BBC
Aston Villa are confident they can beat Arsenal and Manchester United to the signing of Crystal Palace's 22-year-old French winger Michael Olise. (Football Transfers)
Manchester United are expected to enter talks with Olise in the coming weeks, with Crystal Palace wanting £60m. (Sun)
Tottenham are ready to give manager Ange Postecoglou the funds to sign a striker, centre-back and midfielder this summer. (Times - subscription)
At least two Premier League clubs have enquired about signing Mason Greenwood, 22, but Manchester United's English striker, who is on loan at Getafe, is still more likely to move overseas if sold this summer. (Telegraph - subscription)
Chelsea have not offered Belgium forward Romelu Lukaku, 30, as part of a possible deal for Napoli's 25-year-old Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen. (90min)
Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement on personal terms with Palmeiras' 17-year-old Brazilian winger Willian Estevao. (Fabrizio Romano)
Chelsea and Aston Villa have been put off a deal for Athletic Club and Spain winger Nico Williams, 21, because of his wage demands. (90min)
Manchester United have spoken with Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel's advisers to gauge his interest in replacing Erik ten Hag. (Talksport)
Stockport County are in talks with Aston Villa over a permanent deal for 20-year-old English forward Louie Barry, who helped them win promotion to League One this season. (Teamtalk)
Borussia Dortmund's 34-year-old former Germany attacking midfielder Marco Reus, who is out of contract in the summer, is in talks over a deal with Major League Soccer side St Louis City. (Athletic - subscription)
Denmark striker Martin Braithwaite, 32, can leave Espanyol as a free agent in July if they are promoted from the Spanish second tier. If they do not, he can leave for 600,000 euros. (Fabrizio Romano)
Galatasaray are set to sign Chelsea's 31-year-old Morocco winger Hakim Ziyech on a permanent contract after he impressed on loan this season. (Standard)
West Ham face competition from Napoli for Anderlecht's 20-year-old Belgium defender Zeno Debast. (AreaNapoli via Sport Witness)
Former Hamburg manager Tim Walter is a candidate to replace Liam Rosenior at Hull City. (Sky Sports)
Sky Paper Talk
THE TELEGRAPH
Manchester United will not pick a successor to Erik ten Hag on their trophy record alone, which boosts the chances of Gareth Southgate emerging as the favourite for the post - should the club decide to sack the Dutchman.
At least two Premier League clubs have enquired about signing Mason Greenwood but the controversial Manchester United striker is still more likely to move overseas if sold this summer.
Newcastle United have whittled down their shortlist for a new sporting director to two names with Crystal Palace's Dougie Freedman competing with German Johannes Spors.
Ajax are attempting to steal a march on some of Europe's biggest clubs, including Manchester United, by pursuing their interest in Graham Potter.
Everton's proposed takeover by 777 Partners was at severe risk of collapse on Wednesday night after owner Farhad Moshiri held crisis talks with the Miami group.
Tiger Woods voted against Rory McIlroy rejoining the PGA Tour board's negotiations to strike a peace deal with the Saudi funders of the LIV breakaway league in a sensational move which could have notable implications for the future of the professional game.
Motorsport's world governing body the FIA has been hit by another high-profile departure, with chief executive Natalie Robyn leaving her role after just 18 months.
Eddie Jones says he hopes former England captain Owen Farrell rediscovers the "love of the game" when he moves to Racing 92 in France next season.
THE GUARDIAN
Sir Jim Ratcliffe cited email traffic statistics to Manchester United staff as the basis for a ban on working from home and told them to seek "alternative employment" if they are not willing to come to club premises.
Chelsea are confident of winning the race to sign the Palmeiras prodigy Estêvão Willian.
Fifa must publish an independent report into its responsibilities to migrant workers in Qatar and begin the process of providing financial compensation, Amnesty International has said.
Saracens intend to continue their team-bonding social trips, with Mark McCall insisting the recent excursion to Mallorca was "really enjoyable" despite Billy Vunipola's arrest.
Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani, will face up to 33 years in jail when he pleads guilty to stealing millions of dollars from his former friend.
DAILY MAIL
Emergency services raced to the aid of a Premier League footballer diagnosed with an addiction to laughing gas - amid desperate concerns for his welfare.
Thomas Tuchel has dropped a hint that he wants to return to the Premier League, amid speculation linking him with the Manchester United job.
Championship clubs have increased the amount they are permitted to lose over three years by £2.5m.
A napkin that secured Lionel Messi's boyhood move to Barcelona is now up for sale and you can enter the bidding for one of football's most important artefacts if you have a spare £300,000 to hand.
Hakim Ziyech looks set to remain with Galatasaray permanently, after a successful loan spell at the Turkish club from Chelsea.
Celtic have placed Motherwell goalkeeper Liam Kelly - who started his career at Rangers - on a list of summer transfer targets.
Thomas Tuchel has insisted he had to take Harry Kane off against Real Madrid because he was injured.
THE SUN
Manchester United's training ground atmosphere has turned 'toxic' after criticism from Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Part-owner Ratcliffe sent out a memo to all staff recently citing his disappointment after a tour of the facilities.
Armando Broja could be the first Chelsea star through the exit door this summer - with Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund hoping to snap up the striker.
Unai Emery is set to gamble by recalling Emi Martinez for Aston Villa's biggest European tie in 42 years.
David Beckham has begun a new $1bn legal fight to try and stamp out counterfeiters flogging fakes of his designer gear.
Nicolas Pepe will become a free agent next month with the former Arsenal player set to leave Turkish side Trabzonspor.
THE MIRROR
Martin O'Neill is reportedly on the cusp of ending a five-year exile from management by becoming the new head coach of Rapid Bucharest.
Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva wants his future resolved by the end of Euro 2024 this summer.
THE ATHLETIC
Marco Reus in preliminary talks with MLS side St. Louis City ahead of Borussia Dortmund exit.
Manchester United stand to receive an additional windfall if Jadon Sancho wins the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund.
Manchester United have been named the world's most valuable football club, with 20 Major League Soccer (MLS) teams in the global top 50 list.
Troyes have suspended four of their players and issued lifetime bans to nine supporters following the chaotic scenes that caused their clash against Valenciennes to be abandoned.
Andy Madley has been selected as referee for the men's FA Cup final.
Emiliano Buendia has returned to Aston Villa training for the first time since suffering a serious knee injury in August.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has spoken of his desire to return to management with the Premier League among the divisions in which he would like to coach.
Brazil's bid to stage the 2027 Women's World Cup has been rated higher than the rival joint-bid from Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany (BNG) in a new FIFA report evaluating the options.
US-based firm North Sixth Group has agreed to buy National League side Dagenham & Redbridge from a group of investors that included New York Yankees minority owner Peter Freund and former USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard.
THE TIMES
Tottenham Hotspur are ready to back Ange Postecoglou with signings in three priority positions this summer and could let up to seven players leave as the club look to create a squad capable of playing the manager's style of football next season.
Chelsea are likely to face an uphill battle to comply with Uefa's financial rules if they qualify for Europe next season.
Rangers will unveil a statue to legendary manager Walter Smith before the Scottish Cup final.
Thomas Tuchel slammed a late offside call in Bayern Munich's Champions League semi-final defeat to Real Madrid, labelling the decision a "disaster" and saying that the assistant referee apologised to him afterwards.
DAILY EXPRESS
Real Madrid broke Champions League rules by showing a replay of a controversial incident prior to a VAR decision being made by referee Szymon Marciniak in their dramatic victory over Bayern Munich.
Manchester United are reportedly considering replacing Andre Onana with Real Sociedad star Alex Remiro.
EVENING STANDARD
West Ham will target as many as six signings this summer as they look to give Julen Lopetegui major backing at the start of the club's new era.
Arsenal winger Amario Cozier-Duberry is yet to agree contract terms with any club and is currently considering his options, amid interest from sides around Europe.
Mauricio Pochettino wants Chelsea's extensive injury problems factored into the post-season talks that will determine his future at the club.
Queen's Park Rangers face a battle to keep hold of defender Jake Clarke-Salter this summer.
DAILY RECORD
Celtic have reportedly hired former South American talent spotter Mark Cooper as they revamp the club's scouting department before the summer window.
TBR
West Ham United in race to sign £17m defender who is dubbed the next Vincent Kompany
Mark Marston
West Ham United have joined Napoli in the race to sign a £17m-rated Belgian defender, according to a recent report.
The Hammers are set to miss out on European football this season and transfer planning has already begun behind the scenes.
It seems as though Julen Lopetegui will be the man to replace David Moyes and one of his first signings could be a promising young centre-back.
West Ham target Zeno Debast
West Ham United are in the race to sign Anderlecht centre-back Zeno Debast but face competition from Napoli, according to areanapoli.it.
Tuttojuve originally cited The Irons as an interested party and now it seems potential suitors are mounting.
The Belgian club are hopeful of sanctioning a £17m sale for the 2003-born but recognise, due to his contract expiring next year, that they may have to resign to a fee of around £13.7m.
Debast has earned comparisons to Belgium and Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany.
For that price, interest will only intensify over the next few weeks, so it seems West Ham will need to move quickly if they are to land his signature.
Zeno Debast statistics
Debast’s statistics make for very impressive reading.
The 20-year-old ranks in the top six per cent for progressive passes compared to his positional peers across Europe, as per FBref.
Further, he sits in the top 12 per cent for successful take-ons, evincing his willingness to play out from the back.
Despite his age, Debast has already captained Anderlecht, which shows his leadership qualities and potential to be a future skipper.
Whoever acquires his signature this summer will be getting one of the bargains of the window.
C&H
West Ham Zaha Talks Have Already Started
West Ham United appear to be serious about bringing Wilfried Zaha back to the Premier League, with reports suggesting talks between the club and the player’s representatives are underway.
Zaha, a former Crystal Palace star, has been linked with West Ham on numerous occasions in the past. These rumours have resurfaced with Julen Lopetegui’s imminent arrival as manager.
West Ham faces a significant squad rebuild this summer. With several players departing as free agents and potential sales like Lucas Paqueta looming, the Hammers will be active in the transfer market. Technical Director Tim Steidten and Lopetegui will have their work cut out for them.
Evening Standard
Freddie Potts interview: 'New West Ham era is the perfect chance for us youngsters to impress'
Dazzling League One loan spell has academy midfielder well set for crack at first-team under new manager next season
Malik Ouzia
While most of the team-mates he has just spent a terrific loan season at Wycombe alongside jet off on their summer holidays, Freddie Potts has been back at West Ham this week, training with the first-team squad during the final days of David Moyes’s reign.
“I’ve seen them all on social media, posting on planes and stuff, places I wanted to go,” Potts tells Standard Sport.
“But I’m not bothered. I’m back at West Ham, trying to prepare myself for pre-season, because I know it’s going to be a really important one for me.”
It is forecast to be a summer of change at West Ham, with Julen Lopetegui set to take over from Moyes when the Scot’s contract expires, and for a crop of highly-rated youngsters like Potts, George Earthy and Ollie Scarles, one of opportunity, too.
“It’s a fresh start,” Potts agrees. “No one knows too much about the young players, whoever the boss is going to be. It’s a new first impression that you have to make, so we’re all excited for it.”
Freddie Potts is targeting a run in the West Ham first-team
None can be better placed than the central midfielder, who went to Wycombe last summer in search of regular playing time and found that and so much more.
In a genuine breakthrough campaign, the 20-year-old made 43 senior appearances, the majority of them starts, played in a Wembley final and finished with both the club’s fans’ and players’ player of the year awards. Little wonder that he says moving to Adams Park was “the best choice I could have made”.
“There’s pressure to win, that was the main thing I learned,” he says. “You do get it in the Under-21s, but there’s more emphasis on it when you’re playing and peoples’ jobs are on the line.”
A first move away from home provided familiar rites of passage — “I’ve had to live by myself for a bit, learn new things, make stuff rather than relying on mum and dad” — though perhaps with added significance, given Potts has grown up at his boyhood club, where said father, Steve, was once a player and is now U21s coach.
So, what is the biggest difference between the player that left Rush Green and the one now trying to impress in training with the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta?
“I think probably my character,” he says. “I used to be pretty shy. I feel like I’ve just become a different person off the pitch — and that’s going to help with my game on the pitch as well.”
There is no doubt, however, as to where Potts wants to spend the coming campaign.
“My main goal is to make my stamp in the first-team at West Ham,” he says. “I want to be here for the next year.”
Sport Witness
Club ready to activate clause to sign West Ham man – Player keen on move
According to a claim in the Algerian media, Lyon are looking to keep Saïd Benrahma beyond this season. The winger joined the French side on loan from West Ham United during the last transfer window.
Competition.dz have reported on the latest developments regarding the future of Benrahma at West Ham and they say he wants to remain at Lyon after a successful loan period with the Ligue 1 club.
It’s claimed Lyon are also keen for the Algeria international to remain with them and they are ready to activate the option to buy clause, reportedly set at €14.4m. Another clause said to be in the agreement is that Lyon would have to pay the Hammers 10% of any future profit.
Initially joining on loan from Brentford during the 2020/21 season, Benrahma had struggled in this campaign to get regular football at West Ham. Subsequently he was loaned out to Lyon at the end of the last window for a reported €6m fee.
Since arriving in France, the player has made 13 appearances, scoring 2 goals. He’s contracted to the Premier League side until June 2026.
