Tuesday News (includes West Ham)
Posted: 23 Dec 2025, 11:13
BBC
Manchester United have shortlisted seven midfielders to sign, with a loan deal for Atletico Madrid's 25-year-old England international Conor Gallagher in January being one of the more feasible options. (Talksport), external
Tottenham have ended their pursuit of Bournemouth and Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo. However, the 25-year-old is still of interest to Manchester City and Manchester United, while Liverpool are weighing up their options following Alexander Isak's injury. (Sky Sports), external
Semenyo, who has a release clause of £60.5m, may have made a decision on his future on Monday. (Mail), external
Aston Villa have made contact with out-of-favour 24-year-old Wales and Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson's representatives, in whom Crystal Palace are also interested. (Teamtalk), external
Chelsea are open to sending France defender Axel Disasi, 27, to AC Milan in the January transfer window, but the Italian club are holding off while they assess their options. (Football Italia), external
Chelsea and Manchester City are both interested in England youth international winger Jeremy Monga, 16, and could look to recruit him from Championship side Leicester in January. (Teamtalk), external
Roma have made a 5m euro (£4.4m) offer to bring in Manchester United and Netherlands forward Joshua Zirkzee, 24, in January, plus a further 30m euros (£26.2m) in June to make the deal permanent. (Il Messaggero - in Italian), external
Newcastle United are continuing negotiations with German side Eintracht Frankfurt over a loan deal with an option to buy for forward William Osula. The 22-year-old wants the move to the Bundesliga and is waiting for the clubs to reach an agreement. (Florian Plettenburg), external
Manchester United and Newcastle United have shortlisted Portugal midfielder Ruben Neves, 28, with Al-Hilal believed to be open to a January sale. (Caught Offside), external
Real Madrid's 19-year-old Brazil forward Endrick is set to join Lyon on a six-month loan deal. (ESPN), external
Bayer Leverkusen are exploring a deal to sign Brighton's 17-year-old English winger Harry Howell, with other German clubs also interested. (Florian Plettenberg), external
Chelsea's top midfield target for January is Lille's 18-year-old French midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. (Caught Offside)
Sky Paper Talk
PREMIER LEAGUE
Manchester United are prepared to invest in a new midfield partnership next summer with Alex Scott added to a shortlist including Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson - The Sun
Manchester United have shortlisted seven midfielders to sign, with a loan deal for Atletico Madrid's 25-year-old England international Conor Gallagher in January being one of the more feasible options. - talkSPORT
Steven Gerrard has opened the door to a Liverpool return, but insisted he does not want Arne Slot to lose his job. - The Sun
Leo Castledine's red-hot form on loan at Huddersfield Town could lead to a Championship move in the January transfer window as second-tier clubs line up for the young Chelsea midfielder. - Daily Mirror
West Ham are continuing discussions over a proposed move for Fulham winger Adama Traore - Daily Mail
England and the Netherlands are locked in an international tug-of-war over one of England's most promising academy players, 15-year-old Emmanuel Fejokwu - Daily Mail
Tottenham Hotspur have not had an approach from Fiorentina, despite strong reports in Italy claiming Fabio Paratici is poised to accept a five-year deal to become the Serie A club's director of football - Daily Mail
EUROPEAN FOOTBALL
Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Liverpool are interested in Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise - BILD
The contract of Real Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal, which expires on June 30, will not be extended. - El Nacional
SCOTTISH FOOTBALL
Celtic have reportedly emerged as the frontrunners to finally secure a January transfer for one of their key summer targets in Louis Munteanu - The Sun
Eintracht Frankfurt are reportedly preparing a bid for Tromso midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl. The Norwegian youth international has been on Rangers radar with January approaching. - Daily Record
C&H
Křetínský linked with Czech striker bid
Reports linking West Ham to Sparta Prague forward Albion Rrahmani postulate that Daniel Křetínský might have become involved in supporting Nuno’s search for a new striker, with the player emerging as a possible January target for West Ham.
Standing at 6ft 2, the Kosovo international is a classic target man. Since joining Sparta from Romanian Ligue 1 side Rapid București in 2024, he has scored 12 goals in 41 appearances, having previously netted 18 times in 28 matches for the Romanian club. On the international stage, he has produced 6 goals in 21 appearances for Kosovo since making his debut in 2023.
Rrahmani is capable of operating across the front line.
Featuring on both wings when required, though he is most effective as a central striker.
Sparta rejected a €6m bid from Lyon last summer, but at 25 years old he is not expected to command a significant fee. If completed, the move would mark the first transfer between Sparta and West Ham since Křetínský became a shareholder in 2021.
Another potential name from the Czech league mentioned by ExWHU Employee recently is Viktoria Plzeň’s Nigerian striker Rafiu Durosinmi. At 6ft 4, he offers a similarly imposing physical presence and has scored 13 goals in 30 appearances this season.
The 22‑year‑old previously came close to joining Eintracht Frankfurt, but the deal collapsed after he suffered a devastating injury—tearing the ACL in both knees. Following surgeries in early 2024, he spent over a year sidelined before returning to action in February 2025. With his contract expiring in June 2026, Plzeň are expected to be open to a January sale.
Claret & Hugh believes a long list of targets have been identified by Head of Technical Recruitment and Analysis, Max Hahn and his wider team, and with David Sullivan firmly involved in the process, the club Chairman will know that all eyes will be on him over the next few weeks.
Sport Witness
Offers from Sunderland and West Ham desired – Near desperation for transfer
Gazzetta dello Sport reported on Monday that AS Roma are offering Sunderland and West Ham a chance to sign Artem Dovbyk.
Florent Ghisolfi has connections at Roma, having been there before Sunderland. The Italian media believe those connections can help Sunderland agree a deal.
There was no word on the stance of West Ham and Sunderland about the striker, with more now emerging.
Gazzetta dello Sport report the two clubs like the Ukrainian, and he can definitely leave Roma in January.
The Italian side see the 28-year-old’s sale as quite important for their own plans. They want a striker who guarantees goals and Dovbyk’s sale will bring in funds.
West Ham and Sunderland must pay €22m plus bonuses for the former Girona man, who welcomes the potential transfer. Roma are now waiting for offers to arrive.
Roma are desperately trying to earn money from a player who they believe is highly valued in the market. Evan Ferguson is only on loan from Brighton, so they can’t get cash from him.
A Premier League club turning up with a big offer would be perfect. Given that, Roma pushing the player to clubs like Sunderland and West Ham is likelier the case then them chasing.
The Ghisolfi connection may well be being used by Roma, rather than Sunderland pursuing independently.