Premier League

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Arsenal-linked Riccardo Calafiori is "everything you want from a modern day centre-back", according to Bologna team-mate Lewis Ferguson.

The 22-year-old received plaudits for his performances with Italy despite their disappointing Euro 2024 finals campaign.

He was also a key player as Bologna finished third in Serie A to qualify for the Champions League - their first appearance in the main European club competition since the 1964-64 season.

"Not only did he have a really good tournament, but last season he was outstanding - one of our best players," Ferguson, who missed out on the finals with Scotland through injury, told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound.

"We had a great season as a team and he was big part of that."

Bologna have lost head coach Thiago Motta to Juventus, with Vincenzo Italiano arriving in his place from Fiorentina.

Ferguson thinks Bologna could also have sold some key players by the time he returns to action by the end of the year and is "not surprised" that Arsenal are interested in Calafiori.

"Originally, he was a left-back," he explained. "The manager had changed him into a centre-back, but he is a real modern centre-back, the way he drives with the ball, he's really comfortable with the ball.

"The way we played last season, half the time, the centre-backs were in midfield. That's the way the manager wanted them to play and it suited him down to a T.

"He was perfect for that role. So comfortable on the ball, but again, he was aggressive, good in the air, strong in the tackle. Everything you want from the modern-day centre-back."

Manchester United have sorted out Erik ten Hag’s contract, now they are looking to get his backroom team tweaked.

With pre-season training due to start on Monday, time is of the essence.

Whereas before Brexit, Dutch coaches could just have been appointed, now there is a visa process to go through.

Rene Hake has already said his goodbyes to Go Ahead Eagles and as a former PSV Eindhoven manager, I can’t see any problems in Ruud van Nistelrooy making an emotional return to the Old Trafford outfit.

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Wolves have held informal talks with head coach Gary O’Neil about a new deal.

Nothing has been agreed yet and the nature of the conversations have been relaxed but there is a desire to get the deal done and it is expected it would be an easy one to finalise.

Sporting director Matt Hobbs said in March the club would speak with O’Neil, who has two years left on his current deal, about a new contract at the end of the season.

Wolves and O’Neil are relaxed with the situation and are currently focused on the transfer window, meaning any agreement is not imminent and may not even come before the start of the new campaign, which kicks off at Arsenal on 16 August.

O’Neil took Wolves to 14th in the Premier League last season having been appointed five days before their opening game at Manchester United after Julen Lopetegui left Molineux in frustration at the recruitment policy.

They were competing for Europe and reached the FA Cup quarter final in March only to lose 3-2 at home to Coventry.

After that Wolves lost eight of their final 11 games – winning once – to tumble out of European contention.

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Ipswich are hopeful of completing the signing of England Under-21 international Jaden Philogene from Hull.

The 22-year-old wide man is keen to join the Tractor Boys and is in advanced talks, despite interest from several established Premier League clubs.

At the same time, Hull defender Jacob Greaves could also move to Portman Road in a deal that will cost the promoted side around £30m for the pair.

Everton and West Ham remain keen on Philogene, while Hull owner Acun Illicali has said interest from Barcelona is real, but the forward believes a move to Ipswich represents the best option at this time in his career.

Philogene scored 12 goals in 32 games for the Tigers as they finished seventh in the Championship last season, three points adrift of the play-off spots.

He has been training with Hull this week and was at their Millhouse Woods Lane base on Thursday.

Despite selling Philogene to the Tigers last summer, Aston Villa still like him and retain a buy-back option under option under certain conditions. However, their hands have previously been tied by Profit and Sustainability concerns.

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna tried to sign him from Villa before he joined Hull and there is a belief the Tractor Boys can survive in their first top flight season since 2001-02 given their recruitment.

So far, Town have acquired Omari Hutchinson from Chelsea for £20m following his successful loan while defender Ben Johnson has also joined on a free transfer from West Ham.