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Friday News (includes West Ham)
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Friday News (includes West Ham)
BBC
Liverpool's Luis Diaz, 28, is wanted by Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, who are monitoring the Colombia winger's contract situation at Anfield. (Telegraph - subscription required), external
Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich are still confident of persuading Bayer Leverkusen attacker Florian Wirtz, 22, to join them this summer - and not Liverpool. (SZ, in German), external
Chelsea have been impressed by Jadon Sancho's recent performances and could trigger their £25m obligation to buy clause with Manchester United to sign the 25-year-old English winger on a permanent deal. (i Sport), external
Brentford are in talks with Liverpool over a deal to sign 26-year-old Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. (Sky Germany), external
Liverpool want more than £20m for Kelleher. (Athletic - subscription required)
Napoli are closing in on agreeing personal terms with Lille's 25-year-old Canada forward Jonathan David, who has also been contacted by Juventus. (Sky Sports), external
Chelsea have joined Juventus in making a formal enquiry with Sporting over the availability of 26-year-old Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres, who is also wanted by Arsenal. (Record - in Portuguese), external
Juventus are interested in signing Real Madrid's 18-year-old Brazil forward Endrick on loan. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external
Former Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri is set for a return to AC Milan as manager. The 57-year-old spent four years at the San Siro between 2010 and 2014. (Calciomercato), external
Ipswich Town have offered Chelsea's 19-year-old Spanish forward Marc Guiu a loan deal in the Championship next season. (Fabrizio Romano)
Sky Paper Talk
DAILY MAIL
Bruno Fernandes' agent held face-to-face talks with Al Hilal at a hotel in Riyadh on Thursday night over a mega-money deal for the Manchester United captain.
Erik ten Hag has turned his attention to two of his former Manchester United stars as he prepares to oversee his first transfer window as Bayer Leverkusen manager.
Arsenal have entered talks to sign striker Benjamin Sesko, with the forward ready to leave Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.
Ruben Amorim could hardly hide his laughter as Amad Diallo was quizzed over Alejandro Garnacho's future at Man Utd.
TELEGRAPH
Liverpool forward Luis Díaz has been added to the list of potential signings at Al Nassr, who are monitoring his contract situation at Anfield.
Pep Guardiola will have a frantic fortnight of transfer activity to complete deals before flying out for the Club World Cup, with Tijjani Reijnders and Cherki targeted.
TIMES
Pep Lijnders, once part of Jürgen Klopp's Champions League and Premier League-winning team, may join Pep Guardiola's backroom staff.
THE GUARDIAN
Kelly Simmons, the former director of the women's professional game in England, has attacked Sir Jim Ratcliffe over his remarks about Manchester United's women's team.
A court in Argentina has declared a mistrial in the case of seven health professionals accused of negligence in the death of soccer legend Diego Maradona.
THE SUN
Leicester City are facing a huge points deduction for next season if found guilty of breaching PSR rules.
Al Nassr are confident they can keep Cristiano Ronaldo, just days after the Portuguese star indicated he would leave the club.
Wrexham are targeting an experienced Premier League trio ahead of their return to the Championship.
SCOTTISH SUN
Falkirk will make a shock bid to take Brian Graham to the Premiership after he rejected the chance to boss Partick Thistle.
Sport Witness
West Ham made formal approach on Tuesday – Club request €24m to sell player
By Naveen Ullal
West Ham United have joined AC Milan in the race for Club Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika, according to Africa Foot.
The 24-year-old left FC Midtjylland for the Jupiler Pro League club in 2022 and has played 141 games so far.
Milan have shown interest in the Nigeria international and face competition from West Ham to sign him in the summer window.
The Hammers, as per the report, have formalised their interest in the defensive midfielder by making a formal contact with the Belgian club.
Africa Foot state they were able to obtain this information from a senior source at CAA Stellar, the British agency that manage Onyedika. The same source has informed them that the London club intend to offer a four-year deal.
The report states Graham Potter’s side won’t have issues to find agreement with him over personal terms as the player is keen on making a switch to the Premier League.
Onyedika has two years left on his contract, and the Belgian club have made their request clear to sanction his sale in the upcoming window.
‘West Ham made contact with Brugge on Tuesday and are ready to begin discussions, as they are willing to sell at the right price. AC Milan were the first to approach but are unlikely to match the €24m valuation. Personal terms with Raphael shouldn’t be an issue, as the player is keen to play in the Premier League,’ a CAA Stellar source is said to have told Africa Foot.
Milan’s refusal to meet Club Brugge’s price could allow West Ham to take the lead in the race to sign Onyedika.
Versatile Dutch defender again on West Ham United and Newcastle United agenda
There’s a claim in the Turkish media West Ham United and Newcastle United are again showing interest in Fenerbahce defender Jayden Oosterwolde.
The Dutchman was linked with the two Premier League sides last summer, but after picking up a serious knee injury earlier this season those links went away.
Fotomac today report on the latest developments regarding Oosterwolde, who has been out of action with a cruciate injury since late October.
With the 24-year-old now in recovery there is speculation ahead of the transfer window that clubs could come in for him. It’s claimed the player is on the agenda of West Ham and Newcastle United.
However, the two English sides should expect to face competition for the defender, with reports PSV and Napoli are also monitoring the situation.
Last summer, we covered reports from the Turkish press that West Ham were following Oosterwolde, along with Nottingham Forest. Newcastle United were also said to be in the picture after reports they’d made contact.
Oosterwolde is contracted to Fenerbahce until June 2027 and can play at either left back or in central defence.
The Athletic
West Ham’s 2024-25 player of the season: Aaron Wan-Bissaka – defending so good fans stand and applaud
By Roshane Thomas
Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s relatives were elated when they found out he would be joining West Ham United because they knew it would end his struggles with isolation.
The right-back moved to Manchester United for £50million ($67.4m at the current rate) in 2019 from boyhood club Crystal Palace. But during his five-year spell at Old Trafford, the defender felt secluded being away from family back in London. Wan-Bissaka would often travel back to the capital after training to visit loved ones, then return to the north after. It became part of his routine but was not sustainable in the long run. It was a mitigating factor behind his lack of consistency at United.
The now 27-year-old needed a fresh start.
Having ruminated on his future with family, a deal that would bring him back to London permanently seemed the best option.
In August, after Ben Johnson’s free-agent departure to Ipswich Town created a vacancy, West Ham signed Wan-Bissaka for £15million. It has proved to be a shrewd piece of business, with the defender reviving his career under first Julen Lopetegui, who was jettisoned in January, and more recently Graham Potter.
Wan-Bissaka is feeling settled back in his hometown and his family regularly go to watch him play at the London Stadium. Before West Ham’s final home game of the season against Nottingham Forest, Wan-Bissaka was named the club’s player of the year. But as early as December, he was a shoo-in for the award.
During the 1-1 home draw with Brighton & Hove Albion just before Christmas, he made a courageous goal-saving clearance, earning his new team a point with an incredible header to deny Tariq Lamptey. He momentarily had a sore head afterwards but some supporters stood to applaud his defending.
Wan-Bissaka had a tough spell at Manchester United (Lee Parker – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Wan-Bissaka is known for using his long legs in sliding tackles, which earned him the nickname ‘Spider’. But this season, he has markedly improved the offensive side of his game, ending with five assists and two goals across 36 league appearances — his best attacking output since two goals and four assists in the 2020-21 season.
“He’s been really impressive,” Potter said following West Ham’s 2-1 win at Old Trafford this month. “As I’ve said before, I can’t say this categorically because I don’t know Aaron’s career, but I can’t imagine he’s played as well (before) as he has for us at this point in his career. He looks like he’s enjoying his football. He gives a lot to the team, (I’m) really pleased with what he’s giving to the team offensively and defensively. As I said, it looks like he’s enjoying his football.”
His offensive efficiency no longer a source of frustration, Wan-Bissaka’s form kept Vladimir Coufal, who will leave West Ham when his contract expires in June, out of the starting line-up. Last summer’s signing has also shown versatility by playing on both flanks.
Wan-Bissaka assisted captain Jarrod Bowen for his 12th Premier League goal in the 3-1 victory over relegated Ipswich in the season finale. That duo formed a great partnership on West Ham’s right side, with Wan-Bissaka leading the squad in assists for Bowen goals (four).
“He’s been brilliant ever since he walked through the door,” Bowen said after the 1-1 home draw with Tottenham Hotspur in early May. “He’s been in the Premier League for a few years now and shown his quality and done it week in week out here.
“Another assist for him (Bowen’s equaliser in that match). We knew that was a part of the game we could exploit — ‘Az’ (short for Aaron) bombing forward and then holding the line and trying to play offside, making those runs to get inside. And it worked perfectly to get the goal. But, yeah, ‘Az’ has been consistently good every single week. Every day in training. It’s a pleasure to play with him and have him in our ranks.”
Wan-Bissaka was voted man of the match in that game against Spurs.
His season of redemption led to calls for a first senior England call-up. English-born of Congolese descent, he played for England at age-group levels and also once for DR Congo Under-20s. He was named in a squad by England’s then manager Gareth Southgate in 2019, shortly after his move to Manchester United, but had to leave the get-together because of a back injury and has never made a senior international appearance.
England’s new manager Thomas Tuchel opted against including Wan-Bissaka in his first squad in March, and this month he received his first senior DR Congo call-up for friendlies against Mali on June 5 and Madagascar three days later. These are in preparation for their continuing World Cup qualifying campaign in the autumn and the Africa Cup of Nations finals in December and January.
It is a testament to Wan-Bissaka’s consistency that he has finally earned international recognition.
Unassuming off the field and not fond of media duties, he isn’t a vocal player in the dressing room either, but his performances on the field make up for that. His on-field bond with Bowen offers encouragement for West Ham’s attack next season. The duo finished joint-third in the 2024-25 Premier League for assists between team-mates (four).
If there were a category for the Premier League’s most improved player, Wan-Bissaka would be a worthy recipient.
He may have felt isolated living in Manchester, but he has now found an extended family in east London.
(Top photo: Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Liverpool's Luis Diaz, 28, is wanted by Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, who are monitoring the Colombia winger's contract situation at Anfield. (Telegraph - subscription required), external
Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich are still confident of persuading Bayer Leverkusen attacker Florian Wirtz, 22, to join them this summer - and not Liverpool. (SZ, in German), external
Chelsea have been impressed by Jadon Sancho's recent performances and could trigger their £25m obligation to buy clause with Manchester United to sign the 25-year-old English winger on a permanent deal. (i Sport), external
Brentford are in talks with Liverpool over a deal to sign 26-year-old Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. (Sky Germany), external
Liverpool want more than £20m for Kelleher. (Athletic - subscription required)
Napoli are closing in on agreeing personal terms with Lille's 25-year-old Canada forward Jonathan David, who has also been contacted by Juventus. (Sky Sports), external
Chelsea have joined Juventus in making a formal enquiry with Sporting over the availability of 26-year-old Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres, who is also wanted by Arsenal. (Record - in Portuguese), external
Juventus are interested in signing Real Madrid's 18-year-old Brazil forward Endrick on loan. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external
Former Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri is set for a return to AC Milan as manager. The 57-year-old spent four years at the San Siro between 2010 and 2014. (Calciomercato), external
Ipswich Town have offered Chelsea's 19-year-old Spanish forward Marc Guiu a loan deal in the Championship next season. (Fabrizio Romano)
Sky Paper Talk
DAILY MAIL
Bruno Fernandes' agent held face-to-face talks with Al Hilal at a hotel in Riyadh on Thursday night over a mega-money deal for the Manchester United captain.
Erik ten Hag has turned his attention to two of his former Manchester United stars as he prepares to oversee his first transfer window as Bayer Leverkusen manager.
Arsenal have entered talks to sign striker Benjamin Sesko, with the forward ready to leave Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.
Ruben Amorim could hardly hide his laughter as Amad Diallo was quizzed over Alejandro Garnacho's future at Man Utd.
TELEGRAPH
Liverpool forward Luis Díaz has been added to the list of potential signings at Al Nassr, who are monitoring his contract situation at Anfield.
Pep Guardiola will have a frantic fortnight of transfer activity to complete deals before flying out for the Club World Cup, with Tijjani Reijnders and Cherki targeted.
TIMES
Pep Lijnders, once part of Jürgen Klopp's Champions League and Premier League-winning team, may join Pep Guardiola's backroom staff.
THE GUARDIAN
Kelly Simmons, the former director of the women's professional game in England, has attacked Sir Jim Ratcliffe over his remarks about Manchester United's women's team.
A court in Argentina has declared a mistrial in the case of seven health professionals accused of negligence in the death of soccer legend Diego Maradona.
THE SUN
Leicester City are facing a huge points deduction for next season if found guilty of breaching PSR rules.
Al Nassr are confident they can keep Cristiano Ronaldo, just days after the Portuguese star indicated he would leave the club.
Wrexham are targeting an experienced Premier League trio ahead of their return to the Championship.
SCOTTISH SUN
Falkirk will make a shock bid to take Brian Graham to the Premiership after he rejected the chance to boss Partick Thistle.
Sport Witness
West Ham made formal approach on Tuesday – Club request €24m to sell player
By Naveen Ullal
West Ham United have joined AC Milan in the race for Club Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika, according to Africa Foot.
The 24-year-old left FC Midtjylland for the Jupiler Pro League club in 2022 and has played 141 games so far.
Milan have shown interest in the Nigeria international and face competition from West Ham to sign him in the summer window.
The Hammers, as per the report, have formalised their interest in the defensive midfielder by making a formal contact with the Belgian club.
Africa Foot state they were able to obtain this information from a senior source at CAA Stellar, the British agency that manage Onyedika. The same source has informed them that the London club intend to offer a four-year deal.
The report states Graham Potter’s side won’t have issues to find agreement with him over personal terms as the player is keen on making a switch to the Premier League.
Onyedika has two years left on his contract, and the Belgian club have made their request clear to sanction his sale in the upcoming window.
‘West Ham made contact with Brugge on Tuesday and are ready to begin discussions, as they are willing to sell at the right price. AC Milan were the first to approach but are unlikely to match the €24m valuation. Personal terms with Raphael shouldn’t be an issue, as the player is keen to play in the Premier League,’ a CAA Stellar source is said to have told Africa Foot.
Milan’s refusal to meet Club Brugge’s price could allow West Ham to take the lead in the race to sign Onyedika.
Versatile Dutch defender again on West Ham United and Newcastle United agenda
There’s a claim in the Turkish media West Ham United and Newcastle United are again showing interest in Fenerbahce defender Jayden Oosterwolde.
The Dutchman was linked with the two Premier League sides last summer, but after picking up a serious knee injury earlier this season those links went away.
Fotomac today report on the latest developments regarding Oosterwolde, who has been out of action with a cruciate injury since late October.
With the 24-year-old now in recovery there is speculation ahead of the transfer window that clubs could come in for him. It’s claimed the player is on the agenda of West Ham and Newcastle United.
However, the two English sides should expect to face competition for the defender, with reports PSV and Napoli are also monitoring the situation.
Last summer, we covered reports from the Turkish press that West Ham were following Oosterwolde, along with Nottingham Forest. Newcastle United were also said to be in the picture after reports they’d made contact.
Oosterwolde is contracted to Fenerbahce until June 2027 and can play at either left back or in central defence.
The Athletic
West Ham’s 2024-25 player of the season: Aaron Wan-Bissaka – defending so good fans stand and applaud
By Roshane Thomas
Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s relatives were elated when they found out he would be joining West Ham United because they knew it would end his struggles with isolation.
The right-back moved to Manchester United for £50million ($67.4m at the current rate) in 2019 from boyhood club Crystal Palace. But during his five-year spell at Old Trafford, the defender felt secluded being away from family back in London. Wan-Bissaka would often travel back to the capital after training to visit loved ones, then return to the north after. It became part of his routine but was not sustainable in the long run. It was a mitigating factor behind his lack of consistency at United.
The now 27-year-old needed a fresh start.
Having ruminated on his future with family, a deal that would bring him back to London permanently seemed the best option.
In August, after Ben Johnson’s free-agent departure to Ipswich Town created a vacancy, West Ham signed Wan-Bissaka for £15million. It has proved to be a shrewd piece of business, with the defender reviving his career under first Julen Lopetegui, who was jettisoned in January, and more recently Graham Potter.
Wan-Bissaka is feeling settled back in his hometown and his family regularly go to watch him play at the London Stadium. Before West Ham’s final home game of the season against Nottingham Forest, Wan-Bissaka was named the club’s player of the year. But as early as December, he was a shoo-in for the award.
During the 1-1 home draw with Brighton & Hove Albion just before Christmas, he made a courageous goal-saving clearance, earning his new team a point with an incredible header to deny Tariq Lamptey. He momentarily had a sore head afterwards but some supporters stood to applaud his defending.
Wan-Bissaka had a tough spell at Manchester United (Lee Parker – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Wan-Bissaka is known for using his long legs in sliding tackles, which earned him the nickname ‘Spider’. But this season, he has markedly improved the offensive side of his game, ending with five assists and two goals across 36 league appearances — his best attacking output since two goals and four assists in the 2020-21 season.
“He’s been really impressive,” Potter said following West Ham’s 2-1 win at Old Trafford this month. “As I’ve said before, I can’t say this categorically because I don’t know Aaron’s career, but I can’t imagine he’s played as well (before) as he has for us at this point in his career. He looks like he’s enjoying his football. He gives a lot to the team, (I’m) really pleased with what he’s giving to the team offensively and defensively. As I said, it looks like he’s enjoying his football.”
His offensive efficiency no longer a source of frustration, Wan-Bissaka’s form kept Vladimir Coufal, who will leave West Ham when his contract expires in June, out of the starting line-up. Last summer’s signing has also shown versatility by playing on both flanks.
Wan-Bissaka assisted captain Jarrod Bowen for his 12th Premier League goal in the 3-1 victory over relegated Ipswich in the season finale. That duo formed a great partnership on West Ham’s right side, with Wan-Bissaka leading the squad in assists for Bowen goals (four).
“He’s been brilliant ever since he walked through the door,” Bowen said after the 1-1 home draw with Tottenham Hotspur in early May. “He’s been in the Premier League for a few years now and shown his quality and done it week in week out here.
“Another assist for him (Bowen’s equaliser in that match). We knew that was a part of the game we could exploit — ‘Az’ (short for Aaron) bombing forward and then holding the line and trying to play offside, making those runs to get inside. And it worked perfectly to get the goal. But, yeah, ‘Az’ has been consistently good every single week. Every day in training. It’s a pleasure to play with him and have him in our ranks.”
Wan-Bissaka was voted man of the match in that game against Spurs.
His season of redemption led to calls for a first senior England call-up. English-born of Congolese descent, he played for England at age-group levels and also once for DR Congo Under-20s. He was named in a squad by England’s then manager Gareth Southgate in 2019, shortly after his move to Manchester United, but had to leave the get-together because of a back injury and has never made a senior international appearance.
England’s new manager Thomas Tuchel opted against including Wan-Bissaka in his first squad in March, and this month he received his first senior DR Congo call-up for friendlies against Mali on June 5 and Madagascar three days later. These are in preparation for their continuing World Cup qualifying campaign in the autumn and the Africa Cup of Nations finals in December and January.
It is a testament to Wan-Bissaka’s consistency that he has finally earned international recognition.
Unassuming off the field and not fond of media duties, he isn’t a vocal player in the dressing room either, but his performances on the field make up for that. His on-field bond with Bowen offers encouragement for West Ham’s attack next season. The duo finished joint-third in the 2024-25 Premier League for assists between team-mates (four).
If there were a category for the Premier League’s most improved player, Wan-Bissaka would be a worthy recipient.
He may have felt isolated living in Manchester, but he has now found an extended family in east London.
(Top photo: Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images)