BBC
Paris St-Germain are interested in a move for Manchester United's 31-year-old Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, who has also been linked with Saudi Arabia side Al-Hilal. (Sports Zone, via Sun)
Manchester United are struggling to find a buyer for English forward Jadon Sancho, 23, with his reported £350,000-a-week wages believed to be putting teams off the £73m signing. (Sun)
Manchester United are monitoring 27-year-old Stuttgart and Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy, who can leave the German side in January for less than 20m euros (£17.25m). (Sky Germany via Sky Sports)
The Saudi Pro League's director of football Michael Emenalo believes it would be hard to convince Liverpool's 31-year-old Egypt forward Mohamed Salah to join the league in January. (Sky Sports)
Spanish former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, 33, has once again fuelled speculation of an imminent return to the Premier League with a cryptic social media post. (Mirror)
Villarreal are interested in Arsenal's 32-year-old Portuguese defender Cedric Soares. (ESPN)
Manchester United will consider sales in January if any deal helps ease their Financial Fair Play concerns and does not unduly weaken manager Erik ten Hag's squad. (Manchester Evening News)
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou wants to sign a new centre-back in the January transfer window. (Standard)
The return to fitness and form of Fulham's 26-year-old English defender Tosin Adarabioyo has stirred interest ahead of the January transfer window. (Mail)
Arsenal and Tottenham both sent scouts to watch 18-year-old Belgian midfielder Arthur Vermeeren play for Royal Antwerp in their stunning Champions League win over Barcelona. (90 Min)
RB Leipzig have again contacted Liverpool to express a desire to keep 21-year-old Portuguese winger Fabio Carvalho, despite the Reds wanting him to return from his loan spell through a lack of playing time. (Fabrizio Romano)
Barcelona boss Xavi, 43, is facing the heat at the Nou Camp after punishing back-to-back defeats, with none of the club's boardroom chiefs giving their support to the Spaniard. (AS - in Spanish)
Ecuador's 16-year-old midfielder Kendry Paez will train with Chelsea next week in the first of a number of settling-in visits. The Blues signed him from Independiente del Valle in the summer with the agreement he will join the club on his 18th birthday. (Telegraph - subscription required)
Sky Paper Talk
THE SUN
Paris Saint-Germain are interested in a move for Casemiro, according to reports.
Manchester United are struggling to shift £73m flop Jadon Sancho.
Millionaire ex-Billericay Town owner Glenn Tamplin, who splashed cash on Premier League stars, is on the run from the cops.
Ivan Toney is said to be "really excited" about the prospect of joining Arsenal, reports suggest.
Juventus are offering Moise Kean in exchange for Arsenal wonderkid Charlie Patino.
DAILY MAIL
Manchester United's women's team have been left frustrated after their head physiotherapist was poached by the men's set-up.
Tosin Adarabioyo's return to fitness and form has stirred interest ahead of the January transfer window.
A host of top European clubs - including Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid - have reportedly sent scouts to watch Mason Greenwood this season.
Andy Farrell has been given the green light to be appointed British & Irish Lions head coach for the first time in Australia in 2025 after he signed a new Ireland deal.
THE ATHLETIC
Liverpool are in discussions with Fabio Carvalho over his future after an unsuccessful loan spell at RB Leipzig.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Wonderkid Kendry Paez will train with Chelsea's first-team squad next week in the first of a series of settling-in visits to England planned by the Premier League club.
Maro Itoje and Jamie George are to hand Steve Borthwick a major boost ahead of the Six Nations Championship by signing contract extensions at Saracens after a historic financial intervention by the Rugby Football Union, who have offered the pair new 'enhanced hybrid contracts' to remain in England.
DAILY EXPRESS
Arsenal right-back Cedric Soares is reportedly wanted by Villarreal in January.
EVENING STANDARD
Chelsea are unperturbed by Victor Osimhen's new contract at Napoli as a release clause included has set the price for a summer raid.
Ange Postecoglou says Tottenham need a new centre-back in January, despite Ben Davies's seamless adaption to the role.
THE TIMES
A club relegated from the Gallagher Premiership with a parachute payment would not be a welcome addition to the Championship next season.
DAILY RECORD
Tiago Arajuo is likely to arrive at Celtic in the New Year, it has been claimed.
Ann Budge and Andrew McKinlay fielded questions from fuming Hearts fans at the club's AGM - defending Steven Naismith from accusations he plays 'horrific' football.
Guardian
Kudus and Álvarez quickly cut down Freiburg to fire West Ham into last 16
Jacob Steinberg at the London Stadium
Mohammed Kudus scores West Ham’s opener against Freiburg to spark the win that sent David Moyes’s side though as group winners. Photograph: Tolga Akmen/EPA
Laying on European football has long been David Moyes’s way of silencing his critics and, while inconsistent domestic form continues to frustrate West Ham’s attempts to push on in the Premier League, they can start planning for another continental adventure after securing first place in their Europa League group with a dominant win over Freiburg.
This was a professional, measured effort from the winners of the Europa Conference League. West Ham needed a point to guarantee progress into the last 16 and avoid a playoff against one of the sides who have dropped down from the Champions League. Moyes had to be impressed with the way his side got the job done during the first half, seeing off a limited challenge from Freiburg with polished goals from Mohammed Kudus and Edson Álvarez.
There was an authority to Moyes’s side. They have become experienced at this level, although it would be welcome if they could replicate their efforts in Europe in the Premier League. The mood had been low after last weekend’s 5-0 hammering by Fulham. Moyes, often accused of being too cautious, had felt the pressure rising before this game. No wonder he was delighted with the quality of the goals by Kudus and Álvarez, while he was also pleased to see no signs of the sickness bug that has swept through the camp in recent weeks. Freiburg were brushed aside in convincing fashion.
“It’s hugely important for us to get breathing space in February and not have midweek games, which we would have had if we’d finished second,” Moyes said. “Qualifying and being in Europe after Christmas is a big achievement, but winning the group three years in a row is big for us. Out of the three years I thought this was the toughest group we had.”
West Ham, who will be at home for the second leg of their last-16 tie, were determined not to relinquish the advantage gained by their 2-1 win in Germany in October. They soon threatened through Kudus targeting Jordy Makengo on the right flank. The opening goal almost arrived when the Ghanaian dribbled past Makengo in the fifth minute and crossed for Lucas Paquetá, whose effort crashed off the bar.
Freiburg did not learn their lesson. With 14 minutes gone Kudus caused more problems for Makengo, this time escaping the left-back by darting inside as West Ham built patiently in midfield. It was a typical move from Kudus but it was too smart for Freiburg. They were too open, too reactive and too slow to pressure the player in possession. Álvarez had time to lift his head and float a pass towards Kudus, who brought the ball down before opening the scoring with a confident finish.
West Ham settled into an easy rhythm after the 23-year-old’s seventh goal since his £38m move from Ajax. Jarrod Bowen had a goal disallowed for offside. Tomas Soucek volleyed over. Emerson Palmieri sent in a dangerous cross.
Eighth in the Bundesliga, Freiburg tried to lift their level. But while Ritsu Doan tested Lukasz Fabianski with a shot from 20 yards, the German side looked soft. They stood off West Ham and let them play. Premier League sides are not as generous.
Edson Álvarez celebrates with Mohammed Kudus after the Mexican scored his first West Ham goal. Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
West Ham capitalised on the extra space. Those supporters who have been calling for Moyes’s side to play with more adventure will have enjoyed the second goal. Álvarez drove forward from his defensive midfield position and linked with Bowen, whose clever pass sent the Mexican through to grab his first West Ham goal by sending an emphatic shot past Noah Atubolu.
It was a relief for Moyes to have the former Ajax midfielder back in the starting line-up. It was surely not a coincidence that West Ham’s structure unravelled when illness forced them to drop Álvarez against Fulham. They need Álvarez protecting their back four – Soucek and James Ward-Prowse do not offer the same level of security – and Moyes could have done without him limping off with a dead leg in the second half.
Still, West Ham could conserve their energy before hosting Wolves on Sunday. Emerson was denied a third by Atubolu and Bowen somehow failed to convert a cross from Vladimir Coufal. At the other end Fabianski saved a low effort from the Freiburg substitute Merlin Röhl.
Freiburg mounted some late pressure but their challenge ended when Fabianski denied Doan. West Ham would not be denied their 10th consecutive home win in Europe.
Telegraph
Edson Alvarez underlines importance to West Ham in Europa League win over Freiburg
Mexican increasingly looking a shrewd signing with latest display ensuring West Ham topped group and avoided tricky last-16 play-off match
Matt Law
Edson Alvarez scored his first West Ham goal since arriving in August Credit: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
West Ham 2 - Freiburg 0
M. Kudus 14’
E. Álvarez 42’
Venue: London Stadium Referee: João Pedro Silva Pinheiro
West Ham United ensured they will not face a potentially difficult Europa League play-off match by topping Group A, as Edson Alvarez returned from illness to underline his importance to David Moyes’ team.
Goals from Mohammed Kudus and Alvarez ensured West Ham finished above Thursday night’s opponents Freiburg and now skip a last-32 play-off round against one of the clubs to have dropped out of the Champions League.
Defeat could have left West Ham facing the prospect of drawing AC Milan, who knocked Newcastle United out of Europe, or Shakhtar Donetsk, but that never looked likely on a comfortable evening for manager David Moyes and his players.
“I think it was unexpected that we would reach the Europa League semi-final last time,” said Moyes. “But we won’t be a surprise to other teams now after winning the Conference League. There are some great sides in this competition, but we’ve done pretty well in the last two years and it would be great for us to do it again. To finish top of our group for three successive seasons is a great achievement.”
West Ham shook off the effects of the bug they claimed had contributed to the 5-0 thrashing at Fulham to control their final group game against Freiburg. Alvarez missed the trip to Craven Cottage, but the midfielder made a telling impact on his return.
A £35 million signing, Alvarez increasingly looks a smart bit of business by West Ham and demonstrated he is not just a stopper by assisting and scoring goals in what must rank as one of his best performances for the club so far.
Alvarez’s goal was his first for West Ham, following his summer move from Ajax, while Kudus, who also arrived from the Dutch club, has now netted seven times for the club.
There was much to admire about West Ham’s 14th-minute opener, when Alvarez played a wonderful ball over the top of the Freiburg defence. Kudus timed his run perfectly, controlled the ball on his chest, dummied to shoot and then found the back of the net.
Kudus sat on one of the advertising boards in celebration and Lucas Paqueta had already rattled the crossbar with a first-time shot before the deadlock was broken.
Jarrod Bowen had a goal correctly disallowed for offside, but West Ham doubled their lead before half-time and this time it was Alvarez who broke his duck for the London club.
The Mexican played a brilliant one-two with Bowen and beat Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu. That earned him an early rest as he went off to a loud ovation shortly after the restart.
HITC
Freiburg boss raves about two West Ham stars and one has ‘fantastic quality’
Dan Owen
Freiburg coach Christian Streich was keen to highlight the ‘fantastic quality’ of Lucas Paqueta and the brilliance of Mohammed Kudus following Thursday’s 2-0 Europa League defeat at West Ham United.
David Moyes’ side needed to win if they were to leapfrog Freiburg and into top spot in Group A. And they certainly made sure of that, racing into a 2-0 lead by half-time and exercising some of the ghosts which left a rather haunted expression on the face of the West Ham supporters following that five-goal hammering by Fulham a few days earlier.
Edson Alvarez, sorely missed at Craven Cottage, was back and brilliant against Freiburg. The Mexican international set up Mohammed Kudus’ opener with a beautifully-weighted clipped pass and then scored the second after a clever one-two with Jarrod Bowen.
Lucas Paqueta, meanwhile, tends to save his best performances for Europe and this was no different. A typical display of class and creativity, Paqueta nearly followed up his Olympiakos wondergoal with another stunner, rattling the Freiburg bar with a fierce volley.
And Streich had no complaints about the final result, his perennial overachievers undone by the superior individual quality at Moyes’ disposal.
“It’s difficult to shut the gaps down. (Freiburg defender) Jordy Makengo was playing against a top player like Kudus,” Streich says, in quotes reported by the Irish News. “Lucas Paqueta has got fantastic quality, and I could really mention the whole team.
“If you don’t play at the highest level, it is hard to play against a team at the level of West Ham.”
The Europa Conference League holders now have the luxury of skipping a play-off tie against one of the third-place Champions League teams dropping down from above, instead securing a place in the last-16 at Freiburg’s expense.
And Moyes was keen to sign the praises of both Alvarez and Kudus, the former Ajax team-mates bringing their tenacity and technique to the London Stadium.
“(Alvarez) did great,” Moyes smiles. “The assist for the first one was a great pass. Then, he did a great bit of link up with Jarrod and scores a big goal. So I’m really pleased for him tonight.
“The two of them (Kudus and Alvarez) have made great contributions already. Mainly Mohammed with goals and Edson with other elements, and the two will get better.
“They’ve both settled in really well and they’ve done a good job.”
FLW
West Ham eyeing move for Southampton star
By Adam Jones
Walker-Peters seems to be on David Moyes' radar ahead of January.
The English full-back, who has appeared for his country at a senior level before, looked destined to depart St Mary's during the summer transfer window.
Not only is he a top-quality player - but the Saints weren't against letting some key players leave during the previous window and that could have opened the door for Walker-Peters to secure an exit.
Despite being linked with Arsenal though, the 26-year-old stayed put on the south coast beyond the end of the previous window and that was a real boost for Russell Martin considering the quality he has.
Ryan Manning may have come in as a full-back option - but Tino Livramento's departure made Walker-Peters' presence vital and there are no guarantees that the latter will move on in January either.
TalkSPORT believes the Irons are keen to add a full-back to their squad to compete with Vladimir Coufal and Emerson Palmieri - and Walker-Peters has been identified as a potential option by officials at the London Stadium.
Kyle Walker-Peters' situation at Southampton
Making 21 league appearances this term and registering two goals and two assists in the process, the 26-year-old has been a key player under Martin.
Like many other players at St Mary's, it has taken him a while to adapt to Martin's style of play, but he is currently doing well and is playing enough to put himself in the shop window ahead of next month.
C&H
West Ham have signed Fabianski to another year
That really should come as no surprise after a series of fine games in the absence of Alphonse Areola and his previous record at the club which has been outstanding since his arrival from Swansea five years and over 170 appearances ago for £7 million, Despite the Pole reaching 39 years of age in April the Hammers rate him very highly indeed and the club confirmed to Claret and Hugh exclusively this morning the deal has now been done
It was only this season that he was relegated to No 2 behind Areola and beyond a bleat about the way it was done in the early stages Fab has been as professional as ever, accepting the decision properly and professionally.
Areola has been excellent since being promoted to the No 1 job but Fab has regularly shown the club are now very swell, served with two keepers who are more than capable of doing a job at European and Premier League level and there are few out there who could do a better job whilst costing silly transfer fees.
Our key Hammers source explained exclusively to us: “Yes, we have given Fab another year and it is well deserved. He is still an absolutely top keeper.”
