BBC
Manchester United are preparing a £45m bid for Everton's England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, 29. (Star Sunday)
Manchester United are expected to increase their bid for Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount to £50m, having had an initial £40m offer for the England international rejected. (Mail on Sunday)
Chelsea have asked Inter Milan if they would include Italy midfielder Nicolo Barella, 26, in a swap deal that would see Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku, 30, make a permanent move to Italy. (Corriere dello Sport - in Italian)
Newcastle United have added Chelsea's Spain left-back Marc Cucurella, 24, to their list of summer transfer targets. (Sunday Mirror)
Chelsea may offer England midfielder Conor Gallagher, 23, to Brighton as part of a deal to sign Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo, 21. (Observer)
Liverpool and Chelsea have inquired about Celta Vigo's 21-year-old Spanish midfielder Gabri Veiga. (Fabrizio Romano)
Al-Hilal have agreed personal terms with Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly, 31, over a potential move from Chelsea. (Ekrem Konur)
Chelsea are also looking to sell Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 33, Morocco winger Hakim Ziyech, 30, and Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, 31, to Saudi clubs. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish)
Paris St-Germain have spoken to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta about becoming their new coach, with talks having broken down with former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann. (RMC Sport - in French)
PSG also have former Spain boss Luis Enrique, Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso and Bologna manager Thiago Motta among their candidates to replace current boss Christophe Galtier. (L'Equipe, via Get French Football News)
Brentford's Spain goalkeeper David Raya, 27, has agreed personal terms with Tottenham. (Fabrizio Romano)
Raya, whose deal with Brentford runs out next summer, says the Bees "are asking for a lot of money" for him and "that could make clubs not want to buy me". (Times - subscription required)
Liverpool are interested in Netherlands midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, 21, who has voiced his discontent at his lack of playing time at Bayern Munich last season. (Bild - in German)
West Ham have launched an enquiry for Everton's 20-year-old English defender Jarrad Branthwaite. (Football Insider)
Real Betis want to agree a permanent deal for Spanish forward Ayoze Perez, 29, who joined on loan from Leicester City in January. (AS - in Spanish)
Real Betis are also interested in signing Manchester United's 29-year-old Ivory Coast defender Eric Bailly, who spent last season on loan at Marseille. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish)
Spain midfielder Marc Roca is set to leave Leeds United to join Real Betis on a season-long loan. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish)
Bayern Munich say they have no intention of selling Joshua Kimmich and criticised Barcelona for 'flirting' with the Germany midfielder, 28. (Sky Sport Germany, via Goal)
Barcelona coach Xavi is interested in a deal that would see Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessie, 26, join Inter Milan, with Croatia midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, 30, heading in the other direction. (Sport - in Spanish)
After terminating his contract at Real Madrid, former Belgium forward Eden Hazard, 32, is considering a return to his homeland to play alongside his younger brother Kylian at RWD Molenbeek. (Sacha Tavolieri)
Jordi Alba has agreed a contract with Inter Miami after leaving Barcelona but the Spain full-back, 34, still has offers from Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan and the Saudi league. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish)
Sky Paper Talk
THE SUN ON SUNDAY
A sensational report has claimed that Paris Saint-Germain have held talks with Arsenal's Mikel Arteta over becoming their new manager.
Marcus Rashford will become Manchester United's top earner with a new £375,000-a-week deal.
Newcastle are interested in signing Chelsea flop Marc Cucurella, according to reports.
Relegated Southampton are demanding £15m for Nathan Tella.
Everton and Marseille look set to battle it out for Sheffield United star Iliman Ndiaye.
Lewis Hamilton has been handed a major F1 championship boost as he closes in on signing a new £100m contract with Mercedes.
SUNDAY MIRROR
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford remains a leading candidate to replace David de Gea at Old Trafford, with Manchester United readying a £45m bid.
Cody Gakpo now considers himself to be a centre-forward - and that could be bad news for Liverpool's £85m Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez.
Bayern Munich have issued a hands-off warning to Barcelona and Man City as the duo eye a move for Joshua Kimmich.
SUNDAY EXPRESS
Arsenal are said to be 'very confident' that they will complete the signings of Kai Havertz and Declan Rice this summer. The Gunners are in the advanced stages of negotiations with both players and remain strong favourites to snap up their top priority targets.
James Maddison is reportedly open to joining either Tottenham or Newcastle this summer as he looks to secure Premier League football next season following Leicester City's relegation to the Championship.
Liverpool have five midfield stars on their shortlist as new transfer chief Jorg Schmadtke is hoping to land his first signing since moving to Anfield.
MAIL ON SUNDAY
Manchester United are expected to make an improved £50m offer for Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount this week.
The £2.3billion proceeds from the sale of Chelsea more than a year ago may not reach victims of Russia's war on Ukraine this year, or perhaps at all, with Roman Abramovich reluctant to sign off the funds.
Man Utd and Man City both have an astonishing 120,000 fans on their season ticket waiting lists.
Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga is a target for Burnley.
SUNDAY TELEGRAPH
Chelsea are preparing to pay around £30m to secure the signing of Villarreal forward Nicolas Jackson, with the deal advancing quickly.
A "world-changing" Ukraine aid foundation left in limbo over £2.3bn of frozen funds from the sale of Chelsea FC is calling on ministers to stand up to the EU over the delays.
DAILY STAR SUNDAY
Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr are closing in on a deal for a Middle East showdown.
THE OBSERVER
Chelsea will step up their attempts to sign the Brighton midfielder Moisés Caicedo and the Villarreal striker Nicolas Jackson this week.
THE SCOTTISH SUN ON SUNDAY
Brendan Rodgers is in line to finally be confirmed as the new Celtic boss on Monday.
SUNDAY MAIL
Mo Elyounoussi has opened the door to a Celtic return as he talked up the arrival of Brendan Rodgers.
Fiorentina News
The opportunity for revenge on West Ham for Fiorentina: Boulaye Dia is up for grabs
Among the alternatives being examined by the Fiorentina managers from an attacking perspective, there is also the name of Boulaye Dia, who came on in particular after the hat-trick against the Viola team in the match in Salerno. The name is well established in the notebooks according to Corriere dello Sport but not only in the purple ones and the competition bears the name of important clubs: above all that of West Ham, the fresh "usurper" of the Conference League. For Fiorentina it could be an opportunity for revenge on the transfer market.
The P&J
Aberdeen ref was beaten up by Polish team’s fans when West Ham won the ‘riot’ of New York
There were amazing scenes when Aberdeen referee Jim McLean was in charge when West Ham United and Górnik Zabrze clashed in a New York tournament.
Bobby Moore shakes hands with his Polish counterpart as Jim McLean stands in the middle. Image: Steve Marsh.
Aberdeen janitor Jim McLean became a referee in the world’s first football super league and got beaten up for his troubles.
McLean proved Scottish football bosses wrong after being struck off the referees list in 1948 for being “too old” to handle senior games.
He left his job as a janitor at an Aberdeen school and emigrated to America at the enforced end of a long career in the Scottish League.
McLean became a caretaker with a New York bank.
He continued his refereeing career in America to such good effect that he was a US nomination to handle World Cup games in the 1950 finals in Brazil.
McLean took charge of big matches
McLean’s growing reputation saw him take charge when teams from England and Scotland started to be invited to tour North America in the 1950s.
He was the referee when Aberdeen played Everton in New York in 1956 when the Dons were box-office material by virtue of their league success a year earlier.
McLean was also in charge when Hearts defeated Manchester City 6-5 in 1958 at Ebbets Field in New York, which was the home of the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Hearts lifted the Empire State Cup after winning the three-game series and McLean described them as the “best touring side seen in America”.
The International Soccer League was created in 1960 by William Cox, a wealthy US businessman and former owner of the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team.
The ISL was the first modern attempt to create a major soccer league in the US and featured guest teams primarily from Europe but also Asia, South America, Canada and Mexico.
In addition to the imported teams, the league included, for several seasons, a team representing the United States, called the New York Americans or the New Yorkers.
The summer competition format consisted of two sections with the winners going forward to play a two-legged championship match to decide the league’s winners.
Over the league’s six-year run, a total of 60 teams played in the competition, including Bayern Munich, Sampdoria, Sporting Lisbon and Dukla Prague.
McLean was in charge for the second-leg of the August 1963 play-off match at Randall’s Island Stadium in New York between West Ham United and Górnik Zabrze.
The first-leg finished 1-1 – leaving the match on a knife-edge.
‘There was pandemonium’
Trouble broke out after McLean ruled two Górnik Zabrze goals offside on 62 and 69 minutes with West Ham leading 1-0 from a Geoff Hurst strike just before half-time.
McLean ended up with face cuts, broken dentures and a torn shirt when 200 exiled Polish fans leapt the railings and invaded the pitch to attack him.
Geoff Hurst had given West Ham the lead in New York when trouble started. Image: Shutterstock.
The Daily Herald described the “amazing scenes”.
The report stated: “In the second half hundreds of fans invaded the pitch, tore referee Jim McLean’s shirt off his back and broke some of his teeth.
“This followed the referee’s decisions, ruling out two Górnik goals for offside.
“McLean was pursued by howling spectators, jostled and hit.
“I saw several blows struck.
“One linesman was sent staggering from a rabbit punch when a fanatic leaped the railings surround the pitch.
“The large Polish contingent threw beer cans.
“There was pandemonium.
“The trouble began when Erwin Wilczek sent a header into the net and the goal was disallowed.
“A linesman flagged for offside and I thought two Poles were out of position.
The West Ham side in 1963 was one of the best in Europe at the time. Image: Shutterstock.
“Then Wilczek shot into the net and the linesman signalled for a goal but I thought the referee gave a good decision in ruling him offside.
“Supporters carrying the Polish flag invaded the pitch and fought madly with security guards.
“Over the loudspeakers came warnings that the game would be abandoned unless the row was stopped.”
Despite appeals from Górnik’s club president to the Polish fans to restore order the game was held up for half an hour, during which time the players left the pitch.
Police made three arrests and cleared the pitch before the final 21 minutes were played with a linesman taking over from the injured McLean.
The Hammers were able to hold on to their slender lead to win the play-off 2-1 on aggregate.
West Ham manager Ron Greenwood said afterwards that what happened was “unfortunate” but he was in no doubt that McLean’s decisions were correct.
West Ham star recalls attack in 1963 Gornik Zabrze game
West Ham midfielder Eddie Bovington, who is now 82, came on for Alan Sealey during the match, which was played in a 78 degree heat in New York.
He told me: “The US tour was done in two visits – one for qualifying and the other to play the major games.
“I missed the first tour as I was getting married.
“It was my first time in the US and I remember going to Jack Dempsey’s bar in New York and the steam rising from the manhole covers.
“I was back for the game against Górnik and I will never forget the riot.
“It was quite scary but in the end the players saw that the Górnik supporters had no intention of hurting them.
“They wanted to take their frustration out on the official.”
Eddie Bovington has been recalling the events in New York. Image: Shutterstock.
McLean put the incident behind him and the development of soccer in America was to provide him with many of the most memorable moments of his career.
Although he was a football referee, his “proper” day job Monday to Friday was security caretaker with a bank in New York, before he retired at the age of 69.
McLean died in New York in the 1980s, aged 76, and the headline of his obituary article described him as “the man who proved Scottish football bosses wrong”.
The 4th Official
West Ham United Eyeing Summer Swoop For This French Midfield Ace: A Replacement For Rice?
If a report from L’Equipe is believed to be true, West Ham United are eyeing a summer swoop for Youssouf Fofana. Despite conquering the UEFA Europa Conference League crown, the Hammers are destined to lose skipper Declan Rice amid interest from Arsenal and Manchester City. However, they have identified the Frenchman as his potential successor in the centre of the pitch.
Monaco’s French midfielder Youssouf Fofana (L) fights for the ball with Toulouse’s French defender Moussa Diarra (R) during the French L1 football match between AS Monaco and Toulouse FC at the Louis II Stadium (Stade Louis II) in the Principality of Monaco on June 3, 2023. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP) (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
The 24-year-old Les Bleus international progressed through the academy ranks of Espérance Paris 19ème, Red Star, Drancy and Strasbourg before breaking into the latter’s senior side in August 2018. He then joined Monaco for a fee of around €15m and has so far appeared 140 times across competitions.
Although Monaco had a disastrous season, they are likely to play hardball for their prized asset. Fofana’s contract expires in 2024, but his current suitors are likely to trigger a one-year extension beyond next summer. According to the French outlet, the Irons must pay €35m to secure his services prior to the upcoming campaign.
Why West Ham United Must Snap Up Fofana
West Ham United have shown a massive resurgence under David Moyes. They had a forgettable league run, but the success in Europe depicts their progress in recent years. An array of new names have been brought in to bolster the squad and the majority of their signings are doing well across the field in all competitions.
Moyes prefers a 4-2-3-1 with Rice and Tomas Soucek featuring as the ‘double pivot’ deep down the midfield. Flynn Downes, signed from Swansea City, was roped in last summer to add depth in the middle of the park. However, Rice’s exit would leave a massive void given his impact and influence over the years.
Fofana is regarded for his energy and athleticism as a box-to-box option. Moreover, his physicality should see him excel in Premier League if a transfer to East London takes place in the due course of time. His holding and dribbling traits have helped him flourish as a deep-lying playmaker and the all-round ability of his game must be explored by the Hammers. Less than one-third of Rice’s asking fee should be enough to snap up the young midfielder.
The Monaco ace has earned 9 senior international caps so far including a substitute appearance in last year’s World Cup final. A player of his potential must try his luck stepping out of his comfort zone and the high-flying Londoners would offer him a great opportunity to rise and shine in English football.
