Sunday News (includes West Ham)
Posted: 02 Mar 2025, 11:06
BBC
Liverpool might have to pay £120m or more to sign Sweden striker Alexander Isak, 25, from Newcastle United - and face competition from Chelsea and Arsenal. (Give Me Sport), external
Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea have joined a list of Europe's top clubs chasing Monaco's 21-year-old Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara. (TBR Football), external
Arsenal and Chelsea have also been linked with a possible move for RB Leipzig's Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko, with the 21-year-old unlikely to stay at the fourth-placed Bundesliga club if they fail to qualify for next season's Champions League. (Mirror), external
Chelsea and Liverpool, meanwhile, could battle it out for RB Leipzig's highly rated France centre-back Castello Lukeba, although Real Madrid are also among the 22-year-old's long list of admirers. (Mirror), external
Bayern Munich chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says the Bundesliga leaders want to compete for the signing of Bayer Leverkusen's 21-year-old Germany forward Florian Wirtz, who has been linked with a summer move to Manchester City. (AZ via Mail), external
Arsenal could be left to rue selling striker Mika Biereth, 22, to Sturm Graz for £4m in the summer - the Danish youth international went on to score 11 goals in 16 games for the Austrian Bundesliga side before netting 10 goals in seven league matches for Monaco after moving for £10.7m in January. (Mirror) , external
Real Betis are exploring a longer-term deal for on-loan Brazil winger Antony but are unlikely to be able to afford the Manchester United player's wages or fee, which is expected to be £41m. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external
Liverpool are keeping tabs on Brighton's Carlos Baleba before a potential summer move for the 21-year-old defensive midfielder from Cameroon. (Football Insider), external
Barcelona are closely monitoring Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho, 20, with a view to completing a move for the Argentina international in the summer. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external
Chelsea are preparing to complete a deal worth £12.4m plus add-ons for Corinthians' 17-year-old Brazilian full-back Denner Evangelista, who would join the west London club in 2026. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Chelsea's potential new recruit - whose full name is Denner Alves Evangelista Pereira but is known simply as Denner - is the cousin of Arsenal's Brazil defender Gabriel Magalhaes. (Metro), external
Aston Villa are hoping to complete a double swoop for "complete forward" Charalampos Kostoulas, 17, and his Greece and Olympiakos team-mate Christos Mouzakitis, 18. (TBR Football via Give Me Sport)
Sky Paper Talk
SUNDAY EXPRESS
Chelsea have reportedly agreed to sign another young talent from South America in the shape of Corinthians defender Denner Evangelista.
Premier League clubs have been given a significant advantage in the race to sign Ademola Lookman this summer, as Atalanta are more inclined to sell abroad.
Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes has been advised to seek greener pastures as he is capable of playing for a 'better team'.
SUNDAY MIRROR
Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany is tracking Brighton 'keeper Bart Verbruggen - but it will cost the Bundesliga giants £50m to tempt the south coast club into cashing in.
Kevin De Bruyne's ambition to play in his third World Cup is behind the Belgian playmaker's willingness to accept a reduced role at Manchester City next season.
Former Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon has told Sir Jim Ratcliffe that he is making the Old Trafford crisis caused by the Glazer family even worse.
DAILY MAIL
Chelsea loanee Joao Felix has been slammed by the Italian press following AC Milan's latest defeat.
Former West Brom striker Saido Berahino has signed for Slovenian club Tabor Sezana.
THE SUN
Fans have hailed Antony's "aura" after Real Betis dented Real Madrid's title hopes.
STAR ON SUNDAY
Jack Grealish has been urged to leave Man City for 'those that love to watch football mavericks'.
Football is set to see a major law change from next season after lawmakers announced a new law affecting goalkeepers.
SCOTTISH SUN ON SUNDAY
Barry Ferguson fears a Fenerbahce thumping after Rangers' latest defeat.
Brendan Rodgers hailed "one of my favourite results of the season" as Celtic powered to a 5-2 win over St Mirren.
SUNDAY RECORD
Michael Wimmer hailed his Motherwell players as lions after their victory over Rangers at Ibrox.
C&H
David Moyes Targeting Double West Ham Raid
David Moyes has allegedly made West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek a priority transfer target for the upcoming summer window and may also look to bring in fellow compatriot Vladimir Coufal, who will be available on a free transfer.
Soucek, 30, is contracted to the Hammers until June 2027 and is expected to command a high transfer fee. With Graham Potter needing to offload players to fund new signings, the combative Czech Republic international could find himself surplus to requirements at the London Stadium.
Tall, strong, and versatile, Soucek also boasts an impressive goal record, making him the perfect Moyes player. His 37 goals and 12 assists in 231 games are testament to that.
Moyes has spoken highly of both players, previously crediting them for playing a key role in his success at West Ham.
Coufal, at 32, would address a key area of need for Everton, who have struggled with Seamus Coleman’s injury issues and an overreliance on Ashley Young. He could provide a short-term solution to their right-back concerns.
Whether Potter is open to selling Soucek remains uncertain, as the midfielder has been a regular starter under his management. The West Ham boss previously attempted to sign Soucek while at Brighton and has praised his work ethic, stating, “He gives his best every single day and in the games.”
However, with a focus on reducing both the wage bill and the average age of the squad, the club may be willing to let him go. Younger targets, such as Ezechiel Banzuzi and Angel Gomes, have already been identified.
Soucek reportedly earns £90k a week, while Banzuzi would command a significantly lower salary.
Ultimately, every player has a price, and it will be interesting to see if both clubs can reach an agreement when the window opens in four months’ time
London World
West Ham considering deal for attacking midfielder Vincent Kompany handed debut to
West Ham are reportedly eyeing a deal for a young midfielder ahead of the summer transfer window. The Hammers have enjoyed a lift of late, putting together back-to-back wins, beating Arsenal and Leicester City to end a frustrating run of results following the arrival of Graham Potter.
It was always going to take time for Potter to get his ideas across, especially given the depth of the Irons’ poor start to the season under Julen Lopetegui, with players left low on confidence.
Things have improved of late, and Potter will be using the rest of the season to get his ideas fully implemented ahead of making a run for European qualification next season.
The summer transfer window will prove important as Potter looks to put his own stamp on his squad, but the Hammers are not likely to spend as much as last summer when they splashed out more than £100million to improve the squad, backing Lopetegui significantly.
That means Potter and his recruitment staff will need to be clever about their signings, and young players could prove key. One player who is being linked is Anderlecht talent Mario Stroeykens, who is attracting attention at 20 years of age. The Athletic have reported that Stroeykens is on the Hammers’ radar ahead of the summer having already racked up 94 senior league appearances for Anderlecht, while he actually played as a youngster against West Ham in the Europa League in 2022.
He has made 31 appearances across all competitions this season, scoring four and assisting six. The attacking midfielder is a regular for Belgium under-21s, making 12 appearances for his nation at that age group so far. There has also been talk of Bayern Munich being interested, with Bayern boss Vincent Kompany having coached the midfielder at Anderlecht, handing him his senior debut.
Stoeykens is only under contract until 2026 as things stand, so there could be a deal to be done for the right fee this summer.
The 4th Official
West Ham United Join The Race For This Belgian Fullback: Why They Must Step Up The Chase
The Hammers are not alone in the hunt with London rivals Arsenal and Serie A heavyweights AC Milan already making moves to tie down the defender.
If a recent report from TuttoSport, as relayed by PianetaMilan, is believed to be true, West Ham United are keeping close tabs on Club Brugge left fullback Maxim de Cuyper. But they are not alone in the race, with Serie A giants AC Milan and London rivals Arsenal, who are also in the mix for the Belgian sensation’s signing.
The Red Devils international had brief stints with KFC Heist and Blauw-Zwart before joining the academy ranks of Brugge during his teenage years. He was eventually promoted to their senior set-up, however, a regular first-team status was only attained following a spell with the reserves in the second tier.
De Cuyper made significant strides at Club NXT which earned him a season-long loan to Westerlo in the summer of 2021. He soon made an impact down the left and inspired the Antwerp-side to secure promotion. Westerlo extended his loan stint for one more year, and the regular top-flight minutes paved the pathway for a starting status at his boyhood club.
The 24-year-old defender has so far appeared 98 times for Club Brugge and made his presence known down the left with 6 goals and 21 assists across competitions [stats via Transfermarket]. He holds all the traits of a modern-day fullback as he loves to whip in crosses, cut inside and link up with fellow attackers by making marauding runs.
Club Brugge have set a valuation of €25m for De Cuyper who is now gearing up for their Champions League Round of 16 encounter against Aston Villa. Both Arsenal and AC Milan have already communicated with the player’s entourage, and the Hammers, therefore, must step up the chase before it gets too late.
Why West Ham Must Rope Him In
West Ham roped in Julen Lopetegui to succeed David Moyes as the Irons boss. But the Spaniard was dismissed in just over six months following a dismal run of results. Graham Potter replaced him earlier this year and the East London hotshots lately showed signs of improvement with successive victories over Arsenal and Leicester City in the Premier League. While they are still struggling lower down the standings, a few more wins in the remaining fixtures could see them secure a mid-table finish.
Potter is expected to be backed by the Hammers board to bring in players who would suit his style of play. They currently have Emerson Palmieri as the left fullback, also, the emergence of Oliver Scarles through their academy has elated the fans. Yet they would require reinforcement to replace Emerson in the long run. Although the 30-year-old Italian has lost his place to Scarles, the teenage sensation should not be overutilized considering the risk of burnout and long-term fitness woes. De Cuyper ticks many boxes to fit in the Englishman’s brand of football and his arrival should boost West Ham in their battle to revive the lost status.
Liverpool might have to pay £120m or more to sign Sweden striker Alexander Isak, 25, from Newcastle United - and face competition from Chelsea and Arsenal. (Give Me Sport), external
Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea have joined a list of Europe's top clubs chasing Monaco's 21-year-old Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara. (TBR Football), external
Arsenal and Chelsea have also been linked with a possible move for RB Leipzig's Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko, with the 21-year-old unlikely to stay at the fourth-placed Bundesliga club if they fail to qualify for next season's Champions League. (Mirror), external
Chelsea and Liverpool, meanwhile, could battle it out for RB Leipzig's highly rated France centre-back Castello Lukeba, although Real Madrid are also among the 22-year-old's long list of admirers. (Mirror), external
Bayern Munich chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says the Bundesliga leaders want to compete for the signing of Bayer Leverkusen's 21-year-old Germany forward Florian Wirtz, who has been linked with a summer move to Manchester City. (AZ via Mail), external
Arsenal could be left to rue selling striker Mika Biereth, 22, to Sturm Graz for £4m in the summer - the Danish youth international went on to score 11 goals in 16 games for the Austrian Bundesliga side before netting 10 goals in seven league matches for Monaco after moving for £10.7m in January. (Mirror) , external
Real Betis are exploring a longer-term deal for on-loan Brazil winger Antony but are unlikely to be able to afford the Manchester United player's wages or fee, which is expected to be £41m. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external
Liverpool are keeping tabs on Brighton's Carlos Baleba before a potential summer move for the 21-year-old defensive midfielder from Cameroon. (Football Insider), external
Barcelona are closely monitoring Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho, 20, with a view to completing a move for the Argentina international in the summer. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external
Chelsea are preparing to complete a deal worth £12.4m plus add-ons for Corinthians' 17-year-old Brazilian full-back Denner Evangelista, who would join the west London club in 2026. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Chelsea's potential new recruit - whose full name is Denner Alves Evangelista Pereira but is known simply as Denner - is the cousin of Arsenal's Brazil defender Gabriel Magalhaes. (Metro), external
Aston Villa are hoping to complete a double swoop for "complete forward" Charalampos Kostoulas, 17, and his Greece and Olympiakos team-mate Christos Mouzakitis, 18. (TBR Football via Give Me Sport)
Sky Paper Talk
SUNDAY EXPRESS
Chelsea have reportedly agreed to sign another young talent from South America in the shape of Corinthians defender Denner Evangelista.
Premier League clubs have been given a significant advantage in the race to sign Ademola Lookman this summer, as Atalanta are more inclined to sell abroad.
Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes has been advised to seek greener pastures as he is capable of playing for a 'better team'.
SUNDAY MIRROR
Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany is tracking Brighton 'keeper Bart Verbruggen - but it will cost the Bundesliga giants £50m to tempt the south coast club into cashing in.
Kevin De Bruyne's ambition to play in his third World Cup is behind the Belgian playmaker's willingness to accept a reduced role at Manchester City next season.
Former Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon has told Sir Jim Ratcliffe that he is making the Old Trafford crisis caused by the Glazer family even worse.
DAILY MAIL
Chelsea loanee Joao Felix has been slammed by the Italian press following AC Milan's latest defeat.
Former West Brom striker Saido Berahino has signed for Slovenian club Tabor Sezana.
THE SUN
Fans have hailed Antony's "aura" after Real Betis dented Real Madrid's title hopes.
STAR ON SUNDAY
Jack Grealish has been urged to leave Man City for 'those that love to watch football mavericks'.
Football is set to see a major law change from next season after lawmakers announced a new law affecting goalkeepers.
SCOTTISH SUN ON SUNDAY
Barry Ferguson fears a Fenerbahce thumping after Rangers' latest defeat.
Brendan Rodgers hailed "one of my favourite results of the season" as Celtic powered to a 5-2 win over St Mirren.
SUNDAY RECORD
Michael Wimmer hailed his Motherwell players as lions after their victory over Rangers at Ibrox.
C&H
David Moyes Targeting Double West Ham Raid
David Moyes has allegedly made West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek a priority transfer target for the upcoming summer window and may also look to bring in fellow compatriot Vladimir Coufal, who will be available on a free transfer.
Soucek, 30, is contracted to the Hammers until June 2027 and is expected to command a high transfer fee. With Graham Potter needing to offload players to fund new signings, the combative Czech Republic international could find himself surplus to requirements at the London Stadium.
Tall, strong, and versatile, Soucek also boasts an impressive goal record, making him the perfect Moyes player. His 37 goals and 12 assists in 231 games are testament to that.
Moyes has spoken highly of both players, previously crediting them for playing a key role in his success at West Ham.
Coufal, at 32, would address a key area of need for Everton, who have struggled with Seamus Coleman’s injury issues and an overreliance on Ashley Young. He could provide a short-term solution to their right-back concerns.
Whether Potter is open to selling Soucek remains uncertain, as the midfielder has been a regular starter under his management. The West Ham boss previously attempted to sign Soucek while at Brighton and has praised his work ethic, stating, “He gives his best every single day and in the games.”
However, with a focus on reducing both the wage bill and the average age of the squad, the club may be willing to let him go. Younger targets, such as Ezechiel Banzuzi and Angel Gomes, have already been identified.
Soucek reportedly earns £90k a week, while Banzuzi would command a significantly lower salary.
Ultimately, every player has a price, and it will be interesting to see if both clubs can reach an agreement when the window opens in four months’ time
London World
West Ham considering deal for attacking midfielder Vincent Kompany handed debut to
West Ham are reportedly eyeing a deal for a young midfielder ahead of the summer transfer window. The Hammers have enjoyed a lift of late, putting together back-to-back wins, beating Arsenal and Leicester City to end a frustrating run of results following the arrival of Graham Potter.
It was always going to take time for Potter to get his ideas across, especially given the depth of the Irons’ poor start to the season under Julen Lopetegui, with players left low on confidence.
Things have improved of late, and Potter will be using the rest of the season to get his ideas fully implemented ahead of making a run for European qualification next season.
The summer transfer window will prove important as Potter looks to put his own stamp on his squad, but the Hammers are not likely to spend as much as last summer when they splashed out more than £100million to improve the squad, backing Lopetegui significantly.
That means Potter and his recruitment staff will need to be clever about their signings, and young players could prove key. One player who is being linked is Anderlecht talent Mario Stroeykens, who is attracting attention at 20 years of age. The Athletic have reported that Stroeykens is on the Hammers’ radar ahead of the summer having already racked up 94 senior league appearances for Anderlecht, while he actually played as a youngster against West Ham in the Europa League in 2022.
He has made 31 appearances across all competitions this season, scoring four and assisting six. The attacking midfielder is a regular for Belgium under-21s, making 12 appearances for his nation at that age group so far. There has also been talk of Bayern Munich being interested, with Bayern boss Vincent Kompany having coached the midfielder at Anderlecht, handing him his senior debut.
Stoeykens is only under contract until 2026 as things stand, so there could be a deal to be done for the right fee this summer.
The 4th Official
West Ham United Join The Race For This Belgian Fullback: Why They Must Step Up The Chase
The Hammers are not alone in the hunt with London rivals Arsenal and Serie A heavyweights AC Milan already making moves to tie down the defender.
If a recent report from TuttoSport, as relayed by PianetaMilan, is believed to be true, West Ham United are keeping close tabs on Club Brugge left fullback Maxim de Cuyper. But they are not alone in the race, with Serie A giants AC Milan and London rivals Arsenal, who are also in the mix for the Belgian sensation’s signing.
The Red Devils international had brief stints with KFC Heist and Blauw-Zwart before joining the academy ranks of Brugge during his teenage years. He was eventually promoted to their senior set-up, however, a regular first-team status was only attained following a spell with the reserves in the second tier.
De Cuyper made significant strides at Club NXT which earned him a season-long loan to Westerlo in the summer of 2021. He soon made an impact down the left and inspired the Antwerp-side to secure promotion. Westerlo extended his loan stint for one more year, and the regular top-flight minutes paved the pathway for a starting status at his boyhood club.
The 24-year-old defender has so far appeared 98 times for Club Brugge and made his presence known down the left with 6 goals and 21 assists across competitions [stats via Transfermarket]. He holds all the traits of a modern-day fullback as he loves to whip in crosses, cut inside and link up with fellow attackers by making marauding runs.
Club Brugge have set a valuation of €25m for De Cuyper who is now gearing up for their Champions League Round of 16 encounter against Aston Villa. Both Arsenal and AC Milan have already communicated with the player’s entourage, and the Hammers, therefore, must step up the chase before it gets too late.
Why West Ham Must Rope Him In
West Ham roped in Julen Lopetegui to succeed David Moyes as the Irons boss. But the Spaniard was dismissed in just over six months following a dismal run of results. Graham Potter replaced him earlier this year and the East London hotshots lately showed signs of improvement with successive victories over Arsenal and Leicester City in the Premier League. While they are still struggling lower down the standings, a few more wins in the remaining fixtures could see them secure a mid-table finish.
Potter is expected to be backed by the Hammers board to bring in players who would suit his style of play. They currently have Emerson Palmieri as the left fullback, also, the emergence of Oliver Scarles through their academy has elated the fans. Yet they would require reinforcement to replace Emerson in the long run. Although the 30-year-old Italian has lost his place to Scarles, the teenage sensation should not be overutilized considering the risk of burnout and long-term fitness woes. De Cuyper ticks many boxes to fit in the Englishman’s brand of football and his arrival should boost West Ham in their battle to revive the lost status.