Saturday News (includes West Ham)

[Alan]

BBC

Real Madrid have informed Liverpool of their desire to sign England full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, 26. (TalkSport), external

New Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim is focused on working with his current players and has not made a requested to the club's hierarchy for any January signings. (Sky Sports), external

Ipswich Town's 21-year-old English striker Liam Delap is generating interest from several Premier League clubs. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Tottenham are interested in signing RB Leipzig's Dutch right-back Lutsharel Geertruida, 24, as a replacement for Spain 25-year-old Pedro Porro, who is a target of Real Madrid. (Caught Offside), external

Aston Villa are closing in on a deal to sign Werner Bremen's Austria midfielder Romano Schmid, 24. (Football Insider), external

Wolves will offer in-form Brazil forward Matheus Cunha, 25, a lucrative new contract. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Manchester United and Tottenham continue to be linked with a move for Cunha but Wolves manager Gary O'Neil has ruled out a January exit. (MEN), external

Chelsea lead the race to sign Denmark full-back Patrick Dorgu, 20, from Lecce, who could demand around £50m. (Caught Offside), external

Tottenham, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest are also interested in Dorgu. (TBR), external

Everton want to keep English forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin, 27, in January despite speculation surrounding his future. (Football Insider)




Sky Paper Talk

THE ATHLETIC

Viktor Gyokeres will probably be one of the most high-profile transfers in 2025 - most likely in the summer. A January move cannot be ruled out, but the expectation is he leaves Sporting CP at the end of the season.

Ipswich striker Liam Delap is generating interest among bigger clubs over a potential move next summer. The 21-year-old is being tracked by many Premier League clubs and some attended the recent draw against Manchester United.

Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has three options regarding his future. Extend with City, move to Saudi Arabia or join Major League Soccer.

Liverpool are trying to renew Trent Alexander-Arnold's contract, but so far there is no agreement in place amid strong interest from Spain.

West Ham have been scouting prospects in Ligue 1 and Lyon attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki is one of the targets.

THE SUN

Former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has opened up on his regret of quitting at Stamford Bridge and his love for an unlikely star.

Paul Pogba's first game after his ban from football was lifted was cancelled just days before kick-off.

DAILY MAIL

Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has led VAR outrage after his side saw a controversial goal ruled out during the 1-1 draw with Brighton on Friday.

Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood has revealed all on his sleep deprivation routine, becoming a football commentator and why Forest winning the Premier League title is not far away.

DAILY TELEGRAPH

England all-rounder Chris Woakes proved he can perform overseas as he helped his team seize control in the first Test against New Zealand.

Aston Villa legend Gary Shaw's medals are up for auction and could be sold for as much as £50,000 just three months after his death.

THE GUARDIAN

Australia have suffered another blow as fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is ruled out of the second Test against India with a side strain.

THE SCOTTISH SUN

Adam Idah has admitted he is yet to hit the same heights of last season for Celtic.

Rangers are really keen to sign a Championship striker but there is a catch involved in the deal.

DAILY RECORD

Lawrence Shankland sat in the Hearts dressing room in silence and would not speak to anyone after missing a penalty against Club Brugge.

Kai Fotheringham is out of contract at Dundee United in the summer as he opened up on his situation.




Caught Offside

Exclusive: West Ham favourites to land Premier League hot-shot in January

Posted by Jason Pettigrove

So far this season Evan Ferguson hasn’t been able to make an impact at Brighton, so a loan move away, with West Ham as favourites, is in the pipeline.

CaughtOffside sources understand that whilst Brighton & Hove Albion manager, Fabian Hurzeler, is a fan of the 20-year-old striker, he wants Ferguson to give him a bit more in training before considering that he should return to the Seagulls starting XI.
Evan Ferguson could sign for West Ham in January

Given that nothing is likely to change anytime soon, the player is planning to leave the club on loan in January, and sources indicate that Brighton won’t stand in his way.

West Ham have already confirmed their intention to take the player say sources, however, the Hammers aren’t going to get things their own way.

That’s because there are many other Premier League clubs interested in signing Ferguson.

These include Newcastle United, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal.

It’s understood that whilst those named have indicated an interest, it’s the Irons that have the most concrete interest and are looking to progress any transfer.

Although Brighton have even gone as far as setting a price of £60m for the player, indicating that, in fact, they would be willing to sell him permanently, the club’s initial preference is to allow him to move on loan and then discuss a permanent switch if they receive a suitable offer.

Ferguson needs more playing time, having managed just 269 minutes in all competitions under Hurzeler this season (transfermarkt).



The Hard tackle

West Ham United weigh up Georges Mikautadze move

West Ham United might look to sign 24-year-old Georgian international Georges Mikautadze from beleaguered Ligue 1 club Lyon next year.

According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Georges Mikautadze is the subject of interest from West Ham United. The Hammers are scouring the market for a striker ahead of the January transfer window. So, the Lyon forward has emerged as a target, with the East London club looking to sign the 24-year-old from the beleaguered Ligue 1 club.

The Georges Mikautadze story

Georges Mikautadze has been slow off the blocks since joining Lyon from FC Metz in the summer transfer window. The French-born striker arrived at the Groupama Stadium amid hype and fanfare around him after a solid stint with FC Metz. However, he has not hit the ground running at the Ligue 1 club.

The 24-year-old has managed only four goals and one assist in 16 appearances across all competitions thus far for Lyon. However, Mikautadze’s stock in the market remains high, with several well-known clubs interested in securing his services next year.

In addition, Lyon’s situation might force the beleaguered Ligue 1 club to cash in on some high-value assets in the January transfer window. Les Gones must balance the books before the 2024/25 season due to the provisional relegation they have suffered from the top flight. Meanwhile, West Ham United will be one of his prospective suitors next year.

London calling?

West Ham United mulled over signing Georges Mikautadze in the summer transfer window before the move failed to see the light of day. The continued interest in the Lyon striker makes sense, considering Niclas Fullkrug has struggled to make his mark since arriving from Borussia Dortmund a few months ago.

With Fullkrug struggling with fitness issues, West Ham should sign another striker in the January transfer window. So, several candidates, including Giovanni Simeone, have emerged on the East London club’s radar, with Mikautadze also a viable target.

With Lyon in the doldrums, a move for the 24-year-old Georgian international might be on the cards. It will be interesting to see if West Ham United can take advantage of the beleaguered Ligue 1 club’s plight by signing the former FC Metz striker from Les Gones.

[Texas Iron]

Cheers…

[With Kind Regards]

Thanks Alan.