Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim have reportedly submitted a bid to Southampton for 22-year-old defender Armel Bella-Kotchap.
The Germany international is back at St Mary's after spending the 2023-24 campaign on loan with Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven, where he only managed six appearances due to injury.
However, even when Bella-Kotchap was fully fit, he was often an unused substitute for the Dutch giants, while Southampton earned promotion to the Premier League in his absence.
Now in the last two years of his deal with the Saints, journalist Florian Plettenberg claims that Bella-Kotchap has been the subject of interest from Hoffenheim, who have now made an official offer.
Plettenberg adds that both Bella-Kotchap and Hoffenheim are optimistic about their chances of wrapping up a deal, while Stuttgart were interested but pulled out after failing with a bid of €10m (£8.6m).
Bella-Kotchap seems set to leave St Mary's with a record of two assists in 26 matches for Southampton since joining in an €11m (£9.4m) deal from VfL Bochum two summers ago.
Teun Koopmeiners transfer wish confirmed by Atalanta BC boss
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Over in Italy, Atalanta BC manager Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed that Dutch midfielder Teun Koopmeiners is pining for a move to Juventus this summer.
The 26-year-old has been the subject of interest from numerous top clubs around Europe, namely Manchester United and Liverpool, thanks to his exploits in a black and blue shirt.
Koopmeiners confirmed earlier this year that he had submitted a transfer request to Atalanta, and with Premier League interest dwindling, Juventus have jumped to the head of the queue.
Speaking to Eco di Bergamo, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano, Gasperini confirmed that Koopmeiners is hoping to sign for the Old Lady and has no interest in training with Atalanta anymore.
"It was all going to plan until last week... then Teun Koopmeiners informed us that he wants to join Juventus. He doesn't want to train or play with us anymore," Gasperini said.
The Netherlands international has supposedly already given the green light to a five-year deal in Turin, but Juventus recently failed with an offer of €55m (£47.1m) for the midfielder.
Crystal Palace 'open' to losing England international
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Speaking of players who have put in transfer requests, Crystal Palace and England goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has supposedly asked to leave the Eagles in the coming weeks.
The 31-year-old represented the likes of Manchester United, Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion before signing for Palace on a free transfer in 2022, since when he has played 34 times for the Eagles.
Johnstone - who missed Euro 2024 with an elbow injury - guarded the sticks in 20 Premier League matches last season and is still under contract with Oliver Glasner's side until 2027.
However, The Athletic reports that the 31-year-old is keen to seek pastures new after Glasner informed him that Dean Henderson would likely be his first-choice goalkeeper next term.
Despite Glasner being happy to keep Johnstone around as his second-choice shot-stopper, Palace are supposedly happy to help facilitate Johnstone's departure if their £10m valuation is met.
Premier League quartet Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest, Southampton and Leicester City are reportedly interested in Johnstone, who has won four senior caps for England.
Liverpool youngster 'signs new deal' ahead of expected loan
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Finally, Liverpool talent Lewis Koumas has supposedly agreed a new contract with the Reds, who are now set to loan the attacker out for the 2024-25 campaign.
The 18-year-old found himself in and around the first team under Jurgen Klopp last season and experienced a dream debut against Southampton in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Koumas started and scored in that 3-0 win over the Saints, while he also struck nine goals and set up five more in 15 Premier League 2 appearances at Under-21 level.
According to the Daily Mail, Koumas - who won his first two senior caps for Wales in June - has now given the green light to a new Reds contract and is set to join a Championship side on loan.
The report does not specify which team are set to secure Koumas's services, but it is supposedly a mid-table side, and they are expected to conclude his signing within the next few days.
The 2005-born starlet began his career at Tranmere Rovers before making the switch to Liverpool in 2016.
Ben Knapton
