Thursday News (includes West Ham)

[Alan]

BBC

Barcelona will look to keep Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, 28, on loan for another season to avoid paying a £26m transfer fee. (Daily Mail), external

United could look to pick up Nigeria midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, 29, from Besiktas, with Turkey goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, 27, moving in the other direction. (SporX - in Turkish), external

Borussia Dortmund believe they can persuade United's Jadon Sancho, 25, to sign for a third spell at the Bundesliga club. (Times - subscription required), external

Manchester United have a clear interest in Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali but Newcastle United would demand a fee of more than £100m if they decide to sell the 25-year-old. (The i), external

Juventus have been told they can sign Joshua Zirkzee from Manchester United for as little as 25m euros (£21.6m) but are also open to considering a loan with an option to buy the 24-year-old Netherlands forward. (Tuttosport - in Italian), external

Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara is a target for Newcastle and the 22-year-old could leave Monaco this summer. (Football Insider), external

The Magpies are also interested in bringing in 21-year-old French goalkeeper Robin Risser from Lens. (Sky Sports Switzerland - in French), external

West Ham are planning talks with Chelsea to turn the loan signing of France defender Axel Disasi, 28, into a permanent move. (Football Insider), external

Chelsea and Tottenham are chasing Hoffenheim's 23-year-old Kosovo striker Fisnik Asllani. (Bild - in German)




Sky Paper Talk

PREMIER LEAGUE

Barcelona will ask Manchester United if they can extend Marcus Rashford's loan for another season to avoid paying the full £26m asking price this summer - Daily Mail

Max Dowman's father and brother have obtained FIFA agent licences with the family intent on managing his career for the foreseeable future - The Guardian

Manchester United hope to lodge a planning application for the new Old Trafford in the next 12 to 18 months - Daily Mail

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick would love to see Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo handed England recalls when Thomas Tuchel makes his final selection before naming his World Cup squad - The Independent

SCOTLAND

Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel fears his football career is over after learning that he could be out for more than a year following shoulder surgery - Daily Mail

SFA VAR manager Martin Atkinson says the focus on "sinister reasons behind decisions" in Scotland is worse than anything he experienced in England - Daily Record

EUROPE

Borussia Dortmund are optimistic that they can persuade Jadon Sancho to return for a third stint with the Bundesliga club when his Manchester United contract expires this summer - The Times

Hansi Flick has revealed that the head coach role at Barcelona will be his final job in management - The Athletic

Barcelona are set to leave the Nou Camp for a tiny 8,000-seater stadium when more work is carried out on the stadium - The Scottish Sun

WORLD FOOTBALL

The Senegalese government has called for an investigation into alleged corruption at African football's governing body after the country was stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations title - The Athletic

Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal have identified Liverpool's Richard Hughes as a leading contender to become their new sporting director - The Athletic

Dick Advocaat has agreed to work as an advisor to Feyenoord boss Robin van Persie, just a month after stepping down as Curacao manager - Daily Mail

NON-LEAGUE

Iconic manager Neil Warnock has left his role as Torquay United boss after just 18 days with the National League South side - The Sun





Sport Witness

West Ham United and Crystal Palace are in the picture to sign Club Atletico Independiente’s Kevin Lomónaco in the summer.

The 24-year-old is attracting interest from Europe, where West Ham and Crystal Palace are among his suitors.

Lomónaco initially moved to Independiente on loan from Red Bull Bragantino in August 2024 and joined them permanently the following year.

The centre-back has played 74 matches in all competitions for the Argentine club of which 10 are from this year.

He started in nine of them and has played 790 minutes so far and below are his stats per game during that period.

    Interceptions: 1.6
    Tackles: 1.1
    Ball recovery: 7
    Clearances: 4.3
    Dribbled past: 0.2
    Blocked shots: 0.4
    Duels won: 4.6

These defensive numbers would have seen West Ham, Crystal and other clubs take notice.

Hammers and Eagles keen

That’s according to Boca Noticias, who cover the Premier League duo in a report focusing on Boca Juniors.

Their president, Juan Román Riquelme, plans to improve his side’s defence in the next window and has Lomónaco in his target list. The interest isn’t new as Boca Juniors wanted to sign him before Independiente made his stay permanent.

Boca Juniors have now rekindled their interest as ‘everything indicates’ he will leave in the summer. They won’t find it easy because the South American has aroused ‘strong interest’ in recent times. This is when Nuno Espírito Santo and the Eagles are mentioned.

West Ham’s interest isn’t new as they looked at him last year. The Hammers are joined by Crystal Palace, Sevilla and VfL Wolfsburg as these clubs have followed him.

Atlético Mineiro and Panathinaikos had previously submitted offers, but a deal never took shape.
Lomónaco’s contract, value and agent info

Agency MS+ represents the West Ham and Crystal Palace target and currently manage 15 Argentine players.

He has a contract until December 2028, and Transermarkt value him at €9m, €3m less than his highest value from June 2025.

However, Lomónaco has $15m [€13.1m] release clause. This should be affordable for the two London clubs, making it easier for a summer move.

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