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At the backend of a forgettable campaign, the emergence of Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones will have been a pleasing consolation for manager Jurgen Klopp, with the Scouse-born ace playing an important part in a seven-match winning run to bridge the gap to the top four.

It was too little too late, and the Reds failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in seven years with a fifth-placed finish, ending an illustrious run in the competition that has led the Anfield side to three finals, winning one.

Hailed as the "complete #8" by one analyst & scout, the 22-year-old has almost certainly earned a place in Klopp's plans next term after his purple patch, especially considering James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have all left the club following the expiry of their contracts.

And now, the Guardian report that Chelsea are the latest team to have joined the race for the 21-year-old, but that Liverpool and Barcelona are both wanting to claim the player's signature for themselves, all looking to meet his €40m (£34m) buyout clause.

How good is Gabri Veiga?

The £35m signing of Alexis Mac Allister is the first of an ostensible torrent of incomings, with two or three top-class acquisitions still expected to be made, and one, the precocious Spanish talent Veiga, could spell danger for Jones' role on Merseyside.

Despite the recently-concluded campaign being Veiga's first with regular top-flight football, he has plundered 11 goals and supplied a further four assists from just 28 LaLiga starts, earning acclaim for his "dangerous" skill set – as said by journalist Euan McTear.

It's quite frightening to envisage the fleet-footed midfielder's future, given how brilliantly he has taken to life at the top level, already ranking among the top 1% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for rate of non-penalty goals, the top 20% for rate of assists, the top 12% for progressive carries and successful take-ons, and the top 11% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90, as per FBref.

The praise is mounting: talent scout Jacek Kulig has marvelled at the "amazing" talent while journalist and content creator Rimedi dubbed him "baby Kaka" for his elegance on the ball and deft dribbling skills.

Jones boasts some impressive metrics of his own after starting the last 11 league matches of the year, scoring three goals and registering one assist, ranking among the top 6% of positional peers for rate of non-penalty goals, the top 20% for shot-creating actions and the top 14% for progressive carries per 90, also crisp as they come with the ball, ranking among the top 3% for pass completion.

Klopp will be wary of hampering Jones' progress but with such a fantastic starlet available for an affordable fee, it's simply too good an opportunity to cede, especially given the tumult of Liverpool's present situation. Indeed, this move could be a blow to one of Anfield's hottest young talents.

Leeds United's mission to return to the Premier League was a drawn-out process, but one made all the sweeter when Marcelo Bielsa eventually did guide them back to the big time.

Having overseen 16 years of hurt, the Whites dusted themselves off from despair to dominate the Championship, and they will seek to do so again at the first time of asking next term.

In that tangled story of promotion, the campaign prior to winning the league they oversaw one of the most painful processes as they lost in the playoff semi-final to Derby County.

Having been embroiled in huge 'spygate' controversy earlier in the year, Frank Lampard led his youthful team from two goals down to set up the final with Aston Villa. The Yorkshire outfit would have to suffer one more year of second-division football.

One of the stars that night, and admittedly that season, was the on-loan midfielder Mason Mount.

Having used his connections with Chelsea to tempt some of their top youth talents on a temporary basis, Lampard's squad was stacked with players pushing for a place in the top flight.

The 24-year-old was handed the platform for his future successes in the Championship, and given they have now returned, Leeds could look to do the same but with one of their own academy stars; Charlie Allen.

Who is Charlie Allen?

Having moved from Northern Ireland at a young age, the 19-year-old offers one of the most creative presences from within that engine room for the Premier League 2 side.

In fact, with two goals and six assists across all competitions this season, his exploits have spearheaded their promotion into Division 1 of the league, as a willing runner and versatile star, much like Mount.

Jim Magilton, the elite performance director for the Irish Football Association, even noted:

"Charlie is one of those boys that you throw him on to the park and go and ask him to play. [He’ll] play anywhere with the same attitude and enthusiasm. Technically very good and physically can handle it – he is quick enough and he has a real chance."

Patrick Van Dort, deputy sports editor for JPIMedia in Northern Ireland, supplemented these claims: "People say he's a dream to coach, a good listener and ticks the boxes you'd expect of someone so highly rated."

Such an ability to sacrifice himself for the side, selfless if it results in the betterment of the squad, is akin to Mount nowadays, who has since played 195 games for Chelsea and even assisted in their Champions League final win. He has played as part of a double pivot, at eight or on the wings, just like Allen this season.

However, his career was forged in the Championship, as he scored 11 goals and recorded six assists across all competitions that year when they narrowly missed out on promotion.

Perhaps Allen could seek to find his own springboard, should he be handed the opportunity, to kickstart a career similar to the England international at Elland Road.

West Bromwich Albion are working on a deal to sign Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury, according to the Express and Star.

The Lowdown: Choudhury profiled

The 24-year-old is a product of the Foxes academy system having first joined the club aged seven, where he worked his way up through the ranks of the U18s and U23s sides, captaining the latter. He made his senior first-team debut in a Carabao Cup outing against Liverpool back in 2017.

Despite his emergence through the ranks, with just over 12 months remaining on his contract at the King Power, not to mention his lack of game time having only made six top-flight appearances this season, the midfield maestro has been linked with an exit.

And it appears as though the Baggies more than fancy their chances of being able to bring the combative youngster to the Championship this summer.

The Latest: West Brom working on Choudhury deal

In an article published by the Express and Star, it’s claimed that West Brom are currently in the process of ‘trying to secure’ a deal for Choudhury, who has emerged as a ‘prime target’ for manager Steve Bruce.

The source further states that the completion of a loan move to the Hawthorns is the ‘most likely’ option at this moment in time, but it ‘is possible’ he could join on a permanent basis ‘should the clubs agree a fee’.

The Verdict: Decent bit of business

With the Baggies not having much financial freedom at present, Bruce is having to look in both the free agent and loan markets when it comes to completing his transfers, but the former England U21 international might be a decent bit of business, even if it is only temporary.

Even though he’s only played 287 minutes of top-flight football this term, the Leicester starlet, who was once dubbed a “sensational” player by manager Brendan Rodgers, averaged two interceptions, 1.7 clearances and 1.5 tackles per game, via WhoScored, showing his hard work and determination to win back possession for his team in the middle of the park.

This is an asset that would hugely benefit the West Brom starting XI, and with the 61-year-old boss previously trying to sign Choudhury during his reign at Newcastle, it comes as no surprise to see that he is attempting to make another move for his former target, only this time, it might actually prove to be a successful one.

In other news… West Brom are considering a summer move for ‘one of the best’ in the Championship.

Everton are set to prioritise the signing of a defensive midfielder this summer, and The Athletic has claimed that Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko has been touted around the Merseyside club.

The Lowdown: Zinchenko’s future

According to The Telegraph, the Premier League champions will not stand in the 25-year-old’s way if he wants a new challenge this summer after spending five years at the Etihad Stadium.

It has been reported that Arsenal are considering making a move for the Ukraine international, who will likely warrant a big transfer fee given that he has two years left on his current deal.

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The Latest: Zinchenko touted around Everton

According to a fresh report by The Athletic, Everton are set to prioritise the addition of a defensive midfielder this summer, seeking someone who is capable of receiving the ball and stopping opposition attacks.

It is reported that, with his future at Man City up in the air, Zinchenko has been touted around clubs such as Everton and Newcastle.

The Verdict: Would be a good signing

City manager Pep Guardiola has previously hailed the Ukrainian as an “incredible” player and person, claiming that “everybody has to learn from [him]”.

When combined with his wealth of experience playing at the top level, the arrival of Zinchenko would provide an inspirational presence in Everton’s dressing room.

However, with a current market valuation of £22.5m (via Transfermarkt) and with Everton beset by Financial Fair Play concerns, the Toffees could be priced out of a move for the versatile 25-year-old.

If they can afford the necessary funds to land Zinchenko, though, the four-time Premier League winner could be a tremendous coup for Frank Lampard.

In other news: Everton: Toffees face competition to sign Levi Colwill

Celtic have been dealt a blow to their hopes of signing Ferencvaros striker Ryan Mmaee during the upcoming summer transfer window after a worrying behind-the-scenes development has emerged.

What’s the news?

Speaking to Hungarian media outlet NS (via Daily Record), Ferencvaros sports manager Tamas Hajnal made clear his stance on Mmaee’s future after recent reports emerged linking him with a move to Parkhead.

He said: “At the moment, however, I can’t report anything specific about this. Ryan is recovering from his injury anyway and I am sure he will stay with us this summer.”

Having scored 19 goals and delivered 11 assists in 37 appearances for the Hungarian club across all competitions this term, it’s easy to see why the Hoops have been linked with a move for Mmaee and why his current side are looking to keep hold of him.

Also, with the striker only signing for Ferencvaros last summer and still having a couple of years left on his contract, it’s understandable why the club would be reluctant to let him leave during the upcoming transfer window.

Bad news for Celtic

These comments from Hajnal will undoubtedly be bad news for Celtic and their hopes of signing the 24-year-old this summer, although it could just mean that it might take a substantial amount of money from the Bhoys to secure his signature.

If Celtic still want to test the Hungarian club’s resolve and try to bring Mmaee to Parkhead, it could be worth the gamble given the impressive attacking form he has shown this season.

However, while Ange Postecoglou may want more depth in his squad as they look to not only regain the Premiership title but go as far as they can in Europe, having the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi and Giorgos Giakoumakis in his squad would still offer the Hoops a lot of attacking power.

In 41 league appearances combined this season, the Celtic pair racked up 25 goals between them, showing that Postecoglou can definitely rely on them to do the business at the top of the pitch for the Hoops when called upon.

Either way, if the Australian is looking for another striker to add to his squad this summer and should a move for Mmaee end up being out of the question, the Bhoys will then have to move on to other potential targets.

In other news – Better than McGregor: Postecoglou must secure Celtic move for “massive” £8m “rocket”

Pundit Gabby Agbonlahor believes Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt may be ‘another’ player to leave cheaply if the Whites go down this weekend, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Exit links

Gelhardt has established himself as a regular in the match-day squad this season and has failed to feature in just three of the last 14 Premier League games.

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The 20-year-old provided a moment of quality last weekend to set up Pascal Struijk in injury time against Brighton, but reports earlier this month claimed that top-flight rivals will look to poach the youngster if Leeds find themselves in the Championship next season.

Jesse Marsch’s side now know that a defeat against Brentford on the final day of the season will send the club back to the Championship, and Agbonlahor has had his say on a number of Leeds stars and their futures.

The Latest: Agbonlahor’s claim

Agbonlahor, who contributes for Sky Sports, was talking to FI at what relegation could mean for Leeds.

He said that Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips will hand in ‘transfer requests’, should the Whites go down and also believes Gelhardt is ‘another’ who could leave for a ‘cheap fee’.

“If Leeds go down they are going to lose loads of players.

“Phillips and Raphinha will be handing in transfer requests to leave. They will not go back to the Championship.

“The biggest thing is that the Championship is getting harder and harder to get out of. Sheffield United haven’t gone up, you’ve got Norwich, Watford, and Middlesbrough all up there as favourites to come up. Leeds will find it hard to come straight back up.

“As much as it’s massive money wise, it’s about keeping your players too.

“Gelhardt is another one that clubs will be wanting to nick for a cheap fee.”

The Verdict: Make him a regular

Should the worst-case scenario happen this weekend, then the likes of Raphinha and Phillips will almost certainly leave. You’d expect that a few more big earners could also depart, however, Leeds should be under no pressure to part ways with Gelhardt.

He’s under contract until 2024 and has shown his quality this season, so it could be wise to make him a regular starter in a rebuild under Marsch in the Championship.

Hopefully, Leeds can better Burnley’s result on Sunday and fans won’t have to worry about a Premier League side poaching Gelhardt and another spell in the second tier – only time will tell.

In other news: Orta now finally set to accept defeat as Leeds plot exit for Bielsa ‘mistake’ – opinion. 

Newcastle United are reportedly keeping tabs on long-serving Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel as their search for a new number one continues.

What’s the word?

According to talkSPORT, the Magpies are ‘tracking’ the Dane’s ongoing situation at the King Power Stadium, with the 35-year-old yet to discuss an extension on his current deal, which expires next summer.

Although talks are planned between the player and the Foxes once the season concludes, Eddie Howe’s side are seemingly hopeful of being able to tempt him into a switch to join the ambitious project at St James’ Park.

However, the report does suggest that the 2016 Premier League title winner is ‘open to a move abroad’, while he also has the desire to play regularly for a side competing in Europe – something which neither Newcastle nor Leicester can offer next term.

Huge upgrade

A new goalkeeper appears to be on the shopping list for PIF this summer, with the club seemingly eyeing a much-needed upgrade on their current options Karl Darlow and Martin Dubravka.

While the latter has been first-choice for much of this season, both injury and loss of form have seen him reduced to just 24 Premier League outings, with both Darlow and current Bournemouth loanee Freddie Woodman also earning a chance between the sticks this term.

Having a settled goalkeeper is a necessity for any team looking to compete higher up the table, with it unlikely that Howe will wish to be chopping and changing his starting netminder next term.

In Schmeichel, the Tyneside club have identified a player with a wealth of experience, having made 282 Premier League appearances thus far in his lengthy career. The 80-cap Denmark international is also likely to be an invaluable dressing room presence, having been dubbed a “leader” by journalist Jonas Alexander Nohr-Larsen.

Not just an experienced head, the one-time Manchester City ‘keeper has continued to impress on the pitch, currently ranking in the top 20 on the all-time Premier League list for clean sheets with 82 shutouts, seven of which have come this season.

Amid a tricky season for Rodgers’ Leicester, the £130k-per-week Dane has remained a consistent presence, averaging a 6.92 Sofascore match rating, the seventh-best among his teammates. He has also made the third-most saves in the top flight (124) behind David De Gea and Illan Meslier and kept out two of his eight penalties faced.

The 35-year-old has a WhoScored rating of 6.73 for the season, which exceeds that of both Dubravka (6.62) and Darlow (6.22), so it’s hard to argue that the Foxes veteran wouldn’t be an upgrade on Howe’s current options.

With Newcastle shipping the fourth-most goals in the Premier League this term (61), a new goalkeeping addition is no doubt a necessity, with Schmeichel an ideal candidate to make an instant improvement.

In other news, Eddie Howe can now help NUFC sign “spectacular” £64m “nightmare”, he’s better than Saint-Maximin 

West Ham United cruised to a 4-0 victory against already relegated Norwich City to provide a huge boost to their hopes of finishing the Premier League season in a European spot.

They remain seventh but increase the gap to Wolverhampton Wanderers in eighth who have a game in hand to play on Wednesday. The win also means they can put the Europa League woes behind them after they crashed out of the competition at the semi-final stage on Thursday.

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The Hammers dominated the game with Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen grabbing the headlines with their two goals and two assists respectively. However, it was defender Craig Dawson who we think stole the show against the Canaries.

The veteran defender has been a key part to West Ham’s successes, and whilst he might get the appreciation from the supporters, he is often overlooked by those outside of the club.

He impressed greatly against Norwich winning 100% of his duels which was vital in ensuring that West Ham kept a clean sheet. He also received a SofaScore rating of 7.5 which was only beaten by his teammates mentioned above and Declan Rice.

The 32-year old made the move across London permanent at the start of the campaign joining from Watford after impressing on loan last season.

It’s been an unexpected rise for a player who has spent the majority of his career playing for a club either in a Premier League relegation battle or in the Championship.

Now he’s at the heart of the West Ham defence fighting for a European finish. He’s been described as “outstanding” by journalist Matt Law with manager Moyes praising his performances in Europe this season.

He also didn’t put a foot wrong when it came to his passing against Norwich. Dawson recorded a pass accuracy percentage of 95% during the game, proving that he is just as good in possession as he is battling one on one with an opponent.

For a player who rarely gets talked about, he produces performances that without, West Ham would find themselves struggling at the back. Luckily he has hardly missed a game for them this season with 48 appearances in all competitions.

IN other news: Imagine him & Said: West Ham set to move for 22 y/o “hurricane”, he won’t cost a penny…

West Bromwich Albion are eyeing a move for Newcastle United youngster Elliot Anderson this summer.

What’s the story?

That’s according to i News journalist Mark Douglas, who tweeted: “WBA one of clubs who want him [Anderson] for next season.”

Labelled a “League Two cheat code” by Douglas after his loan spell at Bristol Rovers, the 19-year-old attacking midfielder is the subject of interest from a plethora of clubs in the Championship.

Bruce needs Anderson

Although the teenager is expected to be involved in pre-season training with the Magpies, another loan move seems very possible given the serious interest from a variety of suitors.

Anderson joined Joey Barton’s side on transfer deadline day in January and has since scored eight goals and registered five assists in 21 appearances for the Gas in the fourth tier, who secured an unlikely promotion back to League One yesterday after a 7-0 battering of Scunthorpe United.

In fact, the former Newcastle player has directed plenty of praise in the 19-year-old’s direction during his loan spell, claiming that the attacking midfielder “has been brilliant for us from the first day we brought him in.”

Prior to his move to the West Country, Anderson was on fire for Newcastle’s under-23s, scoring five goals in seven appearances in Premier League 2.

It’s that goal threat and creativity from the middle of the park which the Baggies have been lacking this season, with Steve Bruce’s men scoring just 52 goals in 46 matches this term, with only six other teams scoring less often in the Championship in 2021/22.

Alex Mowatt ended the season as the Baggies’ top-scoring midfielder with just four goals, whilst only one positional colleague found the net for Albion in loanee Jason Molumby, who scored once.

Granted, with no experience in the second tier, signing Anderson would a risk for the West Midlands outfit., although it would certainly seem like one worth taking.

Bruce will be tasked with orchestrating a promotion push next term, especially after this season’s thoroughly disappointing 10th-place finish, West Brom’s worst in more than 20 years.

Therefore, the 61-year-old needs to add some creativity and firepower to his squad, something that Anderson has certainly provided in abundance in League Two.

AND in other news: Forget Grant: West Brom’s 74-touch ace who “works so hard” stole the show vs Barnsley

Leeds United have been dealt a fresh setback ahead of their upcoming Premier League meeting with Arsenal this Sunday.

What’s the latest?

Speaking after Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over West Ham United on Sunday afternoon (via the Evening Standard), Mikel Arteta revealed that Ben White, who missed the fixture due to a hamstring injury sustained in the 3-1 win over Manchester United a week prior, could be in line to make a return to action against Leeds this weekend – with the centre-back’s predicted return date being May 8.

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Regarding the defender’s absence against the Hammers, the Arsenal manager said: “Ben got injured against Manchester United, he felt a muscular problem and we checked him, and we will have to assess him in the next few days to see how he is.”

Marsch will be livid

Considering Leeds’ mounting injury concerns of their own – with Stuart Dallas being ruled out for the season after fracturing his kneecap in the 4-0 defeat to Manchester City, as well as Liam Cooper missing the game after sustaining his own knee injury in the warmup to the fixture – the news that Arsenal could be boosted by the return of White ahead of Sunday’s clash is sure to have left Jesse Marsch livid.

Indeed, following his £50m move to The Emirates last summer, the 24-year-old has highly impressed over his 31 Premier League appearances, helping Arsenal keep 13 clean sheets, in addition to making an average of 1.4 interceptions, 1.4 tackles, 3.1 clearances and winning 4.4 duels – at a success rate of 59% – per game.

These returns have seen the £120k-per-week defender average a very respectable SofaScore match rating of 6.94, ranking him as Arteta’s joint tenth-best player in the top flight of English football.

As such, it is clear to see just how important a player the £36m-rated England international is within the Arsenal defence, with the former Leeds loanee’s potential return ahead of Sunday’s meeting sure to come as a huge blow to the Whites’ chances of leaving north London with all three points.

And, following Everton’s 1-0 win over Chelsea last weekend – a result that saw the 18th placed Toffees climb to within two points of Leeds – Marsch’s side will be looking for any marginal gains they could possibly take advantage of ahead of their trip to the capital, something which White’s potential return is certainly not.

AND in other news: Huge update emerges on big-money summer deal, Leeds supporters will be devastated