Everton are eyeing a move for Arsenal's English defender Ben White, 28, to solve their problematic right-back issue. (Football Insider), external
Borussia Dortmund are monitoring 22-year-old Norway midfielder Oscar Bobb's situation at Manchester City following the arrival of Ghana winger Antoine Semenyo, 26. (Florian Plettenberg), external
Tottenham remain interested in a move for Atletico Madrid and England midfielder Conor Gallagher, despite Aston Villa being favourites to sign the 25-year-old. (Teamtalk), external
Aston Villa are also showing an interest in Newcastle United's Danish forward William Osula, 22, after being dealt a blow in their pursuit of Real Madrid's Spain Under-21 forward Gonzalo Garcia, 21. (Talksport) , external
Liverpool and Chelsea have been impressed with Como's Spain Under-21 centre-back Jacobo Ramon, with several other Premier League clubs also sending scouts to watch the 21-year-old. (CaughtOffside) , external
Paris FC are among the clubs keen on signing French winger Mathys Tel on loan this month, but Tottenham want the 20-year-old to stay. (Fabrizio Romano) , external
Tottenham sporting director Fabio Paratici is set to leave the club for Serie A side Fiorentina after the January transfer window. (Athletic - subscription required) , external
France centre-back Dayot Upamecano, 27, is set to remain at Bayern Munich until 2031 after ruling out the option of joining Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer. (Fichajes - in Spanish)
Birmingham are set to sign Colombian midfielder Jhon Solis, 21, from La Liga side Girona. (Fabrizio Romano, external)
Blues are closing in on the signing of Gambia winger Abdoulie Manneh, 21, from Swedish side Mjallby. (GiveMeSport), external
Birmingham are also set to battle Preston North End for the signing of Celtic's South Korea international wide-man Yang Hyun-jun, 23. (The Herald - via subscription, external)
Norwich striker Josh Sargent could be set for a move to MLS side Toronto who are preparing a bid of about £13.5m for the US international, 25. (Fabrizio Romano, external)
Southampton keeper Gavin Bazunu is a target for Stoke following Viktor Johansson's injury, with a loan deal for the 23-year-old Republic of Ireland international in the offing, which includes a clause to make the move permanent in the summer. (Irish Independent, external)
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder wants to keep 24-year-old left-back Harrison Burrows, who is reportedly a £3.5m target for Turkish side Trabzonspor. (Yorkshire Post, external)
Sky Paper Talk
PREMIER LEAGUE
Fabio Paratici, Tottenham Hotspur's joint sporting director, is to leave just four months after officially returning to the club following a FIFA ban - The Telegraph
Tottenham will make a decision on the future of Joao Palhinha at the end of the season - Daily Mail
Leeds are maintaining contact over Union Berlin centre-back Danilho Doekhi - Daily Mail
Leicester are weighing up a late move for Birmingham forward Lyndon Dykes - Daily Mail
Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee's proposed mid-season transfer to Roma has collapsed - The Sun
Manchester City star Bernardo Silva will become a free agent when his contract expires in June - The Sun
Nottingham Forest have made a concrete approach for Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen - Daily Express
SCOTTISH FOOTBALL
Rangers have joined the race to sign Wolfsburg winger Andreas Skov Olsen - The Scottish Sun
Celtic have made a move for Lorient striker Mohamed Bamba - The Scottish Sun
EUROPEAN FOOTBALL
Former Barcelona defender Oscar Mingueza has become a target for Real Madrid ahead of the summer transfer window - The Sun
WORLD FOOTBALL
FIFA have no plans to axe controversial Peace Award given to US president Donald Trump following the capture of Venezuelan dictator Maduro - The Daily Mail
Guardian Rumour mill
Daniel Harris
Most footballers become famous for playing the game but others attract renown for not liking it – foremost among the latter category is Arsenal’s Ben White. Accordingly, it would make sense were he to join David Moyes’s Everton, who are seeking to resolve a problematic right-back situation. The chance to follow in the footsteps of Tony Hibbert, typically a huge pull factor, is nullified because White presumably has no idea who he is.
Elsewhere on Merseyside, it appears Liverpool have finally discovered the best way to improve a dodgy defence is not to buss hundreds of millions on attackers, but to have decent defenders. Consequently, they are looking at Como’s Jacobo Ramón – and so too are Chelsea, should the romance of being stockpiled with a 68-year contract prove too alluring to turn down.
Across London, the Brentfordification of Tottenham continues apace with Thomas Frank keen to furnish his long-ball humping with the aimless running and exhibition effort of Conor Gallagher, now out of favour at Atlético Madrid. Naturally, though, the player would prefer to go anywhere else, with Aston Villa the favourites for his signature.
Villa are also interested in Will Osula, Newcastle’s Danish striker, having discovered Gonzalo García would prefer to stay at Real Madrid. The player, though, may decide that being proximate to Eddie Howe is a privilege impossible to abort.
Borussia Dortmund are keeping tabs on Oscar Bobb after Manchester City’s purchase of Antoine Semenyo – a deal which means Pep Guardiola has, in the last 12 months, coached his bosses to spend roughly £450m on new players, most of them replacing others bought through the exact same process. Such is the tortured life of a football genius.
Elsewhere, it looks like Michael Carrick, has “won” the “race” to take over from Ruben Amorim at Manchester United. Having retired from playing in 2018, he would return to Old Trafford to discover United have still not replaced him, becoming the 693rd manager of the Post-Fergie Wilderness Years to try to make a football team good without use of a midfield.
Back to Tottenham, and it appears Fabio Paratici, a pioneer of the suits-whose-names-you-somehow-know era, is leaving for Fiorentina, third-bottom of a Serie A and yet still a more attractive option; the move will happen after the closing of the window. Meantime, Paris FC are interested in taking Mathys Tel on loan, but Spurs would prefer to keep him and his three goals in 19 appearances, presumably so Richarlison and his eight goals in 31 appearances don’t feel lonely.
Guardian
Taty Castellanos edges West Ham past QPR in FA Cup to offer respite for Nuno
Taty Castellanos receives the acclaim of his teammates after scoring for West Ham. Photograph: Bradley Collyer/PA
John Brewin at the London Stadium
Forget the magic of the FA Cup, for West Ham the reality of what is soon likely to be a Championship fixture – an indicator that life in the second tier will be no cakewalk. That QPR took them to extra time will do little for Nuno Espírito Santo’s standing, despite a first win since 8 November.
There were, though, positives to take in the performance of Taty Castellanos, the Argentinian striker who scored the Hammers’ winning goal. Have West Ham at last ended a search for a striker that has lasted almost as long as their London Stadium tenancy? They have looked everywhere.
The other goalscorer, Crysencio Summerville, who supplied the assist for the winner, put in one of his better West Ham performances, too. For one cold afternoon only, the Cup drew a veil over Premier League concerns.
“It feels really nice, so good, really good,” Nuno said, his wait of 64 days for a win ended. “Goals change everything. It’s going to change our week. We can make a step forward. Everything is going to feel better.” Here was uncharacteristic optimism after fresh embarrassment had been averted.
Cheap ticket deals, including kids for a quid, meant the stadium was nowhere near as empty as during the midweek defeat against Nottingham Forest. Youthful voices roared on their Hammers anti-heroes. The contingents from west London were in full voice, too. “We’ll see you all next year,” the QPR crew sang. They have much to tell their east London brethren about supporting a club where Premier League dreams fade to subsistence in the second tier. Their manager, Julien Stéphan, afterwards expressed his pride in “pushing a Premier League team until extra time”.
Among the home fans, the mood was mutinous, as is habitual, with red‑card protests against the stewardship of David Sullivan and Karren Brady, both sets of supporters uniting in the now traditional chorus of the club selling its soul by moving to the former Olympic Stadium. West Ham’s form, and a terrible third‑round record – no club has lost more ties at this stage than the Hammers – gave considerable grounds for optimism.
Crysencio Summerville fires West Ham in front at the end of the first half. Photograph: Ian Stephen/Every Second Media/Shutterstock
The closest anyone came amid early tedium was a stooping header from Rayan Kolli, a buzzy Rangers youth product. West Ham’s first shot did not arrive until the 32nd minute, Summerville cutting inside to force a save from Joe Walsh. Both teams suffered the loss of personnel in that gruelling first half, Rangers’ Koki Saito departing with a muscle problem. West Ham lost Konstantinos Mavropanos to a neck injury that required a motorised stretcher and added nine minutes to the half. “A nasty one,” said Nuno. “We need to assesss him for a couple of days. Hopefully he will be OK.”
Bringing on Pablo Felip as Mavropanos’s replacement ripped up Nuno’s five-man defensive plan, the other new signing partnering Castellanos to mirror Rangers’ 4‑4‑2, adding old-school vibes to a time‑honoured capital city derby. The veteran Steve Cook, partnering with the similarly robust Jimmy Dunne in the Rangers defence, threw in a fine blocking tackle to deny Castellanos.
West Ham had at last found momentum. Pablo Felipe set off on a run and with Castellanos’s help, held off Dunne. Following that, Soungoutou Magassa set up Summerville to score a goal on half-time. Positives in two January signings playing their part, though Summerville registering only his second Hammers goal is an indicator of the success of the club’s other recent transfer business.
More will follow, according to Nuno. “We still need players coming in that can help us,” he said. “We always want them to come in as soon as possible but it is a tricky transfer situation in which to operate.”
Kolli and Richard Kone, QPR’s attacking duo, were more often found chasing down opposition possession than their own team’s attacks. West Ham failed to heed prior warnings. Karamoko Dembélé’s lithe turn of foot and pirouette opened space, and his cross was met by Kone to nod home. “It was an amazing moment,” Stéphan said of the celebrations. “For a moment I felt I was in Loftus Road.”
Neither team pushed recklessly to reach the fourth round in regulation time. Rangers found chances hard to come by, Kone having only a half chance after more good work from the lively Kolli, whose loss to injury was a blow.
Extra time arrived, with West Ham trying far harder to avoid a shootout. Summerville’s speedy run to the line and his good cross found Castellanos in prime position to nod home the winner.
Positive signs indeed. West Ham will require many more in the coming months to avoid a reunion.
The Athletic
Crysencio Summerville helped West Ham stop the rot. Is he the key to their survival?
Crysencio Summerville celebrates scoring against QPR Bradley Collyer - PA Images
By Roshane Thomas
Before entering 2026, Crysencio Summerville wrote down a list of goals on his vision board. He prefers to keep the context of it a secret, but it has fueled his encouraging start to the new year.
Summerville, 24, scored and registered an assist in his side’s third-round extra-time FA Cup victory against London rivals Queens Park Rangers. The attacker was named man of the match, having provided the spark for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side in the 2-1 win. It could have been two goals in successive games for Summerville, but his strike in the 2-1 home loss to Nottingham Forest was ruled out for offside.
Summerville’s goal against Championship opposition was only his second since joining from Leeds United in August 2024, but it meant that bit more for the Dutchman.
A year and one day ago, Summerville injured his left hamstring against Aston Villa in the FA Cup and was sidelined for nine months, enduring setbacks with his rehabilitation. Now, 12 months later, he helped engineer a much-needed win.
“I just try to do my best in the games and I’m trying to show the fans what they’ve been missing in the nine months without Crysencio Summerville,” the winger told The Athletic after the win over QPR.
“This season is personal. We’re not in a great position, but I will try my best to help the team. It (the injury) was a really tough moment for me and my family, but I’m just grateful to God that I’m back.
Crysencio Summerville puts West Ham 1-0 up against QPRAlex Pantling/Getty Images
“Everyone knew that this game would be a boost for us. For our confidence, the fans and hopefully we can take positives from this game. We go into the next match (against Tottenham Hotspur) the same way. Hopefully, we can take the momentum from this win.
Top League Content
“We enjoyed ourselves today and it was a good boost for everyone. We were able to win at home (which West Ham had not done since beating Burnley on November 8), get in the next round, so overall really good.
“I told my close friends: I felt like I really got away with the goal (against Nottingham Forest). From what everyone knows, once I touch the net, I like to keep scoring. Today it went my way, so I’m happy.”
Summerville ended last season with one goal and two assists across 22 appearances. His loyalty was tested in the summer when Forest, then managed by Nuno, enquired about signing him as a replacement for Anthony Elanga, who signed for Newcastle United.
Despite his troubles, Summerville had no interest in leaving. He struggled with consistency during the first half of the season, but is entering an important six-month window for club and country.
Going into Saturday’s league game against Spurs, West Ham are seven points adrift of safety. Summerville will hope to add to his four assists this campaign, having helped new signing Taty Castellanos open his account against QPR. The winger, who has not added a senior cap for the Netherlands to his under-21 appearances, is also aware that club matters could impact long-term aspirations.
“I’m just focusing on West Ham, because it’s on me to perform week in, week out,” Summerville said. “I will earn my spot (for my country) if I perform well and if they want me in the squad. It’s just (about me) focusing on my game. If you do well, then you’ll earn a spot in the national team.”
In the short term, the attacking quartet of Summerville, Castellanos, Pablo Felipe and club captain Jarrod Bowen will be key to West Ham’s survival hopes. In beating QPR, West Ham ended a 10-game winless run.
Of the many nadirs this season — from letting a two-goal lead slip against Bournemouth to their existing run of five defeats in six league games from December 14 — the chastening 3-0 loss against Wolves on January 3 ranks high. Since that game, Nuno has spoken about the importance of having characters in the dressing room. Bowen agrees that Summerville duly answered Nuno’s motivational pleas.
“It’s about people stepping up every single week (and) Cry today was brilliant,” Bowen told TNT Sports. “He was unfortunate the other day that his goal was disallowed but he’s been a real threat. We need that, we need threats from every single person, players coming off the bench as well.
“The situation hasn’t been the one that we’ve wanted, but we have a good group. We know that we’re the only ones that can turn it around, and that started today.”
Talksport
West Ham star wants to leave club in January window amid transfer interest
Alex CrookJake Lambourne
Lucas Paqueta is open to leaving West Ham this month, talkSPORT understands.
The Brazilian midfielder was left out of the squad for Sunday's FA Cup third round win over QPR at the London Stadium.
It is believed that the former Lyon star is keen to return to his homeland after three-and-a-half-years in east London.
Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa also hold historic interest in the 28-year-old, who is tied down at West Ham until 2027.
However, Paqueta prefers a move back to Brazil amid interest from Flamengo.
Pacq-ing it in?
Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo is keen for Paqueta to stay at the club beyond the winter window in his quest to avoid relegation.
West Ham currently sit in 18th spot after 21 games played and face the very real prospect of dropping down to the Championship for the first time since the 2010/11 season.
They are seven points off safety ahead of clashes with Tottenham, Sunderland and Chelsea.
In his fourth season at West Ham, Paqueta has already matched his best goal return in the three Premier League.
Paqueta has fired in four goals - the same tally he managed in each of his first three years in England.
In total, he has found the back of the net on five occasions and registered a solitary assist from 19 games in all competitions.
Only skipper Jarrod Bowen has scored more for West Ham this term.
Paqueta has been regularly linked with a West Ham exit in 2026 after he failed to secure a move away last summer.
Villa offered £47million for his services, but it wasn't the Midlands outfit who he came closest to joining.
The 2023 Europa Conference League winner declared in November that he wanted to join Flamengo, but stayed at West Ham out of loyalty.
He stated that he wanted to show his gratitude to West Ham due to how they backed him during a Football Association investigation into spot-fixing, an allegation he was later cleared of.
Paqueta told Brazilian outlet Globo: "The first moment was when [Marcelo] Braz [former vice president] was still at Flamengo, there was that contact.
“I know of Flamengo's desire, and they know of my desire, my passion for the club, so it's something that always happens.”
He continued: “As soon as I was accused, and the whole trial process was about to begin, Braz came to my house, made the offer, and asked what I thought.
“Obviously, I always want to go back to Flamengo, but at that moment I was still a bit undecided about my decision, about what I was going to do.
“Then I also talked to the West Ham director and said, 'Braz, I want to go back, I know I'll feel good at Flamengo, but I can't be ungrateful to the club that's supporting me so much.'
“They supported me a lot at all times, helped me in various situations, so I couldn't force an exit from a place where I was being welcomed and respected.
“They respected me, my wife, my family. So I said, 'I want you to resolve this.' But yes, this exchange with Flamengo did happen.”
Though Paqueta did declare that he held talks with Flamengo boss Filipe Luis.
He remarked: "Maybe I shouldn't even be saying this, but I had some conversations with Filipe [Luis], who is a friend, in addition to the work he's doing at Flamengo.
"I really expressed my desire to return and also showed it to my agents.
“It was a difficult decision because I'm 28 years old, it's very young, and I still have a lot of market value outside of here. I've been doing my job well, but it was a very strong desire.
“And I tried very hard, but unfortunately, once again, I decided to respect my club, not to force anything, because it's a club that supported me, that I have enormous affection for.
“So I let it happen, and it really didn't. I understood that it wasn't the right time, but I know the doors will always be open for me.
"I know that at some point this return will happen.”
