The end of the season is nearly upon us and the attention has started to shift towards the summer transfer window ahead of it’s opening in a few months.
A host of clubs are set to be active in the transfer market, as they seek to bolster their squads for the challenges that lie ahead next season and look to retain the services of star players who may court attention from elsewhere.
Plenty of gossip is already floating around and we have gathered some of the latest snippets and rumours for you below:
West Ham are preparing a summer approach for Stoke City’s Joe Allen.
The 28-year-old was a Hammers target 18 months ago and a £25million bid was lodged.
Football Insider report that the middle man is attracting interest from the London club once again.
Stoke are expected to lose a number of key performers after a disappointing season in the Championship.
Another man who is also likely to leave is Jack Butland, report The Telegraph.
The Potters want £30m for the England goalkeeper who has played all season in the Championship.
Crystal Palace and Bournemouth have been linked with Butland, 26, capped nine times by the Three Lions.
Aston Villa face a race to keep hold of Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham with Everton ready to pounce.
Abraham, 21, has scored 25 goals in 37 Championship matches for Villa this season to help Dean Smith’s side to a play-off spot.
Rumours surrounding the striker’s future have swirled all season with German club Red Bull Leipzig prominently linked, while Wolverhampton Wanderers tried to sign him in the January transfer window.
And, according to reports at Football Insider Everton transfer chief Marcel Brands has put Abraham on his list of targets heading into the summer window.
Derby County are stepping up their interest in Hearts defender John Souttar, according to Teamtalk.
Rangers were thought to be leading the chase but the Rams are now hoping for a £5million summer move.
Souttar is said to be keen on making the move to England.
Achraf Lazaar is in talks to turn his loan deal at Sheffield Wednesday into a permanent one.
The 27-year-old left-back joined the Championship club on loan from Newcastle and has made just four appearances.
But he told TuttoMercatoWeb: “Sheffield would like to keep me, we’re talking about it.
“Italy is my home. But for now I’m happy with Sheffield. You can evaluate everything. It is a pleasure to receive interests.”
What Derby, Middlesbrough, Bristol City and Swansea City are saying about the play-off race
Preston North End are interested in Oldham Athletic defender George Edmundson, according to Football Insider.
A source close to the 21-year-old says the Lilywhites, alongside Stoke City and Sunderland, have regularly watched the player and are now weighing up a swoop.
Edmundson is entering the final year of his contract at the Latics and is likely to attract plenty of further interest.
Swansea City keep or sell: Have your say on who should stay or leave this summer
