By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

16th Aug, 2023 | 8:30pm

Pete O'Rourke column: Sinisterra to join Leeds exodus, Tottenham scouts 'blown away' by striker as bid readied, Arsenal close in on marquee signing

Welcome to the latest edition of my biweekly column – bringing you exclusive transfer and contract news, as well as news from the Premier League, EFL, Scottish Premiership and beyond.

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LEEDS UNITED

Bournemouth are now the frontrunners to do a deal for Tyler Adams, despite interest from Brighton and undergoing a medical at Chelsea last week.

Brighton were very much in the market for a midfielder after losing Moises Caicedo, but I’m told they have been put off by Adams’ high wages.

He has a release clause, like many other Leeds stars, worth around £20million.

Luis Sinisterra is another player set to join the exodus after his absence for the loss against Birmingham on Saturday (12 August).

Clubs across Europe are looking at the winger as a viable option, while Leeds are aware of the difficulty of keeping their best players in the event of relegation.

I’m told the Whites could be open to selling as they desperately need funds to do business of their own in the final weeks of the window.

The squad is already looking thin after a wave of injuries, and sources say Daniel Farke really wants his own signings through the door.

Adams, Sinisterra – and even Wilfried Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville are the players most likely to depart before next month’s deadline.

READ MORE EXCLUSIVE LEEDS UNITED NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS

ARSENAL

The Gunners have had a busy and successful window thus far, bringing in Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, David Raya and Jurrien Timber.

I’m told, however, that Arsenal will now need to balance the books with some exits before next month’s deadline.

It is my understanding that Kieran Tierney was omitted from the squad which faced Nottingham Forest on Saturday (12 August) – despite being fit to play.

He will be allowed to leave, and a move to Newcastle remains a possibility despite Eddie Howe’s side cooling their interest in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, Rob Holding will also be allowed to find a new club – with Besiktas already seeing a loan bid rejected earlier in the window.

Nicolas Pepe and Nuno Tavares are also set to leave following their respective loans in Ligue 1 last season.

I’m told Arsenal are likely to sign one more attacking player in the final weeks of the summer window.

However, to enable that, they will need to move players out to balance the books for Financial Fair Play reasons.

READ MORE EXCLUSIVE ARSENAL NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS

TOTTENHAM

The plan is to bring in a new striker to fill the void left by Harry Kane, I’m told.

Ange Postecoglou has been open about knowing Kane was likely to leave, and Spurs have done their homework on potential replacements.

Sources say they will now move for their top choices in the final weeks of the window.

I’m told Richarlison isn’t seen as a main striker, with a more prolific option needed after his disappointing first season at the club.

Gent star Gift Orban is a target after his first months in Belgium, with Tottenham scouts blown away by his huge potential.

Spurs feel the 21-year-old could be key to replacing Kane’s goals with a difficult campaign ahead.

I’m told several other top strikers are on the list and the club now have the money to make big moves.

Away from the forward line, Postecoglou is likely to use the Kane money to also strengthen elsewhere.

Sources say the club are still in the market for another centre-back despite adding Wolfsburg’s Micky van de Ven earlier in the window.

Midfield is another key area for the new boss, especially if Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is allowed to move on.

I’m told exits for Hojbjerg and big-money flop Tanguy Ndombele will boost the transfer kitty and allow Postecoglou to get his wish of a big-name midfield arrival.

An exit for Eric Dier is a real possibility after he was left out of the matchday squad for Sunday’s (13 August) 2-2 draw with Brentford.

I’m told his future is likely to hinge on the status of any new arrivals – with a new centre-back or midfielder coming in likely to push him even further down the pecking order.

The player himself is happy at Tottenham but is open to a move elsewhere as he has less than 12 months to run on his contract.

Sources say clubs have been alerted to a potential cut-price deal for Dier, with new arrivals at Spurs set to signal the end of a nine-year spell at the club for the 29-year-old.

READ MORE EXCLUSIVE TOTTENHAM NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS

FULHAM

My understanding is that the Londoners are now confident of keeping Aleksandar Mitrovic despite the interest from Al-Hilal.

The Saudi Pro League side remain interested with untold riches available, but Mitrovic has recently returned to first-team action after initially going on strike after a bid was rejected.

He came on as a substitute as Fulham beat Everton 1-0 in the season-opener on Saturday (12 August).

I’m told Cottagers boss Marco Silva is confident and hopeful of keeping and fully reintegrating the striker.

Everyone at the club is determined to keep the player and hope to win him around before next month’s deadline.

Meanwhile, I’m told there is more concern over the future of Willian – who is also wanted in Saudi Arabia.

It has been widely reported that the winger has agreed personal terms with Al-Shabab, despite only signing a renewal at Fulham weeks ago.

Manager Silva is hopeful he will choose to honour his contract, but I’m told there are no “guarantees” over his future at present.

Al-Shabab would need to have a bid accepted by Fulham to complete a deal for the 35-year-old this summer.

READ MORE EXCLUSIVE FULHAM NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS