Friday News (includes West Ham)
Posted: 20 Mar 2026, 09:45
BBC
Manchester United are in advanced negotiations to sign Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes for about £69m, but renewed interest from Real Madrid threatens to complicate the move for the 28-year-old Brazil midfielder. (Reuters), external
However, the Magpies are keen to keep Guimaraes and are lining up talks over a record new contract. (Teamtalk), external
Manchester United will reject Barcelona's efforts to extend the loan of England international Marcus Rashford, 28, for another season, telling the Spanish club to pay the previously agreed £26m or send the forward back to Old Trafford. (Mirror), external
Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero has dismissed speculation linking him with a summer transfer, with the Argentine, 27, stating his commitment is to helping the club avoid relegation. (Independent), external
Meanwhile, striker Randal Kolo Muani, who is on loan at Tottenham from Paris St Germain, is being lined up for a permanent move to Juventus where the 27-year-old spent time last season. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external
Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah, 33, has yet to make a decision about his future amid interest from Saudi Arabia, while Al-Hilal are confident they can tempt Reds sporting director Richard Hughes to join them. (Mail - subscription required), external
Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans, 28, is ready to reject any offers to leave Aston Villa having been on the radar of several clubs in Saudi Arabia. (Football Insider), external
Real Madrid are in discussions with their 33-year-old Germany defender Antonio Rudiger over a new deal. (Marca), external
Borussia Dortmund are interested in re-signing English forward Jadon Sancho. The 25-year-old, on loan at Aston Villa, will be out of contract at parent club Manchester United in June. (Athletic - subscription required), external
Manchester City are increasingly resigned to manager Pep Guardiola leaving at the end of the season, with potential replacements being assessed. (Football Insider), external
Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is a target for Inter Milan and the 29-year-old Italy international is believed to be open to a move to the Serie A club. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external
Brighton keeper Carl Rushworth, on loan at Coventry City, is attracting interest from as many as six Premier League clubs with the 24-year-old Englishman expected to command a fee of about £20m. (Talksport)
Sky Paper Talk
PREMIER LEAGUE
Liverpool will rival Barcelona for the signature of of Alessandro Bastoni - who Inter Milan value at over £43m - SPORT
Inter Milan are set to make a summer move for Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario - Daily Mail.
Borussia Dortmund are interested in re-signing Jadon Sancho - The Athletic
Cristian Romero has underlined his commitment to getting Tottenham out of relegation trouble amid transfer rumours - Independent
Spurs loanee Randal Kolo Muani is wanted by Juventus, who want to do a permanent deal with PSG - Gazzetta dello Sport
Mo Salah is yet to make a decision on his Liverpool future amid interest from Saudi Arabia - Daily Mail
SCOTLAND
Callum McGregor is winning his battle to be fit for Celtic's trip to Dundee United on Sunday - The Scottish Sun
Former Vancouver Whitecaps boss Carl Robinson is among the contenders for the St Mirren Job - The Scottish Sun
Sport Witness
West Ham star renewal on pause, not cancelled – Agent ready for contact
Naveen Ullal
West Ham United haven’t made a decision yet on Tomáš Souček’s future beyond this season.
The midfielder joined West Ham from Slavia Prague in 2020 and he’s been a regular since then.
He played 275 matches, managing 46 goals and 13 assists, and was a key part of West Ham’s Conference League winning squad during the 2022/23 season.
Last November, he opened up about his struggles with insomnia, which had impacted his form on the pitch.
Nuno Espírito Santo’s side haven’t enjoyed a good run this season and are now 18th in the table, level on points with 17th placed Nottingham Forest. Souček’s performances, when compared to last season, have dropped, and stats back it up.
This could have an impact on his future with the Hammers beyond this season. Recent claims in the UK have said the English club will allow Souček to leave in the summer.
Czech take on Souček’s West Ham future
This has reached the Czech media, and iSport, after relaying it, provide their own take on his situation.
It’s ‘logical’ there are reports around his West Ham future as he hasn’t performed as well as previous seasons.
Tomáš Souček less than 18 months left on his contract and in the summer, West Ham have to make a decision on whether to renew it or sell him. The latest English claims have ruled out an extension and Nuno’s side will look for a sale.
However, iSport claim there has been no contact between West Ham and Souček’s agent over his future. This makes sense because the London club’s immediate priority is to avoid relegation.
As of now, it’s unclear where West Ham will next season, and a relegation means drop in revenue.
Therefore, the player, who earns €350-390k per month, can’t discuss the renewal. In case of relegation, the salary would drop to €100k per month.
In 2023, he signed a four-year extension and iSport state it includes an option for another year. West Ham can activate this option, which hasn’t been done yet. A decision on his renewal will be made in May, depending on where West Ham will finish this season.
To sum it up, Souček’s contract is ‘held back by an uncertain battle for survival, and the option is also an important factor’.
Delay makes sense
West Ham have eight matches left in the Premier League this season and four of them are at home.
Nuno and his side are only focusing on their efforts to stay in the top division. Therefore, it makes perfect sense for them to not discuss Tomáš Souček or any other player’s future until the end of the season.
Transfermarkt now value him at €12m, and the highest was €45m in December 2021.
Inside Futbol
Everton And West Ham ‘In The Background’ For Star As Price Emerges
Torino have a clear idea of how much they want to cash in on West Ham United and Everton target Cesare Casadei in the summer transfer window, with the Premier League pair ‘in the background’ for him.
The Ravenna-born midfield talent showed glimpses of his quality at Cesena before Serie A giants Inter Milan picked him up for their academy.
He spent four years at the club, and eventually, Premier League giants Chelsea got their hands on Casadei, who had a forgettable time in England.
Casadei featured in only 17 senior games for the Blues and struggled to stay consistent in his loan spells at Reading and Leicester City.
He finally left England in January 2025 and joined Italian top-flight side Torino on a deal that runs until the summer of 2029.
The former Italy Under-21 international has become a key player at the Turin-based club and is living up to the potential that Chelsea spotted in him as a youngster.
Earlier this month, Casadei was linked with West Ham and Everton, who sent representatives to scout the 23-year-old in Italy as they plot their summer transfer business.
Now the amount that Everton and West Ham will need to pay to bring Casadei back to England has emerged.
According to Italian daily Tuttosport (via Tutto Mercato Web), Torino want to see offers around €15m and €18m arrive on the table to let go of the ex-Chelsea midfielder.
It is suggested that Everton and West Ham are ‘in the background’ regarding Casadei.
Chelsea have a hefty 27.5 per cent sell-on clause in Casadei and the Turin outfit want to make sure they get the best deal for him.
There is set to be a meeting between the club management and Casadei’s agent, Francesco Facchinetti, in the coming days.
Torino supremo Urbano Cairo is an admirer of the Italian midfielder, but he could be on his way out of the club in the summer window.
West Ham are currently fighting to stay up in the Premier League, but are considering midfield options for the next season, and they feel that the ex-Chelsea man could be an ideal option for them.
Everton also made some key additions to their engine room last summer, and with potential European football next season on the cards for the Toffees, they have their eyes on Casadei.
Whether Everton and West Ham will be prepared to offer Torino what they want for Casadei, with Chelsea also keeping an eye on his situation, remains to be seen.