Thursday News (includes West Ham)
Posted: 17 Apr 2025, 11:36
BBC
Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr are targeting Chelsea and Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo, 23, who is expected to cost more than £100m. (Telegraph), external
Manchester United have identified RB Leipzig's 21-year-old Netherlands forward Xavi Simons as a summer target - but Ruben Amorim's transfer plans are likely to hinge on Champions League qualification. (Mail - subscription required), external
Juventus have made Newcastle's 24-year-old Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali one of their summer transfer targets. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external
RB Leipzig are expected to set an £86m price tag for Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko, 21, who is attracting interest from Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. (Bild - in German), external
Tottenham will rebuff offers for Italy left-back Destiny Udogie, 22, this summer despite links with several clubs including Manchester City. (Florian Plettenberg), external
Sporting are open to summer offers for 23-year-old Portugal defender Goncalo Inacio, who is of interest to Manchester United. (A Bola - in Portuguese)
Benfica are keen to re-sign Chelsea's 25-year-old Portugal forward Joao Felix, who is on loan at AC Milan. (Record - in Portuguese, subscription required), external
Juventus are keen to extend 21-year-old Portugal defender Renato Veiga's loan stay at Chelsea beyond this summer, either via another loan or a £48m permanent deal. (Tuttosport - in Italian), external
MLS club Chicago Fire have made an approach to sign Manchester City's Belgium midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, 33, who will leave when his contract expires in the summer. (Fabrizio Romano), external
England forward Marcus Rashford, 27, hopes his improved form on loan at Aston Villa will attract interest from top European teams, with parent club Manchester United unlikely to welcome him back in the summer. (Talksport), external
Manchester United have already started to draw up a shortlist of potential replacements for Rashford, with Aston Villa uncertain whether to take up the option to sign him permanently for £40m. (Sky Sports), external
Another season out on loan for Rashford is not being ruled out as an option. (Times - subscription required), external
Experienced former France forward Antoine Griezmann, 34, is poised to extend his contract with Atletico Madrid until June 2027 despite rumours he could move to Major League Soccer. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), external
Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch is not leaving Anfield in the near future despite the Netherlands international's agent talking up the 22-year-old's chances of playing for Real Madrid. (Mail - subscription required), external
West Ham forward Michail Antonio, 35, is facing an agonising wait to see if he will be given a new deal by the club, with the Jamaica international out of contract at the end of the season. (Times - subscription required)
Sky Paper Talk
DAILY MIRROR
Mohamed Salah could miss 10 Liverpool matches after a controversial FIFA decision.
Moises Caicedo is being eyed up as a big summer signing for Al Nassr this summer, according to reports, with the Chelsea midfielder top of the Saudi Pro League club's wish list.
Liverpool will face competition from Bayern Munich in the race to sign Bournemouth starlet Dean Huijsen.
Bayern Munich star Josip Stanisic pushed a ballboy to the floor as his side were dumped out of the Champions League.
Liverpool are agreeing a deal with the fourth member of their squad who was running out of contract at the end of this season, with goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros poised to continue his career at Anfield.
Erling Haaland has hinted that he is not far from a comeback despite initially being ruled out for the season.
THE TIMES
Michail Antonio will have to wait until the end of the season to find out whether West Ham will extend his contract beyond its expiry this summer.
Police made seven arrests after Aston Villa's Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night. In the home end at Villa Park two men were arrested on suspicion of racist chanting and another for a racially aggravated public order offence.
Manchester United will participate in the new World Sevens Football women's tournament, through which they could earn just under £2m - four times as much as winning the FA Cup.
The women's welterweight Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif has announced plans to move up in weight category for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
Serena Williams believes that she would have received a drugs ban of 20 years and had some of her 23 grand-slam singles titles stripped if she had recorded an anti-doping offence in the same way as Jannik Sinner.
DAILY MAIL
Jurgen Klopp is already unhappy and worn out with his new job at Red Bull and would consider returning to management for two big jobs, according to a new report.
Chelsea will rebuff interest from Al Nassr in midfielder Moises Caicedo.
RB Leipzig will reportedly demand around £86m for their star striker Benjamin Sesko this summer.
Chelsea and Strasbourg have agreed to wait until the end of the season before deciding what to do with Andrey Santos, after a loan spell in which he turned into a young force in French football.
Multiple clubs across Europe are in for Jonathan David, though West Ham are leading the race among the English sides interested in the Lille forward.
Bournemouth want to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga permanently this summer, and they are set to speak with Chelsea and the 30-year-old's camp to try to get that deal done.
Neither Raheem Sterling nor his camp have been told by Arsenal that he will not be signed permanently after his season-long loan expires, despite such speculation.
Everton are not currently planning on turning Armando Broja's loan into a permanent move unless Chelsea show a willingness to budge on his £30m cost.
THE SUN
Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has reportedly emerged as a target for MLS outfit Chicago Fire.
Manchester United teenager Gabriele Biancheri joined Ruben Amorim's first team training on Wednesday.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
British jump racing's bad run with equine fatalities at high-profile meetings this spring continued yesterday when two horses died in a regular end-of-season fixture at Cheltenham.
The Football Association and England and Wales Cricket Board are being warned of potential legal challenges after the Supreme Court ruling that transgender women are not women.
Lewis Hamilton has explained his approach to high-end fashion by saying: "Black men have always had to be more excellent than our white counterparts."
Title play-offs could be brought into the Women's Super League as part of radical plans to restructure the game.
THE GUARDIAN
Bournemouth's owner, Bill Foley, is planning contract talks with Andoni Iraola next week and there is growing confidence at the club that the in‑demand head coach can be persuaded to stay.
The chair of Hull City Ladies, Daniel Johnson, has submitted a request to the Football Association for the club to be relegated from the third tier, amid allegations of mismanagement of the club's finances being made against him by his own players.
THE ATHLETIC
Four MLS teams - Inter Miami, the Chicago Fire, NYCFC and D.C. United - have expressed interest in signing Kevin De Bruyne.
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has invited Rory McIlroy to Old Trafford following the Northern Irishman's Masters victory on Sunday.
Eintracht Frankfurt have agreed a deal to complete the permanent signing of Leeds United defender Rasmus Kristensen.
England will play Jamaica at Leicester City's King Power Stadium one week before beginning the defence of their Women's European Championship title.
Mattel's first ever Ken doll based on a professional athlete has generated a frenzy of interest both in stores and online since it became available for purchase.
DAILY RECORD
Christopher Jullien has backed Jeremie Frimpong for a money-spinning transfer to Liverpool this summer.
Jim Goodwin wants Dundee United to push the boat out to try and keep top scorer Sam Dalby.
SCOTTISH SUN
St Mirren striker Toyosi Olusanya is poised to seal a £200,000 move to MLS side Houston Dynamo.
C&H
Paquetá exit need not be all doom and gloom for West Ham
Lucas Paquetá’s FA hearing dragging into the summer window may have far-reaching fallout. From Gonzo’s earlier article it is clear that a Manchester City move is still very much on. Whilst the reported transfer fee sum may not be as great as before the FA allegations, Paquetá still seeks his City move and the likelihood is that he will be sold -providing of course the FA hearing determines in his favour.
The really interesting article that came out of footballinsider247.com just a few weeks ago offers the alluring prospect of one of West Ham’s long term targets moving in the other direction: Since last summer the Irons have been linked with City’s attacking midfield young prospect James McAtee. The young English prospect – just 22 – cannot get into the starting eleven and played just 22 minutes in the first half of the 24-5 season.
The report from 1st March suggested:
‘Man City plan to accept James McAtee offer’ after West Ham reveal….Man City would demand a £30-35million offer for McAtee, which would represent pure profit on the books.”
Which could represent a quadruple ‘win-win’ deal: Rare indeed! Man City would get Paquetá and the Brazilian would get his move: McAtee is desperate for game time (not yet being seen by City as good enough compete at a Champions League level) and West Ham need a new attacking midfield powerhouse.
Too good to be true? Possibly. But surely one to keep an eye on if Potter and the recruitment team have their wits about them, for the up and coming negotiations concerning a Paquetá exit: In which case, it might not be all gloom and doom for West Ham.
Football Talk
West Ham ‘monitoring’ Werder Bremen left-back Felix Agu
West Ham United are keeping tabs on Werder Bremen’s left-back Felix Agu over a possible move this summer, as per Florian Plettenberg.
The 26-year-old came through the ranks at German third-division side Osnabrück before sealing a move to Bremen in 2020. He has since made 93 appearances for the club, including 20 this season, which has piqued the interest of several clubs and the Nigerian Football Association.
According to Plettenberg, West Ham are ‘monitoring’ the former Germany U21 star over a possible summer transfer to the London Stadium.
However, the Hammers could be trumped by London rivals Fulham, who are also keeping tabs on the German-born Nigerian-eligible defender, as per the report.
With two years remaining on his contract at the Weserstadion, the German transfer expert adds that the left-back has an €8-10m (£6-8m) release clause valid until May, with West Ham and Fulham keen on his signature.
Bargain
West Ham are having a torrid campaign and will hope the league comes to a close sooner rather than later.
Although their 14-point lead over 18th-place Ipswich Town diminishes any relegation fears, sitting just a position above the relegation zone, especially after spending heavily on summer transfer activities, is being viewed as a disappointment.
The club signed Jean-Clair Todibo, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Maximilian Kilman last summer. However, after just a season, it appears the club still needs more reinforcement at their backline, which has conceded 54 goals in 32 games.
Agu would be a solid addition to Graham Potter’s defence. He possesses qualities that would make him fit for the rigidity of the Premier League. He’s efficient with the ball and also defensively reliable, constantly winning duels, intercepting passes, and being resolute in one-on-one situations.
The Hammers already have 35-year-old Aaron Cresswell, whose contract will expire in the summer, Emerson Palmieri, and youngster Oliver Scarles as left-back options.
At the time of writing, there’s no indication of Cresswell’s renewal, while Emerson, whose contract will expire next summer, looks likely to leave if a good offer comes in.
Swooping for Agu makes more economical and sporting sense, as the German defender would be a long-term addition to the club’s left-back ranks for at least the next five years.
His £8m valuation is an absolute bargain, and the Hammers will need to act swiftly to acquire his signature, as Fulham and clubs in Serie A are also keen.
Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr are targeting Chelsea and Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo, 23, who is expected to cost more than £100m. (Telegraph), external
Manchester United have identified RB Leipzig's 21-year-old Netherlands forward Xavi Simons as a summer target - but Ruben Amorim's transfer plans are likely to hinge on Champions League qualification. (Mail - subscription required), external
Juventus have made Newcastle's 24-year-old Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali one of their summer transfer targets. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external
RB Leipzig are expected to set an £86m price tag for Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko, 21, who is attracting interest from Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. (Bild - in German), external
Tottenham will rebuff offers for Italy left-back Destiny Udogie, 22, this summer despite links with several clubs including Manchester City. (Florian Plettenberg), external
Sporting are open to summer offers for 23-year-old Portugal defender Goncalo Inacio, who is of interest to Manchester United. (A Bola - in Portuguese)
Benfica are keen to re-sign Chelsea's 25-year-old Portugal forward Joao Felix, who is on loan at AC Milan. (Record - in Portuguese, subscription required), external
Juventus are keen to extend 21-year-old Portugal defender Renato Veiga's loan stay at Chelsea beyond this summer, either via another loan or a £48m permanent deal. (Tuttosport - in Italian), external
MLS club Chicago Fire have made an approach to sign Manchester City's Belgium midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, 33, who will leave when his contract expires in the summer. (Fabrizio Romano), external
England forward Marcus Rashford, 27, hopes his improved form on loan at Aston Villa will attract interest from top European teams, with parent club Manchester United unlikely to welcome him back in the summer. (Talksport), external
Manchester United have already started to draw up a shortlist of potential replacements for Rashford, with Aston Villa uncertain whether to take up the option to sign him permanently for £40m. (Sky Sports), external
Another season out on loan for Rashford is not being ruled out as an option. (Times - subscription required), external
Experienced former France forward Antoine Griezmann, 34, is poised to extend his contract with Atletico Madrid until June 2027 despite rumours he could move to Major League Soccer. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), external
Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch is not leaving Anfield in the near future despite the Netherlands international's agent talking up the 22-year-old's chances of playing for Real Madrid. (Mail - subscription required), external
West Ham forward Michail Antonio, 35, is facing an agonising wait to see if he will be given a new deal by the club, with the Jamaica international out of contract at the end of the season. (Times - subscription required)
Sky Paper Talk
DAILY MIRROR
Mohamed Salah could miss 10 Liverpool matches after a controversial FIFA decision.
Moises Caicedo is being eyed up as a big summer signing for Al Nassr this summer, according to reports, with the Chelsea midfielder top of the Saudi Pro League club's wish list.
Liverpool will face competition from Bayern Munich in the race to sign Bournemouth starlet Dean Huijsen.
Bayern Munich star Josip Stanisic pushed a ballboy to the floor as his side were dumped out of the Champions League.
Liverpool are agreeing a deal with the fourth member of their squad who was running out of contract at the end of this season, with goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros poised to continue his career at Anfield.
Erling Haaland has hinted that he is not far from a comeback despite initially being ruled out for the season.
THE TIMES
Michail Antonio will have to wait until the end of the season to find out whether West Ham will extend his contract beyond its expiry this summer.
Police made seven arrests after Aston Villa's Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night. In the home end at Villa Park two men were arrested on suspicion of racist chanting and another for a racially aggravated public order offence.
Manchester United will participate in the new World Sevens Football women's tournament, through which they could earn just under £2m - four times as much as winning the FA Cup.
The women's welterweight Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif has announced plans to move up in weight category for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
Serena Williams believes that she would have received a drugs ban of 20 years and had some of her 23 grand-slam singles titles stripped if she had recorded an anti-doping offence in the same way as Jannik Sinner.
DAILY MAIL
Jurgen Klopp is already unhappy and worn out with his new job at Red Bull and would consider returning to management for two big jobs, according to a new report.
Chelsea will rebuff interest from Al Nassr in midfielder Moises Caicedo.
RB Leipzig will reportedly demand around £86m for their star striker Benjamin Sesko this summer.
Chelsea and Strasbourg have agreed to wait until the end of the season before deciding what to do with Andrey Santos, after a loan spell in which he turned into a young force in French football.
Multiple clubs across Europe are in for Jonathan David, though West Ham are leading the race among the English sides interested in the Lille forward.
Bournemouth want to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga permanently this summer, and they are set to speak with Chelsea and the 30-year-old's camp to try to get that deal done.
Neither Raheem Sterling nor his camp have been told by Arsenal that he will not be signed permanently after his season-long loan expires, despite such speculation.
Everton are not currently planning on turning Armando Broja's loan into a permanent move unless Chelsea show a willingness to budge on his £30m cost.
THE SUN
Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has reportedly emerged as a target for MLS outfit Chicago Fire.
Manchester United teenager Gabriele Biancheri joined Ruben Amorim's first team training on Wednesday.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
British jump racing's bad run with equine fatalities at high-profile meetings this spring continued yesterday when two horses died in a regular end-of-season fixture at Cheltenham.
The Football Association and England and Wales Cricket Board are being warned of potential legal challenges after the Supreme Court ruling that transgender women are not women.
Lewis Hamilton has explained his approach to high-end fashion by saying: "Black men have always had to be more excellent than our white counterparts."
Title play-offs could be brought into the Women's Super League as part of radical plans to restructure the game.
THE GUARDIAN
Bournemouth's owner, Bill Foley, is planning contract talks with Andoni Iraola next week and there is growing confidence at the club that the in‑demand head coach can be persuaded to stay.
The chair of Hull City Ladies, Daniel Johnson, has submitted a request to the Football Association for the club to be relegated from the third tier, amid allegations of mismanagement of the club's finances being made against him by his own players.
THE ATHLETIC
Four MLS teams - Inter Miami, the Chicago Fire, NYCFC and D.C. United - have expressed interest in signing Kevin De Bruyne.
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has invited Rory McIlroy to Old Trafford following the Northern Irishman's Masters victory on Sunday.
Eintracht Frankfurt have agreed a deal to complete the permanent signing of Leeds United defender Rasmus Kristensen.
England will play Jamaica at Leicester City's King Power Stadium one week before beginning the defence of their Women's European Championship title.
Mattel's first ever Ken doll based on a professional athlete has generated a frenzy of interest both in stores and online since it became available for purchase.
DAILY RECORD
Christopher Jullien has backed Jeremie Frimpong for a money-spinning transfer to Liverpool this summer.
Jim Goodwin wants Dundee United to push the boat out to try and keep top scorer Sam Dalby.
SCOTTISH SUN
St Mirren striker Toyosi Olusanya is poised to seal a £200,000 move to MLS side Houston Dynamo.
C&H
Paquetá exit need not be all doom and gloom for West Ham
Lucas Paquetá’s FA hearing dragging into the summer window may have far-reaching fallout. From Gonzo’s earlier article it is clear that a Manchester City move is still very much on. Whilst the reported transfer fee sum may not be as great as before the FA allegations, Paquetá still seeks his City move and the likelihood is that he will be sold -providing of course the FA hearing determines in his favour.
The really interesting article that came out of footballinsider247.com just a few weeks ago offers the alluring prospect of one of West Ham’s long term targets moving in the other direction: Since last summer the Irons have been linked with City’s attacking midfield young prospect James McAtee. The young English prospect – just 22 – cannot get into the starting eleven and played just 22 minutes in the first half of the 24-5 season.
The report from 1st March suggested:
‘Man City plan to accept James McAtee offer’ after West Ham reveal….Man City would demand a £30-35million offer for McAtee, which would represent pure profit on the books.”
Which could represent a quadruple ‘win-win’ deal: Rare indeed! Man City would get Paquetá and the Brazilian would get his move: McAtee is desperate for game time (not yet being seen by City as good enough compete at a Champions League level) and West Ham need a new attacking midfield powerhouse.
Too good to be true? Possibly. But surely one to keep an eye on if Potter and the recruitment team have their wits about them, for the up and coming negotiations concerning a Paquetá exit: In which case, it might not be all gloom and doom for West Ham.
Football Talk
West Ham ‘monitoring’ Werder Bremen left-back Felix Agu
West Ham United are keeping tabs on Werder Bremen’s left-back Felix Agu over a possible move this summer, as per Florian Plettenberg.
The 26-year-old came through the ranks at German third-division side Osnabrück before sealing a move to Bremen in 2020. He has since made 93 appearances for the club, including 20 this season, which has piqued the interest of several clubs and the Nigerian Football Association.
According to Plettenberg, West Ham are ‘monitoring’ the former Germany U21 star over a possible summer transfer to the London Stadium.
However, the Hammers could be trumped by London rivals Fulham, who are also keeping tabs on the German-born Nigerian-eligible defender, as per the report.
With two years remaining on his contract at the Weserstadion, the German transfer expert adds that the left-back has an €8-10m (£6-8m) release clause valid until May, with West Ham and Fulham keen on his signature.
Bargain
West Ham are having a torrid campaign and will hope the league comes to a close sooner rather than later.
Although their 14-point lead over 18th-place Ipswich Town diminishes any relegation fears, sitting just a position above the relegation zone, especially after spending heavily on summer transfer activities, is being viewed as a disappointment.
The club signed Jean-Clair Todibo, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Maximilian Kilman last summer. However, after just a season, it appears the club still needs more reinforcement at their backline, which has conceded 54 goals in 32 games.
Agu would be a solid addition to Graham Potter’s defence. He possesses qualities that would make him fit for the rigidity of the Premier League. He’s efficient with the ball and also defensively reliable, constantly winning duels, intercepting passes, and being resolute in one-on-one situations.
The Hammers already have 35-year-old Aaron Cresswell, whose contract will expire in the summer, Emerson Palmieri, and youngster Oliver Scarles as left-back options.
At the time of writing, there’s no indication of Cresswell’s renewal, while Emerson, whose contract will expire next summer, looks likely to leave if a good offer comes in.
Swooping for Agu makes more economical and sporting sense, as the German defender would be a long-term addition to the club’s left-back ranks for at least the next five years.
His £8m valuation is an absolute bargain, and the Hammers will need to act swiftly to acquire his signature, as Fulham and clubs in Serie A are also keen.