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Manchester United have done what they set out to do this season by securing qualification for the 2023/24 edition of the Champions League in what has been an impressive debut campaign in charge for Erik Ten Hag.

The Dutchman has also achieved Carabao Cup glory this term. He will have the chance to bag a second piece of silverware this weekend when the Red Devils take on bitter rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.

Once the dust settles following a long season for Manchester United, their attention will turn towards sizing up potential additions in the summer transfer window.

As per 90min, Manchester United were keen on bringing Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong to Old Trafford and even made an offer to try and secure his services.

Mundo Deportivo via The Daily Express have given the Red Devils some fresh hope of reviving their interest in the Netherlands international, detailing that Barcelona may try to renegotiate De Jong's terms at Spotify Camp Nou amid rumours that the Catalan giants may have to recoup £176 million in the off-season before being able to sanction their transfer business.

Why is Frenkie De Jong so highly rated and should Manchester United pursue him?

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Dean Jones thinks that De Jong would be a sensible signing from Manchester United that would fit Ten Hag's vision at the club more than someone like Neymar, who the Red Devils have been linked with recently.

Jones told FFC: "De Jong is a better signing than Neymar for Manchester United because he fits with the ethos of what and how he's actually trying to build. If you sign Neymar, it's not fixing any of the problems that you've got and it's also changing the dynamic of the dressing room in a way that might end up being negative."

ESPN reported earlier this year that Manchester United are not completely closed off to 'reigniting their interest' in De Jong and shared quotes from manager Ten Hag praising the player, as the 53-year-old stated: "Frenkie is an incredible player and for every club in the whole world he will strengthen the squad because he has a unique quality. "If you can get him in the squad your team will be stronger. In Spain he became even better. He's a fantastic player, plays out from the back, he always has time and it was a pleasure to work with him."

In 2022/23, the 26-year-old has made 42 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona and managed to register two goals and four assists, as per Transfermarkt.

There is an argument to say that De Jong could be a perfect partner in crime for Casemiro, potentially playing in a double-pivot style system with Bruno Fernandes helping to support attacking phases of play slightly higher up in either a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 variation, which can sometimes be Ten Hag's go to, as per SPORF.

WhoScored shows that by comparing Casemiro and De Jong not to see who is better but rather looking at how they have both become consistent assets for their respective sides, you will find that they have achieved the exact same average match rating of 7.17 this term for their exploits on the pitch.

De Jong, who could cost around £63 million, ranks highly in his pass success rate, standing at 91.3%, which could bring some added composure in midfield and let Casemiro deal with winning duels. On the ground, the Brazil international who earns £350k-a-week at the Red Devils has snapped into 3.2 tackles per match across the campaign.

FBRef illustrates that De Jong is also a competent figure when it comes to providing chances to his teammates, having successfully carried out 109 shot-creating actions in La Liga in total.

Cited by Barca TV via The Manchester Evening News, Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo heaped praise on the former Ajax man in an interview, stating: "Here is the best midfielder in the world, Frenkie de Jong!"

With Manchester United known to be in the market for several additions this summer, bringing in £622k-a-week earner De Jong would be a masterstroke by Ten Hag and would potentially create a dynamite duo by fielding him beside Casemiro at Old Trafford.

Arsenal are expected to have a busy summer, after the Gunners narrowly missed out on securing their first Premier League title since 2004.

With one game remaining, it has overall been a successful campaign for Mikel Arteta’s side, who fell agonisingly short in the final months that saw Manchester City claim the title once more.

Lack of squad depth was a huge factor to Arsenal’s downfall, with the injury to William Saliba proving costly at a time when stability was essential.

Now, with the summer window approaching, it’s expected that the north Londoners will look to recruit in defence for depth to go again with big aspirations next season.

One name has been linked with a potential move to the Emirates this week, as a Bundesliga centre-back has emerged as a target.

What’s the latest on Edmond Tapsoba to Arsenal?

As reported by Fabrizio Romano earlier this week, Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Edmond Tapsoba has been monitored by scouts representing Arsenal.

The Gunners aren’t the only club in north London eyeing the 24-year-old, as Tottenham have also scouted the defender with the race remaining “absolutely open”, as per Romano.

It was reported by BILD in 2021 that Leverkusen had demanded a fee in the region of €70m (£61m).

What could Edmond Tapsoba bring to Arsenal?

Hailed as a “monster” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Tapsoba has shone for Leverkusen this season, cementing himself as a firm starter for the Bundesliga side.

The young defender has marshalled at the back, but has been praised for attributes beyond the art of defending in relation to his comfort on the ball and “very good” footballing IQ.

Described as being an “elite ball-player” by members of the media, the 24-year-old would be a perfect fit in Arteta’s plans going forward, with the Gunners in dire need for strength in quality at the back.

Despite the position of Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes looking untouchable now, it would undoubtedly benefit the squad to provide some competition for places, with no players in Arsenal’s ranks able to consistently reach the heights of the two first choices.

When you review the success of Pep Guardiola’s defence, a lot of performance has been raised in having a group of equally talented defenders rivalling each other for a shot at consistent game time.

Arteta could replicate the strict competition at the Etihad through smart recruitment, and with Tapsoba potentially in a position to be lured away from Leverkusen this summer, Arsenal would be missing a trick in not snatching him up.

The Burkina Faso international suits the Spaniard’s favoured attributes as a ball-playing centre-back, as highlighted by FBref through his numbers, averaging 5.82 progressive passes per 90, ranking him in the top 4% of centre-backs in Europe in this skill.

The Bundesliga talent actually tops Gabriel in his progressive play, and also in some defensive areas, averaging 1.71 tackles and 1.15 interceptions per 90 to the Brazilian’s average 1.29 tackles and 0.87 interceptions – as per FBref.

Inducing competition to a stable area of a squad not only enhances performance but increases depth and expands ideas on a game-to-game basis, as managers can plot their next moves dependent on the opponent, reducing predictability.

As a player expected to be in demand this summer, Arsenal should act fast in their pursuit of Tapsoba when the window opens, who could undoubtedly be a strong addition to their squad.

Leeds United have been given a green light in their pursuit of Tyler Adams…

What’s the word?

The RB Leipzig midfielder has been subject of interest from the Yorkshire giants, particularly since his former manager and fellow countryman Jesse Marsch took the reins.

Major League Soccer insider Tom Bogert believes the Whites will “try for Adams” during the off-season, whilst journalist Jacque Talbot has claimed that he would be a “great addition” at Elland Road.

Now, it appears his future with the Bundesliga side is up in the air, leaving the door open for director of football Victor Orta and his team to make their move.

German outlet Kicker (as relayed by ESPN commentator Derek Rae), reports that the USMNT international is “giving thought to a move” this summer after falling out of favour under manager Domenico Tedesco.

He could be available for around €20m (£18m).

Midfield upgrade

Interest in the 23-year-old dynamo should come as no surprise and he’d be a massive statement following the arrivals of Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen, who Marsch has also worked with before, too.

The American head coach wants to press from the front, so his attackers and midfield need the energy and defensive nous to win the ball back, something that Adams excels at.

As per FBref, he currently ranks inside the top 2% of his position peers across Europe for blocks (2.50 per 90), the top 18% for passes completed (61.82 per 90) and the top 20% for pressures (22.53 per 90).

The £26m-rated machine has even been lauded as a “special talent” by Marsch himself.

“He’s a special person, he’s a special personality, he’s a special talent and the ceiling for him is massive. Massive here in Leipzig and in the Bundesliga and beyond.”

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Players like Mateusz Klich – who was deemed “non-existent” by Sky Sports pundit Clinton Morrison – and Rodrigo – who was lambasted as “completely anonymous” by LeedsLive reporter Beren Cross – underdelivered in 2021/22, so the Whites must pounce on an opportunity like this.

Adams, who has been capped 28 times internationally and featured in the Champions League, would be an obvious and familiar upgrade for Marsch’s midfield.

Given the need for reinforcements in the heart of the pitch and the manager’s past relationship with the 5 foot 9 gem, Adams would be something of a dream signing this off-season.

AND in other news, Leeds could land their next £60m talent with Orta now in talks for “interesting” deal…

Leeds United star Raphinha will likely join Barcelona if they submit an offer of between £50m and £60m for him, sports journalist Pete O’Rourke has told GiveMeSport.

The lowdown

Sky Sports reported last week that the La Liga giants hold an interest in the 25-year-old and are expected to formalise that with an offer. A source told the outlet that the Brazilian ‘would like to join’ Barcelona as he looks to fulfil his ambitions of playing at the ‘highest level’.

Had Leeds been relegated, interested parties would then have been able to pounce on a release clause in the region of £30m in the player’s contract.

However, Raphinha scored from the penalty spot on the final day of the season as Leeds beat Brentford to secure Premier League survival.

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The latest

O’Rourke is confident that Raphinha will move to the Nou Camp, but only if Leeds receive what would be a club-record fee for an outgoing transfer.

For now, Rio Ferdinand’s £41.4m departure to Manchester United in 2002 remains the most lucrative sale in the Yorkshire club’s history.

Speaking about the Brazilian potentially swapping Elland Road for Catalunya, O’Rourke told GiveMeSport: “I think this one could happen, especially if Barcelona do meet Leeds’ asking price. If they get close to £50million or £60million, I would fully expect this deal to happen.”

The verdict

Raphinha joined Leeds in October 2020 for a fee of £17m, meaning they could be about to turn a £43m profit after just two years.

The £63,000-per-week winger has made a key contribution since he moved to Yorkshire, scoring 17 goals and providing 12 assists in 67 appearances (11 and three last season).

According to Transfermarkt, he has reached exactly 100 goals and assists in his career, netting 62 times and setting up 38 goals.

It would be a blow in a footballing sense for Leeds to lose a talent like Raphinha – who has been likened to a “storm” by team-mate Illan Meslier, who also called him “amazing” – but you could also argue that it would be good business from a financial point of view.

In other news, Leeds are ready to trigger this midfielder’s release clause

Leeds United are closing in on a deal for RB Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson after securing their Premier League status. 

The lowdown

Leeds’ 2-1 victory over Brentford on Sunday, in conjunction with Burnley’s 2-1 defeat against Newcastle United, saw the Whites avoid relegation.

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville referred to Jack Harrison’s winner at The Brentford Community Stadium as a ‘£100million goal’ given the financial rewards associated with PL football.

Manager Jesse Marsch can now begin preparing for his first transfer window at the club without the cloud of uncertainty hanging over him.

Leeds made two offers for Aaronson in January while Marcelo Bielsa was manager, the second around £20million, but Salzburg stood firm.

Marsch is more than familiar with the player too, having overseen his development at the Red Bull Arena.

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The latest

MLS and USMNT ‘insider’ Tom Bogert revealed what he’s heard from ‘sources’ on Sunday evening.

“Sources: With their Premier League survival, Leeds United are finalising a deal to acquire RB Salzburg’s USMNT attacker Brenden Aaronson. Deal around $30million (£23.8million) was previously agreed to, pending relegation. Final steps now.”

The verdict

Aaronson is an exciting addition for Leeds.

He scored six goals and provided ten assists for the Austrian champions this term, setting up a pair of goals in their Champions League Round of 16 tie against Bayern Munich.

The supremely versatile attacking midfielder, who also has plenty of experience on the left wing and has even appeared on the right flank this term, has just won his second league title, and his sixth trophy overall.

And even though he’s still only 21 years old, Aaronson has already been capped 18 times by the United States, bringing a decorated young career with experience on the top European stage to Yorkshire.

A former coach said ‘he looks like he should be in a boy band’ and is ‘a sweetheart’ but, on the pitch, ‘he’s a killer and he’s relentless’.

In other news, this Leeds star faces a lengthy injury lay-off. 

Aston Villa have been handed a boost in their hunt for a new centre-back, with Burnley defender James Tarkowski now eyed as a potential signing.

What’s the word?

That is according to the Daily Telegraph’s John Percy, who claimed that Steven Gerrard is indeed in the market for a new centre-back and that this was always the case even before Ezri Konsa’s season-ending injury.

Taking to Twitter, the journalist said: “Steven Gerrard wants to sign a new centre-back this summer (this was the plan before Ezri Konsa’s injury, which Villa hope is not as bad as first feared). Burnley’s James Tarkowski is a free agent this summer and has been discussed, but options on the position are open”

Birmingham Mail have also reported of Villa’s prospects of signing Tarkowski and relayed the interest of several other Premier League clubs who are said to be interested in securing the services of the 29-year-old.

Along with Gerrard’s side, the trio of Everton, West Ham and Leicester City are reported to have an interest in the Burnley captain.

Supporters will be buzzing

Despite finding themselves in a relegation scrap, Burnley’s defence has not been too bad at all, having conceded 51 goals in 37 games. That is the same amount as Villa and better than the likes of Manchester United, Leicester City and Newcastle United, to name a few.

Therefore, nabbing the captain and leader of a team who are defensively competent bodes well from a Villa perspective.

Having operated in an old-fashioned 4-4-2 setup under Sean Dyche for the majority of his Burnley career, Tarkowski is the sort of defender that you might expect to captain such a team.

The 29-year-old’s statistics over the past year reflect the ideology in which he has been schooled, with his match average of 1.48 tackles in the defensive third demonstrating his consistent involvement in a low-block, and his 6.39 clearances per 90 reminiscent of a centre-back from yesteryear.

It couldn’t hurt to bring in a leader with almost 200 games’ worth of Premier League experience, especially when Villa have the opportunity to sign him on a free transfer. The club’s supporters would surely be buzzing if Tarkowski were to swap one claret-and-blue outfit for another, forming an uncompromising partnership with the stylistically similar Tyrone Mings.

In other news: AVFC eye summer move for “exceptional” £50m brute, he’s their next Idrissa Gueye