Tuesday News (includes West Ham)

[Alan]

BBC

Bournemouth want £45m for Hungary full-back Milos Kerkez, 21, amid interest from Liverpool. (The Times - subscription required), external

Manchester City will try to sign Arsenal and France defender William Saliba this summer, with the 24-year-old also a target for Real Madrid. (Defensa Central - in Spanish), external

AC Milan's Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, 26, is also a target for Manchester City having already made contact with the Serie A club. (Teamtalk), external

The possibility of 40-year-old Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, whose contract with Saudi Pro-League side Al Nassr expires in the summer, joining Inter Milan for the Club World Cup is not a serious one for the Serie A club. (Tuttosport - in Italian), external

Arsenal are considering Eintracht Frankfurt and France striker Hugo Ekitike, 22, as an alternative to Newcastle's Sweden goalscorer Alexander Isak, 25. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea are not currently expecting to sign a new first-team goalkeeper in the summer. Blues boss Enzo Maresca will instead allow 25-year-old Serbian Djordje Petrovic, currently on loan with Strasbourg, and highly-rated Belgian Mike Penders, 19, who is joining from Genk, to challenge for the spot. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Arsenal and England winger Bukayo Saka will enter new contract talks, with the Gunners' new sporting director Andrea Berta keen for the 23-year-old to sign a new long-term deal. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Barcelona say their Spain midfielder Pedri is not up for sale amid reports linking him with Manchester City, who believe the 22-year-old would be the ideal replacement for Kevin de Bruyne. (Marca - in Spanish), external

Former Tottenham managing director Fabio Paratici is set to become AC Milan's sporting director in June when the 52-year-old Italian's current ban from football activities in his homeland ends. (Calciomercato - in Italian)





C&H

Karren Brady’s future at West Ham | Report rubbished

Reports that West Ham Vice-Chairman Karren Brady could be replaced by the Hammers Chief Commercial Officer Nathan Thompson have been dismissed by a club insider this afternoon.

Football Insider quoting Finance expert Stefan Borson claimed Nathan Thompson could be earmarked to replace Karren Brady in the future.

Last week Thompson was appointed to the West Ham Football operating board as an executive director after being appointed CCO in 2022.

Borson told Football Insider: “There are not that many executive directors on that board.

“There are lots of non-execs but not many execs. I think there are two now.

“Karen Brady is vice-chair. I would say that it’s a sign that he may well be being earmarked for the CEO role at some point.

“I think it’s a big endorsement of the job that he’s been doing.

“I think it would be a watch this space development.

“I doubt it’s imminent, but maybe it serves as a successor to Karren Brady at some point.”

This is the second time in a week FI have made claims after Keith Wynes “Insisted Thompson is now in line to be West Ham’s next managing director after making the step up to executive director.”

Claret and Hugh, speaking to their senior club source, laughed off the suggestion, saying, “I don’t think Karren is going anywhere for a long time!”

[Texas Iron]

Cheers…

[With Kind Regards]

Thanks Alan.