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Nottingham Forest have been very active and wasted no time getting their deals done this summer with 11 new signings, and now a reliable source has revealed the next steps in the club’s transfer plans.

What’s the latest?

According to 90min journalist Graeme Bailey, Nottingham Forest could be set to sign up to 15 new players throughout this transfer window.

Speaking on the Talking Transfer Podcast, Bailey claimed:

“I’ve been told up to 15 (signings), that sounds odd but they already have 11, they want another striker, they like Emmanuel Dennis who can play up front next to Awoniyi who is his international colleague with Nigeria. They want another centre-half as well I’m told.”

It’s good news

There is no doubt that supporters will be delighted with the transfer business so far, as it is clear that Forest are doing their best to build a squad fit to compete in the Premier League next season, and now they will be even more excited by this latest update.

Forest have made a number of signings across multiple positions from striker to goal-keeper there is a new face in almost every position in the team, however, if Bailey’s comments are true then it looks like the club are still not finished strengthening their squad.

Signing 15 new players in one transfer window is relatively unheard of when a club is promoted to the Premier League, however, it shows the determination the Reds have in their pursuit to retain their top-flight status.

Morgan Gibbs-White, Levi Colwill, Emmanuel Dennis and Maxwel Cornet are just a few of the players still linked with a move to The City Ground this summer, so it would be no surprise if they did make a few more signings.

The club’s most recent signing of former Manchester United gem Jesse Lingard is a great coup for the newly-promoted side as his 165 Premier League appearances will be a valuable asset for Steve Cooper when the top flight returns in under two weeks’ time.

With that being said, signing a few more players with experience in the Premier League could be the key to building a team that can compete comfortably next season, it will be interesting to see who will be the 12th new face to join Cooper’s new look Forest.

AND in other news: Cooper plotting Forest bid for “versatile” £6.8m target, imagine him & Lingard

Glasgow Rangers are near-guaranteed to receive the full €27m (£22.9m) from the prospective sale of Calvin Bassey.

That’s according to The 4th Official, the insiders who first broke news of Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s move to Ibrox last November.

The lowdown

Rangers have agreed an initial €22m (£18.7m) fee with Ajax to sell the defender, with a further €5m (£4.2m) payable in add-ons (via Fabrizio Romano). They’ve also negotiated a 10% sell-on clause, entitling them to a portion of the proceeds from any future move away from Amsterdam.

Even the base sum alone would be enough to break Rangers’ transfer record, which is currently the £12.6m that they received from Everton in January for Nathan Patterson.

The latest

The 4th Official have claimed that the add-ons look easily attainable, barring an injury to the 22-year-old.

They tweeted: “I am being told that the €5m add on is very achievable as long as Bassey plays a minimum number of games.

“Given the current scenario, unless Bassey suffers an injury, difficult to see how Rangers don’t get this additional €5m.”

The verdict

This is significant news, because £4.2m alone is a lot of money. For instance, that would be enough to cover virtually the entirety of Rangers’ £4.59m transfer outlay so far this summer.

It will no doubt hurt the Ibrox faithful to lose Bassey, who earned some rave reviews in light of his performance in last season’s Europa League final.

Ally McCoist has called him ‘frightening’, while Jamie O’Hara has compared him to a man renowned as one of the best centre-backs in world football in Virgil van Dijk (via talkSPORT).

However, to soften the blow, Rangers can reflect on ‘terrific’ business (the words of Andrew Dickson) after generating a huge sum of money from a player that they signed on a free transfer two years ago.

Everton gem Jarrad Branthwaite is set to leave the club on loan after being omitted from the Toffees squad for their pre-season tour, claims journalist Ryan Taylor.

The Lowdown: Senior minutes

The 20-year-old made six Premier League appearances last season, adding a goal to his tally as well.

After arriving on a permanent deal from Carlisle, the defender was sent out on loan to Championship side Blackburn Rovers, where he made ten appearances in the English second division.

With just 36 total senior appearances to his name, a number of rumours have emerged linking the youngster with another loan move away as a means of pursuing more regular first-team football.

The Latest: Taylor’s news

Taylor, a journalist for the Daily Express, has shared the latest news on Branthwaite’s imminent future. Taking to Twitter, he revealed interest from former Blue Marcel Brands:

“Jarrad Branthwaite set to leave Everton on loan. Defender did not travel with rest of squad for pre-season tour of USA. Strong interest from various Championship clubs & PSV, where Marcel Brands is now operating as Director of Football.”

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The Verdict: Good experience

The young defender performed well each time he pulled on a Blues shirt in the Premier League last season. As per WhoScored, the 20-year-old averaged 3.3 clearances, 0.8 long balls and 0.7 tackles a game across the 2021/22 campaign, demonstrating a variety of abilities when given the chance to do so.

Branthwaite was previously hailed by his former manager at Carlisle, Steven Pressley, who claimed: “I think he has got everything. He can pass the ball almost equally as good with both feet. He’s a terrific footballer.

“And If he continues to develop, then, without doubt, he can be an England player.”

If Branthwaite gets the first-team experience he needs, he could be a great long-term addition to Frank Lampard’s squad.

Nottingham Forest are looking to raid Championship side Huddersfield Town, starting with left-back Harry Toffolo.

What’s the word?

That’s according to the Daily Mail, who claim that both Toffolo and Lewis O’Brien are high on Steve Cooper’s wish list.

Both were ever-present last season for the Terriers, and the Tricky Trees are interested in the pair despite knocking them out of the playoff final just two months ago.

Forest have already made three signings, and could be set to make two more in one swoop.

Way better than Colback

Jack Colback has deputised relatively well at left wing back for Cooper’s side, recording four goal contributions across 38 Championship appearances.

However, at the age of 32 and naturally declining, it would make sense to bring in a fresh marauding full-back to rejuvenate their left-hand side.

Toffolo scored six and assisted seven throughout the Championship season, impressing greatly for the playoff pushers.

He, therefore, recorded a decent 6.88 average SofaScore rating, which is made even more impressive given the £2.25m-rated ace’s remarkable 42 league appearances.

Although Colback does boast a slightly higher SofaScore rating of 6.94, again his age will most likely prevent him from progressing this rating. The sky is the limit for the 26-year-old.

Danny Cowley, his former boss, was full of praise for the defender back in early 2020. He had the following to say: “He can score goals from left-back.

“He’s rampaging. He will get on the overlap and probably create and assist more goals than he scores, but we like the fact that he’s still about defending first.”

To support Cowley’s statement is Toffolo’s defensive stats, as he averages 1 tackle, 1.9 clearances and 0.8 interceptions per 90. Whilst not spectacular, the modern full-back does often prioritise attacking, yet his defensive stats do not falter.

His offensive output certainly suits Cooper’s three-at-the-back system, as it allows the wing-backs the freedom to push forward. That was why Djed Spence succeeded and is certainly why Toffolo would if he was to make the move.

He would certainly be an upgrade on the £7.1k-per-week midfielder turned defender, who has been solid if unspectacular. The Huddersfield flyer could certainly bring the spectacular to the City Ground.

AND, in other news: “Advanced talks”: Sky Sports journo drops claim that’ll leave Forest supporters gutted.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is ‘really pushing’ to sign Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: ‘Official proposal’

The Red Devils are finally making progress in the transfer market ahead of the 52-year-old’s first season in charge at Old Trafford. United look set to sign Feyenoord left-back Tyrell Malacia and have also reached a verbal agreement with free agent Christian Eriksen.

They also appear to be getting closer to agreeing a fee with Barcelona for priority target Frenkie de Jong and have recently made an ‘official proposal’ to Martinez.

The Latest: Romano’s comments

Romano has now shed further light on the situation involving Martinez and Manchester United, claiming that the Argentine is well aware that Ten Hag ‘is really pushing’ to bring him to Old Trafford.

The Italian told GiveMeSport: “At the moment, the man who is pushing is Erik ten Hag and so this could be a factor. The player has not decided yet, but he knows that Erik ten Hag can be a factor. The player knows that Erik is really pushing to have him at Manchester United.”

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The Verdict: Get it done

Martinez was described as an “excellent player” by Ten Hag and was a regular under the Dutchman at the Johan Cruyff Arena last season prior to suffering a muscular injury in April.

He played his part in an Ajax team which conceded just 19 goals in 34 league games, whereas United had a season to forget at the back, shipping more goals than relegated Burnley.

Therefore, signing a tried and trusted defender under Ten Hag appears to be a no-brainer, especially with Martinez also able to cover at full-back and in midfield and being at the peak of his powers with a career-high £28.8m Transfermarkt valuation.

Southampton are among the clubs interested in signing Swansea City midfielder Flynn Downes, according to a report from Wales Online. 

The lowdown: Hot prospect

A product of the academy at Ipswich Town, Downes made 99 first-team outings for the League One club and spent time on loan at Luton before making the switch to Swansea in 2021.

And the 23-year-old former England youth international has impressed during the 2021/22 Championship campaign, drawing links with a move to Leeds United back in March.

Now, it appears as though a number of other Premier League suitors have emerged and the Saints are in the midst of a hotly contested race…

The latest: Saints make contact

As per Wales Online, Southampton, Wolves and Crystal Palace have all ‘shown an interest’ in signing Downes this summer.

It’s claimed that the Saints, as well as the fellow top-flight suitors, have all made ‘tentative enquiries’ regarding the six-cap England Under 20 starlet.

The report states that Swansea would expect to receive bids in the region of £11-12million for the man once branded ‘tenacious’ by writer Stuart Watson owing to a never diminishing work ethic.

The verdict: Smart move

Predominantly operating as a defensive midfielder, last term Downes scored once and provided two assists in 39 appearances across all competitions for the Welsh outfit.

Overall the Englishman earned an impressive 6.83 Sofascore rating whilst winning 4.0 duels, making 1.1 interceptions and 1.1 clearances on average per league outing, ending the season with the sixth-most passes per game in the second tier (61.7) and an outstanding 93 per cent passing accuracy – better than Saints’ talisman James Ward Prowse’s 86 per cent Premier League figure.

Also capable of playing at centre-back, in more advanced positions and in wide areas, signing Downes would be a superb piece of business from the St Mary’s hierarchy, nabbing a young player equally as comfortable in possession as he is breaking up opposition attacks.

Portuguese newspaper Record (via Sport Witness) has provided an update on the Wolverhampton Wanderers’ pursuit of Sporting CP midfielder Matheus Nunes. 

The lowdown: Hot property

A reported target for Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and a host of other elite clubs this summer, Nunes has certainly caught the eye with an astronomical path to stardom in Portugal so far.

Born in Brazil, the stylish midfielder has made 99 first-team outings for Sporting and recently became a fully-fledged Portugal international, having flourished for the Lisbon-based outfit.

Despite the eye-opening interest from across Europe, the Wanderers could now be set to win the hotly contested race to sign Nunes…

The latest: Offer ‘prepared’

As per Record, translated by SW, Wolves are now ‘prepared’ to make an offer worth €45million (£38million) plus €5million (£4million) in bonuses to make the deal happen.

It’s claimed that all parties have ‘everything forwarded’ to see a switch to Molineux come to fruition as Bruno Lage attempts to bolster the ranks and prepares for life after the highly sought-after Ruben Neves.

The report also states that the ‘process should really advance’ over the coming days as the Old Gold look to tie up a transfer for the man dubbed ‘tenacious’ by football analyst EBL, who holds a Master’s degree in Sports Performance Analysis.

The verdict: Sensational signing

Given the levels of illustrious interest, if the Wanderers can indeed beat the competition to his capture then Lage will have added a bonafide superstar in the making to the mix at the Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground.

Predominantly operating as a box-to-box midfielder, last season the eight-cap Portugal ace scored four times and provided five assists in 50 appearances, highlighting an eye for goal as well as durability that would be a welcome addition to the Molineux ranks as another long, truncated, campaign looms.

When compared to Neves in the 2021/22 campaign, Nunes, two years younger than the 25-year-old, earned a higher average rating than his compatriot (7.08 vs 6.85), completed more successful dribbles (2.5 vs 0.8) and was booked on five fewer occasions having made an identical number of league outings (WhoScored).

Already seemingly an adequate replacement for Neves, if Nunes replicates the wantaway fan favourite and continues on his career trajectory then Wolves may have landed a player with the ability to become a force on the biggest stage possible in years to come.

Tottenham Hotspur have shown no sign of slowing down after completing a deal to sign Premier League star Yves Bissouma, as news emerges on Torino’s Gleison Bremer.

The Lowdown: Spurs eye central defensive upgrade…

Looking to upgrade his options for the 2022/23 campaign, Spurs manager Antonio Conte has set sights on a marquee centre-back signing for his back three, according to reports.

Indeed, The Athletic have named club chief Fabio Paratici’s numerous targets for this role, including Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan), Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig) and Villarreal colossus Pau Torres.

Bremer is believed to be another player for whom Spurs could make a move, with the Brazilian openly admitting to media that he wants to leave Torino and play in the Champions League.

The north Londoners’ qualification for Europe’s premier club competition at the end of last season could seemingly play a major role, with SportMediaSet now sharing an update on Spurs’ pursuit of the 25-year-old.

The Latest: Tottenham push for Bremer…

According to their information, Tottenham’s ‘pressure has risen’ in the chase to sign Torino’s mainstay ‘in the last few days’.

However, the report also claimed that Serie A giants Inter Milan are ‘on pole’, with Bremer even green-lighting a potential move to the San Siro.

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The South American is apparently a man in demand and Spurs will have to contend with ‘several suitors’ in this particular transfer race.

The Verdict: Continue the battle?

Tottenham could entice Bremer with the prospect of European football and competing in one of the world’s foremost domestic leagues.

It isn’t unreasonable to believe that they could leap ahead of Inter in the race with a proper proposal, and we believe Paratici’s effort could be well worth it.

Bremer stood out as one of Serie A’s best-performing defenders over 2021/22, even making more interceptions than any other player in the Italian top flight and averaging the joint-fifth most clearances per 90 (WhoScored).

It’s hardly surprising that some members of the media have called the 25-year-old an ’emerging superstar’ (Rajath Kumar, ex-Forza Italian Football writer).

Torino president Urbano Cairo has allegedly set a price tag of around €35m (£30m), and this valuation could come as a real bargain given Bremer’s evident talents.

In other news: Tottenham eyeing ‘big’ 183-goal player move, Harry Redknapp called him ‘priceless’! Find out more here

Leeds United have initiated contact over the possible signing of Torino defender Ola Aina, according to a report from Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness). 

The lowdown: Previous interest

Initially linked back in January, the former Chelsea youth starlet seemingly remains on the radar at Elland Road as Jesse Marsch attempts to bolster the ranks.

Born in London, Aina made six first-team appearances for Chelsea before spending time out on loan at Hull City and future permanent employers Torino.

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The 25-year-old was sent on loan to Fulham for the 2020/21 campaign before returning to Italy where the versatile Nigeria international finally found a permanent home and became a regular feature in Serie A.

The latest: Whites make their move

As per Gazzetta dello Sport, translated by SW, Leeds have been ‘able to move first’ regarding the potential swoop.

It’s claimed that the Yorkshire club have signalled their intentions by ‘launching the usual signals through international intermediaries in the last few hours’ and Torino are ‘open’ to the idea of a sale this summer.

The report also states that ‘other clubs’ are attentive to the situation of the starlet – who was hailed as a ‘brilliant player’ by journalist Oma Akatugba recently following a standout display for Nigeria in a 1-0 victory over Egypt.

The verdict: Dallas replacement?

Albeit the report makes no mention of a fee, valued at just £3.15million and heading into the final year of a deal in Italy (Transfermarkt), this is a transfer that should remain wholly affordable for Andrea Radrizzani.

Previously a regular England youth international, Aina has been capped 21 times by Nigeria at the senior level and managed 23 domestic appearances during last term despite missing a portion of the season due to AFCON.

Sharing style traits with the likes of renowned names such as Diogo Dalot, Marc Cucurella and Kyle Walker-Peters (Fbref), Aina was developed predominantly as a right-back, but perhaps his biggest strength is a wide-ranging versatility that has seen the ace operate as a central defender, centre-midfielder, left-back and on either wing as a more advanced midfielder.

That ability to play in six different positions – a Stuart Dallas-esque quality – plus the likely affordable transfer fee makes the Nigerian a surefire worthwhile target for Marsch and Director of Football Victor Orta this summer.

In other news: Leeds now eyeing move for ‘lethal and sublime’ gem, read more here

Liverpool will look to sign a new midfielder during the summer transfer window, journalist Pete O’Rourke has claimed.

The Lowdown: Liverpool’s midfield ageing

Jurgen Klopp currently has a wonderful squad at his disposal but there is no doubt that his midfield is slightly on the ageing side.

James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Thiago and now all in their 30s, while Fabinho turns 29 later in the year, highlighting their advancing years as a unit.

Liverpool may have missed out on Aurelien Tchouameni, who signed for Real Madrid on Saturday, but their midfield interest is unlikely to end there.

The Latest: Liverpool backed to strengthen midfield

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke backed Liverpool to sign a new midfielder this summer, believing it to be a transfer priority for the Reds. He claimed:

“I’m sure Jurgen Klopp and his recruitment team will be looking at possible midfield alternatives to see who they can possibly bring in to strengthen the squad, because I’m sure Nunez up front and possibly someone for midfield are probably the two key positions Liverpool need to fill this summer.”

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The Verdict: Key area of focus

Liverpool’s defence and attack currently look very strong, with a mix of youth and experience, but midfield is the one area which could do with some fresh legs.

Granted, Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones are both young players with big futures, but the Reds could do with someone in their mid-20s, possessing enough experience but also having their best years ahead of them.

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For now, the likes of Fabinho, Henderson and Thiago remain regular starters, but they will need to be phased out eventually, and a new signing would enable Klopp to begin that process gradually with someone who’s ready to hit the ground running.

In other news, Liverpool have been linked with a move for a La Liga player. Find out who it is here.