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BBC
Bayern Munich are in talks with Tottenham and England defender Eric Dier, 29, as one of several centre-back options. (Athletic - subscription required)
Manchester United will pay the majority of Jadon Sancho's wages if the 23-year-old England winger returns to Borussia Dortmund on loan. (i Sport)
Arsenal have expressed an interest in signing AC Milan and England centre-back Fikayo Tomori, 26. (Football Transfers)
Juventus have pulled out of the race to sign 28-year-old Manchester City and England midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who is also wanted by Newcastle United. (Sun)
West Ham are open to selling 27-year-old Morocco defender Nayef Aguerd this month, if manager David Moyes can secure a replacement before the transfer window closes. (Standard)
Roma and AC Milan have made a move to sign Aguerd, who is valued at £30m by the Hammers. (CaughtOffside)
Crystal Palace and former France Under-21 winger Michael Olise, 22, is being closely monitored by Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City. (Football Insider)
Spanish side Villarreal have renewed their interest in 22-year-old Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri, with Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag willing to let the Uruguay international leave. (Sun)
Tottenham will face competition from Napoli to sign Genoa's Romanian defender Radu Dragusin, 21. (ESPN)
Spurs will make English defender Djed Spence, 23, available for transfer after Leeds United cut short his loan spell.(Mail)
Turkish side Fenerbahce are keen on signing Manchester United and France forward Anthony Martial, 28. (Takvim - in Turkish)
Brighton have activated a $10m (£7.9m) release clause for Boca Juniors and Argentina Under-20 defender Valentin Barco, 19, who has also been linked with Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid. (TyC Sports - in Spanish)
Aston Villa and Brighton are interested in Leeds United's 22-year-old Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville. (Football Insider)
Roma boss Jose Mourinho has denied having contact with the Brazil Football Confederation with a view to taking the national team job in July 2024. (ESPN)
Nottingham Forest are interested in Wolverhampton Wanderers and Portugal goalkeeper Jose Sa, 30. (Football Transfers)
Celtic and Rangers are both monitoring Nottingham Forest and Scotland defender Scott McKenna, 27. (Sky Sports)
Brentford are set to sign Turkey Under-18 midfielder Yunus Emre Konak, 17, from Turkish Super Lig side Sivasspor. (Goal - in Turkish)
Sevilla have made an official approach to Chelsea for 21-year-old Ivory Coast forward David Datro Fofana to join them immediately in a loan deal. (Fabrizio Romano)
Sky Paper Talk
THE TIMES
Bayern Munich have reached an agreement in principle with Eric Dier about a move from Tottenham Hotspur to the Bundesliga this month.
Borussia Dortmund are expecting Jadon Sancho to join them on their winter training camp this weekend after they agreed a deal in principle to re-sign the Manchester United winger on loan for the rest of the season.
A former adviser to Spain's anti-doping association (CELAD) this week blew the whistle, revealing that over the past five years, several hundred violations have been covered up, lost or filed without any action.
THE ATHLETIC
Owen Beck will be denied the chance to make an immediate impact back at Liverpool in the FA Cup third round tie at Arsenal on Sunday with the young full-back serving a suspension.
Bill Foley has said that Hollywood star Michael B. Jordan will be designing a kit for Bournemouth.
Dagenham & Redbridge's American owners, a group that includes former USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard, are putting their shares in the National League club up for sale.
Young Liverpool goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga has joined League of Ireland Premier Division outfit St Patrick's Athletic on loan until the end of the season.
Wolves striker Sasa Kalajdzic is poised to join Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt on loan for the rest of the season.
THE GUARDIAN
Erik ten Hag is secure at Manchester United for the foreseeable future unless he oversees a run of particularly dire results, because the immediate priority for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford is to get to the bottom of what is required to turn the club around.
Rafael Nadal's grand slam return at the Australian Open is up in the air following an injury scare to the same hip that required career-saving surgery.
DAILY MAIL
Fenerbahce are reportedly looking to strengthen their squad by signing Man United forward Anthony Martial with the Turkish club submitting a first offer of £6.8m (€8m) to sign the 28-year-old.
Burnley defender Charlie Taylor has been declared bankrupt due to unpaid bills. The 30-year-old left-back, who earns around £30,000-a-week at Turf Moor, is understood to have been issued with a bankruptcy order last year and is in the process of having it annulled.
Manchester City will once again refuse to wear Emirates sleeve patches in their FA Cup fixtures this season because of a clash with sponsor Etihad.
Tottenham will make Djed Spence available for transfer following his unexpected return from a loan spell at Leeds amid concerns over his attitude.
Nottingham Forest are set to limit their big-spending ways during this transfer window as they wait to learn whether they will be charged with breaking spending rules.
Skelmersdale United manager Pascal Chimbonda has sensationally been registered to play for the ninth-tier club after seeing his five-match stadium ban reduced.
Norwich City co-owner Delia Smith claimed she was 'saddened' that Ipswich Town had not yet apologised to her after a can was thrown at her car ahead of their 2-2 draw last month.
Tyler Adams is expected to return to action for Bournemouth between the end of February and early March, says owner Bill Foley.
Mike Ashley's takeover of Yorkshire fell through because the ECB refused to replace Castore as England's kit manufacturer with his brand Slazenger.
Emma Raducanu is expected to make another change to her coaching arrangements with childhood mentor Nick Cavaday on duty at the Australian Open.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Northumbria Police have launched one of the "largest police operations ever conducted" in the region as 6,000 Newcastle United supporters prepare to descend on Sunderland's Stadium of Light this weekend.
Manchester City have been hit with a High Court claim from fashion brand Superdry alleging trademark infringement on the team's training kit.
The Rugby Football Union has been forced to deliver a six-figure payout to England players after a dispute over the match fees for the World Cup third-place play-off.
Exeter Chiefs Women have been forced to drop an array of international players this weekend to avoid a five-point deduction from the Rugby Football Union.
The two MPs involved in Wimbledon's controversial expansion plans, Stephen Hammond and Fleur Anderson, have claimed the proposed development "totally disrespects the protected status of the land".
DAILY MIRROR
Brentford appear resigned to losing Ivan Toney with the club yet to even engage in new contract talks amid interest from Arsenal.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is looking to land the signing of Newcastle chief Dan Ashworth and is prepared to pay whatever figures the Magpies demand.
A huge security operation involving a convoy of 120 buses will be launched for the Wear-Tyne derby - with Eddie Howe and a police leader urging calm.
Fulham have been offered the chance to sign Liverpool legend Roberto Firmino, who could leave Saudi Arabia in the January transfer window.
Manchester United are lining up a move for Girona left-back Miguel Gutierrez - almost three years since he rejected ex-Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho for a second time.
THE SUN
Villarreal have reignited their interest in Facundo Pellistri as the Manchester United winger chases more game-time.
Crystal Palace, Wolves and Brentford are eyeing Bromley midfielder Ben Krauhaus.
Arsenal have reportedly approached Everton over a potential deal for Amadou Onana - but they may have to cough up a huge fee to sign him.
Manchester United have recalled striker Charlie McNeill from his doomed loan spell at Stevenage.
DAILY STAR
Wales international Charlie Savage is in demand with Derby, Stockport and an unnamed Championship club all chasing the Reading midfielder's signature.
EVENING STANDARD
Arsenal are considering a summer move for Ajax teenager Jorrel Hato.
Sevilla want Chelsea to help them hijack David Datro Fofana's loan spell at Union Berlin.
West Ham are open to selling defender Nayef Aguerd this month, if David Moyes can secure a replacement before the transfer window closes.
Fulham are ready to extend Kenny Tete's contract by a year to maintain his value should any overseas clubs try to poach him in January.
DAILY EXPRESS
Manchester United's open dialogue with Tottenham has reportedly raised the possibility of Ryan Sessegnon moving to Old Trafford.
Manchester United are ramping up their efforts to sign Ecuadorian starlet Oscar Zambrano, according to reports.
DAILY RECORD
Emmanuel Dennis is said to be 'interested' in joining Rangers if they make their move - and he looks a more likely addition than Brighton's Steven Alzate as things stand.
THE SCOTTISH SUN
Michael Beale has no interest in taking Rangers misfit Sam Lammers to Sunderland.
Scotland's referees will hold crisis talks with their SFA bosses next week as the Willie Collum storm rages on.
The Athletic
West Ham’s annual accounts: Rice transfer loan explained, high revenue, Vlasic debt
By Roshane Thomas
West Ham United have published their financial results for the year ending in May 2023.
While the east London club had an annual turnover of £237million ($301.9m), the real standout figure is a loan taken out for early access to some of the money from Declan Rice’s £105m switch to Arsenal last summer. West Ham were also ranked above Ajax, Sevilla and Newcastle United, the latter two being Champions League sides this season, in terms of revenue.
A £13.5million debt to CSKA Moscow relating to the transfer of attacking midfielder Nikola Vlasic was also highlighted in the accounts.
The Athletic has analysed the main talking points from West Ham’s books…
Why did West Ham take out a loan for early access to the Rice fee?
West Ham’s accounts reveal they agreed an arrangement with a bank to get £30million of the £105m fee for Rice in September of last year instead of in July 2024. During negotiations for Rice’s departure to Arsenal, West Ham arranged to receive a large payment up front and agreed to two further instalments for 2024 and 2025.
They used a similar arrangement with the Australian bank Macquarie over the £18.8million transfer fee paid by Ajax for the striker Sebastien Haller in January 2021. This is a common practice in football as Kieran Maguire, a football finance expert at the University of Liverpool, explains.
“The correct term for it is invoice discounting,” Maguire says. “That’s what the profession likes to call it, because ‘payday loans’ has negative connotations historically with pawnbrokers and (short-term loans firm) Wonga.
“It’s cash-flow management and allows West Ham to repay their existing loan to MSD Holdings Ltd. They’ll be able to borrow at a lower rate, and from that point of view it makes sense. It’s fairly common, given the amount of money involved.
“Premier League clubs owe around £2billion in outstanding instalments. It makes sense that, if you’re owed money in respect to a transfer, you might as well cash in. You have the advantage of up front cash, the lender gets a chance to make interest on the difference of what they’ll give to you and what they’ll get back, and that allows them to commit to the transfer market or improve their infrastructure.”
West Ham’s stance is they have been using such advance receivables for decades. They are standard within all levels of football, in the UK and across Europe. Many clubs outside the domestic top six use them and they have been approved and regulated by the FA and the Premier League. The commercial rates for these deals are not high-interest, Wonga-like rates.
“When you take a look at a club like West Ham, from a business point of view they get money from their season-ticket sales, and a lot of them are paid as a lump sum,” Maguire adds. “The club get most of that money around March/April.
“The Premier League gives them money around June, which is the first instalment of next season’s broadcast money. Then you factor in the international break, maybe West Ham have one home game for the month… all things considered, they won’t have a lot of money coming in during the season. The sponsors normally pay at the start of the season, mainly in two instalments.
“The money going in (to the club) is lumpy, while the money going out is constant, so the utilisation of these companies and loans makes sense.”
Have other clubs taken out similar loans?
Absolutely. This is common practice across football.
“Leicester City did something similar when they sold Wesley Fofana to Chelsea (for in the region of £70million in August 2022) and James Maddison to Tottenham Hotspur (for £40m in June last year),” says Maguire. “Watford did it when they sold Richarlison to Everton (for £50m in July 2018).”
This is because football clubs very rarely pay the entirety of transfer fees up front.
Maguire continues: “When Brighton & Hove Albion sold Moises Caicedo (last summer), Chelsea didn’t have £115million sitting around in (co-owner) Todd Boehly’s back pocket, so they would’ve paid a deposit and instalments ranging from six to 12 months.
“Some clubs use it more than others, Leicester and Watford, both in the Championship, have been very active. Some clubs won’t need to borrow because ultimately it’s a loan and you’re paying interest on it.”
Are West Ham in good financial shape?
West Ham’s annual turnover of £237million is the highest in the Premier League outside of the ‘Big Six’ clubs, driven by matchday, retail and commercial income. In the recent Deloitte Football Money League, which ranks clubs globally by revenue, West Ham are 15th, ahead of AC Milan, Everton, Newcastle, Ajax and Sevilla.
But broadcast revenue decreased by £16million from £164m to £148m. This is because there is less income from the third-tier Europa Conference League, which West Ham played in and won last season, compared to the second-tier Europa League, which they are through to the last 16 of in this one.
“Since the start of 2023, we have seen a big improvement in on-field results, with many of our new signings really beginning to settle in and play a key role in our positive upward trajectory,” said the club’s majority shareholder David Sullivan. “We remain on track for a successful Premier League season, as well as having the excitement of the latter stages of the Europa League to look forward to in the new year.
“The future continues to look extremely bright for West Ham United. We have enjoyed an unprecedented level of success over the course of the past three years — but I believe there is even more to come.”
Do West Ham owe other clubs money?
Yes. West Ham still need to pay £13.5million to CSKA Moscow for attacking midfielder Nikola Vlasic. The Croatia international joined in the summer of 2021 for £25.7m but struggled, scoring one goal in 19 league appearances. He spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Italian club Torino before joining them permanently last summer.
But West Ham are not the only side to owe a club money, as Maguire reveals.
“In their accounts, it was revealed Manchester United owed £277million to other clubs in respect to outstanding instalments,” he says. “As for West Ham, they sold Rice and cashed in early. They also bought players and owed £171m to other clubs at the end of June 2023. Clubs buy and sell on credit, but when they sell on credit they sometimes cash in at the same time.
“In 2016, Tottenham Hotspur signed Moussa Sissoko from Newcastle in 2016 (for £30million) and paid over five years. Sometimes a club will be paying longer than a player’s contract. Clubs are normally happy to do these deals because you have the footballing creditors deal, which means if the club goes bust, you get paid. (Football’s world governing body) FIFA are very good at ensuring instalments are paid on time because if not, they’ll give you a global transfer ban.”
A delayed player loan fee of £430,828, plus £21,244 interest, has been paid to Spartak Moscow for midfielder Alex Kral, who made a single, 89th-minute Premier League appearance having been borrowed for the 2021-22 season.
This payment had previously been forbidden due to the sanctions against Russian individuals and businesses imposed by the British government after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
TeamTalk
West Ham gunning for Tottenham flop who has greenlight to leave; high transfer fee expected
West Ham have made a winger who floundered at Tottenham one of their “top targets” this month, though a deal certainly won’t be made on the cheap, according to reports.
The Hammers are understood to be weighing up the sale of winger Said Benrahma. The 28-year-old could be in line to return to France, with Lyon among those interested in the tricky wideman.
West Ham reportedly value Benrahma around the £20m mark. If that proves too high of a number for Lyon to stomach, interest from Premier League sides Fulham and Wolves could be explored.
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, arrivals are also wanted, especially if major exits are sanctioned. The Evening Standard recently reported West Ham are open to the shock sale of centre-back Nayef Aguerd.
A new striker is on the club’s radar, with Jarrod Bowen generally deployed out of position as a makeshift centre-forward so far this season.
Taking to X, Romano also revealed former Tottenham winger, Steven Bergwijn, is in West Ham’s sights.
The 26-year-old joined Tottenham from PSV Eindhoven in 2020 for a fee in the region of £26.7m.
The Dutchman arrived with high expectations off the back of ripping up the Eredivisie. However, Bergwijn’s spell in north London was largely disappointing, with the forward returning figures of eight goals and 10 assists in 83 matches.
That resulted in a sale back to Ajax in 2022, though Bergwijn could once again be on the move.
Ajax ready to sell, but high fee a problem?
Amid a truly disastrous campaign, Ajax are open to cashing in on one of their highest profile stars. Dutch outlet De Telegraaf confirmed as much in October, with the Amsterdam club hopeful of a lucrative sale to Saudi Arabia.
But per Romano, Bergwijn has now emerged as a key target for West Ham. The reporter stated: “Understand Steven Bergwijn is one of the top targets for West Ham in the January transfer window in case they will be able to find budget after outgoings.
“More Premier League and Saudi clubs are also keen on Bergwijn as he could leave Ajax in case of good proposal.”
On the subject of cost, it doesn’t appear a deal can be made on the cheap despite Ajax’s openness to a sale.
Indeed, Dutch journalist Valentijn Driessen previously claimed Ajax hope to collect as much as €40m (approx. £35m) for the attacker this month.
Such a sum would represent a gamble for West Ham, especially as Bergwijn hasn’t dominated the Netherlands like you might have expected since returning to the Eredivisie with Ajax.
Bergwijn has notched seven goals and two assists in 13 league matches in the current campaign. It stands to reason if West Ham do act on their interest, they’ll begin the bidding some way below Ajax’s dream valuation.
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