West Ham have expressed interest in a January deal for 25-year-old Wolves and Norway striker Jorgen Strand Larsen. (Athletic - subscription required) , external
Should 26-year-old Sweden striker Alexander Isak's injury prove as serious as feared, Liverpool may consider a pivot to other options with the cash that was available and trigger 25-year-old Bournemouth and Ghana winger Antoine Semenyo's release clause. (Telegraph - subscription required) , external
Aston Villa have joined the race to sign Wolves and Norway defender David Moller Wolfe, 23, in the January transfer window. (Football Insider) , external
West Ham and AC Milan are in advanced negotiations for Germany forward Niclas Fullkrug, 32. (Sky Sports) , external
Chelsea are looking to beat European rivals to the signing of 18-year-old Genk and Greece midfielder Konstantinos Karetsas. (Teamtalk) , external
Liverpool and Manchester United are among a number of top clubs interested in Lille's 18-year-old French midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. (CaughtOffside), external
Meanwhile, French centre-back Axel Disasi, 27, will leave Chelsea in January, with several clubs already on alert about his availability. (Fabrizio Romano) , external
Tottenham have not had an approach from Fiorentina, despite strong reports in Italy claiming Fabio Paratici is poised to accept a five-year deal to become the Serie A club's director of football. (Mail)
Sky Paper Talk
ALEXANDER ISAK
Liverpool could be forced into the January transfer market over fears £130m striker Alexander Isak has broken a leg - Daily Telegraph
Liverpool have eliminated the possibility of Alexander Isak having suffered cruciate ligament damage - but still fear their record signing is set for a significant layoff - Daily Mail
Liverpool fear record signing Alexander Isak sustained a suspected broken leg in Saturday's 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur - The Athletic
PREMIER LEAGUE
Bruno Fernandes could be missing for at least a month after sustaining a suspected soft-tissue injury which forced him off at half-time in Manchester United's 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa - Daily Telegraph
Tottenham have not had an approach from Fiorentina despite strong reports in Italy claiming Fabio Paratici is poised to accept a five-year deal from the club bottom of Serie A to become their director of football - Daily Mail
Virgil van Dijk does not believe Tottenham star Xavi Simons set out to hurt him, but would not reveal the contents of his conversation with his international team-mate - Daily Mirror
Former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic believes they were making progress under old manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and is adamant he deserved more time - Daily Mail
Steven Gerrard has thrown his support behind Arne Slot before stating he would return to Liverpool to work in any capacity - Daily Mirror
West Ham United have expressed an interest in signing Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolverhampton Wanderers in January - The Athletic
Diant Ramaj - on loan at Heidenheim from Borussia Dortmund - is viewed as a potential long-term successor to Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya - Bild
Wolves midfielder Marshall Munetsi has emerged as a target for OGC Nice - L'Equipe
SCOTTISH FOOTBALL
Forgotten Scotland ace Oli McBurnie is eyeing a shock World Cup recall five years after his last cap after emerging as the deadliest striker in the Championship - The Sun
Former boss Steven Gerrard insists he could "make Rangers good again" had he made a return to the club - Daily Record
WSL
West Ham are to appoint the former Juventus head coach Rita Guarino as their new women's team manager - The Guardian
CRICKET
The England and Wales Cricket Board is eager to avoid a mass clearout of England's senior leadership in the wake of another humiliating away Ashes series defeat - The Guardian
The Athletic
Watching West Ham from the away end (again): Kilman critics, black balloons and Haaland’s revenge
After witnessing a win for West Ham from the Nottingham Forest away end in August, The Athletic once again eschewed the press box at the Etihad on Saturday Roshane Thomas/The Athletic
By Roshane Thomas
The 11.13am departure from London’s Euston station to Manchester Piccadilly arrives 22 minutes behind schedule at 1.41pm on Saturday, but for one West Ham United supporter, there are other pressing issues than its late running as he heads towards the exit of carriage F.
“I will lose the plot if I see (Max) Kilman in that line-up,” the youthful-looking fan says to his group of friends, as they leave behind their cans of Estrella beer.
“Give it a rest — you’ve been moaning about him the whole journey,” says another member of his group.
But on a cold December afternoon in the north of England, this will not be the only time an away supporter voices their displeasure about the 28-year-old defender. (More on that later.)
There are multiple chants of West Ham’s “Irons” nickname as fans head towards the station’s ticket barriers. With kick-off against Manchester City looming, many know West Ham’s chances of sealing a win are fanciful. They have not beaten City at the Etihad Stadium since September 2015, while their most recent draw there was in January 2008.
But this reporter hopes to be a positive omen in the away end.
In August, The Athletic swapped Nottingham Forest’s press box for a seat in the City Ground stands to gauge away fans’ expectations about the season. That game ended in a 3-0 win for West Ham.
But four months later, the likelihood of enthusiasm on the Mancunian terraces is slim.
The view from the away end at the Etihad Stadium ahead of kick-offRoshane Thomas/The Athletic
During a pre-game visit to the mens’ toilets, the debate is over who coach Nuno Espirito Santo should have picked to partner Jean-Clair Todibo in central defence.
“No (Konstantinos) Mavropanos is a joke,” says a middle-aged fan wearing a grey flat cap. “How is Kilman better? Nuno can’t get a tune out of him. Kilman’s a useless…”
Others join in to voice their frustrations about the former Wolves defender’s inclusion in the starting XI. Fifteen minutes before kick-off, a banner appears in the lower tier of the Etihad’s away enclosure. Some fans find themselves caught under it, and Carl Hughes, 35, is one of them.
“I hope it says, ‘(David) Sullivan out’,” he says, deadpan. During the course of the afternoon, only West Ham’s majority shareholder rivals Kilman as the most disliked person associated with the club.
Away fans produce black balloons and red cards in the 15th minute in protest against the board. There are chants of ‘Forever blowing bubbles’, ‘East London is wonderful’ and ‘Billy Bonds’ claret and blue army’. But any residue of festive cheer lasts for only five minutes, as Erling Haaland scores the game’s opening goal for City. Four minutes later, he fails to double the lead as his towering header goes wide.
“You’re just a s**t Andy Carroll,” chant West Ham fans, mockingly comparing the Norwegian to their club’s own former physical powerhouse of a striker. A middle-aged City supporter in a Canada Goose coat takes umbrage at the joke and calls one of the West Ham contingent a “d***head”. He is subsequently prevented from retaliating more physically by being held back. The exchange continues with a chorus of, “He’s gonna cry in a minute.”
In the 38th minute, midfielder Tijjani Reijnders makes it 2-0 and one West Ham player — no points for guessing who — does not escape criticism.
“The goals we concede are consistently soft,” says Alfie Smith, 28. “City scored in the first five minutes, and that’s when our intensity should be at its highest. We needed to keep them out for 10 minutes to try to settle into the game.
“Kilman wasn’t tight enough to Reijnders, and he’s able to shoot. It’s a soft goal to concede; Kilman should be anticipating that. We desperately need a Craig Dawson- or Gary Cahill-type defender — an old-school centre-half who is a big physical presence, commanding and can organise the back line.
“We need a centre-back and striker in January, but of the two, the priority has to be a defender. Kilman and Mavropanos have had enough chances. Todibo can play, and he’s impressed me recently, but it can’t all be on him.”
Alfie Smith, left, and Carl Hughes at the EtihadRoshane Thomas/The Athletic
West Ham hope to improve their porous defence by signing Toulouse’s 23-year-old English defender Charlie Cresswell. But as Lauren Bishop, 37, waits in the queue for food and drinks at half-time, she explains why she is not hopeful about potential incomings.
“Honestly, we need a prayer for January,” she says. “Why would anyone want to join us? We’re a mess at the minute. We can’t defend and can’t keep clean sheets. The only small hope I have of us staying up is the fact that we have (captain and England forward Jarrod) Bowen.
“I had to beg my daughter to come with me today because she’s just fed up with it all. If you were to ask most people here, they’d tell you the same. We love and care about the club, but the people at the top haven’t got a clue. They’re the reason we’re in this mess. I don’t trust them to get us the players we need in January.”
West Ham fans pass along a banner protesting against the club’s owners Roshane Thomas/The Athletic
An encouraging start to the second half sees efforts on goal from Bowen and Crysencio Summerville, but Haaland seals a 3-0 victory in the 69th minute. It prompts City fans to taunt the away end with their own rendition of, “He’s just a s**t Andy Carroll”.
Around the 80th minute, some in the West Ham section have seen enough and head towards the exits. A young supporter, in a claret and blue jersey, keeps himself entertained by jumping on the black balloons remaining from the earlier protest.
Home matches against Fulham and Brighton are next for West Ham before the turn of the year. It is a crucial period for Nuno’s side — and Hughes is not the least bit optimistic.
“What really cost us were the losses to Brentford and Leeds United,” he says. “We needed to take points from those games. Our next match against Fulham is a must-not-lose but, realistically, I don’t expect us to beat them, or Brighton.
“My biggest concern is the games after that run, against Wolves and Forest (in the first week of January). If we don’t get six points from those matches, plus lose to either Brighton or Fulham, then I really think we’ll go down.
“I don’t have much hope of us getting key targets in January either. Sullivan will mess it up one way or another. I don’t think Nuno will be backed, and I can’t see him seeing out the season. I think he’s going to fall out with Sullivan and will either walk or get sacked.
“Sullivan will throw him under the bus. I have no faith in him whatsoever.”
Sport Witness
“Great club” – Player expected to join West Ham quickly and sounds a happy Hammer
By Naveen Ullal
West Ham United are in the mix to sign FC Utrecht’s Souffian El Karouani in the winter market.
The left-back has impressed this season and even contributed three goals and 15 assists from 29 matches. He’s also in his final year of contract, making him a market opportunity.
Three days ago, De Telegraaf reported West Ham, Eintracht Frankfurt, Bologna, FC Porto and Benfica are all keen. They also stated he could change clubs in the next window.
RTV Utrecht now report the 25-year-old is ‘on his way to West Ham’.
On Sunday, El Karouani played the full 90 minutes in his side’s 2-1 league defeat to PSV Eindhoven.
After the match, RTV Utrecht caught up with the West Ham target to find out his plans for January. When responding to that, the fullback made it sound like a move is in the works.
“It could happen, or it might not. In any case, I haven’t said goodbye in the dressing room yet. I haven’t said a word [about the situation],” he said.
The outlet then mentions West Ham and claims they ‘desperately’ need to improve their defence. Nuno Espírito Santo currently has El Hadji Malick Diouf and Oliver Scarles as two left-back /wing-backs at his disposal. The former is currently with Senegal at AFCON.
RTV Utrecht specifically asks El Karouani about the Hammers links.
“It could happen. It’s a great club. My agent is working on my behalf. I’m waiting to see what happens. I can look back on a wonderful year in Utrecht,” El Karouani explained.
England locked in fierce battle to secure West Ham wonderkid, 15, hailed as one of the country's most promising defenders amid Netherlands interest
By NATHAN SALT
England and the Netherlands are locked in an international tug-of-war over one of England's most promising academy players.
West Ham's Emmanuel Fejokwu, just 15 but plays in the Under-18 Premier League, has so far represented both nations at Under-15 and Under-16 level and was called by up by England and the Netherlands for an international camp last week.
The young defender, who was born in the Netherlands but moved to England in his infant years, this time chose the country of his birth, which caught the attention of scouts given that the pair of Under-16 games would be against England.
It was particularly awkward for the FA and England's youth coaches that Fejokwu came on in the first game and scored a left-footed finish into the top corner, and then followed that up by scoring a header in the second game as a starter.
The FA pathway is littered with players who can play for other nations and there are countless examples of young stars like Elliot Anderson, who spent a lot of his youth career at international level playing for Scotland before declaring for England as a senior player.
But concern has been ramped up at St George's Park that one of English football's most promising teenage defenders could be taken from their grasp.
The Netherlands (left) and England (right) are both trying to convince Emmanuel Fejokwu to commit his international future to them
Fejokwu is just 15-years-old but is a regular for West Ham's Under-18s side
Daily Mail Sport understands that Fejokwu, who plays three years above his age level in West Ham Under-18s, much like 15-year-old JJ Gabriel at Manchester United, is also attracting significant interest from clubs in the Netherlands such as Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord.
Sources in the Netherlands believe a move to the Dutch league would help further secure him from the clutches of England at international level.
His Dutch passport opens the door for him to leave England at the age of 16, something which isn't possible for players that solely hold a British passport. They cannot play abroad until they turn 18.
German clubs such as Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen have made enquiries, as have Red Bull Salzburg in Austria. Inter Milan, Club Brugge, Anderlecht, Lille and AS Monaco are also understood to be among the clubs vying for his signature.
West Ham are understood to be desperate to keep him while England's biggest clubs have all sought updates on his situation as academy recruitment season goes into overdrive.
Sport Witness
West Ham player could be off to Ajax within weeks – Another fortunate move
Such is the strength of the Premier League, a player at a relegation battling side can be something of a failure and get a move to title-chasing AC Milan.
That’s the fate of Niclas Füllkrug who is swapping third from bottom West Ham for second from top Milan. He’s expected to fly to Italy on Monday evening or Tuesday, and secure his future for the next few months.
Another West Ham player could also be moving to a European giant near the top of the table. This time it’s Ajax, but although they’re third in the Eredivisie a title challenge looks unlikely. PSV are clear favourites and 16 points ahead of the Amsterdam club.
Ajax are keen for reinforcements in January and that’s seen them turn their attention to the Hammers. Voetbal International report Guido Rodríguez is the man in question, and the basis would likely be a loan.
The 31-year-old has picked up around 250 minutes this season, but has been involved more in recent weeks. His contract expires at the end of the season, although there’s an option to extend it for a further year.
Therefore, West Ham’s stance on the situation would be unclear.
Ajax were keen on Edson Álvarez in the summer
Ajax have been exploring the option of signing Rodriguez, but there’s not much more shared than that. They’ll likely want a low cost loan and West Ham may feel they can do better elsewhere, if they decide to part ways.
The Dutch club had been keen on taking Edson Álvarez in the summer window, again on a loan basis. They even went public with their intentions, seemingly confident about reaching a deal. However, they didn’t like the terms offered by the Premier League club.
Álvarez then moved to Fenerbahçe, on loan with an option to buy. He’s had some fitness issues but has made 13 appearances for the Turkish club so far.