Taylor’s Tuesday Transfers: Tottenham’s Andersen U-turn, Liverpool secure Wilson clause

The clock is ticking and there are just 17 days to go until the 2021/22 Premier League campaign gets underway as Brentford make their top-flight debut at home to Arsenal. As anticipated after Euro 2020, transfer business is now rife as clubs prepare to get their squads in order and while the window does not close until August 31, matches are expected to slow negotiations once the season kicks off. Tottenham, Liverpool, Fulham, Leicester, Newcastle, Manchester City, Celtic and Burnley all feature in this week’s edition of Taylor’s Tuesday Transfers…

Tottenham’s U-turn on Joachim Andersen

Joachim Andersen is set to join Crystal Palace on a permanent deal from Lyon but the Dane came close to joining Tottenham…

During the end of his stay with Fulham last season, the player’s reps held extensive talks with Tottenham and there was optimism that he would be playing his football in north London next season.

However, Spurs made it clear that any final decision would rest with their new manager – who was yet to be appointed – while Fabio Paratici has also since arrived as the club’s new technical director.

The Italian and Nuno Espirito Santo instead decided to pursue alternative targets including Jules Kounde and Cristian Romero of Atalanta.

Now Palace have pounced and are set to secure the signing of the Lyon centre-back for an initial £19million.

Andersen was always keen on staying in the Premier League and particularly London after a hugely positive experience in England with the Cottagers despite their relegation to the Championship.

Liverpool secure Harry Wilson clause

Liverpool have managed to successfully negotiate a 15 per cent sell-on clause in the deal that has seen Harry Wilson join Fulham.

The move is an initial loan that will become permanent for around £12million in 2022.

Wilson was determined to make the grade at his boyhood side Liverpool but there was mutual feeling between both the club and player that this was the right time to move on.

The Welshman’s figures during his three previous loan spells with Cardiff, Bournemouth and Derby respectively suggest Liverpool’s move to secure a sell-on clause could prove to be a masterstroke further down the line.

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Newcastle have four targets in loan market

Newcastle are set to maximise their use of the loan market this summer.

The Magpies are working on a restricted budget and are unlikely to raise much cash through player sales.

Premier League clubs cannot register more than two players on loan at one time and can only borrow a maximum of four players in one season.

Furthermore, loaning two players from the same club is completely off-limits.

Newcastle’s top loan target is last season’s MVP Joe Willock, who equaled Alan Shearer’s club-record seven-game Premier League scoring streak.

Arsenal are yet to sign off the deal and could still keep the attacking midfielder but Newcastle are confident they will be able to bring him back to Tyneside.

Furthermore, Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher, Manchester United’s Axel Tuanzebe and Leicester midfielder Hamza Choudhury

are also loan targets for Steve Bruce.

Dewsbury-Hall impresses at Leicester

Leicester academy graduate Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall could be set for his breakthrough season at the King Power Stadium.

The 22-year-old was one of the best midfielders in the Championship last season while on loan at Luton, where he earned their Player of the Year award.

Dewsbury-Hall also caught the eye on loan at Blackpool in 2020, where he struck four goals in just 10 appearances after joining for the second half of the season.

There is huge excitement around the player in Leicester quarters and he could now stay at the club this season, particularly if Choudhury or Dennis Praet depart.

The Foxes will be playing Europa League football for the second successive season and will need to maximise the full use of their squad.

Dewsbury-Hall, who has been raved about by the likes of close friend James Maddison, is one of several youngsters expected to benefit from that.

Everton held Sergio Rico talks

Asmir Begovic made quite the impact on his Everton debut as he scored and saved the winning penalty in the club’s Florida Cup shootout triumph over Millonarios in Orlando.

The Bosnian only signed for the Toffees last week on a free transfer from Bournemouth as he looks to provide healthy competition for Jordan Pickford.

Everton did explore other options before signing the Cherries No 1 though, including Paris Saint-Germain’s Sergio Rico.

The Spaniard, who first made a name for himself at Sevilla, spent the 2018/19 campaign on loan at Fulham.

Yet it’s understood Rico turned down the chance to move to Goodison Park as he wants to play regularly at his next club.

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Celtic in discussions with Man City over Ko Itakura loan

Celtic have held talks with Manchester City over a potential loan for defender Ko Itakura.

The Japanese international was excellent while on loan in the Eredivisie with Groningen last season but is still not part of City’s plans.

Itakura is currently in Tokyo representing his country at the Olympic Games but his future remains uncertain.

New Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou, who previously worked in Japan with Yokohama F. Marinos, would love to bring Itakura on board as part of his new project in Glasgow.

However, City are understood to be demanding a substantial loan fee for the player that could force Celtic to explore other options.

Discussions behind the scenes remain ongoing while the player remains at the Olympics.

Marc Albrighton remains option for Burnley

Burnley remain interested in signing Marc Albrighton from Leicester but a deal will not be easy due to Brendan Rodgers’ appreciation of the player.

Sean Dyche is a big admirer of the winger’s industrious style and is looking to add another wide player to his ranks.

Leicester would ideally like to keep Albrighton – who has just one year left on his current deal – and are even prepared to lose him on a free transfer next summer.

Their stance means Burnley would have to present a considerable offer to twist Leicester’s arm.

Express Sport understands reports linking the Clarets with a surprise swoop for West Ham’s Andriy Yarmolenko are nonsense.

The Hammers would like to shift the Ukrainian from their wage bill this summer but Yarmolenko (£115,000 per week) earns more than double Burnley’s highest-earner James Tarkowski (£50,000 per week).