BBC
Arsenal and Liverpool are interested in signing 22-year-old Wolves and Algeria defender Rayan Ait-Nouri. (Football Transfers)
Liverpool want to keep Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara, 32, but he is attracting interest from Brazilian side Flamengo and Al-Ettifaq of the Saudi Pro League. (Teamtalk)
Newcastle will review their January transfer plans at a special meeting this week following the injury to 27-year-old Brazil midfielder Joelinton. (Guardian)
Chelsea do not hold an interest in Sporting CP and Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres, 25, despite reports of a £73m offer being made. (Football London)
Brentford have a verbal agreement with Tottenham for a loan move for Spain defender Sergio Reguilon, 27, although there is no option-to-buy clause. (Fabrizio Romano)
Middlesbrough have enquired about signing 21-year-old Ivory Coast winger Amad Diallo, but Manchester United want to keep him after he impressed in training. (Mail)
Nottingham Forest will prioritise selling players over buying this month in an effort to show the Premier League they are taking the charge of allegedly breaching profit and sustainability rules seriously. (Times - subscription)
Liverpool retain an interest in Chelsea's 20-year-old England defender Levi Colwill despite his signing a long-term contract last summer. (90Min)
Paris St-Germain have offered France forward Kylian Mbappe, 25, a new contract worth 100m euros (£86m) per season. (AS via Mirror)
Manchester United want Bologna's 22-year-old Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee in the summer. (Florian Plettenberg)
Wolves are considering a move for 22-year-old Albania forward Armando Broja, 22, whose Chelsea future is likely to hinge on whether they sign a striker this month. (Guardian)
Arsenal are in talks with Besiktas over a deal for 32-year-old Portuguese defender Cedric Soares. (Mail)
Burkina Faso forward Bertrand Traore and English defender Calum Chambers, both 28, are attracting interest from European clubs after being told they could leave Aston Villa in January. (Football Insider)
Jose Mourinho could return to management with former club Porto after being sacked by Roma on Tuesday. (Express)
Sky Paper Talk
THE SUN
The £500m proposed takeover of Everton 777 Partners is almost certainly dead in the water.
Jose Mourinho, who has been sacked by Roma after a two-and-a-half-year stint at the Serie A club, could already be lined up with a new role with his native Portugal.
Chelsea have reportedly made an offer to sign Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres.
Chelsea are also considering a shock transfer for Aston Villa star Jhon Duran.
Newcastle are reportedly planning a swoop for Atalanta star Ederson.
Manchester United are interested in signing Barcelona star Ronald Araujo, according to reports.
A gang who burgled Jack Grealish's home is believed to have carried out other raids on the home of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Love Island stars Molly Mae Hague and Tommy Fury.
Graham Potter has lined up a return to management in Sweden - by buying a £2m mansion in the Scandinavian country.
Jaap Stam is being lined up for a stunning return to management in the seventh tier of Dutch football.
Roy Hodgson has confirmed Crystal Palace's loan interest in Kalvin Phillips.
Liverpool are plotting a transfer move for Chelsea's Levi Colwill, according to reports.
DAILY MIRROR
Benfica have released a statement denying they have held talks with Manchester United over the potential transfer of Joao Neves.
Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly offered Kylian Mbappe a mouthwatering new contract worth €100m (£86.15m) per season in an attempt to keep him at Parc des Princes.
A number of Barcelona players are losing faith in struggling manager Xavi, as the inquest into their embarrassing 4-1 defeat to bitter rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final goes on.
Joe Cole admits he never should have quit Chelsea for Liverpool: "I wish I hadn't signed."
THE GUARDIAN
Wolves are considering a move for Armando Broja, whose future is likely to hinge on whether Chelsea sign a striker this month.
Newcastle are resigned to almost certainly being without the injured Joelinton for the remainder of the season and will review their January transfer plans at a specially convened meeting later this week.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Jose Mourinho is set to be on the market for Premier League clubs looking to change managers following his dismissal at Roma after two-and-a-half years with the Italian team, although the Portuguese could also be heading for the Saudi Pro League.
An exasperated Andre Onana had to be calmed down by El Hadji Diouf after the Manchester United goalkeeper travelled 5,000 miles in less than 24 hours to make Cameroon's opening Africa Cup of Nations match - only to be left out of the squad.
Jamie George, the Saracens hooker, will be named as England captain for the upcoming Six Nations on Wednesday.
Ali Carter has hit back in his war of words with Ronnie O'Sullivan, claiming that he feels sorry for the World No 1, who is now also facing the prospect of disciplinary action.
EVENING STANDARD
West Ham have rejected an initial approach from Marseille for out-of-favour winger Said Benrahma.
Chelsea have ruled out a January move for Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres.
Brentford are close to agreeing a six-month loan deal to sign Tottenham left-back Sergio Reguilon.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is a doubt for Arsenal's clash with Crystal Palace on Saturday.
David Moyes says he expects reinforcements to arrive at West Ham this month after Said Benrahma's red card at Bristol City added to his attacking crisis.
DAILY MAIL
Manchester United have been linked with Matthijs de Ligt and Ronald Araujo as Erik ten Hag looks to overhaul his defensive options, with the Dutchman reportedly "very interested" in reuniting with De Ligt, whom he managed at Ajax.
Everton's potential new owner 777 Partners is facing another lawsuit after an investor started legal proceedings citing damages of more than $30m (£23.6m).
Chelsea have had a £73m offer for Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres rejected, according to reports.
Manchester United have been teeing up golf courses as potential sites for a new training ground.
Arsenal defender Cedric Soares is emerging as a serious January target for Besiktas.
Sir Dave Brailsford has only been observing behind the scenes at Manchester United for a few weeks, but the INEOS sporting director is said to have noted the level of overstaffing at the club.
Facundo Pellistri could be the next Manchester United player to go out on loan after Granada joined Dutch clubs PSV Eindhoven and NEC Nijmegen in the race for the Uruguayan.
A Spanish court has dropped a lawsuit over alleged racist abuse aimed at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr during a La Liga match last year against Osasuna.
Manchester United are looking to keep hold of Amad Diallo despite a loan request from Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough.
The group of 19 footballers suing the FA for compensation over brain injuries includes players in their 30s - and the figure involved may eventually rise to 'several hundreds'.
Forest Green Rovers manager Troy Deeney has posted the racist abuse he has received on his Instagram following his weekend rant about his players after their 2-0 defeat by Harrogate.
THE TIMES
Nottingham Forest will prioritise selling players over buying them in this transfer window, as they look to show Premier League officials they are taking their charge for breaching financial rules seriously.
Jordan Henderson was scheduled to leave Al Ettifaq's training camp on Tuesday night and return to England as he considers the options that would bring an end to his brief spell in the Saudi Pro League.
Adam Scott believes the PGA Tour is close to sealing a huge investment deal with an American consortium but said no deadline had been set for finalising an agreement with the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
THE ATHLETIC
Manchester United paid for 56 lawyers to work on the deal that will see INEOS buy a minority stake in the club.
EFL chairman Rick Parry has told Reading fans he is trying to force out the League One club's unpopular owner Dai Yongge but he cannot make the Chinese businessman sell up.
Three Manchester United supporters were arrested for chants related to the Hillsborough disaster before last month's Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield.
Japhet Tanganga is expected to return to Tottenham Hotspur this month, having not played at all for Augsburg since joining the Bundesliga side on loan in September.
DAILY EXPRESS
Chelsea have reportedly been offered Karim Benzema, Roberto Firmino and Aleksandar Mitrovic from the Saudi Pro League as Mauricio Pochettino seeks to add firepower to his squad.
Arsenal transfer target Joshua Zirkzee has emerged on Erik ten Hag's radar as he searches for a striker signing at Manchester United, according to reports.
Chelsea are reportedly keen on reviving their interest in Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters, who previously failed to make the grade under Jose Mourinho at Tottenham.
DAILY STAR
Manchester United are reportedly willing to ship off Aaron Wan-Bissaka in order to capture Michael Olise in a swap deal.
DAILY RECORD
Cameron Carter-Vickers is wanted by West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Brentford.
Owen Beck has been tipped to make a move to Celtic - but a single appearance for Liverpool would end any plans of a switch to Parkhead this month.
Philippe Clement has told Ridvan Yilmaz he's going nowhere until Rangers find his replacement.
Former Rangers assistant Neil Banfield says Michael Beale's era was met by a wall of physicality every week - but he insists the Londoner had them on a road to glory.
SCOTTISH SUN
Marseille are no longer interested in signing Hibs left-back Josh Doig this month.
Rangers boss Philippe Clement has revealed that the Ibrox men are 'close' to making further January signings.
Guardian
Bristol City’s Tommy Conway stuns West Ham as Saïd Benrahma sees red
Ben Fisher at Ashton Gate
For David Moyes, a bitter evening on his old stomping ground ended with a sour taste. Not that he could have any complaints, with his West Ham side turning in a barely lukewarm performance that deservedly ended with Bristol City advancing to the FA Cup fourth round at their expense.
West Ham never truly recovered from Tommy Conway’s early strike after an error by Konstantinos Mavropanos and Saïd Benrahma’s straight red card, for a petulant kick, a few minutes into the second half ensured a forgettable trip and a tempestuous affair went from bad to worse.
This was an uncomfortable night for the West Ham manager that also exposed the apparent chasm between the quality of his missing star performers – Lucas Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus and Michail Antonio were among those absent – and those on the periphery. Simple passes went awry and Moyes went ballistic when Tomas Soucek was penalised for a foul throw as full time approached. No wonder Moyes wants to strengthen before the transfer deadline. By then it is quite feasible that none of West Ham’s front three here will still be at the club, with Danny Ings, Maxwel Cornet and Benrahma all deemed dispensable assets.
Moyes, even with his squad noticeably short of ammunition, knew West Ham risked a bloody nose if they performed below their optimum. His bench contained four teenagers with a handful of appearances to their names and two goalkeepers. Moyes is among those in pictures around this smart stadium, with the Scotsman part of the Bristol City side that won the Freight Rover Trophy at Wembley in 1986. Before kick-off he dismissed the suggestion defeat would be a “complete upset” given City’s Championship status and their display in the reverse fixture. “I love coming back into Bristol, which I know well, and had really good times here, but not tonight,” Moyes said.
Things could hardly have started any worse for the visitors. With two minutes and 48 seconds gone, Conway was wheeling away in celebration and saluting the Lansdown Stand, named after the club’s longstanding Bristolian billionaire owner. It was a painful goal from a West Ham perspective and the travelling supporters stationed in the Atyeo Stand, behind Lukasz Fabianski’s goal in the first half, had the misfortune of the best view in the house.
The strike stemmed from a clearance by the Bristol City goalkeeper Max O’Leary, who went to ground to prevent Ings latching on to a through ball, but the catalyst was a mistake by Mavropanos. The defender undercooked a routine pass for Fabianski and Conway nipped in, composed himself and slotted into the far corner. West Ham will have been only too aware of his finishing given his superbly taken goal forced this replay. “Our front players have to be our best defenders,” said City’s head coach, Liam Manning. “We have seen what the club is capable of tonight, with the energy and the atmosphere.”
West Ham had chances to level in the first half but it was a disjointed display. Ings, in his fifth start of the season and first since November, swivelled on the edge of the area and dropped a shot wide and City defender Cam Pring was alert to deny Cornet inside the six-yard box. Cornet also sent an acrobatic shot wide after Emerson’s shot from distance pinballed off Kurt Zouma and into Soucek, who failed to make clean contact. Just before the interval Ross McCrorie, who shone on his full debut, sent a powerful header at Fabianski from a corner.
Could a rousing Moyes half-time team talk get West Ham back on track? Little more than three minutes into the second half, Benrahma’s stupidity left West Ham with an even bigger challenge, a one-goal deficit and now a one-man disadvantage to overcome. The flashpoint arrived after Emerson and George Tanner collided. Joe Williams flew into a challenge on Benrahma, to which the winger did not take kindly. Benrahma responded by seeking afters, thrusting his studs towards Williams, his left boot into his groin and right into his armpit. The referee, Darren England, got a handle on the wreckage and booked Williams before, once Benrahma rose from receiving medical treatment, sending the Algerian down the tunnel.
Taylor Gardner-Hickman and Aaron Cresswell then ended up with a booking apiece after a contretemps, in which both got to grips with the finer details of each other’s shirts. O’Leary was rarely troubled but pulled off an instinctive fingertip save to prevent Soucek volleying in Cornet’s cross midway through the second half. Zouma earlier wellied a hopeful volley into the West Ham support, much to the joy of the home fans. At the other end the substitute Nahki Wells, who replaced Conway, forced Fabianski into a stop with a stinging strike from the angle. At the final whistle supporters emptied the stadium to the sweet sound of the Wurzels’ Drink Up Thy Zider.
The Athletic
Said Benrahma’s red card could prove a fitting farewell after West Ham toils
By Roshane Thomas
There are times when Said Benrahma plays like a man unburdened. Moments when his talent is so undeniable that you yearn to see it more consistently.
Then there are occasions, such as the one against Bristol City, when the reckless nature of his sending-off leaves you disenchanted with a player whose departure from West Ham United edges ever closer.
Benrahma was given a red card for kicking out at Joe Williams in retaliation to being fouled early in the second half of West Ham’s third-round FA Cup replay loss to their Championship opponents.
With Jarrod Bowen sidelined by an ankle injury, Lucas Paqueta unavailable with a calf complaint and Mohammed Kudus on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Ghana, Benrahma squandered any chance he had of being David Moyes’ saviour with one petulant kick.
“It made it much more difficult, that’s for sure,” said Moyes of Benrahma’s dismissal. “It made it much harder and we were a goal down already at that point. I’ve had a look at it and I don’t think we can have any complaints. I wasn’t sure about the tackle on him… that might have been questionable.
“I had a look on the screen. At the time, I thought it was a hefty challenge on Benrahma. I’m not sure the referee moved in quickly enough to deal with the first challenge (Emerson Palmieri on George Tanner) and that allowed something else to happen. There was one on Danny Ings that was not the best either.”
It could prove to be Benrahma’s last appearance for West Ham. He will be suspended for the upcoming Premier League game against Sheffield United. The 28-year-old, whose contract expires in the summer of 2026, looks set to leave this window, although Moyes dismissed reports of a potential switch to French side Marseille.
“Not true,” said Moyes. “I’ve not heard that at all.”
Lyon have expressed an interest in signing Benrahma on loan with the option to buy, although it would be in West Ham’s best interest to sell so they could pursue a replacement. The attacker needs a restart.
When Benrahma joined on loan from Brentford in October 2020, a move that was made permanent in January 2021, there was excitement. Moyes’ penchant for shaping Championship prospects into Premier League players was well established — Tim Cahill, Joleon Lescott, John Stones and Phil Jagielka at Everton, Jarrod Bowen at West Ham — and Benrahma boasted the lavish ability to excite the crowd. West Ham lacked a creative player like him. It felt like a good match.
But there have only been fleeting moments when Benrahma has properly shown his talent under Moyes.
In the 2021-22 season, he scored 11 goals and provided six assists in 48 appearances in all competitions. The following campaign he amassed 12 goals and five assists across 52 appearances. Those numbers might feel encouraging, but he always gave the impression that he might have — should have — delivered more.
This season, Benrahma’s struggles have culminated in a return of no goals and one assist from 22 games, including 13 starts.
It is why the attacking midfielder has become such a polarising figure. He never quite earned Moyes’ trust, struggling with decision-making in the final third.
Against Bristol City, there was a period when West Ham played better with 10 men in Benrahma’s absence, posing more of a threat despite the numerical disadvantage. Even 19-year-old debutant Callum Marshall looked more lively in his 10-minute cameo than Benrahma had before his dismissal.
“I’ve been really impressed with Callum,” said Moyes. “There are so many teams who want him on loan. We want to help him the right way. He’s a great lad and a lover of football, which I like.”
While the West Ham manager can take some consolation in Marshall’s contribution, there was nothing to celebrate in Benrahma fluffing his lines.
This had been the perfect opportunity for Benrahma to redeem himself having also been overlooked by Algeria for this month’s AFCON. But whenever he has been restored to the starting XI, he has failed to justify his selection.
In terms of positive memories, fans will remember him from the spot in the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina, his stunning solo goal against Genk in November 2021 and him converting the decisive penalty against Manchester City the previous month. But the sense persists that he should have done so much more.
Declan Rice, West Ham’s former captain who joined Arsenal for £105million ($133m) in July, once reflected on Benrahma and his view still resonates.
“He’s a player you need to give confidence to,” he said. “You need to tell him he’s going to be the best player on the pitch. I’m always on at him to keep expressing himself and have fun on the pitch. He’s an unbelievable player. You need to put your arm around him and make him feel like he’s the best player.
“In training he’s always on fire and in games, you always see glimpses of magic from him.”
Moyes, technical advisor Alan Irvine and other members of the backroom staff tried to build up Benrahma’s confidence. But their words of encouragement failed to yield consistency. When Benrahma departs — potentially this month — he will leave behind a regret over what could have been.
