Sunday News (includes West Ham)

[Alan]

BBC

Egypt forward Mohamed Salah, 32, is on the brink of signing a new two-year contract at Liverpool after reaching a compromise with the club's owners Fenway Sports Group. (Mirror), external

William Saliba is ready to commit his long-term future to Arsenal despite the 23-year-old France centre-back being Real Madrid's number one transfer target. (Sun), external

Jose Mourinho has ruled out the possibility of Al-Nassr's Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo, 39, joining him at Fenerbahce, saying his side already has three good forwards. (Goal), external

West Ham would consider Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick should they sack current manager Julen Lopetegui. (Mirror), external

Former Chelsea and Brighton boss Graham Potter is also on West Ham's radar, but may be in line for the manager's job at RB Leipzig, should current head coach Marco Rose get the sack. (Sun), external

Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has also been sounded out by RB Leipzig, and if appointed he could scupper the Red Devils' chances of signing 26-year-old Germany left-back David Raum. (Sun), external

Arsenal are set to resist January offers for Poland centre-back Jakub Kiwior with Napoli, AC Milan and Juventus interested in the 24-year-old. (Mirror), external

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has ruled out the possibility of recalling French forward Odsonne Edouard, 26, from his loan spell at Leicester. (Talksport), external

Manchester United's Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez, 26, is on Real Madrid's radar as the European champions assess potential new centre-backs. (TBR Football), external

Napoli's Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, 25, who is on loan at Galatasaray, is keen to reunite with the club's former sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli at Juventus. (Il Mattino via Calciomercato - in Italian), external

West Ham are considering a January loan move for Chelsea's 27-year-old English defender Tosin Adarabioyo. (Footmercato - in French), external

Chelsea and Arsenal are set to battle to sign 19-year-old Brazilian defender Vitor Reis from Palmeiras. (Florian Plettenberg), external

Tottenham and Liverpool are among the clubs interested in Shakhtar Donetsk's Ukraine midfielder Georgiy Sudakov, 22. (Mirror), external

Bayern Munich and Jamal Musiala are not ready to announce a contract extension, with any deal for the Germany playmaker, 21, set to take more time. (Florian Plettenberg), external

Paris St-Germain are weighing up a £100m bid for Sporting's Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United also interested in the 26-year-old. (Fichajes - in Spanish)




Sky Paper Talk

SUNDAY MIRROR

Erik ten Hag could be about to join forces with Jurgen Klopp at RB Leipzig - and that could be bad news for Manchester United's hopes of landing Germany international David Raum.

Mohamed Salah is on the bring of signing a new two-year deal at Liverpool after months of negotiations.

Manchester United are considering muscling in on Lecce full-back - and Chelsea and Tottenham target - Patrick Dorgu.

Arsenal are expected to resist January approaches for Jakub Kiwior amid renewed interest from around Europe.

THE SUN ON SUNDAY

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has labelled Manchester United "mediocre" and warned that "difficult and unpopular decisions" would be needed to get the club back to the top.

Graham Potter is in line for a shock call from RB Leipzig.

David Beckham paid a secret visit to Manchester United's beloved receptionist Kath Phipps before she died.

MAIL ON SUNDAY

Everton captain Seamus Coleman sent a heart-warming message to a young Australian fan who missed the Merseyside derby after it was called off due to severe weather warnings.

Wolves boss Gary O'Neil has revealed that he consumes a staggering 20 cups of tea every day.

Pep Guardiola predicted Manchester City's difficulties will drag on for the entire season after their slim title prospects suffered further damage with a 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace.

SUNDAY EXPRESS

Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White rubbed salt into the wound of Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana after admitting he did not expect to score in their shock 3-2 win.

Alan Shearer believes injuries will be playing on the minds of Liverpool trio Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk amid their uncertain futures.

SCOTTISH SUN

Jimmy Thelin admits he can understand why Aberdeen fans booed his side during their home draw to St Johnstone.

Phillipe Clement insists he will never sign players who are not motivated to face sides like Ross County.





EPL Index

Report: West Ham eye Michael Carrick to replace under-pressure Lopetegui

Carrick’s West Ham Link: Potential Turning Point or Nostalgic Gamble?

West Ham United’s board appears to be at a crossroads, with Julen Lopetegui’s tenure hanging by a thread. Reports from Chris McKenna in The Mirror suggest the club is exploring potential replacements, with former Hammer Michael Carrick emerging as a leading candidate. The Middlesbrough boss has garnered widespread acclaim for his managerial credentials in the Championship, positioning him as a compelling option.

Carrick’s Ascension in Management

Michael Carrick’s managerial journey at Middlesbrough has been nothing short of impressive. The former Manchester United midfielder has orchestrated a significant turnaround since taking the reins, guiding the team to a playoff spot last season and sustaining their promotion push this term. His success stems from a clear tactical identity, blending defensive solidity with attacking fluidity – qualities that appeal to West Ham’s leadership.

Carrick’s West Ham roots add another layer of intrigue to the potential appointment. Having made over 100 appearances for the club before moving on to Tottenham and later Manchester United, Carrick remains a fondly remembered figure among Hammers fans. His ties to the club, coupled with his proven ability to develop talent and instil an attractive playing style, make him a natural fit for a West Ham side seeking revitalisation.

Lopetegui’s Struggles and Uncertain Future

Julen Lopetegui’s tenure at the London Stadium has been fraught with difficulties. A dismal start to the campaign sees the Hammers languishing in 14th place, with seven losses to their name. The club’s 3-1 defeat to Leicester seemed destined to seal Lopetegui’s fate, yet the board showed leniency, attributing the result to missed opportunities rather than outright managerial failure.

Despite his resilience, Lopetegui’s grip on the managerial role appears tenuous. The upcoming clash with Wolves, his former club, could serve as the ultimate litmus test. A poor result would almost certainly prompt West Ham to make a change, paving the way for Carrick’s potential arrival.

Lopetegui, for his part, remains optimistic. Speaking after the Leicester defeat, he stated: “I have big commitment to my work, always, and I am very happy to stay at West Ham. We are going to change the situation.” His words reflect his determination, but whether that translates into tangible results is another matter.

Challenges Ahead for Carrick

Should West Ham make the bold move to appoint Michael Carrick, several challenges lie ahead. Transitioning from the Championship to the Premier League is a daunting step, even for a manager with Carrick’s pedigree. The squad’s lack of consistency and defensive vulnerabilities would require immediate attention, while balancing fan expectations with on-pitch performance would be a delicate act.

Carrick’s connection to the club could work in his favour, granting him a grace period to implement his philosophy. However, the Premier League’s unforgiving nature leaves little room for extended adjustment periods.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a West Ham supporter’s perspective, the idea of Michael Carrick taking charge evokes both excitement and scepticism. His ties to the club and managerial acumen at Middlesbrough are undeniable positives. For fans longing for a return to the traditional West Ham ethos of attractive, attacking football, Carrick appears to tick many boxes.

However, some concerns linger. Carrick’s lack of Premier League experience as a manager could be a potential stumbling block. While his achievements in the Championship are commendable, the leap to top-flight management is fraught with challenges. Many supporters are wary of gambling on an unproven candidate, particularly with the club teetering near the relegation zone.

Julen Lopetegui’s struggles, though frustrating, underline the inherent difficulty of managing in the Premier League. Patience has not been a hallmark of West Ham’s recent managerial decisions, and fans might wonder whether Carrick would be afforded the time to succeed.

Ultimately, if Lopetegui’s tenure does come to an end, Carrick’s appointment would signal a bold shift towards a long-term vision. For West Ham supporters, that vision must be accompanied by tangible results to justify the risk.

[Texas Iron]

Cheers…

[With Kind Regards]

Thanks Alan.