Transfer rumours: Chong to Luton Town, Clarke to Burnley, Wharton to Everton

After beginning the new week with the addition of Mads Juel Andersen from Barnsley, the Hatters are turning their attention to other targets as they prepare for their first top-flight campaign since 1991-92.

According to the Daily Mail, Luton are currently in talks with Birmingham over a deal for Chong, who has three years left to run on his contract.

The Manchester United academy product joined the Championship side on an initial season-long loan deal in 2021, before completing a permanent move ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.

In a separate report, Birmingham Live states that John Eustace's side are under no pressure to sell the 23-year-old this summer.

Birmingham spent £1.5m to sign Chong from Man United last September, and they will be looking to receive a fee in excess of that figure if they are to sanction his departure.

Fellow Premier League newcomers Burnley have reportedly submitted a third bid for Sunderland winger Jack Clarke.

After returning to the top flight at the first time of asking, the Clarets are looking to assemble a squad that can compete in the Premier League, and Clarke is a player that features on their radar.

Burnley have already failed with two bids for the 22-year-old, but the Daily Mail are reporting that they have returned to the negotiating table with a third offer in the region £9m.

There is currently no indication whether Sunderland will accept Burnley's latest offer for a player that is also attracting interest from Brentford and Crystal Palace.

Tony Mowbray's side are in a strong negotiating position after Clarke completed a permanent transfer last summer, signing a four-year contract following an initial loan spell.

Clarke, who is comfortable playing on either flank, made 50 competitive appearances for Sunderland during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring 11 goals and providing 14 assists.

As for Everton, they have allegedly included two players in a proposed swap deal for Blackburn Rovers centre-back Scott Wharton.

The Toffees are keen to recruit the 25-year-old defender, who signed a contract extension in March until the summer of 2027.

According to Football Insider, Everton have offered either Ellis Simms or Neal Maupay to Blackburn in exchange for Wharton.

Everton have already rejected a £4m bid for Simms from Ipswich Town, and the striker continues to be linked with a whole host of Championship sides, including Blackburn, Coventry City, Swansea City and Sunderland.

In addition to Simms, the Toffees are willing to offload Maupay just a year after signing the forward from fellow Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.

Maupay, who has been linked with Salernitana and Nice, has failed to live up to expectations, scoring just one goal in 29 games since his arrival on Merseyside.

Meanwhile, in Portugal, Sporting Lisbon are reportedly set to sign Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres in a £18.5m transfer.

Gyokeres has attracted many admirers after finishing the 2022-23 season as the second-highest scorer in the Championship with 21 goals in 46 league games.

Coventry's defeat to Luton Town in the playoff final raised the prospect of a summer departure for Gyokeres, who has just 12 months left to run on his current deal.

The Sweden international has attracted interest from a number of Premier League clubs, including Brentford, Everton and West Ham United.

However, according to the Daily Mail, Sporting are set to prise Gyokeres away from England after tabling an offer of €21.5m (£18.5m).

With Coventry set to give the green light, he will leave the Sky Blues after registering 43 goals in 116 competitive appearances.