Arsenal are planning a move to sign Serbia striker Dusan Vlahovic, 24, from Juventus next summer. (Teamtalk)
Real Madrid hold an interest in William Saliba but Arsenal have no intention to negotiate the potential sale of the France defender, 23. (FootballTransfers)
Manchester United are closely monitoring manager Eddie Howe’s situation at Newcastle amid doubt over his long-term future. (Football Insider)
Barcelona sporting director Deco is looking at a potential move for 20-year-old Aston Villa and Colombia striker Jhon Duran. (El Nacional - in Spanish)
Brentford and Fulham are interested in a January move for Newcastle's 32-year-old England striker Callum Wilson. (Sun)
Following Rodri's injury, Manchester City are looking to sign a defensive midfielder and have put together a four-man shortlist including Real Sociedad's 25-year-old Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi, 27-year-old Nicolo Barella of Inter Milan and Italy, Atalanta's Brazil international Ederson, 25, and Crystal Palace's England youngster Adam Wharton, 20. (Teamtalk)
Liverpool have identified Crystal Palace and England centre-back Marc Guehi, 24, as a long-term successor to Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk, 33. (Football Insider)
Ukraine winger Mykhailo Mudryk, 23, is moving closer to leaving Chelsea in January. (Football Insider)
Manchester United considered a summer move for England striker Ivan Toney before the 28-year-old's move from Brentford to Al-Ahli, but he did not fit the profile desired by manager Erik ten Hag. (ESPN)
United remain interested in signing 21-year-old Slovenia forward Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. (GiveMeSport)
Former France defender Raphael Varane, 31, is considering bringing an end to his playing career following the recent injury he suffered at Italian club Como. (Le Parisien - in French)
Paris St-Germain have cooled their interest in Bayern Munich's Germany midfielder Joshua Kimmich, 29, in a boost to Liverpool and other interested clubs. (CaughtOffside)
Prospective Everton owner Dan Friedkin will make deciding the future of manager Sean Dyche one of his first acts at Goodison Park, with talks over a new deal currently on hold. (Mirror)
Former England manager Gareth Southgate is prepared to reject other offers and hold out for the Manchester United job, should Erik ten Hag appear in danger of being sacked. (GiveMeSport)
Former Arsenal and Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, 34, would be willing to come out of retirement - just a month after leaving Juventus - to sign for Barcelona following Marc-Andre ter Stegen's injury. (Diario Sport - in Spanish)
French midfielder Enzo Zidane, son of Zinedine Zidane, has decided to retire at the age of 29 having been without a club since leaving Fuenlabrada in 2023. (AS - in Spanish)
Sky Paper Talk
DAILY MAIL
Ex-England manager Gareth Southgate has reportedly emerged as a possible target for the US-based group set to take control of Everton.
Ivan Toney reportedly had one shortcoming which meant he was discarded from Manchester United's shortlist this summer.
Sven-Goran Eriksson hit out at one former colleague at the FA over his affairs scandal in a new book that is set to be published after the legendary former England manager's death.
Pep Guardiola vowed that Manchester City will not use Rodri's long-term absence as an excuse in their latest Premier League title defence.
Como defender Raphael Varane is reportedly considering retirement following his latest injury.
A separate arena for the women's and academy teams will not be part of the initial design to regenerate the area around a £2bn new Old Trafford stadium.
Phil Foden was given detailed feedback from Pep Guardiola during an impromptu on-pitch training session after the Man City star played 90 minutes as a false nine in the Carabao Cup win over Watford.
Nike have confirmed that Mason Greenwood is not being sponsored by the brand again after the forward was spotted wearing company boots while playing for Marseille.
Scott Brown has emerged as the frontrunner to be the next manager of St Johnstone.
Mikaela Mayer has hit out at boxing authorities for making it 'very easy to cheat' in the sport.
THE TIMES
Howard Webb will escape the wrath of disgruntled Premier League clubs after it was confirmed that the referees' chief will not face them this week.
Lord's has announced a hike in ticket prices for next year's Test matches despite criticism that the high cost of attending had resulted in falling attendances this summer.
One of France's all-time greats Thierry Dusautoir has told the British & Irish Lions that they must move heaven and earth to ensure the flanker Jack Willis tours Australia next year.
Red Bull have lost yet another senior figure after their head of race strategy Will Courtenay agreed to move to title rivals McLaren.
THE ATHLETIC
Former Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Sergio Rico is set to join Qatari side Al-Gharafa, five months on from receiving medical clearance to return to football after a life-threatening accident.
Kylian Mbappe is set to be assessed after being forced off during Real Madrid's La Liga victory over Alaves on Tuesday with a muscular injury.
The bidding process for the 2027 men's Champions League final will be re-opened after UEFA opted not to assign it to Milan's San Siro due to a lack of clarity over the stadium's refurbishment plans.
A Crystal Palace supporters' group has called on the club to review their season ticket policy after fans faced significant issues trying to obtain physical cards.
DAILY MIRROR
Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor will each be back on refereeing duties in Week 6 of the Premier League campaign.
Former Manchester United forward Bebe revealed that leaving Old Trafford was the best moment of his life.
Former Premier League winger Andros Townsend has suggested Trent Alexander-Arnold will find a summer move to Real Madrid tough to turn down.
Arsenal have been handed a boost in their title battle with Manchester City after a new supercomputer predicted the rest of the season with Rodri absent.
Mark Halsey is stunned that Erling Haaland has avoided retrospective punishment from the authorities following the bad-blooded clash between Manchester City and Arsenal.
DAILY EXPRESS
Eddie Howe and Paul Mitchell have held clear-the-air talks to move on from a frustrating summer transfer window at Newcastle United, according to reports.
Donny van de Beek ended his disastrous four-year Manchester United career in the summer by moving to Girona, but his fortunes don't appear to have improved at the La Liga club, with reports claiming he has encountered problems adapting to life in Spain.
Manchester United defender Leny Yoro is reportedly determined to return to full fitness ahead of his side's December trip to Arsenal.
Former England and Manchester City goalkeeper David James has expressed his disappointment over Andre Onana's performance at Manchester United since his £47m move from Inter Milan.
THE SUN
Arsenal chief executive Tim Lewis refused to shake hands with Manchester City's top brass after Sunday's dramatic game at the Etihad.
Callum Wilson is a target for Fulham and Brentford in January.
Tottenham have made peace with club legend David Pleat following a spat over his new autobiography.
Barcelona chiefs are mulling over a shock move for recently retired goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, according to reports.
EVENING STANDARD
Kieran Trippier is "desperate" to move on from Newcastle United - and three top European clubs are racing to sign the defender.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has defended the decision to scrap new senior season tickets from next season, saying the club's "whole financing model will come into question" if they do not cut down on the number of concessions at the stadium.
THE INDEPENDENT
A number of European national associations have written to Uefa asserting their stance that Aleksander Ceferin stay on as president after 2027, with as many as 35 of 55 known to be willing to support him.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
The Football Association will take action following the "flagrant" crackdown on free speech that saw Telegraph Sport's Chief Sports Writer banned from Wembley for Anthony Joshua's stunning defeat by Daniel Dubois.
A 99-year-old actress has promised to "chain myself to the grounds" if Wimbledon's controversial expansion goes ahead.
Derby County are seeking new investors to boost their spending power after returning to the Championship.
Reading have pulled their under-21s out of a newly-created competition by the Premier League in another alarming development at the crisis-hit club.
SCOTTISH SUN
Malmo lit the blue touchpaper ahead of Thursday's Europa League clash with Rangers with the words: 'We've Missed You'.
Derek McInnes has revealed he's reached out to sacked Hearts boss Stevie Naismith and told him: You'll be back.
Former Rangers owner Craig Whyte has taken a broad swipe at the allegations made against him following his time in charge at Ibrox. He also claimed that he was told by HMRC that they should have done a deal with the club to avoid it going into administration.
The Athletic
Julen Lopetegui must get West Ham’s players to gel – too many aren’t
By Roshane Thomas
On Monday morning, the sight of Julen Lopetegui being the first to arrive at West Ham United’s training ground did not surprise staff.
The head coach is usually the first one at Rush Green. He will park his car, head towards his office and see the motivational question on his wall: “What are you willing to do today to be better than yesterday?” Those words will resonate even more following the disappointing 3-0 loss to Chelsea.
“I get here early and I go home at night,” said Lopetegui ahead of the Carabao Cup game against Liverpool. “My wife is very happy! We have work to do and when you are managing a new project like this, you have big ambitions and expectations. We’re putting our all into it. I love to be here.”
Last Saturday’s loss made it perhaps less easy to love. Afterwards, Lopetegui apologised to fans. He took the blame for substituting Guido Rodriguez in the 37th minute and expressed his desire for more consistency from his team. The players also took a portion of the blame, with captain Jarrod Bowen admitting they were never in the game, while summer signing Maximilian Kilman said the loss needs to be a wake-up call.
It has been a tough start to the season for West Ham. The players were booed after the loss to Chelsea, they have taken four points from five league games, and they have suffered three consecutive home defeats for the first time in the club’s history.
Yet the players were in good spirits as they arrived for training on Tuesday afternoon. Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek arrived together having greeted two autograph hunters. The duo were closely followed by Luis Guilherme, Lucas Paqueta and Emerson Palmieri, who were embraced by Alphonse Areola. Mohammed Kudus could be seen smiling with a non-playing staff member.
But that togetherness off the field needs to be matched on it.
Summer signing Rodriguez and Edson Alvarez have not yet gelled as a midfield partnership. Their lack of pace was exploited in the last two games. A possible solution could be playing Carlos Soler, the season-long loan signing from Paris Saint-Germain, alongside Alvarez.
Soler is versatile and can play as a central midfielder, winger or as a No 10. Soucek is another option, having replaced Rodriguez against Chelsea. The Czech Republic international has registered one goal across six appearances. Andy Irving, who made his debut at the weekend, has an outside chance of starting.
The biggest concern is the defence, with Lopetegui’s side conceding first in games against Aston Villa, Manchester City, Fulham and Chelsea. Following the summer departures of Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd, Kilman and Konstantinos Mavropanos have been the preferred defensive partnership.
In the first half against Chelsea, Kilman and Mavropanos played a high defensive line, which the west London side exploited. If the pair are going to play together going forward, there needs to be a better understanding not just among the back line, but also between the back line and midfield.
Perhaps they are playing with one eye on Jean-Clair Todibo, 24, who joined from Nice on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy for £34million ($44.7m). He has been the third-choice centre-back up to now and he remains in search of his second start since the win over Bournemouth.
Lopetegui is easing Todibo’s integration into the starting XI due to his lack of fitness. On July 19, the defender played in a friendly for Nice against Spanish side CD Leganes, but once Nice were engaged in talks with Juventus and West Ham, Todibo did not play for them again.
It was 29 days until his next appearance as a late substitute in the opening-day loss to Aston Villa. Lopetegui’s decision to withdraw the defender at half-time against Bournemouth was also due to fitness, but Todibo is in contention to start against Liverpool.
Similarly, things are not settled with the strikers. Niclas Fullkrug, the £27million signing from Borussia Dortmund, has returned to training. The 31-year-old forward missed the last two league games having sustained a calf injury while on international duty with Germany.
Fullkrug will seek a starting berth ahead of Michail Antonio and Danny Ings as he nears full fitness. His sole start was against Bournemouth and Lopetegui is confident his impending return will lead to improvement.
“Fullkrug is an experienced player,” said Lopetegui. “It is true that he doesn’t have continuity because when he started being better, he had a little injury with the German national team. It was a pity because he was very close to playing with us. But I think he is going to bring us his experience. For sure, he is going to help us to be a stronger team.”
Guilherme is another big summer signing yet to make his mark, having arrived for £25.5million from Brazilian side Palmeiras. The 18-year-old winger is still awaiting his first appearance and is adapting to living in a new country. He featured for Mark Robson’s under-21s last night and got on the scoresheet.
“He is working well,” said Lopetegui recently. “He is a young player and his adaptation is step by step. It’s all about timing. I think he will develop into a good player, but now he has team-mates who are ahead of him. I am very happy with his attitude and, with that mindset, he will have chances. He will be able to develop into the player we know he can be.”
West Ham have games against Liverpool, Brentford, Ipswich Town, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United to come before the end of next month. They have time yet to do what teams like Brighton, Chelsea and Liverpool have done this season: make a positive start with a new manager. To do that, Lopetegui needs to get his players to gel.
HITC
West Ham lead Aston Villa and Newcastle to sign player Michail Antonio knows well
Dan Owen
Aston Villa, Newcastle and Brighton are watching defender Richard King but West Ham United currently lead the race to bring Michail Antonio’s Jamaica team-mate to the Premier League.
While the Jamaican national team are looking to secure the services of foreign-born talents eligible to represent them on the international stage – Marseille’s Mason Greenwood and Fulham’s Reiss Nelson are on the Reggae Boyz radar – new manager Steve McClaren has already inherited a squad consisting of some exciting, homegrown talent.
Richard King, 19 caps to his name already at the age of just 22, may be the jewel in the crown of this current Jamaican generation.
King currently plays for Cavalier FC, the Jamaican Premier League champions for 2023/24. But perhaps not for much longer.
HITC understands that there are at least four clubs based in England’s top flight who have been watching the 6ft 1ins colossus of late.
West Ham United lead Aston Villa and Newcastle in Richard King race
Aston Villa are interested, in the hope of linking King up with his Jamaica team-mate Leon Bailey. Newcastle are interested too, perhaps viewing the right-footed defender as a long-term successor for an ageing Fabian Schar.
Brighton are in the mix also. The Seagulls boast a formidable track record when it comes to signing under-the-radar talent from less heralded markets.
King would arrive at The Amex hoping to follow in the footsteps of Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister and co.
As it stands, however, the club currently leading the race for King’s signature is West Ham United.
In Michail Antonio, The Hammers already have one of the five Jamaican internationals currently plying their trade in the Premier League. Julen Lopetegui’s side would double that tally if King was to arrive.
Suggestions that West Ham could make a move for another centre-half may come as a surprise.
The London Stadium outfit already have a £35 million Frenchman – West Ham beat Juventus to the signature of Jean-Clair Todibo – sitting on the bench right now with Konstantinos Mavropanos currently starting alongside fellow big-money signing Max Kilman.
King, his 23rd birthday still two months away, is likely to be viewed as an investment for the future and a solid rotation option for a West Ham side looking to return to European competition and fight on multiple fronts.
King’s versatility and two-footedness should appeal to Julen Lopetegui
The youngster is also two-footed enough to play on the left-hand side when required.
Given Lopetegui’s possession principles, the former Real Madrid, Spain and Wolves boss likes defenders who can pass out from the back from both sides. King has also been utilised, at times, as a defensive midfielder and as a full-back on either flank.
It is tempting to wonder, then, if The Hammers see him as a replacement for the highly versatile Ben Johnson.
West Ham were disappointed when Johnson joined Ipswich Town on a free transfer. He had turned down a new contract at the club that gave him his debut.
“You can see there is a talent,” Jamaican football expert Rayon Nelson explains. “He doesn’t look like a player who will slide in and be reckless, but he’s a talent. Richard King plays football in a composed manner.
“Richard King, who has won titles at the age of 22, looks like he can hit a different level. Ball control, making the simple passes, getting out of some tight spots, I think he has the potential to do so.
“Yes, there are some areas of his game that need to be developed. Let’s say, confidence and so forth. But I don’t see him as a player who can always be average.
“I see him as a player who can hit a different level.”
HITC understands that, in addition to King, West Ham are eyeing Oumar Solet as Red Bull Salzburg terminate his contract.
Meanwhile, Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui is not under any immediate risk of the sack. Chairman David Sullivan is backing the Spaniard to turn around a poor start to the season.