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Southampton are expected to lose some key players between now and the end of the transfer window, as long-serving skipper James Ward-Prowse and in-demand pair Romeo Lavia and Tino Livramento continue to be linked with the St Mary's exit.

What players have Southampton sold?

Since finishing bottom of the Premier League, and thus finding themselves in the Championship this coming season, Southampton have sold Mislav Orsic to Trabzonspor and released the likes of Mohamed Elyounoussi and Theo Walcott.

In truth, none of those losses will be majorly felt as the south coast side seek an instant return to the big time, but that could soon change given the speculation surrounding the aforementioned trio of Ward-Prowse, Lavia and Livramento.

There does not seem to be a top-flight side that has not shown an interest in Lavia, with Liverpool now looking well-positioned to sign the defender, while Livramento is supposedly wanted by Chelsea and Newcastle United.

The Saints could raise large sums for both, but it goes beyond money alone when it comes to Ward-Prowse. However, the Daily Mail claims Southampton are in talks with Everton for Mason Holgate, which could go a long way to softening the blow of the club captain departing.

What position does Mason Holgate play?

While Holgate has featured as a holding midfielder at times, he is a centre-back by trade who can occasionally fill in on the right. That means he is not a like-for-like replacement for West Ham United target Ward-Prowse, but Russell Martin is no doubt already on the lookout for a central midfielder.

Instead, Holgate can take over from Ward-Prowse – assuming the fan favourite does indeed move on this summer – in terms of his leadership qualities.

The 26-year-old has previously captained Everton and has been hailed as a "leader" by the Liverpool Echo's Sam Carroll. Southampton still have plenty of quality in their squad, but they lack obvious leaders beyond Ward-Prowse.

As someone who has been on Everton's books since 2015, Holgate is clearly loyal and also a team player, given he has had to be patient for his limited opportunities at Goodison Park.

That is not to mention the other qualities Holgate can bring to Southampton, such as his ability to clear the ball and tackle opponents – arguably the two most important traits for any centre-back.

Holgate ranks in the top 11% of all centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for clearances per 90 minutes (4.97), according to FBref, as well as the top 21% for interceptions per 90 (1.24).

The Doncaster native is also capable of bringing the ball out from the back, ranked as he is in the top 11% for successful take-ons per 90 minutes (0.53).

While it must be factored in that Holgate – valued at around £4m by Football Observatory – only played 508 minutes of Premier League football last season, the numbers show that he stood up when called upon.

If the former England U21 international now has to drop down a tier to play regular football, it may well be that Everton's loss is Southampton's gain.

Sunderland look good value to challenge for the Championship play-offs once again next season after getting the majority of their transfer business sorted early in the window.

However, questions regarding the future of Jack Clarke refuse to go away, while Tony Mowbray has also confirmed he will be without some key men when the new campaign gets underway in a month's time.

What Sunderland players are injured?

Speaking on Monday, Mowbray revealed in quotes carried by Chronicle Live that Corry Evans and Ross Stewart "won't be making the start of the season".

Dennis Cirkin, meanwhile, is "touch and go" for the big kick-off, while new signings Jenson Seelt and Nectarios Triantis are both nursing injuries and are being monitored.

All four would arguably have made Sunderland's starting line-up to face Ipswich Town on August 6 – and the latter two still might – with the absence of Stewart, in particular, a blow for Mowbray.

Are Sunderland going to sign Ellis Simms?

Stewart scored ten goals and assisted a further three in just 13 Championship outings last season – his average of 1.12 direct goal involvements per 90 minutes being the best of any Sunderland player, as per FBref.

However, the Achilles injury that cut his 2022-23 season short in January is also going to rule him out for the start of the 2023-24 campaign, and it remains to be seen how long it will take the striker to return to his previous best – if he ever does.

Sunderland also saw Amad Diallo return to parent club Manchester United at the end of the previous season, while Premier League clubs will continue to circle for Clarke, meaning Mowbray must surely move for another attacker to join fellow new recruit Hemir.

In Everton striker Ellis Simms, they could have the perfect choice. Simms was next on the list of the Black Cats' most proficient players last season, averaging as he did 0.72 goals and assists per 90 minutes across 17 regular-season matches.

The 0.56 goals per 90 scored by Simms last season came from an expected goals (xG) value of 0.39, meaning he scored 0.17 goals per 90 more than expected on the basis of his chances, whereas Stewart's 0.86 goals came from an xG of 0.84, so he scored near enough at exactly the rate you would expect.

What this tells us is that Simms is a deadly finisher at Championship level – or an "absolute nuisance" for opposition players, as Sunderland Echo reporter Phil Smith put it last season.

Simms struggled to have as big an impact in the Premier League last season when being recalled by Everton in January, and the Toffees appear to be ready to cash in if the right offer is made.

Ipswich Town are believed to have already had a £4m bid rejected for Simms, who is reportedly on as little as £3.3k a week, suggesting Sunderland had better follow up on their own interest swiftly.

Rather than gamble on the fitness of Stewart, Sunderland's hopes of promotion to the Premier League may well come down to whether or not they can bring Simms back to the Stadium of Light.

Aston Villa reportedly remain interested in Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams, as Monchi prepares to raise the stakes in his first transfer window at the club.

The Spaniard could equip his fellow countryman with a player that could bolster the squad, as Unai Emery bids for a busy summer of recruiting efficiently ahead of his first full campaign at the helm.

The link between the United States international and the Midlands club came last month, as the Daily Mail named Villa among those interested in poaching the talent from newly relegated Leeds.

Since then, rumours have remained, with news reported by transfer expert Dean Jones via Football FanCast this week revealing the Villans’ plans to launch for the 24-year-old.

Jones stated that the former RB Leipzig whizz is “certainly” a player on Monchi’s “radar”, with any deal set to potentially cost around £25m.

After spending just a year at Elland Road, the midfielder’s time could be up after their relegation to the Championship, with Brighton, Everton and Nottingham Forest listed alongside Villa as those eyeing the ace.

What could Tyler Adams offer to Aston Villa?

Hailed as a “machine” by journalist Wes Rucker, Adams would be a worthy addition to most sides in the league, asserting himself as a strong defensive-minded asset in the engine room.

In 24 appearances, the 24-year-old won an average of six total duels per game, identifying as one of the best-performing defensive midfielders in the Premier League in his debut season, via Sofascore.

As per FBref, the New York-born gem ranked in the top 3% of those in his position in the 2022/23 campaign in terms of tackles per 90, averaging a monstrous 3.72 as well as two blocks and 1.46 interceptions per 90.

His numbers saw him likened to a star player at Villa, who could see one of their top players cloned should Emery opt to duel for the signature of Adams.

Likened by FBref to Boubacar Kamara, the American flexes a strong passing and technical ability as well as displaying how effective he is defensively, highlighted by his pass completion rate of 82.5%.

Villa’s Frenchman recorded a completion rate of 84.8% via FBref, however, attempted an average of fewer passes with 47.66 attempted to the Leeds man’s 56.06 per 90.

In signing Adams, Emery could have two players that are competent ball players and impressive tacklers, in an area of the pitch integral to pulling the strings going forward.

The similarities are evident in their progressive play also, with Kamara averaging an impressive 4.25 progressive passes per 90 to the American’s 5.68 per 90, displaying his comprehensive ability in the middle of the park and suggesting his suitability for Emery’s project.

Hailed as a “monster” by members of the media, Kamara could line up with a second helping of himself should Monchi opt to take the plunge to sign Adams, who could be an individual to take Villa to new heights next term.

Everton could be set to enforce a lucrative move for the club, by signing some competition for a reportedly outgoing star…

What's the latest on Dan Ndoye to Everton?

With Demarai Gray having been linked with a switch to free-spending Saudi Arabia, many within the club would likely implore him to depart in order to help them out of their financial hole.

Whilst it is difficult to simply exile a player in such a situation, perhaps the acquisition of another in his role could offer the subliminal message to convince the Jamaica international to leave.

The latest on this pursuit comes from Fabrizio Romano, to took to his personal Instagram account (2 July) to offer an update on the future of FC Basel forward Dan Ndoye.

He wrote: "Talks are taking place for Dan Ndoye as things will move in the next days as now U21 Euros are over for him. West Ham, Everton, Sporting, Porto and AS Monaco are tracking Swiss forward young talent; he was part of the team of the season in Conference League."

Football Transfers value the former OGC Nice gem at just €10.1m (£9m).

Who is Dan Ndoye?

Although the youngster might mark a relative unknown, his versatility at such a young age makes him a fine asset to have within a squad that is lacking depth in attack.

Last term saw the Switzerland U21 international make a whopping 54 appearances across all competitions, including a starring role in his club's run to the UEFA Conference League semi-finals.

On the way he would manage a total of seven goals and five assists, already outperforming that of his potential predecessor and proving himself far more reliable than the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Whilst the Toffees' wide man showed his selflessness during a tough campaign, often deputising up front in an unfamiliar role, his tally of four goals in the league still marked a disappointing one; especially when considering that two of those came from the penalty spot.

The 27-year-old is hardly irreplaceable, and for all his remarkable footwork and electric pace, the consistency with which he provides it is far too scarce to make him a dependable asset.

Although Ndoye might be much younger, at least Sean Dyche could invest in his potential, and seek to mould him into a fine asset that could be a stalwart to rival Dwight McNeil on the flanks.

Journalist Josh Bunting sought to outline one particular moment of quality from the youngster, describing a goal he scored back in 2022: "Dan Ndoye with the opener, he won the ball back before turning quickly and then firing a strike beyond Jonathan Tuffey. That’s just the difference in quality but Crusaders have played very well, been compact."

This apparent ability to create from nothing will be important next season, given the Merseyside outfit were the second-lowest scorers in the whole Premier League last year.

In an effort to both improve in that role and achieve a sizable boost to their coffers, trading out Gray for the "lively" Ndoye – as dubbed by one scout – would mark a no-brainer.

Newcastle United are advancing in their deal to sign Sandro Tonali, and are set to double his salary in what will be a huge deal for the Magpies, Fabrizio Romano has revealed.

What's the latest on Newcastle's move for Tonali?

The AC Milan star is being eyed up by Eddie Howe as he aims to add quality to his midfield, with Newcastle returning to European football for the first time in over ten years.

A major deal for the 23-year-old appears to be edging closer, as Newcastle aim to flex their financial muscles over Milan and take one of their prize assets.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano hinted that a deal could reach a huge fee, whilst Tonali's £76k-per-week salary could even be doubled should he make the move to St James' Park.

"Now we can say that the talks are moving to the final stages for Sandro Tonali to Newcastle," he stated.

"Newcastle made a really important bid to the player, it's more than double salary for Sandro Tonali compared to what he's earning at Milan right now, so crazy salary and also important bid to Milan, around €70m (£60m) with add-ons included.

"Now, what is needed to close the deal, to discuss the structure of the deal, payment terms and how to structure the add-ons, so Milan and Newcastle are negotiating, waiting for the green light, but this is getting closer, so the next hours could be crucial to close the deal for Sandro Tonali to Newcastle, a really big one for Newcastle if they will be able to complete it."

Where does Tonali fit in at Newcastle?

Newcastle have been desperate to reinforce their midfield this summer, to support Bruno Guimaraes and Joe Willock in the middle of the park, and Tonali has now been identified as the ideal addition.

It remains unclear whether Tonali would arrive as a more advanced box-to-box option to compete with Joelinton, with Guimaraes playing in a deeper role, or if the Italian will sit back and allow the Brazilian to play further forward.

Tonali ranks poorly in defensive contributions compared to Guimaraes as per FBref, but did notch up seven assists in all competitions, perhaps indicating that his presence in the middle will add more creativity to the side.

Given the status of the Italy international as a key player for the Champions League semi-finalists, this deal represents a statement from Newcastle that they are aiming to compete with Europe's biggest clubs in the transfer market.

Leeds United are still without a manager after suffering relegation from Premier League almost a month ago, but progress is starting to be made at Elland Road.

The 49ers have confirmed their full takeover of the club, buying Andrea Radrizzani out of his majority stake and taking full control in the last few days, which has been further boosted by the arrival of interim football advisor Nick Hammond.

Hammond was the sporting director at Reading, director of football operations at Celtic and most recently worked on a consultancy for Newcastle United, so has plenty of experience to provide Leeds with a much-needed expert to support in the summer transfer window during a difficult chapter for the West Yorkshire outfit.

Indeed, the main priorities for Leeds at present are the acquirement of a quality manager who can quickly reinstate their Premier League status and figuring out which players in the current squad will make an exit and who will stay to compete in the Championship next season.

However, with many Leeds players already speculated with a move away from the club this summer, identifying key targets who can replace and revive the team next season will be absolutely essential for a successful season.

One player who has been linked with a move to Elland Road this summer is Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Harry Winks, who has just spent a year on loan in the Serie A with Sampdoria.

Would Harry Winks be a good fit for Leeds?

It is no secret that Leeds will struggle to keep a number of their talents ahead of their Championship campaign and finding the best way to approach that will be essential for Hammond during his time at the club.

In midfield, the Whites have already lost Weston McKennie as he returns to Juventus after his loan spell, whilst Tyler Adams has been attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs following relegation to the second tier, so there is definitely an opportunity to bolster the centre of the pitch this summer.

As a result, the signing of Winks – who had a £22m buyout clause as part of his temporary deal – would be a major coup for Leeds if they could convince him to make a move and would definitely soften the blow of losing some of the key players in midfield.

Over 20 Serie A appearances this season, the 27-year-old Englishman – hailed "amazing" by Mauricio Pochettino in the past – has tallied up an 85% pass completion rate and successfully completed 78% of his dribbles, as well as averaging 1.2 interceptions, 1.4 tackles, one clearance and 3.2 duels won per game, displaying strong ball-winning capabilities and ability to look after the ball in possession.

One of Leeds' biggest issues in the top flight last season was their defensive consistency with no other team in the Premier League conceding more goals over the 38-game campaign (78), so bringing in players who can improve the defensive presence and being more efficient in possession would be advantageous.

With that being said, if Hammond could secure the services of Winks it could massively improve the performances in midfield next season and help Leeds to secure promotion back to the Premier League.

Everton are likely to dip into the market this summer to add some much-needed quality into their forward line and now a new update has emerged on a potential transfer target.

What's the latest on Everton's interest in Viktor Gyokeres?

According to A Bola, Everton are one of the clubs interested in signing Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres.

As per the report, the Toffees will need to compete with Leeds United, Fulham, West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers to secure his signature this summer and it is claimed that his Championship club will command a transfer fee of €20m (£17m).

Would Gyokeres be a good signing for Everton?

There is no doubt that Gyokeres would be a warmly welcomed addition at Goodison Park this summer after the struggles the club have faced over their Premier League season in front of goal.

Only Wolverhampton Wanderers scored fewer goals (31) than Everton (34) over the 38-game campaign which led to a hard-fought relegation scrap at the bottom of the table, that saw the Merseysiders only saved inside the final 45 minutes of the season.

As a result, the signing of a prolific and confident goalscorer will be essential this summer if the club is to have any chance of comfortably competing and Gyokeres could be the perfect profile of forward to take on the task.

Everton have had huge success with strikers who use their height to beat opponents to the ball in dangerous positions with 6 foot 2 Dominic Calvert-Lewin and 6 foot 3 Romelu Lukaku two of the most consistent strikers the Toffees have had in the last decade, and now Gyokeres could follow in their footsteps to guide the team out of trouble.

Over 46 Championship appearances, the 6 foot 1 monster – hailed "unplayable" by former Coventry teammate Maxime Biamou – scored 21 goals, registered ten assists and created nine big chances, as well as averaging three shots on goal and 1.3 shots on target per game, proving that he is a huge presence in the centre-forward role.

Not only that, the 25-year-old Swedish striker has displayed a number of similarities to the aforementioned Lukaku this season, with the Belgian just two inches taller but using a similarly bullish approach to the game.

Indeed, they are comparable when it comes to shot-on-target rate (39.1% v 40.8%), goals per shots on target (0.14 v 0.16), pass completion rate (67.3% v 68.6%), shot-creating actions per 90 (4.27 v 3.96) and goal-creating actions per 90 (0.47 v 0.60), as per FBref.

With that being said, the signing of Gyokeres would be a big coup for Everton and if he could emulate his Championship form in the top flight in would put the Toffees in a great position to improve and compete comfortably next season.

With new boss Ange Postecoglou now at the helm to end the club's managerial search, the main focus for Tottenham Hotspur will likely have shifted towards acquiring quality additions in the summer window.

According to 90min, one area that the 57-year-old is keen to strengthen is the centre-back ranks, with the Lilywhites having drawn up a list of targets amid doubts surrounding the futures of the likes of Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez and Clement Lenglet.

Among those who are reportedly being considered by the north London outfit is Manchester United skipper, Harry Maguire, with the Red Devils said to have offered the 30-year-old to potential suitors in order to get him off the books ahead of next season.

A move for the former Leicester City man – who is set to be worth in the region of £40m – may come as something of a surprise amid his recent woes at Old Trafford, with the 6 foot 4 asset having slipped down the pecking order under Erik ten Hag after starting just eight Premier League games in the most recent campaign.

Having also previously been labelled as a "walking disaster" by journalist Samuel Luckhurst amid his dismal form in the previous campaign, the £190k-per-week brute appears to be in need of a fresh start in order to spark a career revival.

Signing for Postecoglou could then be a dream arrangement for Maguire, with the Greek-Aussie having already proven himself capable of rejuvenating the career of a struggling Three Lions star – Joe Hart.

How is Joe Hart getting on at Celtic?

Much like his compatriot, Hart was in something of a rut prior to linking up with Postecoglou at Celtic back in the summer of 2021, having endured a nomadic spell after being cast aside by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City in 2016.

Formerly the number one option for his country and a two-time Premier League winner at the Etihad, the 75-cap goalkeeper ultimately ended up at the likes of Torino, West Ham United and Burnley following his time in Manchester, before being snapped up by Spurs on a free transfer in 2020.

Having ultimately featured just ten times for the north London outfit during the 2020/21 campaign, the Shrewsbury native was informed by new boss Nuno Espirito Santo that he would be surplus to requirements for the following season, having been brutally notified by the Portuguese that he would "not kick a ball" that year.

At arguably the nadir of his career at that stage, Hart has since gone on to flourish in Glasgow in recent seasons, proving a "really great signing" for the Hoops having "transformed himself" under Postecoglou's watch, according to pundit Alex McLeish.

Also lauded as an "unsung hero" for the Old Firm outfit, the veteran stopper has now racked up 104 appearances in all competitions for his current side, playing a vital role in winning five domestic honours over the last two seasons.

The 36-year-old clearly has Postecoglou to thank for his recent resurgence having described the experienced tactician as an "awesome force" and an "unbelievable coach", with that boding well for the impact that the new Tottenham boss could make on changing Maguire's fortunes if a deal was to be made.

For all the latter man's woes, the central defender has still shown glimpses of his quality of late after being hailed as "dominant" by Ten Hag earlier this year, having also been described as a "big player" for his country by international colleague, Kieran Trippier.

That praise would suggest that there is a talented asset in there somewhere, with Postecoglou potentially able to replicate his Hart masterclass by getting Maguire back to his best in a Spurs jersey.

Liverpool signing Nice enforcer Khephren Thuram and Bayern Munich star Ryan Gravenberch this summer would be an 'unbelievable' upgrade on their outgoing midfielders, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest transfer news involving Khephren Thuram and Ryan Gravenberch?

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, Liverpool have had conversations with the agent of Nice midfielder Thuram ahead of a potential summer move to Anfield.

In 2022/23, the £14k-a-week ace was in sparkling form for Ligue 1 outfit Nice, and Thuram registered two goals and eight assists in all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

As per Michael Reschke's interview with Die Bayern-Woche via The Liverpool Echo, Liverpool also 'really want' to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Gravenberch in the forthcoming off-season. In an interview with Sport1, the former Schalke Director of Football said: "Liverpool are interested in him. They really want to have him. That speaks for the quality of the player."

Earlier this year, The Daily Mail confirmed that the £152,381 earner had been 'sounded out' by the Reds over the possibility of moving to Merseyside and contact is believed to have been initiated between Liverpool and Gravenberch's representatives.

Of course, Liverpool's willingness to strengthen in midfield hasn't stopped there. Brighton & Hove Albion playmaker Alexis Mac Allister is also a target for the club and has a release clause in his contract worth £45-55 million and Liverpool are 'hopeful' that they can conclude a deal to bring in the Argentina international by the end of this week, as per Sky Sports.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jones thinks Thuram and Gravenberch joining Mac Allister at Liverpool would be an 'unbelievable' upgrade on Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlian, who have all now left the Premier League giants due to their contracts expiring.

Jones said: “Imagine we get to a situation where Liverpool strike a good deal for Mac Allister at such value they can follow it up with two more like Khephren Thuram and Ryan Gravenberch – it would be an unbelievable squad upgrade on the back of losing Oxlade-Chamberlain, Keita and Milner. This is such a key area of their rebuild.”

Who else have Liverpool targeted ahead of the summer transfer window opening?

With Lavia having a price tag of around £40 million and Gravenberch at £44 million, it remains to be seen as to whether Liverpool would spend so much money on so many midfielders.

Liverpool look to be in the market for many players this summer and have been linked with several high-profile additions as Jurgen Klopp aims to refresh his squad.

As per FootballTransfers, Feyenoord captain Orkun Kocku and Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Manu Kone remain high up on Klopp's transfer wishlist at Anfield.

One report in Spain via Caught Offside also claim that Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram could be an option to strengthen Liverpool's forward line on a free transfer.

Southampton youngster Romeo Lavia has also cropped up on Liverpool's radar amid interest from multiple Premier League suitors, as per Football Insider, indicating that the Reds may be set for a busy next few months as they prepare for next term.

Celtic will round off their season with the Scottish Cup final against Inverness on Saturday and can complete the domestic treble with a victory.

The Hoops have enjoyed an excellent campaign under Ange Postecoglou, as they have already wrapped up the Scottish Premiership and League Cup trophies, and they may now have one eye on 23/24.

Whilst the head coach could improve his squad by dipping into the transfer market to add fresh faces to the group, the Australian boss could delve into the academy to add competition for places.

One young gem who could be ready to make the step up to playing regular football for Celtic is youngster Adam Montgomery following his impressive loan spell with St Johnstone.

He is a 20-year-old defender who can play as a left-back or as a left-midfielder and the dynamo could be the long-term heir to Greg Taylor's position in the side.

How did Adam Montgomery perform this season?

Montgomery had already played 20 first-team games for the Hoops prior to going out on loan this season and racked up one goal and four assists in 33 appearances in all competitions for the Saints.

He showcased his defensive ability alongside his attacking prowess as the battler made 2.2 tackles and interceptions per game and won 53% of his physical duels.

Taylor, meanwhile, made featured in 31 Premiership games for Celtic and won 51% of his contests and made 2.2 tackles and interceptions per outing. The Scotland international also assisted four goals from left-back, which shows that both players are attack-minded defenders who can also put their foot in to win possession back for their sides.

Montgomery's performances in the Scottish top-flight suggest that the youngster, who is five years younger than Taylor, could be the long-term heir to the current Hoops star's position in the team, based on their similar attacking and defensive outputs.

The talented youngster was rewarded for his efforts by being named on the shortlist for the Scottish Football Writers' Young Player of the Year, which was ultimately won by Motherwell's Max Johnston.

St Johnstone boss Steven MacLean hailed the gem as "outstanding" and his former manager Callum Davidson claimed that the ace has a "big future" ahead of him, which shows that the defender impressed both of his coaches during his loan spell.

The 20-year-old still has plenty of time left ahead of him to develop and grow and being the back-up to Taylor for another season could provide the seasoned Hoops defender with competition and allow Montgomery to learn from him before eventually taking over the starting berth in the future.