Football rumours: Harry Maguire one of three on West Ham’s wish list

By Sports Desk June 29, 2023

What the papers say

West Ham are reportedly interested in three players this summer to help fill the void left by Declan Rice’s expected departure, with the club said to be targeting England international Harry Maguire. The Mirror says the club are also interested in Everton midfielder Amadou Onana and Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria.

Bayern Munich are set to up their offer for Tottenham striker Harry Kane after their initial deal of £60million was rejected by the club, the Sun reports. The new bid is reportedly worth £80million.

Wolves have accepted a deal worth £7.5million from Leicester for defender Conor Coady, the Daily Express says.

The Nottingham Post says Chelsea are willing to let 22-year-old Callum Hudson-Odoi leave the club for £15million, with Nottingham Forest interested in signing the young forward.

Social media round-upPlayers to watch

Moises Caicedo: Brighton are reportedly set to receive an offer from Manchester United for the Ecuadorian after contact was made earlier in the week, according to Sky Sports.

Dominik Szoboszlai: The Athletic says Liverpool are interested in signing RB Leipzig’s Hungarian midfielder who has a release clause worth £70million.

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  • Pereira replaces Amorim as Sporting head coach Pereira replaces Amorim as Sporting head coach

    Sporting CP have confirmed Joao Pereira as the club's new head coach following Ruben Amorim's departure to Manchester United. 

    Pereira, who made 154 appearances across three different spells with Sporting, has put pen to paper on a deal that runs through until 2027 with the Primeira Liga champions. 

    The 40-year-old also appeared five times under Amorim during the 2020-21 season, a campaign that saw Sporting claim their first top-flight title in 19 years. 

    Pereira has previously managed Sporting's Under-23 side, taking charge of 53 games and winning 20 of those (D17 L16), averaging 1.45 points per match. 

    He most recently took charge of Sporting's B team, but oversaw just 11 matches, and he is relishing the opportunity of leading the club after the international break. 

    "As a player, Sporting gave me a lot, allowing me to play for the national team, join one of the best leagues in the world and return home twice," Pereira said. 

    "I only repaid them with a Super Cup and a national championship, which felt more like their gift to me.

    "That’s something I regret, so as a coach I’d like to repay them with more titles because Sporting deserve it.

    "If I had doubts and thought things might go wrong, I wouldn’t be here. It hasn’t even crossed my mind that it could go poorly.

    "I know we’ll face challenges, but I believe it will go well."

    But Pereira has a tough act to follow, with Amorim ending his glittering stint with the club on a high after a 4-2 win over Braga on Sunday. 

    Amorim won 164 of his 231 games in charge of Sporting, averaging a win percentage of 71%, which is a club record. 

    During his time in charge, only Manchester City (127) won more matches than his Sporting team (122) across Europe's top 10 leagues. 

    "Ruben leaves behind a legacy, and that legacy isn’t only in titles, victories, and records but also in the unity he built among the Sporting family," Pereira added.

    "I know this brings great responsibility, but that responsibility comes hand-in-hand with a strong ambition and motivation to continue making Sporting a winning club with a bright future.”

    Pereira's first assignment will come in the Taca de Portugal against fourth-tier side Amarante on November 22, before welcoming Arsenal to the Estadio Jose Alvalade in the Champions League five days later. 

  • Coleman, Idah and Duffy out of Republic of Ireland squad to face England Coleman, Idah and Duffy out of Republic of Ireland squad to face England

    Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman has been ruled out of his side's upcoming Nations League fixtures against Finland and England next week. 

    Coleman sustained a foot injury in Ireland's Nations League defeat to the Three Lions in September and has made just two appearances in all competitions for Everton this term.

    Sean Dyche confirmed in the lead up to the Toffees' goalless draw with West Ham at the weekend that the 36-year-old was now struggling with a minor hamstring issue. 

    Norwich City defender Shane Duffy and Celtic forward Adam Idah have also withdrawn from Heimir Hallgrimsson's squad, despite featuring for their clubs at the weekend. 

    Since sealing a permanent move to Celtic after a successful loan spell last season, Idah has netted five goals in 15 appearances for Brendan Rodgers' side in all competitions.

    The trio have been replaced by Southampton's Ryan Manning, Everton's Jake O'Brien and Wolves' Matt Doherty, who was dropped from the squad for their October fixtures. 

    Hallgrimsson's side welcome Finland to the Aviva Stadium on Thursday, hoping to improve on their recent record in the Nations League. 

    They have won just 15% of their 20 games in the competition (W3 D6 L11), with only Iceland (5.6%), San Marino (6.3%), Andorra (10.0%) and Liechtenstein (10.5%) winning fewer.

    Ireland then travel to Wembley to face England four days later in what will be Lee Carsley's final game in interim charge before Thomas Tuchel takes the reins in the new year.

    Republic of Ireland squad in full: 

    Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (Bournemouth), Max O'Leary (Bristol City); Matt Doherty (Wolves), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Ryan Manning (Southampton), Mark McGuinness (Luton Town), Liam Scales (Celtic), Jake O'Brien (Everton), Callum O'Dowda (Cardiff City); Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Andy Moran (Stoke City, on loan from Brighton); Evan Ferguson (Brighton), Tom Cannon (Stoke City, on loan from Leicester City), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Festy Ebosele (Watford, on loan from Udinese), Kasey McAteer (Leicester City), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Mikey Johnston (West Brom).

  • 'I'm not naive', says Amorim as he relishes 'difficult' Man Utd challenge 'I'm not naive', says Amorim as he relishes 'difficult' Man Utd challenge

    Ruben Amorim insisted he was "not naive" about the "difficult" task awaiting him as Manchester United's new head coach. 

    Amorim took charge of his final game as Sporting CP's manager on Sunday, culminating in a 4-2 away win against Braga to maintain their perfect start to the Primeira Liga season.

    The 39-year-old ended his glittering career with the Portuguese side having won 164 of his 231 games at the helm (D34 L33), bowing out with a win percentage of 71%, a club record. 

    Amorim arrives at Old Trafford after a string of impressive results under interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, who went unbeaten across his four games during his temporary stint. 

    Though the Portuguese's arrival at the club and the positive results of late have lifted the mood in Manchester, Amorim acknowledged the enormity of the task at hand. 

    "I feel ready for the new challenge," Amorim told reporters after his final match at Sporting. "I'm not naive, I know it's going to be very different, very difficult.

    "I'm at peace now. I can focus on my new job, and I'm looking forward to starting tomorrow.

    "I know it will be difficult to reproduce what I have here anywhere else, but there are other places with different exposure and pressure."

    United are yet to confirm the precise nature of Amorim's backroom team and whether Van Nistelrooy will remain at Old Trafford. 

    The Dutchman returned to Old Trafford in July as an assistant coach under former boss Erik ten Hag, signing a two-year contract. 

    "I have to talk with him [on Monday]," Amorim added. "I will explain everything. I'm very clear, and I will tell you like it is. So let's wait."

    Amorim now has 13 days during the international break to prepare for his match in charge, which comes at Portman Road against Ipswich Town on November 24. 

    His first Old Trafford outing comes four days later in the Europa League against Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt. 

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