TEAMtalk

Championship giants Middlesbrough has been urged to do all they can to keep hold of a Tottenham midfield target before the summer transfer shuts as talk of a £20million deal gathers pace.

Spurs are revamping their squad with young talent under Ange Postecoglou, with the likes of Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Wilson Odobert brought in so far alongside the club-record addition of Dominic Solanke.

But they are not done yet in the summer window and it’s believed that a move for outstanding Boro midfielder Hayden Hackney could still be on the cards over the course of the coming week.

Postecoglou remains in the market for another player to bring into his engine room, having previously hunted Conor Gallagher along with Aston Villa star Jacob Ramsey.

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However, Hackney remains a name firmly in the frame for a switch to north London, with the 22-year-old becoming an integral part of the Middlesbrough first team since making his breakthrough in the 2022-23 season.

The highlight of his Boro career so far was scoring the winner in a 1-0 triumph over Premier League Chelsea in the Carabao Cup back in January.

Hackney’s consistent performances and clear talent also saw him earn a first call-up to the England Under-21 squad last September and he has now gone on to win five caps at that level.

Recent reports have revealed that Tottenham scouts were in attendance for Middlesbrough’s first two games of the new campaign, although Boro head of football Kieran Scott has previously stated that the club will take a firm stance when it comes to selling players this summer.

“It’s vital (keeping players). I don’t mind saying that. I can’t control what other clubs may do or may not do but, from our position, we don’t want to lose anyone,” Scott told Teesside Live back in June.

“The only chance we’re going to have of going up this season is keeping our best players. I speak to Steve [Gibson] regularly and he’s as strong and fiery on this as I’ve ever heard him in terms of us keeping our players here.”

And, despite the fact Boro did bolster their midfield with the addition of Aidan Morris this summer, former Engand midfielder Carlton Palmer has urged them against cashing in on Hackney given Tottenham’s interest.

“Tottenham have been in the stands for Middlesbrough’s opening two games running the rule over Hayden Hackney,” Palmer said.

“There’s a lot of interest in Hackney.

“He’s playing regularly for Middlesbrough, and it would be a huge blow to their chances of getting in the play-offs this season or better if they were to lose him.

“But we know how it works, they’re in that position where they have to sell players to bring in money.

“Maybe a deal will be done for Hackney and he could return to the club on loan for the rest of the season because it’s highly unlikely that he would move to Spurs and be playing regular football.”

Palmer impressed with Tottenham transfer business

Palmer has also backed the direction Tottenham and Postecoglou are going in relation to the young talent they are picking up but remains hopeful that Boro are able to keep Hackney on board, for now.

He added: “Under Postecoglou, it looks like Spurs are going down a different route, they’ve already signed Archie Gray from Leeds United, who has got a hell of a future in front of him, so it looks like they’re going for young players to build the club for the future, which I think is the right route.

“But Michael Carrick will be very, very disappointed to lose Hackney, who has already got five England Under-21 caps, he will want the window to shut and still have him at the club.

“Without a shadow of a doubt, if they lose him, Middlesbrough’s chances of doing well this season will sadly diminish, but we’ll have to wait and see if a big offer comes in.

“I believe that Middlesbrough should hold onto him, I know they have signed Aidan Morris, but they should still hang on to him, unless they get a really ridiculous offer.

“Sometimes you can’t hold a player back when an opportunity comes for him to go and play at the highest level, you just can’t do that, you’ve got to give the kid the opportunity.

“But like I said, they would have to come with a massive offer, I think they would want around £20m with a very big sell-on fee for him.

“We’ll have to wait and see where this eventually ends up, but I think Middlesbrough and Michael Carrick should keep hold of him for at least one more season.

“If they don’t get promoted, I think it will be highly likely that he will be moving on.”

All eyes will now be on the final week of the window and whether Tottenham make a concrete effort to move for Hackney or wait until next summer to give Gray and Bergvall a full season to stake their own claims for regular midfield berths first.

Former England striker Michael Owen has questioned Tottenham’s biggest piece of transfer business this summer while also recognising it was a signing they needed to make.

The north London have needed to bring in a top-class No.9 ever since Harry Kane quit for Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023, despite already having Richarlison on board.

However, it was very clear Ange Postecoglou wanted more competition centrally despite the Brazilian having an improved campaign last time out with 12 goals to his name.

Countless names were linked with a switch to Tottenham but it was Bournemouth frontman Dominic Solanke who eventually made the move when he joined in a club-record £65million deal.

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The England frontman, who bagged 19 Premier League goals last season, made his debut for the club in the 1-1 draw at Leicester in the Monday Night Football.

And, despite missing two or three strong chances to get off the mark in a Spurs shirt, he at least showed how much of a goal threat he can be with his pace and movement.

Unfortunately for Solanke he suffered a knock in that game and was forced to miss Saturday’s clash with Everton as well as potentially next weekend’s trip to Newcastle.

Solanke a costly risk for Tottenham

But when asked his thoughts on Solanke’s move from the south coast to the capital, it’s clear that Owen has mixed feelings on the big-money transfer with the fee clearly the biggest sticking point.

He told Premier League Productions: “It’s promising, it’s exciting. Last season was a very good one for him. He’s got attributes we feel that would suit Spurs.

“When I first heard Solanke to Spurs. I thought ‘yeah, I like that. I see that’, but then I heard about the fee and I thought ‘oh, that’s chunky. I thought that’s quite heavy’. I thought he might be a £30-35 million player.

“But hey, if they wanted, were desperate for him and they needed someone in that position. He is proven in the Premier League. Proven to score goals.

“He works hard off the ball. There are a lot of boxes that he is ticking. He’s not an unknown signing. A risky signing. So, I do like the signing, I just thought it was a little bit pricey.”

Pricey it might be but Solanke, despite his misses on his debut, is a perfect fit for how Postecoglou wants his team to play.

His pressing from the front compliments the high defensive line Tottenham like to employ while he also has the pace to get in behind and the ability to link play with the clever creative players Spurs have in the final third.

For him, hopefully the injury is not that serious and he gets back into action quickly and off the mark as soon as possible to prove any potential doubters wrong.

Leeds United and Tottenham are close to completing their third transfer of the summer after a medical was booked, according to a trusted source.

It’s been a difficult summer for Leeds fans to stomach, with many of their finest stars poached on the back of failing to win promotion to the Premier League.

Glen Kamara (Rennes), Georginio Rutter (Brighton) and Crysencio Summerville (West Ham) have all left for pastures new. So too has academy graduate, Archie Gray.

Tottenham snapped up the highly-rated teenager in a deal worth £40m. The move came at the same time as Joe Rodon sealing a permanent switch to Leeds following a successful loan spell last term.

But according to multiple sources, Leeds and Spurs are primed to complete a third transaction.

Journalist Paul O’Keefe led the way, revealing Spurs winger Manor Solomon is ‘on the verge of joining Leeds on loan.’

Following the return of Timo Werner (loan) and arrival of Wilson Odobert (Burnley – £25m), Solomon’s outlook for regular minutes in north London is bleak.

Spanish side Getafe lodged a bid for the Israel international, though Solomon’s preference is to remain in England.

And despite interest from at least two other English sides, the 25-year-old is set to sign with Daniel Farke’s Leeds.

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Solomon to undergo Leeds medical today

Taking to X, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reported a medical has been scheduled for today (Saturday).

“Manor Solomon set for medical tests at Leeds United on Saturday,” stated the trusted reporter. “He’s leaving Spurs after rejecting bid from Getafe as England has always been his priority. Deal at final stages with Leeds Utd.”

Solomon spent the bulk of his debut season at Spurs last term sidelined with a knee injury.

However, the attacker did impress during a loan spell with Fulham the year prior. Solomon scored four goals in 19 Premier League appearances and earned a free agent switch to Tottenham on the back of those exploits.

Solomon has primarily been used as a winger in recent years. However, he did previously play as an attacking midfielder and there has been speculation he could take the place vacated by Rutter as the No 10.

Leeds have already wrapped up a move for one winger this summer after landing Largie Ramazani from Almeria for £10m on Thursday.

With Wilfried Gnonto and Dan James still in situ and Ramazani providing another option out wide, Solomon may well be tasked with filling Rutter’s boots.

Tottenham have suffered a double blow ahead of their weekend Premier League clash with Everton after two key men were ruled out of the game in north London.

Ange Postecoglou’s men began the new season with a disappointing 1-1 draw at Leicester in a game they largely dominated but failed to take their chances.

Chief among those culprits was new £65m signing Dominic Solanke, who squandered a hat-trick of good opportunities to ensure he got off to a goalscoring start to his Tottenham career.

However, the club’s new record signing will not get the chance to make amends against the Toffees after Postecoglou ruled him out of the game.

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Solanke picked up an ankle knock at Leicester and has failed to recover in time for the visit of Sean Dyche’s side.

However, Postecoglou moved to reassure fans that the injury is not a serious one, although he remains a doubt for next weekend’s trip to Newcastle.

“Dom picked up a knock in the last game. He got through the game but it flared up the day after and he’ll miss the game tomorrow,” Postecoglou said.

“It’s an ankle injury, he copped it really early on, someone went across his ankle.

“It just depends on his recovery [when he returns], obviously we’ve got the international break, but it’s not serious.”

Postecoglou did, however, confirm that Richarlison is fit to start against his old club on Saturday after his brief cameo at the King Power Stadium.

The Brazil international had been linked with a move away from the club ahead of next week’s transfer deadline, but Solanke’s injury could see him stay put, for now anyway.

Bentancur missing but Porro passed fit

Another player who will not feature against Everton though is midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, who will miss out due to concussion protocol.

Postecoglou could opt to bring Yves Bissouma straight back into the starting XI after his suspension on Monday night or use summer signing Archie Gray in a central midfield role instead.

“Biss is available but we’ve got some options there,” Postecoglou added. “The whole idea of trying to bulk up the squad is for these situations.

“He’s available for selection. The bridge building continues.”

Gray, meanwhile, could feature in midfield as he will not be needed to replace Pedro Porro at right-back after the Spaniard was passed fit for Saturday’s game.

Porro suffered a foot injury against Leicester which eventually forced him off but he is fine to take on the Toffees.

The only other change to the Tottenham team could be on the right wing after Brennan Johnson was surprisingly preferred to Dejan Kulusevski on Monday night. The Swede is expected to return to the side after performing well in pre-season.

Spurs will also be hoping to replicate the run they had at the start of last season when, after drawing their opener at Brentford, they went on a nine-match unbeaten run to be top the league before the wheels eventually fell off against Chelsea.

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has revealed that a Tottenham transfer is still expected to go through before the window shuts on August 30, although a switch to Spain now appears unlikely.

The north London club have certainly ramped up their business lately, having struck earlier in the window initially with the additions of Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Timo Werner on loan, although Bergvall’s deal was technically signed off back in January.

After a quiet period in which the club looked to offload fringe stars to create room in Ange Postecoglou’s squad, the club made significant splashes to bring in Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth and Wilson Odobert from Burnley, with at least one of two more signings still being predicted.

However, the latest update from Romano focuses on another exit, and a somewhat surprising one at that.

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Manor Solomon is the player in question and it appears that a move looks increasingly likely for the winger before the window slams shut.

The 25-year-old missed the majority of last season with a meniscus injury, a problem that limited him to just six games in all competitions.

While he made his return to action in Tottenham‘s pre-season campaign, he was not in their squad for the opening Premier League game of the season against Leicester City.

It remains to be seen if the pacy attacker, who joined Spurs as a free agent last summer, will feature much in Postecoglou’s plans or if they are prepared to cash in on the Israel international.

But, according to Romano, Solomon has rejected a formal bid from Spanish outfit Getafe as his priority is to remain in England.

Leeds linked with Solomon swoop

That clearly opens the door for any suitors in this country and, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Solomon is on Leeds‘ transfer list as they plot further additions to Daniel Farke’s squad.

The Championship outfit having already completed a £10million deal for former Manchester United academy product Largie Ramazani following the Almeria’s relegation from La Liga last season.

The 23-year-old Belgian is seen as a replacement for Crysencio Summerville – who joined West Ham earlier this month for £25m plus add-ons.

Leeds are now trying to find a successor to Georginio Rutter, following his £40m move to Brighton and it’s been reported that Solomon, who played as a No.10 before transitioning to a wide player, could be the answer.

A loan deal remains the most likely option if the player is to head to West Yorkshire and would at least give Solomon the chance to showcase his talents again on the biggest stage in the Championship at Elland Road.

Leeds also have a cloud hanging over the future of Wilfried Gnonto, who TEAMtalk understands still remains a top target for Everton.

From Tottenham’s point of view, it certainly makes more sense to loan Solomon out rather than sell, unless Postecoglou has already come to the conclusion that the winger is not to his liking after just a small sample size.

Spurs are back in action on Saturday when they host Everton in the Premier League looking to bounce back from the disappointment of only drawing their opening outing at Leicester despite largely dominating and missing numerous guilt-edged chances.

Tottenham are reportedly preparing an offer for an Emerson Royal replacement, while Leeds United want to raid the Premier League side for a versatile attacker.

Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham have had an encouraging transfer window to date, recruiting striker Dominic Solanke, wingers Wilson Odobert and Yang Min-Hyuk, and midfielders Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray.

Conversely, they have allowed fringe players such as Oliver Skipp, Joe Rodon, Eric Dier, Ryan Sessegnon, Ivan Perisic, Tanguy Ndombele, and Royal to leave the club.

It seemed Spurs were in good shape for the 2024/25 season but a frustrating 1-1 draw against Leicester City on Monday night may lead the north London outfit to make some more additions before deadline day on August 30.

One area of the field where they may strengthen is at right-back. Although Pedro Porro is first-choice, which is partly why Royal left for AC Milan earlier this summer, having some competition may be good for the Spaniard.

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Despite not playing much last season, Postecoglou said of Emerson: “Yeah, Emi super guy, great pro again. It is one of those decisions you have to make when you are trying to change squads. Really popular amongst the group and not just because he is a great guy.

“He didn’t play a lot last year in his preferred position, but you wouldn’t know it the way he trained every day. He is the hardest worker at training and really top guy. He is a guy you would want to spend time with. A big heart, loved by all and I think it is a fantastic move for him.

“He will love Milan, it is a big club he has gone to and it is one of those things that happen in football where it is not really an aspersion on him that he is not part of this. It is just other things aligned. I think it is a win for him and it allows us to continue rebuilding the squad in the way we want.”

Tottenham ‘ready’ to pay for Vanderson

One man who they have been linked to for several weeks now is Monaco full-back Vanderson. The 23-year-old has been at the French side since signing from Gremio in 2022.

In that time, the Brazil international has racked up 85 appearances and scored six goals – and he would have had more had it not been for a number of knee injuries.

The youngster still has four years left on his current deal, so any potential suitor is unlikely to be able to procure his services on the cheap.

Now, according to L’Equipe, Tottenham ‘would be ready’ to pay £25m for the Brazilian – and that fee is likely to tempt Monaco into parting ways with him.

The report adds that while the Ligue 1 team are in no rush to sell Vanderson, the aforementioned figure is one that club president Dmitry Rybolovlev ‘rarely refuses’.

Tottenham are yet to make a concrete move for him but have registered their interest in the 5ft 8in player – who started at right-back in his side’s 1-0 win over St-Etienne last weekend.

Leeds eye talented Spurs attacker

Another man who could head out the Tottenham exit door is Manor Solomon. The winger missed the majority of last season with a meniscus injury, a problem that limited him to just six games in all competitions.

While he made his return to action in Spurs’ pre-season campaign, he was not in their squad for the Leicester game.

It remains to be seen if the 25-year-old, who joined Tottenham as a free agent last summer, will feature much in Postecoglou’s plans or if they are prepared to cash in on the Israel international.

GO DEEPER: Leeds boss Daniel Farke fumes at transfer fumbles as top target heads elsewhere

Now, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Solomon is on Leeds‘ transfer list as they plot further additions to Daniel Farke’s squad.

The Whites are closing in on the £10m signing of Almeria winger and former Manchester United academy product Largie Ramazani following the Spanish side’s relegation from La Liga last season.

The 23-year-old Belgian is seen as a replacement for Crysencio Summerville – who joined West Ham earlier this month for £25m plus add-ons.

Leeds are now trying to find a successor to Georginio Rutter, following his £40m move to Brighton. The report says former Fulham loanee Solomon has played as an attacking midfielder before but is predominantly a winger – and a loan move may be the most likely deal if an agreement can be struck.

But with Summerville no longer at the club, fellow wideman Jaidon Anthony back at Bournemouth after a season-long loan at Elland Road, and Wilfried Gnonto linked with an exit, signing ex-Shakhtar Donetsk ace Solomon may be a big coup for Farke’s team.

Stoke City have had another busy transfer window and TEAMtalk can exclusively reveal they are in talks to sign a Tottenham star before the deadline.

Potters’ boss Steven Schumacher has made signing a new centre-back his priority and sources have revealed their top target to our transfer correspondent Fraser (Fletcher) Gillan.

We can confirm that Stoke are in talks with Tottenham over defender Ashley Phillips, who will be allowed to leave the North London club on loan.

Sources say there have been ‘positive conversations held’ about the 19-year-old and the feeling is that Stoke are in a strong position to sign him before the deadline.

Spurs want Phillips to play consistent minutes this term and have been seeking a solution for him since the beginning of the summer window.

TEAMtalk understands that various clubs from England and around Europe have shown an interest in Phillips, who impressed on loan with Plymouth Argyle last term.

The England under-20 international is touted to have huge potential and Tottenham chief regard him as a player who can go to the highest levels in football.

Stoke City close in on Tottenham starlet

Ange Postecoglou is aiming to build a squad capable of lifting trophies and that means he’ll have to sacrifice some of his best talent to make way for new faces.

Tottenham have Radu Dragusin, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero in Phillips’ position and that makes it difficult for him to break into the first team.

Spurs are also considering bringing in another centre-back, with Bayer Leverkusen star Piero Hincapie heavily linked in the German press.

It is currently unclear whether Stoke are trying to negotiate for an option or obligation to buy to be inserted into Phillips’ loan deal.

However, as mentioned, Phillips is very highly regarded at Spurs and therefore a straight loan is the most likely outcome for him.

TEAMtalk sources say that the remaining days of the window will be very busy for Stoke as they seek to complete a flurry of last minute deals.

Tottenham have brought in five new signings so far this summer but Ange Postecoglou is still keen to bolster his squad further before the transfer window slams shut.

Spurs’ recruitment team have been tasked with signing young players with high potential and as previously reported, Middlesbrough starlet Hayden Hackney is on their shortlist.

GiveMeSport claims that Tottenham have sent scouts to watch Hackney in Boro’s first two Championship fixtures this season as they consider a move for him.

The 22-year-old defensive midfielder is considered to be one of the best talents in the Championship and has made 71 appearances to date for the North East club.

Nottingham Forest, Wolves and West Ham are also interested in Hackney, however, and the feeling is that he could depart the Riverside Stadium in the coming days.

Tottenham have already brought in two new midfielders in Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall this summer but reports suggest that they could submit a bid for Hackney.

Spurs are said to be ‘keeping tabs’ on his situation ahead of the transfer deadline. However, Boro boss Michael Carrick is very reluctant to allow any of his star men to leave.

It could therefore take a sizeable fee to lure Hackney away from Boro as the club aim to push for promotion this term.

Fulham send offer for Tottenham target

Tottenham are also admirers of 21-year-old Lyon attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki and he looks set to be on the move soon.

Cherki’s contract with the French giants is set to expire at the end of the season and therefore they are willing to part ways with him.

He was considered one of the most promising youngsters in Europe when he first broke onto the scene and is keen to test himself in the Premier League.

Cherki, who can play as a number 10 or as a winger on either flank, has made 141 appearances in total for Lyon, notching 17 goals and 25 assists in the process.

Reports suggest that he has been on Tottenham’s radar for some time but as per the Athletic, Fulham have leapfrogged their London rivals in the race for his signature.

It’s claimed that Marco Silva’s side have submitted a bid of £12m for Cherki, with further add-ons also included in the deal.

Crystal Palace also ‘retain an interest’ in the Frenchman but are yet to put forward an offer.

The race for Cherki is likely to go down to the wire so it will be interesting to see if Tottenham do put forward a late bid for him.

Liverpool are reportedly aiming to beat Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid in the race for Bayer Leverkusen star Piero Hincapie, having identified two players who can bolster their defence for the five years or more.

Liverpool have mainly focused on departures so far this summer, with Thiago, Joel Matip and Adrian all leaving on free transfers and the likes of Fabio Carvalho and Billy Koumetio being sold, too. The Reds have also agreed to sell Bobby Clark to Red Bull Salzburg – who are now managed by Pep Lijnders – for an initial £10million, while Joe Gomez is picking up strong interest from Chelsea and Newcastle United.

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes had hoped to make Martin Zubimendi the first new arrival of the Arne Slot era, but the Real Sociedad midfielder has instead opted to stay put.

Liverpool will continue to monitor the market in case another top No 6 becomes available for a reasonable price, though Hughes has now turned his attention to landing a new centre-back and wide player.

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Earlier on Tuesday, it emerged that Liverpool are keeping tabs on Atalanta’s former Everton winger Ademola Lookman, ahead of potentially launching an ‘audacious’ move for him.

Now, fresh reports in Spain claim that Liverpool have set their sights on Leverkusen’s Hincapie as their first-choice defensive signing.

Liverpool have kept tabs on Hincapie’s development for several months and were tipped to sign him if Xabi Alonso arrived at Anfield to succeed from Jurgen Klopp.

Alonso ultimately stayed in Germany, but Liverpool are plotting to swoop for Hincapie regardless.

Liverpool transfers: Piero Hincapie move reignites

Atletico Madrid are huge admirers of the 22-year-old, while Tottenham’s interest in him was revealed on Friday.

However, Liverpool are confident they can ‘steal’ Hincapie from under Tottenham and Atleti’s noses, in what would be a ‘top signing’ for the Anfield club.

Alonso is eager to keep the Ecuador star, viewing him as an important part of Leverkusen’s Bundesliga title defence, though the manager may not have the final say.

Liverpool feel that if they can start to put the pressure on, Leverkusen will eventually buckle and sell. Hughes believes the left-footed centre-half – who could become a long-term successor for Virgil van Dijk – will be enticed by the prospect of shining for Liverpool.

Leverkusen have previously given Hincapie a €60m (£51.1m) price tag amid interest from major clubs.

Hincapie is not the only left-sided centre-back Liverpool are monitoring, as they have re-entered the race for Sporting CP star Goncalo Inacio recently, too.

At this stage it seems Liverpool would prefer to capture Hincapie over the €45m (£38.3m)-rated Portuguese.

Hincapie and Inacio are two very highly rated young defenders though so either signing would be a great deal for Liverpool to complete.

Liverpool have once again been credited with interest in Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, too, however there are conflicting reports over that controversial move.

Arsenal have reportedly rejected a £25m bid from a Premier League side for out-of-favour striker Eddie Nketiah, with the 25-year-old now their top target.

The writing has been on the wall for quite some time for Nketiah at Arsenal. While he has made 168 appearances for the north London outfit since making his debut as an 18-year-old in 2017, just 70 of those have been in the starting XI.

Moreover, his return of 38 goals over the past seven years does not make for great reading, and with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus ahead of him in the attacking pecking order at the Gunners, now might be the time for a fresh start elsewhere.

Indeed, he was an unused sub in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Wolves in their Premier League opener at the weekend, with the attacker likely to struggle for game time in the season ahead.

For a time it looked like the former Leeds United loanee could join Bournemouth, while Crystal Palace were also linked with the forward.

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The Cherries were on the lookout for a new top marksman after seeing the prolific Dominic Solanke join Tottenham earlier this month for £65m.

However, the Dorset outfit shocked many by securing a club-record transfer of FC Porto’s Evanilson for £40.2m – which smashed their previous most expensive purchase of £28m for Jefferson Lerma in 2018.

Palace are still interested in Nketiah but a move for the 25-year-old is only likely if strikers Odsonne Edouard and Jean Philippe Mateta leave the club.

The Eagles are desperate to keep hold of the latter, in particular, especially after seeing star winger Michael Olise join Bayern Munich for £50m earlier this summer.

Forest make their Nketiah move

But, they may not get the chance to bid for Nketiah as according to The Athletic, Nottingham Forest have made the striker their top target to strengthen their attack.

The Gunners academy product – who had agreed personal terms with Marseille last month but the deal collapsed as both teams could not agree on a fee – is valued at around £30-35m.

Now, The Athletic’s David Ornstein claims that Forest have seen an opening bid worth £25m, including add-ons, rejected for Nketiah; but negotiations over a possible deal are continuing.

The one-time England international – whose contract runs until 2027 at the Emirates – is not the only forward Forest have their eyes on, however.

TEAMtalk understands they are also keeping tabs on Feyenoord star Santiago Gimenez, but the aforementioned report claims Nketiah is seen as their top target for the time being.

The Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur-linked Gimenez scored 26 goals in 41 games across all competitions for the Dutch side last season. A first bid for the 23-year-old was unsuccessful but they may return with an improved offer soon.