Transfer Centre

Transfer rumours: Botman medical at Newcastle, Leeds target De Ketelaere, Forest eye double deal

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 27 June 2022

Sports Mole rounds up some of the latest transfer rumours, including Sven Botman's medical with Newcastle United and Leeds United's move for Charles De Ketelaere.

Lille centre-back Sven Botman has reportedly landed on Tyneside to undergo his medical ahead of completing a permanent transfer to Newcastle United.

It was reported on Friday that the Magpies have reached an agreement with the Ligue 1 outfit to sign the 22-year-old for £35m.

The likes of Arsenal and Manchester United are believed to have made last-ditch attempts to hijack Newcastle's deal for the Dutchman, but Eddie Howe's side have now seemingly won the race for his signature.

According to Sky Sports News, Botman had been on holiday in Majorca before taking a private jet to Tyneside on Monday morning ahead of undergoing the first part of his medical.

Botman, who has played 79 times for Lille across all competitions since joining the club in 2020, is set to become Newcastle's third signing of the summer window after the arrivals of left-back Matt Targett and goalkeeper Nick Pope.

While the Magpies look to bolster their squad with a central defender, Leeds United are eyeing attacking reinforcements ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.

Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere pictured before kickoff on March 26, 2022 © Reuters

Club Brugge's highly-rated forward Charles De Ketelaere is believed to be a target for Whites head coach Jesse Marsch amid uncertainty over the future of star attacker Raphinha.

The 25-year-old Brazilian is seemingly edging closer to a departure from Elland Road, with Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona all vying for his signature.

According to the Daily Mail, Leeds already have their eyes on a replacement and are preparing to make a £26m offer for De Ketelaere, although they may face competition from Serie A champions AC Milan, who can offer Champions League football.

The 21-year-old enjoyed an impressive 2021-22 campaign in front of goal, recording 18 strikes and 10 assists in 49 appearances for the Belgian top-flight champions.

Leeds have already recruited three new players this summer, with Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen and Marc Roca arriving at Elland Road for a combine fee worth around £45m.

Another Premier League club who could be expecting a flurry of arrivals are newly-promoted Nottingham Forest, as they are reportedly closing in on two new signings.

Sheffield United's Morgan Gibbs-White celebrates scoring their first goal on September 14, 2021 © Reuters

Liverpool full-back Neco Williams and Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White have both been identified as potential targets by head coach Steve Cooper, who is looking to recruit the pair on permanent deals.

Both Williams and Gibbs-White enjoyed successful loan spells in the Championship last season, with the former featuring 14 times in the second half of the campaign for champions Fulham, while the latter recorded 11 goals and nine assists in 35 league games for Sheffield United.

According to The Sun, Forest are hoping to strike a deal with Liverpool for £15m-rated Williams and Cooper wants to sign the 21-year-old Welshman as a direct replacement for Middlesbrough loanee Djed Spence, who is currently in talks with Tottenham.

The report adds that Forest are also keen to sign 22-year-old Gibbs-White, with Wolves willing to accept offers in the region of £20m.

Forest are also closing in on the signing of Man United goalkeeper Dean Henderson on loan, while they have already broken their transfer record to sign Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi from Union Berlin for £17.5m.

Away from the English top flight, Roma boss Jose Mourinho is reportedly interested in signing Juventus midfielder Arthur.

Juventus' Arthur Melo in action in November 2021 © Reuters

The 25-year-old made 31 appearances for the Italian giants last season but he struggled to nail down a regular place in Massimiliano Allegri's starting lineup and could therefore be open to a summer exit.

According to journalist Cesar Luis Merlo, Roma have held talks with Juve over a proposed move for Arthur, but the Old Lady are sceptical about letting the Brazilian leave this summer.

Juve signed the midfielder from Barcelona for around €72m in 2020 – which also saw Miralem Pjanic head in the opposite direction – and the Serie A giants are keen to see their expensive investment progress in Turin and become a regular starter under Allegri.

Mourinho has already signed Nemanja Matic on a free transfer this summer, but the Portuguese boss believes Arthur would also be a valuable addition to his first-team squad.

The 22-cap Brazil international, who has previously been linked with Premier League duo Arsenal and Chelsea, still has three years remaining on his Juve contract.