Liverpool explored the possibility of signing Nigeria international Victor Osimhen, 25, in the summer transfer window but were put off by the Napoli forward's huge salary. (Corriere dello Sport - in Italian), external
Newcastle right-back Kieran Trippier might head to one of several interested clubs in Saudi Arabia, with the 33-year-old former England defender keen to leave the North East. (Sun), external
Newcastle have dismissed suggestions that Trippier wants to leave the club to move to Saudi Arabia or Turkey. (Talksport), external
Manchester United are looking to sign Fulham's 27-year-old United States defender Antonee Robinson for £30m. (Express), external
Former Chelsea and Fulham winger Willian, 36, has flown to Athens with Olympiakos keen to sign the Brazil international. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Sevilla appear to have been priced out of a move for Netherlands forward Memphis Depay, 30, who is attracting interest across Europe after leaving Atletico Madrid. (Marca - in Spanish), external
England forward Ivan Toney, 28, will earn £403,000 per week - the equivalent of £800,000 a week before tax in the UK - after moving to Al-Ahli, from Brentford. (Mirror), external
Newcastle and Northern Ireland defender Jamal Lewis, 26, is closing in on a move to Brazilian club Sao Paulo (Belfast Telegraph), external
Roma are closing in on a deal for Spain defender Mario Hermoso, 29, who is a free agent after leaving Atletico Madrid in the summer. (La Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external
Oxford forward Mark Harris, 25, is still on the radar of Bundesliga new boys Holstein Kiel, who tried to sign the Wales international this summer. (Sun) , external
Roma are also in talks to sign former Germany and Borussia Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels, 35, as they seek to replace former England defender Chris Smalling, 34, who is heading to Saudi Pro League club Al-Fayha. (Sky Sports Italia), external
Former Stoke midfielder Daniel Johnson, 31, is in advanced talks to join Turkish club Istanbulspor. (Teamtalk)
Sky Paper Talk
THE SUN
Sir Jim Ratcliffe was left with his head in his hands as Manchester United crashed to a 3-0 defeat against Liverpool.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Trent Alexander-Arnold's early goal may have been ruled out at half-time, but the footage of his Steven Gerrard "kiss" celebration will live on.
DAILY MIRROR
Rio Ferdinand believes Jadon Sancho was destined to fall short of expectations at Manchester United because of the team's style of play.
DAILY MAIL
Wales star Liam Williams is in talks over a transfer back to his homeland from Japan with the Dragons working on a deal to sign the two-time British & Irish Lion.
THE GUARDIAN
Tottenham have announced the signing of the former Real Madrid forward Hayley Raso after the expiration of her contract with the Spanish club.
SCOTTISH SUN
Rangers fans confronted manager Philippe Clement outside Ibrox following Sunday's 3-0 defeat to Celtic.
Brendan Rodgers hailed his 'electric' Celtic attackers after their Old Firm win.
DAILY RECORD
Philippe Clement has been slammed by Rangers fans after making reference to last week's 6-0 hammering of Ross County to deflect pressure around his own position in the wake of the dismal Old Firm defeat to Celtic.
Steven Naismith insists he has no fears for his job despite Hearts' rotten start stretching to seven games without a win for the first time in 46 years.
The Athletic
West Ham’s four passages of play against Manchester City that should make fans happy
By Roshane Thomas
There is a motivational question on a wall in Julen Lopetegui’s office, which reads: “What are you willing to do today to be better than yesterday?”
He may have posed a similar question to his team at half-time when they were 2-1 down against Manchester City on Saturday.
West Ham United fleetingly tested the reigning Premier League champions, but they were careless in possession and failed to play to the strengths of Mohammed Kudus and Michail Antonio. In keeping with the theme of the message on Lopetegui’s wall, however, his side improved after the break and showed their attacking potential.
They struck the woodwork twice, via Kudus and summer signing Crysencio Summerville, while Tomas Soucek also had a chance to make it 2-2 during an entertaining second half. At one stage, City’s manager Pep Guardiola fell to his knees when Kudus dispossessed Bernardo Silva to launch an attack. West Ham posed a threat and were in the game before Erling Haaland sealed his second hat-trick of the season seven minutes from time.
This fixture ended in the same result in September 2023, but on Saturday, the home crowd cheered the players off the field. The difference, 12 months on, is that this team had a go, as opposed to playing unadventurous football against a ‘Big Six’ side.
It kept the crowd engaged and the period from just before half-time when Kudus had a shot go just wide to around the 80th minute was the best example of the style of play Lopetegui wants to implement. The head coach initially had his head in his hands when a later strike by Kudus cannoned off the post, but he applauded his team shortly after. Although City weathered the storm, the forecast for life under Lopetegui is promising.
“We changed something for the second half, and it was much better as we had a lot more possession, created some chances,” right-back Vladimir Coufal told the club website. “We went to a back five and tried to get a bit higher up the pitch and put some pressure on them. It was working quite well until we conceded the third goal.”
Carlos Soler, who joined on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, was introduced to supporters before kick-off. The 27-year-old was West Ham’s ninth summer signing and will be eligible for selection in the next league game away to Fulham. After a summer expenditure of over £120million ($158m), the recruitment under technical director Tim Steidten has been viewed positively. As supporters made the short walk from Hackney Wick station to the London Stadium, one was overheard by The Athletic saying: “This was the best window of my lifetime, we can seriously challenge for Europe.”
Lopetegui often says he does not want to put a limit on what West Ham can achieve, but Steidten has given him the tools to succeed, as was shown in the second-half performance. He will probably have learnt more about his side in this defeat, than in performances against Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.
In the first half, West Ham’s expected goals was 0.05, they only attempted two shots and had 32 passes into the final third.
But after the restart, their expected goals improved to 0.62, they attempted eight shots, six of which were in the box and increased their passes into the final third to 61.
In his post-match press conference, Lopetegui said there are improvements his team can make. Although he did not name Lucas Paqueta, he will be referencing the opener City scored which came via the playmaker losing possession, and before Matheus Nunes assisted Haaland’s third goal, defender Konstantinos Mavropanos pulled out of a challenge. But there will be better days and these four passages of play highlight why.
Kudus had a strong effort on goal in first-half stoppage time. Having run at Rico Lewis, Kudus took a touch to the left before firing in as West Ham pushed for an equaliser. The Ghana international flashed his shot wide and it was a sign of things to come after the break as he made life difficult for City’s right-back.
Shortly after half-time, a scintillating counterattack, initiated by Kudus, provided plenty of encouragement for the players.
Lewis was City’s last man, with Kudus and Bowen aiming to capitalise. With 19-year-old Lewis back-tracking, Kudus crosses the halfway line and plays the ball to Bowen…
Bowen then threads a pass back to Kudus but his shot hits the post, with City breathing a sigh of relief.
Last season, Kudus and Bowen formed a close relationship on the field. Lopetegui plans to strengthen that bond this season. The next passage of play sees Bowen whip a cross into the box for Kudus, who is unmarked at the back post.
Kudus is unable to convert the header, but 10 minutes later Guardiola felt compelled to substitute Jeremy Doku for Ilkay Gundogan so he could offer more protection for their midfield. It is something from which Lopetegui can take satisfaction.
Summerville, the £25million arrival from Leeds United, made his first start in the Carabao Cup win against Bournemouth.
The winger missed a great chance in that game but came close to making up for it in stoppage time against City, only for Ederson to leap across to tip his curling effort onto the post.
There were plenty of good signs for West Ham. A truer picture of their style of play should take shape after the international break.
The biggest compliment for Lopetegui is many did not leave Saturday’s game feeling despondent, instead, they would have felt encouraged about the future.
