Thursday News (includes West Ham)

[Alan]

BBC

Arsenal are interested in signing Germany winger Leroy Sane on a free transfer when the 29-year-old's Bayern Munich contract expires this summer. (Christian Falk), external

New Arsenal director of football Andrea Berta wants to make Newcastle's 27-year-old Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and Real Sociedad's 26-year-old Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi his first signings. (AS - in Spanish), external

Barcelona also have Newcastle midfielder Guimaraes high on their list of summer transfer targets. (Football Espana), external

Liverpool have sent scouts to watch versatile left-sided Ajax defender Jorrel Hato, 19, who has been capped five times by the Netherlands. (Mail - subscription required), external

Everton are considering a summer move for Newcastle's 27-year-old English midfielder Sean Longstaff. (Talksport), external

Manchester City, Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid are interested in Bayer Leverkusen's 24-year-old Netherlands winger Jeremie Frimpong. (Teamtalk), external

Barcelona have rejected a £57.8m bid from Manchester United for Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong, 27. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick wants to keep De Jong at all costs and the Catalan club have reopened talks over a new contact. (Sport - in Spanish), external

Everton are monitoring the progress of Tottenham's 25-year-old Israel midfielder Manor Solomon, who is on loan at Leeds. (Teamtalk), external

Bayer Leverkusen remain confident Germany playmaker Florian Wirtz, 21, will extend his contract at the club, despite links with Bayern Munich and Manchester City. (Bild, via Get German Football News)






Sky Paper Talk

THE SUN

Arsenal want to sign Bruno Guimaraes as part of a stunning triple summer transfer spree under incoming new chief Andrea Berta.

Premier League owner Tony Bloom has lost £50,000 after betting on his own horse at Cheltenham.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has declared war on the bloated wage bill at Manchester United.

Newcastle have offered an olive branch to former directors Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi - as the Toon invited their former chiefs to Wembley on Sunday.

Everton are looking into a shock move for Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff, reports claim.

Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane.

DAILY MIRROR

Arsenal are expected to be busy in the transfer market this summer with Andrea Berta poised to oversee their business after agreeing to become the Gunners' new sporting director.

Trent Alexander-Arnold will miss the Carabao Cup final for the second successive season, but the Liverpool right-back appears to have avoided a serious injury.

Rasmus Hojlund has been given a vote of confidence from the head coach of the Denmark national team.

DAILY EXPRESS

Harry Maguire has been in better form for Manchester United this season, but the Red Devils have been urged to pay off his contract and let him leave the club.

Manchester United are set to lose a second member of their medical team to a Premier League rival.

Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario believes that Andoni Iraola has turned Bournemouth into the best 'pressuring' team around. The Cherries boss is rumoured to be on Spurs' managerial shortlist in case they decide to part ways with current manager Ange Postecoglou.

Formula 1 have announced a major power play by tying down chief executive Stefano Domenicali to a new long-term contract.

THE TIMES

Newcastle United supporters heading back to Tyneside by train after the Carabao Cup final will be barred from drinking alcohol.

Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou stands by saying he always wins something in his second year at clubs as Spurs attempt to salvage their season against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League.

The rebels calling for the removal of the RFU chief executive, Bill Sweeney, are now attempting to oust the entire board too.

THE TELEGRAPH

Newcastle United are ready to launch "Project 2030" as they move into the second phase of the club's quest for growth under Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.

THE GUARDIAN

Crystal Palace have opened talks with Oliver Glasner over extending his contract in an attempt to ward off potential interest from RB Leipzig.

Dozens of allegations of misconduct against police officers relating to the 1989 Hillsborough disaster have been upheld by the police standards watchdog, bereaved families have been told.

THE ATHLETIC

Brazilian club Palmeiras and the bodies representing professional clubs in the country have written to FIFA and CONMEBOL demanding action after another high-profile incident of racism in South America.

Atletico Madrid's Angel Correa has been given a five-game La Liga ban after insulting the referee following his red card during Sunday's game at Getafe.

EVENING STANDARD

Levi Colwill says he "caught up on old times" with Thomas Tuchel on the phone, and is hoping the new England manager names him in his first squad on Friday.

DAILY MAIL

Manchester United's £2bn super stadium plans have been thrown into DOUBT as industry insiders call into question Sir Jim Ratcliffe's bold statements.

Caoimhin Kelleher is likely to start the Carabao Cup final ahead of No 1 goalkeeper Alisson.

SCOTTISH SUN

Jose Mourinho has told Rangers defeat didn't hurt him as the Fenerbahce boss bullishly claimed 'they're not better than us'.

DAILY RECORD

Steve Clarke could be forced to sweat on the fitness of star man Scott McTominay ahead of the vital Nations League play-off with Greece.

Shanghai Port boss Kevin Muscat has dropped a clue that he is keeping an eye on Rangers - with a nod to Jose Mourinho.

Scottish football chiefs are looking to introduce a new U19 age group in a bid to give more promising youngsters the chance of making the breakthrough.







Sport Witness

Pablo Fornals on how West Ham experience still helping right to this day

By Naveen Ullal

Pablo Fornals spent over four years at West Ham United before leaving them for Real Betis in the winter 2024 market.

Real Betis face Vitória de Guimarães in the last 16 of the UEFA Conference League later today, after the first leg in Spain ended in a 2-2 draw.

Ahead of the European clash, the midfielder spoke to the media to explain that he wants to use his West Ham spell to help Real Betis. Thursday’s edition of Diario de Sevilla relays his comments.

The 29-year-old was part of the Hammers squad that won the Conference League during the 2022/23 season, by beating Fiorentina 2-1 in the final. A season before that, West Ham lost to eventual Europa League winners, Eintracht Frankfurt, in the semi-final.

Fornals explained his “experience” of winning the European competition with West Ham “helps the dressing room” at Real Betis.

The La Liga club have lost only one of their last seven matches. The Spain international is of the belief their recent form and having experienced players in the squad can help them overcome Vitória de Guimarães.

“My experience of winning the Conference with West Ham helps in the dressing room. There are players who have won the Champions League or are internationals [and they all try to] contribute, although each match is a different world,” Fornals explained.

“The team has completely changed its face, it has had a new lease of life over the last few weeks, and we are seeing the results.”

The former West Ham man played 22 matches for the Spanish club this season.

[With Kind Regards]

Thanks Alan.

[Russ of the BML]

Florian Wirz is still only 21! Wow. That's some future he has got.