Wednesday news (includes West ham)

[Alan]

BBC

Saudi Arabia is prepared to do "whatever it can" to bring Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah, 33, to the Saudi Pro League in January. (Gulf News), external

Liverpool is the preferred destination for Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo, 25, when he leaves Bournemouth. (Team Talk), external

Semenyo is wary about joining Tottenham, with Arsenal and Manchester City also interested. (Sun), external

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, 25, remains keen on a move to Liverpool but Barcelona have also shown an interest in the England international. (Team Talk), external

Aston Villa are exploring a deal for 19-year-old Brazilian forward Alysson, who playes for Gremio. (The Athletic - subscription required), external

Roma have opened negotiations to sign Manchester United and Netherlands forward Joshua Zirkzee, 24, in January. (Sky Sport Italia), external

Roma want to sign Zirkzee once they end the loan of Republic of Ireland striker Evan Ferguson from Brighton in January. (Gazetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

Manchester United are interested in Austrian Elche centre-back David Affengruber, 24. (Team Talk), external

England midfielder Jack Grealish, 30, is loving life at Everton and wants to stay at the club to continue working under manager David Moyes. (Football Insider) , external

Liverpool and Chelsea are both interested in RB Leipzig and Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, 19, who is likely to cost about 80-100m euros (£69m-£87m). (Fichajes - in Spanish)




Sky Paper Talk

Premier League

Kobbie Mainoo remains keen on a move to Napoli if he is allowed to move on loan in January - Daily Mail

Manchester United are leading the race to sign Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba in 2026 after the Seagulls reduced their valuation from £105m to £74m - Daily Mirror

Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo is hesitant to join Tottenham amid interest from Arsenal and Manchester City - The Sun

Chelsea chiefs are refusing to give up on the idea of moving to Earls Court - despite a rival project being set to pass another milestone this month - The Sun

Chelsea's FA disciplinary hearing into 74 charges of breaching agent regulations during the Roman Abramovich era - including allegedly making a secret off-the-books payment to Eden Hazard's former agent - is due to be concluded this week - Times

Nottingham Forest defender Murillo is open to a change of scene next summer as he continues to attract interest from Europe's top clubs - Daily Mail

Aston Villa are exploring a deal for Gremio forward Alysson - The Athletic
International football

A Mason Mount England recall is unlikely as Thomas Tuchel is said to have reservations about how much the midfielder could actually impact the Three Lions group that plays a totally different style to United's under Ruben Amorim - Daily Mail

Championship

Man Utd are in talks with Sheffield Wednesday head of recruitment Kevin Beadell with nothing decided over whether on loan Harry Amass will remain at the Championship side - Daily Mail
Scottish Football

Lech Poznan will only be able to afford to sign Luis Palma from Celtic on a permanent basis if they qualify for Europe next season - Daily Record





Sport Witness

€25-30m West Ham offer expected – Player wants to move ‘straight away’

In October, Il Messaggero reported on West Ham’s interest in Lazio’s Taty Castellanos.

They claimed the London side made an enquiry for the Argentine in the summer. The newspaper suggested Castellanos could depart the Italian side in January.

Today’s Il Messaggero takes a further look at the striker’s situation.

They claim that Lazio are awaiting an offer of €25-30m from West Ham or other suitors for Castellanos. To be clear, it’s stated: ‘Formello (Lazio’s HQ) is expecting a €25-30m offer from West Ham for Castellanos’

That is the amount Maurizio Sarri’s side need to avoid another transfer ban, as they continue to struggle financially. The 27-year-old wants to play for Argentina at the World Cup and due to his valuation, he is a key candidate to depart in January.

West Ham target ready to move

The report indicates that Castellanos will join ‘straight away’, if West Ham or other clubs in England move for him. There is an indication that La Liga clubs are also monitoring his situation.

The player isn’t keen on staying at Lazio. He isn’t a fan of Sarri’s playing style and that is why he would give the ‘green light’ to a January exit.

The Biancocelesti have identified Atletico Madrid’s Giacomo Raspadori as a replacement. The Italian has asked his agents to look for a new destination in Italy and this can also prove key to West Ham’s hopes of landing Castellanos.





Sport Witness

€15m offer made for Fabrício Bruno – West Ham may be the bidders

A Premier League club have returned to the market for Fabrício Bruno, who was seriously targeted by West Ham last year.

The information comes from Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola, who revealed in a video report that the defender is the subject of an offer worth €15m from England.

Nicola explained that agent André Cury has already informed Brazilian side Cruzeiro that he will present the bid in the coming days.
Cruzeiro expect the formal offer soon

Nicola said the unnamed Premier League club plan to send the proposal shortly, with the final paperwork almost ready.

He added that the fee will reach roughly €15m and that Cruzeiro paid only €7m when signing the player from Flamengo in early 2025. As a result, the Minas Gerais side stand to secure a major profit if they decide to negotiate.

Cruzeiro, however, may not accept the offer. Nicola claimed he left the conversation with club figures under the impression that owner wants to keep the 29-year-old. The defender is a regular starter and remains one of the most reliable players in their squad.
The West Ham context influences the new rumour

Nicola noted that he has not been able to confirm the identity of the English club. Still, he highlighted that Fabrício Bruno held advanced talks with West Ham in 2024.

At the time, the Hammers had an agreement with Flamengo on a €15m deal, but the move collapsed after the player rejected the salary package.

Because of that unfinished chapter, it is possible that West Ham is behind the new approach.
A defender who rebuilt form after the collapsed 2024 move

Fabrício Bruno stayed at Flamengo after rejecting West Ham’s offer. He later moved to Cruzeiro in 2025, where he delivered another strong season and regained his place in the Brazil squad.

His form has now reopened the door to a Premier League transfer, although the next steps depend on Cruzeiro’s stance.

[With Kind Regards]

Thanks Alan.