There’s just over a month until the January transfer window opens for business, and West Ham United need to bring in a quality front man as soon as practicable.

The Irons have spread the goals around this season but it’s noticeable that their strikers haven’t been at the races where finding the net in 2023/24 is concerned.

David Moyes appeared to try once before to just go with what he had, rather than spending money for the sake of it and, as luck would have it, he seemed to get away with it. Not anymore.

If the Scot wants the Hammers up towards the top of the Premier League and challenging for honours, then a striker purchase in January is an absolutely necessity.

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Not just any striker either, but one who is a guarantee of goals.

Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke might not be a household name as such, but he does have seven goals and one assist in 13 games in all competitions this season, per WhoScored, which is an impressive return in a team that’s struggling badly under Andoni Iraola.

You’d imagine that the Cherries would fight tooth and nail to keep a player with that sort of output, but it seems as though they won’t have to.

As Sky Sports report, Iraola has been quoted as saying that “he’s happy here,” in relation to the question from a reporter to the Bournemouth manager about Solanke’s links with West Ham.

That’s sure to disappoint the east Londoners who’ll likely have to look elsewhere for their new front man.

The post West Ham set for huge disappointment in striker chase appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Inside Spain is a weekly instalment brought to you by Football España, providing an insight into all of the major stories coming out of the rich and intense climes of La Liga and beyond.

The injury crisis across football took several victims during this international break, but the anterior cruciate ligament tear suffered by Gavi felt particularly cruel. The 19-year-old was having a monstruous season, starting for Barcelona and Spain, but will now miss the rest of the club season, the Euros and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The question for Barcelona is whether they try to replace him. Sporting Director Deco has explained that that is ‘impossible’ on the market, but Barcelona can bring in a loan signing for up to 80% of Gavi’s wages until the end of the season without salary limit restrictions.

So far the debate is whether they should try and persuade Tottenham Hotspur to part with the almost unused Giovani Lo Celso on loan, or bring forward the transfer of Vitor Roque. The 18-year-old Brazilian striker will join for €30m plus €31m in variables next summer, but they don’t have a back up for the creaking legs of Robert Lewandowski.

Meanwhile Real Madrid have lost Vinicius Junior until February and Eduardo Camavinga until mid-January, to add to a long-term injury list already containing Eder Militao, Thibaut Courtois, Arda Guler and Aurelien Tchouameni.

Marcelino will do that, according to Trigueros. pic.twitter.com/r5zfLJewXs

— Football España (@footballespana_) November 22, 2023

Yet the talk about replacements in Madrid is quiet – at least for the players. Conflicting information continues to leak out about Carlo Ancelotti and the potential for him to take over the Brazil job next summer, but Los Blancos have contacted Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi about a potential vacancy. He is added to an impressive list of candidates already containing Xabi Alonso.

Elsewhere, Real Betis are negotiating with Leeds United for midifelder Marc Roca, who has been excellent since arriving. West Ham are interested in Celta Vigo defender Oscar Mingueza, and Sevilla are after Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi.

In less frivolous news, the public prosecutor has requested a sentence of nine years behind bars and a fine of €150k for Dani Alves if they get a guilty conviction against the Brazilian for rape. Meanwhile former Sevilla and Ajax midfielder Tarik Oulida will escape jail time entirely after sexually assaulting his own six-year-old daughter.

The post Inside Spain: Real Madrid managerial race, Barcelona respond to injury crisis and Dani Alves case appeared first on CaughtOffside.

This article was originally published on Fabrizio Romano’s Daily Briefing, a subscription service. If you would like to receive Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive articles via email ahead of publication on caughtoffside.com, please sign-up for the service here: thedailybriefing.io

Is Antoine Griezmann really a target for Manchester United?

There have been many rumours during the international break about the future of Antoine Griezmann. I’ve been receiving a lot of questions about him since there were some reports in Spain linking Griezmann with Manchester United.

While it’s true that Griezmann has a release clause at Atletico Madrid, but it’s also the case that the player is only focused on Atletico Madrid – he is in love with the club. He already left once in the past, joining Barcelona in 2019, and then he wanted to return. Now he’s back and he has a great relationship with manager Diego Simeone and his teammates – his idea is not to change clubs in January, there is no plan at all to leave, there is absolutely nothing going on with Manchester United.

And as I’ve previously reported on Griezmann, back in June he had the possibility to accept a life-changing contract proposal to move to Saudi Arabia, but he wasn’t interested because he only wanted to stay at Atletico Madrid. So it’s not just Man United, there is no desire for Griezmann to leave for any club, he wants to stay at Atletico Madrid.

Staying with Man United, there’s no concrete update yet on Donny van de Beek, but he is one player who is very much expected to leave in January. United and Van de Beek will find a solution for sure, though there is no clarity yet about a specific club, it’s still too early.

Chelsea still backing Mykhaylo Mudryk despite Khvicha Kvaratskhelia links

I’m aware there have been some stories about Chelsea having an interest in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, with reports that he’s a player they really like, but I wouldn’t read too much into this for now. Of course we can all see Kvaratskhelia is a superb talent – he’s been a joy to watch for Napoli and so I think it’s normal to see stories like this.

The key point with Chelsea, however, is that they still believe Mykhaylo Mudryk will be the future in that position, so nothing has been decided in terms of investing big money there for another player after they fought hard to sign Mudryk ahead of Arsenal in that tense battle last January.

Also with Napoli there is the reality that they could be forced to sell Victor Osimhen in the summer – I’ve reported on interest in him several times recently, and there’s been no progress on a new contract with Napoli, so they will hope to keep Kvaratskhelia if they lose another of their important players.

A lot can change in football and it’s too early to know for sure what will happen, but my understanding remains that it’s not a concrete thing with Chelsea so far.

In other news…

Pablo Fornals – There have been some surprise links between Pablo Fornals and Barcelona, with the West Ham midfielder supposedly mentioned as an option to cover for the injured Gavi. Still, I’m not aware of concrete talks for Fornals so far, there’s still nothing decided in terms of new midfielder; as Deco said, the situation is still very quiet. Barcelona’s priority is to use funds on Financial Fair Play to register Vitor Roque.

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Pascal Gross – The Brighton star is a player Eintracht Frankfurt really like, as has been reported. Eintracht love Gross, but they also know nothing will happen in January, he’s a dream target for June but very difficult as Gross is very happy at Brighton and there are no problems between Brighton and Gross, at all.

Jose Mourinho – Al Hilal wanted Jose Mourinho in June 2023, but he decided to respect AS Roma and so he turned down the proposal. He’s now suggested he will manage in Saudi Arabia one day, but it’s too early for anything concrete, as nothing will happen until at least next summer.

The post Transfer news: Griezmann Man United links, Kvaratskhelia Chelsea rumours, Mourinho Saudi Arabia & more appeared first on CaughtOffside.

West Ham United striker Danny Ings may not have had the desired impact during his time at the London Stadium, but it seems he’s expected to get one final chance to prove himself at the club.

Ings, formerly of the likes of Southampton, Liverpool and Aston Villa, has always been a pretty reliable and prolific performer at this level, but for one reason or another it’s just not quite happened for him in his time with the Hammers.

However, it now looks like there will be a fresh opportunity for Ings to play more and show what he’s capable of, as David Moyes’ main man up front, Michail Antonio, is facing a spell on the side-lines due to an injury.

Discussing the situation with Give Me Sport, journalist Dean Jones said he felt this could be one last chance for Ings to work his way back into Moyes’ plans, so it’s clear this looks like being an important moment for him with the east London outfit.

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Jones says it looks like Ings was surely heading for a January transfer, but “Maybe this is a late, last opportunity for him to prove that he can make this work out at West Ham.

The post West Ham ace perhaps set to be given final chance to save Hammers career appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Despite some surprise links with West Ham midfielder Pablo Fornals, Fabrizio Romano has spoken exclusively to CaughtOffside about Barcelona’s priority being to get Vitor Roque in.

The journalist is not aware of anything concrete happening between Barca and Fornals at the moment, even if there have been other reports stating that the Hammers ace could be seen as an emergency option to move to the Nou Camp as cover for the injured Gavi.

Still, it seems Barcelona have not yet made a decision on a midfielder signing, and it would certainly be a bit strange if they went for someone like Fornals, who is not currently playing regularly for West Ham, even if he was a key player for them in the past.

Barca also have issues with Financial Fair Play to think about, according to Romano, and it seems their current focus is on ensuring that they can bring Roque in without breaching any regulations on that front.

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“Pablo Fornals – There have been some surprise links between Pablo Fornals and Barcelona, with the West Ham midfielder supposedly mentioned as an option to cover for the injured Gavi,” Romano said to CaughtOffside for his Daily Briefing column.

“Still, I’m not aware of concrete talks for Fornals so far, there’s still nothing decided in terms of new midfielder; as Deco said, the situation is still very quiet. Barcelona’s priority is to use funds on Financial Fair Play to register Vitor Roque.”

The post Exclusive: Fabrizio Romano reveals Barcelona’s transfer “priority” amid links with West Ham ace appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Burnley (20th in the Premier League) take on West Ham (9th in the Premier League) on Saturday 21st of October, at Turf Moor, at 15:00 PM (GMT).

The last time these two sides faced, they drew 1-1 at the London Stadium, in 2022. Goals coming from Tomas Soucek for the Hammers, and Wout Weghorst for Burnley.

Burnley lost their last Premier League game, losing 3-1 to Arsenal at the Emirates. Goals from Leandro Trossard, William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko for Arsenal, and a goal from Josh Brownhill for Burnley. Fabio Vieira was also sent off for the Gunners in the 83rd minute.

West Ham won their last Premier League game, beating Nottingham Forest 3-2 at the London Stadium. Goals from Lucas Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek for West Ham, and goals from Taiwo Awoniyi and Anthony Elanga for Forest.

How to watch Burnley vs West Ham

• Date: Saturday, November 25th, 2023
• Kickoff: 15:00 PM (GMT)
• TV Network: Not broadcast in UK
• Venue: Turf Moor

Team News:

West Ham will be without Michail Antonio after picking up an injury on international duty with Jamaica, however Jarrod Bowen should be fit and available to face Burnley after withdrawing from the England squad with a knee injury.

Predicted XI:

Burnley: Trafford, Taylor, Beyer, O’Shea, Vitinho, Koleosho, Brownhill, Berge, Gudmundsson, Rodriguez, Amdouni.

West Ham: Areola, Emerson, Aguerd, Zouma, Coufal, Ward-Prowse, Alvarez, Paqueta, Soucek, Kudus, Bowen.

The post West Ham team news vs Burnley appeared first on CaughtOffside.

This article was originally published on Fabrizio Romano’s Daily Briefing, a subscription service. If you would like to receive Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive articles via email ahead of publication on caughtoffside.com, please sign-up for the service here: thedailybriefing.io

Leroy Sane’s contract is a priority for Bayern Munich amid interest from England

Bayern Munich have many contract situations that they need to discuss internally and with player’s representatives, with Leroy Sane falling into this category. Sane is out of contract in the summer of 2025 and it is a crucial moment for Bayern as they still need to discuss a new deal with the player.

From what I understand, Bayern’s plan is to make a very important proposal to Sane as the winger has been one of the German club’s best players this season. The new contract offered to the player will obviously add more years to his stint at the club but it will also see his salary increased, which will include bonuses. Bayern are currently preparing this proposal and they will try hard to convince him to stay.

There is interest in Sane from England but it is nothing advanced. This is why it is now a priority for Bayern to offer the player a new contract.

Could Trevoh Chalobah reunite with Thomas Tuchel in January?

I have told you multiple times that Trevoh Chalobah will not stay at Chelsea beyond the January transfer window as he wants to play regular football. The idea of the club and player are in line and they will try to find the best solution for everyone during the upcoming transfer window.

There are rumours about many clubs being interested in the player from England and Germany. I want to clarify that for Bayern Munich, Chalobah is no longer a priority. He was a priority on Deadline Day this summer as he had previously played under Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea but the deal collapsed because of the different closing times of the transfer windows in each country.

There are possibilities in other countries for Chalobah in January, including England, so let’s see what happens.

What does the Premier League’s latest decision mean for Ruben Neves to Newcastle?

Premier League clubs voted against a temporary ban on loan deals between associated clubs for the January transfer window. This means Newcastle United, for instance, could sign players from clubs also owned by their owners Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

There have been rumours of Newcastle eyeing up a move for Al-Hilal’s Ruben Neves ahead of the January transfer window but I can say that there’s nothing going on with this deal at this stage. I can’t predict anything yet for the upcoming transfer window but there are no talks so far, just interest and appreciation. The situation remains very quiet but let’s see in December/January.

Man United target Jean-Clair Todibo has been scouted by many clubs

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In other news…

Gabriel Moscardo – Chelsea tried to sign Gabriel Moscardo in August for their first team, but there was no agreement. Liverpool, Arsenal and three more clubs have been monitoring the player with their scouts but there’s still no advanced negotiations, not even with Chelsea now.

Andrey Santos – Chelsea have not held talks with Nottingham Forest about Santos’ lack of playing time. Of course, Chelsea can’t be happy with the current situation but nothing will be discussed before December when the club will decide on many things, including Santos’ future.

Alejandro Balde – Balde signed a new deal with Barcelona in September so there’s nothing at all regarding a move away. He’s a key player for Barça and his extension showed the player that the club want him to be a key part of their current and future projects.

Danny Ings – Following rumours that Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke could replace Danny Ings at West Ham, I can say that Solanke is appreciated by the London club. He’s one of the players they like but no decision has been made yet as it is still early. I have no information about the future of Ings yet.

The post Bayern Munich make World-Class star their priority, many January possibilities for Chelsea defender, the latest on Newcastle/Neves and more appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Ahead of the January transfer window opening, West Ham have an eye on the strikers market and one Premier League forward is appreciated by the Hammers, reveals Fabrizio Romano.

The London outfit hoped Gianluca Scamacca would be their long-term striker when they signed the 24-year-old last summer but things did not work out at the London Stadium and the Italian was sold after only one year at the club.

That has left David Moyes short at the beginning of this campaign and the Scottish coach would like to add another striker during the January transfer window.

Speaking exclusively to CaughtOffside for his Daily Briefing column, Romano has said that West Ham like Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke but does not know what the future holds for Danny Ings.

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“Following rumours that Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke could replace Danny Ings at West Ham, I can say that Solanke is appreciated by the London club. He’s one of the players they like but no decision has been made yet as it is still early. I have no information about the future of Ings,” Romano said.

The next few weeks will reveal who West Ham are targeting for January and it seems that Solanke is certainly an option for Moyes.

The post Exclusive: Premier League striker is attracting interest from West Ham says Fabrizio Romano appeared first on CaughtOffside.

West Ham United striker Danny Ings is expected to leave the club during the January transfer window.

The 31-year-old has not been able to live up to the expectations since joining the London club and popular pundit Frank McAvennie feels that he does not fit into David Moyes’ style of play.

The Scottish manager prefers strikers who are physically robust and work hard defensively as well. Ings is a natural goalscorer and he is better suited to a team that plays free-flowing attacking football.

Speaking to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “I don’t know what Ings is doing, I think he’ll move on, because he needs to play. He’s a goalscorer. He’s never going to work his backside off to help others, he’s just a natural striker, which doesn’t fit into Moyes’s way of playing football.

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The 31-year-old needs to move on for his own benefit and it remains to be seen where he ends up.

Previously, Italian international Gianluca Scamacca also struggled to adapt to David Moyes’ style of play at West Ham.

The Hammers should look to get rid of their underperformers and bring in players who will fit them in January. They have been quite mediocre in the Premier League so far and they must bring in the right additions in order to turn things around.

The post West Ham United star tipped to leave the club in January appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Torino signed Nikola Vlasic from West Ham United at the start of the season.

The 26-year-old attacking midfielder was on loan at the Italian club last season and he impressed with his performances, scoring five goals and picking up six assists across all competitions.

His performances in Italian football prompted Torino to sign him for a fee of around £8 million during the summer transfer window, but the move has not worked out for them so far.

Vlasic had a difficult time at West Ham and it seems that he is now struggling once again. Although he impressed with Torino last season, his form has been below par and according to Gazzetta dello Sport (print edition November 20th, page 21), the Italian outfit are now concerned about the transfer.

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His signing was seen as an important investment for the Italian club and they will hope that he can get back to his best once again. The 26-year-old attacking midfielder has scored just once this season.

There is no doubt that the Croatian is a technically gifted midfielder with immense potential, but he seems to be lacking in confidence and belief right now.

The post Club worried about 26-year-old’s form after signing him from West Ham appeared first on CaughtOffside.