Tuesday News (includes West Ham)
Posted: 24 Feb 2026, 11:14
BBC
Manchester United are considering re-signing Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay for 80m euros (£70m) in the summer, with Napoli willing to cash in on the 29-year-old just two years after he joined the Italian club from Old Trafford. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external
Real Madrid are closely monitoring the situation of Tottenham's 24-year-old centre-back Micky van de Ven, with the Netherlands international not close to agreeing a new deal with the Premier League club. (Teamtalk), external
Brighton hope to get a deal for Cologne's 19-year-old German winger Said El Mala over the line by also signing his older brother, 20-year-old striker Malek. (Times - subscription required), external
Manchester United have been impressed by Nottingham Forest's Ivory Coast midfielder Ibrahim Sangare, 28, in their search for a replacement for Brazil international Casemiro, 34. (GiveMeSport), external
Casemiro will have the option of moving to the United States when his Manchester United contract expires, with the midfielder open to joining a Major League Soccer club. (Telegraph - subscription required), external
Liverpool could consider a swap deal with Real Madrid which would bring Brazil winger Rodrygo, 25, to Anfield and allow Hungary midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, 25, to join the Spanish giants. (Fichajes - in Spanish)
Former France forward Antoine Griezmann, 34, is in advanced talks to join Orlando City from Atletico Madrid. (Athletic - subscription required), external
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior is reluctant to let 23-year-old English striker Liam Delap leave this summer, amid interest from fellow Premier League club Everton. (Football Insider), external
Crystal Palace will allow Austrian manager Oliver Glasner to continue to lead the team until the end of the season. (Football Insider), external
Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Wolves are among the clubs interested in signing Scotland left-back Andy Robertson, should the 31-year-old leave Liverpool this summer. (Caught Offside), external
Nottingham Forest could be open to offers for Brazil striker Igor Jesus, 24, at the end of the season. (Football Insider)
Sport Witness
Return to West Ham looks likeliest option – Player on the move again
By Kaustubh Pandey
Earlier this week, Sport Witness covered claims that Niclas Füllkrug is keen on joining AC Milan permanently from West Ham.
The striker was believed to be enjoying life at the Rossoneri, where he has scored one Serie A goal so far.
Despite a lack of impact and after fighting through an injury, he feels at home at the club. He is also quite attached to the city of Milan, settling quickly in Italy.
Even if the striker has the best intentions, his permanent stay at the Italian giants now appears difficult.
Milan can send Füllkrug back to West Ham
Calciomercato IT assess the veteran’s situation at the Rossoneri and they expect him to return to West Ham in the summer.
This isn’t specifically because there are any concerns about the 33-year-old, his performances or his fitness. Max Allegri’s side simply want to sign younger players and the Germany international doesn’t fit that criteria for next season.
Milan can sign him permanently for €5m, but are reluctant. They would much rather use that money and the salary cost on a younger striker, with the club also likely to use Rafael Leao in a striker role from next season onwards.
Besides, Milan are very much in for Dusan Vlahovic, whose Juventus contract expires in the summer. The Serbian can effectively replace the former Borussia Dortmund player.
News could be blow for West Ham
The Hammers invested £27m in Füllkrug in 2024 and saw him struggle with injuries throughout his stay. They would have ideally expected a proven international like him to fire or fetch them some kind of sell-on.
Now, things aren’t looking great for West Ham. On top of that, the player isn’t even starting regularly for Milan. He is relying on coming off the bench, having done so in their 1-0 loss to Parma on Sunday.
It would make sense for Nuno Espirito Santos’s side to already be looking around for new destinations. They would hope that Füllkrug makes some impact in the next few weeks and potentially turns things around.
West Ham and Leeds United battle for free agent – Nuno’s side ‘most serious’
By Naveen Ullal
West Ham United and Leeds United are among the clubs in the mix to sign FC Utrecht’s Souffian El Karouani.
That’s according to Africa Foot, who cover the latest on West Ham and Leeds United and the left-back’s future plans.
The Morocco international has less than six months left on his contract and is unlikely to sign an extension.
West Ham and Leeds United in battle
His contract situation makes him an attractive option for several clubs, like West Ham and Leeds United, who are ‘eager to secure a strategic signing’.
Sport Witness covered the Dutch claims that Nuno Espírito Santo’s side showed interest in the 25-year-old for the winter market. Two months ago, he even hailed the Hammers as a “great club”, but a move never took shape in January.
West Ham continue to chase the fullback and have joined Daniel Farke’s side and others. Recent claims elsewhere have reported Marseille interest, but a source close to the player has dismissed it.
‘There’s never been a concrete offer or serious financial discussions. If that had been the case, the player could have signed a pre-contract, which has never been considered so far,’ a source told Africa Foot.
Hammers more serious than Whites
The outlet say several agents [likely intermediaries] have informed El Karouani of interest from West Ham, Leeds United, Fenerbahçe, Beşiktaş, VfL Wolfsburg and FC Porto.
Among these clubs, Africa Foot explain that West Ham and the Yellow Canaries appear to be the ‘most serious’ clubs. The report adds other clubs, including the Whites, could make advances in the coming months.
In short, the defender has several options to pick from when deciding his next club. He’ll make a decision at the end of the season, after evaluating all offers and projects. Africa Foot have found out about this from the Moroccan’s entourage.
‘Souffian is in no hurry. He will wait for the summer transfer window to calmly analyse the offers and choose the most suitable project for the next stage of his career,’ a source close to his entourage said.
El Karouani operated only as a left-back this season, managing three goals and 16 assists from 38 matches for FC Utrecht.
Manchester United are considering re-signing Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay for 80m euros (£70m) in the summer, with Napoli willing to cash in on the 29-year-old just two years after he joined the Italian club from Old Trafford. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external
Real Madrid are closely monitoring the situation of Tottenham's 24-year-old centre-back Micky van de Ven, with the Netherlands international not close to agreeing a new deal with the Premier League club. (Teamtalk), external
Brighton hope to get a deal for Cologne's 19-year-old German winger Said El Mala over the line by also signing his older brother, 20-year-old striker Malek. (Times - subscription required), external
Manchester United have been impressed by Nottingham Forest's Ivory Coast midfielder Ibrahim Sangare, 28, in their search for a replacement for Brazil international Casemiro, 34. (GiveMeSport), external
Casemiro will have the option of moving to the United States when his Manchester United contract expires, with the midfielder open to joining a Major League Soccer club. (Telegraph - subscription required), external
Liverpool could consider a swap deal with Real Madrid which would bring Brazil winger Rodrygo, 25, to Anfield and allow Hungary midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, 25, to join the Spanish giants. (Fichajes - in Spanish)
Former France forward Antoine Griezmann, 34, is in advanced talks to join Orlando City from Atletico Madrid. (Athletic - subscription required), external
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior is reluctant to let 23-year-old English striker Liam Delap leave this summer, amid interest from fellow Premier League club Everton. (Football Insider), external
Crystal Palace will allow Austrian manager Oliver Glasner to continue to lead the team until the end of the season. (Football Insider), external
Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Wolves are among the clubs interested in signing Scotland left-back Andy Robertson, should the 31-year-old leave Liverpool this summer. (Caught Offside), external
Nottingham Forest could be open to offers for Brazil striker Igor Jesus, 24, at the end of the season. (Football Insider)
Sport Witness
Return to West Ham looks likeliest option – Player on the move again
By Kaustubh Pandey
Earlier this week, Sport Witness covered claims that Niclas Füllkrug is keen on joining AC Milan permanently from West Ham.
The striker was believed to be enjoying life at the Rossoneri, where he has scored one Serie A goal so far.
Despite a lack of impact and after fighting through an injury, he feels at home at the club. He is also quite attached to the city of Milan, settling quickly in Italy.
Even if the striker has the best intentions, his permanent stay at the Italian giants now appears difficult.
Milan can send Füllkrug back to West Ham
Calciomercato IT assess the veteran’s situation at the Rossoneri and they expect him to return to West Ham in the summer.
This isn’t specifically because there are any concerns about the 33-year-old, his performances or his fitness. Max Allegri’s side simply want to sign younger players and the Germany international doesn’t fit that criteria for next season.
Milan can sign him permanently for €5m, but are reluctant. They would much rather use that money and the salary cost on a younger striker, with the club also likely to use Rafael Leao in a striker role from next season onwards.
Besides, Milan are very much in for Dusan Vlahovic, whose Juventus contract expires in the summer. The Serbian can effectively replace the former Borussia Dortmund player.
News could be blow for West Ham
The Hammers invested £27m in Füllkrug in 2024 and saw him struggle with injuries throughout his stay. They would have ideally expected a proven international like him to fire or fetch them some kind of sell-on.
Now, things aren’t looking great for West Ham. On top of that, the player isn’t even starting regularly for Milan. He is relying on coming off the bench, having done so in their 1-0 loss to Parma on Sunday.
It would make sense for Nuno Espirito Santos’s side to already be looking around for new destinations. They would hope that Füllkrug makes some impact in the next few weeks and potentially turns things around.
West Ham and Leeds United battle for free agent – Nuno’s side ‘most serious’
By Naveen Ullal
West Ham United and Leeds United are among the clubs in the mix to sign FC Utrecht’s Souffian El Karouani.
That’s according to Africa Foot, who cover the latest on West Ham and Leeds United and the left-back’s future plans.
The Morocco international has less than six months left on his contract and is unlikely to sign an extension.
West Ham and Leeds United in battle
His contract situation makes him an attractive option for several clubs, like West Ham and Leeds United, who are ‘eager to secure a strategic signing’.
Sport Witness covered the Dutch claims that Nuno Espírito Santo’s side showed interest in the 25-year-old for the winter market. Two months ago, he even hailed the Hammers as a “great club”, but a move never took shape in January.
West Ham continue to chase the fullback and have joined Daniel Farke’s side and others. Recent claims elsewhere have reported Marseille interest, but a source close to the player has dismissed it.
‘There’s never been a concrete offer or serious financial discussions. If that had been the case, the player could have signed a pre-contract, which has never been considered so far,’ a source told Africa Foot.
Hammers more serious than Whites
The outlet say several agents [likely intermediaries] have informed El Karouani of interest from West Ham, Leeds United, Fenerbahçe, Beşiktaş, VfL Wolfsburg and FC Porto.
Among these clubs, Africa Foot explain that West Ham and the Yellow Canaries appear to be the ‘most serious’ clubs. The report adds other clubs, including the Whites, could make advances in the coming months.
In short, the defender has several options to pick from when deciding his next club. He’ll make a decision at the end of the season, after evaluating all offers and projects. Africa Foot have found out about this from the Moroccan’s entourage.
‘Souffian is in no hurry. He will wait for the summer transfer window to calmly analyse the offers and choose the most suitable project for the next stage of his career,’ a source close to his entourage said.
El Karouani operated only as a left-back this season, managing three goals and 16 assists from 38 matches for FC Utrecht.