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Alan 2:07 Tue Aug 24
Tuesday newspapers (includes West Ham)

BBC

Arsenal will listen to offers for captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 32, and will not stand in the Gabon striker's way if he expresses a desire to leave the club before the transfer window deadline. (Telegraph - subscription required)

The Gunners are determined to support under-pressure manager Mikel Arteta following defeats in the opening two games of the Premier League season. (Mirror)

Arsenal want to revive their interest in England full-back Kieran Trippier, but need Atletico Madrid to lower their £34m asking price for the 30-year-old. (Sun)

Former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is a contender to become Arsenal manager if the club decide to sack Mikel Arteta. (Telegraph - subscription required)

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will not drop his valuation of England striker Harry Kane and could even refuse a British record bid of close to £150m from Manchester City for the 28-year-old. (Telegraph- subscription required)

Wolves have rejected a bid from Tottenham to take Spanish winger Adama Traore, 25, on loan. (Times - subscription required)

Tottenham have opened talks with Juventus over a move for United States midfielder Weston McKennie, 22. (Calciomercato - in Italian)

Chelsea are considering a late loan move for Atletico Madrid and Spain midfielder Saul Niguez, 26, while the Blues have offered new contracts to central defenders Antonio Rudiger, 28, of Germany and Denmark's Andreas Christensen, 25. (Telegraph - subscription required)

England midfielder Declan Rice plans to turn down any offers of a new contract from West Ham as the 22-year-old feels he is being priced out of a move this summer. He has three years left on his current deal and the Hammers have an option to extend that by a further year. (Times - subscription required)

Chelsea are hopeful of signing French defender Jules Kounde from Sevilla with the 22-year-old said to have a £77m release clause in his contract. The two clubs had hoped Blues centre-back Kurt Zouma, 26, could be included in the deal only for the Frenchman to reject the chance to join the La Liga side. (90Min)

Manchester United remain interested in Rennes midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, 18, but feel the France international would prefer to move to Paris St-Germain or a Spanish club. (ESPN)

West Ham are looking at Lille's French midfielder Jonathan Bamba, 25, as a possible alternative to signing England international Jesse Lingard from Manchester United. (Express)

Crystal Palace are prepared to pay £10m to sign Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah, 22, but the Gunners are holding out for closer to £20m. The England Under-21 record goalscorer has also attracted interest from Germany this summer. (Athletic - subscription required)

Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira, 25, is close to joining Fiorentina on loan with the Uruguay midfielder having spent last season at Atletico Madrid, where he helped Diego Simeone's side win La Liga. (football.london)

Brazil midfielder Willian, 33, is set to leave Arsenal on a free transfer to join Corinthians in his homeland, with talks at an advanced stage. (Mail)

Wolves are ready to make a £7m bid for 29-year-old Cardiff City and Wales striker Kieffer Moore. (Football Insider)

Manchester United defender Phil Jones is ready to consider a loan move to a Championship club, with the 29-year-old English centre-back having fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford. (Football League World)

Newcastle United and West Ham could compete with Burnley to sign Ivory Coast left-back Maxwel Cornet from Lyon. (90Min)Burnley have made a £15m bid for 24-year-old Cornet, which would be paid across five instalments. (Sky Sports)

Everton have had a bid for 18-year-old Canada-born forward Daniel Jebbison, who represents England at youth level, turned down by Sheffield United. Aston Villa, Brentford and Leeds are also interested in the teenager. (Teamtalk)

Leicester and Southampton are interested in Middlesbrough's English right-back Djed Spence, 21. (Football League World)





Guardian Rumour Mill

Paul Doyle

You know the sound a star makes when it explodes deep in space? Well that’s the same sound that was made here on Earth when Arsenal let it be known they would listen to offers for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. That’s right, the rumour is that absolutely no one is interested in buying the Gabon striker, at least not at the price Arsenal are hoping for and the salary he currently gets.

It’s a shame. Aubameyang is a wonderful player when on song and it’s no fun to see him wither at a club to which he no longer seems suited. He’s 32 and the two remaining years on his contract could be awkward for all concerned if things don’t get sorted. Manchester City, this is your chance to do some good! Sign Aubameyang for about a 10th of the price that Spurs are demanding for Kane. It makes sense. Ideally for those of us in the news and views industry, Arsenal would then go and pay £150m to lure Kane to his boyhood club, but we have to accept that’s an unlikely outcome.

How about Aubameyang staying at Arsenal and regaining his best form, is that an unlikely outcome? If so, why, Mikel Arteta, why? The Mill doesn’t get it, reader, and we want answers. Pierre-Emerick, please feel free to drop us an email.

Another striker who may or may not be leaving Arsenal is Eddie Nketiah, who has attracted the attention of Crystal Palace. Patrick Vieira’s people are said to be preparing a bid of about £10m, which is about half of Arsenal’s valuation for a player they rarely use.

Speaking of players Arsenal rarely use, Lucas Torreira is close to Fiorentina. The Mill isn’t sure what that means exactly, is he canoeing in the Ligurian Sea? - but apparently he’ll soon be turning out for that club. And Willian is edging closer to Corinthians, who, along with a series of disappointing performances, have managed to persuade Arsenal to let the player leave for free.

Lastly, Kieran Trippier will also be leaving Arsenal: the only question is when? Some time after they sign him, obviously, and Arteta still hopes he can prise the full-back from Atlético Madrid this summer.

And now comes the big question of the day: why the hell did the Mill begin by probing Arsenal woes when reports in France are claiming that PSG are planning to replace Kylian Mbappé with Richarlison?! It’s a good question, reader, and the Mill can only offer sloppiness and dullness as explanations. But look at our honesty, you can’t fault that.

Anyway, the story is that Real Madrid are preparing an offer for Mbappé, who doesn’t want to sign a new deal at PSG, where his current contract expires next season. If the offer is good enough, PSG may choose to let Mbappé go rather than lose him for free next season. And if that happens, they should make a move for Richarlison, at least that is the view of none other than Neymar, who is said to be lobbying PSG to make it happen. The Mill likes to think that Lionel Messi is equally excited.

Less amazing news from France concerns Lyon’s Maxwell Cornet, who is being pursued by Burnley and Newcastle, and Lille’s Jonathan Bamba, who’s being eyed up by West Ham.

Back in England, Leicester could be about to complicate matters for Spurs by joining the race for Adama Traoré. But who’s to say Traoré wouldn’t turn down all those clubs if Wolves buy Kieffer Moore for him to cross to? Leicester are also said to be interested in Middlesbrough’s right-back Djed Spence.

But Richarlison to PSG in place of Mbappé, reader, that’s the one.







Guardian

Antonio doubles up as West Ham demolish 10-man Leicester

Jacob Steinberg at the London Stadium


The West Ham forward Michail Antonio celebrates with a cardboard cut-out of himself after making it 3-1, the first of his two goals against Leicester. Photograph: Simon Dael/REX/Shutterstock

West Ham are making it impossible to view last season’s exploits as a fluke. They are no longer a soft touch with David Moyes in charge. The trademark flakiness has disappeared, substance finally accompanying the style, and there is no doubt that West Ham will keep moving in the right direction if they continue to trust in Moyes, whose strong and talented side looked ready to push for another top-six finish during their emphatic destruction of Leicester City.

The London Stadium was bouncing at the end, the fans delighting in the authority of Declan Rice in midfield, the guile of Saïd Benrahma and the lethal finishing of Michail Antonio. Nobody was worrying about West Ham being the only Premier League side not to have made a permanent signing this summer. Although they need more depth given that the Europa League will test their light squad, they have developed into a seriously dangerous outfit under Moyes and sit top of the Premier League after scoring eight goals after their first two matches.

There was so much to admire about West Ham’s robust, creative performance. They were in control long before Leicester lost Ayoze Pérez to a red card in the first half. Leicester were awful, defending abysmally, and Brendan Rodgers had no complaints. “It was a disappointing performance,” Leicester’s manager said. “We made mistakes and got punished.”

It was a convincing way for West Ham to hit back at the idea that they benefited from playing in empty stadiums last season. Moyes had bristled at those suggestions and, with the stadium at full capacity for the first time in 18 months, there was no sign of the atmosphere working against his side. The home fans were up for it from the start and West Ham used their support to their advantage, threatening when Antonio charged at Leicester’s limp defence.

Antonio was a handful throughout the first half, his impressive hold-up play rattling Daniel Amartey and Caglar Soyuncu, and there was a lot to like about his understanding with Benrahma, who is looking robust and efficient in the final third after struggling to find consistency last year.

Leicester were swamped at times, the intensity constantly forcing them into errors. They wanted to build carefully through James Maddison, yet Rice and Tomas Soucek were always in the right place in front of West Ham’s back four. It was a struggle for Leicester’s creators and it summed up the pattern of play that the opening goal, converted by the impressive Pablo Fornals in the 26th minute, arrived when Jamie Vardy gifted possession to Rice.

West Ham’s captain was on to it quickly. The move progressed, Jarrod Bowen involved, and Leicester were in trouble when Fornals found Benrahma on the left. Benrahma has made an encouraging start to the season and the £30m Algerian produced a good final ball, turning a cross back for Fornals to screw a clever left-footed shot past Kasper Schmeichel.


Pablo Fornals (right) celebrates scoring the opening goal in what became an emphatic victory for West Ham. Photograph: Martin Dalton/REX/Shutterstock

It was no more than West Ham deserved and although they had an escape when Ricardo Pereira missed a chance to equalise, they had a tighter grip on the game when Pérez was sent off. The Leicester winger was rash when he went into a tackle with Fornals, bringing his studs down on the Spaniard’s ankle, and Michael Oliver had no option but to show him a red card after being told to consult the pitchside monitor by the VAR, Darren England. “He’s tried to stay on his feet and then he’s unbalanced because he’s clipped,” Rodgers said. “On the replays it doesn’t look too good.”

Leicester’s complaints were impossible to justify and West Ham should have capitalised on their numerical advantage before the interval. Antonio was furious with himself after botching an easy header at the far post.

There were more openings for West Ham at the start of the second half, Schmeichel repelling another Antonio header. Leicester, their defence weakened with Jonny Evans, Wesley Fofana and Jannik Vestergaard injured, were under siege. They had no way out of their half and the pressure eventually told, Soyuncu’s lazy backpass reaching Antonio, who gave Benrahma an open goal.

It was one way-traffic, even after Youri Tielemans pulled a goal back for Leicester, scrambling Maddison’s cross past Lukasz Fabianski. West Ham stayed calm and they soon restored their lead, Rice striding down the left and finding Antonio, who bullied the hapless Soyuncu before beating Schmeichel with a brilliant shot. “His goals are typical Mick,” Moyes said. “I didn’t think he’d made the right choices in the first half, but he was different class in the second half.”

Antonio, who had surpassed Paolo Di Canio’s record of 47 goals in the Premier League for West Ham, brought the house down by celebrating with a cardboard cutout of himself and he soon scored again, controlling Vladimir Coufal’s cross and prodding home. West Ham were jubilant.






Mail

West Ham go TOP of the Premier League as Michail Antonio double helps earn them impressive 4-1 win against 10-man Leicester... with Ayoze Perez sent off for horror challenge on Pablo Fornals

West Ham thrashed Leicester on Monday night to go top of the Premier League
Michail Antonio scored a quickfire brace in the second half to wrap up the points
He went above Paolo Di Canio as West Ham's top Premier League goalscorer
Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma scored either side of a red card for Ayoze Perez
Youri Tielemans hauled one back for the 10 men but Antonio then stole the show

By Matt Barlow

Not since the days of Mo Farah, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Greg Rutherford almost a decade ago have the sounds of celebration echoed through the Olympic Park quite like this.

There was a standing ovation at the start, jubilation at the end and there were deep rumbles of appreciation for this team forged by David Moyes during those long, silent months of football played in empty stadiums.

There were triumphant roars to greet the goals by Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma, and cheers for the VAR and more cheers to bid farewell to Leicester’s Ayoze Perez, sent off for a dangerous tackle in the first half.


West Ham United powered to a commanding 4-1 win over Leicester City on Monday evening


Michail Antonio scored a late double, celebrating the first with a cardboard cut-out of himself


Ayoze Perez was sent-off in the first-half for a dangerous, studs-up challenge on Pablo Fornals

There was resounding applause for long-serving captain Mark Noble when he came off the bench in the closing minutes.

But there was nothing to compete with the explosion of noise when Michail Antonio found the net with two goals inside four minutes to complete the victory late in the game and overtake Paolo Di Canio to become West Ham’s top scorer in the Premier League.

Antonio celebrated his first by dancing with a life-size cardboard cut-out of himself as the home fans sang his name and they climbed back to their feet once again to salute his performance when he was replaced in the 89th minute.

His was an outstanding performance, a fabulous demonstration in the craft of the modern centre-forward comparable to that of Romalu Lukaku for Chelsea against Arsenal, and he was not alone.

All those in claret in blue rose to the occasion and it gave the West Ham fans a night to remember as they went top of the Premier League on their return to this unpopular home.

The last time they packed into the London Stadium was in February 2020, when they beat Southampton for what was their first Premier League win for two months.

The presence of a capacity crowd has not always equalled joyful scenes since the move from Upton Park. Quite often it has been about anger and dissent but much has happened since the last time they were here, and most of it of a positive nature as Moyes led them to finish sixth and qualify for Europe.

This team is balanced and solid, with character, physical presence and pace on the turnover, and typified by Antonio, who is strong and willing. He hauls them forward, lifts the mood and occupies defenders even if his final pass or shot can be erratic.

He also plays with a beaming smile on his face and that feeling reflected all around the stadium on Monday night from the moment Fornals made the breakthrough, sweeping a cross from Jarrod Bowen into the net, midway through the first half.


A capacity crowd returned to the London Stadium and it was rocking like never before


Pablo Fornals flicked in the opener as West Ham quickly found they could counter quickly


Fornals enjoyed his celebration as the Hammers welcomed their fans back to the ground

Leicester tried to play their football but found it impossible in the first half to convert possession into a goal threat. When they did manage to summon a belated response when Perez threaded a pass to Ricardo Pereira, and he slammed a shot wide.

But the size of the task was magnified for the visitors when they were reduced to 10 men, five minutes before the half time.

Perez was moving back towards his own goal from halfway when he attempted to control a pass from Schmeichel while under pressure from Aaron Cresswell. His touch was heavy and Cresswell’s presence knocked him off balance as he chased the loose ball back into midfield.

Fornals beat him in the race and Perez came down on his left ankle with his studs. The slow motion replay looked awful but referee Olivier was close to the incident and did not blow for a foul at the time.

Only when his VAR Darren England intervened did Oliver go to the pitch-side monitor. Looking at the images it was impossible to draw any other conclusion than it was a dangerous tackle. There may have been no intent but Fornals was fortunate to be able to carry on.

There was a collective gasp of horror when the incident was replayed on the big screens. Even so, Leicester disputed the decision. Schmeichel was still locked in a conversation with the officials as the teams went down the tunnel at half-time.

The visitors felt it was a foul by Cresswell and perhaps it would have been given as a foul last season, but the Premier League referees are trying to keep the game flowing. Perhaps Perez had this in his mind as he tried to stay on his feet and compete for the ball.

Either way, West Ham were firmly in control and returned with purpose in the second half. Soucek stabbed a chance over, and Schmeichel parried a header from Antonio, unmarked at the back post and found by Fornals.

The second came from a mistake by Caglar Soyuncu, who turned a pass carelessly back towards his ‘keeper Schmeichel from a left-back position. Antonio read his intentions and pounced, then had the presence of mind to pull the ball back towards Benrahma, who beat Amartey on the line.

Leicester found a goal and, briefly, a way back into the contest when Youri Tielemens forced the ball past Lukasz Fabianski at the second attempt after his initial effort had been blocked.

It guaranteed a pulsating last 20 minutes but West Ham reacted and it was only fitting that Antonio should be the man to settle it. First with a low shot on the turn and his second, poked past Schmeichel from close range.


Antonio was dangerous all evening but finally took his chance by turning and powering in

Cue more celebrations, another chorus of Bubbles and Sweet Caroline. Happy days are back in the Olympic Park.

MATCH FACTS AND PLAYER RATINGS

WEST HAM 4231: Fabianski 6; Coufal 7, Dawson 6.5, Ogbonna 6, Cresswell 6.5; Rice 7, Soucek 7.5; Bowen 7, Fornals 8, Benrahma 7; Antonio 9.

SUBS: Areola, Yarmolenko, Lanzini, Noble, Diop, Fredericks, Johnson, Coventry, Baptiste.

GOALS: Fornals, Benrahma, Antonio 2

BOOKINGS

MANAGER: David Moyes 7


LEICESTER 4231: Schmeichel 6; Pereira 5.5, Amartey 5, Soyuncu 5, Thomas 6; Ndidi 6, Tielemans 6.5; Perez 4.5, Maddison 5, Barnes 5.5 (Daka 65, 6); Vardy 6.

SUBS: Ward, Albrighton, Iheanacho, Choudhury, Dewsbury-Hall, Praet, Castagne, Daka, Soumare.

BOOKINGS: Pereira

OFF: Perez

MANAGER: Brendan Rodgers 6


REF: Michael Oliver 6





90Min

Newcastle & West Ham consider late bids for Burnley target Maxwel Cornet

Newcastle and West Ham are considering rivalling Burnley for the signing of Lyon left-back Maxwel Cornet.



Sean Dyche's side have made a club-record £15m bid for the Ivory Coast international, who moved to Lyon from Metz back in 2015.

But 90min understands they could face late competition for his signature, with Premier League rivals Newcastle and West Ham interested in a deal for the 24-year-old. Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin are also keen on him.

Cornet previously shunned interest from Burnley, but they have since upped their offer and are willing to make him their highest-paid player.

Burnley have completed three signings so far this window. Wayne Hennessey and Jacob Bedeau have joined on free transfers from Crystal Palace and Scunthorpe United respectfully, while Nathan Collins signed from Stoke for £12m.

Cornet

spacer



SportsLens

West Ham pressing ahead with negotiations for Gaetan Laborde

West Ham United have been heavily linked with a move for the Montpellier striker Gaetan Laborde in recent weeks.

Footmercato (via GFFN) are now reporting that the Premier League side have accelerated talks to sign the 27-year-old.

It is no secret that the Hammers will have to bring in another specialist goal scorer to support Michail Antonio and Laborde could prove to be a superb addition.

The Frenchman is at the peak of his powers right now and he could make an immediate impact in the Premier League.

The report adds that Laborde and West Ham have been locked in talks and the French striker is excited about the London club’s project.

It is hardly surprising that he is excited about a move to the Premier League and West Ham in particular. The Hammers have an ambitious project at their disposal and they can offer him European football as well.

The 27-year-old striker scored 18 goals and picked up nine assists across all competitions and he is likely to cost around €15 million excluding bonuses. Laborde has scored twice in three appearances this season as well.

Sevilla tried to sign the player earlier this summer as well and the Hammers must look to move quickly in order to fend off the competition.

West Ham have been linked with the likes of Jonathan Bamba and Jesse Lingard to improve their attacking options as well.




Sport Witness

West Ham have ‘planned to submit offer’ today for striker – Club want ‘between €15-20m’

We’re not entirely sure if it’s a money thing or simply the fact West Ham United haven’t found the right man, but Sébastien Haller still hasn’t been replaced.

Not that they particularly need a striker, mind, what with Michail Antonio scoring goals aplenty for the Hammers in the Premier League, but it’s clear their depth isn’t great in the position and an extra body would go a long way to help out David Moyes’ cause.

That’s why players like Gaëtan Laborde are being looked at, with Foot Mercato previously claiming West Ham were still monitoring the Montpellier striker, who is expected to leave before the end of the window if the right offer comes along.

And, according to Le10 Sport, that could arrive from London Stadium, as the French website explain the Premier League side have ‘planned to submit an offer on Tuesday’, meaning today.

It’s made clear that Montpellier want somewhere ‘between €15-20m’ for their striker, and West Ham will ‘seemingly align themselves with the demands’ set by the Ligue 1 side.

The amount of the bid isn’t made clear, then, but it should be between those two figures.

We’ll have to wait and see, but there will be hope that if Laborde is signed, he’ll fare better than most of the other strikers that came before him.




Telegraph

West Ham consider Nikola Vlasic as an alternative to main target Jesse Lingard

Jesse Lingard was a huge success while on loan at West Ham and the club want to sign him permanently, though may struggle in securing a deal



By Matt Law

West Ham United have lined up former Everton midfielder Nikola Vlasic as a potential alternative to Jesse Lingard as David Moyes attempts to bolster his Premier League table-topping squad.

Moyes has guided West Ham to impressive victories against Newcastle United and Leicester City, which has put the club at the top of the table after just two games of the season.

But West Ham are the only club in the league yet to make a permanent signing this summer and Moyes is keen to get some deals over the line before the transfer window shuts next week.

The club is in talks with Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma, but personal terms are causing an issue and West Ham are reluctant to pay the defender over £100,000-a-week.

Moyes also wants an attacking player and has taken an interest in attacking midfielder Vlasic, currently at CSKA Moscow, in case West Ham cannot secure the return of Lingard.

Lingard was a huge success during a loan spell at West Ham last season and he remains the club’s first-choice target in his position.

Should West Ham fail to match United’s asking price or agree another loan deal, then Moyes could give the green light for a move for Vlasic, who has excelled in Russia.

The Croatia international scored 12 goals last season and 13 in the previous campaign, having only made 12 Premier League appearances during his season at Everton.

It is understood that Moyes has around £40m to spend without needing to sell anybody and Vlasic, who was part of Croatia’s squad at this summer’s European Championship finals, would fit into West Ham’s budget.

United are believed to value Lingard, who made a substitutes’ appearance against Southampton, at around £25m, but the former England international only has one year left on his contract and could be allowed out on loan again.

Irish Hammer 12:42 Wed Aug 25
Re: Tuesday newspapers (includes West Ham)

“His goals are typical Mick,” Moyes said



He can fuck off and all !

Texas Iron 6:34 Tue Aug 24
Re: Tuesday newspapers (includes West Ham)

Cheers...

Thanks Irish 5:24 Tue Aug 24
Re: Tuesday newspapers (includes West Ham)

Thanks Alan and thanks MPI

Moncurs Putting Iron 4:41 Tue Aug 24
Re: Tuesday newspapers (includes West Ham)

Trunds,

Thank you for my next T Shirt print.

Lee Trundle 4:41 Tue Aug 24
Re: Tuesday newspapers (includes West Ham)

... and Billy McKinlay, you jockist?

Lee Trundle 4:40 Tue Aug 24
Re: Tuesday newspapers (includes West Ham)

What about Paul Nevin, you racist?

Moncurs Putting Iron 4:37 Tue Aug 24
Re: Tuesday newspapers (includes West Ham)

*Finishes Can, takes of reading glasses*

Thanks Alan

Thanks Mr Moyes, Mr Pearce and Mr Nolan

Thanks to the entire squad.

Thanks Grandad (for the inheritance of Irons in the Blood)

Today is a good day.

Coffee 4:25 Tue Aug 24
Re: Tuesday newspapers (includes West Ham)

MPI, you finished yet? Or are you giving the reports a little second run through?

Coffee 4:25 Tue Aug 24
Re: Tuesday newspapers (includes West Ham)

MPI, you finished yet? Or are you giving the reports a little second run through?

Moncurs Putting Iron 4:05 Tue Aug 24
Re: Tuesday newspapers (includes West Ham)

*Closes down work laptop, mutes phone, open can of Lager and settles down to savour the read*

Mex Martillo 3:38 Tue Aug 24
Re: Tuesday newspapers (includes West Ham)

bill green 2:25 Tue Aug 24

Alan 3:03 Tue Aug 24
Re: Tuesday newspapers (includes West Ham)

Vlasic story added.

bill green 2:25 Tue Aug 24
Re: Tuesday newspapers (includes West Ham)

Thanks Alan 2:08 Tue Aug 24

Driz 2:19 Tue Aug 24
Re: Tuesday newspapers (includes West Ham)

Have to say that those press reports on the game made me a bit emotional.

#myteam

Thanks Alan 2:08 Tue Aug 24
Re: Tuesday newspapers (includes West Ham)

Thanks Alan