Thursday News (includes West Ham)

[Alan]

BBC

Manchester United have contacted Brighton through intermediaries to explore a potential move for Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba, 21. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Everton have opened talks over a deal to bring in England attacking midfielder Jack Grealish, 29, from Manchester City. (Sky Sports), external

Sweden striker Alexander Isak has been told to train alone at Newcastle United amid interest in him from Liverpool, while the 25-year-old also missed a family day for the players which was put on by the club. (Mirror), external

Manchester United are meeting with RB Leipzig on Thursday with the aim of reaching an agreement over a deal for 22-year-old Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko. (Florian Plettenberg), external

Newcastle have bid about 30m euros (£26.2m) for Germany defender Malick Thiaw but AC Milan have not accepted the offer as they want to keep the 23-year-old. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

Nottingham Forest are closing in on a deal to sign 27-year-old Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz from Juventus, who could make a move for Forest and Ivory Coast midfielder Ibrahim Sangare, 27. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

Arsenal and Tottenham are waiting for a signal from Brazil international Rodrygo, 24, before making a move for the Real Madrid forward. (TBR Football) , external

Everton are also interested in Douglas Luiz and, like Forest, could look at a loan with an option or obligation to buy. (Mail), external

RB Leipzig are discussing contract terms with Liverpool and England Under-21 midfielder Harvey Elliott, 22, before they make a formal transfer offer. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Inter Milan could consider a move for Manchester United and England winger Jadon Sancho, 25, if they fail to sign Nigeria forward Ademola Lookman, 27, from Atalanta. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

Manchester City's Mateo Kovacic, 31, has been approached by Saudi Pro League clubs this summer, but the Croatia midfielder wants to stay. (Fabrizio Romano)




Sky Paper Talk

DAILY MAIL

Newcastle are weighing up a move for Aston Villa captain John McGinn this summer.

Christian Eriksen is a target for Burnley as they try to build a squad capable of surviving in the Premier League this season.

Estevao Willian will not be leaving on loan this summer and is part of Enzo Maresca's first-team plans at Chelsea.

West Ham, Fulham and Crystal Palace are monitoring Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling.

DAILY MIRROR

Liverpool's hopes of landing Marc Guehi this summer have been boosted by rivals Newcastle turning their attentions elsewhere.

THE ATHLETIC

Despite reports in France, Liverpool are not currently considering a move for Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola.

Portuguese side Sporting CP have made an enquiry to Nottingham Forest over a potential move for winger Jota Silva.

THE SUN

Chelsea have been rocked by the disappearance of £30,000 of camera equipment from their training ground.

Abdoulaye Doucoure could be the latest big name to swap the Premier League for the Middle East, with a move to Saudi newcomers Neom on the cards.

THE GUARDIAN

Chelsea are to step up attempts to sign Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.




Guardian Rumour mill

Will Unwin

With Benjamin Sesko very close to joining Manchester United, the recruitment bods need something else to do. They have passed the time by trying to find out just how much it would cost to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton. Ruben Amorim needs an extra central midfielder who can actually run around a bit and the Cameroonian would be ideal but the Seagulls are not keen on selling.

Across Manchester, it’s about trying to get rid of a few as Pep Guardiola wants to trim his squad. Jack Grealish does not look like he will get much in the way of minutes at City this season and will seek opportunities elsewhere. Everton have made contact with City as the seek a season-long loan but are a bit worried about how much the winger is actually on because they will not be able to pay the full lot.

One person not heading out the Etihad Stadium exit door is Mateo Kovacic. Saudi Premier League clubs have expressed interest in the Croatia midfielder but it is just not the move for the 31-year-old who would rather stay in the Premier League.

Having missed out on every man and his dog this summer, Newcastle have their eyes firmly fixed on the next person to turn them down. He goes by the name John McGinn and he currently plays for Aston Villa. Everton previously made enquiries about the Scotland midfielder but nothing was doing.

Nottingham Forest are the latest club to find that Ipswich are not particularly eager to let Omari Hutchinson go. Brentford tried to steal him away earlier in the summer and now Evangelos Marinakis has offered a massive wad adding up to £35m, only to be told that is not enough and been sent on his way. A more likely move involving Forest and a winger could see Jota Silva leave the club and return to Portugal with Sporting. The Tricky Trees want double the £5.9m they paid for him 12 months ago.

The world may need to get used to two Idrissa Gueyes in the Premier League because West Ham are stepping up their interest in the Metz teenage prodigy who shares a name with the Everton man. The French club want £13m for the forward, who has also attracted interest from Manchester United and Brentford.

José Mourinho is eyeing a £13m for the Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma, who is tempted by a move to Fenerbahce. West Ham and Juventus could, however, provide competition for his signature.

One midfielder wanting to leave Turkey is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The midfielder looks set to be released by Besiktas soon enough and that has alerted English clubs to his availability. Leeds might fancy securing the services of the former England International for absolutely nothing.




CityXtra

Jack Grealish considered by Manchester City as makeweight for West Ham star

Manchester City may consider getting creative when it comes to their long-standing and existing interest in West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta, according to reports.

The Premier League giants are weighing up new strategies to finally land the Brazil international following his clearance from spot-fixing charges earlier this month.

A move for Paqueta collapsed in August 2023 – just as City prepared an £85 million transfer – when an FA investigation into alleged betting breaches came to light. But with that case now largely resolved, interest in the 27-year-old is seemingly gathering pace once again.

Manchester City officials have monitored Paqueta consistently and remain admirers of his technical skillset, positional flexibility, and natural flair – all of which align with Pep Guardiola’s tactical demands.

While City have already made moves in midfield this year – including the additions of Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders – further adjustments could still be made, particularly as the large bulk of exits for more ageing names could happen 12 months down the line.

According to the information of Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester City remain determined to sign West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta and rather than paying the full £50 million asking price, would offer a lower fee plus Jack Grealish.

It is further revealed that City officials had enquired about Paquetá in each of the last three transfer windows, and despite failed attempts due to the now-concluded FA betting investigation, the Etihad Stadium side have never fully walked away.

The inclusion of Grealish would represent a significant shift in City’s stance on the £100 million England international. While Grealish was instrumental in City’s treble-winning campaign in 2022/23, his impact diminished soon after due to injury and inconsistent form.

Manchester City are known to be open to loan offers for the 29-year-old this summer, with West Ham among the clubs monitoring his availability, and Everton the latest to open up formal talks over a potential deal with Etihad officials.

Though a straight-swap is unlikely given the differing values and wages involved, the concept of a makeweight deal – reducing City’s outlay while giving West Ham an immediate high-profile replacement – could be seen as a possible compromise.

It remains to be seen whether Jack Grealish himself would entertain such a move. A switch to the London Stadium would likely offer more regular playing time, but could be viewed as a step down from UEFA Champions League contention.

However, with competition fierce at Manchester City and the club evolving their wide-forward options, a fresh start may benefit both parties.




Sport Witness

“Clear to us yesterday” – Player set to join West Ham, sent to Hammers with best wishes

By Pedro Reinert

West Ham United’s move for John Victor has now reached the “goodbye” stage, at least according to Botafogo manager Davide Ancelotti, who admitted he’s already said his thanks to the departing goalkeeper.

Speaking to SporTV before Wednesday night’s Copa do Brasil clash against Red Bull Bragantino, Ancelotti confirmed that John’s situation was clear within the squad and that his absence from the matchday list was no surprise.

“The situation with John was already clear to us yesterday,” the manager said. “I spoke to him and thanked him for everything he did for the club. His substitute is ready, and we’re happy to have him.”

John was not named in the squad for the game, as we previously reported, with West Ham expected to finalise his transfer in the coming hours. As told earlier this week, personal terms have been agreed and the London club’s €10m offer – including bonuses – is already on the table.

With the coach saying goodbye, the replacement (Bournemouth’s Neto) already in Brazil, and the Premier League calling, this one looks as good as done.

[Texas Iron]

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[Heavi995]

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