Monday News (includes West Ham)
Posted: 31 Mar 2025, 10:32
BBC
Brazil striker Matheus Cunha, 25, says he rebuffed offers to leave Wolves in the winter window, but has told the club he needs "to take the next step" in his career as he wants "to fight for titles, for big things". (Guardian), external
Arsenal could be a possible destination for Cunha, who has a £62.5m release clause, as new Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta helped sign the forward for Atletico Madrid in 2021. (Mail), external
Berta has also been a long-term admirer of Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres and the 26-year-old Sweden forward is a prominent candidate as Arsenal look to bolster their attacking options. (Athletic - subscription required), external
AC Milan's Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders is a target for Manchester City this summer, although the 26-year-old recently signed a new deal which does not include a release clause. (Football Insider), external
Ajax are interested in re-signing Manchester United's Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen, 33 - who started his professional career in Amsterdam - when his contract expires this summer. (Manchester Evening News, external)
Everton are plotting a shock £25m move to sign Liverpool's Scotland winger Ben Doak, 19, who is currently on loan at Middlesbrough. (Sun, external)
Manchester United could hold an advantage in the race to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike as the 22-year-old France forward is a boyhood fan of the Old Trafford club. (Mirror), external
Ipswich Town chairman Mark Ashton refused to reveal if striker Liam Delap has a release clause in his contract but said the club are "well protected" when it comes to the 22-year-old England U21 attacker's deal. (East Anglian Daily Times), external
Bayern Munich are not expected to give Germany forward Thomas Muller a new contract beyond the summer, but the 35-year-old could move to the United States with Major League Soccer clubs interested in signing him. (Sky Sports Germany - in German), external
Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes says manager Xabi Alonso has told the club he is staying with them, despite being linked with Real Madrid. (Goal)
Sky Paper Talk
THE SUN
Liverpool believe they have won the battle to sign £50m-rated left-back Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth.
Trent Alexander-Arnold scored a huge win off the pitch - banking £8.5m from his sponsorship and image rights deals.
Chelsea have rekindled their transfer interest in Barcelona star Jules Kounde, while they keep eyeing Bournemouth ace Dean Huijsen.
DAILY MIRROR
Newcastle have identified Collette Roche, Manchester United's chief operating officer, as a candidate to become their new chief executive.
Tottenham may have the decision whether or not to sign Mathys Tel taken out of their hands by Bayern Munich.
Ben Doak has emerged as a surprise summer transfer target for Everton, who are weighing up a swoop for the teenage forward after watching him impress on loan in the Championship this season with Middlesbrough.
Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi reportedly punished his players after their defeat to Reims by locking them in the training ground overnight.
DAILY STAR
Ajax are eyeing a free transfer swoop for Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen.
THE ATHLETIC
Arsenal are developing a strong interest in Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres as they consider their options to recruit a striker this summer.
THE TIMES
Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia want to bid for the 2035 or 2039 Rugby World Cup, predicting that it would be "the most successful event in the history of rugby".
The owners of Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain are battling to purchase the Spanish side Malaga as they look to develop their multi-club models.
DAILY MAIL
Starlets from Premier League clubs could be set for moves to EFL clubs outside the transfer windows after the idea was discussed at a recent meeting of academy managers.
Antony continued his fine form for Real Betis on Sunday by helping the Spanish side triumph 2-1 over bitter rivals Sevilla - and his performance prompted team-mate Isco to joke about signing the Manchester United outcast permanently.
Southampton head of recruitment Darren Mowbray is to leave the club as part of a major shake-up at St Mary's ahead of life back in the Championship.
Manchester United have reportedly almost halved their ticket prices for Sunday's derby after a lack of uptake.
DAILY RECORD
Rangers will reportedly have to stump up at least £5m if they are to land Maccabi Tel Aviv star Dor Turgeman this summer.
Marco Rose has been shown the door by RB Leipzig - sending the next Rangers manager rumour mill into overdrive.
Standard
Graham Potter offers Niclas Fullkrug update in major boost ahead of Wolves trip
Fullkrug suffered a hamstring injury in Potter’s first match in charge and has not played since
Matt Verri
Niclas Fullkrug is expected to return to the West Ham squad for their midweek trip to face Wolves.
Graham Potter’s side sit 16th in the Premier League table but are only five points off 12th and will be hoping for a positive run to end what has been a largely frustrating season.
That has certainly been the case for summer signing Fullkrug, who has managed just two goals in a West Ham shirt since arriving for £27m last summer.
The latest problem in an injury-hit campaign came in January, when Fullkrug suffered a hamstring problem in Potter’s first match in charge, away to Aston Villa in the FA Cup.
The 32-year-old has been out for nearly three months since then, but Potter has confirmed that Fullkrug could play some part against Wolves on Tuesday night.
“Fullkrug has been training with the group and more than likely will be in the squad,” Potter said.
“He hasn’t played competitive football in a while and has had a fairly significant injury, so we will have to build his minutes up.
“We’ve got another training session now, everyone’s in a decent place, so we have a relatively full squad apart from [Crysencio] Summerville.”
Fullkrug’s return could further limit opportunities for Evan Ferguson, who has not started a match since joining West Ham on loan from Brighton in the January transfer window.
Ferguson scored for the Republic of Ireland against Bulgaria in the recent international break, and Potter insisted the 20-year-old has a key role to play for the club.
“Forwards, it’s nice for them to score,” the Potter said.
“He has been doing a lot well and we know the player he was when he came and where he was from an injury perspective and coming back from injury and game time. It was always going to be a little bit of a patience one with him.
“Going away and a different environment and a different team, just to get some minutes and to play and to score, it’s great for a forward.
“He has been good in training and he has come back in a good place. He has always been ready to help the team. He has settled in well with the group here, trains hard every day with the team and he is ready to play.”
Brazil striker Matheus Cunha, 25, says he rebuffed offers to leave Wolves in the winter window, but has told the club he needs "to take the next step" in his career as he wants "to fight for titles, for big things". (Guardian), external
Arsenal could be a possible destination for Cunha, who has a £62.5m release clause, as new Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta helped sign the forward for Atletico Madrid in 2021. (Mail), external
Berta has also been a long-term admirer of Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres and the 26-year-old Sweden forward is a prominent candidate as Arsenal look to bolster their attacking options. (Athletic - subscription required), external
AC Milan's Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders is a target for Manchester City this summer, although the 26-year-old recently signed a new deal which does not include a release clause. (Football Insider), external
Ajax are interested in re-signing Manchester United's Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen, 33 - who started his professional career in Amsterdam - when his contract expires this summer. (Manchester Evening News, external)
Everton are plotting a shock £25m move to sign Liverpool's Scotland winger Ben Doak, 19, who is currently on loan at Middlesbrough. (Sun, external)
Manchester United could hold an advantage in the race to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike as the 22-year-old France forward is a boyhood fan of the Old Trafford club. (Mirror), external
Ipswich Town chairman Mark Ashton refused to reveal if striker Liam Delap has a release clause in his contract but said the club are "well protected" when it comes to the 22-year-old England U21 attacker's deal. (East Anglian Daily Times), external
Bayern Munich are not expected to give Germany forward Thomas Muller a new contract beyond the summer, but the 35-year-old could move to the United States with Major League Soccer clubs interested in signing him. (Sky Sports Germany - in German), external
Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes says manager Xabi Alonso has told the club he is staying with them, despite being linked with Real Madrid. (Goal)
Sky Paper Talk
THE SUN
Liverpool believe they have won the battle to sign £50m-rated left-back Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth.
Trent Alexander-Arnold scored a huge win off the pitch - banking £8.5m from his sponsorship and image rights deals.
Chelsea have rekindled their transfer interest in Barcelona star Jules Kounde, while they keep eyeing Bournemouth ace Dean Huijsen.
DAILY MIRROR
Newcastle have identified Collette Roche, Manchester United's chief operating officer, as a candidate to become their new chief executive.
Tottenham may have the decision whether or not to sign Mathys Tel taken out of their hands by Bayern Munich.
Ben Doak has emerged as a surprise summer transfer target for Everton, who are weighing up a swoop for the teenage forward after watching him impress on loan in the Championship this season with Middlesbrough.
Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi reportedly punished his players after their defeat to Reims by locking them in the training ground overnight.
DAILY STAR
Ajax are eyeing a free transfer swoop for Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen.
THE ATHLETIC
Arsenal are developing a strong interest in Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres as they consider their options to recruit a striker this summer.
THE TIMES
Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia want to bid for the 2035 or 2039 Rugby World Cup, predicting that it would be "the most successful event in the history of rugby".
The owners of Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain are battling to purchase the Spanish side Malaga as they look to develop their multi-club models.
DAILY MAIL
Starlets from Premier League clubs could be set for moves to EFL clubs outside the transfer windows after the idea was discussed at a recent meeting of academy managers.
Antony continued his fine form for Real Betis on Sunday by helping the Spanish side triumph 2-1 over bitter rivals Sevilla - and his performance prompted team-mate Isco to joke about signing the Manchester United outcast permanently.
Southampton head of recruitment Darren Mowbray is to leave the club as part of a major shake-up at St Mary's ahead of life back in the Championship.
Manchester United have reportedly almost halved their ticket prices for Sunday's derby after a lack of uptake.
DAILY RECORD
Rangers will reportedly have to stump up at least £5m if they are to land Maccabi Tel Aviv star Dor Turgeman this summer.
Marco Rose has been shown the door by RB Leipzig - sending the next Rangers manager rumour mill into overdrive.
Standard
Graham Potter offers Niclas Fullkrug update in major boost ahead of Wolves trip
Fullkrug suffered a hamstring injury in Potter’s first match in charge and has not played since
Matt Verri
Niclas Fullkrug is expected to return to the West Ham squad for their midweek trip to face Wolves.
Graham Potter’s side sit 16th in the Premier League table but are only five points off 12th and will be hoping for a positive run to end what has been a largely frustrating season.
That has certainly been the case for summer signing Fullkrug, who has managed just two goals in a West Ham shirt since arriving for £27m last summer.
The latest problem in an injury-hit campaign came in January, when Fullkrug suffered a hamstring problem in Potter’s first match in charge, away to Aston Villa in the FA Cup.
The 32-year-old has been out for nearly three months since then, but Potter has confirmed that Fullkrug could play some part against Wolves on Tuesday night.
“Fullkrug has been training with the group and more than likely will be in the squad,” Potter said.
“He hasn’t played competitive football in a while and has had a fairly significant injury, so we will have to build his minutes up.
“We’ve got another training session now, everyone’s in a decent place, so we have a relatively full squad apart from [Crysencio] Summerville.”
Fullkrug’s return could further limit opportunities for Evan Ferguson, who has not started a match since joining West Ham on loan from Brighton in the January transfer window.
Ferguson scored for the Republic of Ireland against Bulgaria in the recent international break, and Potter insisted the 20-year-old has a key role to play for the club.
“Forwards, it’s nice for them to score,” the Potter said.
“He has been doing a lot well and we know the player he was when he came and where he was from an injury perspective and coming back from injury and game time. It was always going to be a little bit of a patience one with him.
“Going away and a different environment and a different team, just to get some minutes and to play and to score, it’s great for a forward.
“He has been good in training and he has come back in a good place. He has always been ready to help the team. He has settled in well with the group here, trains hard every day with the team and he is ready to play.”