Saturday News (includes West Ham)

[Alan]

BBC

Manchester United are considering sanctioning a loan exit for England forward Marcus Rashford, 27, in January. (Sun)

Three Saudi Arabian clubs, Al Ahli, Al Ittihad and Al Qadsiah, have all expressed an interested in signing Rashford. (Talksport)

English midfielder Dele Alli, 28, is hoping to revive his career in Italy with Serie A side Como after announcing his departure from Everton. (Telegraph)  

Chelsea are interested in signing Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, 27, from Borussia Dortmund. (Florian Plettenberg)

Newcastle United and Brazil international Bruno Guimaraes, 27, and Real Sociedad and Spain's fellow midfielder Martin Zubimendi, 25, are Manchester City's top January transfer targets. (Team Talk)

Juventus are prepared to sell 19-year-old Turkish attacking midfielder Kenan Yildiz to fund a move for Newcastle's Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali, 24. (Corriere dello Sport, via 90 Min)

Manchester United are monitoring River Plate's 17-year-old Argentine midfielder Franco Mastantuono, who has a release clause in his contract of about £38m. (Give Me Sport)

Paraguayan left-back Diego Leon, 17, will join Manchester United from Cerro Porteno when he turns 18 in July. (Fabrizio Romano)

Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, 26, who has been linked with a move to Manchester City, is close to agreeing a new contract at AC Milan. (Football Insider)

Real Madrid have shortlisted Liverpool and Netherlands centre-back Virgil van Dijk, 33, as one of the possible replacements for Austria defender David Alaba, 32, and Brazil centre-back Eder Militao, 26. (Football Transfers)  

Bayern Munich and Canada left-back Alphonso Davies, 24, who has attracted interest from Manchester United and Real Madrid, is open to a potential transfer away from the German club to Liverpool. (Caughtoffside)

Paris St-Germain are interested in Bournemouth's Ukraine international defender Illia Zabarnyi, 22. (L'Equipe - in French)

English striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, 27, whose contract at Everton expires in June 2025, is a January transfer target for Fiorentina. (Gianluca Di Marzio)  

Brazilian club Palmeiras have sent an initial proposal to Fulham over the signing of Brazil midfielder Andreas Pereira, 28. (Fabrizio Romano)

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca wants to keep Spanish striker Marc Guiu next month but will listen if the 18-year-old wants a loan move. (Standard)

Maresca has also refused to rule out 26-year-old English midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who has been linked with a return to Leicester City, leaving Chelsea in January. (90 Min)

Italian midfielder Cesare Casadei, 21, is planning to leave Chelsea in January, with Serie A his most likely destination. (Fabrizio Romano)




Sky Paper Talk

THE SUN

Manchester United are considering sanctioning a loan deal in January for Marcus Rashford as the toxic fallout of his recent comments grows.

THE ATHLETIC

The representatives of multiple Newcastle players have been left in the dark after fees the club owed them were not paid on time.

DAILY MAIL

Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk has been spotted in Saudi Arabia just days after his provisional suspension for a positive drugs test was announced.

Fiorentina are interested in a January move for Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, according to reports.

Hakim Ziyech has admitted he regrets joining Galatasaray and plans to leave the club when the mid-season transfer window opens.

The EFL is considering the implementation of VAR into its competitions despite objections from fans.

DAILY TELEGRAPH

Dele is hoping to revive his career in Italy with Serie A club Como after announcing his departure from Everton.

Efforts to oust Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney have intensified as the resignation of chairman Tom Ilube backfired on the governing body.

Henry Arundell is likely to move back to the Premiership next season with Bath.

DAILY RECORD

Former Manchester United director Sean Jefferson is set to be appointed as the new chief commercial officer of Rangers in January on an interim basis.

THE SCOTTISH SUN

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has not ruled out a January loan switch for Stephen Welsh.






Caught Offside

West Ham on verge of securing pre-agreement with class playmaker

Carlos Soler’s successful loan spell at West Ham United has put the club in a strong position to secure his permanent transfer.

The Spanish midfielder, currently on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, has impressed with his form, making it clear that West Ham may want to move forward with his signing, according to Le Parisien.

Although the initial loan deal does not include an obligation to buy, West Ham negotiated a purchase option worth up to £16.6 million.

With several clubs reportedly interested in him during the summer transfer window when Julen Lopetegui signed him on a loan deal, the Hammers are eager to lock down his future now, especially after seeing his positive attitude and commitment.

The Hammers plan to hold additional meetings in the coming months to finalise discussions and potentially trigger the purchase option to keep Soler at the club permanently.

Soler’s future at Paris Saint-Germain looks uncertain, as he is not part of Luis Enrique’s long-term plans.

The player will not be used much by the PSG manager even if he returns to his parent club in Ligue 1 which will make his signing for the Hammers much easier than earlier expected.

Carlos Soler has been the star performer for West Ham United

The midfielder has been impressive for Lopetegui’s side this season and he has been one of the club’s successful summer signings.

Although the other signings have not done too well so far, Soler has been the silver lining for the struggling West Ham side.

His performances have seen Lucas Paqueta get dropped from the team which shows how well the midfielder has played at the club.

The Spaniard has given the West Ham midfield a new dimension in the center of the pitch and it is not a surprise to see the Premier League side consider a permanent transfer for the 27-year-old player.

While Soler has been shining at the club, their other summer signing Guido Rodriguez has struggled to make an impact and he could be offloaded in the January transfer window.

Lopetegui’s side are expected to be active to make transfers once again and Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof is on their radar.




Sport Witness

“I’m not going to lie” – West Ham man says future ‘not in my hands’, explains his summer decision

By Naveen Ullal

Nayef Aguerd lost prominence at West Ham United in the second half of last season under David Moyes’ orders. Julen Lopetegui replaced Moyes in the summer and the defender’s situation didn’t improve under the Spaniard.

On summer deadline day, West Ham allowed the defender to join Real Sociedad on a loan deal.

The centre-back made 14 league appearances and has impressed for the Spanish club, who currently have the best defence [along with Atlético Madrid] record in La Liga.

Aguerd has become a fan favourite at Real Sociedad and Marca point that out when having a chat with him. The newspaper asked for his views after letting him know the supporters want to see him at the club beyond this season.

La Real don’t have an option or obligation to buy the 28-year-old and as it stands, he has to return to West Ham. The Morocco international’s contract at the Premier League side lasts until 2027 and he’s unsure where his long-term future lies.

“I’m not going to lie. I came here to find my best level again, first of all, because I wasn’t playing at West Ham and I want to enjoy every moment here, as I am doing,” he said.

“I still have two years left on my contract with West Ham, but now I’m only thinking about helping Real go as far as possible in the three competitions and then there will be time to think about the future.”

“I don’t know if I’ll have to go back, I don’t know if I’ll stay here, I don’t know if I’ll go anywhere else, it’s not in my hands.”

The West Ham owned player was linked to Atlético Madrid and Villarreal and would have received other offers. Marca point this out and then ask why he decided to join La Real in the summer.

“I came to Real because of the conversation I had with Imanol [Alguacil],” Aguerd explained.

“For me, as a footballer, the coach’s trust is very important and Imanol’s call changed everything, I saw him willing to help me, I thought I could also help the team, and it was clear to me.”

[With Kind Regards]

Thanks Alan.