Saturday News (includes West Ham)

[Alan]

BBC

Manchester United will not proceed with a move for Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba, 21, this summer, with Brighton's £115m valuation deemed too high. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson, 31, is considering his future at the club with a switch to Galatasaray a possibility. Should the Brazil international leave, City would move to sign Paris St-Germain's Gianluigi Donnarumma, 26, with the Italy star having been made available. (Guardian), external

Newcastle are ready to proceed quickly to conclude a deal to sign Brentford and DR Congo forward Yoane Wissa, 28. (Sky Sports), external

Newcastle have also renewed their interest in Paris St-Germain and Portugal forward Goncalo Ramos, 24, as they seek to bring two strikers into the club this summer. (Mail), external

Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr are on the verge of completing a £25.8m deal to sign France winger Kingsley Coman from Bayern Munich. (Talksport), external

Nottingham Forest are keen to sign full-back Rico Lewis, 20, with Manchester City open to letting the England international leave for a fee of more than £30m. (Mail), external

Wolves are closing in on signing Verona and Cameroon wing-back Jackson Tchatchoua, 23. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Sunderland have agreed a deal to sign Paris St-Germain and France defender Nordi Mukiele, 27, for an initial £9.5m with £2.5m in add-ons. (Northern Echo), external

Juventus and Argentina midfielder Nicolas Gonzalez, 27, is keen on a 30m euros (£26m) move to Atletico Madrid this summer. (La Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian)





Give Me Sport

Exclusive: West Ham to Step Up Move to Sign 'Magical' Leicester Star

West Ham United could step up their interest in a move to sign Leicester City star Bilal El Khannouss before the transfer deadline, GIVEMESPORT sources understand.

The Hammers have had a steady summer transfer window so far with the additions of El Hadji Malick Diouf, Kyle Walker-Peters, Callum Wilson and Mads Hermansen to the squad, replacing a host of experienced stars who were allowed to leave at the end of their contracts.

But now attention has turned to adding more firepower to Graham Potter's squad, and Morocco international El Khannouss is a target.

El Khannouss, who has been described as 'magical' by scout Jacek Kulig, was one of the standout performers for Leicester during the 2024/25 season as the Foxes suffered an immediate relegation back to the Championship.

The Morocco international has a £22.5m release clause in his contract at the King Power Stadium, and GIVEMESPORT sources understand that he is expected to leave this summer amid interest from a number of clubs, including West Ham.

However, the east London outfit may find a move difficult to complete despite their interest as it's currently unclear if the player would be open to switching to the London Stadium.

The 21-year-old is aware of interest from the Hammers, but sources understand he is currently unconvinced about whether or not a move to Potter's side would be the right fit for him. El Khannouss was in a struggling team last year in his first campaign in England, and it's understood that he would prefer to not be in a similar situation in 2025/26 if he were to return to the Premier League.

It has also now emerged that there are doubts over whether or not West Ham could actually afford a deal for him, despite his release clause.

The Moroccan went on to play 32 Premier League games last season, scoring twice, but despite some impressive individual performances, Leicester got relegated to the Championship under now-departed manager Ruud van Nistelrooy.




C&H

Former West Ham midfield target simply demands attention with 100% stats

In view of the Hammers’ failed bid for Mateus Fernandes, it must be back to the drawing board for the recruitment team who will seek to pull a rabbit out of the transfer window hat in the next two weeks :One time West Ham midfield target Raphael Onyedika seems to have flown under the radar in recent months. Along with Claret and Hugh, many Hammers fans have been questioning why the club have not pursued the Nigerian international.

His agents CAA Stellar made it clear that the player is not pushing for a departure from Belgium “He (Onyedika) is fully focussed on Club Brugge for now. Raphael is in no rush to leave. He is happy in Bruges and will not demand a move. He is an exemplary professional, always striving for improvement.”
In late July it was reported that Jose Mourinho backed out of a move for the player, when Fenerbahce were quoted a price of €40m, Fotomac reported that Bruges demand was twice Onyedika’s  market value.

The players contract expires in June 2027, with his former club FC Midtjylland entitled to 20% of any transfer fee should the Belgium club secure a deal in excess of €9,500,000.
Having made six appearances already this season in the league, and CL qualifying and the Supercup, it seems that he will remain for now.

In a recent victory over RB Salzburg in a CL Qualifying game Oneydika stood out, completing 50 of 54 attempted passes, including seven in the final third. He also had a 100% success rate in dribbles.

It remains a mystery as to why no top European clubs have made a move yet. The 24 year old suffered abductor and thigh injuries last season – so clubs may be wary of this – particularly if both are related. However, this led to only missing four games over eleven days.

Links to Everton were dismissed by the Liverpool echo in June, and there have been no updates regarding rumoured interest by West Ham.

With a reported salary of £11k a week, it is surprising that the player and his agent haven’t pushed for a move, given the opportunity to substantially increase his earnings elsewhere.

It’s likely over the coming weeks more on this story will unfold, yet for now the West Ham recruitment team are focussing their efforts on other targets.



Caught Offside

West Ham join Premier League rivals in the race to sign Tottenham ace

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Yves Bissouma has been linked with a move away from the club this summer.

The 28-year-old defensive midfielder had an underwhelming season last year, and he has been linked with multiple clubs. According to Sacha Tavolieri, West Ham United and Everton are monitoring his situation.

Bissouma wants Premier League stay

The midfielder is reportedly keen on staying in England this season. If he manages to stay in the country for another year, he could obtain a British passport, and that will play a key role in his decision-making regarding his future. The player is not against staying at Tottenham this season, and it will be interesting to see what the club decides.

It could be ideal for Tottenham to move him on if they can find a quality defensive midfielder. They have already signed Joao Palhinha, and Bissouma could struggle for regular game time. He needs to play more often at this stage of his career, and leaving the North London club could be ideal for him as well.

Meanwhile, West Ham need a quality defensive midfielder, especially with Edson Alvarez linked with an exit from the club. Bissouma could be a useful acquisition for them. He has plenty of experience in the Premier League. He could make an instant impact. A fresh start at the London club could be ideal for the player as well.

Finally, Everton looked quite vulnerable defensively last season, and they need to tighten up in that area of the pitch. A quality defensive midfielder will help them stay organised at the back, and he will also allow the creative players to operate with more freedom.

Given his situation at Tottenham, he is unlikely to cost a premium. It will be interesting to see if West Ham or Everton comes forward with an offer to sign him.

[Texas Iron]

Cheers…

[With Kind Regards]

Thanks Alan.