Manchester City have set their price at £35m for English midfielder James McAtee, 22, with interest from clubs such as West Ham and Eintracht Frankfurt. (Telegraph - subscription), external
Real Madrid are happy to wait it out to sign France and Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate, 26, on a free next summer but may offer a low bid in this transfer window. (Football Insider), external
A nine-figure Saudi contract for Brazil and Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr, 25, has been taken off the table for now, but could be available again in 2026. (AS - in Spanish), external
Real Madrid are keeping an eye on Arsenal and France defender William Saliba, 24. (L'Equipe - in French), external
Leeds United want a bidding war to ensue for Spanish forward Mateo Joseph, 21, in the hope they can raise funds for a move to sign Brazil and Fulham forward Rodrigo Muniz, 24. (Sun), external
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim wants to bring in two more signings this transfer window. (Mirror), external
United have also put in a bid for Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres, 27, and hope they can persuade him to join them rather than Arsenal. (A Bola - in Portuguese), external
And they have had their interest in Italian forward Francesco Pio Esposito, 20, turned down by Inter Milan back in January. (Football Italia - in Italian), external
Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo, 25, has completed his medical for Manchester United, bringing his move from Brentford closer. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Tottenham are willing to pay the asking price for Ukraine and Bournemouth defender Illia Zabarnyi, 22. (Caught Offside), external
Nottingham Forest are the frontrunners to sign English midfielder Jacob Ramsey, 24, from Aston Villa. (Football Insider), external
Sunderland have pulled out of a £17.5m deal to bring in 26-year-old French forward Armand Lauriente from Italian club Sassuolo. (Northern Echo)
Sky Paper Talk
Daily Mirror
Arsenal's failure to agree terms with Sporting Lisbon for Viktor Gyokeres could come back to bite them after Manchester United made a last-gasp attempt to hijack the deal.
The Times
James Trafford is ready to return to Manchester City if they can agree a deal with Burnley for the 22-year-old goalkeeper.
Daily Telegraph
Barcelona want Marcus Rashford to join their preseason tour of Asia on Thursday as the forward closes in on a dream move to the Spanish club.
Manchester City's valuation of James McAtee is proving a stumbling block for the England Under-21 captain's legion of suitors.
Daily Mail
Viktor Gyokeres's father was reportedly reduced to tears upon hearing that his son's move from Sporting Lisbon to Arsenal may collapse at the final hurdle.
Manchester United have held preliminary talks over a shock swoop for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, according to reports.
Manchester United are interested in signing Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani, according to a report.
The Sun
Asked about Saudi speculation and a reported offer before signing a new deal, Arsenal defender Gabriel said: "I didn't hear about anything personally, I didn't receive offers."
Leeds want a bidding war for forward Mateo Joseph.
Man Utd have entered talks with Chelsea star Nicolas Jackson's agent over a potential move, reports claim.
Daily Star
Viktor Gyokeres's protracted and bitter departure from Sporting Lisbon continues to sour, with the forward now resorting to legal letters to his club.
Eintracht Frankfurt have reportedly put the brakes on a deal for James McAtee due to Manchester City's hefty £25m price tag.
Marcus Rashford's wait is finally over as he's set to swap Manchester United for Barcelona, with a loan agreement on the brink of being finalised between the two clubs.
Daily Express
Real Madrid have reportedly accelerated their interest in signing Ibrahima Konate by opening talks with Liverpool.
Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa has been left out of the travelling squad for this summer's pre-season tour of the Far East.
Manchester United have launched a stunning hijack of Arsenal's move for Viktor Gyokeres and are close to reaching an agreement with Sporting, according to new reports from Portugal.
Manchester City are making progress in negotiations to bring James Trafford back from Burnley, with Ederson seemingly ready to leave the Etihad following discussions about a transfer to Galatasaray.
Adam Wharton is reportedly set to reject offers from other clubs to remain with Crystal Palace this season.
Scottish Sun
Rangers and Celtic are both said to be in the hunt for Serbian teenage prospect Andrej Bacanin.
Royal Antwerp boss Stef Wils has admitted the club may have to sell Celtic target Michel-Ange Balikwisha this summer.
Rangers transfer target Dor Turgeman has been labelled a 'football beast' by current boss Zarko Laztic.
Daily Record
FC Twente's technical director Jan Streuer admits the club could move on from Rangers defender Robin Propper.
Guardian Rumour mill
Daniel Harris
There can be little more affirming for a player than being deemed not good enough by Pep Guardiola. Over the last few years, James Trafford, Morgan Rogers, Roméo Lavia, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Douglas Luiz and Cole Palmer have all been allowed to leave Manchester City before proving their former manager wrong, and James McAtee could become the latest addition to that list. His price has been set at £35m; both West Ham and Eintracht Frankfurt are interested.
Across Manchester, the opposite is so: rather than leave to get good, players arrive to get bad. Bryan Mbeumo is the latest to jeopardise his prospects and reputation and, with his medical complete, his transfer from Brentford will soon be finalised. But to leave requisite appalling mess prior to getting sacked during the November international break, Ruben Amorim needs more, and a centre-forward is next on his list. He still fancies ruining Viktor Gyökeres, for whom Arsenal have been unable to do a deal with Sporting, but Pio Esposito will be remaining at Inter despite interest from United and Atalanta.
Talking of Arsenal, Real Madrid are reportedly keeping an eye on William Saliba. It may be that the tantalising glory of becoming the first club to win the Coming-second-four-seasons-in-a-row trophy is enough to keep him at the Emirates, but it may also be that he can once again hoodwink himself they’re poised to win the league.
Madrid are also considering a low-ball bid for Ibrahima Konaté, who is out of contract at the end of the season. But they are also happy to wait until the summer, when his costly lapses in concentration can be theirs for free.
In other centre-back news, Cristian Romero is contemplating leaving Tottenham – which, if his defending is anything to go by, is a decision he’ll make as rashly and unfathomably furious as possible. Should he depart, the club would like to replace him with Bournemouth’s Illia Zabarnyi and are prepared to pay an asking price that could exceed €70m. It’s true that Paris Saint-Germain are also interested, but the chance to represent the Europa League champions of Europe will surely prove too tempting.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Leeds are hoping a bidding war will ensue for Mateo Joseph – or, as the headline has him, “Emile Heskey’s relative”. It remains unclear whether this connection is a help or a hindrance in drumming up interest, but the anticipated stampede is well under way: Celta Vigo both lead and complete the throng of clubs said to be interested in the Spain Under-21 forward. Any proceeds of sale will be used to bring Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz to Elland Road.
Finally for today, Jacob Ramsey would like to leave Aston Villa and there is interest in him from Nottingham Forest, Everton and Spurs. He may yet decide to stay put.
The Athletic
Kyle Walker-Peters’ versatility makes him a crucial signing for West Ham
By Roshane Thomas
If there were a seminar on how to score decisive late goals, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would surely be on the panel.
However, if the topic was how to nab a player from under the noses of another club just as he was preparing to put pen to paper, the Norwegian would have to step aside — possibly to make way for a new guest speaker from West Ham United.
Solskjaer inflicted plenty of late heartache on other teams during his playing career with Manchester United, but now he is the victim as manager of Besiktas, with West Ham unexpectedly swooping to sign Kyle Walker-Peters on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract at Southampton.
The 28-year-old full-back was set to join the Turkish club last Thursday, but they withdrew their offer after Walker-Peters delayed his medical, having been made aware of West Ham’s interest. The defender was due to travel to Istanbul with an in-principle agreement in place, but he remained in the UK to finalise his switch to Graham Potter’s side instead.
Walker-Peters, who will wear the No 2 shirt, has signed a three-year deal, with the option of a further year. He becomes West Ham’s second summer signing following the arrival of fellow full-back El Hadji Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague last week.
The full-back will reunite with ex-Southampton team-mate James Ward-Prowse — and the defender revealed the midfielder also played an important role in his decision to return to the capital, having spent seven years at Tottenham Hotspur before moving to the South Coast club.
“I’m really excited, it feels like it has been a long time coming,” Walker-Peters told West Ham’s official website. “I’ve been linked a few times, and he’s (Ward-Prowse) tried to make it happen. (Over) the last few days, he’s been speaking to me and telling me I will enjoy it. I’m really looking forward to it. I think I will settle in really quickly.
“I’m excited to be around Prowsey again — a lot of people probably don’t know that he’s hilarious. I’m looking forward to sharing the dressing room with him.
“I spoke to Graham Potter, and he was a big, big part of me making the decision. I’ve always liked his style as a coach, and I think it will suit me well. I like to play with intensity, give my all in every game, and I want to try and achieve special things here. Every team wants to win trophies, and West Ham have that ambition. From speaking to Graham, he wants to create something special, and hopefully I can be a part of that.”
Last summer, West Ham held talks with Southampton over Walker-Peters’ availability, but a switch failed to materialise. Following Potter’s appointment in January, discussions with the recruitment team were held over improving the full-back position, with Aaron Cresswell and Vladimir Coufal set to depart as free agents. Walker-Peters featured among their list of targets, so too did Girona right-back Arnau Martinez.
But Walker-Peters’ Premier League experience was viewed favourably, given he has made over 150 top-flight appearances since making his debut for Spurs in the 2017-18 season.
“We’re really pleased that Kyle has agreed to join us,” said Potter. “He is a player I’ve always thought highly of and been impressed by whenever he has faced one of my teams.
“He has a really good pedigree, a top professional who has established himself as a respected Premier League player and still has his best years in front of him. He will bring high-quality competition to the squad, and good character and personality to the dressing-room.”
Potter intends to rebuild West Ham’s squad further, with Liverpool duo Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton firm targets. Liverpool’s £40million ($53.6m) valuation of Elliott has so far proven a stumbling block, while the arrival of Morton is dependent on West Ham freeing up space in their midfield. The club remain open to offers for Andy Irving, Guido Rodriguez and Edson Alvarez. Morton, meanwhile, also has interest from Ajax and Club Brugge.
Given Mohammed Kudus’ £55m switch to Spurs, the signing of Walker-Peters is a welcome boost for Potter’s squad. The former England international registered seven goals and 12 assists during his five-year spell at Southampton. His form under Ralph Hasenhuttl led to then-England manager Gareth Southgate giving him his senior debut in March 2022 in a friendly against Switzerland. The full-back had previously amassed 37 caps for the junior teams from England Under-18s to Under-21s.
Walker-Peters can play in either full-back position or as a wing-back, which suits the system Potter is keen to deploy this season. The graphic below shows some of his minutes in midfield for Southampton in 2024-25, which would have been in an advanced wing-back role.
As he settles in the forthcoming months, his presence could be most crucial in December and January, with Diouf and Aaron Wan-Bissaka likely to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo, respectively. This is where Walker-Peters’ versatility will be key, and it is another reminder of the importance of his arrival.
It has been an encouraging start to the window for West Ham. And if Potter’s eye for talent is anything to go by, there could be more additions of a similar if not greater calibre.
Sport Witness
West Ham reach verbal agreement – 22-year-old could be on way to Hammers
By Naveen Ullal
West Ham United are making advances in their pursuit of FC Lugano’s Albian Hajdari this summer.
The Premier League side have identified the centre-back as a target to strengthen their back line. Hajdari is keen on making a switch to West Ham and the two parties have reached a verbal agreement.
That’s according to Fussball Transfers, who provide no further details of the agreement between the 22-year-old and Graham Potter’s side.
The defender has a €5m release clause in his contract that expires in 2028, and the report states West Ham haven’t activated it yet.
It’s unclear whether West Ham plan to trigger it or pay slightly more than €5m to avoid paying in one instalment. If it’s the latter, West Ham will have to negotiate with the Swiss club.
Earlier this month, we covered claims from Germany that Brighton & Hove Albion and AFC Bournemouth are in the mix.
Fussball Transfers now claim Bayer Leverkusen and Werder Bremen have also looked at the Switzerland international.
Hajdari, who can also operate as a left-back and a defensive midfielder, played 40 games last season.
Sport Witness
West Ham asked to cover % of salary on player exit – Wage cut also needed
By Naveen Ullal
Celta Vigo have emerged as West Ham United’s Guido Rodríguez new suitor, according to El Desmarque.
The Argentina international joined West Ham on a free transfer last summer and lost prominence as the season went on, more so after Graham Potter’s arrival in January.
Celta are prioritising improving their attack and would also like to sign a midfielder. They have identified the West Ham man as a target and will only be able to make progress if one of their current players leaves.
That hasn’t happened yet, but the La Liga club have still contacted the 31-year-old to find out if he’s willing to join them.
Rodríguez knows the importance of featuring regularly next season to have a chance of being at the 2026 World Cup. Therefore, he’s looking for a club where he can have an important role.
It’s worth noting journalist César Luis Merlo reported earlier this month that the player isn’t keen on leaving the Hammers this summer. El Desmarque now claim otherwise when discussing Celta Vigo’s interest.
The former Real Betis man earns €3m net per year, this and West Ham’s request for a loan fee, would be a problem for Celta Vigo.
If they were to decide to go ahead, the report states the Spanish club want Rodríguez to take a pay cut and for West Ham to also cover part of his salary. Whether the latter two will agree to that remains to be seen.
Football Italia
West Ham and Fulham among clubs chasing Inter striker Taremi
By Alfredo Pedullà
Besiktas, West Ham and Fulham are among the clubs interested in Mehdi Taremi, who is expected to leave Inter this summer.
Inter are prepared to sell Iran international Taremi this summer and sign a creative striker, with Ademola Lookman being their top target in that position.
Taremi joined Inter on a free transfer in 2024, and the Nerazzurri are ready to listen to offers for him in the current transfer campaign. The Serie A giants will sell the experienced centre-forward to the best bidder.
As first reported by my Sportitalia colleague Gianluigi Longari, there are three clubs currently considering a bid for Taremi: Besiktas, Fulham and West Ham.
Preliminary contacts with Besiktas have already begun, but the Premier League pair is also making its assessments regarding the possible signature of the 33-year-old.
Taremi is under contract with Inter until June 2027. He scored three goals in 43 appearances across all competitions with Inter in his debut season at San Siro.