Tuesday News (includes West Ham)
Posted: 30 Dec 2025, 11:26
BBC
Bournemouth see Tottenham's 24-year-old Wales forward Brennan Johnson as a potential replacement for Antoine Semenyo, 25, if the Ghana forward leaves the club in January. (Sky Sports), external
However, they face competition from Crystal Palace, who are plotting a £35m bid for the Europa League winner. (Mail), external
Bournemouth are also interested in Leicester City's 21-year-old Ghana winger Abdul Fatawu, who has previously been linked to Crystal Palace, Everton and Sunderland. (Mail), external
Barcelona want to sign Bournemouth's 28-year-old Argentina defender Marcos Senesi on a free transfer next summer. (Sport - in Spanish), external
Liverpool would prefer to wait until the summer to sign Crystal Palace's 25-year-old England defender Marc Guehi, rather than making a move in January. (Mail - subscription required), external
Everton are considering loan moves for Manchester United's 20-year-old England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and his team-mate and Netherlands forward Joshua Zirkzee, 24. (i Paper - subscription required), external
Manchester United are dreaming of bringing Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay, 29, back to Old Trafford from Napoli. (Caught Offside), external
Wolves are interested in Hajduk Split's 22-year-old Canada defensive midfielder Niko Sigur. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Chicago Fire want to sign Barcelona's 37-year-old Poland striker Robert Lewandowski but the MLS side faces competition from Fenerbahce and clubs in Saudi Arabia. (Bild - in German), external
Conor Gallagher is set to leave Atletico Madrid in January, with Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle interested in the 25-year-old England midfielder. (Teamtalk), external
Everton have ruled out a move for Wolves' 25-year-old Norway forward Jorgen Strand Larsen, who has also been linked to West Ham. (Football Insider), external
Leeds have joined Flamengo in the race to sign Lazio's 27-year-old Argentina forward Taty Castellanos. (Calcio Mercato - in Italian), external
Manchester United, Arsenal, Newcastle and Brentford are all keeping an eye on Hoffenheim's 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger Bazoumana Toure. (Caught Offside)
Sky Paper Talk
TRANSFERS
Everton are considering loan moves for Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and forward Joshua Zirkzee, 24 - i Paper.
Liverpool would prefer to wait until the summer to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi on a free transfer - Mail.
Crystal Palace are pushing to get a deal done early for Tottenham forward Brennan Johnson - Mail.
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery wants a wide player that can play on both sides - Mail.
Roma would like to cancel Leon Bailey's loan move from Aston VIlla early - Mail.
Bournemouth are interested in Leicester winger Abdul Fatawu - Mail.
Barcelona want to sign Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi on a free transfer next summer - Sport (Spanish).
Wolves are interested in Hajduk Split defensive midfielder Niko Sigur - Fabrizio Romano.
Chicago Fire want to sign Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski and have met with his agent Pini Zahavi but the MLS side faces competition from Fenerbahce and clubs in Saudi Arabia - Bild.
SCOTTISH FOOTBALL
Former Rangers boss Russell Martin is among the finalists to become the next head coach of MLS side Columbus Crew - Athletic.
The Athletic
Nuno Espirito Santo says West Ham need to ‘rebalance’ squad in January transfer window
Carl Recine/Getty Images
By Roshane Thomas
West Ham United head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has said he needs to “rebalance” his squad during the January transfer window.
The London Stadium club remain in the relegation zone and are five points adrift of safety following their 1-0 home loss to Fulham on Saturday. West Ham are on a seven-game winless run in the Premier League, and have only recorded two victories (against Newcastle United and Burnley) since Nuno succeeded Graham Potter as head coach in late September.
Nuno wants to prioritise signing a defender and striker in January. Toulouse defender Charlie Cresswell is a top target, while there is also interest in Wolverhampton Wanderers No 9 Jorgen Strand Larsen and Slavia Prague forward Mojmir Chytil.
“It (January) is very important,” Nuno said on Saturday in his pre-match press conference ahead of Tuesday’s game against Brighton & Hove Albion. “We need to rebalance our squad but now it’s time to focus on (our next game against) Brighton.
“The club is working (on targets) and when the transfer window is open, we’ll make decisions. Like I said, I think we need to rebalance the squad. There are positions where we need to have more options.”
West Ham are facing multiple departures in the upcoming window, which begins on January 1.
Germany international Niclas Fullkrug is set to join AC Milan on loan. The 32-year-old forward, who has scored three goals across 29 appearances for West Ham following his £27million switch from Borussia Dortmund in August 2024, was given permission to undergo a medical at the Serie A side.
Midfielder James Ward-Prowse, 31, is also set to depart next month having failed to feature in a single matchday squad under Nuno, while fringe players Andy Irving, George Earthy, Luis Guilherme, Mohamadou Kante and Callum Marshall are expected to leave on loan.
West Ham host Brighton on Tuesday before playing winless Wolves and then Nottingham Forest, who are one place and five points clear of Nuno’s side. Summer signing Kyle Walker-Peters has called for unity ahead of a defining period in the club’s season.
“Stick with us,” the 28-year-old full-back told the club’s official website. “I think today (against Fulham) showed that we’re definitely still fighting and have chances to win games. Again, stick with us and we’ll look to put things right on Tuesday.”
Sport Witness
Battle for Kaio Jorge intensifies – Brazilian bid bigger than West Ham’s turned down
By Pedro Reinert
West Ham’s pursuit of Kaio Jorge now faces added pressure from Brazil. Flamengo have entered the race and complicated Cruzeiro’s stance in negotiations.
The information comes from Globo, which detailed the situation behind the scenes.
Flamengo try to use player’s desire
Flamengo believe Kaio Jorge’s personal desire to wear the red-and-black shirt could unlock a deal. The Rio club are betting that the striker may help force a transfer. So far, that strategy has not changed Cruzeiro’s position.
Flamengo submitted an offer worth €30m for Kaio Jorge. They also explored an alternative deal involving Everton Cebolinha plus a lower cash amount. Cruzeiro rejected both proposals.
The Brazilian club made their stance clear. They would only open talks for a fee close to €50m. Club owner Pedro Lourenço is expected to set a new benchmark price.
Why this matters for West Ham
From West Ham’s perspective, the timing is key. The club have already received a clear rejection after signalling a move worth €25m. That response was expected.
As reported in Brazil, the offer was part of a strategy to test Cruzeiro’s stance before returning with a higher proposal.
Flamengo’s approach adds noise, but it does not necessarily change the hierarchy of options. While the striker’s desire to play for Flamengo exists, the pull of the Premier League can still outweigh that factor.
For now, Cruzeiro remain calm. Flamengo have been turned away and European clubs continue to circle. West Ham must now decide whether they are willing to meet a rising valuation driven by competition and strong demand.
West Ham table bid – Hammers want winger within days, negotiations ongoing
By Naveen Ullal
West Ham United have endured a difficult run in the Premier League this season. Their situation hasn’t improved a lot since appointing Nuno Espírito Santo as Graham Potter’s successor in September.
The Hammers have three wins after 18 league matches and are 18th in the table, five points behind 17th placed Nottingham Forest.
West Ham are expected to be active in the winter market to improve chances of staying in the top flight. They have set their sights on Red Bull Salzburg’s Moussa Yeo.
That’s according to Africa Foot, who report the London club have made contact with Red Bull Salzburg for the 21-year-old.
It’s further claimed Nuno Espírito Santo’s side have tabled an €8m offer for the winger. They are working behind the scenes and want to sign him as soon as the January window opens.
Red Bull Salzburg brought the Malian to Europe when they signed him from Guidars FC in 2022.
He has a contract until 2027, but the report states the Austrian club aren’t against parting ways with him.
Africa Foot state Red Bull Salzburg are demanding a 10% sell-on clause. The negotiations are ongoing between the two clubs, likely about this clause.
With Yeo’s side in favour of a sale, West Ham have to convince him to secure his services next month.
Sporting are working on signing West Ham’s Luis Guilherme. Two days ago, Record stated the English club are looking for a permanent transfer and have set at €15-18m price. Yeo could take the Brazilian’s place in Nuno’s squad, at a lower cost.
According to Alan Nixon on his Patreon, West Ham have bid for giant Nigerian striker Rafiu Durosinmi – and he is demanding his club, Viktoria Plzen, let him join the Hammers.