Sunday News (includes West Ham)

[Alan]

BBC

Tottenham and Netherlands defender Micky van de Ven, 23, is a January target for Real Madrid as a result of defensive injuries at the Spanish club. (Relevo - in Spanish)

But free agent Sergio Ramos, 38, wants a dream return to Real Madrid following injuries to fellow 32-year-old Spain right-back Dani Carvajal, Austria left-back David Alaba, 32, and Brazil centre-back Eder Militao, 26. (AS - in Spanish)

Manchester City will look to add at least two signings in January, with 21-year-old Germany forwards Jamal Musiala, of Bayern Munich, and Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz both of interest - but are expected to cost more than £100m each. (Times - subscription required)

Newcastle United have put a price tag of £150m on Sweden striker Alexander Isak to deter bids for the in-form 25-year-old. (Telegraph - subscription required)

Crystal Palace expect to receive offers for defender Marc Guehi but the England centre-back, 24, is willing to wait for a move to Liverpool. (Sun)

Barcelona forward Dani Olmo, 26, is open to a Premier League loan move in January if his club cannot register the Spain playmaker for the second half of the season. (TBR Football)

The La Liga side are trying to free up funds so they can register Olmo - including slashing their asking price for Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong, 27. (Mundo Deportivo)

England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, 26, has not told Liverpool that he has chosen to join Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer, despite reports in Spain. (Liverpool Echo)

Newcastle have identified Everton's England striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin as a target and are prepared to wait to get the 27-year-old on a free transfer in the summer. (Sun)

England forward Raheem Sterling, 30, will not consider cutting short his Arsenal loan deal from Chelsea in January despite not starting a league game since 19 October. (Athletic - subscription required)

Everton are yet to open contract talks with England defender Jarrad Branthwaite, 22, who is a target for Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City. (Daily Mail)

Liverpool are monitoring the situation of Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson, with a January move for the United States defender, 27, a possibility. (Football Insider)

Colombia striker Jhon Duran, 21, could leave Aston Villa in the transfer window, with Atalanta's 25-year-old Italian forward Mateo Retegui eyed as a replacement. (Caught Offside)

Real Madrid are planning to open talks with Brazil forward Vinicius Jr, 24, over a new deal. (AS - in Spanish)

Manchester City and Belgium midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, 33, prefers a move to the United States and Major League Soccer if he leaves when his contract expires this summer. (Teamtalk)

Former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli, 34, is wanted by Mexican club Cruz Azul - who would be the 13th club of the Italian's career. (Gazzeta dello Sport - in Italian)




Sky Paper Talk

MAIL ON SUNDAY

Real Madrid are growing increasingly convinced they can win the race to capture the prized signature of Trent Alexander-Arnold and hope he will join them on a free transfer next summer.

Ange Postecoglou maintains the backing of Tottenham's board but the League Cup semi-final against Liverpool is emerging as key to the Australian's prospects.

Federico Chiesa is reportedly looking for a way out of Liverpool in January, just five months after his arrival from Juventus.

Jurgen Klopp has been offered the chance to get acquainted with Red Bull's Formula 1 team as he prepares to take up his new role at the Austrian company.

Santi Cazorla revealed that he would consider a return to Arsenal, as the 40-year-old nears the end of his contract in Spain.

Liverpool coach John Heitinga has emerged as a frontrunner for the vacant manager's job at West Bromwich Albion.

Ligue 1's social media team have hit back at Cristiano Ronaldo in a post to the league's official account following his controversial recent comments.

Cesc Fabregas has given Dele a boost as the former England star begins his trial period at Como FC in his bid to resurrect his career.

THE SUN ON SUNDAY

Manchester United are set to lose out on £10m in expected income if they continue on their current trajectory.

Andre Onana should leave Manchester United if he fails to arrest his nightmare run of form, according to former Old Trafford misfit Massimo Taibi.

Newcastle have targeted Dominic Calvert-Lewin - but are prepared to wait to get him on a free in the summer.

Marc Guehi is willing to wait on a move to Liverpool as Crystal Palace brace for offers.

England captain Harry Kane is continuing to coin it in off the pitch - with his personal worth now more than £91m, latest figures show.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Alexander Isak is rapidly turning into one of the most coveted players in Europe, but Newcastle United will resist any attempt to lure him away with a record price tag in excess of £150m put on the Sweden international.

Tamworth have been criticised for a huge hike in ticket prices for the non-League club's FA Cup third-round tie against Tottenham Hotspur.

Stuart Lancaster has hit out at former England international Andy Goode for suggesting he is in danger of losing his job at Racing 92.

SUNDAY EXPRESS

Manchester United are very likely to extend Harry Maguire's contract by 12 months after the former captain successfully earned Ruben Amorim's trust, according to reports.

SUNDAY MIRROR

Pep Guardiola has a five-player wishlist to improve his Manchester City side as the January transfer window approaches.

Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen has emerged as a transfer target for Manchester United, with current No 1 Andre Onana under increasing pressure.

Pep Guardiola says Manchester City's current crisis is a sobering reality check and a reminder not to take for granted their unprecedented success under him.

THE OBSERVER

Barcelona have reportedly closed a last-minute €100m (£82.9m) deal to sell VIP boxes at the newly renovated Camp Nou to Middle Eastern investors. The club are hopeful the sale will allow them to meet financial fair play rules and finally extend Dani Olmo's registration.

A Brazilian judge has ordered the release from prison of four players from River Plate's women's football team, all of whom were arrested over an alleged racial slur during a match against Gremio.

THE SUNDAY TIMES

Alisson has challenged his Liverpool team-mates to put their names alongside the legends of the past and write a new page in the club's rich history.

SUNDAY MAIL

The Romanian media are ramping up the hype around Steaua Bucharest midfielder Darius Olaru - with close ally and former manager Cristi Pustai talking up a potential move to Rangers.

Zander Clark could cross the capital divide with the current Hearts No 2 on Hibs' list of targets, according to a report.

Hearts are reportedly in the market for Elton Kabangu from Union Saint-Gilloise.




All Nigeria Soccer

Chelsea are looking to sell Austrian-born Nigerian midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka in the January transfer window.

According to The Daily Mail, The Blues will demand 40 million pounds (approximately N77.9 billion) to sell the Aston Villa academy product next month.

At that fee, Chukwuemeka would become the most expensive Nigeria-eligible midfielder in history if a deal were to happen, surpassing Super Eagles playmaker Alex Iwobi who moved to Everton from Arsenal in exchange for
£35 million in the summer of 2019.

As per the report, West are among the clubs interested in signing Chukwuemeka, while Chelsea's sister club in France, Strasbourg want him on a loan deal.

The 21-year-old joined Chelsea from Aston Villa in 2022 but has fallen out of favor under manager Enzo Maresca.

Although the England youth international has not been selected for a Premier League match this season, he has played in five Cup fixtures, starting just one of them.

He is behind the likes of Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo, Roméo Lavia and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in Maresca's pecking order of central midfielders.

Chukwuemeka is seeking a move away from Chelsea to a club that can guarantee him regular playing time, while the Stamford Bridge club are eager to reduce their wage bill.

He has a contract with Chelsea until the end of the 2027-2028 season.



Forest News

Nottingham Forest have made their decision on West Ham United loanee James Ward-Prowse

Nottingham Forest haven’t seen the best of James Ward-Prowse since he made the move to the City Ground, and a decision has now been made on his future.

Nuno Espirito Santo did a fantastic job at recruiting during the summer transfer window, as the likes of Nikola Milenkovic and Elliot Anderson have already had huge impacts.

Milenkovic has been mentioned in the same conversation as William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, which shows how well he’s done since making the move.

Meanwhile, Anderson’s departure from Newcastle will have left Eddie Howe livid after seeing his rise since making the move to the City Ground.

However, not every signing has paid off for Nottingham Forest, as James Ward-Prowse has had a difficult time of things.

Nottingham Forest make their decision on James Ward-Prowse ahead of January

James Ward-Prowse has been in and out of the side at Nottingham Forest this season, making just eight appearances in the Premier League.

This hasn’t been helped by inconsistencies and a red card suffered against Chelsea.

Many thought that he may have his loan cancelled in January to free up a potential space for an incoming with the transfer window on the horizon, but that isn’t the case.

According to the Athletic, Nuno values James Ward-Prowse as a positive influence around the dressing room and there are no plans to terminate his loan.

There’s no place at Forest for James Ward-Prowse

Of course, having the experience and quality of James Ward-Prowse in your ranks is valuable, but he’s unlikely to see much game time unless an injury crisis occurs.

The likes of Nicolas Dominguez, Elliot Anderson, Ryan Yates and Morgan Gibbs-White are all ahead of him in the pecking order, whilst Ibrahim Sangare and Danilo are set to return soon.

One frustrating thing about Ward-Prowse’s loan is that it means the club can’t go out and sign another player on loan in January, unless they were to either cancel his or sign Alex Moreno permanently.

At this moment in time, it looks like they’ll do neither.


 

[With Kind Regards]

Thanks Alan.

[Texas Iron]

Cheers…