Sunday News (includes West Ham)
Posted: 23 Mar 2025, 10:27
BBC
Nottingham Forest will revive their interest in Juventus' Douglas Luiz this summer, after failing with a January bid for 26-year-old Brazil midfielder. (Tuttosport - in Italian), external
Everton will make Genoa's 22-year-old Belgium centre-back Koni de Winter a top target if England defender Jarrad Branthwaite, 22, leaves this summer. (Teamtalk), external
Liverpool's 28-year-old Colombia forward Luis Diaz hopes Barcelona will make a move for him at the end of the season. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), external
Bournemouth hope to turn 30-year-old Spain goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga's loan from Chelsea into a permanent deal this summer. (Telegraph - subscription required), external
Manchester United are tracking Borussia Dortmund's 24-year-old Germany midfielder Felix Nmecha. (Florian Plettenberg), external
Paris St-Germain and Real Madrid are monitoring Ibrahima Konate's situation at Liverpool, with the France defender, 25, yet to agree an extension to his contract which expires next year. (Football Insider), external
Sevilla are planning a summer move for Aston Villa's 21-year-old Netherlands midfielder Lamare Bogarde. (Estadio Deportivo - in Spanish), external
Bayer Leverkusen, Parma and Wolfsburg have joined Liverpool, Manchester City and Brighton in the race for Independiente del Valle's 15-year-old Ecuadorian midfielder Johan Martinez. (Teamtalk), external
Lyon are willing to sell Rayan Cherki at the end of the season, with Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund among the clubs interested in the 21-year-old France Under-21s winger. (Sun), external
A consortium led by former Nigeria, Everton, West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland striker Victor Anichebe is close to a takeover of National League club Gateshead. (Chronicle)
Sky Paper Talk
THE SUNDAY STAR
Ruben Amorim will not offer Marcus Rashford a Manchester United lifeline this summer, and United bosses will look to strike a permanent deal with Aston Villa for Rashford in the region of £60m.
THE SUN ON SUNDAY
Liverpool have been handed a huge boost in their pursuit of Lyon star Rayan Cherki. The Ligue 1 side have decided to sell the 21-year-old this summer, though Arne Slot's Reds will face significant competition from the likes of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
Man Utd hero Jaap Stam believes that the Red Devils' current crop should talk to Luke Littler about handling pressure.
Juventus are ready to sack manager Thiago Motta and replace him with Roberto Mancini, according to reports.
SUNDAY MIRROR
Arne Slot will warn his Liverpool players that they will be haunted forever if they fail to bring the Premier League title back to Anfield.
MAIL ON SUNDAY
Liverpool's charity match with Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday turned ugly as Blues hero Dennis Wise squared up to Jay Spearing.
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has suffered a setback in his recovery from a calf injury.
Bayern Munich and France legend Franck Ribery has revealed he almost had his leg amputated towards the end of his career.
THE SUNDAY TIMES
The ECB is interested in building a £500million roofed stadium capable of staging Test cricket and other major matches regardless of the weather and potentially outside of the English summer.
THE OBSERVER
England Women are facing another impasse with the Football Association over bonuses, with the squad yet to agree to the terms they have been offered for their European Championship defence this summer.
Jim Ratcliffe, the co-owner of Manchester United, has been challenged over the proposed use of hundreds of millions of pounds of public funds to deliver his vision of building the "world's greatest stadium".
THE ATHLETIC
Everton and Leicester City have been accused by an anti-gambling body of breaching the Gambling Commission's demands by advertising gambling firms which are now unlicensed in the United Kingdom but whose controls against UK customers using the sites are easily bypassed.
The US-Mexico bid for the 2031 Women's World Cup is exploring staging matches in Costa Rica and Jamaica.
SUNDAY MAIL
Leeds United could miss out on a whopping £80m jackpot if they slip up in the Premier League promotion race for the second consecutive season - and Rangers could face takeover implications with NFL Enterprises set to hold a stake in both clubs.
Sunderland Echo
West Ham join Inter Milan and Newcastle United in £10m Sunderland player pursuit
By James Copley
Sunderland youngster Chris Rigg has been linked with West Ham, Inter Milan and Newcastle United recently
West Ham are said to have joined Inter Milan and Newcastle United in pursuing young Sunderland player Chris Righ.
The Hammers are reportedly preparing to make a move for Rigg if the Black Cats fail to secure promotion to the Premier League this season, according to the print edition oft The Sun on Sunday. The 17-year-old is believed to be eager to take the next step in his career, with top-flight football a key factor in his development.
Sunderland are also said to have set a valuation of around £20million for Rigg, but West Ham are reportedly hoping to negotiate a deal closer to £10million. Their report also suggests that Rigg was surprised by his omission from the England squad, particularly given the inclusion of Newcastle’s Lewis Miley and Fulham’s Joshua King. The Sun on Sunday hints that Rigg playing Premier League football sooner rather than later would aid his development.
In recent times, Italian giants Inter Milan have also been credited with an interest in the Sunderland sensation with the Serie A club keen to wrap up a deal for the teenager. Rigg has emerged as a shining light for the Black Cats this season and has featured in 34 Championship matches so far, scoring four goals and assisting one more in the process.
Inter are keen on the 17-year-old, and would ideally like to steal a march on their competitors by agreeing a transfer arrangement with Sunderland sooner rather than later. It is claimed that Rigg’s versatility appeals to Inter boss Simone Inzaghi, who believes the starlet is of a similar profile to former Lazio player Luis Alberto, now of Qatari side Al-Duhail. Rigg is also believed to be a long-term target of Newcastle United
Recent reports also claimed that Inter were ready to offer up to around £12.5million to lure him away from the Stadium of Light. However, it is unlikely that Sunderland would accept such a low fee for the teenager with the Black Cats likely holding out for more in the event of £12.5million interest from Inter and £10million interest from West Ham.
The 4th Official
West Ham United Set To Reignite Interest In This Dutch Youngster – Why They Must Step Up The Chase
If a report from Evening Standard is believed to be true, West Ham United have received a boost in pursuit of Ezechiel Banzuzi. The Hammers failed to secure his services in winter but are expected to return for the OH Leuven youngster who will be available for a fee of around £12.6m.
The 20-year-old Dutch youth international progressed through the academy ranks of VVGZ and NAC Breda before breaking into the latter’s first-team squad. He went on to make 59 appearances for the then Eerste Divisie outfit and helped them reach the promotion play-offs in successive seasons. Although they could not secure top-flight football, Banzuzi impressed enough to earn a €1.2m transfer to the Belgian Pro League side OH Leuven in the summer of 2023.
So far he has featured 70 times for OHL and scored and assisted 6 times each across competitions. The young midfield ace has exhibited his flexibility in the centre of the pitch thus cementing a starting status since plying his trade to Belgium a couple of summers ago. But his physicality and footwork are best utilized as a box-to-box option over a destructive defensive midfielder or an outright ‘number 10’.
Despite flourishing in Leuven colours, Banzuzi might explore a fresh opportunity in the summer. His current deal in Belgium expires next year and the club, therefore, would prefer to cash in on their prized asset rather than losing him for nothing in 2026.
The Dutchman was on the radar of half-a-dozen clubs. Monaco also entered into negotiations alongside the Irons and his current employers must be hoping for a bidding war to maximize the profit in the upcoming window. He has represented his nation at various youth levels, however, a move to one of Europe’s top leagues offers a better prospect of breaking into the Netherlands’ senior team in due time.
Why West Ham United Should Snap Him Up
West Ham United are heading towards a bottom-half finish in the Premier League. Graham Potter is doing his best to implement his philosophy and style of play, overcoming their disastrous run of results under former boss Julen Lopetegui. They roped in various midfield options in the recent past, but the majority of them would struggle to fit in the Englishman’s swift passing and pressing football.
Carlos Soler is likely to return to Paris St-Germain after failing to impress on loan. The future of Lucas Paquetá remains uncertain since facing allegations of breaching betting rules. Guido Rodriguez was roped in on a Bosman, but the Argentine has been a dreadful signing as he might be offloaded soon.
Edson Alvarez has not done enough to justify his £33m switch from Ajax. With 23 bookings and two red cards in 68 games, the Mexico skipper’s disciplinary issues have troubled the Hammers over the past one-and-a-half years. They need to look beyond Tomas Soucek and James Ward-Prowse who are in their thirties, and the arrival of Banzuzi could be a breath of fresh air given his traits to fit in Potter’s system.
Nottingham Forest will revive their interest in Juventus' Douglas Luiz this summer, after failing with a January bid for 26-year-old Brazil midfielder. (Tuttosport - in Italian), external
Everton will make Genoa's 22-year-old Belgium centre-back Koni de Winter a top target if England defender Jarrad Branthwaite, 22, leaves this summer. (Teamtalk), external
Liverpool's 28-year-old Colombia forward Luis Diaz hopes Barcelona will make a move for him at the end of the season. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), external
Bournemouth hope to turn 30-year-old Spain goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga's loan from Chelsea into a permanent deal this summer. (Telegraph - subscription required), external
Manchester United are tracking Borussia Dortmund's 24-year-old Germany midfielder Felix Nmecha. (Florian Plettenberg), external
Paris St-Germain and Real Madrid are monitoring Ibrahima Konate's situation at Liverpool, with the France defender, 25, yet to agree an extension to his contract which expires next year. (Football Insider), external
Sevilla are planning a summer move for Aston Villa's 21-year-old Netherlands midfielder Lamare Bogarde. (Estadio Deportivo - in Spanish), external
Bayer Leverkusen, Parma and Wolfsburg have joined Liverpool, Manchester City and Brighton in the race for Independiente del Valle's 15-year-old Ecuadorian midfielder Johan Martinez. (Teamtalk), external
Lyon are willing to sell Rayan Cherki at the end of the season, with Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund among the clubs interested in the 21-year-old France Under-21s winger. (Sun), external
A consortium led by former Nigeria, Everton, West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland striker Victor Anichebe is close to a takeover of National League club Gateshead. (Chronicle)
Sky Paper Talk
THE SUNDAY STAR
Ruben Amorim will not offer Marcus Rashford a Manchester United lifeline this summer, and United bosses will look to strike a permanent deal with Aston Villa for Rashford in the region of £60m.
THE SUN ON SUNDAY
Liverpool have been handed a huge boost in their pursuit of Lyon star Rayan Cherki. The Ligue 1 side have decided to sell the 21-year-old this summer, though Arne Slot's Reds will face significant competition from the likes of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
Man Utd hero Jaap Stam believes that the Red Devils' current crop should talk to Luke Littler about handling pressure.
Juventus are ready to sack manager Thiago Motta and replace him with Roberto Mancini, according to reports.
SUNDAY MIRROR
Arne Slot will warn his Liverpool players that they will be haunted forever if they fail to bring the Premier League title back to Anfield.
MAIL ON SUNDAY
Liverpool's charity match with Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday turned ugly as Blues hero Dennis Wise squared up to Jay Spearing.
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has suffered a setback in his recovery from a calf injury.
Bayern Munich and France legend Franck Ribery has revealed he almost had his leg amputated towards the end of his career.
THE SUNDAY TIMES
The ECB is interested in building a £500million roofed stadium capable of staging Test cricket and other major matches regardless of the weather and potentially outside of the English summer.
THE OBSERVER
England Women are facing another impasse with the Football Association over bonuses, with the squad yet to agree to the terms they have been offered for their European Championship defence this summer.
Jim Ratcliffe, the co-owner of Manchester United, has been challenged over the proposed use of hundreds of millions of pounds of public funds to deliver his vision of building the "world's greatest stadium".
THE ATHLETIC
Everton and Leicester City have been accused by an anti-gambling body of breaching the Gambling Commission's demands by advertising gambling firms which are now unlicensed in the United Kingdom but whose controls against UK customers using the sites are easily bypassed.
The US-Mexico bid for the 2031 Women's World Cup is exploring staging matches in Costa Rica and Jamaica.
SUNDAY MAIL
Leeds United could miss out on a whopping £80m jackpot if they slip up in the Premier League promotion race for the second consecutive season - and Rangers could face takeover implications with NFL Enterprises set to hold a stake in both clubs.
Sunderland Echo
West Ham join Inter Milan and Newcastle United in £10m Sunderland player pursuit
By James Copley
Sunderland youngster Chris Rigg has been linked with West Ham, Inter Milan and Newcastle United recently
West Ham are said to have joined Inter Milan and Newcastle United in pursuing young Sunderland player Chris Righ.
The Hammers are reportedly preparing to make a move for Rigg if the Black Cats fail to secure promotion to the Premier League this season, according to the print edition oft The Sun on Sunday. The 17-year-old is believed to be eager to take the next step in his career, with top-flight football a key factor in his development.
Sunderland are also said to have set a valuation of around £20million for Rigg, but West Ham are reportedly hoping to negotiate a deal closer to £10million. Their report also suggests that Rigg was surprised by his omission from the England squad, particularly given the inclusion of Newcastle’s Lewis Miley and Fulham’s Joshua King. The Sun on Sunday hints that Rigg playing Premier League football sooner rather than later would aid his development.
In recent times, Italian giants Inter Milan have also been credited with an interest in the Sunderland sensation with the Serie A club keen to wrap up a deal for the teenager. Rigg has emerged as a shining light for the Black Cats this season and has featured in 34 Championship matches so far, scoring four goals and assisting one more in the process.
Inter are keen on the 17-year-old, and would ideally like to steal a march on their competitors by agreeing a transfer arrangement with Sunderland sooner rather than later. It is claimed that Rigg’s versatility appeals to Inter boss Simone Inzaghi, who believes the starlet is of a similar profile to former Lazio player Luis Alberto, now of Qatari side Al-Duhail. Rigg is also believed to be a long-term target of Newcastle United
Recent reports also claimed that Inter were ready to offer up to around £12.5million to lure him away from the Stadium of Light. However, it is unlikely that Sunderland would accept such a low fee for the teenager with the Black Cats likely holding out for more in the event of £12.5million interest from Inter and £10million interest from West Ham.
The 4th Official
West Ham United Set To Reignite Interest In This Dutch Youngster – Why They Must Step Up The Chase
If a report from Evening Standard is believed to be true, West Ham United have received a boost in pursuit of Ezechiel Banzuzi. The Hammers failed to secure his services in winter but are expected to return for the OH Leuven youngster who will be available for a fee of around £12.6m.
The 20-year-old Dutch youth international progressed through the academy ranks of VVGZ and NAC Breda before breaking into the latter’s first-team squad. He went on to make 59 appearances for the then Eerste Divisie outfit and helped them reach the promotion play-offs in successive seasons. Although they could not secure top-flight football, Banzuzi impressed enough to earn a €1.2m transfer to the Belgian Pro League side OH Leuven in the summer of 2023.
So far he has featured 70 times for OHL and scored and assisted 6 times each across competitions. The young midfield ace has exhibited his flexibility in the centre of the pitch thus cementing a starting status since plying his trade to Belgium a couple of summers ago. But his physicality and footwork are best utilized as a box-to-box option over a destructive defensive midfielder or an outright ‘number 10’.
Despite flourishing in Leuven colours, Banzuzi might explore a fresh opportunity in the summer. His current deal in Belgium expires next year and the club, therefore, would prefer to cash in on their prized asset rather than losing him for nothing in 2026.
The Dutchman was on the radar of half-a-dozen clubs. Monaco also entered into negotiations alongside the Irons and his current employers must be hoping for a bidding war to maximize the profit in the upcoming window. He has represented his nation at various youth levels, however, a move to one of Europe’s top leagues offers a better prospect of breaking into the Netherlands’ senior team in due time.
Why West Ham United Should Snap Him Up
West Ham United are heading towards a bottom-half finish in the Premier League. Graham Potter is doing his best to implement his philosophy and style of play, overcoming their disastrous run of results under former boss Julen Lopetegui. They roped in various midfield options in the recent past, but the majority of them would struggle to fit in the Englishman’s swift passing and pressing football.
Carlos Soler is likely to return to Paris St-Germain after failing to impress on loan. The future of Lucas Paquetá remains uncertain since facing allegations of breaching betting rules. Guido Rodriguez was roped in on a Bosman, but the Argentine has been a dreadful signing as he might be offloaded soon.
Edson Alvarez has not done enough to justify his £33m switch from Ajax. With 23 bookings and two red cards in 68 games, the Mexico skipper’s disciplinary issues have troubled the Hammers over the past one-and-a-half years. They need to look beyond Tomas Soucek and James Ward-Prowse who are in their thirties, and the arrival of Banzuzi could be a breath of fresh air given his traits to fit in Potter’s system.