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West Ham United have been far better in the early stages of the current campaign compared to the 2022/23 Premier League season, with the summer transfer activity breeding sustained success once again.

Last season's Europa Conference League winners have thus qualified for this term's Europa League, finishing on an immense high after toiling for much of the domestic campaign and finishing 14th after successive top seven seasons.

Among the new recruits, David Moyes will be particularly delighted with the impact of James Ward-Prowse, whose creativity and composure has been integral in mounting an early push for European qualification.

How good has James Ward-Prowse been for West Ham?

Last season, Ward-Prowse captained Southampton to relegation from the top flight, but make no mistake, the 28-year-old was not culpable for their demise, scoring 11 goals and receiving praise for his "world-class" qualities from former manager Nathan Jones.

This season, the midfielder has already scored twice and provided six assists for the Hammers since joining for £30m in August, very much the "outstanding” component, as he has been hailed by journalist Josh Bunting.

In the Premier League alone, the £115k-per-week machine has recorded an average match rating of 7.69 – as per Sofascore – completing 91% of his passes, making 2.1 key passes, 1.4 tackles and 5.9 ball recoveries per game and winning 59% of his ground duels.

To emphasise his all-encompassing skills, he ranks among the top 7% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals and assists, the top 13% for shot-creating actions, and the top 17% for interceptions per 90, as per FBref.

While Ward-Prowse has probably been the pick of the bunch regarding the new arrivals, there has arguably been an unsung hero proving to be just as important this year, with right-back Vladimir Coufal in one of his richest veins of form since joining the Irons.

How is Vladimir Coufal playing this season?

Coufal joined the fold in east London for just over £5m in 2020, and has since cemented himself as a regular presence on the pitch for Moyes' side, hailed for his "brilliant" displays by pundit Jamie Carragher.

The 38-cap Czech Republic international is not usually the most striking of full-backs on English shores, but he conducts his business diligently and with confidence, ranking among the top 14% of positional peers for tackles, the top 20% for interceptions, the top 6% for clearances and the top 11% for aerial wins per 90.

Moreover, he works expertly in tandem with Jarrod Bowen down the right flank, offering both stability and supplementing the clinical England international, who has scored five goals from eight Premier League appearances this season.

The 31-year-old has recently unlocked his creative flair, registering an assist across his past four outings in the top flight, with two such passes providing Bowen with a goal.

But furthermore, he has averaged 2.4 tackles and 2,8 clearances per game, as per Sofascore, which highlights the defensive assurance that slots him into West Ham's system potently.

Having provided just one assist from 27 outings last year, there is clear evidence of a developing understanding down that right side, which is already proving instrumental in the pursuit of a fourth consecutive year on the continental scene.

Defensively solid, offensively improving and praised for his "incredible" start to the season by journalist Jack Elderton, Coufal really is one of the unsung heroes of this thriving Hammers squad, and his work down the right is charging the fine form that has kickstarted the current campaign.

Under Jurgen Klopp's tutelage, Liverpool has been transformed after a period of strife on Merseyside and an interminable wait for a Premier League trophy came to an end emphatically.

Since the German manager's appointment, Liverpool have cemented a position at the forefront of the domestic and European game, with the likes of Ralf Rangnick hailing the former Borussia Dortmund boss as "one of the best" managers in the world for his impact at the Anfield side.

In the times preceding Klopp's arrival, however, Liverpool boasted some pretty incredible moments since the turn of the millennia, with the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul forever remembered as one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history, while the FA Cup victory over West Ham United the following year and many years of lethal partnerships and enthralling moments etched into the club's lore.

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At the centre was Steven Gerrard, one of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history and the centrepiece of all that flowed for the Reds, having made his debut in 1998 and going on to record 710 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 186 goals and supplying 157 assists.

He enjoyed tremendous success for his beloved club and is arguably the greatest player in its history, heralded as "without doubt the greatest player I have ever played with, he has everything" by former teammate Fernando Torres.

And what a partnership that was…

How many goals did Fernando Torres score for Liverpool?

Torres was signed from Spanish side Atletico Madrid for a fee believed to be around £20m in 2007, having scored 14 goals in LaLiga the season prior.

2007/08

33 goals from 46 games

2008/09

17 goals from 38 games

2009/10

22 goals from 32 games

2010/11

9 goals from 26 games

Torres would plunder 81 goals and 20 assists from just 142 matches for Liverpool and earned praise for his "world-class" ability by Gerrard.

Despite going trophyless during his spell at Liverpool, the 110-cap Spaniard did win the 2010 World Cup while on the club's books, and his blistering performances sent the fanbase into rapture on more than a few occasions.

His time on Merseyside ended acrimoniously when he completed a then British-record £50m transfer to Premier League rivals Chelsea in January 2011, with the Reds acquiescing to his departure as the Spaniard made his desire to leave clear.

Despite the circumstances of his exit, fans will always remember the electricity of his forward play and his devastating partnership with captain Gerrard.

How good was Steven Gerrard?

Steven Gerrard. The iconic Liverpool captain who orchestrated success in the Champions League, FA Cup and more; his all-encompassing midfield displays are to this day some of the greatest the sport has seen, and his legacy will endure despite failing to bring home the Premier League trophy for his long-time team.

His composure and intellect on the pitch was second to none; his passing range was superlative and his tenacity in the tackle stifled opposing attacks with the robustness and precision of a star centre-half, while his ability to strike the ball is among the best there has been.

Gerrard and Torres developed an innate understanding and forged a truly frightening partnership on Merseyside, with Gerrard's incredible ball-playing skills often breaking the lines and latching onto a surging Torres, whose pace and power in the final third finished off many incisive moves.

Such a duo comes around once in a blue moon, and while Liverpool would struggle to repeat such a destructive weapon, at present, Klopp might have an academy talent capable of blending with prodigious midfielder Stefan Bajcetic, who broke into Liverpool's current team last season. Step forward, Jayden Danns.

Who is Jayden Danns?

Danns is a 17-year-old striker who has been making waves for Liverpool's academy outfit, having scored 15 goals and supplied two assists from just 25 outings for the U18s.

This season, he is already making further strides and has bagged five goals from the opening four games of the U18 term, hailed for his “superb” cutting edge by reporter Lewis Bower.

A versatile attacker with a natural eye for goal and electric pace, Danns may well be in the same mould as Torres, albeit with more than a fair share of work to develop into a striker capable of leading the line at the highest level.

What the precocious talent needs is a teammate to develop a dynamic partnership with, and Bajcetic, who has already been impressing in the Reds' senior set-up, might just be the dream comrade.

How good is Stefan Bajcetic?

Lauded for his "outstanding" performances in a struggling Liverpool side last year by pundit Jamie Carragher, the 18-year-old Spaniard made 19 appearances under Klopp's wing last term, scoring one goal, from his energetic role in the centre.

The 6 foot 1 starlet is nimble and agile, both relentless in his defensive duties and possessing an eye for an audacious pass, with Klopp already praising his "attitude, awareness and intelligence."

While he's not a like-for-like heir to someone such as Gerrard, he certainly boasts enough quality to cement a prominent role in Klopp's Liverpool team in the future, and his security in the centre, blended with a supreme technicality and ball-playing skill, may well be perfect for a forward such as Danns to weave into the danger area and wreak havoc.

It's early days, but with Danns off to a flyer in Liverpool's youth ranks and looking like he could sustain some clinical form in the future and Bajcetic already exuding style and tenacity in the centre, also demonstrating that he possesses a shrewd eye for goal, the teenage duo could forge a formidable partnership in the future.

Like one unforgettable Spaniard and Englishman duo before them, Liverpool's rising stars could play a big role for the Anfield side in the future, and there is a possibility that the days of Torres and Gerrard wreaking havoc in the Premier League could return, albeit in a new form.

Nottingham Forest have now been provided with an update regarding the future of Emmanuel Dennis, with the striker now making a decision about whether to stay at The City Ground.

What's the latest Nottingham Forest transfer news?

Although the Premier League's transfer window slammed shut just over a week ago, Forest could still be set to lose some members of their squad, with The Athletic recently reporting that goalkeeper Ethan Horvath could be on the move "in the coming days."

Defender Giulian Biancone is also poised to leave the club, with the Frenchman joining Olympiacos on a permanent deal after a difficult spell at The City Ground, rupturing his ACL in training last October, which has ruled him out of action ever since.

Dennis' future has been up in the air this summer, with Roy Hodgson pushing for Crystal Palace to sign the striker back in August, and there was a belief he would have been keen on a return to London, but the move did not transpire before the deadline.

As such, a move abroad is now the only option on the table for the 25-year-old, who is yet to make an appearance for the Tricky Trees this season, after having a total of 19 outings in the 2022-23 campaign.

With the transfer window still open in Turkey, a move to the Super Lig is on offer for the forward, where he has attracted the interest of a number of clubs, including Trabzonspor, although they would have to make room in their foreign quota first.

Consequently, Adana Demirspor have now swooped in to sign the out of favour attacker, and Sports Digitale journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu has now revealed an agreement has been reached on personal terms, suggesting he is keen on the move.

Not only that, but Adana Demirspor and Forest are now "close" to reaching an agreement, indicating the Nigerian could be on the move in the very near future, although it is unclear what sort of fee he is likely to command.

How many goals has Emmanuel Dennis scored for Forest?

The Abuja-born marksman was a big-money signing for the Reds, joining in a £20m deal last summer, but he has failed to hit the heights expected of him, so it is no wonder Steve Cooper has been hesitant to hand him game time this season.

After a promising 2021-22 campaign with Watford, during which he registered ten goals and six assists in 33 Premier League appearances, the centre-forward only managed to score two goals in a Forest shirt last term.

Although there was still time for Dennis to come good at the City Ground, having previously been lauded as "talented" by Claudio Ranieri, it is probably the right decision to recoup some of the money paid for him, as Cooper has some other top strikers at his disposal.

Taiwo Awoniyi has scored three Premier League goals in as many games this season, while Divock Origi, who has 22 Premier League goals to his name, arrived on a season-long loan from AC Milan on transfer deadline day.

Tottenham Hotspur spent well in the summer, as Ange Postecoglou was handed a huge pot of funds with which to usher in his revolution.

The former Celtic boss has grand plans of translating his Scottish success into the Premier League, but will first need time to get his squad on the right wavelength.

However, the early signs are looking overwhelmingly positive, with the Lilywhites going into the latest international break second in the league, having amassed ten points and remaining one of just six teams left unbeaten thus far.

Few would have predicted that start for the north London outfit given how they finished last season.

It seems that already Spurs have started to regain some of the feelgood factor that has seldom been seen since Mauricio Pochettino’s time at the club, with many hoping that the Australian tactician can even lead them to new heights.

However, there arguably remained one flaw throughout his short reign, which was admittedly one largely out of his control.

The departure of Harry Kane saw one of their greatest-ever players leave, and although the £100m fee recouped marked a hefty sum for someone of his age, the lack of reinvestment in a central striker turned heads.

Harry Kane's Premier League seasons	Goals	Assists
2022/23 season	30	3
2021/22 season	17	9
2020/21 season	23	14
2019/20 season	18	2
2018/19 season	17	4

All stats via Transfermarkt

Their fine start may well have papered over the cracks, but eventually, they could come to rue such a huge decision.

Why did Harry Kane leave Spurs?

Although the eventual sale of the England captain came mid-way through August, it was a deal that had been threatening to occur throughout the window, as the Bavarian giants saw three bids rejected before getting their man.

It was hardly a pursuit that Kane was seeking to force, and upon sealing the move, he spoke openly about the experience: “It was obviously a busy couple of days, a busy week. This is my first transfer that have been involved in, it was an up-and-down experience for sure, but I am happy to be here.”

To explain why he might have traded north London for the German champions, the answer would surely come in the form of the two clubs’ respective trophy cabinets, given the north London side has not won a trophy since 2008, whilst Bayern have won the last 11 Bundesliga titles in a row among other honours.

The 30-year-old striker later noted: “Ultimately, I want to be playing at the highest level, I want it to be playing in the Champions League, I want to be fighting for titles every year.

"Coming to Bayern Munich, one of the biggest clubs in the world, gives me that opportunity, so I'm looking forward to that challenge.”

Few could argue that he did not deserve such an opportunity, given he had already become Spurs’ all-time record scorer as well as England’s at international level. Had he stayed in England, it was expected he would have shattered Alan Shearer’s Premier League record too.

Who will replace Harry Kane at Spurs?

It will take a monumental effort to offset his talent, with Heung-min Son already doing his best by hitting a hat trick last weekend.

He will be aided by their big-money deadline day signing too, as Brennan Johnson promises to add goals to that right flank following his £47.5m switch from Nottingham Forest.

The Wales international scored eight and assisted three in the league alone last term, with these figures sure to improve as he upgrades teams and becomes more accustomed to the demands of this level.

Journalist Tim Spiers offered a myriad of reasons for the expected success of the 22-year-old, writing for The Athletic: “His pace can absolutely terrify defenders, who even now still don’t quite seem sure how to deal with it.

"That works for him in a number of ways: getting behind the last defender; attacking a full-back down the wing to deliver low crosses; playing one-twos and leaving a defender for dead. It also helps with his poacher’s instincts — a few of his goals last season were from rebounds, where his acceleration allowed him to get to the ball first.

"There’s also pressing: he generally hasn’t been asked to do a huge amount of high pressing at Forest, but his speed and tenacity suggest that he could quite easily do that if required."

Despite this, fans will still be searching for their next homegrown hero to latch their hopes onto, so perhaps Postecoglou could give them what they want by delving into his academy and unleashing a certain Jamie Donley.

Who is Jamie Donley?

One such name that is seemingly being prepared for such an emergence is Donley, who has been silently starring for the youth sides for many years now.

Despite being just 18 years old, he has already showcased his wealth of attacking talent across numerous roles, his favoured seemingly being as a central striker, or playing just off one.

The latter position has likely helped in his ability to forge chances for his teammates, with journalist Alasdair Gold even likening him to Kane: “Jamie Donley is known as a striker really but he’s been playing in midfield.

“But also just to kind of round out his game because he’s very creative he’s a bit like Harry Kane, he’s got a very nice touch on him and a through ball.”

It is no surprise that he is so highly rated given how consistently proficient he continues to be at youth level, with one goal and four assists to kickstart this current Premier League 2 campaign.

He seems poised to even surpass his tally from the U18 Premier League season from last year, where he scored five and assisted four in just six games.

Donley’s goalscoring prowess has been well-documented for many years now despite his youth, with another writer in Jack Pitt-Brooke suggesting he was the club’s top prospect whilst speaking on the View from the Lane podcast: “I think the best young player they’ve got is a lad called Jamie Donley. He was born in Northern Ireland.

“I’ve seen him play actually, and he played in that game he was good. He’s a natural footballer, lots of time on the ball, elegant, skilful. He was playing in attacking midfield but I gather he can also play up front.

“He’s very highly rated and is thought to be the best of his generation coming through at Tottenham at the moment, so he’s one to watch out for.”

Whilst it will take an almighty task to move on from the legendary finisher that Kane has grown into, Postecoglou’s shrewd recruitment will go a long way towards easing the burden. Especially if Donley plays his part and evolves into the player many seem to think he will do.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is hoping to secure defensive reinforcements before the transfer window closes next week, with Jurrien Timber expected to miss most of the campaign after injuring his ACL.

What's the latest on Eric Garcia to Arsenal?

According to Football Transfers, Arsenal are now working on a deal for Barcelona centre-back Eric Garcia following the news regarding Timber, who was signed this summer for £38m.

It is claimed that Arteta is searching for a mobile and versatile defender who can serve in a multi-functional role, and Garcia could be the man for the job.

Read the latest Arsenal transfer news HERE…

Barcelona are well-covered across the defensive third and are looking to alleviate the weight of their £1bn worth of debt, and Garcia could leave, with Xavi willing to grant a loan departure if his £99k-per-week wages are covered.

How good is Eric Garcia?

Not only could Arteta adequately replace Timber before the end of the month, but he could actually wield his own version of Premier League champions Manchester City's Ruben Dias by completing a swoop for Garcia.

The 6 foot centre-half is already well known to Arteta, who worked with the 23-year-old while serving as understudy to Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium prior to taking the reins at Arsenal.

Garcia only forged 35 displays for himself with the Citizens before joining La Blaugrana on a free transfer in June 2021, and given his ball-playing skills that draw comparisons to Dias', the Gunners' Spanish boss might be wise to push ahead with a swoop for his young compatriot.

As per FBref, Garcia ranks among the top 5% of central defenders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 1% for progressive passes and the top 3% for passes attempted and progressive carries – illustrating his passing proficiency and quality with the ball at his feet.

He is indeed akin to City's Portuguese titan, who ranks among the top 2% of positional peers for pass completion and the top 1% for passes attempted per 90, and given that Arsenal and Manchester City sit second and third in the 2023/24 Premier League ranking for passes completed (behind Chelsea, who have played a game more), he looks a custom-made fit.

Once hailed an "incredible" prospect by Guardiola, Garcia could bring dynamism and composure to bolster the north London side's backline, boasting the level of requisite technical quality to succeed within Arteta's thriving system.

Technical director Edu would do well to orchestrate a deal and secure an instant replacement for the beleaguered Timber, who has already demonstrated his versatility and quality through his ball-playing ability, ranking among the top 2% of pass completion, the top 3% for passes attempted and the top 1% for progressive passes per 90.

Given the aforementioned metrics, it certainly looks like Garcia could replicate the passing of his Dutch peer, but whether he could emulate the robustness that was seen across his first few matches before his injury remains to be seen.

But given the similarities to Dias and the way in which Arsenal play, this could be a move to ensure the Emirates outfit have a sterling opportunity to seek out silverware and continue the ascent to the very top of European football.

Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch, and a reliable journalist has revealed when confirmation of his move to the Premier League is likely to be announced.

What type of midfielder is Ryan Gravenberch?

Gravenberch is naturally a central, box-to-box midfielder and is one of the players to have been the most heavily linked with a switch to Merseyside following the earlier arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo.

The Reds initially saw an opening offer for the 21-year-old rejected due to Thomas Tuchel’s side not wanting to sell, but FSG and Jurgen Klopp remained in direct contact with their target’s agent should the stance of his club change.

Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg later claimed that the Anfield outfit, and by extension owners FSG, were ready to push to secure the services of the Netherlands youth international, and after telling the Bundesliga giants that they were preparing to submit a bid, that’s exactly what they did.

Fabrizio Romano has now confirmed that the two clubs reached an agreement worth an initial €40m with €5m in add-ons (£34m package in total), and with the deal now entering its final stages, the player was waiting to jet in and put pen to paper on the necessary paperwork.

Has Ryan Gravenberch signed for Liverpool?

Taking to X on Thursday night, Romano revealed that Liverpool have scheduled a medical for Gravenberch, who will land in England to be unveiled as a new recruit in the early stages of Friday. He wrote:

“Liverpool have booked medical tests on Friday early morning for Gravenberch as new signing is completed. Ryan, travelling to Merseyside tonight then he will sign five year deal in the next 24h. Gravenberch already spoke to Jurgen Klopp.”

How good is Ryan Gravenberch?

Whilst Gravenberch is primarily a number eight, he’s much stronger in the attacking aspect of his game having posted 69 contributions (36 goals and 33 assists) in 222 appearances since the start of his career, and he also poses a threat even when the ball doesn’t hit the back of the net.

Bayern’s 6 foot 2 colossus ranks in the 96th percentile for shot-creating actions which highlights his constant desire to create offensive opportunities for himself and his fellow teammates, with this positive attacking mindset having previously seen him dubbed a “pure talent” by football scout Jacek Kulig.

Read The Latest Liverpool Transfer News HERE…

Sponsored by Adidas, the talisman is also a versatile operator having been deployed in five different positions over the grass since the start of his career, including three roles in the centre, out wide on the left wing and even at centre-forward, so he will be a great option to have in the building should cover be needed for any unexpected injuries.

Furthermore, Gravenberch has helped to secure seven senior trophies since first bursting onto the professional scene, so for a player who knows what it takes to compete and be successful at the highest level, Amsterdam’s native could perfectly match the winning mentality of the current squad who are already at Liverpool.

Liverpool have now stepped up their interest in signing Leicester City midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, with Jurgen Klopp expected to make further additions in midfield this summer, according to a report from Anfield Watch.

What's the latest Liverpool transfer news?

The Reds are expected to make a bid for Fluminense midfielder for Andre in the coming days, with a €25m (£21.5m) move in the pipeline, but they may have to sort out the situation surrounding Thiago's future before they pursue the Brazilian.

It has been reported that the Merseysiders are now willing to sell the Spaniard for the right price, with a new contract not in the offing, owing to his poor injury record.

The same report suggests Liverpool's proposed opening bid will not be enough to sign the Fluminense star immediately, with the Brazilian club only willing to sanction a summer deal for €30m (£26m), although they would let him leave for £21.5m this winter.

Read The Latest Liverpool Transfer News HERE…

With Klopp expected to make at least one new addition to his midfield this summer, Anfield Watch has reported that Dewsbury-Hall is being considered as a potential option, having been closely monitored over the past year.

The Reds have now stepped up their interest in the Leicester ace, but it is currently unclear whether the Foxes are willing to sanction his departure, given that his £20k-per-week deal is not set to expire until 2027.

It is detailed that the Englishman is not viewed as a direct alternative to Romeo Lavia, who Liverpool also retain an interest in, but he could leapfrog the Belgian on their priority list if negotiations with Southampton continue to be tricky, with the Saints holding out for £50m.

The 24-year-old is with the agency Wasserman, who the Reds are believed to have a good relationship with, which could hand them a boost as they continue to pursue a deal.

What type of midfielder is Dewsbury-Hall?

The Shepshed-born maestro often features in a defensive midfield role, playing 78 games in that area of the pitch throughout his career so far including games at youth level – indicating he could be a viable replacement for Jordan Henderson.

Much like Henderson, the Leicester academy graduate does not offer much in the way of goal contributions, registering just two goals and two assists in the Premier League last season, but he makes up for that with his defensive capabilities.

Over the past year, the 5 foot 8 midfielder has averaged 2.15 blocks per 90, placing him in the 99th percentile compared to his positional peers, while journalist Josh Bunting has lauded him as a "fantastic talent", and a "really good ball-carrier."

The latter is evidenced by the fact he ranks in the 90th percentile for successful take-ons and the 87th percentile for progressive carries during the same time period, placing higher than Henderson on both of those metrics.

Leicester have no pressing need to sell Dewsbury-Hall, considering he is contracted until 2027, and they have already raised significant funds by selling James Maddison and Harvey Barnes this summer, but if he does become available, he could be a fantastic long-term Henderson replacement.

Reliable journalist Phil Hay has claimed that another Leeds United player wants to leave this summer, alongside Wilfried Gnonto and possibly Luis Sinisterra.

Who is leaving Leeds this summer?

The Whites suffered the misery of being relegated from the Premier League last season, having enjoyed three years back in the top flight. It was clear that changes in personnel were going to happen at the club, with key players not wanting to drop down a division to the Championship.

Rodrigo has already departed for Saudi Arabia, for example, while Gnonto has refused to play against Shrewsbury Town and Birmingham City as he pushes for a move away, with Sinisterra also "unavailable" on Saturday, possibly hinting at the same idea.

Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…

Another player who could easily head out of the exit door is Costa, who has almost become something of a forgotten man in recent years, being loaned out to both Valencia and Al Ittihad and hasn't featured so far this season.

With Daniel Farke looking to make his mark as manager this summer, he will want to have the right players in his squad, and it looks as though the 29-year-old, on £46,000-a-week, isn't one of them.

Will Helder Costa leave Leeds?

Taking to X, the reliable Hay claimed that Costa is another player who wants to seal a move away from Leeds before the end of the current window:

"Farke saying Helder Costa wants to leave the club so hasn't been involved over the summer. Says he had eight players on the bench because they were the only eight players he felt were properly ready."

It appears to make complete sense for Costa to move on to pastures new this summer for so many reasons, and it would ultimately benefit all parties.

For Leeds, it would allow them to potentially receive a fee for the Portuguese attacker, considering his current deal expires next summer, at which point he would be able to leave on a free transfer.

It is clear that Costa has no future at Elland Road, which has been the case for a while now under various managers, so it would also allow him to settle at an important point in his career, finding a new permanent club rather than having a nomadic time of things out on loan elsewhere as he heads into his 30s from next year.

The winger has had his moments for Leeds in the past, scoring eight goals and registering 11 assists in 71 appearances for Leeds – but now is the right time to move on, especially as Farke doesn't see him as part of his plans to take the Whites back into the Premier League.

The money potentially received for Costa could help go towards a new signing who is more tailor-made to come in and have an impact at Elland Road – potentially a younger option who can deliver end product at a consistent rate – and it looks as if it could be a busy few weeks in Yorkshire both in regards to incomings and outgoings.

West Ham United are "considered frontrunners" to sign Chelsea starlet Ian Maatsen as they also enter talks for Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez.

Who will West Ham sign?

Despite making plenty of approaches, including for Southampton star James Ward-Prowse most recently, West Ham remain the only Premier League side yet to make a single summer signing.

David Moyes and technical director Tim Steidten also saw their deal for exciting young forward Carlos Borges hijacked by Eredivisie giants Ajax this week, perhaps summing up their lack of luck this window.

However, in recent days, there have been some very promising developments at West Ham, as backed by reliable media sources like Fabrizio Romano, who says Mexico international star Alvarez has agreed to join the club.

The 25-year-old is ready to fly out for a medical if the Irons and Ajax can agree on a fee for the midfielder, which will come as music to the ears of some West Ham supporters eager for their team to do business.

The east Londoners need to make use of their £105 million financial windfall after the sale of star midfielder Declan Rice, not to mention the departure of Gianluca Scamacca to Atalanta.

Read the latest West Ham transfer news HERE…

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino recently professed his desire for another West Ham target, left-back Maatsen, to stay at Chelsea as they open contract talks – but there is still a real danger of him leaving as clubs circle.

This, of course, includes West Ham – who are "considered frontrunners" to sign the former Burnley loanee. That's according to the Evening Standard, with reliable journalist Nizaar Kinsella sharing what he's heard on the Maatsen's possible switch to the London Stadium.

Kinsella wrote:

"Maatsen told Standard Sport in the US that he wants to stay but is also understood to want assurances over his development plan at Chelsea before putting pen to paper.

"The Netherlands Under-21s international has just one year left on his current deal and a host of clubs are looking to turn his head in the transfer market.

"West Ham are considered frontrunners amid a host of Premier League interest with Burnley joining Champions League clubs Ajax and Lens in the race for his signature."

How good is Ian Maatsen?

The 21-year-old featured 39 times for Burnley during a productive loan spell last term, finishing 22/23 as one of Vincent Kompany's best-performers by average match rating according to WhoScored.

In that time, Maatsen racked up four goals and six assists, all while making Burnley's fifth-highest rate of key passes per 90 in the final third (WhoScored).

Pochettino has called Maatsen a "clever" player and the Argentine, it's safe to say, is a huge, huge fan.

"I am so happy with him," said Pochettino.

"He is a player that can play in different positions. He has quality, he understands the game, and he is such a clever player.

"So far, he is in my plan, yes. I am so pleased with him, as I’ve said, because of his attitude, commitment and his understanding of the game."

The Dutch youngster could seriously strengthen West Ham's ranks as a highly promising player, but Pochettino's stance could well make the signing a tricky one.

Russell Domingo will have the opportunity to end speculation over his future on Monday, when he can confirm whether or not he has reapplied for his job as South Africa’s head coach

Firdose Moonda02-Jul-2017Russell Domingo will have the opportunity to end speculation over his future on Monday, when he can confirm whether or not he has reapplied for his job as South Africa’s head coach. Domingo will be presented at a press conference as he prepares South Africa for a four-Test series against England, at the end of which his current contract runs out. CSA has advertised for and interviewed candidates to fill the post but could not be drawn into revealing whether Domingo is among them. The man himself, though, can comment on the process and bring to an end months of uncertainty.Since January, when CSA announced it would advertise the national post, Domingo has been non-committal over whether he wanted to continue in the role. In February, after South Africa beat Sri Lanka, Domingo said he needed “to think about” carrying on and by the end of March, in New Zealand, he told journalists he was was waiting to find out the process CSA was following in appointing a new coach.Subsequently, CSA announced a five-man panel including two former national coaches, Gary Kirsten and Eric Simons, to recommend a candidate for the coaching job. However, as recently as three weeks ago, when South Africa crashed out of the Champions Trophy, Domingo said he had “not yet” reapplied for his job, even though the deadline was less than a week away. CSA closed applications on June 16 and held interviews last week.ESPNcricinfo can confirm that Lions’ coach Geoffrey Toyana was among those interviewed. Toyana is considered a front-runner for the post after winning four trophies in five seasons for the Lions – and his status as favourite is thought to have discouraged other applicants, Domingo included.Several sources said Domingo had initially not been interested in putting his name forward and one insider even revealed that Domingo had enquired about taking over the South African A side. However, reports in the local media suggested that Domingo had either a late change of heart or was convinced to make himself available for the main job. CSA could not comment on the matter as it remains confidential.Many familiar faces have cropped up in reports on the other candidates. Among them is former Titans coach Richard Pybus, who is currently director of cricket in the West Indies, and Phil Simmons. Paddy Upton, who was also linked to an application, has not put himself into contention.CSA’s board will meet on July 21 and will receive the committee’s recommendation on the new coach, but their decision will only be made public after the Test series ends on August 8.