Thursday News (includes West Ham)
Posted: 30 Jan 2025, 09:31
BBC
Arsenal are expected to make an improved second attempt to sign 29-year-old Aston Villa and England striker Ollie Watkins, who grew up as an Gunners fan. (Mail)
Manchester United are in tentative talks with Barcelona over a loan move for England forward Marcus Rashford, 27, but there are doubts over whether the Spanish club will be able to complete a deal before Monday's deadline. (Telegraph - subscription required)
Ajax are interested in Barcelona and Spain midfielder Ansu Fati, 22, which could free up a spot in the Catalans' squad to register Rashford (De Telegraaf - in Dutch)
German clubs Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have joined Tottenham in the race to sign Southampton's 18-year-old English winger Tyler Dibling. (Sun)
Colombia striker Jhon Duran, 21, is expected to undergo a medical in London on Thursday before a proposed 77m euro (£64m) plus add-ons move from Aston Villa to Al Nassr. (Athletic - subscription required)
Arsenal are ready to make Bayern Munich an offer for France Under-21 attacker Mathys Tel, 19, before the close of the January transfer window. (Football Transfers)
Both the Gunners and Chelsea are investigating a move for Tel, while Manchester United are also monitoring the player's situation. (Independent)
Tottenham are also interested in signing Tel on loan this month. (Mail)
Napoli have rejected a 65m euro (£54.5m) bid from Galatasaray to make 26-year-old Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen's loan move permanent. (Corriere dello Sport - in Italian)
Newcastle United are set to beat several Premier League clubs to the signing of 18-year-old Republic of Ireland youth international winger Kyle Fitzgerald from Galway United. (Football Insider)
Napoli have informed 20-year-old Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho's representatives that they would be open to try to sign him again if Manchester United reduce their demands. (Fabrizio Romano)
Steven Gerrard has reportedly requested to leave Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq after 18 months, according to reports in Saudi Arabia. (Mirror)
Torino are the favourites to sign Chelsea's Italian midfielder Cesare Casadei, 22, with Lazio now out of the running. (Gianlucadimarzio - in Italian)
Sky Paper Talk
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Aston Villa have been left unimpressed by the timing of an approach from Arsenal for striker Ollie Watkins.
Manchester United are in tentative talks with Barcelona over a loan deal for Marcus Rashford, although there remains doubt over whether the Catalan club can make the agreement in time for Monday's deadline given their struggles to comply with LaLiga's financial controls.
Tottenham are one of the clubs to have registered an interest in Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel as the club desperately try to hand head coach Ange Postecoglou a much-needed transfer boost.
Sir Bill Beaumont, the interim chair of the Rugby Football Union, has made an extraordinary plea to the member clubs to save Bill Sweeney's job as chief executive at a special general meeting.
The Prince of Wales was subjected to anti-royal chants by Celtic fans during Aston Villa's Champions League clash with the Scottish club.
German champions Bayer Leverkusen are close to clinching the loan signing of Brighton striker Evan Ferguson but first will have to move on striker Victor Boniface to make room for him in their squad.
Florentino Perez, the Real Madrid president, has told one of the most senior figures in Spanish football that he wants to bring English referees to the country to improve the standard of officiating.
THE TIMES
Manchester United are tapping into the expertise of one of the world's leading athletics coaches, who is working with Old Trafford staff as a consultant.
Ricky Ponting has criticised the decision to drop the teenager Sam Konstas from the Australia Test side only two matches after his impressive debut.
THE ATHLETIC
Manchester United are interested in a potential move for Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel, should the 19-year-old be made available to leave on loan before the transfer window closes.
Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran is expected to undergo a medical in London on Thursday ahead of a proposed permanent transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.
A study has recommended that kick-off times at the 2026 men's World Cup in North America should be scheduled outside of afternoon hours to protect players and supporters from "potentially dangerous levels of heat."
Borussia Dortmund are set to appoint Niko Kovac as their new head coach, with an agreement in place on a contract that will run through to 2026.
DAILY MAIL
Ben Chilwell is set to stay at Chelsea unless a new club arrives with a late January window swoop that can revive the England left-back's career.
Steve Thompson has emerged as a surprise candidate for the vacant manager's job at Bolton as part of an ex-player duo.
THE SUN
Southampton wonderkid Tyler Dibling is being chased by three German giants as well as Tottenham.
Tottenham have reportedly opened talks to sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford.
Former Arsenal star Cedric Soares is closing in on a return to football after almost seven months without a club - agreeing a three-month deal with Sao Paulo.
Nicky Butt's 50th birthday party is at the centre of a police probe after an alleged head-butt left a security guard with a suspected broken nose.
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been advised to make a sensational swoop for Paul Pogba when his drugs ban is up in two months.
DAILY STAR
Viktor Gyokeres has been earmarked as Arsenal's "perfect" signing by former Gunners defender Bacary Sagna.
SCOTTISH SUN
Jefte is destined for the Premier League with Chelsea or another massive team, according to his agent.
Sport Witness
West Ham expected to make ‘considerably increased bid’ quickly after initial attempt
West Ham United currently don’t any strikers fit and are making attempts to sign PSV Eindhoven’s Ricardo Pepi.
While an offer of €25m has already been made for the forward, it has been discarded as a ‘hopeless’ bid from the Hammers.
After that rejection, West Ham are expected to make a renewed attempt.
VI.nl’s Marco Timmer has confirmed that while an initial bid has indeed been rejected by PSV, the Dutch club are expecting another offer to be made.
That attempt is likely to arrive in the last few days of the January transfer window, with the amount yet to be ascertained. The likelihood is that it will be a ‘considerably increased bid’, with Pepi still in talks to extend his current deal at PSV.
It is the player himself who has expressed the desire to extend, even if West Ham’s interest is quite serious.
The 22-year-old has scored 11 times in the Eredivisie this season, finding the back of the net 18 times in all competitions while playing 29 games. It is easy to see why Graham Potter’s side want the American.
Over at ED.nl, local to PSV, they report West Ham’s second offer is expected to be worth €35m and it’s believed that will also be rejected.
Caught offside
Striker already in London to finalise transfer deal with West Ham
West Ham United reportedly look ready to offer a contract to on-trial youngster Josh Landers.
The talented 17-year-old striker has been on trial with the Hammers recently, according to a report from the reliable ExWHUEmployee, and it now looks like he’s earned himself a permanent move to join the east Londoners’ academy.
Landers is a Scotland youth international and looks like a terrific prospect, even if he’s perhaps still some way from being ready for first-team football at Premier League level.
West Ham, however, are known for often signing top young players, or for bringing them up through their academy.
Landers looks like he could soon have what it takes to give Graham Potter an extra option up front, and perhaps that chance could come earlier than expected.
Arsenal are expected to make an improved second attempt to sign 29-year-old Aston Villa and England striker Ollie Watkins, who grew up as an Gunners fan. (Mail)
Manchester United are in tentative talks with Barcelona over a loan move for England forward Marcus Rashford, 27, but there are doubts over whether the Spanish club will be able to complete a deal before Monday's deadline. (Telegraph - subscription required)
Ajax are interested in Barcelona and Spain midfielder Ansu Fati, 22, which could free up a spot in the Catalans' squad to register Rashford (De Telegraaf - in Dutch)
German clubs Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have joined Tottenham in the race to sign Southampton's 18-year-old English winger Tyler Dibling. (Sun)
Colombia striker Jhon Duran, 21, is expected to undergo a medical in London on Thursday before a proposed 77m euro (£64m) plus add-ons move from Aston Villa to Al Nassr. (Athletic - subscription required)
Arsenal are ready to make Bayern Munich an offer for France Under-21 attacker Mathys Tel, 19, before the close of the January transfer window. (Football Transfers)
Both the Gunners and Chelsea are investigating a move for Tel, while Manchester United are also monitoring the player's situation. (Independent)
Tottenham are also interested in signing Tel on loan this month. (Mail)
Napoli have rejected a 65m euro (£54.5m) bid from Galatasaray to make 26-year-old Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen's loan move permanent. (Corriere dello Sport - in Italian)
Newcastle United are set to beat several Premier League clubs to the signing of 18-year-old Republic of Ireland youth international winger Kyle Fitzgerald from Galway United. (Football Insider)
Napoli have informed 20-year-old Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho's representatives that they would be open to try to sign him again if Manchester United reduce their demands. (Fabrizio Romano)
Steven Gerrard has reportedly requested to leave Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq after 18 months, according to reports in Saudi Arabia. (Mirror)
Torino are the favourites to sign Chelsea's Italian midfielder Cesare Casadei, 22, with Lazio now out of the running. (Gianlucadimarzio - in Italian)
Sky Paper Talk
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Aston Villa have been left unimpressed by the timing of an approach from Arsenal for striker Ollie Watkins.
Manchester United are in tentative talks with Barcelona over a loan deal for Marcus Rashford, although there remains doubt over whether the Catalan club can make the agreement in time for Monday's deadline given their struggles to comply with LaLiga's financial controls.
Tottenham are one of the clubs to have registered an interest in Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel as the club desperately try to hand head coach Ange Postecoglou a much-needed transfer boost.
Sir Bill Beaumont, the interim chair of the Rugby Football Union, has made an extraordinary plea to the member clubs to save Bill Sweeney's job as chief executive at a special general meeting.
The Prince of Wales was subjected to anti-royal chants by Celtic fans during Aston Villa's Champions League clash with the Scottish club.
German champions Bayer Leverkusen are close to clinching the loan signing of Brighton striker Evan Ferguson but first will have to move on striker Victor Boniface to make room for him in their squad.
Florentino Perez, the Real Madrid president, has told one of the most senior figures in Spanish football that he wants to bring English referees to the country to improve the standard of officiating.
THE TIMES
Manchester United are tapping into the expertise of one of the world's leading athletics coaches, who is working with Old Trafford staff as a consultant.
Ricky Ponting has criticised the decision to drop the teenager Sam Konstas from the Australia Test side only two matches after his impressive debut.
THE ATHLETIC
Manchester United are interested in a potential move for Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel, should the 19-year-old be made available to leave on loan before the transfer window closes.
Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran is expected to undergo a medical in London on Thursday ahead of a proposed permanent transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.
A study has recommended that kick-off times at the 2026 men's World Cup in North America should be scheduled outside of afternoon hours to protect players and supporters from "potentially dangerous levels of heat."
Borussia Dortmund are set to appoint Niko Kovac as their new head coach, with an agreement in place on a contract that will run through to 2026.
DAILY MAIL
Ben Chilwell is set to stay at Chelsea unless a new club arrives with a late January window swoop that can revive the England left-back's career.
Steve Thompson has emerged as a surprise candidate for the vacant manager's job at Bolton as part of an ex-player duo.
THE SUN
Southampton wonderkid Tyler Dibling is being chased by three German giants as well as Tottenham.
Tottenham have reportedly opened talks to sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford.
Former Arsenal star Cedric Soares is closing in on a return to football after almost seven months without a club - agreeing a three-month deal with Sao Paulo.
Nicky Butt's 50th birthday party is at the centre of a police probe after an alleged head-butt left a security guard with a suspected broken nose.
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been advised to make a sensational swoop for Paul Pogba when his drugs ban is up in two months.
DAILY STAR
Viktor Gyokeres has been earmarked as Arsenal's "perfect" signing by former Gunners defender Bacary Sagna.
SCOTTISH SUN
Jefte is destined for the Premier League with Chelsea or another massive team, according to his agent.
Sport Witness
West Ham expected to make ‘considerably increased bid’ quickly after initial attempt
West Ham United currently don’t any strikers fit and are making attempts to sign PSV Eindhoven’s Ricardo Pepi.
While an offer of €25m has already been made for the forward, it has been discarded as a ‘hopeless’ bid from the Hammers.
After that rejection, West Ham are expected to make a renewed attempt.
VI.nl’s Marco Timmer has confirmed that while an initial bid has indeed been rejected by PSV, the Dutch club are expecting another offer to be made.
That attempt is likely to arrive in the last few days of the January transfer window, with the amount yet to be ascertained. The likelihood is that it will be a ‘considerably increased bid’, with Pepi still in talks to extend his current deal at PSV.
It is the player himself who has expressed the desire to extend, even if West Ham’s interest is quite serious.
The 22-year-old has scored 11 times in the Eredivisie this season, finding the back of the net 18 times in all competitions while playing 29 games. It is easy to see why Graham Potter’s side want the American.
Over at ED.nl, local to PSV, they report West Ham’s second offer is expected to be worth €35m and it’s believed that will also be rejected.
Caught offside
Striker already in London to finalise transfer deal with West Ham
West Ham United reportedly look ready to offer a contract to on-trial youngster Josh Landers.
The talented 17-year-old striker has been on trial with the Hammers recently, according to a report from the reliable ExWHUEmployee, and it now looks like he’s earned himself a permanent move to join the east Londoners’ academy.
Landers is a Scotland youth international and looks like a terrific prospect, even if he’s perhaps still some way from being ready for first-team football at Premier League level.
West Ham, however, are known for often signing top young players, or for bringing them up through their academy.
Landers looks like he could soon have what it takes to give Graham Potter an extra option up front, and perhaps that chance could come earlier than expected.