Napoli are expected to target a move for Manchester United and England forward Marcus Rashford, 27, with Georgia winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia set to leave the Italian club. (Mirror)
Paris St-Germain are close to signing Kvaratskhelia from Napoli, with the 23-year-old already having agreed a deal with the French side. (Foot Mercato - in French)
PSG believe they can convince Aston Villa to sell Colombia striker Jhon Duran, 21, to them and the Ligue 1 club are keen to include France forward Randal Kolo Muani, 26, in any talks. (Mail)
Spain attacking midfielder Marco Asensio, 28, appears surplus to requirements at PSG, with Aston Villa, Juventus and Real Sociedad possible destinations. (Foot Mercato - in French)
Barcelona are keen on Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak and could make a move for the 25-year-old in January or in the summer, depending on their financial situation. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish)
AC Milan are interested in signing England right-back Kyle Walker, with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola saying the 34-year-old had asked to leave the English club. (Guardian)
Chelsea's hopes of signing 24-year-old England defender Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace could be off because of the Stamford Bridge club's strict wage structure. (Mirror)
Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krosche has confirmed that a club has made contact with them about signing Egypt forward Omar Marmoush, with Manchester City having agreed a deal with the 25-year-old. (Sky Sports Germany)
Barcelona have rejected an offer from Juventus for Uruguay centre-back Ronald Araujo and are keen to keep the 25-year-old, whose contract with the Spanish club runs out in 2026. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish)
Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli says "we hope to get some positive news over the next week" when it comes to transfers, when asked about Barcelona defender Araujo and PSG forward Kolo Muani. (DAZN, via Football Italia)
Borussia Dortmund are considering making a move to sign English midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka, 21, on loan from Chelsea. (Sky Sports Germany)
Chukwuemeka is also on the radar of Italian side Lazio as they look to bolster their midfield. (Calciomercato - in Italian)
Sky Paper Talk
SUNDAY MIRROR
Chelsea's potential move for Marc Guehi could hit a snag over wages.
Wayne Rooney has netted a lucrative job days after being sacked by Plymouth, running a soccer school for rich kids.
Napoli are emerging as a big threat to AC Milan's bid to sign Manchester United's Marcus Rashford after admitting defeat in their attempts to keep Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia at the club.
Martin Zubimendi has been warned against joining Manchester City this month by one of Pep Guardiola's former stars.
Manchester United retain an interest in Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, according to Sport.
Luke Donald has told Sergio Garcia that the regulations do not permit the Spaniard acting as an assistant captain at this year's Ryder Cup and that his only chance of being involved in New York is as a player.
MAIL ON SUNDAY
LaLiga is taking its sour conflict with Barcelona to court amid the fallout of the cash-strapped Catalans being permitted to register Dani Olmo and Pau Victor.
Paris Saint-Germain believe they can persuade Aston Villa to sell Jhon Duran this summer or even as early as this month.
THE SUN
Manchester United and Arsenal target Matheus Cunha is expected to stay at Wolves this month.
Frankie Dettori has described scenes of devastation near his home in Los Angeles as a result of the wildfires.
DAILY RECORD
Steven Gerrard has spoken out on a shock departure from his Al Ettifaq side who were put to the sword by a former Hibernian ace.
THE SCOTTISH SUN
Misfit Celtic star 'targeted by ambitious EFL club' as they prepare for January transfer swoop.
The Athletic
West Ham offer immediate promise under Graham Potter but must address a lack of bite
By Roshane Thomas
Danny Ings took time rising from the turf. He looked to the heavens, clenched his fists and exhaled into the cold Birmingham mist. Frustration was written all over his face.
The 32-year-old striker had squandered the chance to score a late equaliser against Aston Villa and his miss may accelerate West Ham United’s pursuit for a forward this transfer window.
In truth, there were a lot of encouraging signs in Graham Potter’s first match in charge, having been announced on Thursday as Julen Lopetegui’s successor after signing a two-and-a-half year contract. Despite the 2-1 loss in the third round of the FA Cup, the team looked more organised, there was a marked improvement from Lucas Paqueta and young prospect Ollie Scarles, who was named man of the match, impressed on his first domestic start.
But losing Niclas Fullkrug and Crysencio Summerville, although precautionary at half-time in the latter’s case, to injury highlighted the urgent need for attacking reinforcements.
Ings and Luis Guilherme, a £25million ($30.5m) summer signing from Palmeiras, were the only offensive options on the bench. Guilherme is yet to start a fixture this season and has only played 43 minutes across five matches. Defender Vladimir Coufal replaced Summerville at half-time with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, a right-back, forced to play as a makeshift right winger.
Fullkrug, the £27m addition from Borussia Dortmund, was sidelined for three months with an Achilles tendon injury. He scored two goals in seven appearances following his return. But early on against Aston Villa, the 31-year-old sustained a hamstring injury and had to be assisted off the field by members of Potter’s backroom staff.
“I would imagine it’s quite a severe hamstring injury (for Fullkrug) when you pull up like that, so that’s a concern for us,” Potter said in his post-match press conference. “He (Summerville) pulled up a little bit. We didn’t think it was worth the risk for him to carry on. I need to assess the injuries, assess where we’re at and have a think with everyone connected if we need to do anything, or find someone who could help us.”
Marcus Rashford, 27, the Manchester United forward, and Brighton & Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson, 20, have been linked with moves to West Ham. The latter has worked under Potter, who managed Brighton from 2019-22.
Fullkrug now joins fellow attackers Jarrod Bowen (fractured foot) and Michail Antonio (broken leg) on the sidelines. But Potter refused to be drawn on potential offensive additions.
“Well, I used to say this 20-odd months ago, I only comment on players that are West Ham players,” he said. “And all the speculation, I know from my own experience… sometimes things that are written in the newspapers aren’t exactly true, and you can get yourself in all sorts of knots, confirming or denying everything.
“So it’s best to just speak about players that are West Ham players.”
If those issues were familiar, this was actually a fresh start for West Ham.
There were noticeable differences between the mannerisms displayed by Potter compared to Lopetegui on the touchline. Potter was calm, something that was reflected in his team’s first-half performance. Lopetegui was often animated in the technical area. He received five yellow cards in the Premier League.
Potter played a 4-2-3-1 formation against Aston Villa. The attacking trio of Summerville, Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus alternated roles and enjoyed a fair degree of success. An attacking move that culminated in Paqueta’s shot narrowly going wide was greeted with applause from Potter after 44 seconds. The head coach only oversaw one training session in the build-up to this game. A team meeting at the hotel, prior to kick-off, was the only other opportunity he had to discuss tactics.
But you would not have known it on the evidence of West Ham’s first-half display. A team that looked bereft of confidence under Lopetegui played with self-belief and poise. The biggest compliment to Potter were the groans from the Villa Park faithful at their own team’s lack of attacking verve. Paqueta scored nine minutes into Potter’s tenure and celebrated with an invisible guitar. It was West Ham pulling the strings.
“In the first half we started really well, had a good defensive organisation and carried a threat,” said Potter. “Everything we spoke about you could see the players trying to do, which was really good. In terms of chances created for Aston Villa in the first half, they had relatively few, if any. (So) lots to be pleased about, but losing Fullkrug and Summerville to injury was a blow for us which probably affected us a little bit.
“We didn’t carry the same threat in the second half and ended up a little bit too deep.
“But the players kept going and had a few chances, could’ve maybe got the equaliser at the end but it wasn’t meant to be. Their first goal came from a corner which we weren’t sure it was — it didn’t look it. These little things sometimes you need (to go for you) but, in the end, it is what is and we’re disappointed.”
The chagrin over the manner of the defeat will not linger for long. There are lots of positives for Potter to build on, but first he must address the shortage of attacking options. A busy few weeks lie ahead.
Football talk
West Ham & Man Utd step up efforts to sign Jonathan David
West Ham United and Manchester United have reportedly stepped up efforts to sign LOSC Lille striker Jonathan David, as per Spanish outlet Fichajes.
The 24-year-old’s future has been a subject of speculation in recent times as he has entered the final few months of his current contract with Les Dogues.
It has been reported that the player has decided to take a new challenge in his career so he won’t extend his deal. Therefore, the Canadian will leave Stade Pierre-Mauroy as a free agent next summer if he doesn’t leave this month.
Fichajes state that Man Utd and West Ham are interested in signing the ‘promising attacker’ by taking advantage of his situation and have already stepped up their efforts to get the deal done.
The Lille star has been attracted by the prospect of playing in the Premier League so this is a big boost for United and the East London club to secure his service.
It has been suggested that Ruben Amorim wants to sign a new striker following Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee’s poor displays in the first half of this season.
On the other hand, West Ham need reinforcements in this area as Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio are set to remain sidelined for a long time due to their respective issues.
In addition to that, new summer signing Niclas Fullkrug has picked up a hamstring issue and is likely to be unavailable for selection over the next few weeks.
As a result, Graham Potter has been left with Danny Ings as the only centre-forward option. But, he has entered the final few months of his current contract so he could leave for free next summer.
David has been a key player for Lille after joining from Gent back in 2020, helping his side win the Ligue 1 title in his debut campaign at the club. Now, he has continued to showcase his qualities this season, scoring 17 goals and registering five assists in 28 appearances in all competitions.
So, David could be an excellent bargain acquisition for West Ham or Man Utd if either club eventually manage to secure his service this year.
Football Insider
West Ham accelerate Dewsbury-Hall deal – ‘keep an eye on this one’
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
West Ham are plotting a move to sign Chelsea midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on loan with an option to buy, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that the 26-year-old has emerged as the Hammers’ top target and is “one to keep an eye on” before the transfer window closes.
This comes after former West Ham scout Mick Brown exclusively told Football Insider on 9 January that Dewsbury-Hall has emerged on their list of targets.
Chelsea are willing to let the midfielder leave despite having signed him in a £30million deal from Leicester in July as they have too many options in his position.
Upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge, he signed a six-year deal to keep him at the club until 2030, but his spell in West London looks set to end after just seven months.
However, the price paid for his signature and his lengthy contract mean the Blues are set to demand a high price for his departure, making a loan move more likely as things stand.
Football Insider first revealed on 7 December that Chelsea had made Dewsbury-Hall available for a permanent move ahead of the transfer window.
The midfielder has featured 15 times since his move to Stamford Bridge in the summer, but has played just 55 minutes of Premier League football.
However, West Ham are among a number of clubs weighing up a loan move with a view to the deal becoming permanent should he impress in his short-term spell.
The Hammers are long-term admirers of Dewsbury-Hall and held an interest before his move to Chelsea, and his availability has now put the recruitment team on alert.
