BBC
Manchester United have identified AC Milan's Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessie, 24, as a possible replacement for 28-year-old France star Paul Pogba, whose contract at Old Trafford expires in 2022. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish)
Pogba's compatriot Tanguy Ndombele is another midfielder on Manchester United's radar despite the 24-year-old's mixed fortunes since his record £53.8m move to Tottenham Hotspur in 2019. (Calciomercato - in Italian)
While Pogba's future at United remains uncertain, Juventus are not planning to bring the Frenchman back to Turin. Pogba won four Serie A titles in as many seasons at Juve before returning to Old Trafford in 2016. (Tuttomercatoweb - in Italian)
Denmark defender Andreas Christensen, 25, is ready to sign a contract extension at Chelsea worth £120,000 a week after initially being offered a deal with wages lower than the £78,000 a week he currently earns. (Sun)
Juventus and Atletico Madrid are among the clubs keeping tabs on Arsenal and England winger Bukayo Saka, 20. (Calciomercato - in Italian)
Real Madrid are planning a move for Paris St-Germain defender Marquinhos, 27, with the Brazilian under contract at the French club until 2024. (Fichajes - in Spanish)
Leeds United remain interested in Club Bruges' Dutch winger Noa Lang, 22. (Football Insider)
Fiorentina are trying to tie down Serbia striker Dusan Vlahovic to a new deal after the 28-year-old was linked with a move to Tottenham in the summer. (Gazzetta dello Sport via Sport Witness)
English midfielder Danny Drinkwater admits his Chelsea career has been a "shambles" after the 28-year-old made his debut for Reading in his fourth loan spell away from Stamford Bridge. (Talksport)
Inter Milan are keen to offload Chile forward Alexis Sanchez, with Real Betis and Sevilla having expressed interest in the 32-year-old. (InterLive - in Italian)
Roma are interested in signing Manchester United and Portugal right-back Diogo Dalot, 22, during the January transfer window. (Calciomercato - in Italian)
Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma, 25, says it was not his time to leave the club in the summer but the Mali international says that his "dream" is to play in the Champions League. (Brighton website, via Metro)
Former Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker, who is now head of their academy, says the club are in a "massive transition" and hopes that first-team manager Mikel Arteta "gets the time that he needs" to improve the London side's fortunes. (Beautiful Game Podcast, via Goal)
Not the Old Firm
Dundee United urged to enjoy Kerr Smith while youngster remains at Tannadice
Dundee United head coach Thomas Courts says the Scottish Premiership club ‘are in the business of developing young players in order to sell them’ as West Ham United take an interest in Kerr Smith.
The 16-year-old centre-back became the youngest United player to feature in the Dundee derby on Sunday in a 1-0 win over their city rivals from Dens Park. Smith is being tracked by West Ham United as his potential continues to grow and he has been subject of bids from other Premier League clubs (DR).
Smith (left) is wanted by West Ham United. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group via Getty Images)
Courts said: “I want young players to spend quite a bit of time here so that the fans can enjoy them for a longer period of time. That means if any young player leaves here, the fans will feel they’ve got to know him and have been able to be a part of their journey.
“It also means the young players know they are still part of a big club. There’s no doubt from us what we are. We are in the business of developing young players in order to sell them. But we need to sell them to the right clubs, for the right value and at the right time. (The derby) was a good step in the right direction for Kerr.
“But we aren’t getting overly excited because we already knew his qualities. It’s about giving him the right opportunities to keep developing.”
Independent
Jarrod Bowen offers glimpse of why Liverpool, Spurs and Leicester are circling
Against Manchester United, Bowen offered a taster of why so many of England’s top teams have tuned into him with a dynamic, tireless display
Melissa Reddy Senior Football Correspondent
Scouts from Liverpool, Tottenham and Leicester have been viewers for a long while. That is only a shortlist.
When West Ham agreed a £20m-plus deal to prise Jarrod Bowen away from Hull City in January 2020, it ended the wait to see just which Premier League club would scoop up the Championship’s hotshot.
That hasn’t stopped the reconnaissance, however, but sharpened it. The curiosity as to how well the left-footed attacker, who can play across the offensive positions, would fair in the top-flight superseded the forecasting of Bowen’s adaptation.
Is he still an excellent threat from range? Can he still score often with his wrong foot from wide on the right? Does he still shoot quickly and hard? Has he reached his ceiling or is there still far more output he could scale?
At the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Bowen offered a taster of why so many of England’s top teams have tuned into him with a dynamic, tireless display in a tight 2-1 defeat against Manchester United.
The 24-year-old, whose allure is undoubtedly aided by the homegrown factor, helped West Ham soften the absence of the suspended Michail Antonio.
He created four chances, was credited with the assist for Said Benrahma’s opener, had four shots – forcing the first save from David de Gea, later testing him with a long-ranger – and was hugely efficient in possession.
What really impressed about Bowen was his work off the ball; consistently alert, on the move making the most sprints, showing great acceleration, being the first defender, winning most of his duels and contesting the highest number of them for West Ham.
He got stuck in, involved in all phases of their play and while the goals have not yet flowed this season, every other facet of his game: ball-carrying, energy in the press, movement and creation have been stellar.
Bowen’s final contribution was to be subbed off for Mark Noble to take a penalty at the death that De Gea saved. West Ham manager David Moyes admitted he needs to select and settle on an obvious spot-kick choice when his veteran option is not in play.
That man may very well be Bowen. But perhaps West Ham don’t want to become too reliant on a player they are very aware the scouts are still circling.
C&H
Sorry and thanks Fab …but it looks all over now
There’s never s shortage of talking points at West Ham United – it’s actually one of the joys of running a website dedicated to the club and right now one of the biggest is Lukasz Fabianski.
The guy has been an absolute star since he arrived for Swansea at £7 million under Pellegrini but despite one or two great saves on Sunday he is being held widely responsible for that first goal.
He has of course suffered his share of injuries over the last couple of seasons and it may be we will be seeing less and less of him over the remainder of the season – we’ll soon find out.
It looks a given that Alphone Areola could take his first step towards becoming the new No 1 if given the chance at Old Trafford tomorrow night.
I agree that the time has come to thank our keeper of the past three years and pass the gloves over to Monsieur Areola.
Not only did Fab spill the ball once too often but he also miserably failed in the primary job of keeping goal…..taking total command of the penalty area.
Not once did he advance off his line to make a catch or punched clearance and, although I wasn’t near enough to hear, he obviously wasn’t calling out and directing his defence.
In the 88th minute a very collectable and unchallenged cross came into the area and our No.1 started to come out but backed off leaving it for Zouma to (once again) head clear.
The direct result of not calling for and catching the ball was (as others have described it) a worldie from Lingard.
Had he caught the ball and kept hold for a few seconds, as any top keeper would do in the 88th minute, penalty or not, United would NOT have won. Memories of Lionel Scaloni come flooding back.
OS
Winston Reid departs West Ham United by mutual consent
Winston Reid has thanked West Ham United and its supporters, after the long-serving defender today brought to an end his 11-year career with the Hammers.
The Club can confirm it has reached an agreement with Reid for the New Zealand international to depart and allow him to pursue first-team football elsewhere.
The 33-year-old has been a loyal and dependable servant ever since signing in the summer of 2010, and paid tribute to his time in East London and his relationship with the Claret and Blue Army upon his departure.
“I have a lot of respect for the Club, and we’ve found an agreement that’s good for everyone involved,” Reid told West Ham TV. “I came here in 2010 and have just enjoyed so much of playing for the Club. It’s been a special time.
“I’ve always felt that the fans have supported me, and I’ve always tried to give my best for them. At the end of the day, when you’re a footballer, that’s what you enjoy the most, going out there and playing in front of a lot of fans.
“Over the years, that’s also what I’ve enjoyed the most: playing for your fans, for your teammates, for your coaches and for your family.
“I just want to say ‘thank you’ and I wish you all the best for the future.”
Everyone at West Ham United would like to express their gratitude for the commitment, dedication and loyalty which Reid has shown the Club since 2010, and wish him and his family all the very best for the future.
