Tottenham and Liverpool in £68m striker race as Everton chase free agent
You know what they say now. And in this fog of the summer transfer window, when the dust is still settling and Premier League clubs are trying to work out whether they have done enough to meet their targets for the coming campaign, it is the only option. Because getting stronger in the present is diving into the free agent market. Fittingly, this Friday’s Premier League transfer talk leads the story of a number of top clubs vying for the affections of a player currently sitting on the sidelines waiting for a lucrative job offer. Everton, Crystal Palace, Wolves and Sheffield United fans let the battle begin.
According to TEAMtalk, many Premier League clubs are considering possible moves to sign free agent Portuguese midfielder Xeka. The 28-year-old is currently without a club, having parted ways with Rennes at the end of last season, with Everton, Crystal Palace, Wolves and Sheffield United all interested in him. The former youth international featured the experienced talent in 144 games for Lille and helped his former side to an unexpected league title in 2021, making 33 appearances in the process. Along with interest from the top flight, West Brom and Southampton can check his situation, as well as clubs in Italy, Spain and Turkey.
3:00 Verdict: Given his pedigree, Xeka has the potential to be a really decent signing for a number of English sides in need of a boost after the summer. If there’s one concern, though, it’s that he underwent ankle surgery in January and has endured quite a turbulent time since then. Any attempt to sign him would therefore be a gamble, but one that could pay significant dividends. Wolves to Veiga
According to Brazilian sports reporter Neto, Wolves are set to sign Palmeiras midfielder Raphael Vei during the January transfer window. A former Palmeiras player, the South American personality explained that he believes Wanderers are the most likely destination for the 28-year-old, who has previously been linked with Arsenal, Chelsea and Fulham.
Speaking to O TV Foco via TEAMTalk, Neto said: “Raphael Veiga will say goodbye to Palmeiras next year. He will go to Wolverhampton and the transfer will be completed next year. If it doesn’t happen, Palmeiras will be happy to criticize me. .”
3rd Verdict: That’s an awfully big claim on Neto’s part, but he seems pretty confident that his information is correct. Wolves are undoubtedly in need of midfield reinforcements and the prospect of signing four Brazil internationals during the season will certainly ease the legitimate concerns of the Molineux faithful.
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Spurs connected with Goncalves
Despite a strong start to the new season, there is perhaps a lingering feeling that Tottenham could really hit the ground running by adding more attacking firepower during the January transfer window to make up for the perceived strength left by the departure of Harry Kane in the summer. According to O Jogo, one name they seem to have identified in this regard is Sporting CP Pedro Goncalves, who can play on either wing or as an advanced midfielder. According to the Portuguese newspaper, Spurs are monitoring the 25-year-old, along with Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Liverpool. It is understood the former Wolves youth star has a release clause of around £68m written into his current Lisbon contract. 3:00 decision: While Ange Postecoglou would undoubtedly want to bring in a quality and versatile player like Goncalves, Spurs’ priority would certainly be to sign an outside centre-forward. At £68m, the Sporting striker would not come cheap and the money could probably be better spent elsewhere.