BARCELONA are looking to sign Raheem Sterling, Edinson Cavani and Timo Werner in January, according to reports.
Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard is reportedly set to be named the new Aston Villa manager today.
We’ve also got all the latest on a potential transfer for Declan rice as well as updates from Chelsea, who are eyeing a swoop for Attila Szalai in January.
Get all the latest football news, updates and transfer gossip below…
HAMMERS SWOOP
West Ham are reportedly lining-up a transfer swoop to sign the son of Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone.
Striker Giovanni Simeone, 26, has been in fine form for Italian side Hellas Verona.
He already has nine goals in 11 matches for them in Serie A, including a recent brace against Juventus.
The Argentine’s exploits are now starting to attract attention from elsewhere.
And Caught Offside are claiming that West Ham are exploring the possibility of launching a move for him.
TARGETS NOT MET
English football has hit just two out of eight targets in the first year of their much heralded Football Leadership Diversity Code.
The voluntary scheme launched to drive through systemic change at the top of clubs and leagues last year has today published the first ever set of results.
It shows eight Premier League clubs have failed to hire a single person from black, Asian or mixed heritage into senior leadership positions over the past 12 months.
And it shows the EFL has also failed to hire anyone from a similar background into a senior organisational position – something campaigners have been demanding to change.
Of the 20 top flight clubs, just two failed to have any new jobs in senior leadership or team operation roles in the past year.
The target set for diversity in both categories is 15 per cent, so ten who did make appointments either matched the ambition or at least appointed someone from a non-white background.
EDD-ING OFF?
Borussia Monchengladbach are hoping to sign Eddie Nketiah on a pre-contract agreement in January, according to The Mirror.
Nketiah has a deal until 2022, so he’ll be a free agent by the summer.
Foreign clubs can start to talk to him in January, which is less than eight weeks away now, and English clubs will be free to pick him up just a few more months after that.
And to strike a deal Gladbach could be willing to let midfielder Dennis Zakaria move the other way.
OUS THE MAN
Liverpool reportedly want to sign long-term target Ousmane Dembele to replace superstar Mohamed Salah should he decide to leave.
The Reds are yet to agree new terms with star man Salah, whose contract expires in the summer of 2023, and are starting to plan potential replacements.
According to Todofichajes, Liverpool have contacted Dembele’s camp and expressed their interest in signing him.
The 24-year-old’s contract expires next summer, putting his club Barcelona in a vulnerable position.
Barca could end up losing Dembele for FREE should he turn down any offers to extend his stay.
Club legend and newly appointed manager Xavi – who replaced Ronald Koeman – insists tying Dembele down to a new deal is a ‘priority’, and says the winger could be the ‘best player in the world in his position’.
REDS RAID
Liverpool are lining up a sensational TRIPLE swoop in the January transfer window with Marcelo Brozovic, Arnaut Danjuma and Gleison Bremer, according to reports.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp made just one summer signing in £36million centre-back Ibrahima Konate.
But now the Kop boss is contemplating bringing in three players this winter to bolster his squad for their Premier League title charge.
Liverpool’s midfield has been decimated by injuries this season almost as badly as their defence was a year ago.
Thiago, Fabinho, James Milner, Naby Keita, Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones have all suffered – or are still recovering from – injuries this term, with Georginio Wijnaldum joining Paris Saint-Germain in July.
Read more HERE.
GERR THE MAN
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard is one of the favourites to take over from Dean Smith at Aston Villa.
The Villans are reportedly looking to pay as little as £3million in compensation to the defending Scottish Champions.
Villa chief executive Christian Purslow allegedly now has all of the ‘comfort he needs to assure Villa’s billionaire owners that Gerrard and his coaching staff will be willing to make the move south’.
And he could bring main man Ryan Kent back to England to play in the Premier League for him.
Here’s how Villa could look under the tutelage of Gerrard.
CZECH MATE
Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky has completed a £150million deal to buy a stake in West Ham.
Kretinsky, 26, has secured a 27 per cent share of the Hammers as part of a first investment in the club which could lead to a potential takeover bid in the future.
The businessman, who also has stakes in Sainsburys and Royal Mail, will take a seat on the board of the London club who are now targeting a genuine effort to be regarded as one of the Premier League biggest clubs.
The deal puts an overall value on West Ham close to £700m, and is the latest good news for supporters with the team currently sat third in the top flight.
Kretinsky will be joined on the board by his business partner Pavel Horsky.
PAT ON THE BACK
Roy Hodgson has hailed Patrick Vieira’s appointment as his successor at Crystal Palace as “a stroke of genius”.
The ex-Eagles boss told Sky Sports: “I think he’s been excellent.
“I think we did our work during the four years, there was a platform there. The team needed some new players, it needed some rejuvenation. It needed a fresh voice as well, I think.
“I think it was a stroke of genius from the club to give Patrick the job, who I admire very much and respect him.
“I think he’s a very, very good person as well. I’m pleased to see a club that means so much to me in such good hands.
“At the moment I can’t imagine it could have possibly gone any better. I congratulate him of course and I honestly believe he will go on from strength to strength.”
PARIS SHOCK
PSG have confirmed star Aminata Diallo is in police custody as they condemned the shocking attack on her team-mate Kheira Hamraoui.
L’Equippe broke the stunning news this morning that 31-year-old French female star Hamraoui was dragged out of her car by two masked men before they punched and kicked her.
They then alleged that the attack was orchestrated by her international and club-mate Hamraoui to eliminate her from competition for a first team spot.
Cops swooped to arrest the 26-year-old midfielder this morning, with PSG confirming an incident had taken place.
A club statement said: “Paris Saint-Germain takes note of Aminata Diallo’s police custody this morning by the Versailles SRPJ as part of the procedure opened following an assault last Thursday evening against Club players.
“Paris Saint-Germain strongly condemns the violence committed. Since Thursday evening November 4, the Club has taken all the necessary measures to guarantee the health, well-being and safety of its players.
“Paris Saint-Germain is working with the Versailles SRPJ to shed light on the facts. The Club is attentive to the progress of the procedure and will study the follow-up to be given to it.”
STRIKE FORCE
Barcelona are desperate to add some firepower when the transfer window opens in January.
Marca claim the ailing giants are targeting a trio of forwards this winter, with Timo Werner, Edinson Cavani and Raheem Sterling on the wishlist.
Barca are languishing ninth in LaLiga and recently sacked manager Ronald Koeman after a woeful start to the season.
Club legend Xavi has been brought in to steady the ship but his transfer options will be limited with the club in a dire financial state.
The Catalans are struggling under a mountain of debt and any signings in January are likely to rely on players leaving too.
DAN THE MAN
Dani Alves is set to make good on his promise to lend a hand at former club Barcelona.
According to AS, the 38-year-old is in talks for a stunning return to the Nou Camp five years after he left the club.
The LaLiga giants are in financial turmoil as they struggle to cope with a mountain of debt.
And they recently sacked manager Ronald Koeman after a woeful start to the season.
Club legend Xavi has been brought in to steady the ship and is said to be keen on welcoming former team-mate Alves back into the fold.
The Brazilian enjoyed eight successful years in Catalonia before heading to Juventus in 2016.
FER-GET IT
Neil Warnock has named his three greatest Premier League managers – and incredibly Sir Alex Ferguson only makes fourth spot.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “Since the Premier League started if I was picking my top five managers… I would pick Arsene Wenger as the number one.
“Only because he changed the whole outlook on modern footballers. He brought so many things in that had never been thought of.
“The nutritionist, the fitness guys, video, technology. He changed the whole course of it when he came into the Premier League.”
Warnock continued: “[Pep] Guardiola would be second, his influence on the parks and the lower down leagues has been fantastic.
“I would put [Jurgen] Klopp third because I think he’s just beginning and he will get even better.”
Before adding: “Fourth, I would probably go with Sir Alex [Ferguson] just in front of Jose Mourinho because he has done it for longer.
“I just think he was in an era where it was all about man-management, it wasn’t down to all the backroom staff, and Sir Alex was probably the best at that.”
RAM RAID
Newcastle’s new boss Eddie Howe wants Arsenal icon Aaron Ramsey to be one of his first signings, according to reports.
But the newly rich Magpies face competition from Everton who are also said to be keen on the Juventus midfielder.
Juve want Ramsey out in January to get his £400,000-a-week salary off the books.
And Newcastle are one of the few clubs who are interested and could afford the Welshman’s wages, according to Goal.
Everton also have wealthy backers and could cope with the extra financial burden.
And Wolves are also said to be keeping an eye on Ramsey’s situation.
LION IN WAIT
Lionel Messi trained alongside his Argentina team-mates with a big smile on his face despite missing Paris Saint-Germain’s last two games through injury.
The 34-year-old has struggled to adapt to life in Paris, failing to score in five league appearances.
And he missed PSG’s last two games through a knee injury he picked up in the home win against Lille.
But despite his injury woes, Messi was still called up to play for his country in their World Cup qualifiers, largely thanks to a clause in his contract which allows him to prioritise international games.
And he had a big smile on his face as he trained alongside the likes of Paulo Dybala, Angel Di Maria and Atletico Madrid star Rodrigo de Paul.
GONNA GET GERR
Aston Villa are reportedly hoping to make Steven Gerrard their new manager by paying less than £3million compensation.
The Villans sacked Dean Smith on Sunday after a fifth straight defeat and are hoping to appoint a replacement as quickly as possible.
The Daily Record had stated ‘that Ibrox bosses had been placed on a 48 hour red alert’ as the Premier League club are preparing to make an official approach for the 41-year-old Liverpool legend.
Now they claim Villa’s move could come TODAY after ‘a series of frantic negotiations behind the scenes’ over the past 24 hours.
Villa chief executive Christian Purslow, who previously worked with Gerrard at Anfield, has been engaged in a ‘period of intense back channelling and extensive background checks’ since axing Smith.
He allegedly now has all of the ‘comfort he needs to assure Villa’s billionaire owners that Gerrard and his coaching staff will be willing to make the move south’ as long as an agreement can be reached between the two clubs.
CROCKED SPUR
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is set to miss Denmark’s World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands after picking up an injury playing for Tottenham.
The midfielder suffered the knock after a heavy tackle in Spurs’ 0-0 draw with Everton on Sunday.
He now faces a race to be fit for Denmark’s clash with Scotland next Monday.
The Danish Football Federation confirmed the injury news on Twitter.
A tweet read: “Due to an injury, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg will unfortunately miss the match against the Faroe Islands on Friday. We hope to get him to the match against Scotland next week.”
Spurs fans will now be holding their breath over the health of the 26-year-old – one of the few players who have performed in north London this season.
The ex-Southampton man has played every minute of the Premier League campaign so far, notching up a goal and an assist.
FAB-TASTIC
Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe has equalled a special record held by three other former Gunners stars.
Smith Rowe is the fourth Arsenal player under 21 to score in three straight Premier League games after netting the winner against Watford.
The only other three former Gunners who have scored three in the bounce in the Premier League are Nicolas Anelka, Jose Antonio Reyes and Cesc Fabregas.
The 21-year-old’s fine goal scoring start to the season comes during Arsenal’s mean unbeaten streak.
Smith Rowe’s five goals and two assists across all competitions this season has also earned himself a first senior England call-up.
GOOD MORNING FOOTY FANS
West Ham want to build their future around Declan Rice as they eye regular Champions League football.
England star Rice is maturing into one of the Premier League’s most complete players — and the Hammers are not even entertaining the idea of letting him leave the club.
Instead they believe they can become a real force in the top flight by making the 22-year-old the key part of their plans going forward.
SunSport understands he is seen as a symbol of what the club stands for — and with investment from a Czech billionaire in the pipeline the Hammers are setting their sights high.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa will consider Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand as they search for a successor to Dean Smith.
Chief executive Christian Purslow says the club have opted to make a change during the next international break after ‘not seeing the continuous improvement in results, performances and league position’ on last season.
Hjulmand helped galvanise Denmark to a Euro 2020 semi-final against England after Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest in the group stage, and he is expected to be considered alongside a number of others.
And SunSport understand Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign at Manchester United is hanging by a thread.
The question now is when not if he will be sacked by the club.
Solskjaer took advantage of the international break to fly back to Norway with his family and get away from the flak.
The mood at Old Trafford has turned to one of resignation among players and staff that he is on his way.
PAUL OVER
EXCLUSIVE – Paul Pogba could have played his last game for Manchester United.
The club’s £89million record signing is expected to be sidelined for up to two months after injuring his right thigh in training with France on Monday.
That would take the World Cup winner into January, when he can begin talking to other clubs about a move in the summer — when his United deal ends.
Discussions over a new contract at Old Trafford have been completely shelved.
United’s hierarchy are fed up of the circus that surrounds him, particularly with his agent Mino Raiola.
They are now happy to let the 28-year-old midfielder’s contract expire, leave him out of the team if necessary and allow him to go as a free agent.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Emile Smith Rowe has broken into the England squad after ditching Nando’s, chocolate bars — and his mum’s cooking.
Arsenal have dispatched a personal chef to the home Smith Rowe shares with his mother Fiona, who has been elbowed out of her own kitchen to improve her son’s diet.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta claims his No10’s outstanding recent form — five goals in his last eight games — has been down to an improvement in his lifestyle.
And Smith Rowe, 21, admitted: “I think he was talking about my diet. I didn’t used to eat that well. I used to get cramp after 60 minutes.
“I wasn’t eating great, I wasn’t drinking that well, before games I wasn’t really that hydrated but since then I’ve tried to focus so much on it.
“There’s loads of stuff we should be drinking before a game but before I was a bit too lazy.
“It was mainly my diet, nutrition and stuff like that. That’s really helped me. The club have sorted me out a chef, Chris, and he comes to my house every day.
“He’s got a couple of pasta dishes and that’s good for carbs. I didn’t used to like fish but now I am into it — salmon and stuff.”
THE RICE IS RIGHT
West Ham want to build their future around Declan Rice as they eye regular Champions League football.
England star Rice is maturing into one of the Premier League’s most complete players — and the Hammers are not even entertaining the idea of letting him leave the club.
Instead they believe they can become a real force in the top flight by making the 22-year-old the key part of their plans going forward.
SunSport understands he is seen as a symbol of what the club stands for — and with investment from a Czech billionaire in the pipeline the Hammers are setting their sights high.
Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United have all been tracking the classy midfielder but no bid has ever been submitted.
And even if one came in for as much as £100million, the Hammers board have no intention of doing business, believing they can satisfy the player’s ambitions themselves.
SOCCER-ADE
Jonjo Shelvey has signed an autograph for a fan… on a discount lemonade can.
The Newcastle star was driving out of the club’s training ground on Tuesday when he was stopped by fans asking for a signature.
Shelvey, who had just taken part in Eddie Howe’s first session, obliged as he rolled down his window and held his hand out.
But instead of receiving some paper or even a shirt, the ex-Liverpool man was instead handed a 25p can of lemonade.
The other supporters laughed as the tin made its way into Shelvey’s vehicle.
But despite looking confused, the playmaker calmly penned his autograph on the tin.
Shelvey then drove off as fans cheered the newly-adorned can of pop.
And one even quipped: “It’s worth more than 25p now!”
Jonjo Shelvey signs Newcastle fan’s discount lemonade can as he leaves training‘NORWICH ARE MORE AMBITIOUS’
Manchester United have been savaged by Chris Sutton after Norwich sacked Daniel Farke while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer remains in his job despite their shocking form.
He said on BBC Radio Five Live: “Norwich are more ambitious than Manchester United because at least they’ve been decisive.
“Their expectation is to stay in the Premier League but they have made a change, rightly or wrongly.
“But Manchester United – what is the expectation, are they going to win something with the current manager and this squad? No, everyone can see that.
“Manchester United are still living off the history of when they were a good team and that’s the issue and there are no excuses, there is nowhere to hide this season.
“I like Ole, he’s a nice bloke but he’s being outcoached and out-thought by the top guys.”
‘BRILLIANT’
Former Manchester United star Kleberson believes Declan Rice would be better suited to rivals City than the Red Devils.
He told Paddy Power: “Declan Rice could play for any of the top Premier League teams. He had a brilliant season last year, a great Euros with England and has started this season incredibly well.
“He’s still young so will continue to grow and become a better player, but already in his career, you can see how much he’s improved and grown up as a midfielder, especially technically.
“The top teams are always looking for players who have Premier League experience and have had strong performances over a long period of time, which is exactly what Declan Rice has had.
“The best teams are always on the lookout for players as they need a big squad due to the number of games that they play throughout the season.
“It would be good to see Declan Rice play for Manchester City as they base their play around keeping the ball for long periods of time, which is something that Declan Rice likes to do.
“The style of play that Pep Guardiola creates would be perfect for him and the way Pep interacts with his players, is something that Rice would benefit from massively.”
‘SEE YOU SOON’
Liverpool starlet Harvey Elliott has issued a fresh injury update on social media as he takes the next step in his recovery.
The 18-year-old has been sidelined since September after he sustained a serious ankle injury in Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Leeds United.
Elliott, who had forced himself into Jurgen Klopp’s plans this season, has shared regular updates with supporters on his social media as he eyes a return to full fitness this season.
In his most recent post, the youngster could be seen working with leg weights at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre in Kirkby.
He captioned those clips: “Another day of improving. We’re getting there. Thank you for all your support so far Reds! As always I appreciate it. See you soon.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
