Wednesday news (includes West ham)
Posted: 09 Apr 2025, 10:02
BBC
Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, 25, is one of the options Manchester City are considering as a replacement for departing Belgium midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, 33. (Athletic - subscription required), external
Arsenal are willing to pay 150m euros (£128m) for Inter Milan and Argentina forward Lautaro Martinez, 27. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external
Chelsea are ready to pay Manchester United £5m in order to back out of their obligation to make the loan move of England winger Jadon Sancho, 25, permanent. (Sun Club - subscription required), external
Napoli and Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, 26, favours a move to Juventus or a Premier League club once his loan spell at Galatasaray ends. Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United are all interested in the forward, who is available for 65m euros (£55.7m). (ESPN), external
Brentford and Nigeria midfielder Frank Onyeka, 27, will return to the club once his loan spell at Bundesliga side Augsburg ends this summer. (Florian Plettenberg), external
Bayern Munich and Ajax have sent scouts to watch Manchester City and England Under-18s midfielder Divine Mukasa, 17, although City plan to extend his contract. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Boss Enzo Maresca is planning for life without Ukraine winger Mykhailo Mudryk, 24, and France forward Christopher Nkunku, 27, in his Chelsea squad next season. (Sun Club - subscription required), external
Arsenal are preparing an offer worth 30m euros (£25.6m) for Real Madrid and Turkey midfielder Arda Guler, 20, who is not happy with his limited game time. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is tempted to leave the club this summer to take the top job at RB Leipzig. (Football Insider)
Sky Paper Talk
DAILY EXPRESS
Manchester United have named Liam Delap their top target for the summer transfer window.
Ibrahima Konate's contract at Anfield is set to expire in June 2026, and the club has yet to make any headway in negotiations with the French international. Konate's value has increased, and he understandably wants his elevated status in the team to be reflected in any new deal at Anfield.
Former Liverpool player Yossi Benayoun's family home in Israel was subjected to a horrendous grenade attack.
Jimmy White was forced to forfeit a frame to Anton Kazakov after falling foul of the little-known three-miss rule in World Snooker Championship qualifying, then later punched the snooker table in anger.
THE SUN
Chelsea legend Frank Lampard is being targeted by a Premier League club amid his stunning work at Coventry.
Jose Mourinho has been tipped to take over as manager of Brazil, according to reports.
DAILY MAIL
Manchester United have launched an investigation after a fan appeared to be forcibly removed from his seat by a steward as tempers boiled during a protest after Sunday's derby.
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has provided Ruben Amorim with a shopping list of four stars he should target this summer.
Former Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli has suggested he could release the 'rebellious 16-year-old' version of himself after being frozen out by Italian side Genoa.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
The transgender pool champion at the centre of angry protests over her playing in women's events is suing one of her sport's governing bodies for banning her from female-only competitions.
THE TIMES
UEFA has ruled out scrapping extra-time in European knockout matches amid fears that it would lead to more negative football.
The Somerset all-rounder Craig Overton told a supporter to "p*** off and support another club" after becoming involved in an online spat.
THE ATHLETIC
FIFA has confirmed that referees at the 2025 Club World Cup will wear body cameras.
The Denver Nuggets fired coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth, the team announced Tuesday, in a surprise move with three games left in the NBA regular season.
THE GUARDIAN
Six neighbourhood associations in the Basque city of San Sebastián have asked FIFA to withdraw it as a venue for the 2030 World Cup.
DAILY RECORD
Charlie Mulgrew's disastrous tenure as boss of Kelty Hearts came to an end after the former Celtic star handed in his resignation.
SCOTTISH SUN
SFA official Alan Muir has been told his VAR career is OVER.
The Athletic
Lucas Paqueta’s spot-fixing hearing put on hold until May
By Mario Cortegana and Roshane Thomas
The hearing into Lucas Paqueta’s alleged spot-fixing has been put on hold and will not be concluded until at least May.
The West Ham United midfielder was charged by the English Football Association (FA) in May 2024 with deliberately getting booked in four Premier League matches so he and/or his friends could benefit by betting on that happening. He denies any wrongdoing.
The hearing into the allegations began last month and was previously expected to finish around this time but sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to discuss the case, have told The Athletic that it will now not be done until at least May.
Former West Ham manager David Moyes, meanwhile, has agreed to be a witness as part of Paqueta’s defence at the hearing. The 27-year-old Brazilian’s legal team requested for Moyes to give evidence and the Scot has agreed to take part.
Referring to four yellow cards Paqueta received while playing for West Ham, the FA alleges the midfielder “directly sought to influence (…) these matches by intentionally seeking to receive a card from the referee for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market in order for one or more persons to profit from betting”.
The four bookings came in games against Leicester City on November 12, 2022, Aston Villa on March 12, 2023, Leeds United on May 21, 2023, and Bournemouth on August 12, 2023.
Separately from the FA hearing, as reported by The Athletic in February, a report from a parliamentary inquiry in Brazil has recommended criminal proceedings against Paqueta’s uncle Bruno Tolentin for the alleged manipulation of a sporting event for profit. Tolentino was invited to give evidence before the parliamentary commission but opted to remain silent during his hearing.
(Julian Finney/Getty Images)
City AM
West Ham’s Paqueta yet to give evidence in spot-fixing trial
Lucas Paqueta has yet to give evidence in his spot-fixing trial, a revelation which indicates that the case could have some way to run as the West Ham midfielder fights the Football Association’s demand for a life ban from football.
An independent panel hearing has been adjourned until the end of the season after evidence overran during the initial three-week slot allotted by the FA, which finished last week.
Paqueta is understood to have attended several days of the hearing, but has yet to be cross-examined himself, either by the FA prosecution or his own defence team.
Paqueta, 27, denies any wrongdoing after being charged with four counts of being deliberately booked and two of obstructing the FA’s investigation.
There could be a further delay if Paqueta is found guilty and a separate sanctioning hearing is required to determine the punishment, leading to the prospect of the saga dragging on all summer.
Sport Witness
West Ham and Crystal Palace checking feasibility of €6m signing – Potential London battle
By Naveen Ullal
West Ham United and Crystal Palace are in the picture for Club Atlético Independiente’s Kevin Lomónaco, according to a report from Argentina.
The centre-back initially joined the Argentine club from Red Bull Bragantino on loan with an option to buy last summer. Independiente have already activated the purchase clause to make his stay permanent and offered him a contract until December 2027.
Lomónaco has made 35 appearances so far of which 15 are from this year, and his displays have seen West Ham and Crystal Palace take notice.
Crónica state the two London clubs ‘go after’ the 23-year-old for the summer window.
The defender’s development and performances have pleased the Independiente fans while it has also caught the attention of other clubs.
West Ham and Crystal Palace are mentioned, and the report states the Premier League duo have ‘already begun exploring’ the possibility of signing Lomónaco after this season.
Their interest has caused ‘headache’ to Independiente manager Julio Vaccari, who is now ‘concerned’ the Argentine could move to Europe to seek a better career.
According to Crónica, the South American club value Lomónaco at €6m and this would be affordable for both the Hammers and the Eagles.
C&H
West Ham Lead Race for England Ace as Summer Free Transfer Near
West Ham are at the very front of the queue for Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters ahead of the summer transfer window.
Over the past 48 hours, Claret & Hugh has been able to confirm genuine interest in the Southampton player, with a top transfer source informing us: “West Ham have been interested in the player for over a year.”
While any official approach for the twice-capped former Tottenham player is not permitted for English clubs just yet, he will be available on a free transfer at the end of the season.
The Hammers came close to signing Walker-Peters last summer, but Southampton’s £25 million valuation proved too steep. Instead, West Ham opted to sign Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Manchester United — a move that has proven a huge success — but interest in Walker-Peters has never gone away.
The versatile full-back turns 28 next week and has demonstrated his adaptability this season by playing in several positions, including left wing. That flexibility makes him a valuable squad addition and he should not be dismissed simply because West Ham have already brought in Wan-Bissaka.
It is understood that the player has already agreed wages of around £75,000 per week and currently has three similar offers on the table.
West Ham also continue to pursue fellow free agents Jonathan David and Angel Gomes, both of whom will leave Lille at the end of the season.
Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, 25, is one of the options Manchester City are considering as a replacement for departing Belgium midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, 33. (Athletic - subscription required), external
Arsenal are willing to pay 150m euros (£128m) for Inter Milan and Argentina forward Lautaro Martinez, 27. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external
Chelsea are ready to pay Manchester United £5m in order to back out of their obligation to make the loan move of England winger Jadon Sancho, 25, permanent. (Sun Club - subscription required), external
Napoli and Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, 26, favours a move to Juventus or a Premier League club once his loan spell at Galatasaray ends. Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United are all interested in the forward, who is available for 65m euros (£55.7m). (ESPN), external
Brentford and Nigeria midfielder Frank Onyeka, 27, will return to the club once his loan spell at Bundesliga side Augsburg ends this summer. (Florian Plettenberg), external
Bayern Munich and Ajax have sent scouts to watch Manchester City and England Under-18s midfielder Divine Mukasa, 17, although City plan to extend his contract. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Boss Enzo Maresca is planning for life without Ukraine winger Mykhailo Mudryk, 24, and France forward Christopher Nkunku, 27, in his Chelsea squad next season. (Sun Club - subscription required), external
Arsenal are preparing an offer worth 30m euros (£25.6m) for Real Madrid and Turkey midfielder Arda Guler, 20, who is not happy with his limited game time. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is tempted to leave the club this summer to take the top job at RB Leipzig. (Football Insider)
Sky Paper Talk
DAILY EXPRESS
Manchester United have named Liam Delap their top target for the summer transfer window.
Ibrahima Konate's contract at Anfield is set to expire in June 2026, and the club has yet to make any headway in negotiations with the French international. Konate's value has increased, and he understandably wants his elevated status in the team to be reflected in any new deal at Anfield.
Former Liverpool player Yossi Benayoun's family home in Israel was subjected to a horrendous grenade attack.
Jimmy White was forced to forfeit a frame to Anton Kazakov after falling foul of the little-known three-miss rule in World Snooker Championship qualifying, then later punched the snooker table in anger.
THE SUN
Chelsea legend Frank Lampard is being targeted by a Premier League club amid his stunning work at Coventry.
Jose Mourinho has been tipped to take over as manager of Brazil, according to reports.
DAILY MAIL
Manchester United have launched an investigation after a fan appeared to be forcibly removed from his seat by a steward as tempers boiled during a protest after Sunday's derby.
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has provided Ruben Amorim with a shopping list of four stars he should target this summer.
Former Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli has suggested he could release the 'rebellious 16-year-old' version of himself after being frozen out by Italian side Genoa.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
The transgender pool champion at the centre of angry protests over her playing in women's events is suing one of her sport's governing bodies for banning her from female-only competitions.
THE TIMES
UEFA has ruled out scrapping extra-time in European knockout matches amid fears that it would lead to more negative football.
The Somerset all-rounder Craig Overton told a supporter to "p*** off and support another club" after becoming involved in an online spat.
THE ATHLETIC
FIFA has confirmed that referees at the 2025 Club World Cup will wear body cameras.
The Denver Nuggets fired coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth, the team announced Tuesday, in a surprise move with three games left in the NBA regular season.
THE GUARDIAN
Six neighbourhood associations in the Basque city of San Sebastián have asked FIFA to withdraw it as a venue for the 2030 World Cup.
DAILY RECORD
Charlie Mulgrew's disastrous tenure as boss of Kelty Hearts came to an end after the former Celtic star handed in his resignation.
SCOTTISH SUN
SFA official Alan Muir has been told his VAR career is OVER.
The Athletic
Lucas Paqueta’s spot-fixing hearing put on hold until May
By Mario Cortegana and Roshane Thomas
The hearing into Lucas Paqueta’s alleged spot-fixing has been put on hold and will not be concluded until at least May.
The West Ham United midfielder was charged by the English Football Association (FA) in May 2024 with deliberately getting booked in four Premier League matches so he and/or his friends could benefit by betting on that happening. He denies any wrongdoing.
The hearing into the allegations began last month and was previously expected to finish around this time but sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to discuss the case, have told The Athletic that it will now not be done until at least May.
Former West Ham manager David Moyes, meanwhile, has agreed to be a witness as part of Paqueta’s defence at the hearing. The 27-year-old Brazilian’s legal team requested for Moyes to give evidence and the Scot has agreed to take part.
Referring to four yellow cards Paqueta received while playing for West Ham, the FA alleges the midfielder “directly sought to influence (…) these matches by intentionally seeking to receive a card from the referee for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market in order for one or more persons to profit from betting”.
The four bookings came in games against Leicester City on November 12, 2022, Aston Villa on March 12, 2023, Leeds United on May 21, 2023, and Bournemouth on August 12, 2023.
Separately from the FA hearing, as reported by The Athletic in February, a report from a parliamentary inquiry in Brazil has recommended criminal proceedings against Paqueta’s uncle Bruno Tolentin for the alleged manipulation of a sporting event for profit. Tolentino was invited to give evidence before the parliamentary commission but opted to remain silent during his hearing.
(Julian Finney/Getty Images)
City AM
West Ham’s Paqueta yet to give evidence in spot-fixing trial
Lucas Paqueta has yet to give evidence in his spot-fixing trial, a revelation which indicates that the case could have some way to run as the West Ham midfielder fights the Football Association’s demand for a life ban from football.
An independent panel hearing has been adjourned until the end of the season after evidence overran during the initial three-week slot allotted by the FA, which finished last week.
Paqueta is understood to have attended several days of the hearing, but has yet to be cross-examined himself, either by the FA prosecution or his own defence team.
Paqueta, 27, denies any wrongdoing after being charged with four counts of being deliberately booked and two of obstructing the FA’s investigation.
There could be a further delay if Paqueta is found guilty and a separate sanctioning hearing is required to determine the punishment, leading to the prospect of the saga dragging on all summer.
Sport Witness
West Ham and Crystal Palace checking feasibility of €6m signing – Potential London battle
By Naveen Ullal
West Ham United and Crystal Palace are in the picture for Club Atlético Independiente’s Kevin Lomónaco, according to a report from Argentina.
The centre-back initially joined the Argentine club from Red Bull Bragantino on loan with an option to buy last summer. Independiente have already activated the purchase clause to make his stay permanent and offered him a contract until December 2027.
Lomónaco has made 35 appearances so far of which 15 are from this year, and his displays have seen West Ham and Crystal Palace take notice.
Crónica state the two London clubs ‘go after’ the 23-year-old for the summer window.
The defender’s development and performances have pleased the Independiente fans while it has also caught the attention of other clubs.
West Ham and Crystal Palace are mentioned, and the report states the Premier League duo have ‘already begun exploring’ the possibility of signing Lomónaco after this season.
Their interest has caused ‘headache’ to Independiente manager Julio Vaccari, who is now ‘concerned’ the Argentine could move to Europe to seek a better career.
According to Crónica, the South American club value Lomónaco at €6m and this would be affordable for both the Hammers and the Eagles.
C&H
West Ham Lead Race for England Ace as Summer Free Transfer Near
West Ham are at the very front of the queue for Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters ahead of the summer transfer window.
Over the past 48 hours, Claret & Hugh has been able to confirm genuine interest in the Southampton player, with a top transfer source informing us: “West Ham have been interested in the player for over a year.”
While any official approach for the twice-capped former Tottenham player is not permitted for English clubs just yet, he will be available on a free transfer at the end of the season.
The Hammers came close to signing Walker-Peters last summer, but Southampton’s £25 million valuation proved too steep. Instead, West Ham opted to sign Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Manchester United — a move that has proven a huge success — but interest in Walker-Peters has never gone away.
The versatile full-back turns 28 next week and has demonstrated his adaptability this season by playing in several positions, including left wing. That flexibility makes him a valuable squad addition and he should not be dismissed simply because West Ham have already brought in Wan-Bissaka.
It is understood that the player has already agreed wages of around £75,000 per week and currently has three similar offers on the table.
West Ham also continue to pursue fellow free agents Jonathan David and Angel Gomes, both of whom will leave Lille at the end of the season.