Paper Talk
Saido Berahino is stalling on signing a new West Brom contract in the hope that Liverpool make a £20million move for him this month.
Liverpool have joined Tottenham in turning their attention to Birmingham forward Demarai Gray after cooling their interest in Berahino.
Aston Villa are preparing to fight off a £7.5million bid from Liverpool to make Fabian Delph the successor to Steven Gerrard.
Tottenham are set for a mass clear-out with six members of their first-team squad ready to move this month.
Alan Pardew has set his sights on the England job if he succeeds at Crystal Palace.
West Ham are set offer goalkeeper Adrian a new contract.
Frank de Boer has snubbed Newcastle, clearing the way for Remi Garde to take over at the Toon.
Sheffield Wednesday defender Tom Lees is a £3million target for Premier League strugglers Sunderland.
West Ham and Crystal Palace are eyeing a move for Celtic's £3million-rated defender Efe Ambrose.
Chelsea legend Frank Lampard has been slammed by Blues fans - on the club's own website.
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal insists he is not afraid to splash the cash this month.
West Brom chief Tony Pulis is going back to Stoke for old favourite Jon Walters.
Aston Villa should find out this week if they have any chance of landing Adnan Januzaj on loan from Manchester United.
Newcastle have opened talks with Remi Garde about becoming their new head coach.
Ronald Koeman has an escape clause in his Southampton contract which could make him available to Barcelona for just over £2million.
Manchester City hope to sign £30million Wilfried Bony from Swansea, with Lyon's £25million Alexandre Lacazette another target. Going out of the Etihad Stadium permanently will be Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo, currently on loan to Valencia.
Aston Villa want Manchester United's Adnan Januzaj on loan - and are also chasing Manchester City winger Scott Sinclair.
Arsenal will make a cheeky £3million bid for West Ham defender Winston Reid after Sam Allardyce revealed he has "no future" at Upton Park.
The battle for Burnley striker Danny Ings is getting busier with Chelsea the latest club to assess his potential and ability.
Everton defender Luke Garbutt could be a summer target for Liverpool.
Sampdoria have opened talks with the agent of Everton striker Samuel Eto'o.
Hoffenheim striker Anthony Modeste has been offered to Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Swansea and Hull.
Jack Wilshere is ahead of schedule in his recovery from serious ankle ligament damage suffered last year.
Stoke have joined the running for Ipswich's highly-rated left-back Tyrone Mings.
Demba Ba is being lined up for a return to the Premier League with West Brom - just six months after he was dumped by Chelsea.
Louis van Gaal has been left with a £200million conundrum after admitting he will be forced to leave out at least one of his attacking big hitters against Southampton at Old Trafford on Sunday.
QPR players had to be separated from their own fans amid angry scenes as Harry Redknapp's side set the worst away record in the top-flight in 50 years.
Mario Balotelli's departure is set to become the catalyst in a complicated January transfer window jigsaw for Liverpool.
Aston Villa have made a £3.9million offer for Valencia midfielder Carles Gil.
Leicester are considering a January bid for former Tottenham and Manchester City defender Vedran Corluka.
Swansea and West Ham are considering Hoffenheim striker Anthony Modeste, who wants a return to the Premier League.
Newcastle are closing in on Remi Garde as their head coach - with a little help from Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
Juventus want to sign Stevan Jovetic from Manchester City, who would like to delay the deal until the end of the month.
Chelsea are eyeing up a stunning move for Marco Reus or Manchester United target Juan Cuadrado as a possible replacement for Andre Schurrle, reports claim.
Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross could be a transfer target for Arsenal.
Aston Villa are poised to win the battle for Manchester City winger Scott Sinclair in a deal worth around £2.5 million.
Manchester United have stepped up their pursuit of Southampton right-back Nathaniel Clyne.
Arsenal have been offered a boost in their pursuit of Southampton star Morgan Schneiderlin, as Tottenham target Everton's James McCarthy as an alternative.
BBC
TRANSFER GOSSIP
Swansea City manager Garry Monk said negotiations are ongoing with Manchester City over the transfer of Swans striker Wilfried Bony, 26, amid reports suggesting a £27m fee has been agreed. (Manchester Evening News)
City also want Lyon's £25m-rated France forward Alexandre Lacazette, 23, and are prepared to release Stevan Jovetic, 25, now a £20m target for Juventus, and Alvaro Negredo, 29, whose loan move to Valencia will become a permanent £25m deal. (Daily Star on Sunday)
West Brom striker Saido Berahino, 21, has refused to rule out the possibility of leaving the club during the January transfer window. (Sky Sports)
Baggies boss Tony Pulis is planning to go back to his former club Stoke to try to sign 31-year-old striker Jon Walters, whose deal with the Britannia Stadium side ends next summer. (Sun on Sunday - subscription required)
Leicester forward Jamie Vardy, 28, is another player Pulis has his sights on and could be the target of a £5m bid from The Hawthorns club. (Sunday Telegraph)
Liverpool are considering a £7.5m January bid for Aston Villa's England international midfielder Fabian Delph, 25, as the replacement for Steven Gerrard, who is leaving to join the LA Galaxy. (Sunday Mirror)
The Reds are also keen on a move for Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, 24, and are considering making a £15m offer for the Belgium international. (Sun on Sunday - subscription required)
Arsenal may have one challenger fewer in their pursuit of Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin, 25, with Tottenham thought to be turning their attentions to Everton's Republic of Ireland international midfielder James McCarthy, 24, instead. (Sunday Express)
Meanwhile, Tottenham could be prepared to let six first-team players leave during the transfer window, including out-of-favour England international winger Aaron Lennon, 27. (Sunday Mirror)
Chelsea are lining up a surprise move for Borussia Dortmund's Germany attacking midfielder Marco Reus, 25, with the future of his compatriot Andre Schurrle, a 24-year-old forward, at Stamford Bridge rumoured to be uncertain. (Sunday Express)
Leicester could bring former Tottenham defender Vedrun Corluka, who is currently at Lokomotiv Moscow, back to the Premier League as the Foxes are weighing up a bid for the 28-year-old, who is also a target for Aston Villa and West Ham. (Mail on Sunday)
OTHER GOSSIP
Newcastle have opened talks with former Lyon boss Remi Garde, 48, who played for Arsenal from 1996 to 1999, about becoming their new head coach. (Daily Star on Sunday)
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman believes compatriot and Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal should be challenging for the title after the amount of money the Old Trafford club has spent and the players he has at his disposal. (Observer)
With pressure continuing to mount on Nottingham Forest boss Stuart Pearce, ex-Sunderland manager Roy Keane and former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood were spotted at Forest's 2-0 defeat by Sheffield Wednesday at the City Ground, their fourth straight defeat. (101greatgoals.com)
Gareth Bale provoked an angry reaction from team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid fans during his side's 3-0 victory over Espanyol. The flashpoint came when the Wales international forward decided to shoot, despite the Portuguese being better placed, and rolled the ball past a post. (Sunday Telegraph)
Swansea boss Garry Monk praised Bafetimbi Gomis after the striker helped them claim a point against West Ham United and celebrated by raising the French flag in tribute to the people who have died in his homeland this week. (South Wales Evening Post)
BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA
In-form Tottenham striker Harry Kane, who scored his 18th goal of the season against Crystal Palace, tweets his support to fans and vows to remain upbeat despite the 2-1 defeat at Selhurst Park.
But Palace striker Fraizer Campbell is understandably far more buoyant and has a quip about the Match of the Day running order on Twitter: "Great result today against a top side. Might even be on Match of the Day before last for a change!! Haha"
The BBC's Match of the Day tweets Campbell to say: "You'll be happy to hear Fraizer #Palace vs #Spurs is the third match on #MOTD."
Under-fire Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet tweets a picture from the dressing room after the 1-0 win at his former club Sunderland: "Great performance by the whole team! #LFC thanks for the support by both sets of fans!"
Meanwhile, Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren posts a picture on Instagram as the Liverpool celebrations continue on the team coach.
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero on Twitter after returning from injury as a second-half substitute in the 1-1 draw at Everton: "Very happy to be back in the field! We just missed taking the three points but there's plenty ahead of us. C'mon, City!"
Manchester United's Luke Shaw pays tribute to his old club Southampton on Instagram before Sunday's meeting between the teams at Old Trafford. "A club that has got me to where I am today, forever thankful to the club and fans," he says.
AND FINALLY...
QPR boss Harry Redknapp criticised his side's defending in the 2-1 defeat at Burnley - complaining his players had made Scott Arfield look like Lionel Messi. (Lancashire Telegraph)
Mail
Swansea 1-1 West Ham: Mark Noble own goal ensures Swans claim point after Andy Carroll's first-half thunderbolt
West Ham striker Andy Carroll scored opener just before the half-time interval
Mark Noble put through his own net in the 74th minute to hand Swansea a point
Bafetimbi Gomis celebrated his goal by paying tribute to the innocent people who died in Paris terrorist attack
Sam Allardyce missed the Premier League match due to a chest infection
By Riath Al-samarrai
An internet feed to his bedroom and a phone line to West Ham’s bench. Suffice to say, Sam Allardyce’s day away from the touchline was not altogether that relaxing.
His chest infection was deemed significant enough to keep him away from this fixture, but that self-imposed exile seems to have only applied to the body. The mind was firmly in south Wales, watching stuttering footage on his home computer and calling the shots to Neil McDonald via his phone.
West Ham’s manager might just have ended up with a headache for his trouble. This was a game his side should have won, having led through a goal of some beauty from Andy Carroll.
Gomis leaped above West Ham's defence to score his side's equaliser in the 74th minute
Carroll rifled his left footed shot into the top corner past Swansea goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski
Fabianski dives to his left but he is unable to stop Carroll's shot from flying into the net
West Ham striker Andy Carroll celebrates after scoring just before the interval
Carroll celebrates with team-mate Mark Noble, Kevin Nolan and Stewart Downing after scoring at the Liberty Stadium
The striker reversed some of the farcical luck that has affected him this week by opening the scoring after 43 minutes, but also contrived to miss the target altogether from three yards after Mark Noble’s 74th-minute own goal pulled Swansea level.
‘I think we should have won,’ said McDonald who, along with club officials, claimed Allardyce’s illness was not serious.
‘Sam has a chest infection so he was watching a live stream on the computer and giving us a few tips on the phone. There was a delay on the live stream I think but he was happy with what we did.
‘He has taken time off to recover and he should be fine for next week (when West Ham play Everton in an FA Cup replay on Tuesday).’
That game will be an opportunity to address a winless run that now extends to five matches in all competitions. Hardly cause for major concern for a side that always faced a formidable task in replicating their form of the first half of the season.
What will bother Allardyce, though, is how some of their clear openings were not turned into goals before Swansea levelled.
Swansea are lobbying for the goal to be credited to Gomis, whose header had struck Noble after bouncing back of a post. One would expect those efforts given the Frenchman's need for confidence in his mission to replace Wilfried Bony.
Gomis celebrated that moment with a French flag in memory of those killed in the Charlie Hebdo massacre. There was evident joy in the moment, but it remains to be seen if, primarily, he is up to replacing Bony, and also if he stays in Wales.
Clubs are interested and he has not been shy in encouraging the admirers.
Monk said: ‘I hope they give him the goal, he deserves it for the hard work he did. He is a top striker - there was not much to choose between him and Bony.
'I brought him in and he has been frustrated but he has shown his qualities and he has a run to keep getting better.
‘The goal meant a lot for him. He wanted to show the flag. It was a very good gesture for the people hurt in Paris and that was a really nice touch.’
West Ham goalkeeper Adrian celebrates Carroll's goal by clenching his fists and sliding on his knees
Carroll wheels away in celebration after scoring the opening goal against Swansea
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Fabianski was unable to get anywhere near Carroll's first-half strike
Swansea defender Angel Rangel celebrates after West Ham's Noble puts through his own net
Swansea winger Nathan Dyer is tackled by West Ham midfielder Noble during the Premier League clash
Downing is closely watched by Tom Carroll as the West Ham midfielder attempts to carry the ball forward
James Collins leaps above Swansea's defence to head towards goal (left) and Rangel clears the ball while under pressure from Carroll
Neil McDonald took charge of West Ham as manager Sam Allardyce missed the trip due to a chest infection
Gomis was less than convincing with his finishing in the first, most notably when he was presented with a sight at goal in the 30th minute and dallied. He cut inside to his right foot rather than swinging the left and allowed James Tomkins to block. Would Bony have been so hesitant?
West Ham improved, took control some excellent passing and led through Carroll’ s magnificent goal. He chested a Stewart Downing cross, evaded three men and found the top corner from the edge of the area. Not bad at the end of a week in which he missed a fixture with an injured foot – he kicked the floor in training – and sliced open his finger while making lunch.
He now has four goals and three assists in six Premier League games against Swansea. It should have been five goals but he blew an excellent late chance after Noble’s own goal.
If Allardyce's feed caught the moment his bed rest might have failed to fulfil its purpose.
DISTANCE COVERED MINS PLD KM MILES
Swansea 113.0 70.2
Tom Carroll 90 12.3 7.6
Angel Rangel 90 12.2 7.6
Leon Britton 90 11.3 7.0
West Ham United 112.7 70.0
Mark Noble 90 12.3 7.6
Stewart Downing 90 11.2 7.0
Andy Carroll 90 10.0 6.2
MATCH FACTS
SWANSEA (4-2-3-1): Fabianski 7; Rangel 6, Fernandez 5.5, Williams 6.5, Taylor 6; Carroll 6, Britton 6.5; Dyer 5.5 (Emnes 62, 6.5), Sigurdsson 6 (Oliveira 74, 6), Routledge 5.5 (Barrow 62, 6); Gomis 6.5
Subs not used: Tiendalli, Tremmel, Bartley, Fulton.
Goal: Noble OG 74
West Ham (3-5-2): Adrian 6; Tomkins 7, Collins 6.5, Reid 6.5; Jenkinson 6.5, Nolan 6.5 (Poyet 82), Noble 6, Downing 6.5, Cresswell 6; Carroll 7.5, Valencia 5.5 (Amalfitano 71, 6)
Subs not used: Jarvis, Vaz Te, O'Brien, Jaaskelainen, Cole
Goal: Carroll 43
Booked: Poyet
Referee: Mike Dean 6.5
MOTM: Andy Carroll
Attendance: 20,745
Guardian
West Ham’s Andy Carroll haunts Swansea again but it finishes all square
Joe Lovejoy at the Liberty Stadium
Garry Monk calls him the most powerful forward in the Premier League. No, not his own (for the time being) Wilfried Bony but Andy Carroll, who has scored four goals this season – three of them against Swansea.
Carroll, whose England days may not be gone for ever on this evidence, struck twice when West Ham won 3-1 in the corresponding fixture at Upton Park five weeks ago and embarrassed the Welsh club’s defence again for what looked like a high-class matchwinner until Mark Noble’s inadvertent late equaliser past his own goalkeeper.
While Carroll is back to something like the form that won him international recognition – “he has supremacy over everyone” Monk says – Swansea’s own human wrecking ball, Bony, is away on Africa Cup of Nations duty and his replacement, Bafétimbi Gomis, has one goal to show for 18 Premier League appearances and is still a work in progress.
That said, it was the Frenchman’s header from which Noble nudged the ball into his own net. Monk insisted Gomis deserved to be credited with the goal – “he covered every blade of grass, I think” – and applauded his gesture in grabbing a French tricolour from the touchline and waving it to the heavens in solidarity with those who lost their lives in Paris. “Trust me, Bafe is a top striker”, Monk said.
Bony was not the only notable absentee. The Swans were also without Ki Sung-yueng, Jonjo Shelvey and Jefferson Montero, for various reasons, while West Ham had their leading scorer, Diafra Sakho, injured and Cheikhou Kouyaté on international duty with Senegal.
It was West Ham who coped best with their losses. Deployed in wing-back formation, they effectively stymied Swansea’s close passing style. Two good teams cancelled one another out until the 43rd minute, when Carroll accepted Stewart Downing’s left-wing cross and jockeyed room for himself on the 18-yard line to shoot across Lukasz Fabianski and into the keeper’s left corner. The goal was a delightful piece of technique but dire from a defensive viewpoint. Carroll, who has now scored seven times against the Swans, held off Ashley Williams to win the ball with his chest, brushed aside a half-hearted challenge by his namesake, Tom Carroll, then turned Federico Fernández before getting his shot away.
In extremis, Monk took off both his wingers. Playing at a higher tempo, Swansea did improve for a time, but James Collins should have doubled the margin when he headed wide of the far post before the equaliser.
In the 74th minute Sigurdsson’s corner from the left was met at the near post by Gomis, whose twisting header hit the far upright and bounced down against Noble, whose involuntary contact deflected the ball in.
West Ham put in a strong finish, Carl Jenkinson demanding a notable save from Fabianski from distance, Neil Taylor clearing off the line from James Tomkins and Carroll miscuing at close range at the death.
Sam Allardyce, who has a chest infection, was not at the match but was in touch throughout with his assistant, Neil McDonald, who thought the Hammers deserved to win. “We created some really good chances and Andy scored a fantastic goal,” he said. “We kept Swansea at arm’s length, shooting from distance. We stifled their space and used the energy of our wing-backs to get forward. I thought the tactics worked really well. Over the two games we’ve taken four points off a good team.”
Monk had a different view. He said: “It was a hard game physically – West Ham always make it that. They scored against the run of play. It was a fantastic goal, a great strike, but we gave Carroll too much space. We knew he wanted to shoot with his left foot and should have shown him on to his right and closed that gap. I made the substitutions to give us more of a cutting edge and we managed to get a well-deserved goal.”
Telegraph
Bafetimbi Gomis states his case after Andy Carroll stunner
Swansea City v West Ham United, Premier League – French centre-forward offers hope in post-Wilfried Bony era to hhelp Swans cancel out Hammers' world-class strike
By Graham Clutton, Liberty Stadium
West Ham United provided manager Sam Allardyce with a genuine tonic, at the Liberty Stadium, despite relinquishing a lead for the third successive game.
Allardyce missed the trip to south Wales on medical advice after being diagnosed in midweek with a chest infection.
However, when Andy Carroll spun on the edge of the Swansea City penalty area, three minutes from half-time, to beat Lukasz Fabianski with a goal good enough to win any game, Allardyce would have been jumping for joy on the edge of his sick bed. Unfortunately, for the visitors, West Ham’s bid to win for only the second time in six league games fell foul of an unfortunate own goal from Mark Noble. The midfielder deflected Bafetimbi Gomis’ 74th minute header into his own net.
It was rough justice on the visitors who might have won it on three separate occasions in the final five minutes. Still, it was further confirmation of their rejuvenation under Allardyce and assistant Neil MacDonald.
MacDonald said: “Sam watched the stream on a computer and gave us some tips on the phone. He has taken time off to recover and he should be fine for next week.” Swansea had opportunities long before Carroll arrived in the right place at the right time to break the deadlock. Gomis, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Wayne Routledge were all denied by a combination of weak finishing and brave defending.
Gomis, who manager Garry Monk believes would be the ideal replacement for Wilfried Bony, if, as expected, the Ivorian moves to Manchester City this month, fluffed his lines from the edge of the box before Sigurdsson scuffed his shot into the arms of Adrian.
Three minutes before the interval, Carroll made them pay with his third goal in two games against Swansea. Left alone, to twist and turn on the edge of the box, he spun and duly left Fabianski flapping at thin air.
Thereafter, Swansea increased the tempo and tinkered with their formation, introducing Marvin Emnes and Modou Barrow on the hour. Emnes immediately set up Gomis but the 29-year-old Frenchman fired wide.
Finally, Swansea got their reward. Sigurdsson sent in a corner and Gomis rose to head against the post. When the ball squirted sideways, Noble nudged it back over the line.
Monk will now turn his attention to the likely transfer of Bony and the job of convincing Gomis that his future lies at the Liberty. He said: “He’s a top striker, there was not much to choose between him and Bony. He has been frustrated, but he has shown his qualities and he has a run to keep getting better.
“The goal meant a lot for him, fair play to him, he wanted to show the French flag for the people hurt in Paris. It was a really nice touch.”
Telegraph
Andy Carroll has cost West Ham over £45 million
It is quite an investment by the east London side, who will be desperately hoping that striker - after an injury-plagued last season and missing the start of this campaign - can now stay fit
By Jason Burt
Andy Carroll was West Ham United’s record signing when he finalised his move from Liverpool in June 2013 – but the final fee is even higher than previously thought. It was originally claimed West Ham, who have never officially disclosed the amount, paid £15 million before it then emerged it was a fee of £16.5 million.
But the total figure to acquire Carroll is actually £17.5 million because West Ham had to pay Liverpool an extra £1m bonus on avoiding relegation last season. It means that the Merseyside club eventually recouped exactly half of the £35 million they paid Newcastle United to buy the striker as Fernando Torres’s replacement in Jan 2011.
Given that Carroll signed a six-year deal at West Ham and earns £90,000 a week then the overall cost of the package for the England international has risen to more than £45 million.
It is quite an investment by the east London side, who will be desperately hoping that Carroll — after an injury-plagued last season and missing the start of this campaign — can now stay fit, especially with Diafra Sakho, who forged a prolific partnership with another new signing, Enner Valencia, injured.
Mirror
West Ham outcast Ravel Morrison calls in players' union to resolve Hammers wages row
By Tom Hopkinson
The 21-year-old player takes action over a complaint he is owed a month's salary of around £60,000 - but Hammers insist deductions are down to fines
Ravel Morrison's relationship with West Ham has plumbed new depths in a row over wages, writes Tom Hopkinson in the Sunday People .
The 21-year-old has called in the PFA over a complaint that he did not receive his full salary – understood to be around £60,000 – for December and now the players’ union is trying to mediate between the two parties.
The Hammers say that any money deducted is due to an accumulation of fines and club sources insist Morrison was informed through the proper channels.
The club are trying to offload the former Manchester United youngster this month – however, they are struggling to find a taker with his £15,000-a-week wages and reputation major obstacles.
As Sunday People Sport revealed last month, West Ham are looking at every option that is open to them to cancel his contract.
Incredibly, that contract contains an £18million buyout clause – although the Hammers are now happy to let him leave for nothing.
Last week, boss Sam Allardyce’s assistant Neil McDonald said of Morrison: “I am not sure if he is leaving but he won’t come back into the squad.”
Morrison joined West Ham in January 2013 after Sir Alex Ferguson ran out of patience with his antics.
Allardyce paid £650,000 to sign him from United in the belief that he could get his focus back once away from the distractions of Manchester.
However, the pair’s relationship deteriorated and loan spells at QPR and Cardiff both ended in problems.
Mail
Swansea and West Ham consider moves for Hoffenheim striker Anthony Modeste
Anthony Modeste is keen for another crack at Premier League football
The striker struggled during a spell with Blackburn Rovers back in 2012
Hoffenheim are willing to sell the French striker for around £5million
By Simon Jones
Swansea and West Ham are considering Hoffenheim striker Anthony Modeste, who wants a return to the Premier League.
The 26-year-old had a brief, unproductive loan spell with Blackburn Rovers in 2012 when the club were on the point of relegation.
But he moved to Bastia then Hoffenheim and has averaged a goal every two games. Hoffenheim will sell for £5million this month.
Hull and Crystal Palace are also interested.
Anthony Modeste has averaged a goal every two games at Bastia and Hoffenheim
HITC
West Ham reportedly eye Matija Nastasic as possible Reid replacement
Olly Dawes
West Ham United are reportedly interested in a deal to sign Manchester City defender Matija Nastasic.
Whilst West Ham fans have been hoping that Winston Reid would sign a new contract to stay at Upton Park, manager Sam Allardyce effectively ended any lingering doubts by saying that the New Zealand international has no future with the Hammers.
"There is no future for Winston Reid at West Ham at the moment," said Allardyce earlier this week. "His contract finishes on June 30. He hasn't said he's going to sign or that he's not going to sign."
"I'm airing on the side that he isn't going to sign by the feel of it and look of it. Knowing how the football world works, talking to managers about the situation it's very unlikely Winston will sign for us given what people are saying to me," he added.
With Arsenal and Liverpool both lining up moves to sign the 26-year-old, it's time for Hammers boss Allardyce to start identifying potential replacements for Reid.
The likes of Aleksandar Dragovic (Dynamo Kiev), Martin Hinteregger (Red Bull Salzburg) and Nicolas N'Koulou (Marseille) have all been touted as possible contingency plans for Allardyce, but he may look closer to home.
According to the Daily Mail, the Hammers are considering a move to hijack Schalke's move for Manchester City outcast Matija Nastasic.
The Serbian international, 21, has been frozen out by City manager Manuel Pellegrini, and looked set to sign for Schalke in £10m deal this week.
But with nothing signed and sealed, the Daily Mail suggest that West Ham may well hijack that bid, with the former Fiorentina defender seen as a potential replacement for Reid.
Report: West Ham & Crystal Palace will bid for Celtic's Efe Ambrose
The Premier League duo are said to be plotting a £3 million offer.
Tim Poole
West Ham United and Crystal Palace are planning a £3 million bid for Celtic defender Efe Ambrose, according to the Sunday Mirror.
The 26-year-old has been at Celtic since 2012 but is reportedly the subject of Premier League interest, with the defender said to be willing to move from the SPL to the English top flight.
Ambrose, however, has been much criticised for his form by supporters this season, although Celtic boss Ronny Deila has kept faith in him throughout the campaign.
Ambrose could be of use to both West Ham and Crystal Palace as his versatility sees him able to play both at centre-back and at right-back.
Another Celtic defender linked with a Premier League move this January has been Virgil van Dijk but the Mirror now claim Ambrose is a target for two top-flight sides.
West Ham and Crystal Palace have both displayed significant room for improvement defensively in recent weeks - but whether the 26-year-old is the solution is another matter.
