Monday News (includes West Ham)
Posted: 28 Apr 2025, 10:01
BBC
Atletico Madrid have made Tottenham's Argentine defender Cristian Romero, 27, one of their top targets this summer. (Marca - in Spanish), external
Manchester City are expected to move for Italy and Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso, 25, with the Italian club turning their attention to Arsenal's Portuguese defender Nuno Tavares, 25, who is on loan at Lazio. (Sun), external
Newcastle United, Manchester United, Tottenham, West Ham, Chelsea, and Liverpool are all interested in signing Canada striker Jonathan David, 25, when his Lille contract expires in the summer - but Marseille are hoping to persuade the player to stay in France. (RMC Sport, via Get Football News France), external
Manchester United have offered Wolves forward Matheus Cunha a five-year contract if the 25-year-old Brazilian opts to move to Old Trafford. (Teamtalk), external
Chelsea are pushing hard to seal the signing of Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz, 19, but face competition from Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City for the Turkey international. (Caught Offside), external
Manchester United remain interested in signing Crystal Palace's French striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, 27, if they are unable to win the race for Ipswich Town's English forward Liam Delap, 22. (GiveMesport), external
Newcastle United are working on a deal to sign South Korea international defender Kim Min-jae, 28, from Bayern Munich this summer. (Football Insider), external
Newcastle's shortlist for defensive reinforcements also include Sporting's 21-year-old Ivorian Ousmane Diomande, AC Milan's German defender Malick Thiaw, 23, and Dutchman Jan Paul van Hecke, 24, from Brighton. (GiveMeSport)
Sky Paper Talk
THE SUN
Manchester City's hopes of signing Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso have been boosted as the Serie A giants close in on a replacement.
THE TIMES
Antonio Rudiger is facing a lengthy ban after throwing an ice cube at the referee in the final moments of Real Madrid's 3-2 Copa del Rey final defeat by Barcelona.
Wrexham are eyeing Premier League stars to help them take their final big step following promotion to the Championship.
DAILY MIRROR
Wrexham's promotion to the Championship comes with an added financial bonus for their famous owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Exeter Chiefs' season from hell plunged even deeper into darkness as they were humiliated by Gloucester, prompting owner Tony Rowe to lay down the law to the squad in the changing room.
THE GUARDIAN
The London Marathon's organisers have hailed an "extraordinary" day in the nation's capital, as the 45th edition beat the world record for number of finishers and attracted record crowds.
THE SCOTTISH SUN
A former Premier League player has tipped Russell Martin for the Rangers job instead of Barry Ferguson.
Scotland star Ben Doak, who has not featured since the end of January, has confirmed that his season is officially over.
DAILY RECORD
Marco Rose is the nailed-on favourite for the Rangers job in the eyes of the bookies.
Liam Kelly admits the Rangers squad can have no complaints if the axe falls this summer.
The Athletic
The second half at Brighton that was a microcosm of West Ham’s calamitous season
By Roshane Thomas
Aaron Wan-Bissaka fell to the ground in shock, Lucas Paqueta shook his head in frustration, exasperation gripped Tomas Soucek and Maximilian Kilman, while Graham Potter stood motionless on the touchline.
West Ham had been leading 2-1 in the 83rd minute against Brighton & Hove Albion, courtesy of Soucek’s header.
But they capitulated, conceding goals from Kaoru Mitoma and Carlos Baleba in the 89th minute and stoppage time. It is the fifth time since March that West Ham have struggled to see out games.
Against Everton on March 15, Jake O’Brien equalised in the 91st minute. On April 5, Bournemouth’s Evanilson made it 2-2 in the 79th minute. On April 13, Virgil van Dijk’s late header gave Liverpool a 2-1 win at Anfield. Last week, Lesley Ugochukwu scored a 93rd-minute leveller in the 1-1 draw with Southampton.
Post-match, Paqueta was helped off the turf by a member of Potter’s backroom staff. While the home fans sang along to ‘Freed From Desire’, those in the away enclosure just wanted to be freed from the Amex Stadium.
Captain Jarrod Bowen and Soucek were crestfallen as they stood in the penalty area looking into the distance. The duo later gave their shirts to supporters but it was little comfort given the manner of the loss.
“We were happy with how we played for 85 minutes,” Soucek told West Ham’s website after the game. “I think we were on it, showed how we wanted to play and what we wanted to show our fans, but obviously, we cannot just switch off and think we have won the game already.
“We have to be focused for 100 minutes, even if there’s a bit of extra time. It just shouldn’t happen. Some people think it’s bad luck, some think it’s a coincidence (that we have lost too many late goals), and some have said other things, but I think it’s all (those things) together.”
West Ham are winless in their last seven Premier League games, their longest such run since January 2023. Their last victory was against Leicester City on February 27. Since replacing Julen Lopetegui as head coach in January, Potter has won only three of his 14 league games, losing seven and drawing four. They remain 17th following the defeat by Brighton ahead of upcoming games against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town.
Discontent is brewing among fans, who expressed their annoyance at Niclas Fullkrug’s non-inclusion in the starting XI. The Germany international was dropped after launching a diatribe against his team-mates following the draw to Southampton.
The 32-year-old, who replaced James Ward-Prowse at half-time, criticised his colleagues for playing negatively as they let two points slip and accused them of having a mindset problem. “Big f****** German, he says what he wants”, “The German’s right, we’re f****** shite” and, “Get the German on the pitch” were among the chants.
Post-match, Potter said the fanbase are entitled to sing what they want.
(Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
Disgruntlement has also heightened because of the team’s frequent lapses in concentration. It is their weakness in the latter stages of games, so much so that it was part of Brighton’s gameplan.
“We mentioned how we wanted to play the last 10 minutes if we needed a goal,” said manager Fabian Hurzeler. “That was impressive because it was an emotional end to the game. We had the belief and we responded well to the two setbacks.”
Before Mitoma’s equaliser, Brajan Gruda is in acres of space before he assists his team-mate.
Kilman is marking Mitoma but loses the forward as he drifts forward in the hope that the assistant referee flags for offside.
But the error from Kilman allowed Brighton to restore parity. Soucek looks towards his team-mate in bemusement, while Bowen slams the turf in anger.
Three minutes later, Diego Gomez plays a short corner to Yankuba Minteh. But there is no immediate urgency from West Ham to close down the attack. It is why Pervis Estupinan urges his colleague to cross the ball into the box. Minteh advances and Alphonse Areola repels the danger.
For Brighton’s winner, Baleba is in possession — but, again, there is no immediate urgency to prevent the midfielder from shooting.
Bowen attempts to block the shot but it is too little, too late.
Against Southampton, Ugochukwu was unmarked before scoring the equaliser. As he advances into the box, he is positioned between Carlos Soler and Evan Ferguson.
But neither anticipates the ball falling to the midfielder…
Before Evanilson’s equaliser in the draw with Bournemouth, Kilman plays their attackers onside during a set piece. This is the clearest example yet of the breakdown in communication between West Ham’s defenders.
Dean Huijsen wins the contesting header and assists an unmarked Evanilson…
Potter suggested his players should be held accountable following their loss against Brighton, his former club.
“There’s a requirement in this league to be physically and mentally strong to see out winning situations in difficult places like Goodison Park, Anfield and here,” said the head coach. “We weren’t able to do so, everything is focused on that, which is a shame because there were lots of good things in the game. But I can’t take solace from that because we’ve lost.
“Honestly, I don’t want to speak about anything positive because I’m in too much pain to talk about positives. No one wants to hear that now, although there were some.
“We’ve lost, two goals have gone in from 35 metres, congratulations to Brighton, we’re suffering. I’m not a robot, I’m a human being as well. I give everything to what I’m doing. Of course I’m going to be upset and frustrated. I have to come here and speak calmly to you guys, but that’s not how I’m feeling inside. If you want me to swear, I can swear.”
It would not be the first time someone associated with West Ham has felt the need to use an expletive.
Sport Witness
West Ham have activated clause to buy player – €8.5m kickback as 20% of deal
There will be quite a few people in the back offices at Barcelona happy that West Ham United will be playing Premier League football next season.
That’s not because there’s a general fondness at the Blaugrana for the Hammers, but more related to financial matters and an indirect boost that the Catalan club will find very useful indeed this summer.
Catalan newspaper Sport today report that West Ham’s clause to buy Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice has become mandatory due to the club securing thir stay in the Premier League.
As far as Sport have it, the London club will be paying the Ligue 1 side around €42m for the defender.
Barcelona sold Todibo to Nice in 2021 and as part of the deal they agreed a clause giving them 20% of a future deal. Sport state that means €8.5m will have to be sent to Barca by June 30th.
That represents a good profit for Barcelona given they paid just €1m to Toulouse when they initially signed Todibo. The low fee was due to the player’s contract running out.
Thanks to the permanent move to West Ham, Barcelona will now have a little more room in their accounts this summer.
Atletico Madrid have made Tottenham's Argentine defender Cristian Romero, 27, one of their top targets this summer. (Marca - in Spanish), external
Manchester City are expected to move for Italy and Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso, 25, with the Italian club turning their attention to Arsenal's Portuguese defender Nuno Tavares, 25, who is on loan at Lazio. (Sun), external
Newcastle United, Manchester United, Tottenham, West Ham, Chelsea, and Liverpool are all interested in signing Canada striker Jonathan David, 25, when his Lille contract expires in the summer - but Marseille are hoping to persuade the player to stay in France. (RMC Sport, via Get Football News France), external
Manchester United have offered Wolves forward Matheus Cunha a five-year contract if the 25-year-old Brazilian opts to move to Old Trafford. (Teamtalk), external
Chelsea are pushing hard to seal the signing of Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz, 19, but face competition from Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City for the Turkey international. (Caught Offside), external
Manchester United remain interested in signing Crystal Palace's French striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, 27, if they are unable to win the race for Ipswich Town's English forward Liam Delap, 22. (GiveMesport), external
Newcastle United are working on a deal to sign South Korea international defender Kim Min-jae, 28, from Bayern Munich this summer. (Football Insider), external
Newcastle's shortlist for defensive reinforcements also include Sporting's 21-year-old Ivorian Ousmane Diomande, AC Milan's German defender Malick Thiaw, 23, and Dutchman Jan Paul van Hecke, 24, from Brighton. (GiveMeSport)
Sky Paper Talk
THE SUN
Manchester City's hopes of signing Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso have been boosted as the Serie A giants close in on a replacement.
THE TIMES
Antonio Rudiger is facing a lengthy ban after throwing an ice cube at the referee in the final moments of Real Madrid's 3-2 Copa del Rey final defeat by Barcelona.
Wrexham are eyeing Premier League stars to help them take their final big step following promotion to the Championship.
DAILY MIRROR
Wrexham's promotion to the Championship comes with an added financial bonus for their famous owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Exeter Chiefs' season from hell plunged even deeper into darkness as they were humiliated by Gloucester, prompting owner Tony Rowe to lay down the law to the squad in the changing room.
THE GUARDIAN
The London Marathon's organisers have hailed an "extraordinary" day in the nation's capital, as the 45th edition beat the world record for number of finishers and attracted record crowds.
THE SCOTTISH SUN
A former Premier League player has tipped Russell Martin for the Rangers job instead of Barry Ferguson.
Scotland star Ben Doak, who has not featured since the end of January, has confirmed that his season is officially over.
DAILY RECORD
Marco Rose is the nailed-on favourite for the Rangers job in the eyes of the bookies.
Liam Kelly admits the Rangers squad can have no complaints if the axe falls this summer.
The Athletic
The second half at Brighton that was a microcosm of West Ham’s calamitous season
By Roshane Thomas
Aaron Wan-Bissaka fell to the ground in shock, Lucas Paqueta shook his head in frustration, exasperation gripped Tomas Soucek and Maximilian Kilman, while Graham Potter stood motionless on the touchline.
West Ham had been leading 2-1 in the 83rd minute against Brighton & Hove Albion, courtesy of Soucek’s header.
But they capitulated, conceding goals from Kaoru Mitoma and Carlos Baleba in the 89th minute and stoppage time. It is the fifth time since March that West Ham have struggled to see out games.
Against Everton on March 15, Jake O’Brien equalised in the 91st minute. On April 5, Bournemouth’s Evanilson made it 2-2 in the 79th minute. On April 13, Virgil van Dijk’s late header gave Liverpool a 2-1 win at Anfield. Last week, Lesley Ugochukwu scored a 93rd-minute leveller in the 1-1 draw with Southampton.
Post-match, Paqueta was helped off the turf by a member of Potter’s backroom staff. While the home fans sang along to ‘Freed From Desire’, those in the away enclosure just wanted to be freed from the Amex Stadium.
Captain Jarrod Bowen and Soucek were crestfallen as they stood in the penalty area looking into the distance. The duo later gave their shirts to supporters but it was little comfort given the manner of the loss.
“We were happy with how we played for 85 minutes,” Soucek told West Ham’s website after the game. “I think we were on it, showed how we wanted to play and what we wanted to show our fans, but obviously, we cannot just switch off and think we have won the game already.
“We have to be focused for 100 minutes, even if there’s a bit of extra time. It just shouldn’t happen. Some people think it’s bad luck, some think it’s a coincidence (that we have lost too many late goals), and some have said other things, but I think it’s all (those things) together.”
West Ham are winless in their last seven Premier League games, their longest such run since January 2023. Their last victory was against Leicester City on February 27. Since replacing Julen Lopetegui as head coach in January, Potter has won only three of his 14 league games, losing seven and drawing four. They remain 17th following the defeat by Brighton ahead of upcoming games against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town.
Discontent is brewing among fans, who expressed their annoyance at Niclas Fullkrug’s non-inclusion in the starting XI. The Germany international was dropped after launching a diatribe against his team-mates following the draw to Southampton.
The 32-year-old, who replaced James Ward-Prowse at half-time, criticised his colleagues for playing negatively as they let two points slip and accused them of having a mindset problem. “Big f****** German, he says what he wants”, “The German’s right, we’re f****** shite” and, “Get the German on the pitch” were among the chants.
Post-match, Potter said the fanbase are entitled to sing what they want.
(Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
Disgruntlement has also heightened because of the team’s frequent lapses in concentration. It is their weakness in the latter stages of games, so much so that it was part of Brighton’s gameplan.
“We mentioned how we wanted to play the last 10 minutes if we needed a goal,” said manager Fabian Hurzeler. “That was impressive because it was an emotional end to the game. We had the belief and we responded well to the two setbacks.”
Before Mitoma’s equaliser, Brajan Gruda is in acres of space before he assists his team-mate.
Kilman is marking Mitoma but loses the forward as he drifts forward in the hope that the assistant referee flags for offside.
But the error from Kilman allowed Brighton to restore parity. Soucek looks towards his team-mate in bemusement, while Bowen slams the turf in anger.
Three minutes later, Diego Gomez plays a short corner to Yankuba Minteh. But there is no immediate urgency from West Ham to close down the attack. It is why Pervis Estupinan urges his colleague to cross the ball into the box. Minteh advances and Alphonse Areola repels the danger.
For Brighton’s winner, Baleba is in possession — but, again, there is no immediate urgency to prevent the midfielder from shooting.
Bowen attempts to block the shot but it is too little, too late.
Against Southampton, Ugochukwu was unmarked before scoring the equaliser. As he advances into the box, he is positioned between Carlos Soler and Evan Ferguson.
But neither anticipates the ball falling to the midfielder…
Before Evanilson’s equaliser in the draw with Bournemouth, Kilman plays their attackers onside during a set piece. This is the clearest example yet of the breakdown in communication between West Ham’s defenders.
Dean Huijsen wins the contesting header and assists an unmarked Evanilson…
Potter suggested his players should be held accountable following their loss against Brighton, his former club.
“There’s a requirement in this league to be physically and mentally strong to see out winning situations in difficult places like Goodison Park, Anfield and here,” said the head coach. “We weren’t able to do so, everything is focused on that, which is a shame because there were lots of good things in the game. But I can’t take solace from that because we’ve lost.
“Honestly, I don’t want to speak about anything positive because I’m in too much pain to talk about positives. No one wants to hear that now, although there were some.
“We’ve lost, two goals have gone in from 35 metres, congratulations to Brighton, we’re suffering. I’m not a robot, I’m a human being as well. I give everything to what I’m doing. Of course I’m going to be upset and frustrated. I have to come here and speak calmly to you guys, but that’s not how I’m feeling inside. If you want me to swear, I can swear.”
It would not be the first time someone associated with West Ham has felt the need to use an expletive.
Sport Witness
West Ham have activated clause to buy player – €8.5m kickback as 20% of deal
There will be quite a few people in the back offices at Barcelona happy that West Ham United will be playing Premier League football next season.
That’s not because there’s a general fondness at the Blaugrana for the Hammers, but more related to financial matters and an indirect boost that the Catalan club will find very useful indeed this summer.
Catalan newspaper Sport today report that West Ham’s clause to buy Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice has become mandatory due to the club securing thir stay in the Premier League.
As far as Sport have it, the London club will be paying the Ligue 1 side around €42m for the defender.
Barcelona sold Todibo to Nice in 2021 and as part of the deal they agreed a clause giving them 20% of a future deal. Sport state that means €8.5m will have to be sent to Barca by June 30th.
That represents a good profit for Barcelona given they paid just €1m to Toulouse when they initially signed Todibo. The low fee was due to the player’s contract running out.
Thanks to the permanent move to West Ham, Barcelona will now have a little more room in their accounts this summer.