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Transfer rumours: Johnson to West Ham, Podence to Celtic, Barco to Brighton

Transfer rumours: Johnson to West Ham, Podence to Celtic, Barco to Brighton
© Reuters
Sports Mole rounds up the latest transfer rumours, including Brennan Johnson to West Ham United, Daniel Podence to Celtic and Valentin Barco to Brighton & Hove Albion.

West Ham United have reportedly joined the race for Nottingham Forest attacker Brennan Johnson.

The 22-year-old's future remains the subject of much speculation, with Forest facing a battle to keep hold of him before the end of the summer transfer window.

Aston Villa continue to be linked with the attacker, but according to The Telegraph, West Ham are now firmly in the hunt for his signature.

The report claims that David Moyes's side could move for the £45m-rated forward if Lucas Paqueta leaves for Premier League champions Manchester City.

Johnson scored 10 times for Forest during the 2022-23 campaign, including eight in the Premier League.

The forward also played 80 minutes of his side's 2-1 loss to Arsenal on the opening weekend of the new season.

Forest are in a strong position when it comes to any potential negotiations for the forward, as his contract at the City Ground is due to run for another three years.

Daniel Podence celebrates scoring for Wolverhampton Wanderers against West Ham United on January 14, 2023© Reuters

Meanwhile, according to the Daily Mail, Celtic are keen to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker Daniel Podence before the end of the summer window.

The 27-year-old made the move to Molineux from Olympiacos in the summer of 2019, and he has represented his current side on 105 occasions, scoring 16 goals and registering nine assists in the process.

Podence was a regular for Wolves last season, making 37 appearances, netting six times and proving one assist.

The Portuguese was not included in the squad for his team's Premier League opener against Manchester United on Monday evening, though, amid the speculation surrounding his future.

Celtic are said to be keeping a close eye on the forward, who is valued in the region of £12m.

Wolves are allegedly still planning to sell Podence this summer despite recently changing their manager, replacing Julen Lopetegui with Gary O'Neil.

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi before the match on August 12, 2023© Reuters

Elsewhere, Brighton & Hove Albion are allegedly interested in signing Boca Juniors defender Valentin Barco.

The 19-year-old is believed to have a release clause of around £8m inserted into his current deal.

According to The Argus, Brighton are huge admirers of the youngster and are planning an approach in the hope of bringing him to England before the end of the transfer window.

Barco, who is also capable of operating higher up the field, has been capped on two occasions by Argentina Under-20s.

The South American has a contract with Boca until next December, but the release clause will make it hard for the Argentine outfit to keep hold of him.

Barco has scored once and provided two assists in his 20 first-team appearances for the Blue and Golds.

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Written by
Matt Law

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Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Gary O'Neil receiving a yellow card on August 14, 2023.
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


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