Thursday News (includes West Ham)
Posted: 24 Apr 2025, 11:02
BBC
Aston Villa have held internal discussions about a potential move for Manchester City's 33-year-old Belgium midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, who will leave Etihad Stadium this summer. (Sky Sports), external
Leeds are considering sacking manager Daniel Farke despite the German securing promotion back to the Premier League. (Mail), external
Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester City are among the clubs interested in Bournemouth's 21-year-old Hungary left-back Milos Kerkez. (Sky Sports), external
Manchester United are battling Chelsea and Real Madrid for the signature of River Plate's 17-year-old Argentine midfielder Franco Mastantuono, who has a release clause of £38m. (Mail, external)
Manchester United will face stiff competition to sign Brazil international Matheus Cunha, 25, with Arsenal and Aston Villa among five Premier League clubs interested in the Wolves forward. (Sky Sports, external)
Nottingham Forest and Bayer Leverkusen will target Manchester City's 22-year-old English midfielder James McAtee if City move for 25-year-old England attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White or Germany attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz, 21. (Telegraph - subscription required), external
West Ham's 24-year-old Ghana winger Mohammed Kudus is attracting interest from Al-Nassr. (Guardian), external
Al-Hilal have made a £75m ($100m) bid for Barcelona forward Raphinha and offered the 28-year-old Brazil international a four-year deal worth £151m ($200m). (Sport - in Spanish), external
Chelsea's 25-year-old Portugal forward Joao Felix, currently on loan at AC Milan, has begun talks over a return to his former club Benfica in the summer. (CaughtOffside, external)
Talks are advanced between Barcelona and their German manager Hansi Flick, 60, over a new contract until 2027. (Sky Germany), external
Brazil forward Vinicius Jr, 24, is in the final stages of extending his contract with Real Madrid. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Arsenal remain hopeful of signing Spain international Martin Zubimendi, 26, despite the Real Sociedad midfielder being linked with a move to Real Madrid. (CaughtOffside, external)
Leeds United, who secured Premier League promotion on Monday, could lose 28-year-old Dominican Republic defender Junior Firpo to Spanish side Real Betis this summer. (Todofichajes - in Spanish, external)
Sky Paper Talk
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Ange Postecoglou is heading towards the Tottenham exit, whether his team win the Europa League or not. There is a growing sense that Postecoglou is likely to leave Tottenham at the end of the season, regardless of the outcome of the Europa League campaign, either through being dismissed or a mutual parting.
Jurgen Klopp is unlikely to return to management before the summer of next year - if at all - as the former Liverpool manager continues to be linked with Real Madrid.
Manchester United are hoping to pay for Matheus Cunha, the Wolverhampton Wanderers forward, in instalments.
Rory McIlroy mania has given a lift to this summer's Open Championship at Royal Portrush with a record 278,000 fans expected at the Dunluce links.
Newcastle Falcons are ready to engage lawyers in their bid to receive compensation for departing academy products as Ben Redshaw, the England U20 star, becomes the latest to trade Tyneside for a Premiership rival.
DAILY MAIL
Manchester United want to wrap up £92.5m-worth of business for Matheus Cunha and Liam Delap as quickly as possible this summer.
Kevin Thelwell is in pole position to land a key role at Rangers, either as sporting director or director of football.
Leeds will look to strengthen in central midfield, with Borussia Monchengladbach's Julian Weigl of interest, while a potential return for Kalvin Phillips has also been discussed.
Lyon have written to their fans on social media inviting complaints over their treatment at Old Trafford during their Europa League defeat to Manchester United which may have put them 'in danger'.
Plans to expand Elland Road to a capacity of 56,500 will begin imminently, with the executive board of Leeds City Council set to meet on Wednesday.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has denied claims that he is close to leaving the Spanish giants amid intense speculation that he is being lined up to be the next Brazil boss.
Manchester United have changed the way fans will access their tickets for the home leg of the Europa League semi-final against Athletic Club on May 8, in a move that could cause problems for supporters getting into Old Trafford.
THE SUN
Manchester City are poised to hijack rivals Manchester United in the race for Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
Christopher Nkunku knows his time is up at Chelsea and is playing a waiting game with the club to find a possible outlet this summer.
Wayne Rooney is to blame for Plymouth Argyle's relegation dogfight - according to his successor.
DAILY MIRROR
Manchester United are pushing ahead with a £40m deal to sign Victor Osimhen this summer.
Ruben Amorim has given Manchester United the green light to sell off six players to fund the major overhaul needed in the summer transfer window.
Liverpool will have to pay Benfica an extra £4.3m if Darwin Nunez starts another Premier League match this season, it has been claimed.
Manchester City have received a £5.17m windfall thanks to a 'fantastic' scheme from UEFA.
THE GUARDIAN
Manchester United are pushing to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolves but may have to raise the money to trigger his £62.5m release clause by selling Marcus Rashford or other players.
THE ATHLETIC
Sir Ben Ainslie is smarting from a public sporting divorce from Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the British billionaire and part-owner of Manchester United.
A group of Arsenal supporters have protested against the club's 'Visit Rwanda' sponsorship and called for the deal to be ended before next season.
Emma Raducanu has brought former British No. 1 Mark Petchey onto her coaching team for at least the Madrid Open.
Simone Biles remains undecided whether her glittering, medal-filled Olympic career will have one final chapter in Los Angeles in 2028.
THE TIMES
Aston Villa are in pole position to beat Arsenal and Manchester City to the signature of the teenage midfielder Sverre Halseth Nypan.
Jack Draper believes Jannik Sinner does not "deserve any hate" when the world No1 returns from a doping ban next month.
EVENING STANDARD
Fulham plan to wait until after the season has ended to finalise the futures of players whose contracts are set to expire this summer.
SCOTTISH SUN
St Mirren chief Jim Gillespie has told how he's snubbed big money offers from England since rejecting Rangers.
A Celtic fan who threw a vape at Rangers captain James Tavernier has been ordered to do 180 hours of unpaid work.
DAILY RECORD
The appointment of a new sporting director at Rangers is imminent.
Fenerbahce face coughing up an eye-popping £25million levy if they bin Rangers-linked Jose Mourinho at the end of the season - according to multiple bombshell reports in Turkey.
DAILY MAIL
Leeds are considering sacking manager Daniel Farke despite the German securing promotion back to the Premier League.
Manchester United are battling Chelsea and Real Madrid for the signature of River Plate's 17-year-old Argentine midfielder Franco Mastantuono, who has a release clause of £38m.
Wolves star Matheus Cunha has posted a cryptic message on social media with the forward edging closer to a summer move to Manchester United.
THE TELEGRAPH
Chelsea are leading the race to sign Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen in a move that would be a boost for head coach Enzo Maresca.
Manchester City midfielder James McAtee has emerged as a target for Nottingham Forest and Bayer Leverkusen if Pep Guardiola presses ahead with moves for Morgan Gibbs-White or Florian Wirtz.
THE GUARDIAN
West Ham's 24-year-old Ghana winger Mohammed Kudus is attracting interest from Al Nassr.
THE SUN
Freddie Flintoff has revealed his son was too scared to speak to him after he sustained severe facial injuries following his Top Gear crash.
QPR boss Marti Cifuentes could quit the club this summer after a breakdown in his relationship with chief executive Christian Nourry.
THE INDEPENDENT
Mikel Arteta cast doubt over Mikel Merino's availability for Arsenal's Champions League semi-final after their 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace which puts Liverpool on the brink of the title.
Organisers of the London Marathon are gearing up for what they hope is a record-breaking event this Sunday, boosted by a surge in popularity among young people.
DAILY RECORD
Fenerbahce face coughing up an eye-popping £25m levy if they bin Rangers-linked Jose Mourinho at the end of the season - according to multiple bombshell reports in Turkey.
THE SCOTTISH SUN
Hamilton have lodged an appeal against their 15-point punishment - with the SFA set to convene a hearing before next Friday night's Championship finale.
C&H
€100m Bid Incoming as Saudi Giants Chase Kudus!
Mohammed Kudus has emerged as a top €100m summer target for Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr, according to TalkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs.
The West Ham winger is reportedly one of four Premier League forwards on Al-Nassr’s shortlist, alongside Kaoru Mitoma, Antoine Semenyo, and Luis Díaz.
The Saudi club are understood to be readying a formal bid after a failed €90m approach for Mitoma in January. Kudus remains high on their wishlist — and they correctly believe West Ham may be tempted to sell.
As Claret & Hugh have reported previously, Kudus has a Saudi-specific release clause worth £120m, separate from the £85m release fee available to Premier League clubs and £80m to European sides. However, the clause is only active during a two-week window in the summer, and Jacobs is reporting that Al-Nassr are hopeful they can land the Ghanaian international for less.
The truth is that the Hammers would bite anyone’s arm off for €100m for the former Ajax wide-man, who has had a poor season by his own excellent standards.
How much truth there is in this report remains uncertain, but West Ham bosses were hoping for a bidding war — with little expectation they would get £80m or anything close.
If the Saudi interest is genuine, it could be the sort of deal that rescues West Ham’s summer, with very little money currently available for transfers.
Aston Villa have held internal discussions about a potential move for Manchester City's 33-year-old Belgium midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, who will leave Etihad Stadium this summer. (Sky Sports), external
Leeds are considering sacking manager Daniel Farke despite the German securing promotion back to the Premier League. (Mail), external
Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester City are among the clubs interested in Bournemouth's 21-year-old Hungary left-back Milos Kerkez. (Sky Sports), external
Manchester United are battling Chelsea and Real Madrid for the signature of River Plate's 17-year-old Argentine midfielder Franco Mastantuono, who has a release clause of £38m. (Mail, external)
Manchester United will face stiff competition to sign Brazil international Matheus Cunha, 25, with Arsenal and Aston Villa among five Premier League clubs interested in the Wolves forward. (Sky Sports, external)
Nottingham Forest and Bayer Leverkusen will target Manchester City's 22-year-old English midfielder James McAtee if City move for 25-year-old England attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White or Germany attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz, 21. (Telegraph - subscription required), external
West Ham's 24-year-old Ghana winger Mohammed Kudus is attracting interest from Al-Nassr. (Guardian), external
Al-Hilal have made a £75m ($100m) bid for Barcelona forward Raphinha and offered the 28-year-old Brazil international a four-year deal worth £151m ($200m). (Sport - in Spanish), external
Chelsea's 25-year-old Portugal forward Joao Felix, currently on loan at AC Milan, has begun talks over a return to his former club Benfica in the summer. (CaughtOffside, external)
Talks are advanced between Barcelona and their German manager Hansi Flick, 60, over a new contract until 2027. (Sky Germany), external
Brazil forward Vinicius Jr, 24, is in the final stages of extending his contract with Real Madrid. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Arsenal remain hopeful of signing Spain international Martin Zubimendi, 26, despite the Real Sociedad midfielder being linked with a move to Real Madrid. (CaughtOffside, external)
Leeds United, who secured Premier League promotion on Monday, could lose 28-year-old Dominican Republic defender Junior Firpo to Spanish side Real Betis this summer. (Todofichajes - in Spanish, external)
Sky Paper Talk
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Ange Postecoglou is heading towards the Tottenham exit, whether his team win the Europa League or not. There is a growing sense that Postecoglou is likely to leave Tottenham at the end of the season, regardless of the outcome of the Europa League campaign, either through being dismissed or a mutual parting.
Jurgen Klopp is unlikely to return to management before the summer of next year - if at all - as the former Liverpool manager continues to be linked with Real Madrid.
Manchester United are hoping to pay for Matheus Cunha, the Wolverhampton Wanderers forward, in instalments.
Rory McIlroy mania has given a lift to this summer's Open Championship at Royal Portrush with a record 278,000 fans expected at the Dunluce links.
Newcastle Falcons are ready to engage lawyers in their bid to receive compensation for departing academy products as Ben Redshaw, the England U20 star, becomes the latest to trade Tyneside for a Premiership rival.
DAILY MAIL
Manchester United want to wrap up £92.5m-worth of business for Matheus Cunha and Liam Delap as quickly as possible this summer.
Kevin Thelwell is in pole position to land a key role at Rangers, either as sporting director or director of football.
Leeds will look to strengthen in central midfield, with Borussia Monchengladbach's Julian Weigl of interest, while a potential return for Kalvin Phillips has also been discussed.
Lyon have written to their fans on social media inviting complaints over their treatment at Old Trafford during their Europa League defeat to Manchester United which may have put them 'in danger'.
Plans to expand Elland Road to a capacity of 56,500 will begin imminently, with the executive board of Leeds City Council set to meet on Wednesday.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has denied claims that he is close to leaving the Spanish giants amid intense speculation that he is being lined up to be the next Brazil boss.
Manchester United have changed the way fans will access their tickets for the home leg of the Europa League semi-final against Athletic Club on May 8, in a move that could cause problems for supporters getting into Old Trafford.
THE SUN
Manchester City are poised to hijack rivals Manchester United in the race for Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
Christopher Nkunku knows his time is up at Chelsea and is playing a waiting game with the club to find a possible outlet this summer.
Wayne Rooney is to blame for Plymouth Argyle's relegation dogfight - according to his successor.
DAILY MIRROR
Manchester United are pushing ahead with a £40m deal to sign Victor Osimhen this summer.
Ruben Amorim has given Manchester United the green light to sell off six players to fund the major overhaul needed in the summer transfer window.
Liverpool will have to pay Benfica an extra £4.3m if Darwin Nunez starts another Premier League match this season, it has been claimed.
Manchester City have received a £5.17m windfall thanks to a 'fantastic' scheme from UEFA.
THE GUARDIAN
Manchester United are pushing to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolves but may have to raise the money to trigger his £62.5m release clause by selling Marcus Rashford or other players.
THE ATHLETIC
Sir Ben Ainslie is smarting from a public sporting divorce from Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the British billionaire and part-owner of Manchester United.
A group of Arsenal supporters have protested against the club's 'Visit Rwanda' sponsorship and called for the deal to be ended before next season.
Emma Raducanu has brought former British No. 1 Mark Petchey onto her coaching team for at least the Madrid Open.
Simone Biles remains undecided whether her glittering, medal-filled Olympic career will have one final chapter in Los Angeles in 2028.
THE TIMES
Aston Villa are in pole position to beat Arsenal and Manchester City to the signature of the teenage midfielder Sverre Halseth Nypan.
Jack Draper believes Jannik Sinner does not "deserve any hate" when the world No1 returns from a doping ban next month.
EVENING STANDARD
Fulham plan to wait until after the season has ended to finalise the futures of players whose contracts are set to expire this summer.
SCOTTISH SUN
St Mirren chief Jim Gillespie has told how he's snubbed big money offers from England since rejecting Rangers.
A Celtic fan who threw a vape at Rangers captain James Tavernier has been ordered to do 180 hours of unpaid work.
DAILY RECORD
The appointment of a new sporting director at Rangers is imminent.
Fenerbahce face coughing up an eye-popping £25million levy if they bin Rangers-linked Jose Mourinho at the end of the season - according to multiple bombshell reports in Turkey.
DAILY MAIL
Leeds are considering sacking manager Daniel Farke despite the German securing promotion back to the Premier League.
Manchester United are battling Chelsea and Real Madrid for the signature of River Plate's 17-year-old Argentine midfielder Franco Mastantuono, who has a release clause of £38m.
Wolves star Matheus Cunha has posted a cryptic message on social media with the forward edging closer to a summer move to Manchester United.
THE TELEGRAPH
Chelsea are leading the race to sign Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen in a move that would be a boost for head coach Enzo Maresca.
Manchester City midfielder James McAtee has emerged as a target for Nottingham Forest and Bayer Leverkusen if Pep Guardiola presses ahead with moves for Morgan Gibbs-White or Florian Wirtz.
THE GUARDIAN
West Ham's 24-year-old Ghana winger Mohammed Kudus is attracting interest from Al Nassr.
THE SUN
Freddie Flintoff has revealed his son was too scared to speak to him after he sustained severe facial injuries following his Top Gear crash.
QPR boss Marti Cifuentes could quit the club this summer after a breakdown in his relationship with chief executive Christian Nourry.
THE INDEPENDENT
Mikel Arteta cast doubt over Mikel Merino's availability for Arsenal's Champions League semi-final after their 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace which puts Liverpool on the brink of the title.
Organisers of the London Marathon are gearing up for what they hope is a record-breaking event this Sunday, boosted by a surge in popularity among young people.
DAILY RECORD
Fenerbahce face coughing up an eye-popping £25m levy if they bin Rangers-linked Jose Mourinho at the end of the season - according to multiple bombshell reports in Turkey.
THE SCOTTISH SUN
Hamilton have lodged an appeal against their 15-point punishment - with the SFA set to convene a hearing before next Friday night's Championship finale.
C&H
€100m Bid Incoming as Saudi Giants Chase Kudus!
Mohammed Kudus has emerged as a top €100m summer target for Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr, according to TalkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs.
The West Ham winger is reportedly one of four Premier League forwards on Al-Nassr’s shortlist, alongside Kaoru Mitoma, Antoine Semenyo, and Luis Díaz.
The Saudi club are understood to be readying a formal bid after a failed €90m approach for Mitoma in January. Kudus remains high on their wishlist — and they correctly believe West Ham may be tempted to sell.
As Claret & Hugh have reported previously, Kudus has a Saudi-specific release clause worth £120m, separate from the £85m release fee available to Premier League clubs and £80m to European sides. However, the clause is only active during a two-week window in the summer, and Jacobs is reporting that Al-Nassr are hopeful they can land the Ghanaian international for less.
The truth is that the Hammers would bite anyone’s arm off for €100m for the former Ajax wide-man, who has had a poor season by his own excellent standards.
How much truth there is in this report remains uncertain, but West Ham bosses were hoping for a bidding war — with little expectation they would get £80m or anything close.
If the Saudi interest is genuine, it could be the sort of deal that rescues West Ham’s summer, with very little money currently available for transfers.