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Liverpool were expected to sign "three midfielders" in the summer transfer window, but the position Trent Alexander-Arnold ultimately ends up playing in preseason could change that plan to be "two midfielders and a fullback", believes transfer insider Dean Jones.

Liverpool transfer news – who is linked to Liverpool?

The big transfer news for Liverpool this week has been the developments around Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai.

The Athletic have reported that the club have met with the 22-year-old's representatives to discuss personal terms with a view to the player making a permeant move to Merseyside this summer, with things being stepped up.

A bit closer to home now, and the Reds have also been heavily linked with a move for Southampton's exciting young midfielder, Romeo Lavia, with the transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reporting that Liverpool have 'opened talks' with the South coast club.

The 19-time league winners have already completed one midfield signing this summer, Argentinian international Alexis Mac Allister, who the club signed from Brighton & Hove Albion earlier this month for an estimated initial fee of £35m.

What has Dean Jones said about Liverpool's transfer window?

Jones made a point of assessing Liverpool's current players before making too many guesses as to who they might pursue in the summer and what positions they might focus on.

Speaking to Football Fancast, he said: "I think we should also consider what Liverpool have already to work with, and the use of Trent next season. I mean, I'm intrigued to know what actually we see from Trent. Once we get into preseason and where he's lining up.

Interestingly, he believes that the position Jurgen Klopp decides to play Trent in will have a huge impact on the club's overall transfer vision, adding: "Like we've been expecting three midfielders to be signed, really, over the course of this summer, but it could be two midfielders and a fullback that that turns into."

How good was Trent Alexander Arnold last year?

It was a mixed year for Trent, to say the least. While he still excelled in certain metrics and was often a joy to watch, he was also frequently caught out in the defensive side of the game.

Andy Jones of the Athletic pinpointed his display against Crystal Palace earlier this year as the perfect 'microcosm' in which fans could see his brilliant best and ever-increasing frailties, all in one game.

Klopp has recognised the growing criticism of his superstar right-back in recent seasons but defended him, arguing that some of the mistakes are due to a lack of rest, saying after the Palace game, "Trent plays all the games."

That said, at his best, very few, if any, can do what the Liverpool born-gem can do.

According to FBref, who compare players in a similar position across Europe's top five leagues, Trent sits in the top 1% for expected assists, the top 2% of attempted passes and progressive passes, the top 4% for shot-creating actions and the top 8% for assists.

Those are the kind of underlying numbers that Klopp was referencing when he called the dynamic fullback a "world class talent" just a couple of years ago.

Whether Liverpool decides to persist with Trent in the backline or slowly move him into a midfield role, he will still be considered one of the game's best players if he can maintain the level of performance we have seen from him so many times before.

Newcastle United are now actively pursuing a move for Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson, who will be allowed to leave for around £35m this summer, according to a report from The Evening Standard.

What's the latest Newcastle transfer news?

There have been reports that Matt Targett could be allowed to leave Newcastle this summer should a suitable offer be made, and Eddie Howe is starting to look at new options at left-back, including AC Milan's Theo Hernandez.

The Magpies are reportedly keeping tabs on the France international, however, they are yet to formalise their interest with an official offer and are still considering other potential targets.

Chelsea's Marc Cucurella is said to be on sporting director Dan Ashworth's list of targets, while Arsenal's Kieran Tierney remains of interest, and the Scottish left-back could cost around £30m with the Gunners planning a major revamp this summer.

According to a report from The Evening Standard, Newcastle are also actively pursuing a move for Robinson, but there could be stiff competition for his signature, as both Manchester City and AC Milan have expressed an interest.

Fulham are willing to sell the defender for £35m this summer, as he is unwilling to put pen to paper on a new contract, with his current deal set to expire at the end of next season.

Is Antonee Robinson leaving Fulham?

At this stage, it seems like a foregone conclusion the 25-year-old will leave Fulham this summer, given that it is the Cottagers' last chance to cash in, and there is every indication that he could be an excellent addition to Howe's squad.

Journalist Alexandre Gangue-Ruzic hailed the American as "electric" during his time competing at the World Cup, and his pace is one of his best qualities, at one stage ranking as the sixth-fastest defender in the Premier League last season.

Not only that, the 25-year-old is also very competent defensively, with an average of 1.54 interceptions per 90 ranking him in the 90th percentile for interceptions over the past year, when compared to his positional peers.

That said, £35m is a lot of money for a player who has just one year remaining on his contract, and Tierney is available for £5m less, so Howe should look to negotiate a lower fee with Fulham.

If the Cottagers are unwilling to budge on their valuation, Newcastle are better off pursuing other targets, who have experience playing in the Champions League.

A big update has emerged on Arsenal and their efforts to lure Chelsea centre-forward Kai Havertz to The Emirates ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

What's the latest on Kai Havertz to Arsenal?

According to the Daily Mail, the Gunners have made a second offer to sign the German international after they had a £50m proposal turned down by their London rivals.

The report claims that Mikel Arteta's side have submitted a £60m bid, with a guaranteed £55m, in the hope of convincing the Blues to part ways with the talented attacker.

It states that they have the contract ready for the 24-year-old marksman as they are prepared to offer him at least £210k-per-week to make the switch across the city.

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano followed up on this story by tweeting: "Understand deal could be done around £65m fee. Talks to follow. Havertz has been clear: he wants Arsenal move."

The reporter then added that a five-year deal is actually "already agreed" with the player and that the Gunners are hoping to strike an agreement with Chelsea this week.

Where would Havertz fit in at Arsenal?

The German maestro is far from a prolific number nine who will come in and lead the team to the Premier League title in the same way that Erling Halaand did for Manchester City.

However, Havertz could provide value to Arteta's side in a false nine role as Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have shown that they have the quality to carry the goalscoring burden from out wide – they managed 29 top-flight goals combined last term.

He could be a Dennis Bergkamp-esque player for Arsenal in the sense that the 24-year-old magician could feature as more of a second-striker, with the Dutch legend having scored 118 goals and assisted 95 in 416 matches for the club.

In 2021, former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel compared the left-footed whiz to the former Arsenal star:

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

Havertz has only scored 32 goals in 139 games for Chelsea but has showcased his ability to help the team in other, less direct, ways.

Over the last 365 days, the mercurial ace ranks in the top 9% or higher of players in his position in the Men's Big Five Leagues and European competitions for passes attempted, pass success rate, and progressive passes per 90.

This shows that Havertz excels at progressing the ball up the pitch and is actively involved in matches even when he is not on the scoresheet, which means that the £65m-rated marksman could thrive with two goalscoring wingers on either side of him in Arteta's system, as they would be able to provide direct running and goals to complement his playmaking.

Newcastle United have been linked with a move for Leicester City's most coveted asset James Maddison for over one year now, and could craft a devastating midfield duo by securing his signature.

What's the latest on James Maddison to Newcastle?

That's according to a recent report from the Telegraph, claiming that with Newcastle 'close' to signing Inter Milan maestro Nicolo Barella, the signing of the England international is concurrently being explored as the Toon 'edge closer' to an agreement over a fee.

Leicester, who were relegated from the Premier League this year, are demanding £60m to facilitate the departure of the playmaker, but Newcastle and further suitors are not willing to meet such an exorbitant valuation.

The 26-year-old does only have one year left on his current deal, and as the window rages on and the Foxes are forced to allow their asking price to depreciate, the Magpies could complete their midfield with a first-rate acquisition.

Should Newcastle sign James Maddison?

With divisional rivals Tottenham Hotspur also holding a vested interest in the Leicester ace, Newcastle will need to ensure they act swiftly to tie up a deal this summer, though manager Eddie Howe boasts the allure of Champions League football and the prospect of cementing a starting berth in one of Europe's most affluent outfits.

Quite simply, there are scant few players who would overtly turn their noses at a move to St. James's Park following the lucrative PIF takeover in 2021, with the formerly relegation-threatened team now a cohesive squad with an exciting vision and a winning mentality.

Maddison would enrich this ambitious team, despite suffering the drop, he is one of the few City players to emerge relatively unscathed, having scored ten goals and supplied nine assists from just 28 starting top-flight appearances.

Hailed as "world-class" by England manager Gareth Southgate, the £110k-per-week gem would certainly add something new to the industrious Magpies midfield, deployed closer to the offensive third than his positional peers on Tyneside.

Joe Willock and Joelinton thrive astride Bruno Guimaraes, the kernel of the system and a superlative and dynamic deep-lying option, and while both are excellent ball carriers with goals and assists in their lockers, neither possess the prolific brilliance of the multi-faceted Maddison.

And considering the two-cap maestro ranks among the top 15% of attacking midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive passes, the top 13% for shot-creating actions and the top 17% for tackles per 90, as per FBref, his dynamism in both creativity and tenacity underscores just how much value he could be to Howe as he seeks out silverware and sustained European campaigns.

And if the Toon are successful in their bid to sign Barella too, a remarkable new partnership could be born, with the Italian star, who is more of an orchestrator than a No. 10, earning acclaim for his ability to take his outfit into "different gear" – as praised by presenter Jack Collins – after pulling the strings on countless occasions.

The 26-year-old Serie A machine ranks among the top 19% of midfielders for progressive passes, the top 11% for progressive carries and the top 8% for progressive passes received per 90, meaning he flourishes both spraying passes from deep and gallivanting forwards to wreak havoc from a frontal position.

The versatility in transition from both the "magician" – as heralded by Statman Dave – that is Maddison and the "genius" – as described by editor Mike Piellucci – of Barella could whip up a brilliant blend of abilities, two shining stars attacking from alternating angles like light refracting against glass.

Howe simply must attempt to sign both players this summer, consolidating his club's newfound power and crafting a midfield capable of rivalling any across the continent in both quality and determination.

Glasgow Rangers are keen to sign defender Auston Trusty as Michael Beale looks to continue his recruitment drive at the Ibrox side.

What’s the latest on Auston Trusty to Rangers?

According to The Athletic, Rangers are still interested in signing Arsenal centre-back Trusty this summer, having first been linked with him at the start of May.

A fee of around £2m was suggested last month as being enough to tempt him away from the Premier League, and this is a figure that Beale could certainly afford, especially with the Gers looking to move on some deadwood over the coming weeks.

Beale is looking at making his fifth signing of the summer, with Dujon Sterling, Kieran Dowell, Jack Butland and Sam Lammers all arriving in Glasgow since the end of 2022/23.

Could Auston Trusty replace Ben Davies at Rangers?

With the need for a total rejigging of the playing squad this summer, Beale will have to offload some players in order to raise funds for future purchases, and Ben Davies – who was only signed in 2022 – could be someone that might generate a solid transfer fee.

Stoke City are keeping tabs on the centre-back, and although he played more during the second half of the season, as per Sofascore, he only ranked 14th in the squad for overall rating (6.94/10), 16th for tackles per game (0.9) and seventh for interceptions per game (0.8), suggesting that he hasn’t exactly shone across these defensive metrics in relation to his teammates.

Kenny Miller even dubbed him as “very poor” following a mistake during an Old Firm clash back in April, when he failed to clear a simple ball over the top and Trusty may be the man to come in and replace him.

Meanwhile, Trusty enjoyed a solid season out on loan at Birmingham City in 2022/23, ranking third in the squad for rating (6.97/10), second for tackles per game (2.3) and first for interceptions per game (1.5), underlining his importance to the team while also averaging better numbers than Davies across these metrics.

The £13.8k-per-week brute is only 24 years old and has arguably yet to his peak years, which suggests that Beale could get the best out of the American should he make a move to Glasgow in the coming weeks. Having won the fans’ Player of the Year Award for his performances at St Andrew's, it indicates that he is able to settle in well at a club and takes no time in showcasing his ability, which could be a big bonus for the 42-year-old, as a fast start is a must next term.

Trusty was dubbed “incredible” by teammate George Friend back in October while also saying that he took to the Championship “so easily” – which surely bodes well ahead of a potential move to the Premiership.

Making a move for the American could be a shrewd investment by Beale and it looks set to be bad news for Davies if his signing is announced.

Arsenal are reportedly eyeing a Ligue 1 star to bolster their attack, as Mikel Arteta prepares for a busy summer in charge at the Emirates.

While the Gunners enjoyed a high-scoring Premier League season, in a year that teased north London with their first league title since 2004, there is always room for improvement which the Spaniard could achieve in signing their latest target.

What’s the latest on Elye Wahi to Arsenal?

As reported by Foot Mercato late last month, Arsenal are interested in signing Montpellier forward Elye Wahi this summer.

The report claimed that the Gunners were in ‘pole position’ to sign the striker, who is believed to be valued around €35m (£30m).

In a recent interview with 100% Paillade, Montpellier president Laurent Nicollin revealed that Arsenal are a club that the goal machine “likes a lot”, as relayed by Get Football News France.

What could Elye Wahi offer to Arsenal?

Lauded as “powerful” by Francis de Taddeo, ex-academy director at his former club Caen, the forward could be an exciting revelation for the Gunners.

North London has enjoyed its fair share of French strikers, from Thierry Henry to Olivier Giroud, and it’s not unfamiliar for the club to have a Frenchman leading the line.

In 33 Ligue 1 appearances, the 20-year-old has contributed to a total of 24 goals, scoring 19 himself and assisting five in a memorable individual season, via FBref.

The interest sparks questions as to what his place would be in Arsenal’s side, and most importantly how this would affect Gabriel Jesus.

Arsenal’s number nine has had a strong first season in the capital, despite missing a chunk of action after undergoing knee surgery for an injury sustained at the Qatar World Cup.

Arteta was left with little option following the Brazilian’s absence, with no option but to see Eddie Nketiah lead the line, a player that had previously struggled to maintain game time.

The Englishman did a stellar job in standing in for the former Manchester City ace, notably scoring twice against Manchester United, however, the issue remained that there was no other option for Arteta to consider other than the forward with ten Premier League goals prior to this campaign.

In Wahi, Arsenal would not only gain a stronger option to contest and interchange with Jesus but a forward in himself that is capable of leading the line.

As per FBref, the striker averages 0.64 non-penalty goals per 90, placing him in the top 7% of forwards in Europe in this area which signifies the prolific nature of his game.

Arteta could replicate the success that Pep Guardiola has in being able to rely on Julian Alvarez to get among the goals in the absence of Erling Haaland, which would be a huge step in terms of Arsenal’s progression, but certainly bad news for Nketiah.

Indeed, the Argentine has capped off a wonderful first season in English football where in the process of winning the treble, found the net on 17 occasions, a great deal better than the nine-goal haul of Arsenal's back up striker.

This season may well have been all about Haaland but Alvarez certainly played a huge part in dragging City across the line.

Therefore, another striker potentially arriving in north London could mean the end of the road for the 24-year-old Nketiah, who has struggled to impose his quality during his career at Arsenal so far.

Everton are ready to look at the summer transfer window, as Sean Dyche aims to improve his squad following securing their Premier League survival.

The Toffees confirmed their top-division stay on the final day with a win over Bournemouth, while the celebrations were fuelled by relief, the club must look towards improvement during the break in issues both on and off the field.

Most recently, the Blues have been linked to a Bundesliga starlet, who could be on the move to Goodison.

What’s the latest on Tom Krauss to Everton?

As reported by Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, RB Leipzig midfielder Tom Krauss has gained interest from Everton following a successful loan spell at Schalke.

The 21-year-old also has interest from fellow German clubs Mainz and Borussia Monchengladbach, with the Toffees included as one party who could sign the youngster.

The report speculates that the defensive midfielder is expected to cost in the region of €5m-€7m (£4m-£6m) making him an affordable asset for the Blues.

What could Tom Krauss bring to Everton?

Hailed by U23 talent scout Antonio Mango as “outstanding”, the German has spent the season on loan at Schalke, which despite ending in relegation, allowed him to showcase his abilities in deep midfield.

The 21-year-old averaged a Sofascore match rating of 6.80, cementing himself as one of the club’s top ten performers this campaign.

With Everton’s reported interest comes an exciting prospect for the Blues, as there is a player with great potential in the Leipzig-born ace.

Dyche may opt to plan for the future this summer, with Everton almost replicating the disappointment of the season before, a reshuffle is expected to be made at Goodison.

Krauss could be a strong heir to Idrissa Gueye, who despite being commanding in midfield, is closer to the end of his career than his best at 33-years-old.

The two bear many similarities to their games, as reinforced through their statistics in attributes essential for a player in deep midfield.

As per FBref, Gueye averages 1.96 interceptions, 1.75 blocks and 1.19 clearances per 90 over the past year, with the German hitting similar levels with 1.29 interceptions, 1.40 blocks and 1.25 clearances per 90 in the Bundesliga.

What stands out for the 21-year-old is his rate of tackles, ranking him in the top 1% of players in his position in Europe’s top five leagues, averaging a mammoth 4.01 per 90, with Gueye scoring 3.39 in this area.

Lauded as being capable of doing “almost everything” by members of the media, the young midfielder has earned his praise, and equally mass interest from both clubs within his home country and of course the Premier League.

Dyche could ease the transition in midfield when Gueye nears the end of his career at Goodison with the energy of the young maestro, and being available at such a low cost is a bonus in what could be a truly exciting link this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur have endured a disappointing season and will need to carry out an inquest into why they have come up short in the race for Champions League football.

Underwhelming recruitment, the famous exit of Antonio Conte and the uncertainty over the future of Harry Kane has led to a hostile atmosphere around the club at the minute, with the Lilywhites being in danger of missing out on continental football entirely as they sit eighth in the Premier League table heading into the final day.

In the summer, additions will be needed to help combat their demise as they try to move forward. However, the fact the north London outfit still don't have a new manager, although Feyenoord boss Arne Slot looks to be a serious contender for the role, has soured relations between the fans and the Spurs' hierarchy.

One reported target that could help to revive their fortunes on the pitch is Villarreal defender Pau Torres, who may "welcome a new proposal from Tottenham" following Spurs' bid of £42.6m last summer that was rejected by the La Liga side.

What's the latest news involving Pau Torres and how has he faired this term?

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Paul Brown thinks that Torres would be a step up in quality from some of their current defenders after the rumours emerged.

Brown told FFC: "I think he would be an upgrade. Whether he fits with the defenders who are already there, I have my slight doubts about. I'm not sure they're a good mix of profiles, he also has quite a high escape clause and I think Spurs probably need to do business in other areas ahead of that position. On paper, he is a better defender than some of the ones they've got."

Torres has a release clause worth €50 million (£43,548,551) and there is a feeling that Villarreal would accept an offer in this region due to their culture of selling their products to recoup handsome transfer fees.

Of course, there would be questions as to who he could compete with for a starting place and Cristian Romero naturally comes to mind straight away. Comparing the two in their respective leagues, as per WhoScored, Torres edges Romero in clearances completed this term, managing an average of 4.1 to Romero's 3.6 in 2022/23.

Regarding tackle success rate, FBRef shows that Torres also holds a slight advantage, scoring 64.3% compared to Romero's slightly inferior record of 63%.

The Villarreal defender has also carried out more long ball passes than Romero per fixture, making 5.4 per game pitted against Romero's three, though the clashing styles of play between Tottenham and Villarreal will have contributed to this differential.

Of course, this is not to say that Torres is necessarily a better defender than Romero; it is just to illustrate a point that is worth bearing in mind heading into next season, especially when Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is considering factoring in a more data-based approach to transfer activity to try and maximise the output of players in N17, as per The Daily Mail.

In total, €73,077 (£63,677) per week earner Torres has made 36 appearances for Villarreal in all competitions this term, notching one goal in the process, as per Transfermarkt.

Last year, the 26-year-old earned the praise of BT Sport pundit Owen Hargreaves via quotes transcribed by United In Focus, who said: “He’s a fantastic player. I’m quite surprised he’s still at Villarreal. English teams were looking at him. I think everyone was talking about Man United and even Real Madrid, I think his potential is literally that high. He’s got a fabulous left foot, he’s great in possession. A fantastic player so I don’t think he’ll be at Villarreal very long.”

The fact Torres is left-footed may play into Spurs' hands quite nicely, offering some balance in the backline come 2023/24 as they look to get themselves back on the canvas.

Who knows, maybe Torres and Romero could form a solid partnership at the heart of the Lilywhites' defence next term. Stranger things have happened in football and it may turn into an eventuality if recent reports are to be believed.

Patrick Boyland has now shared a double injury blow for Everton before they play Crystal Palace at home in the Premier League on Thursday night.

The Lowdown: One win away

Given that Leeds United can only get to a maximum of 38 points, the Goodison Park faithful know that they are only one win away from securing their safety in the top flight for next season.

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They would probably fancy their chances more at home to the Eagles than away at Arsenal on the final day, and so Frank Lampard and his team will surely be pushing for all three points on Thursday.

The Latest: Injury news

Taking to Twitter, The Athletic journalist Boyland has now shared the latest injury news from Merseyside, with two players now set to miss out:

“Mina and Delph still out.”

The Verdict: Blow

It is certainly a blow to be without both Yerry Mina and Fabian Delph for the clash against Patrick Vieira’s side.

They are already without long-term absentees Andros Townsend and Nathan Patterson, while both Jarrad Branthwaite and Salomon Rondon are suspended after red cards in the 3-2 loss at home to Brentford.

Mina and Delph rank highly among their teammates in terms of average interceptions and blocks per game in the Premier League so far this season, and their five yellow cards further suggest that they like to get stuck in (WhoScored).

Nonetheless, the Toffees will need battlers on Thursday, and so losing them both is a blow to their chances of winning a potential dog fight.

In other news, find out which Blues star Carlo Ancelotti is now eyeing this summer here!

Tottenham Hotspur correspondent and reliable source Alasdair Gold has now shared some major in-house news for Lilywhites supporters.

The Lowdown: Paratici shake up?

Spurs transfer chief and managing director Fabio Paratici has been orchestrating a shake up behind-the-scenes since his appointment last summer.

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The Italian has already performed a scouting overhaul with Brian Carey, Tottenham’s former head of recruitment, leaving his post most recently.

This come as Paratici aims to back manager Antonio Conte this summer in an effort to appease the ex-Chelsea boss and ultimately display Spurs’ ambition for 2022/2023.

To do this, he will need all the technical assistance possible, with Gold now sharing a major update on Paratici’s plan to appoint a number two.

The Latest: Appointment in ‘final stages’…

Speaking in a football.london Q&A, the journalist claims Paratici is in the ‘final stages’ of hand-picking his assistant Spurs chief.

When quizzed on the former Juventus director’s progress, Gold explained:

“As far as I’m aware, Fabio Paratici has drawn up a shortlist of the candidates to assist him in running the football side of Tottenham and is in the final stages of appointing his number two, who is expected to be from abroad.

“Paratici had Spurs’ technical performance director Steve Hitchen to help him in the months after he joined from Juventus but he left the club in February and head of recruitment Brian Carey, who worked remotely and is believed to have been more of a chief scout figure, also left this week.”

The Verdict: Interesting summer ahead…

Depending on the name coming in, with little known in that regard, it’ll be interesting to see how the imminent appointment of a Paratici number two will help Spurs in the summer market.

Conte, according to reports, has his eye on as many as six major signings this summer as he seeks to transform Tottenham back into a Premier League force.

An extensive list of transfer targets has already been mocked up at Hotspur Way as Paratici and his incoming assistant are soon tasked to advance and finalise moves for Conte’s perfect players.

In other news: Spurs ready to make major bid for ‘world-beater’ who allegedly told friends he was keen to join…find out more here.