Thursday News (includes West Ham)

[Alan]

BBC

AC Milan and England midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, 29, is a target for Aston Villa, who are looking to bolster their midfield ranks after France international Boubacar Kamara, 26, sustained a serious knee injury. (Telegraph - subscription required, external)

Loftus-Cheek has also been offered to Manchester United, with exploratory talks having taken place. (Talksport), external

Villa have enquired about Fenerbahce striker Youssef En-Nesyri in the past 24 hours, and the 28-year-old Morocco forward will decide his future soon with Napoli and Juventus also interested. (Fabrizio Romano, external)

Tottenham are considering a £25m move for West Ham's 24-year-old Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville. (Mail), external

Liverpool are interested in Tottenham and Netherlands centre-back Micky van de Ven, 24, who is yet to sign a new contract with Spurs. (Mail - subscription required, external)

Manchester United are set to tell Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes, 31, they want to keep him for another year and would like a decision from him before this summer's World Cup. (ESPN), external

Nottingham Forest will allow Brazilian left-back Cuiabano, 22, to leave on loan this month, with Liverpool's 29-year-old Greece full-back Kostas Tsimikas, currently on loan at Roma, among their list of targets. (Athletic - subscription required, external)

Forest have had an offer for Napoli defender Mathias Olivera rejected, but remain in talks for the 28-year-old Uruguay international. (Tuttomercatoweb - in Italian), external

Celta Vigo have submitted a formal loan offer to Wolves for Fer Lopez, 21, and would cover all of the Spain Under-21 attacking midfielder's salary. (Sky Sports, external)

Real Madrid are considering a move for Portugal midfielder Ruben Neves, 28, who is open to a move away from Al-Hilal, with Manchester United also eyeing the former Wolves captain. (AS - in Spanish), external

Chelsea and England playmaker Cole Palmer, 23, is willing to return to Manchester to join Manchester United, although the former Manchester City player has a contact until 2033 at Stamford Bridge. (Express), external

Barcelona want to sign Manchester City captain, Bernardo Silva, 31, on a free transfer when the Portugal midfielder's contract expires at the end of the season. (Nacional - in Spanish), external

Brentford and Nigeria defensive midfielder Frank Onyeka, 28, is being chased by Championship duo Sheffield United and Coventry City for a January move, while Valencia are also interested. (Standard, external)

Schalke have reportedly agreed terms to sign Bosnia-Herzegovina striker Edin Dzeko, 39, who only joined Fiorentina in July. (Sky Sport - in German), external

Norwich striker Sargent has 'played last game for club' - EFL gossip

Norwich City striker Josh Sargent has played his last game for the club following a heated meeting with sporting director Ben Knapper and head coach Philippe Clement. The 25-year-old USA international wants a return to North America to join Toronto FC. (Tom Bogert), external

Middlesbrough have reignited their interest in Brighton winger Jeremy Sarmiento and are attempting to hijack Birmingham City's deal for the 23-year-old after Blues had already agreed a permanent transfer for the Ecuador international. (Sky Sports), external

Wrexham have launched a club-record £19m bid for 19-year-old striker Sidiki Cherif, who has four goals in 18 games this season for French Ligue 1 club Angers, and is also drawing interest from Crystal Palace. (Alan Nixon - subscription required), external

Leicester City are keen on Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana but fear they could be priced out of a deal for the 23-year-old Ivorian, who scored eight goals in 15 games while on loan at Turkish side Karagumruk in the first half of the season. (Leicester Mercury), external

Charlton Athletic have rejected two bids from Brighton for 19-year-old forward Micah Mbick, who is on loan at Colchester United, but the Addicks value him higher than the £3.5m the Seagulls have offered. (The Athletic - subscription required), external

Norwich City defender Emmanuel Adegboyega is wanted by a number of League One clubs, including Rotherham United, Stevenage and Wycombe Wanderers, and the Canaries are open to letting the 22-year-old leave in January. (Pink Un), external

QPR and Swansea are among the clubs interested in signing Ghanaian striker Jalal Abdullai, 21, who has returned to Swedish club Elfsborg after scoring nine goals in 24 games while on loan at Norwegian side Molde FK. (TEAMtalk), external

Middlesbrough defender Matt Targett, 30, who is on loan from Newcastle, has had a recall clause - which was due to expire last week - extended as the Magpies consider whether they will allow him to finish the season at the Riverside. (The Athletic - subscription required), external

Bradford City are close to signing Manchester United striker Ethan Wheatley on loan for the rest of the season after the 20-year-old was recalled from Northampton Town last week. (Sky Sports), external

Bristol Rovers boss Steve Evans says he is "not aware" of any deal for 24-year-old midfielder Clinton Mola to be sold to Polish side Rakow Czestochowa, despite reports in Poland suggesting talks are at an advanced stage. (Bristol Post)




Sky Paper Talk

PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer is willing to return to Manchester to join Manchester United, although the former Manchester City player has a contact until 2033 at Stamford Bridge - The Express

Liverpool are developing a keen interest in Micky van de Ven which will be a test of Spurs' resolve in the summer, with the 24-year-old resisting contract talks - Daily Mail

 Spurs boss Thomas Frank likes Brentford captain Nathan Collins however, there is no guarantee he will be in the job come the summer - Daily Mail

Liverpool full-back Kostas Tsimikas, currently on loan at Roma, is among Nottingham Forest's list of targets - The Athletic

Aston Villa are considering a move for Ruben Loftus-Cheek, as the Midlands side are keen to bolster their midfield following Boubacar Kamara's knee injury - Telegraph

Brentford defensive midfielder Frank Onyeka is being chased by Sheffield United and Coventry City for a January move, while Valencia are also interested - Standard

AFCON

Senegal's President announced huge bonuses and land plots for each member of the winning national team.

EUROPE

Paris Saint-Germain defender Lucas Hernandez and his wife have denied claims they overworked and trafficked a Colombian family that worked in their home - The Sun

SCOTLAND

Chris Aitken admits he's devastated his Stranraer side could be booted out of the Scottish Cup and says his side have nothing to hide - Scottish Sun




Guardian Rumour mill

Yara El-Shaboury

Kostas Tsimikas may be enjoying the Roman sunshine on loan, but Nottingham Forest are still peering longingly across the Mediterranean at Liverpool’s spare left-back. The arrival of Milos Kerkez has left Tsimikas firmly behind Andy Robertson in the Anfield pecking order but Forest’s interest has never gone away. Roma would be willing to end his loan period early provided they can find someone else first – understandable given he has only four Serie A starts this season under Gian Piero Gasperini, whose wing-back system does not suit the 29-year-old.

Sunderland are reportedly clutching Noah Sadiki with the kind of white-knuckled intensity usually reserved for a North Sea ferry in a gale. Manchester United are admirers of the 21-year-old DR Congo midfielder and have even toyed with the idea of a player-plus-cash deal involving Manuel Ugarte, but the Black Cats have no interest in a deal. Sadiki’s value has apparently doubled since his £15m arrival from Union Saint-Gilloise and Sunderland seem in no mood to cash in just yet. The player has started every Premier League match under Régis Le Bris bar the games he was away for Afcon.

Unai Emery has peered into the abyss of his injury list and seen a Ruben Loftus-Cheek-shaped silhouette staring back. Boubacar Kamara, who has been a standout at Aston Villa this season, came off injured in his side’s FA Cup win against Spurs and the club fear he could miss the rest of the season. For Emery’s side, sitting third and daring to glance at Arsenal seven points ahead, replacing such a pivotal player could prove rather important.

Down at Selhurst Park, the “Everything Must Go” sign continues to attract interest with Liverpool said to be circling the Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, joining a queue that includes Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle. Palace are reportedly open to selling at the end of the season – for a starting price of £65m.

Napoli are on the lookout for fresh width for Antonio Conte and have begun running the numbers on the Real Betis winger Abdessamad Ezzalzouli. The 24-year-old Morocco international, admired for his close control and untapped upside, has joined a growing shortlist that already features Raheem Sterling and Daniel Maldini.

James Ward-Prowse, meanwhile, appears to be heading for the exit after slipping out of favour under Nuno Espírito Santo at West Ham, having not played since September. A permanent transfer looks unlikely with Premier League suitors are scarce and Championship budgets struggling with the fee, leaving a loan as the most realistic outcome. Burnley are interested observers, having reportedly recognised the strength the 31-year-old could bring in an era where set-pieces are dominating the game.

Robert Lewandowski, 37, and still collecting goals like souvenirs, apparently has “very concrete” options in MLS while a move to the Saudi Pro League is also on the table. The striker, whose contract expires in the summer, has scored 112 goals in 170 games during his three and a half seasons at the club.

Over in Madrid, Vinícius Júnior has attempted to pour cold water on any transfer gossip by reiterating his desire to stay put. With a year left on his contract, the Brazilian insisted there is “no hurry” and that his relationship with Florentino Pérez is harmonious enough to sort things out later after his side’s dominant 6-1 defeat of Monaco in the Champions League. The player reportedly was uninterested in renewing his new deal while Xabi Alonso was at the helm.

And Arne Engels is expected to stay at Celtic despite Bundesliga interest. Leipzig inquired about the player but the Belgian midfielder is said to be happy under the returning Martin O’Neill and focused on helping Celtic retain the Scottish Premiership title. The 22-year-old joined Celtic from Augsburg in 2024 for a club-record fee of £11m.





Sport Witness

Another option emerges – MLS club enter race for West Ham player

By Pedro Reinert

West Ham United midfielder Guido Rodríguez has another possible destination on the table. Major League Soccer is now emerging as a realistic alternative.

According to journalist Germán García Grova, Atlanta United have opened talks to sign the 31-year-old. It’s a direct request from Argentine head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino, who recently returned to the club and wants experienced players to help Atlanta compete with Inter Miami and climb the Eastern Conference.

Atlanta United see him as a key part of a rebuild after finishing 14th in the Eastern Conference last season and missing the play-offs.

But Rodríguez’s situation at West Ham continues to drive the story. As we covered earlier this week, he had advanced talks with Valencia and Brazilian side Grêmio. But the Spanish side won’t go for a permanent transfer and the players’ camp doesn’t want him returning to South America now. The result is that Nuno Espírito Santo is still counting on him for now.

What sets Atlanta apart is the structure of their approach. They’re pushing for a permanent deal. And with the risk of losing him for free in the summer, West Ham appear open to a sale to the MLS.

A move to North America would not be unfamiliar. Rodríguez spent four years in Mexico between 2016 and 2020, playing for Tijuana and Club América, before joining Real Betis and later West Ham.

For West Ham, this is another decision point. Interest now comes from Europe, South America and the United States. Rodríguez’s future remains open, but Atlanta United have clearly positioned themselves as a serious option.




Meeting scheduled for West Ham player’s rapid move – Surprise January twist

By Naveen Ullal

West Ham United’s Edson Álvarez has been on loan at Fenerbahçe since last August.

The Mexico international played 14 matches as injuries partly restricted his minutes for the Yellow Canaries.

Two months ago, Sabah reported Fenerbahçe have agreed a €22m purchase option with West Ham. They deem this to be ‘excessive’ and don’t plan on activating it.

The midfielder could leave Istanbul as early as the winter market. Claims from Turkey have mentioned Tigres UANL have submitted an offer to sign him.

Claro Sports in Mexico look at this and provide their own take on this case. They waste no time in quickly dismissing claims from Turkey.

The outlet found out from their sources that the Mexican club haven’t made an offer for the West Ham man. In fact, they rule out having any interest in him.

According to Claro Sports, Álvarez’s priority is to continue in Europe. He first arrived in the continent when Ajax signed him from Club América in 2019 and joined the Hammers in 2023.

The West Ham owned player has an option to return to the Dutch club this month. That’s according to De Telegraaf.

Fenerbahçe are working on signing Al-Ittihad’s N’Golo Kanté and his arrival would push Álvarez down the pecking order. This isn’t ideal for the Mexican, especially with the World Cup after this season.
Surprise twist for West Ham player

Ajax want to take advantage of this situation to sign their former player. The newspaper report Ajax sporting director Marijn Beuker has travelled to Turkey to negotiate a few signings, including a new No.6.

Sources close to the Eredivisie side have informed De Telegraaf that Beuker has scheduled a meeting with Álvarez’s entourage. The Dutch club had been keen in the summer but ditched the idea, so them returning so quickly wasn’t expected.

If the player is convinced, Ajax will then have to find an agreement with the London club to complete this rapid operation. As well as Álvarez, they have other names in their list including Galatasaray’s Lucas Torreira.



Player in London to complete West Ham move – Announcement in ‘coming hours’

By Naveen Ullal

West Ham United have made advances to sign Deportivo La Guaira FC’s Keiber Lamadrid in the winter market.

The Premier League side’s interest in the 22-year-old was first reported in Venezuela by journalist Elias López earlier this week. Since then, several outlets in South America and the UK have covered the Hammer’s firm desire to sign him.

Three days ago, López reported the winger’s move to West Ham is on the horizon. He said Lamadrid has already travelled to Paris, after receiving permission from Deportivo La Guaira.

The Venezuela international has been in France to sort out personal terms with Nuno Espírito Santo’s side and medical tests. He was also waiting to resolve the bureaucratic issues to complete a move to West Ham. This is related to obtaining a work permit to play in the UK.

López has now taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, to cover the latest, and it’s positive news.

The bureaucratic issues for the attacker’s move to London have been resolved. According to the journalist, Lamadrid has already completed medical examinations with West Ham and even signed a contract. He hasn’t specified the details of the contract.
West Ham secure transfer of flexible winger

López further adds the South American has already obtained a work permit, making him eligible to represent West Ham immediately.

He’s confident that the transfer will go through and insists Lamadrid is a new West Ham player. According to him, the player has arrived in London and the Hammers will make his arrival official in the ‘coming hours’.

There’s no mention of the fee that Deportivo La Guaira will collect from Nuno’s side.

The Venezuelan’s preferred position is on the wing but can operate as a wing-back and in the middle of the pitch. He managed 14 goals and seven assists from 104 matches for Deportivo La Guaira.

[With Kind Regards]

Thanks Alan.