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Daniel Farke has inherited a hugely difficult task at Leeds United as he attempts to lead the club to an instant return to the Premier League.

His job has been made harder due to Rodrigo’s recent departure to Qatari side Al Rayyan. The Spaniard was Leeds’ top scorer last season with 15 goals in all competitions, with Luis Sinisterra in second on just seven.

The German coach has lost one of the club’s most influential and important players, as he must pinpoint a new, consistent source of goals for the upcoming season.

One player who can fill Rodrigo’s void is Emmanuel Dennis, who is on the lookout for a new club.

What’s the latest on Emmanuel Dennis to Leeds United?

Last month, it was reported by The Athletic that Dennis is very likely to leave Nottingham Forest this summer, with his representatives having already started the process of holding exploratory talks with interested parties.

It is understood that the 25-year-old is keen to remain in Europe and will resist any lucrative approaches from Saudi Arabia.

Furthermore, it seems that Forest may have already recruited his replacement, as they’re on the verge of sealing a £15m deal for Manchester United’s Anthony Elanga.

This may prompt Dennis to push harder for an exit – and he could do wonders at Elland Road.

Would Emmanuel Dennis be a good signing for Leeds United?

Last summer, the Nigerian secured a move to the east Midlands from Watford, but it didn't materialise as expected.

He only managed six Premier League starts and scored just twice, failing to play any notable part in Forest avoiding relegation in their first season back in the top flight for over two decades.

The forward will be more fondly remembered for his final season with the Hornets. He was unable to prevent the club from going down, but he performed admirably in a dismally below-average side.

During the 2021/22 campaign, he was Watford’s top scorer with ten goals as well as their best creator with six assists. Elsewhere, he averaged the highest rating (6.89), and recorded the most dribbles per game in the squad, as per WhoScored.

His string of impressive performances led to glowing praise from former manager Claudio Ranieri, who said: “[Dennis] is a very talented player. He’s fast, has good skill, always runs straight to the goal – I love these kinds of players.”

Having shown he can produce in the top flight, Farke should accelerate the club’s attempts to sign Dennis and give him the chance to mirror the empathic impact that Jermaine Beckford had during a glittering four-year spell in Yorkshire.

In 152 appearances between 2006 and 2010, the striker netted 85 times as he became a nightmare to contain during Leeds' time out of the top tier.

In 2010, the Jamaican memorably scored the only goal of the game in Leeds’ third-round FA Cup win over Manchester United to consign the Red Devils to their first defeat to lower-league opposition in the competition since 1984.

It is this prowess at the lower level, regardless of the opposition, that Dennis should look to emulate.

And given his aforementioned exploits in the Premier League, there is every chance he can indeed evoke the memories of Beckford's Elland Road career by excelling with Leeds in the Championship before spearheading their attack in the Premier League a year from now.

Therefore, if Leeds move for Dennis, it could see Farke instantly replace Rodrigo, whilst also potentially unearthing a Beckford-esque figure up top.

Celtic and Brendan Rodgers are thought to be interested in signing defender Jonny Evans on a free transfer.

Are Celtic signing Jonny Evans?

The Hoops have been busy so far this summer, bringing in midfielder Odin Thiago Holm from Valerenga and winger Marco Tilio from Melbourne City, with Rodgers reportedly being given a £30m transfer kitty following his return to Glasgow.

Jota has moved on to sign for Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad in a deal worth £25m, however, Gangwon FC forward Yang Hyun-jun is on course to come in, with a fee of just over £2m now agreed between the two clubs.

Busan I-Park midfielder Kwon Hyeok-kyu, who has been on Celtic’s radar for some time now, could also be on the way to Parkhead, but it looks as if Rodgers would like to sign a player he knows well in Evans.

The Liverpool Echo shared a story regarding Evans' future in the last 48 hours, claiming that Everton are not in for the player despite reports. However, Celtic are thought to be keen.

"It is understood that Brendan Rodgers is keen to bring Evans to Celtic this summer. Rodgers, who worked with the 35-year-old at the King Power, returned to the Scottish giants last month, replacing Ange Postecoglou, who joined Tottenham Hotspur after delivering a treble last season."

Is Jonny Evans a free agent?

Evans, who actually doesn’t have a weak foot, as per Transfermarkt, is currently training with former side Manchester United. That’s because the 35-year-old’s deal with Leicester City expired at the end of June, making him a free agent.

A Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup winner, Evans is primarily a centre-back but can also turn out as a left-back if needed. Evans has made close to 500 senior appearances in England, 129 of which came under Rodgers at Leicester. The pair enjoyed a good relationship at the King Power, with the defender praising the Celtic boss following an incident with the Foxes back in 2021.

"The way the manager dealt with it was fantastic. He’s very decisive and he let all the other players know where he stood, he was very open with his dialogue, his communication. As players, you can only have respect for that."

Meanwhile, Rodgers has also hailed Evans in the past, describing him as a “top player” who is “super intelligent.

"I had always admired Jonny from afar, watching him at United. To play the games he did there at a young age tells you everything about him. I would not say anything has surprised me from working with him. I knew he was a top player.

"I see someone of great maturity. He knows the game at the highest level. He is a deep thinker about the game, a super intelligent guy. You can see that he watches football."

By the looks of things, a move to Glasgow for the Northern Irishman could well be one to keep an eye on over the coming days and weeks, and should he arrive, Evans would bring plenty of knowledge and versatility to the club’s backline.

Manchester United are in the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby, with a whole host of Premier League clubs now competing for his signature, according to a recent report from The Daily Mail.

What's the latest Man United transfer news?

Man United are now closing in on a deal for Andre Onana, with getting a deal done for the Inter Milan goalkeeper seemingly Erik ten Hag's priority at the moment, and there have been reports that a final offer in excess of €50m (£43m) is to be expected.

A deal for Onana would deplete nearly half of United's transfer budget, which is estimated to be around £100m, unless they are able to sell players, while the deal for Mason Mount has already cost them £55m, so they may not have much left to spend.

Ten Hag is yet to sell any first-team players, with Zidane Iqbal the only player to leave who has not done so on a free transfer, and so the manager may now be tasked with shifting some players on before any arrivals can be expected.

The likes of Jadon Sancho, Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay could all leave before the transfer window slams shut, which would hopefully free up some funds for Man United to bring in some new additions to the squad.

Personal terms have been agreed with Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund, and the Dane is not the Red Devils' only attacking target, with a report from The Daily Mail detailing they are in the race for Bayer Leverkusen's left-footed winger Diaby.

There may be fierce competition for the Frenchman's signature, however, as Aston Villa, Arsenal and Newcastle have all made their interest clear, with the former becoming the latest club to make him a transfer target.

Leverkusen are set to hold out for £50m if they are to sanction the departure of the 24-year-old, who is expected to leave the Bundesliga side this summer.

How many goals has Moussa Diaby scored?

The Paris-born winger scored 14 goals for Leverkusen in all competitions last season, while also recording 11 assists, in what was yet another impressive campaign for the winger, who has proven himself as one of the Bundesliga's top players.

Last season, the Leverkusen star averaged a WhoScored match rating of 7.06 in the Bundesliga, the third-highest figure in the squad, having scored the highest number of goals, while also receiving three man-of-the-match awards.

The former Paris Saint-Germain ace has been hailed by journalist Aaron Stokes, who praised him for his "electrifying" pace, ability with both feet, and fearlessness in possession of the ball last year.

Diaby could be a fantastic signing for almost any club in the world, however, there are question marks over whether he should be a priority for Man United, as you could argue that there are other positions that need strengthening first.

Ten Hag already has the likes of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony to choose from in wide areas, and so the manager's main priority could be signing a new striker like Hojlund to compete with Anthony Martial, especially if funds are limited.

Glasgow Rangers are reportedly likely to sign Los Angeles FC midfielder Jose Cifuentes, but it remains to be seen when a move will go through.

Are Rangers signing Jose Cifuentes?

Michael Beale and Ibrox officials have acted quickly in the transfer window so far, with a number of new players brought to Glasgow ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Jack Butland, Dujon Sterling and Kieran Dowell have all made the moves to Rangers on free transfers after leaving Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Norwich respectively.

Brighton forward Abdallah Sima has arrived on loan, and the club have also splashed the cash on signings from clubs abroad. Forward Sam Lammers arrived from Atalanta in a deal worth €3.5m, and another striker has recently penned Rangers terms.

The club confirmed on Thursday that they have signed Cyriel Dessers from US Cremonese on a four-year deal, with the 28-year-old thought to have cost around €5m.

Beale labelled the new centre-forward as an “excellent addition”, and attention could now turn to securing a summer swoop for Cifuentes.

The Ecuador international has been heavily linked with a move to Scotland and was ready to sign an Ibrox deal last month. Rangers submitted a bid looking to push through a transfer, and a further update has now emerged.

The Daily Record’s Mark Pirie shared a Rangers transfer state of play in the last 48 hours, where an update on Cifuentes was relayed. It is believed that Rangers remains the "likely destination" for the 24-year-old when he leaves LAFC, but it is yet to be decided if he will leave "this summer or when his contract expires in the winter."

Cifuentes has remained a regular for LAFC since the transfer window opened and has made 16 MLS appearances this year, with his contract set to expire when the season ends at the end of the year.

Is Jose Cifuentes good?

Cifuentes appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high €12m Transfermarkt valuation and can play as a holding, central or attacking midfielder.

Sponsored by Nike, the LAFC man has made 118 appearances for the MLS side during his three-and-a-half-year stay, scoring 14 times and registering 19 assists.

He could well be a shrewd addition for Rangers at a low price due to his contract situation, with Tim Vickery, an expert on all things to do with South American football, calling the 24-year-old a "terrific" player after his 2019 exploits at the Under-20 World Cup.

"He was the beating heart of that side and I think he’s a terrific midfielder," said Vickey on talkSPORT.

"He’s strong, he’s got quality, he’s got a good engine – he’s one of the best all-round midfielders, potentially, that I’ve seen come out of South America in a while.

"This fellow Cifuentes strikes the ball well, moves across the field, strong in the tackle, strong on the ball, I like him a lot."

It looks as if a transfer remains on the cards, and who knows, with Dessers in the door, Rangers may now look at forcing through a summer move for Cifuentes instead of waiting until the New Year.

Tottenham Hotspur have moved to offer star striker Harry Kane a "huge" new contract as chairman Daniel Levy attempts to tie down his prized asset.

Will Harry Kane leave Spurs?

This isn't the first time Kane has been linked with a move away from north London and it's highly unlikely to be the last, with Premier League champions and treble-winners Man City once in the mix.

Back in 2021, before Pep Guardiola ultimately signed superstar Erling Braut Haaland, City were chasing Kane and even placed bids in excess of £100 million on the table.

Despite an alleged gentlemans's agreement with Levy, though, the Spurs star was forced to remain in north London despite reports suggesting he wanted the new opportunity.

Tottenham were in a strong position not to buckle then due to his contract length, but with Kane's deal set to expire in 12 months, the Lilywhites now have a major decision to make.

The England star, who broke Jimmy Greaves' club record as Tottenham's all-time top scorer, could leave for free next summer as things stand and that is a scenario Levy will be desperate to avoid.

Bayern Munich are apparently determined to sign Kane, as some reliable media sources out of Germany even claim their manager, Thomas Tuchel, has even held secret meetings with the 29-year-old.

Those same reports say Kane had made it clear to Tuchel that he is more than open to joining the Bavarians this summer, but despite his contract expiring next year, Spurs won't be bullied.

Levy has already rejected an opening proposal for Kane from Bayern, with The Guardian and journalist Jacob Steinberg, in collobaration with David Hytner, sharing a pretty big update on Tottenham's attempts to keep him.

As relayed by Steinberg, writing on Twitter and sharing a piece, Spurs have moved to offer Kane a "huge" new contract in the hopes of tying down their star player.

"Tottenham are going to great lengths to convince Harry Kane to stay by offering the striker a huge new deal," said Steinberg.

"No indications Kane is going to sign it, though. Bayern Munich still pushing to sign him this summer."

The offer, as stated in The Guardian, is a significant step up on his current £200,000-per-week terms but Kane apparently won't put pen to paper this window.

Levy is apparently mindful that is popularity would plummet if Kane were to leave, even with Bayern boss Tuchel seriously pushing for his signature.

What's been said about Harry Kane?

Scoring 30 goals in 38 league starts over 2022/2023, the forward has been praised for his obvious ability, with former Spurs boss Antonio Conte calling him "world class".

"We are talking about a world class striker,” he said.

“In my career I didn't have great talent [so] for this reason I worked hard. What I liked about him from the first time was his ability. He was a big example for his team-mates."

An update has emerged on Celtic's complicated pursuit of a deal to sign Hyun-jun Yang ahead of the 2023/24 Scottish Premiership campaign…

What's the latest on Hyun-jun Yang to Celtic?

According to Football Scotland, the Hoops have agreed a fee in the region of £2.1m with Gangwon to sign the South Korean right winger but the K League 1 side are now causing complications with their desire to keep hold of him for the rest of the year.

The report claims that they do not want to lose the exciting attacker before the end of their season as they are battling against relegation.

However, Brendan Rodgers wants to bring the 21-year-old ace to Parkhead to bolster his attacking options and the player himself is keen on making the switch immediately, instead of in January.

He is quoted as saying: “I want to go to Celtic this summer. I hope Gangwon will allow me to transfer. If the transfer fee isn’t enough, I’ll even give my salary.”

Would Hyun-jun Yang be a good signing for Celtic?

The right-footed wizard has endured a difficult year so far, with two goal contributions in 17 league appearances, but his form for Gangwon in 2022 suggests that there is a talented player there who could form an exciting partnership with Kyogo Furuhashi at Paradise.

Yang averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.02 across 33 K League 1 starts last year and chipped in with eight goals – a tally only three Celtic players bettered – along with five assists, whilst he also created six 'big chances' for his teammates in the final third.

The South Korean ace completed 1.2 dribbles per game with Jota (1.5) being the only Hoops player with more than ten league starts to manage more than that.

However, the Portuguese forward is in talks to sign for Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad for £25m, which suggests that Yang could come in as Rodgers' most aggressive dribbler – driving the team up the pitch by committing defenders with the ball at his feet.

Yang could use his dribbling skills to get himself into excellent positions down the flank before being able to create a 'big chance' or score for himself.

Kyogo could benefit from the 21-year-old magician's direct play and creativity as the Japan international has already proven himself to be a prolific scorer in Scotland.

The 28-year-old scored 27 times in the Scottish Premiership last season – 16 more than any other Hoops player – and found the back of the net on 12 occasions in 16 league starts during the 2021/22 campaign.

Therefore, Yang, who was hailed as "special" by journalist Nathan Sartain, and Kyogo could form a lethal partnership for Celtic next season as the £2.1m-rated wizard has the potential to score and assist goals from out wide, whilst providing the striker with the service he needs to continue to be prolific.

An overwhelming plethora of tasks remains at hand for the incoming Mauricio Pochettino as he begins his Chelsea rebuild.

However, one of the biggest issues that the Argentine must immediately address is to find a new goalkeeper.

Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel, and Graham Potter have all dealt with a recurring issue between the sticks, as neither Edouard Mendy nor Kepa Arrizabalaga evolved into a long-term, reliable first choice.

The former is on the verge of a move to Saudi Arabia and starting the Spaniard throughout the campaign would be a risky and uncalculated decision.

Therefore, the Blues have been considering making a move for Diogo Costa.

What’s the latest on Diogo Costa to Chelsea?

According to Rudy Galetti, the 2021 Champions League winners, alongside Manchester United and Bayern Munich, are interested in the Porto man, who has a release clause of €75m (£65m).

The West Londoners appear to be at a crossroads in their search for a new shot-stopper as one target in Andre Onana is being tracked by the Red Devils, while Mike Maignan doesn’t want to join Chelsea after the club missed out on Europe and David Raya is seemingly set for a move to Tottenham Hotspur.

Therefore, it seems that Costa has emerged as the most attainable option for Pochettino.

Why do Chelsea want Diogo Costa?

The 14-cap international has been at Porto since 2011 and has risen through the youth ranks and made his senior debut for the club in August 2017.

As a child, he idolised Vitor Baia and at the start of the 2020/21 campaign, he inherited the number 99 jersey, made famous by his hero and Porto legend.

But it was the 2021/22 term that the 23-year-old become the club’s first-team goalkeeper, and was part of 16-game unbeaten league run, in which he kept eight clean sheets and was named as the league’s Goalkeeper of the Month for four consecutive months from December to March 2022.

Porto would eventually win the domestic double and the Portuguese was named in the Primera Liga Team of the Year.

More recently, he played every minute of his country’s World Cup campaign in December 2022 and became the youngest Portuguese goalkeeper to play in a major international tournament.

Statistically, the 6 foot 2 titan ranks within the top 5% outside of Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for clean sheet percentage and goals against per 90, as he's proving to be ready for the next step in his career.

Also sitting in the top 25% for crosses stopped, it's clear that Costa's shot-stopping ability and his commanding nature could be game-changing for the Blues as they look to finally put their goalkeeping woes to one side.

Described as “world-class” by compatriot Diogo Dalot, Chelsea should accelerate their attempts to sign the goalkeeper, who could excel even further under Pochettino.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been left furious with a transfer update involving Napoli defender Kim min-jae, according to reports.

What’s the latest Man United transfer news involving Kim?

The Red Devils have been heavily linked with a move for Kim in recent weeks, with those at Old Trafford making him their top defensive target this summer.

It looked as if a move to England was gathering real pace, with reports last week claiming that a move to Manchester United was "sure" to go through on July 1.

The Red Devils agreed to pay his €60m (£51m) release clause and the player also accepted personal terms, however, Bayern Munich have since thrown a spanner in the works.

The Bundesliga champions have reportedly agreed on a five-year deal with the South Korea international in what is a transfer blow for Manchester United, and it looks as if Ten Hag isn’t happy.

The Sun relayed an update from Corriere dello Sport regarding Kim in the last 48 hours. It is believed that Kim had made "more than a promise" to Ten Hag to join, so his U-turn has left the Dutchman furious. The report adds that it is likely Bayern will complete a move for the Napoli man at the beginning of July.

Will Man United sign a new defender this summer?

Missing out on Kim, labelled as a “perfect defender” in the media, isn’t ideal news, but it looks as if the Red Devils have alternative defensive targets on their radar.

Fabrizio Romano has recently name-checked AS Monaco’s Axel Disasi and OGC Nice’s Jean Clair Todibo as possible centre-back targets, with the Red Devils scouting the latter of the two.

You can see why a new centre-back is on the agenda as well, with Harry Maguire’s Old Trafford future up in the air. Aston Villa, Newcastle and Tottenham have all been credited with an interest in the England international. Should Maguire leave, United could be left with just Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof as senior centre-back options.

Alongside a centre-back, a new left-back could also arrive, with an approach made for versatile Inter Milan defender Federico Dimarco. Therefore, it could be a frantic few months for United officials in the transfer market alongside the ongoing takeover saga, but by the looks of it, Ten Hag won’t get his wish when it comes to a move for Kim.

Arsenal have shifted their focus onto another Premier League star amid long-standing interest in Declan Rice…

What's the latest on Kai Havertz to Arsenal?

That's according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, who took to Twitter to offer a fresh transfer target of interest to Mikel Arteta.

He wrote:

"Arsenal are in talks to sign Kai Havertz after positive contacts on player side — he’s keen on the move. Chelsea want around £75m for Havertz now, Arsenal will not pay that amount. Real Madrid talks currently off. Arsenal priority: bid for Declan Rice soon".

Whilst this deal seems far from completion, it marks the start of a startling saga that has seemingly developed from nowhere. Edu seems keen on bolstering his striking options, given Gabriel Jesus' injury woes from the previous term.

The German international has just two years left on his £150k-per-week deal, which could tempt Chelsea to sanction an exit below the aforementioned valuation.

Could Kai Havertz replicate any Arsenal legends?

With a tall slender body but a grace and comfort on the ball, Havertz is something of a physical marvel as an attacking threat.

Having risen to prominence in his homeland, starring for Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen, the 24-year-old notched 18 goals and assisted a further nine in his final year before moving to Stamford Bridge. Frank Lampard saw fit to unload £71m to tempt the youngster to join.

His goalscoring prowess was unlike most other number tens, and yet he has found himself somewhat lost among the vast managerial upheaval in West London.

Despite recording 47 goal contributions across those three years, including a goal in their Champions League final triumph, pundit Gabby Agbonlahor has still questioned his place in this side, noting:

"Look at Havertz. I mean, he saw two managers off. He's not doing anything. He's not a No 9, he's not a No 10. He's not holding the ball up, he's not scoring goals."

Perhaps a move to north London, where the conditions are far more favourable, could see him finally realise the immense potential that has gone awry.

After all, his physique does resemble that of a former Emirates favourite Robin van Persie, as well as the goalscoring talents of his past having matched some seasons of the lethal Dutchman. For example, during the 2018/19 campaign, Havertz scored 17 league goals from a no.10 sort of role.

Meanwhile, across his sprawling career in England, the former Manchester United striker would score 18 or more in three separate campaigns, often hitting double figures in the league too.

This, combined with their shared technique and quality left foot makes them all the more similar, as Thomas Tuchel outlined:

"I see a bit of Dennis Bergkamp, Robin Van Persie, [Dimitar] Berbatov kind of player. He can play in the half position because he has good runs, but also feels free from the nine and creates overload to one side."

Although his career has not yet panned out as planned, Arteta has already proven his ability to make something out of nothing with his current Arsenal project.

The Emirates could well be a perfect new home to transform Havertz into the player many thought he would become.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is eyeing a move for Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay as he seeks clarity over the side's newfound prominence.

What's the latest on Newcastle's pursuit of Scott McTominay?

That's following a recent report from the Northern Echo, which states that the Scotland international is a 'viable' option for the Toon as they look to fortify the midfield after qualifying for the Champions League.

The long-term target is believed to be seeking an exit from Old Trafford after telling friends that he is disgruntled after falling out of favour under Erik ten Hag.

The 26-year-old is valued at around £30m by the Red Devils but Magpies technical director Dan Ashworth is cautious to part with such an exorbitant fee for a player so firmly on the periphery at the Theatre of Dreams.

Should Newcastle sign Scott McTominay?

The general consensus is that McTominay will be shipped on this summer after starting just ten times in the Premier League this term, though he did play 39 times across all competitions and missed 15 matches due to injury.

However, his recent exploits with the Scottish national team have exhibited his prowess and just how effective he can be when provided a central role, with the 38-cap international scoring four goals from two matches during the last international break, including a dominant performance against Spain that left him with a Sofascore rating of 8.0.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 19% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for touches in the attacking box, the top 21% for tackles, the top 1% for clearances and the top 2% for aerials won per 90, and has also been hailed as "superb" by former MEN writer Hesham Bilal-Hafiz.

The £60k-per-week ace could emulate former Newcastle star Yohan Cabaye at St. James' Park, with the Frenchman forging 93 displays for the Toon, scoring 18 goals and 14 assists, before signing for Paris Saint-Germain for around £20m in 2014.

Cabaye was once lauded by former Magpies manager Alan Pardew for his "true character" and for having "that X-factor", with an analysis from James Eastham stating that his teammates were 'primed to expect penetrative, precise service whenever Cabaye is in possession'.

McTominay, who was dubbed a "real threat" by Roberto Martinez, could emulate that role and combine his aforementioned defensive aptitude with a knack for effectively contributing to the offensive transitions.

And with Cabaye boasting career defensive metrics of 2.6 tackles and 2.4 interceptions per game, as per WhoScored, he too served as a rock that Mctominay could indeed emulate to contribute towards Newcastle's present endeavours, searching for success unseen at the club in a very long time.