Saturday News (includes West Ham)

[Alan]

BBC

Bayern Munich have renewed their interest in signing Athletic Bilbao and Spain winger Nico Williams, 22, but will face competition from Arsenal. (Bild), external

In-demand Newcastle and Sweden striker Alexander Isak, 25, says he will "probably" speak to the club about a new contract in the summer. (Mail), external

Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Portugal Under-21 midfielder Dario Essugo, 20, from Sporting for £21m, following his loan spell this season at Las Palmas. (A Bola - in Portuguese), external

Real Madrid are looking at Tottenham and Argentina defender Cristian Romero, 26, and Everton's England centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, 22, to reinforce their defence. (Teamtalk) , external

Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk, 33, who will be out of contract at Liverpool in the summer, says he must remain calm about his future at the club and that negotiations were being affected by "multiple factors". (Express), external

West Ham are plotting a move to sign Roma's English striker Tammy Abraham, 27, in the summer window. (Football Insider), external

AC Milan will not take up an option to buy Portugal forward Joao Felix, 25, from Chelsea for between 41m to 45m euros (£34.6m-£38m) when his loan deal finishes at the end of the season. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external

Everton are plotting a move to sign Moroccan forward Hamza Igamane, 22, from Rangers in the summer. (Football Insider), external

Liverpool will face competition from Arsenal to sign Germany winger Leroy Sane, 29, when his contract expires at Bayern Munich this summer. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Brighton expect offers of more than £20m for their Swedish midfielder Yasin Ayari, 21, who is attracting interest from Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan. (Football Insider), external

Barcelona are open to discussing a new deal with Polish former Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, 34, in the coming weeks. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Arsenal and Liverpool are among the clubs keen on signing Lyon's Belgian winger Malick Fofana, 19, this summer. (CaughtOffside)





Give Me Sport

West Ham Want to Sign ‘Breathtaking’ Star in Bargain £25m Deal

West Ham United are among a host of Premier League clubs eyeing a summer move for AC Milan midfielder Yunus Musah, according to MilanLive.

The Hammers, alongside Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, have reportedly shown interest in the United States international, who faces an uncertain future at San Siro after this season.

Milan are said to be open to Musah’s departure if their €30m (£25m) asking price is met and have identified Torino’s Samuele Ricci as an upgrade on the 22-year-old.

Musah, who joined the Rossoneri from Valencia in 2023, has more than three years left on his contract, which expires in June 2028.

West Ham Eyeing Yunus Musah

 According to MilanLive, Musah was considered unsellable last summer, but Milan could now be tempted to sell him for slightly more than the €20m they paid in 2023.

The 22-year-old, praised as ‘breathtaking’, has been a regular for the Serie A giants this season, making 34 appearances across all competitions and providing two assists.

Musah would bring versatility to the London Stadium, as he can play anywhere in midfield and cover on the right wing due to his explosive pace.

A move to West Ham would mark a return to London for the United States international, who grew up in Arsenal’s academy and spent seven years at the club.

West Ham’s ambitious transfer plans under Graham Potter could soon take a hit, as they are likely to miss out on Lille duo Jonathan David and Angel Gomes.

According to GIVEMESPORT sources, the Hammers are facing stiff competition for the two out-of-contract players and have so far been unable to convince them to sign despite reaching pre-contract agreements.




Football Insider

Exclusive: West Ham well placed to sign Southampton star ‘certain to leave’

West Ham are well-placed to complete the signing of Southampton star Kyle Walker-Peters, 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 27-year-old is “certain to leave” St Mary’s this summer as the Saints look destined for relegation.

Walker-Peters is determined to keep playing at the highest level in an attempt to force himself into Thomas Tuchel’s plans with England.

West Ham, meanwhile, are looking to back Graham Potter in the summer transfer window and have identified their full-backs as potential areas for improvement.

The Southampton man is capable of playing both as a right-back and a left-back, and his availability on a free transfer has make him a key target for Potter.

This comes after former Hammers scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that West Ham are preparing to sign Walker-Peters when his contact expires.

Brown told Football Insider that Southampton are preparing for an exodus of players this summer as a result of their impending relegation.

Alongside Walker-Peters, Tyler Dibling and Aaron Ramsdale have also been linked with moves away from St Mary’s, while West Ham are also targeting Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

The 22-year-old centre-back is among Potter’s options to strengthen at the back as they continue to plot an overhaul of what has been a shaky defensive unit.

Walker-Peters, however, is expected to be the first to leave the club upon the expiry of his contract in June with clubs lining up offers to secure his signature.



The Hard Tackle

West Ham United ready to pay €35 million to sign Georges Mikautadze

West Ham United are reportedly ready to cough up €35 million to sign 24-year-old Georgian striker Georges Mikautadze from beleaguered Ligue 1 club Lyon.

According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Georges Mikautadze is the subject of interest from West Ham United. The Hammers are scouring the market for a striker heading into the summer transfer window and have set their sights on the Lyon attacker. They are ready to cough up €35 million to sign the Georgian international from the beleaguered Ligue 1 club.
Georges Mikautadze and his French voyage

Georges Mikautadze has established himself as one of the most dependable strikers in Ligue 1 in the last two seasons. A native of Lyon, he has opted for Georgia as his national side, although he spent his formative years in France. He graduated from the youth division at FC Metz but had to wait for a few years before finding a stable footing.

The 24-year-old was excellent for FC Metz in the 2023/24 season, earning a move to Lyon and returning to his city of birth. Mikautadze has made his mark at the beleaguered Ligue 1 club, contributing to 18 goals in 36 appearances across all competitions by finding the back of the net 12 times and providing six assists.

The Georgian international has also made his mark in international football, often scoring goals for fun while turning out for Georgia. Meanwhile, Mikautadze’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known clubs across Europe. A move to the Premier League might be on the cards, with West Ham United among the prospective suitors vying for his signature heading into the summer transfer window.
London calling?

West Ham United mulled over signing Georges Mikautadze last summer before the deal failed to see the light of day. The continued interest in the Lyon striker is understandable, considering Evan Ferguson will likely return to Brighton & Hove Albion after the 2024/25 season ends. In addition, Niclas Fullkrug has struggled to make his mark since arriving from Borussia Dortmund.

With Danny Ings and Michail Antonio approaching the twilight of their careers, West Ham can do with a new striker in the summer transfer window. So, several candidates, including Youssef En-Nesyri, have emerged on the East London club’s radar, with Mikautadze also a viable target. The Hammers are ready to cough up €35 million to secure his services.

With Lyon in financial trouble, selling the 24-year-old Georgian international for €35 million can help the ailing Ligue 1 club. It will be interesting to see if the Lyon striker joins West Ham United in the summer transfer window.

[Texas Iron]

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