager Erik ten Hag seemingly keen to bolster his midfield ranks ahead of next season.

What's the latest on Palhinha to Man United?

According to The Sun, the Red Devils are said to be 'monitoring' the 27-year-old ahead of the upcoming window, with it looking as if the Carabao Cup winners will 'make their move' once the market re-opens.

The report suggests that the former Sporting CP ace – who only arrived at Craven Cottage on a £17m deal last summer – could fetch as much as £60m if he was to depart in the near future, with Marco Silva's side having already identified a potential replacement for the Portugal international in the form of Porto's Mateus Uribe.

It would appear that Palhinha has been something of a long-term target for those at the Theatre of Dreams, with reports early last year having suggested that United were keeping tabs on the 20-cap menace.

Would Palhinha be a good fit for Man United?

While the addition of the 6 foot 3 titan would arguably not be the playmaking, Frenkie de Jong-esque signing that Ten Hag may be craving, it would certainly add some further steel to a midfield department that has only recently been strengthened by the £70m addition of Casemiro from Real Madrid last summer.

To have the potential to partner the latter man alongside Palhinha on occasion is truly mouthwatering indeed, with the Old Trafford outfit set to have a simply menacing and destructive duo on their hands in front of the back four.

In the case of the Cottagers' rock, the £50k-per-week monster has arguably been "one of the signings of the season", according to Sky Sports reporter Jamie Weir, having been a real standout presence at the heart of the midfield in west London throughout the current campaign.

Hailed as being as "strong as an ox" by Weir, the towering brute currently ranks first in the division for tackles made (105) as a marker of his ball-winning prowess, memorably making nine tackles and winning 12 duels in total when taking on Ten Hag's men in the Premier League back in November.

That class was again evident when the two sides met again in the FA Cup prior to the international break, with Palhinha winning nine of his 13 total duels, while also showcasing his quality in possession after completing three of his four attempted dribbles.

To have such an all-rounder alongside Casemiro would certainly offer the top-four hopefuls real solidity, with the Brazil international – who has been hailed as the "cement" in the side by Ten Hag – also a ferocious presence in the centre of the park after averaging 3.1 tackles per game this season in the league, a record only slightly lower than that of Palhinha (four tackles per game).

That partnership would also potentially allow the current United man to offer more in a creative sense having thus far created five big chances and averaged 0.9 key passes per game, with Palhinha – who has created zero big chances and averages just 0.2 key passes per game – providing more of a defensive shield.

Whether or not the deal does come to pass, it would certainly be of intrigue to see Ten Hag put together a midfield pairing that few teams in the league would relish coming up against.

Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun, currently on loan at Reims, 'does not plan' to extend his contract as European clubs chase his signature.

What's the latest Arsenal exit news?

As the Premier League title hopefuls chase a long-awaited league crown, with their last one coming nearly 20 years ago, some players just haven't been able to get their fair share of action.

Mikel Arteta has his favourites when it comes to the starting XI week-in, week-out – leaving some squad players potentially yearning for more minutes whilst being linked with possible moves away.

Indeed, the likes of Kieran Tierney and Emile Smith Rowe for instance are consistently mentioned as possible candidates for the chopping block. Meanwhile, on-loan aces like Balogun, who is currently dazzling in Ligue 1, could also depart north London.

According to reliable journalist David Ornstein, writing for The Athletic, Arsenal face a dilemma when it comes to Balogun as the 21-year-old wants to continue operating as a first-choice striker and would like nothing more than to do that under Arteta.

However, the club also cannot guarantee Balogun his wish with both Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah above him in the pecking order. As such, given the situation, he 'does not plan' to extend his contract, which is currently set to expire in little over two years.

This comes as top European clubs, like AC Milan, Inter Milan, Marseille, Monaco and RB Leipzig, are 'in pursuit' of the player.

Balogun is said to be 'tempted' by such opportunities' and Arsenal now have to decide whether they sell this summer or allow him to enter the last 24 months of his deal.

Arsenal's next Balogun move?

The Englishman has been quite simply scintillating for Reims this season, giving Arsenal a real dilemma as to what they'll do with him next.

As per WhoScored, the starlet has netted a brilliant 18 goals and two assists in 26 league starts this season – standing out as their most potent threat going forward.

Beyond his goal record, Balogun also attempts a relentless 3.3 shots per game – more than both Jesus and Nketiah in England (WhoScored).

Called 'unbelievable' by Reims boss Will Still, surely Arteta must consider implementing Balogun into the first team next season. Defender William Saliba, for instance, stands out as a real example of somebody who can make an instant impact back from their loan spell.

The future of this highly promising forward could well be one of the talking points of this summer.

Manchester United are keenly tracking the uncertain future of Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Matheus Nunes.

What’s the latest on Matheus Nunes' future?

According to Football Insider, the Red Devils are very interested in bringing the 24-year-old to Old Trafford this summer as Erik ten Hag is searching to bolster his midfield options.

This outlet previously revealed that Premier League rivals Liverpool are also big admirers of Nunes and it's believed a fee in the region of £50m would be sufficient to persuade the Wolves' hierarchy to sell.

As well as these English giants, Catalan juggernaut Barcelona have also been linked with the Portuguese, who is set to be the epicentre of an enthralling transfer race.

Why do Wolves have to keep Nunes?

The Midlands club were bottom of the league with ten points from their opening 15 league games when Julen Lopetegui took over, but his managerial stint has overseen a tremendous rise to 13th position.

One of the key reasons for the Spaniard’s resurgence has been the incredible form of Nunes, who has been a pillar of energy, calmness, and meticulous technique in the centre of the park.

He has excelled as an imperious ball-carrier and a key contributor to the most threatening phases of Wolves’ attacking play – this is showcased by the fact he ranks in the top 17% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for progressive carries.

Even more impressively, the 11-cap international ranks in the top 7% for successful take-ons to reflect his ridiculous dribbling ability, which very few central midfielders possess to this extraordinary level.

His Portuguese teammate Bruno Fernandes even hailed the former Sporting CP prodigy as “incredible” thanks to his consistency.

The midfield engine recently netted his first Premier League goal of the season – a sumptuous half-volley against Chelsea to condemn caretaker boss Frank Lampard to a defeat in his first game in charge in his second spell at the Stamford Bridge helm.

In the showdown versus the Blues, the £85k-per-week ace registered a 7.9 rating, had 63 touches, completed 100% of his dribbles, won ten ground duels, and recorded three accurate long balls, as per Sofascore. It was an all-round masterclass from a player that has evolved as one of Wolves’ prized assets.

Much of the attention is rightly focused on the possible departure of club captain Ruben Neves, and he would be some loss. That said, with his exit having been on the cards for some time now, it would surely sting more if they were to lose someone they invested in so heavily a matter of months ago.

Indeed, unlike Neves, the £40m-rated technician offers a higher degree of energy, tenacity, and talented dribbling. He is the more progressive of the two, and crucially, has a potentially higher ceiling given his age of just 24.

Newcastle United are believed to be "monitoring" Raphinha's situation at Barcelona ahead of a possible summer move, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.

Is Raphinha impressing at Barcelona?

The 24-year-old moved to the Camp Nou from Leeds United last summer, with the Brazilian finding it too hard to turn down one of Europe's biggest clubs. He hasn't necessarily set the world alight during his first year in a Barca shirt, but he has still scored seven goals and chipped in with six assists in 30 La Liga appearances, helping them to title glory in the process.

It could be argued that more was required from him when he arrived, however, given his reputation at the time, and it could even be that Xavi is happy to see him leave at the end of the season. With Newcastle potentially looking like having a big summer in the transfer market, especially if they qualify for the Champions League, it looks as though they may turn to the winger.

Could Newcastle snap up Raphinha this summer?

Writing for Football Insider, O'Rourke claimed that the Magpies are keeping an eye on Raphinha's situation, should Barca be willing to listen to offers:

"It is my understanding that Newcastle are also monitoring Raphinha's situation at Barcelona. Eddie Howe is a huge admirer of the 26-year-old winger and views him as a direct upgrade to his starting XI at St James’ Park.

"Newcastle have previously considered a move for Raphinha but a move is viewed as more realistic this summer because of the club’s imminent qualification for the Champions League.

"Raphinha is open to a Premier League return if forced out by Barcelona, but only to a team competing in the Champions League. Newcastle are willing to meet the £50-60million asking price set by Barcelona."

Raphinha could be a brilliant signing by Newcastle if they are able to sign him this summer, possessing the pace, trickery and unpredictability that can be a nightmare to play against.

The five-goal and 16-cap Brazil international is a proven Premier League player, registering 29 goal contributions (17 goals and 12 assists) in 67 appearances in the competition, while former Leeds teammate Dan James once described him as a "magician" of a footballer.

Raphinha could jump at the chance to be a star man at St James' Park, possibly even be viewed as an upgrade on Miguel Almiron despite the excellent season he has enjoyed for Newcastle, and he would instantly enhance the squad depth at Eddie Howe's disposal.

Manchester United bidder Sheikh Jassim will put forward a 'competitive' offer as he vies to take control of the club from the Glazers, according to CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs.

What's the latest on the ownership situation at Manchester United?

As per The Manchester Evening News, both Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe and their respective entourages remain two of the frontrunners to try and take control from the Glazer family at Old Trafford.

The latter has caused a stir amongst some supporters in recent times, as his petrochemicals firm INEOS have been reported to be open to letting the Glazers stay on as minority shareholders.

BILD journalist Cristian Falk has issued an update regarding Sheikh Jassim's bid to take over on Twitter, stating: "The Qatari’s Sheikh Jassim Group want to go for Kingsley Coman, Camavinga and Kylian Mbappé, if their takeover of Man Utd is successful."

Sky News cite that Manchester United could become the most expensive sports team in the world if Sheikh Jassim gains 100% ownership, with the bid submitted from Nine Two Foundation said to be worth in the region of £5 billion.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jacobs thinks that the Glazers will weigh up both options closely before coming to a decision.

Jacobs told FFC: "Jassim is reliant on the fact that he believes his offer is competitive and the Nine Two Foundation, therefore, will either take 100% of the club or nothing. There's no scenario where they cave and allow the Glazers to stay in any capacity, so the two options on the table are slightly different in that respect and it will all again depend now on the Glazers showing their hand."

What next for Manchester United?

While the battle for ownership at Manchester United rages on in the background, Erik Ten Hag and his side will be fully focused on ensuring they finish the campaign with a flourish.

The Red Devils are in a commanding position as they look to secure a top-four finish and subsequent Champions League qualification this term while also have the chance to secure the FA Cup in June when they take on Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.

If they can add the FA Cup to their Carabao Cup trophy claimed earlier this campaign against Newcastle United, you would have to say that Ten Hag has done a sterling job at Manchester United in his debut season.

Moving forward, the Red Devils will want to make sure they make Old Trafford as attractive a destination as possible for potential new owners, who could then elevate the club to challenging for the Premier League title with appropriate financial backing.

According to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth, you 'can't rule out' Mauricio Pochettino taking charge as soon as possible.

What's the latest manager news involving Chelsea?

As per Football Insider, Chelsea are set to formally appoint Pochettino 'by the end of this week', bringing their lengthy search for a new manager to a close.

The report states that Lampard will remain in post for the rest of this term before being replaced by the 51-year-old at the start of the 2023/24 campaign.

Similarly, The Athletic have also revealed that the Blues' search for a new boss looks likely to come to an end this week, giving everyone at Stamford Bridge some much needed stability following a torrid 2022/23.

Last weekend, Chelsea won their first match since early March, bringing an end to a nine-game winless run with a 3-1 triumph over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, courtesy of goals from Conor Gallagher, Benoit Badiashile and Joao Felix, as per BBC Sport.

Nevertheless, Chelsea remain 11th in the Premier League table and have a lot of collective groundwork to get through in the summer to get back among the elite of English football.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Sky Sports reporter Sheth has signalled that he believes Lampard will take charge of the Blues' last four matches of the season, but did state that there is a chance Pochettino could come in now.

Sheth said: "I'm not sure. I think you'd have to ask Pochettino that question as well, simply because all the noises we were getting when he was being linked with Chelsea, being linked with Tottenham, being linked with Real Madrid was that he wanted to assess all of his options and make a fresh start in the summer.

"Could he come in now? You can't rule it out, but all the noises we're hearing is that Frank Lampard will be in charge of Chelsea until the end of the season."

What next for Chelsea?

With very little left to play for, Chelsea don't really need Pochettino to come in right away but as Dharmesh says, perhaps there could be a window of opportunity for him to come in and trial some things in the last couple of games. Never say never.

While their managerial situation is ongoing, Lampard will be charged with trying to ensure Chelsea finish this term in a strong fashion before the curtain is brought down on a frustrating time of things for all involved at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues still have some tough fixtures to come, with Nottingham Forest, Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle United being the four outstanding matches to complete.

To be honest, Chelsea don't have any real meaningful objectives to work towards between now and the end of 2022/23, seeing as they are well out of contention for continental qualification. However, pride is at stake and fringe players will also be looking to make a claim for a starting spot in 2023/24.

Winning over Bournemouth last Saturday will have instilled some confidence in Lampard's men and the 44-year-old will be keen to record a second consecutive victory when Chelsea take on Nottingham Forest this weekend.

Manchester United will surely look to continue their rebuild of the squad over the summer transfer window and now a new update has emerged on their plans for the transfer window.

What's the latest on Moises Caicedo's future?

According to 90min, Manchester United retain their interest in Brighton and Hove Albion ace Moises Caicedo.

As per the report, Brighton will now listen to offers of around £80m for their talented midfielder this summer and a host of elite Premier League clubs will compete to secure his signature, including Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal alongside the Red Devils.

Who would Caicedo replace in the Man United team?

With Casemiro in the latter stages of his career at 31 years old, finding a worthy successor will be no easy task for Erik ten Hag as he continues to refresh and rebuild the Man United squad.

As a result, if an opportunity is presented to secure the services of Caicedo this summer, it would be unwise for the Red Devils to ignore it, as the Ecuadorian could not only be an incredible heir to the Man United superstar, but an ideal partner for Casemiro to work with to eventually pass the baton on to in the defensive spot.

When comparing the two players, they are similar, particularly in their defensive involvement with Caicedo having made 1.55 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes compared to Casemiro's 1.50.

They also make a similar number of ball recoveries per 90 minutes (7.14 vs 8).

Caicedo's outstanding form in the Premier League has seen him earn a lot of praise over the season so far, with Jamie Redknapp full of compliments for the South American talent:

"He has been magnificent, he possesses all the attributes to play in every area, brilliant tackler.

"He’s progressive with his passing, a revelation and I’m sure a lot of clubs will be looking at him right now. He also has an eye for goal. Very, very impressed with this guy."

The Man United boss will surely be keen to build a squad that competes at the highest level and puts the club firmly back in the mix to dominant English football, so the signing of youthful prospects like Caicedo would certainly put the club on the path to success.

With that being said, the powerbrokers at Old Trafford will need to put in a lucrative offer to fend off their Premier League competitors for the signing of Caicedo, but if his recent form is anything to go by it would be absolutely worth it.

Aston Villa kept their European dreams alive after beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at Villa Park on Saturday.

An early goal from Jacob Ramsey dealt the visitors a blow, as they went into the game three points clear of the hosts.

Douglas Luiz’s second-half strike from a free kick all but sealed the victory, before Harry Kane stole one back from a controversial penalty.

Prior to kick-off, the game was classed as possibly the "last opportunity" to push for a European finish by manager Unai Emery, a test that his side passed with flying colours in the Midlands sunshine.

It was a relatively even encounter, with Spurs controlling 51% of the possession and both teams scoring close in terms of expected goals. Ryan Mason’s team slightly edged the hosts in this area despite defeat with 1.37 xG to Villa’s 1.18 xG – as per Sofascore.

The four-time Europa League winner’s side was the more continuous threat in attack, as told by Sofascore, hitting Spurs with eight shots, four of which were on target, and eight corners to their three. The hosts also registered three big chances, missing two and hitting the woodwork once.

Emery praised his team’s ability to keep to their game plan when speaking to the club’s media after the game, however, looked ahead to the remaining games of the season where he stressed that it’s "most important to be consistent."

While it was an afternoon of top performances by Villa, namely that of Ramsey in forward areas, one name stood out as one of the best, with goal-scorer Douglas Luiz taking a lot of credit for his ability to be the "tempo-setter" in midfield, as described by Birmingham Live’s Ashley Preece in the post-match ratings.

How did Douglas Luiz perform against Tottenham Hotspur?

The Brazilian was at the heart of all things positive for his side, not just through scoring an audacious winner from a set piece, but his overall game in central midfield.

With a Sofascore match rating of 7.5, the 25-year-old was the highest performer on the pitch at Villa Park when it mattered most, even outranking the aforementioned Ramsey.

The midfielder was everywhere, registering 77 touches in all areas of the pitch where he maintained threat and caused threat going forward in the engine room.

The Rio de Janeiro-born player ended the 90 minutes with a 94% passing accuracy, making 61 of his 65 passes count in an integral area of play. Out of which, he registered one key pass, and executed six out of seven long balls that he attempted.

Defensively he made one clearance and attempted one ground duel, in a balanced display that saw him lauded as the "complete package" by one Villa account on Twitter following the important victory.

His goal was the icing on the cake for his dominance in midfield, where he fired a curling shot from a free-kick at 25-yards past Fraser Forster to ultimately gift his side the win to keep their European dreams alive.

With two challenging fixtures remaining, the Brazilian will have to replicate such performances against both Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion to keep his side on track for Europe.

Julen Lopetegui will have a busy summer at Wolverhampton Wanderers as he attempts to strengthen his squad as his first Premier League season comes to a close.

The expected focus point ahead of the transfer window is for the Midlands side to acquire a seasoned goalscorer, as Lopetegui aims to turn his side’s fate in front of goal around.

Wolves are the league’s joint-lowest scorers this campaign, level with Championship-bound Southampton on just 31 goals in 37 games so far.

With the potential departures of both Raul Jimenez and Ruben Neves this summer, Molineux will see change next season, with players both arriving and departing.

Despite the transfer window boasting a host of attractive options for clubs to recruit, Wolves could save themselves millions just by looking at their academy, with Leon Chiwome tipped to have a promising future.

Who is Leon Chiwome?

17-year-old Leon Chiwome signed for Wolves’ academy last summer from Wimbledon Youth.

The Brighton-born forward has enjoyed an impressive first season in the Midlands, registering five goals in ten appearances in the U18 Premier League.

His rise to form has prompted a heap of praise from those at the club, as well as earning his first national team call-up for England’s U17s for this month’s European Championships.

The youngster has turned things around for himself in his budding career, after being released on trial by Brighton just two years ago, to playing for his country and catching the eye of many at Wolves.

After his first seven months at the club, he was rewarded with his first professional contract, with academy manager for football Jon Hunter-Barrett lauding the youngster for his ability.

Hailed as having “all the attributes” of a number nine and the ability to do “everything”, Hunter-Barrett admitted the forward has progressed quickly to the delight of figures “internally and externally” at the club – as per Wolves' official site.

At just 17-years-old, the forward is a raw talent, however after seeing the progression of other youngsters in the Premier League could have a point to prove to Lopetegui, particularly with the Euros coming up.

The forward made a statement at the end of last month, scoring his first U18 Premier League hat-trick against Leeds, showcasing his ability ahead of a decisive summer for Wolves.

With Jimenez almost certainly departing this summer, the Spaniard will have a vacancy in attack to fill, something that young players at the club should aspire to fill, including Chiwome who has gained attention at a perfect time.

An update has emerged on Burnley and their plans to bolster their attack heading into the upcoming summer transfer window…

What's the latest on Mama Balde to Burnley?

According to French outlet L'Equipe, the Clarets are interested in a deal to sign Troyes centre-forward Mama Balde ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The report claims that Vincent Kompany has already held talks with the player regarding a potential move to Turf Moor, although it remains to be seen how much the Ligue 1 side are set to demand for his services.

It is stated that the 27-year-old marksman, whose contract expires in the summer of 2025, is one of the club's biggest priorities as they aim to improve their squad following promotion to the Premier League.

How has Mama Balde performed this season?

The Troyes star, who has been hailed as their "key man" by journalist Josh Bunting, has enjoyed an excellent campaign in front of goal in the French top flight and could form an exciting partnership with current Burnley star Manuel Benson.

Balde's side have been relegated to Ligue 2 but the club's poor form has not stopped him from plundering an impressive 12 goals – more than any Clarets striker managed in 22/23 – and three assists in 33 matches.

The £13k-per-week ace also works hard for his team and that could be vital in a potential battle against relegation. He ranks in the top 16% of players in his position in the Men's Big Five Leagues and European competitions for tackles, interceptions, and blocks per 90 and this means that he is well above average at cutting out opposition attacks from a forward position.

Benson, meanwhile, contributed with 11 goals and three assists in 33 Championship appearances as a winger. The ace has the quality to make a huge impact at the top end of the pitch and could thrive alongside an impressive number nine like Balde.

In the second tier in 22/23, the Burnley magician created 0.25 xAG per 90 – ranking in the top 16% of players in his position in the Men's Next Eight Competitions over the last 365 days – and this suggests that the gem has the potential to be a creative force who could provide the Troyes finisher with the opportunities he needs in front of goal.

Benson also ranks in the top 1% of players in his position for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.66) and this shows that the dynamo is an effective scorer who could link up with Balde to form a terrifying duo for opposition defences next term, as both players have the potential to be lethal goalscorers in the top-flight if they can adapt to Premier League football.