All posts by z3u9t.icu

For much of the transfer window so far, the major talking point for Leeds United has been centred on outgoings, with new boss Daniel Farke facing something of a mass exodus following the club's return to the Championship.

The Whites have already seen the likes of Robin Koch, Brenden Aaronson, Marc Roca, Rasmus Kristensen and Rodrigo move on to pastures new – either on loan or on a permanent deal, in the case of the latter – with further departures seemingly expected amid interest in both Wilfried Gnonto and Jack Harrison, among others.

That raft of outgoings has only heightened the need for fresh faces at Elland Road this summer, with it looking as if the newly-relegated side are finally beginning to make moves in the transfer market.

What are the latest Leeds transfer rumours?

The latest indication is that the Yorkshire giants are closing in on a deal for Chelsea ace, Ethan Ampadu, while Farke is also seemingly nearing a reunion with ex-Norwich City defender, Sam Byram, after previously coaching the 29-year-old at Carrow Road.

There may be further additions to come, however, with Football Insider having reported last week that Leeds are interested in a move for Nottingham Forest forward, Emmanuel Dennis, with the Nigerian marksman looking set for a change of scenery after just a solitary season at the City Ground.

A more recent report from the same publication has since revealed that Forest would be open to letting the 25-year-old leave the club this summer, despite having splashed out £20m to sign him from Watford a year ago.

How many goals has Emmanuel Dennis scored?

Despite his recent woes at the City Ground – where he scored just two goals and registered only two assists in the Premier League – the former Club Brugge machine had been a reliable goalscoring presence throughout his career prior to that.

Lauded as a "stunning player" by journalist Josh Bunting during his time at Vicarage Road, the 5 foot 10 hitman notably racked up ten goals and six assists in just 37 games during his solitary season with the Hornets, having previously contributed 42 goals and assists in 116 games during his time in Belgium.

It was that stint with Pro League side that initially piqued the interest of those at Elland Road, with reports back in the summer of 2020 having suggested that then-boss Marcelo Bielsa was keen on signing the £40k-per-week menace.

While no move came to fruition at the time, German football editor Daniel Pinder went on to discuss the benefit that signing Dennis would have for Bielsa and co a year later, with the transfer insider telling Football Fancast that the Nigerian's willing work ethic and ability to press would potentially make him a better fit than Patrick Bamford in attack:

"He definitely offers something different to Bamford as he plays on the shoulder of defenders, and if the defence is playing a high line then he'll happily make runs in behind them.

"Bielsa likes his strikers to press from the front and Dennis does this well and he's shown some good finishes during his time with Club Brugge, so I think Leeds could be a decent fit for him."

While a deal would likely have suited Bielsa, a move this time around could also be of use to Farke in order help find a centre-forward upgrade, with current number nine, Bamford, having been plagued by injury of late.

The Englishman has scored just six league goals across the last two seasons combined, while Dennis has netted 12 top-flight goals in that time, having also shown his ability to feature on the flanks when required.

With regard to that knack for defending from the front, Dennis notably averages 2.13 tackles per 90 across the last 365 days, while Bamford, by contrast, averages just 0.53 for that same metric.

With the Forest speedster also more adept at driving forward with the ball at his feet – as shown by his superior average for successful take-ons (2.25 v 0.65) – then it is clear to see just what an all-round upgrade he would be for the Yorkshire side.

Having seen Bielsa fail to get his man, perhaps Leeds can finally strike a deal under Farke this time around.

Everton have had a long-standing interest in Arnaut Danjuma and now a reliable source has revealed a fresh update on the club's pursuit of the player this summer.

Is Arnaut Danjuma joining Everton?

According to Italian journalist and transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Everton are "closing in" on a deal for the Villarreal winger.

Romano took to Twitter on Thursday to reveal:

"Everton are closing in on Danjuma deal — understand bid has been accepted, here we go soon.

"Understand it’s gonna be loan move. Player believes Everton is best for his career. After January hijack the communication stayed open and now Everton have their player."

How good is Arnaut Danjuma?

Despite the controversy surrounding Danjuma's move to Tottenham Hospur in January, there is no doubt that his potential arrival at Goodison Park in the coming days wouldn't be a major coup for the Merseyside club.

Sean Dyche is in dire need of quality attacking reinforcements after another uninspiring and troubling Premier League season for the Toffees, with exits from Richarlison and Anthony Gordon considerably weakening the talent needed in the final third.

Not only that, Demarai Gray has now been attracting interest with Crystal Palace strengthening their pursuit of the winger over the past few days, according to reports from the Daily Mail, which would only contribute to Everton's concerns should the player depart.

As a result, the signing of Danjuma is exactly what Dyche needs to address his frustrating and uninspiring attacking threat, as well as facilitating a move for Gray which would ultimately boost the transfer funds available for the manager over the remainder of the transfer window.

The £45k-per-week wide man is no stranger to the Premier League of course, spending six months on loan in north London with Spurs, however, a lack of game-time made it difficult for Danjuma to hit the ground running.

During his stint at the London club, the Lagos-born ace only made nine appearances in the top flight, averaging just 19 minutes per performance, but did manage to score a league goal and also find the back of the net once in the FA Cup too.

The last six months with Spurs are not a true reflection of Danjuma's keen eye for goal, however, as the 5 foot 8 winger has proven that with consistent minutes he can be a force in the final third – scoring 22 goals and registering four assists over 51 appearances for the Spanish club, with a goal contribution every 122 minutes, an output that would be extremely valuable to Dyche.

Former Sunderland goal-scorer Kevin Phillips heaped praise on the versatile forward when speaking to Football Insider last year, highlighting qualities that could well make him a wonderful acquisition for Everton.

"On his day he is a nightmare for defenders. He can create and score goals. He can hurt any defence with his pace and directness.

"He’s shown that countless times. Players like him are a rarity in this day and age."

With that being said, Danjuma is an exciting prospect for Everton and with regular game-time at Goodison Park he could quickly become a fan favourite, while outperforming Gray in the process.

Liverpool have an advantage in their pursuit of Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Manu Kone due to the fact their sporting director Jorg Scmadtke's son Nils is the Bundesliga side's Head of First Team Football, according to BILD journalist Christian Falk.

Will Liverpool go back in for Manu Kone?

Earlier this year, renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano writing for The Guardian, reported that Liverpool were considering making a move for Kone this summer to bolster their midfield.

Sky Sports claimed last month that the club had monitored Kone as they weighed up cheaper alternatives to the likes of failed target Jude Bellingham, now of Real Madrid, alongside now teammate Aurelian Tchouameni and Inter Milan's Nicolo Barella.

Liverpool sporting director Scmadtke knows the £31k-a-week ace well from his time at Borussia Monchengladbach amid speculation that Manchester United were also keen on Kone in the off-season.

Last term, Kone, who has been hailed as a "one-man army", made 31 appearances in all competitions for Borussia Monchengladbach, notching one goal and a solitary assist, as per Transfermarkt.

Snapping into challenges, the 22-year-old managed to win around 2.5 tackles and 1.1 interceptions in the Bundesliga per match over the course of the campaign, according to WhoScored.

Of course, Liverpool have already moved to strengthen their midfield by bringing in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai from Brighton & Hove Albion and RB Leipzig, respectively.

Nevertheless, BILD journalist Falk hasn't counted out the prospect of Liverpool reviving their interest in Kone and thinks that Scmadtke's son Nils may hold the key to directing the France Under-21 to Anfield, in light of his role in the Borussia Monchengladbach set-up.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Falk stated: “He’s also on the list of Liverpool. You know, Schmadtke has an eye on him for six months. Funny thing is that his son is working at Gladbach as a manager, so you see, the direction is very short.”

Who else could join Liverpool's midfield before the season commences?

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been on a mission to streamline his squad this window and several more signings could be likely at Anfield between now and the close of play in the market.

According to Football Insider, the Reds are confident that Southampton youngster Romeo Lavia would be more reeled in by the possibility of moving to Liverpool than any other interested party.

Despite this, Klopp and company face competition from Chelsea and Arsenal for his signature, with the latter being prepared to push them all the way to land the Belgium international.

Experienced duo Fabinho and Jordan Henderson look like they could be on their way out of Liverpool amid attraction towards their services from Saudi Pro League outfits Al-Ittihad and Al-Ettifaq, which could pave the way for Klopp to strengthen his engine room further.

Taking to Twitter, Liverpool correspondent for The Athletic, James Pearce, dropped an update namechecking several midfielders that Liverpool could target, stating: "In terms of replacing Fabinho, Moises Caicedo is not viewed as a serious option with the Brighton midfielder expected to join Chelsea. Romeo Lavia, Sofyan Amrabat, Ryan Gravenberch and Kalvin Phillips are among those under consideration."

Movement will be expected in the coming days that may shape the trajectory of the Reds' focus during their remaining time in the transfer window before the door eventually slams shut on business.

Leeds United will try and reduce the fee required to sign Liverpool central defender Nat Phillips this summer, transfer insider Dean Jones told FootballFanCast.

The 26-year-old played only 232 minutes last campaign for the Merseyside outfit.

Is Nat Phillips signing for Leeds United?

According to a report from the Athletic, Leeds are interested in bringing Phillips to Elland Road ahead of the club's first season back in the Championship after a three-year top-flight spell.

The Whites have recently appointed former Norwich City and Borussia Mönchengladbach manager Daniel Farke, who held an interest in signing the former Bolton Wanderers youth player during his time managing the Canaries.

The report states that Liverpool are hoping to get a fee in the region of £10m for the defender who gained cult hero status among the terraces of Anfield following his performances throughout the side's tumultuous 2020/21 campaign.

The West Yorkshire side are in the market for a defender this summer amidst rumours that both Robin Koch and Diego Llorente are set to depart for Eintracht Frankfurt and Roma respectively following the club's relegation.

Leeds are set to face competition from Dutch Champions Feyenoord for the Englishman's signature however, and the Eredivisie side could have the advantage due to being able to offer Champions League football.

According to Jones, whilst the club are interested in the centre-back, they may try and knock the price down from £10m.

What did Jones say about the potential deal?

Speaking to FootballFanCast, Jones stated that whilst Phillips is a "decent" Championship-level signing, that may be his ceiling.

Jones said: "Nat Phillips is a decent signing for the Championship. That might be the ceiling of it, I'll be honest. I mean, we don't really know what levels he can reach here, there's not much evidence to make a judgment call on that. I think Nat Phillips will be cheap, about around 10 million pounds. I would still expect that Leeds would to try to knock that price down even if they wish to try and do a deal with it, see if there was any interest."

Would Nat Phillips be a smart signing for Leeds United?

Phillips has all the potential to be a really smart pickup by Leeds.

The defender has enjoyed a spell in the Championship before, spending the second half of the 2021/22 season on loan with eventual promotion-getters Bournemouth, making 17 appearances and recording a Whoscored average rating of 7.01, suggesting that the central defender can more than hold his own at this level of football.

The 26-year-old has received plenty of praise throughout his time at Liverpool despite his limited number of appearances, with manager Jurgen Klopp calling the player "unbelievable" and stating that his development as a player has been "absolutely insane".

This might finally be the summer where Phillips gets his move, with the Reds having previously blocked the exit path multiple times due to defensive injuries, curtailing potential moves to the likes of Bournemouth, Southampton, Galatasaray and Benfica.

Should Leeds manage to beat out the competition to sign the Liverpool man, they could have the perfect, ready-made Koch replacement as they try to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Liverpool are reportedly closing on their second signing of the 2023 summer transfer window as negotiations with OGC Nice's Khephren Thuram continue.

What's the latest on Khephren Thuram to Liverpool?

That's following an update from transfer insider Rudy Galetti, who claims that the respective outfits are in active discussions over the transfer of the burgeoning France international.

He said on Twitter: "Talks between Liverpool and OGCNice for Khephren Thuram are progressing. The 2 clubs are working to reach an agreement for around €40/45m (£34/39m).

"No issues on personal terms."

Liverpool have already signed World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister this summer for £35m, but will hope to bolster the midfield further after James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's contractual conclusions.

How would Khephren Thuram perform at Liverpool?

Although Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in seven years after finishing fifth in the Premier League, there is reason for optimism given the moves being made on the market.

And with a late-season purple patch underscoring the lofty heights this outfit can return to – Liverpool won seven matches in succession before a succession of draws closed the play – the ambitious stratagems of the Reds' German manager could yet be realised once again.

Thuram would bring energy and exuberance to the Liverpool fold, evidenced by his relentless driving runs – as per FBref, the 22-year-old ranks among the top 6% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries and the top 9% for successful take-ons per 90.

Described as a "monster" by Sam McGuire, the £14k-per-week star could bring the best out of Darwin Núñez, who has endured an indifferent maiden year on English shores after joining Liverpool from Benfica for a club-record £85m transfer.

As evidenced by FBref, the £140k-per-week menace ranks among the top 1% of forwards for total shots and xG per 90 – with the latter metric meaning Nunez has squandered a higher rate of goalscoring opportunities than any other striker in Europe over the past year.

The Uruguayan did still plunder 15 goals across all competitions from just 26 starting displays, also ranking among the top 6% for progressive carries and the top 2% for touches in the attacking box per 90, and Thuram's involvement behind him could finally unlock a prodigious talent.

Indeed, the Nice ace is a "dangerous" midfielder – as praised by Aaron Ramsey – and could utilise his prowess as a central vehicle, pushing through the thirds, to provide Nunez with the support that he needs to flourish – Thuram also assisted eight goals last season.

Liverpool are 'progressing' with a deal, and must now ensure that they do not cede the chance to sign such a vibrant talent, it could just finally ignite the full scale of Nunez's capabilities.

Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be assessing Juventus defender Gleison Bremer's availability as they mull over swooping for the Brazilian this summer.

What's the latest on Gleison Bremer to Tottenham?

According to The Telegraph, Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou seeks to fortify the backline after the outfit's poor season, largely due to defensive disarray – and Bremer could be the perfect new addition.

Believed to cost around €60m (£51m) to prise him away from the Old Lady, Tottenham will have to compete against Premier League rivals Manchester United to secure the 6 foot 2 ace's signature.

The 26-year-old is an untested commodity on English soil but has been impressive in Serie A over the past several seasons, and could be a good signing as the north London club look to rebuild after falling by the wayside this year.

How good is Gleison Bremer?

Having shipped 63 goals in the Premier League this past season and consigned themselves to a first campaign without European football since 2009/10 after languidly falling to an eighth-placed finish, Tottenham's requirement for defensive reinforcements is paramount.

And signing a dynamic and robust option in Bremer, who has been praised as a "high-level" gem by Brazil boss Tite, could be a fantastic way to rekindle the verve that has evaporated this year, with the former Torino ace playing 43 times across all competitions in 2022/23, scoring five goals.

As per FBref, the £153k-per-week titan ranks among the top 13% of centre-backs for pass completion, the top 8% for goals, the top 5% for touches in the attacking box, the top 12% for blocks and the top 19% for aerials won per 90, which has led the statistics-led site to draw comparisons to Liverpool's star central defender Virgil van Dijk, who Bremer could emulate with the Lilywhites.

Van Dijk signed for Liverpool from Southampton for £75m in late December 2018, and has since been instrumental in the club's illustrious success over the past several years, notably winning the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

He has been hailed for his distinctive set of skills by the iconic Ronaldinho, who said of the Dutchman: "[You] play with elegance and command the defence like a maestro."

And given that the £220k-per-week phenom ranks among the top 18% of positional peers for goals, the top 4% for passes attempted, the top 1% for touches in the attacking box and the top 8% for aerials won, Bremer could sculpt his game to the distinguished 31-year-old's mould.

Described as an "animal" of a defender by Torino’s Mergim Vojvod, Bremer would bring tenacity and an imposing presence to Tottenham's defence and would likely rekindle some of their former vigour, and despite Postecoglou being unable to offer instant European endeavours, the tantalising prospect of a central role at a club seeking a renaissance could be enough to complete a transfer.

Everton could finally be set to end their striking woes this summer, by preying on one of the relegated clubs…

What's the latest on Kelechi Iheanacho to Everton?

That's according to Tribal Football, who suggest that the Toffees are one of a host of Premier League clubs seeking to rescue Kelechi Iheanacho from facing the Championship with Leicester City.

With Nottingham Forest and Burnley the other main suitors, it seems that whoever gains this coup will take a small early victory over what is set to be three relegation rivals.

Football Transfers value the £80k-per-week marksman at €16.3m (£14m), however, the Foxes' status as a second-tier club could see a further bargain earned as they seek to offload their higher earners.

Is Kelechi Iheanacho better than Dominic Calvert-Lewin?

The Nigeria international has endured a tumultuous tenure across his years in England, however, has remained a top-flight mainstay ever since his emergence at Manchester City in 2015.

Despite seemingly having been around forever, he is still just 26 and poised to enter his prime years soon. That bodes well for the Merseyside club, should they sneak him through the door early.

After all, he has remained a relatively consistent goal threat in his last three years at the King Power Stadium, notching 12 goals during the 2020/21 league campaign, then recording a further 17 goal contributions across all competitions the year following, before his five goals and five assists proved not enough to halt the relegation of his team most recently.

Although when fit Dominic Calvert-Lewin arguably boasts the perfect profile to be a Sean Dyche number nine, his injury woes have made him dreadfully unreliable across their last two relegation-threatened terms.

The England international made just 17 league appearances last season, matching his figure from the year prior. No longer can he be trusted as a sole forward to lead the line throughout a whole campaign, despite all the hype surrounding his pace, power and ability to score. Fortunately, these are assets that Iheanacho can also bring to the table.

When comparing the former Sheffield United gem with his potential new teammate, his best league goalscoring year came under Carlo Ancelotti, and even then that tally of 16 was only four shy of his potential successor's apex.

Purely being a present striker would most be regarded as an upgrade on Calvert-Lewin nowadays, and given that this transfer option has played nearly ten more league games than the 26-year-old across both of the past two years, the writing is on the wall. That is without mentioning the immense physical assets that arguably elevate Iheanacho beyond the struggling striker too.

Not to mention he would offer that finishing touch that has been lacking at Goodison Park, with Dyche's team having recorded just 34 goals most recently as they avoided the drop by two points.

They were the second-lowest scorers in the whole division that year, so to add someone who was once lauded by former Everton striker Tony Cottee for making finishing "look so easy", would be a match made in heaven.

Arsenal are reportedly eyeing PSV star Xavi Simons as Mikel Arteta sets his sights on bolstering his squad this summer.

The Spaniard is set to have a busy transfer window at the helm, working alongside Edu to make sufficient reinforcements to ensure the Gunners can continue their form as title challengers.

The latest link could be a marquee signing for the north Londoners, in a player that has cemented himself as a sensational rising star in Europe.

What’s the latest on Xavi Simons to Arsenal?

Arsenal were first linked to Eredivisie sensation Simons earlier this month, with news from the Netherlands stating the Gunners claimed interest in the youngster.

News reported this week has kept the links between the Dutchman and the Emirates alive, with Dutch outlet Voetbal Primeur – as relayed by Sport Witness – suggesting that Arsenal have been joined in their pursuit of the 20-year-old.

CIES Football Observatory has valued the La Masia graduate at €60m (£51m).

What could Xavi Simons offer to Arsenal?

This past season was an overwhelming success for the Amsterdam-born gem, who registered 34 goal contributions in a total of 48 appearances in all competitions for PSV (via Transfermarkt).

The versatile attacker, who has featured across the frontline but primarily as a central midfielder and left-winger, has skills in abundance that could suit those at the Emirates.

Lauded as “magnificent” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the 20-year-old is as creative as he is threatening in front of goal, registering an average of 1.7 key passes per game in the Eredivisie, as well as creating 11 big chances.

While his eight assists and 19 league goals are extremely pleasing in themselves, the Dutchman is mostly identifiable for his playmaking abilities, with him praised as being an “intelligent” asset by U23 scout Antonio Mango.

Arsenal have seen a host of playmaking geniuses in their time; from Dennis Bergkamp to Cesc Fabregas, north London has witnessed some magic in central midfield over the years, with one name prominently astounding in the Emirates era.

Mesut Ozil was integral to the Gunners for the majority of his time in the Premier League, and particularly shone in the 2015/16 campaign that saw Arsenal finish second.

Hailed as a “genius” by former manager and Premier League legend Arsene Wenger (via beIN SPORTS), the German recorded 19 assists that season, averaging a monstrous 4.2 key passes per game, via WhoScored.

Ozil ended his time in England having recorded 59 Premier League assists in 184 appearances (via Transfermarkt), with his creative mastery forever ingrained in the club’s folklore.

Arteta could discover his answer to the former midfielder in Simons, who at just 20 years old, is showing signs that he could emulate the playmaking efficiency of the Gelsenkirchen-born gem in north London.

As per FBref, the Dutchman averaged 2.31 passes into the final third per 90 in the Eredivisie this season, as well as recording 4.82 progressive passes per 90 to flex his ability of dispatching the ball into threatening spaces.

Acting as a key creator for PSV, Simons could reinstall an essence of Ozil to the Emirates this summer, as a player that could even succeed the German's influence based upon his impeccable strengths in front of goal – which surpass those of the World Cup winner.

In his best-scoring season, the former Real Madrid ace netted eight goals in the league for Arsenal, with Simons scoring 19 in Eredivisie this term aged 20, showcasing the talent Arteta could have in his possession.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly ‘intensified’ their contacts over a potential summer move for AS Roma defender Roger Ibanez.

What’s the latest Tottenham transfer news?

Spurs officials appear to be hard at work in the transfer window after finally bringing their managerial search to an end by appointing Ange Postecoglou last week.

Reports have suggested that personal terms with Brentford goalkeeper David Raya have been agreed, however, the two clubs still need to shake hands on a transfer fee.

Elsewhere, English trio James Maddison, Harry Maguire and Jadon Sancho have also been linked with a move to north London. However, it does look as if Tottenham chiefs are also looking abroad when it comes to potential additions, with Ibanez another target.

Recent reports from Italy suggested that Spurs have been handed a boost in their attempts to sign Ibanez, with Roma lowering their asking price, and it looks as if Tottenham could soon make their move.

Sport Witness relayed an update from Italian website Roma Giallorossa on Monday regarding Spurs and Ibanez. They claimed that Tottenham have ‘intensified’ their contacts in the ‘last few hours’, saying that an official offer ‘within a few days’ is now a possibility.

Postecoglou is thought to be an admirer of the defender, and a bid from Spurs in the region of €25m and €30m could be enough to sign him.

Who is Roger Ibanez?

Ibanez is primarily a centre-back but can also play as a right-back or even as a holding midfielder, so could provide plenty of versatility to Postecoglou’s squad, should a move get over the line.

The 24-year-old appears to be at the peak of his powers with a career-high €30m Transfermarkt valuation and has won senior two caps for Brazil.

In total, Ibanez has made 149 senior appearances for Roma, contributing to 11 goals. As per WhoScored, the defender was Roma’s fourth-best player during the 2022/23 season, as per WhoScored, outperforming Spurs defenders Cristian Romero, Eric Dier, Ben Davies, Clement Lenglet and Davison Sanchez.

Therefore, with Spurs conceding the most Premier League goals last season in the top 14 sides (63), you could argue that a new defender is needed. Someone like Ibanez, who is seemingly at the top of his game and has been lauded as "untouchable" by former Spurs head coach Jose Mourinho, could be a shrewd addition, and with Postecoglou a fan, it appears as if a transfer is one to watch.

West Ham can look to next season with huge excitement and optimism. Their first major trophy in 43 years secured Europa League football and makes them a compelling option for any footballer looking to challenge themselves at a higher level.

After their £166m outlay last summer, David Moyes has demonstrated he isn’t afraid to be active in the transfer market, and the club is set for a busy summer.

One player who has been linked to joining the Hammers at this fruitful time is Brennan Johnson, who has been one of Nottingham Forest’s most consistent and productive players since their promotion back to the Premier League.

What’s the latest on Brennan Johnson to West Ham?

According to the Daily Mail, the 22-year-old is set to be the subject of an intense transfer battle between Everton and West Ham.

This outlet details that the Welshman is valued at £40m due to his massive effort to keep his side away from relegation.

However, with the added attractive option of European football, the East London outfit may have the edge to secure this talent.

How would Brennan Johnson fit in at West Ham?

The tricky attacker has been an indispensable component of a Reds side that gained promotion and kept their Premier League status.

In the 2021/22 campaign, the forward recorded 25 contributions in 46 appearances in the second tier and followed this up with 11 goal involvements in his debut season at the top level of English football.

Johnson appeared in every single domestic game and his manager Steve Cooper is a massive fan, saying: “He’s a fantastic player, we know he’s got qualities and is a great finisher.”

One of his most impressive attributes is his chameleonic ability to play across the frontline and his potential link-up with the dazzling Lucas Paqueta is a mouth-watering prospect.

The dazzling Brazilian ranks within the best 7% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for progressive passes per 90, and has averaged the second-most dribbles per game (1.2) in the West Ham squad.

Described as “simply sensational” by CBS’ James Benge, the former Lyon star’s impudent vision, skill, and passing, coupled with Johnson’s endless running and commendable athleticism could be a devastating method of attack next term.

The way Paqueta expertly slipped in Jarrod Bowen to win the final last night is a teaser of how Johnson can benefit from his creativity.

The 18-cap international was born in Nottingham and has been in the youth ranks at Forest since 2009 – to tempt Johnson to leave his boyhood club will take a humongous proposal.

The £30k-per-week man’s current deal expires in 2026, so it would certainly be an audacious swoop for the high-flying Hammers.