Monday News (includes West Ham)

[Alan]

BBC

Newcastle striker Alexander Isak is open to a move to Barcelona but would prefer to join Liverpool if they make a move for the 25-year-old Sweden international this summer. (El Nacional - in Spanish), external

Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, 33, has held talks with MLS side San Diego over a free transfer when his Manchester City contract expires this summer. (Sun), external

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, 31, is considering a return to England this summer, with Liverpool his preferred destination. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Chelsea must pay Manchester United £5m if they opt against turning 24-year-old England forward Jadon Sancho's loan into a permanent deal. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Tottenham have begun exploring a deal for Southampton's 19-year-old England under-21 midfielder Tyler Dibling. (Givemesport), external

Liverpool hope to use 19-year-old Scotland winger Ben Doak as a makeweight in any deal for Bournemouth's 21-year-old Hungary full-back Milos Kerkez or 25-year-old Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo. (Sun), external

Liverpool are willing to sell 25-year-old Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez this summer. (Football Insider), external

Tottenham are set to open talks with 27-year-old Uruguay midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur over an extension to his contract, which expires next summer, amid interest from AC Milan. (TBR Football), external

England under-19 full-back Caleb Kporha, 18, is set to leave Crystal Palace on a free transfer at the end of the season after talks over a new deal broke down. (Football Insider), external

Aston Villa's 32-year-old England centre-back Tyrone Mings is to join the Euro 2028 board of directors to help with the organising of the tournament. (Telegraph - subscription required)




Sky Paper Talk

THE ATHLETIC

Chelsea will have to pay Manchester United £5m if they do not turn Jadon Sancho's loan into a permanent deal in summer. The winger left Old Trafford on a temporary basis in a deal with a buy obligation worth up to £25m - but Chelsea can opt out for a set fee.

THE SUN

Manchester United's Andre Onana looks set for Saudi Arabia leaving Ruben Amorim eyeing two of Europe's hottest young keepers with Royal Antwerp's Senne Lammens and Lille's Lucas Chevalier on Man Utd's radar.

Thomas Tuchel could be heading to Barcelona for his first away game as England manager, with the Three Lions set to play Andorra away there in a World Cup qualifier on June 7.

Former Manchester City star Edin Dzeko looked almost unrecognisable in a photo he shared online following facial injuries during the international break.

DAILY MAIL

Everton held a successful test evacuation of their new stadium on Sunday, as it emerged that only two per cent of the £800m cost of building it came through public money.

Costa Rican outfit Alajuelense are emerging as a candidate to replace Club Leon in this summer's Club World Cup, according to a report.

Welsh top-flight outfit Barry Town have claimed they were unaware of midfielder Evan Press' conviction for dealing cocaine until 30 minutes after his sentencing.

DAILY MIRROR

Liverpool could use their sought-after winger Ben Doak as bait to land Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo.

The Manchester United fan who was once the scourge of the Glazers has written to Sir Jim Ratcliffe to demand clarification on his plans for the club.

THE TIMES

Jean-Philippe Mateta is in contention to return to action against Fulham in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday when the Crystal Palace striker will wear a specially made mask to protect his left ear.

DAILY TELEGRAPH

Aston Villa centre-back Tyrone Mings is set to land a stunning role on the board of directors for Euro 2028 and will combine playing Premier League football with organising the tournament in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

A pitch-side confrontation in which a fan allegedly attempted to punch Wrexham captain James McClean will be scrutinised by the Football Association.

Formula 1 nostalgists could be celebrating the return of screaming V10s with a return to naturally aspirated engines now being actively discussed between teams and the FIA.

Red Bull are understood to be considering switching rookie Liam Lawson with Racing Bulls driver Yuki Tsunoda as early as the next race weekend in Suzuka.

Sergio Garcia has suffered his fair share of Open Championship heartache over the past three decades and on Sunday the two-time runner-up penned a new painful chapter in this torrid story of close calls.

THE GUARDIAN

English grassroots clubs have been urged to respond to the "severe failures" of leading officials by voting in favour of Bill Sweeney's removal as chief executive of the Rugby Football Union at a special general meeting (SGM) on Thursday.

DAILY RECORD

Philippe Clement is reportedly a leading candidate to become manager of Anderlecht next season.

Hibs are interested in Walsall defender Oisin McEntee.







Sport Witness

“Wild situation” – West Ham player says there’s ‘lot of speculation’, coy on future plans

West Ham United’s Niclas Füllkrug has been on the sidelines with a hamstring injury since January.

It’s striker’s second injury blow since joining West Ham from Borussia Dortmund last summer. He took advantage of the international break to visit his former club Werder Bremen for Diego’s farewell match on Saturday.

This gave Deich Stube an opportunity to have a chat with Füllkrug, who spent four years at Werder Bremen between 2019 and 2023.

The Germany international has played 457 minutes from 11 games for West Ham, scoring two goals and registering an assist in the process. He’s unhappy with his first season with the Hammers.

“I’m obviously extremely dissatisfied with my season because I was injured so much. That’s why I basically want to play again. That will happen in the short term, and I’m looking forward to it, and that’s the most important thing for me right now,” he said.

The 29-year-old picked up his first injury last September and that forced him to stay away from the pitch for close to three months. He suffered another setback just over a month after recovering from an earlier injury.

His mixed debut season at West Ham has led to transfer rumours. The frontman claims he is aware of these links, but dismisses any questions related to his future plans.

“It’s a wild situation. There’s a lot of speculation in England, and in Germany too,” Füllkrug explained.

Deich Stube state his immediate focus is on regaining full fitness and getting back on the pitch.

[Texas Iron]

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Thanks Alan.