Transfer News

AL-NASSR are prepared to bid £85.5m for West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus, according to reports.Transfer expert Ben Jacobs claims the winger’s release clause is £120m for Saudi clubs – £35m more than for Premier League clubs.Al-Nassr are prepared to bid for Kudus for the second transfer window in a rowAl-Nassr are confident, however, that West Ham will sell for lessThe Saudi Pro-League club previously made an approach for Kudus in January after Brighton rejected their £76.9m bid for Kauru Mitoma and are not certain that he will take this second offer.Mitoma, Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo and Liverpool’s Luis Diaz have been named as other Premier League targets.Kudus joined West Ham from Ajax for £38m in 2023 after scoring 18 goals and collecting seven assists in the 2022/23 season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLYet he hasn’t enjoyed the same form in his second season in England that he did in his first.Kudus managed 28 goals and assists in all competitions in 2023/24 but this season has only six in 30 games and hasn’t scored since December.This mirrors the form of the club as West Ham currently sit 17th with the oldest average squad age in the Premier League (28.5).Manager Graham Potter will want to make big changes to his squad in the summer and the club are facing numerous departures. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWhile there is doubt over whether Kudus will want to move, the money that he could generate despite his downturn in form will be attractive.The Hammers drew with doomed Southampton last Saturday – but will look to improve on that performance as they travel to the Amex to face Potter’s old club Brighton on Saturday.Last weekend the London club drew with Southampton who are the first Premier League club to be relegated with seven games remaining.Hilarious moment Newcastle Utd ballboy snubs West Ham star Mohammed Kudus as he asks for his seat for iconic celebrationThe Ghana winger has been on a run of poor form this season More

RASMUS HOJLUND could be offered a potential escape route from his Manchester United debacle by former club Atalanta.And that could see a partial swap deal bringing Ademola Lookman back to the Premier League.Atalanta want to re-sign Rasmus HojlundCredit: GettyHojlund left Atalanta to join the Red Devils in 2023Credit: GettyThe Red Devils could look for a swap deal involving Ademola LookmanCredit: GettyThe Danish striker is suffering from the “curse of the Old Trafford centre-forward” and experiencing a nightmare campaign.Hojlund’s season of hell has seen him score just three Prem goals and eight in 45 appearances in all competitions.Indeed, aside from last season’s spell which saw him net seven goals across a six-game Prem scoring streak, he has just six other top flight goals across 52 matches.Since scoring his only top-flight goal since early December in last month’s win at doomed Leicester he has suffered another six match drought.And the £72million signing endured the ultimate ego blow when Ruben Amorim hooked him after a fruitless 87 minutes of the Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon to send centre-back Harry Maguire up front in his place.Despite that, Hojlund, 22, remains a firm favourite among the Atalanta supporters and the Serie A side are ready to make a move in the summer if United decide to cut their losses.There is also interest from clubs in Germany, but Atalanta believe Hojlund, described by former England skipper Alan Shearer as a  “damaged player” after the weekend defeat by Wolves, would be open-minded to a return to the club where he made his name.Atalanta scouts have watched his recent matches and remain in touch with the players’ representatives, who ensured he left the club on good terms two years ago.But an extra element in any deal could involve former Everton, Fulham and Leicester wideman Lookman, who is keen to return to England after three successful seasons in Italy.The London-born winger, 27, who opted to play for Nigeria despite winning 11 England Under-21 caps, is thought to be open to a move to Old Trafford.How the two forwards’ league form compares this seasonRuud van Nistelrooy reveals son’s name was inspired by former Man Utd team-mate who tragically diedA player plus cash swap would help United’s PSR position as they would otherwise have to agree a £38m fee this summer to avoid an accounts book “loss”.MC IS PLAN BUnited are making fall-back transfer plans in case they fail to land Wolves’ Brazilian hitman Matheus Cunha.While interest in the £62.5m Molineux man is concrete, Old Trafford powerbrokers are determined not to throw all their eggs into the Brazilian basket.United are targeting a move for Matheus CunhaCredit: GettyLiam Delap is also among the club’s targetsCredit: AlamyFeelers have already gone out for both Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo and fellow south coast man Tyler Dibling, set to leave Southampton after their relegation to the Championship.Although neither is top of the list, United are seeking to refresh the profile and financial make-up of their squad after Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s public complaints about overpaid and underperforming players.That is despite the prospect of a £100m-plus black hole in income next term unless the club wins the Europa League to qualify for a Champions League return.Another potential recruit, Ipswich’s England under-21 striker Liam Delap, is keen to get his future settled before he heads off to play for Lee Carsley’s side in this summer’s European Championship in Slovakia, where the Young Lions face Czech Republic, Germany and Slovenia in the group stage.Suggestions of a serious move for Nigerian Victor Osimhen, who has scored 27 goals this season on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, are being played down by United insiders, suggesting the push is coming from the player’s end rather than Old Trafford – although it is not entirely ruled out.Ruben Amorim, though, is understood to believe there is no need for further recruitment at centre-half, despite the imminent departures of out of contract Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof.The future of keeper Andre Onana, though, remains very much in the air despite an internal wish for the shot-stopper to prove his doubters wrong.Onana’s foolish pre-match spat with Nemanja Matic ahead of the first leg against Lyon was compounded by the two errors that saw him dropped for the thrashing at Newcastle but he was not blamed for any of the goals in the second leg drama or Wolves’ winning free-kick on Sunday.A NEW SIGNING?Meanwhile, Cunha seemed right at home when he visited Old Trafford with Wolves on Easter Sunday.The Brazilian was targeted by the autograph hunters and selfie-seekers who traditionally gather outside the Theatre of Dreams after games.Cunha was obliging – getting into the habit in case he makes it his permanent home in the summer.Several family members also made the trip to watch him and his father Carmelo was also asked for pictures by enthusiastic United fans.NAME CHANGEAnyone covering United games recently will have noticed a new name on the team-sheet. That’s because you can hardly miss it.January signing Patrick Dorgu has asked for ‘Chinazaekpere’ to be included in the middle – making life slightly more complicated for reporters and commentators.The name hails from the Igbo region in Nigeria and is important to the Denmark international’s family – as it means ‘God answers prayers’Will he answer the prayers of Dorgu and United fans in the Europa League semi-finals next week though?Patrick Dorgu has asked for ‘Chinazaekpere’ to be included in the middleCredit: GettyEND OF THE ROAD?United are currently weighing up whether to take the four players whose contracts expire this summer on their controversial end-of-season tour to the Far East.Jonny Evans, Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof and Tom Heaton will all be saying their goodbyes to Old Trafford on the final day of the season when Aston Villa are the visitors.Yet all those travelling to Hong Kong and Malaysia will be quickly herded off to Manchester airport to take part in the two match trip, which is expected to net the club around £10m.Given all four players are unlikely to ever pull on a United shirt again for a competitive game, it seems slightly pointless.COMEBACK KINGS?Red Devils fans should not despair if they find themselves behind again in their Europa League semi-final – just as they did on that famous night against Lyon.Opponents Athletic Bilbao are coached by former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde – who has been on the wrong end of two of the most famous European comebacks in recent times.He was Barcelona coach when Roma stormed back from a 4-1 first leg deficit to win the return leg 3-0 in the Italian capital in 2018.And a year later he watched as Lionel Messi and Co somehow squandered a 3-0 lead from the first leg in a disastrous night at Anfield.The veteran coach will not relax until the final whistle goes at Old Trafford on May 8.Ernesto Valverde has been on the wrong end of two famous European comebacksCredit: Getty More

ASTON VILLA have held internal talks about a potential swoop for departing Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne… but may face competition.De Bruyne, 33, announced on social media that this season will be his last with City and will be leaving as a free agent in June after 10 years at the Etihad.Aston Villa held internal talks about a swoop for Manchester City star Kevin De BruyneMany teams are keeping tabs on De Bruyne ahead of his departure from Man CityCesc Fabregas’ Como are also interested in De BruyneAccording to Sky Sports, Villa are weighing a move that would see the star playmaker staying in the Premier League.The Belgium international is reluctant to uproot his family from the UK and that has alerted the Citizens’ Prem rivals, including the Villans.However, Unai Emery’s side would still face intense competition for De Bruyne’s signature Four MLS teams – Inter Miami, Chicago Fire, NYCFC and D.C. United – have made enquiries.Read More on FootballThe American outfits have asked about the Belgian star’s professional and financial expectations.But Serie A side Como are also looking to keep the ex-Wolfsburg star in Europe.Arsenal and Chelsea legend Cesc Fabregas’ team are doing checks to see if there’s any possibility of landing the attacking midfielder this summer.SunSport previously revealed that Al-Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo ordered his Saudi club to make the ex-Chelsea star an offer he cannot refuse.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSDe Bruyne is considered as one of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history after amassing a staggering 107 goals and 177 assists in 417 appearances with Man City.The former Genk star also won six Prem titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups and the 2023 Champions League which sealed a legendary Treble.But despite his success at the Etihad, it turns out that the decision not to renew his contract was made by the club rather than the player himself.The legendary No10 said after City’s 2-0 win at Everton that Director of Football Txiki Begiristain and CEO Ferran Soriano held a brief meeting to tell him his deal would not be renewed.De Bruyne said: “There was a little bit of shock. I didn’t have any offer from them through the whole year and the club made a decision. “Obviously, I was a bit surprised but I have to accept it. Honestly, I still think I can perform at this level like I’m showing but I understand that clubs have to make decisions.”De Bruyne ‘struggle’It is understood that City manager Pep Guardiola was involved in the decision but not a part of the meeting where De Bruyne was informed.The Belgian said he struggled a lot in the days between finding out and going public with his social media post.De Bruyne added: “It was half a week till I reported it out and it wasn’t nice. My family weren’t home. They were on holiday so it was a bit weird but it is what it is.”After the decision was made and when I came out, it was more of a relief when I reported it to the outside world compared to when I knew and nobody else knew. Read More on The Sun”You don’t know what to do with the emotion with everybody and how to handle it at the club. “Now it’s out, it’s fine and people see the way I am. I try to do my best and win games for the team. I love playing football so that’s it.” More

FRENCH wonderkid Enzo Kana-Biyik has agreed to join Manchester United in the summer.Kana-Biyik, 18, will be moving to Old Trafford from Le Havre as a free agent after the club failed to convince him to sign fresh terms in Normandy.Le Havre wonderkid Enzo Kana-Biyik has agreed to join Manchester United this summerKana-Biyik joins from the same club in which ex-Man Utd star Paul Pogba used to playThe Mail reported earlier this week that talks between the youngster and United were advancing.  And according to Le Parisien, the striker and his family ultimately decided in favour of a move to the Red Devils.The same source claims the France Under-18 international has been presented with a clear plan to progress with Man Utd.However, the teenage sensation, who is highly rated in Ligue 1, will spend the first season out on loan at Lausanne-Sport.Read More on Man UtdThe Swiss club belongs to United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS and will help him get first-team football in order to reach the levels required in the Premier League.Kana-Biyik has yet to make a senior appearance with Le Havre but has stood out at youth level.The forward, who is the son of Cameroon legend Andre Kana-Biyik, counts nine goals and one assist in 17 appearances with the Under-19s.The centre-forward will be coming from a club that has created several football greats in the past.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThat includes former United star Paul Pogba, who spent two years within Le Havre’s youth ranks before moving to the Manchester giants in 2009 for his first stint with the club.Leicester and Manchester City icon Riyad Mahrez also moved to the King Power Stadium after four years with the French outfit.Roy Keane cracks joke live on Sky Sports as he tells De Bruyne to join Man UtdFormer West Ham star Dimitri Payet was also part of the youth teams between 1999 and 2003. More

WITH just five Premier League games remaining this season, Ipswich Town are destined for the drop.Should they lose to Newcastle on Saturday, the Tractor Boys will be relegated back to the Championship.Liam Delap is set to leave Ipswich this summerCredit: ReutersThe £30m striker is being linked with Arsenal, Chelsea and Man UtdCredit: GettyAnd that will almost guarantee the departure of sought-after forward Liam Delap amid interest from some of England’s top clubs.Delap joined Ipswich from Manchester City last summer for just £20million.And he will become available for just £30m if the Tractor Boys go down thanks to a relegation clause.The 22-year-old has managed 14 goal contributions in 32 Premier League games this term.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd his impressive form has attracted interest from the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United over the last year.But which club would be the best fit for him? SunSport has looked at what makes him so good and what he would bring to each team.MOVEMENT OFF THE LAST LINEIt’s fair to say that the performance and output that we have seen from Delap this season for Ipswich has taken plenty of people by surprise.He spent the previous campaign on loan with Hull City in the Championship and, although he played well, his form did not suggest that he would take the Premier League by storm in the way that he has.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSOne of the biggest surprises for many has been the movement that Delap has shown on the last line to create space and separation for himself.When Ipswich are in the attacking phase, we often see Delap covered by two or three defensive players.Man Utd and Arsenal in Matheus Cunha transfer battle with Wolves star ready to make summer moveBut he routinely makes clever runs that give him the advantage over the opposition.His movement is very intelligent but it’s the timing of these runs that really makes an impact and allows Delap to create space for himself.Delap’s movement off the last line helps to create plenty of space for both himself and his team-matesIn the above example, we see a clever movement from Delap where he first creates the attack before timing his arrival into space to finish comfortably.He picks up the ball and drives forward before releasing it wide.The forward then moves into the space to pick up the cross and finish first time.The club that would most benefit from this specific part of Delap’s profile is Chelsea.The Blues have seen their form dip dramatically across the second half of the season and with that Cole Palmer has suffered.To get the best out of Palmer, Chelsea need to add a striker with the movement profile of Delap.The former Man City star can attempt clever runs to make the most of the quality passes we usually see from Palmer.By adding a striker with the profile of Delap to their team for next season, Chelsea will be taking a player with the presence, athleticism and intelligent movement to really help them break down teams that sit in a deeper defensive block.Delap would naturally push defensive lines back and provide space for Palmer to occupy in behind, but he is also capable of receiving and linking the play around him.Cole Palmer has not had a striker playing with him this season who he can rely on to make runs in behindChelsea need to add a modern profile of striker for next season and Delap should be high on their list.INTELLIGENT MOVEMENT IN THE AREAModern strikers who thrive on running and attacking space behind the defensive line often struggle with their movement in tighter spaces, including the penalty area.This is not the case with Delap.One of the most interesting aspects of his development with Ipswich this season has been with his movement to create separation within the opposition penalty area.He has developed into an instinctive striker with excellent timing when looking to attack balls in the area.Delap has the traditional size and shape of a target man and as such you would expect him to be strong when attacking crosses.It is his movement, anticipation and the timing of his first move though that makes him really effective in the area.He makes strong runs across the defender to attack space and has a tendency to arrive at the right time for the cross.Delap is able to read the pass before it’s madeIn the above example, Delap is initially isolated as the only Ipswich player in the Aston Villa penalty area.As the ball is worked wide the man in possession shifts the ball and drives across a good low cross.As soon as the wide player started to shift his feet, Delap read the intention with a clever run across the face of the defender to finish past the goalkeeper.Out of the top teams linked with Delap it’s Arsenal who would most benefit from adding a player with this profile.The Gunners generate a high volume of crosses but their striker options are not good enough to take advantage.The likes of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus – when they were fit – rarely make the most of these chances.If Arsenal were to add a striker like Delap to really attack the ball and show clever movement, then suddenly the volume of crosses that they generate will be put to far better use.The Champions League semi-finalists do not need a striker who will provide value in build-up – but they do need someone who can finish.Kai Havertz sometimes struggles to time his runs correctlyHere, we see a moment where Arsenal have worked the ball into a strong position. Havertz is the striker looking to attack the cross but the timing of his run is too early, allowing the opposition defenders to react and block the eventual shot.Arsenal have one glaring hole in their squad and that is at the No9 position.They need to add an option in that area this summer and a domestic option like Delap should appeal to their top brass.PACE TO STRETCH THE PITCHOne of the stand-out things about Delap this year has been his strength when attacking space behind defensive lines.For the most part, Ipswich have faced teams with more possession of the ball and as such the opposition have pushed their defence higher.This has, in turn, meant that Ipswich have generally had space to counter attack with more direct passes, releasing Delap into space.In the modern game, more and more teams are looking for tall and powerful strikers who have the pace and ability to run behind and force the opposition to defend in space.That fits the profile of Delap nicely. He can stretch the space and really cause danger for his team when they are trying to attack quickly from deeper areas.In this match, Delap showed his ability to peel off the defender to create space for himself before then making quick runs to attack the space.His team-mates know they can take possession of the ball and then quickly hit forward passes to release him into space.Man Utd, under Ruben Amorim, are in desperate need of a striker who fits this profile.They thought they had this already in Rasmus Hojlund, but while Delap has shown real development in his game across this season, it would be fair to say that Hojlund has gone backwards.Indeed, when you watch United play they are clearly missing a forward player who can be effective running the channels and giving them an option to attack space behind the defensive line.This allows opposition teams to squeeze the game and to play higher, making it more difficult for United to effectively build their attack.Rasmus Hojlund is not effective when it comes to running the channelsWe see an example of this here as United play a direct pass into the channel to release Hojlund. He does not have the power or the pace, however, to make the most of the opportunity and allows two Man City players to catch him.CONCLUSIONThere is no doubt that Delap will be on the move this summer.There is no value for the player or for Ipswich in keeping the striker for a season in the Championship.The only question is where will he go?While he would no doubt benefit Arsenal and United, Chelsea could gain most by landing the man touted as a future England star.Read More on The SunIt can be argued that Delap could be the player to help things click for Chelsea and take them to the next level.If he can get the absolute best out of Cole Palmer, and vice versa, then surely the Blues will return to their absolute best.Delap could be a huge addition to any top Prem clubCredit: PA More