Monday News (includes West Ham)

[Alan]

BBC

With Mohamed Salah due to play for Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations in December and January, Liverpool continue to be linked with a January move for Bournemouth's 25-year-old forward Antoine Semenyo, whose country Ghana failed to qualify. (Liverpool Echo), external

Liverpool are planning a serious bid for AZ Alkmaar's 19-year-old Netherlands midfielder Kees Smit. (Soccer News via TeamTalk), external

Roma are in discussions with Manchester United over a January loan deal for Joshua Zirkzee, 24, that includes an option to buy the Netherlands forward in the summer for 35m euros (£31m). (Gazzetta dello Sport via Metro), external

If Roma's proposed move for Zirkzee falls through, they will turn to Tottenham's France forward Mathys Tel, 20. (Metro), external

Chelsea's Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson, 24, has no intention of cutting short his season-long loan move to Bayern Munich in order to seal a permanent move elsewhere in January. (Florian Plettenberg), external

Real Madrid are considering offers in the region of 20m euros (£17.69m) - from Sunderland, Aston Villa and Wolves for 21-year-old Spanish forward Gonzalo Garcia. (Fichajes), external

Real Madrid are in no hurry to hold contract talks with Austria centre-back David Alaba, 33, who is into the final year of his current deal and has not been a first-team regular since suffering a serious knee injury in December 2023. (AS), external

In Ruben Amorim's hunt for midfield reinforcements, Manchester United are looking to sign Cameroon international Carlos Baleba, 21, from Brighton. (Mirror), external

Rangers manager Danny Rohl would be reluctant to cash in on midfielder Nicolas Raskin, 24, in January, with Tottenham one of the clubs reportedly interested in signing the Belgium international. (Football Insider), external

Tottenham may miss out on former Everton forward Ademola Lookman, 28, after Atalanta changed managers. The Nigeria international had fallen out with former boss Ivan Juric prior to his sacking. (TeamTalk), external

United States midfielder Christian Pulisic, 27, wants to wait until AC Milan's qualification for next season's Champions League is more assured before signing a new contract with the Serie A giants. (Calciomercato), external

Manchester City are monitoring Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Nathaniel Brown, 22, who made his senior debut for the German national team in October. (Bild - in German)





Give Me Sport

Fabrizio Romano: Niclas Fullkrug Set to Leave West Ham in January

Niclas Fullkrug is set to leave West Ham in the January transfer window and is already on the lookout for his next club, GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Fabrizio Romano has revealed.

The Germany international is expected to end his underwhelming 18-month stint at the London Stadium at the turn of the year, as he has no future in the team under Nuno Espirito Santo.

Having played only 385 minutes of football this season, Fullkrug is looking for an opportunity to be a regular starter at his next club and has interest from clubs in Germany and Italy.

The 32-year-old has yet to score in seven appearances for West Ham this term and has missed the last four Premier League games with a thigh injury.

Fullkrug only joined West Ham from Borussia Dortmund in August last year and netted three goals in his first season in England.
Niclas Fullkrug Set for London Stadium Exit

Romano, speaking on his YouTube channel, revealed that West Ham are expected to part ways with Fullkrug when the transfer window opens in January:

“Let me start with a player who is set to leave his club in this January transfer window, and it’s Niclas Fullkrug. It's over between West Ham and the German striker.

“So a difficult, very difficult first part of the season for West Ham in general, with Graham Potter fired with Nuno Espirito Santo [appointed] as the new manager.

“The players, apart from a few of them, are not performing as expected. One of these players is Niclas Fullkrug, who joined West Ham United one year ago and is now already out of the project.

“So Fullkrug will leave West Ham in the January transfer window, looking for opportunities. “Looking for the opportunity to be a starter. That's a very important point for Fullkrug, who wants to play, and who wants to feel comfortable with the new project he is going to pick.

“There are some possibilities in Germany, some opportunities in Italy. So let's see what's going to happen.”

Wolfsburg and Hamburg are among the contenders to bring the Germany international back to the Bundesliga, while there is also interest from Italy. The Irons, however, are eager to hold out for a big offer.

According TEAMtalk, Fullkrug wants to leave the Hammers in January - but he doesn't want to join a Premier League rival.

Fulham have been mooted as a potential landing spot, but the 32-year-old is determined to leave the English top flight and has regrets over moving to West Ham back in summer 2024.

Fullkrug joined West Ham following a standout 2023/24 season with Dortmund, during which he scored 15 goals and provided 10 assists in 43 appearances, helping the German side reach the Champions League final.

Two separate injury setbacks limited the £112,000-a-week striker to just six Premier League starts last term, with another 12 appearances coming off the bench.

Fullkrug led the line in Espirito Santo’s first two games in charge but struggled to make his presence felt in the loss to Arsenal and the draw with Everton, registering just one shot on target.

West Ham secured back-to-back wins over Newcastle and Burnley before the international break and will next visit Bournemouth on Saturday.




3 Added Minures

West Ham consider non-league prospect

West Ham are ‘looking’ at young Doncaster City defender Pierre Ewisie Nelson, journalist Alan Nixon has reported on his Patreon page. The London outfit have invited the prospect for a trial and are keeping tabs on him. He operates as a right-back and can play in the heart of defence as well.

Neslon, 17, has caught the eye playing in non-league over recent times. He has been called up to England schoolboys as well so is highly regarded. It remains to be seen at this stage whether the Hammers will lodge an official offer to sign him.

The 3AM Verdict: West Ham could see Pierre Ewisie Nelson as someone to boost their development ranks. If he joined, he would initially link up with their youth set-up with a view to breaking into the first-team down the line. He has also had some exposure to senior football in non-league with Doncaster City will will have benefitted him a lot.

[With Kind Regards]

Thanks Alan.

[Heavi995]

Thanks Alan