Nuno Espirito Santo’s West Ham United side are showing signs of green shoots, but there is much work still to be done in the fight to stave off the threat of relegation from the Premier League.

West Ham’s inconsistencies have plunged them into the drop zone, but a glass-half-full mentality would tell you that Nuno has claimed eight points from four games and the squad’s understanding in this new system is tightening, deepening.

But this is also a precarious and anxiety-inducing position. Former technical director Tim Steidten left much to be desired on the recruitment front, and now additions are needed up top and across the backline.

West Ham need to sign a striker

Niklas Fullkrug’s £27m transfer from Borussia Dortmund to the London Stadium has not gone to plan. Injuries have been the German striker’s biggest inhibitor, but he has scored only three times across 29 matches, and a winter exit, ahead of the 2026 World Cup, looks on the cards.

The 32-year-old has indeed been slated for a January departure, probably back to his homeland, and that leaves West Ham in a sticky position, with Jarrod Bowen and Callum Wilson in need of support.

Help may arrive in the form of Santiago Gimenez, with Italian outlet Il Messaggero relaying that the Mexican forward is destined for a move to the Premier League, with the Irons one of the clubs who could put forward a bid of around €30m (equating to £26m).

Sunderland are also interested, and given that Milan would be open to selling the 24-year-old for around that price, the Londoners will need to be snappy in getting a deal done.

What Santiago Gimenez would bring to West Ham

Gimenez stands at 6 foot 1 and is a physical and imposing attacking profile. In this, he would be the perfect profile to replace Fullkrug, whose physicality and focal command in the box are among the finest in Europe.

After joining AC Milan from Feyenoord last winter, Gimenez made a positive start to life in Serie A, scoring five goals and supplying two assists across the latter half of the 2024/25 campaign, playing 14 times and starting only seven of those games.

However, he has petered out under Massimiliano Allegri’s wing this season, yet to score in the Italian top flight. Gimenez is still relatively young and has the athleticism to succeed in the Premier League, and he could be the perfect presence to dovetail into the front of Nuno’s system, having been hailed as a “machine” in the box by talent scout Jacek Kulig in the past.

His particular approach suggests he would be perfect for Nuno’s West Ham project, Chris Wood would bear testament to that, having been the spearhead of the Portuguese tactician’s incredible tenure at the Nottingham Forest helm, prolific and talismanic.

Wood is among the most physical and commanding strikers of recent years; certainly, his blend of clinical shooting, steely hold-up play and intelligent movement has allowed him to blossom into “one of the best in the Prem”, as claimed by reporter Jamie Martin.

And his time in Nuno’s system proved a match made in heaven for both. Now, Gimenez could make his mark as the new version, especially if given the trust and care that have been lacking throughout his year in Italy.

Under Espirito Santo’s stewardship, Wood enjoyed arguably the most productive spell of his career, scoring 20 goals from 36 Premier League matches as the Tricky Trees secured a place in Europe.

Sean Dyche

165

53 (0.32)

Nuno Santo

60

32 (0.53)

Garry Monk

48

30 (0.62)

Nigel Pearson

62

20 (0.32)

Kenny Jacket

19

11 (0.58)

Chris Hughton

29

11 (0.38)

Gimenez could play a similar role in this West Ham team, the catalyst for attacking change after a tough chapter in the club’s modern history.

Finishes like Bowen: West Ham offered chance to sign "insane" Wilson upgrade

The international goalscorer could be just the player to spearhead Nuno’s West Ham project.

ByJack Salveson Holmes 6 days ago

First and foremost, Newcastle United have no pressing concerns relating to finances and the ever-ominous profit and sustainability rules in the Premier League.

Furthermore, technical director Ross Wilson is now settled into his chair in the St. James’ Park offices, and have formed a good early relationship with Eddie Howe as they look to tackle key areas of the squad.

Now is the time for action. It’s been a wobbly start to the season after a summer of upheaval, but United are beginning to show green shoots in their bid to cement themselves as Champions League contenders and a multi-trophy-winning outfit.

Defensive positions are being examined, but with Joelinton’s form lacking in stages this season, Howe wants a new midfielder.

The question on everyone’s lips: Will it be Elliot Anderson?

Newcastle chasing elite midfielder

Howe spoke at the start of October about his desire to bring Anderson back home. The 23-year-old was sold to Nottingham Forest in 2024 and he has since become a top-class midfielder. It was not a happy sale for the Magpies, whose hand was forced by PSR.

Now, United want him back. The problem? Manchester City and Manchester United are also keen, and the Tricky Trees have priced their gem in excess of £100m.

This is a superstar in the making. Already, he is ranking favourably against the likes of Sandro Tonali in the Newcastle midfield; the Italian is widely regarded as one of the best in the Premier League.

If Newcastle are fruitless in their bid to sign Anderson, they could do worse than fall back on Scott McTominay, who was named the Serie A MVP last season after leading Napoli to the Scudetto.

As per Chronicle Live, McTominay is reportedly unsettled in Naples and is considering a return to the Premier League. Newcastle would be right there, offering the Scotland star a chance to take his career to the next level.

Valued at £70m, McTominay, 28, will not be short of suitors in 2026, but sources close to the player suggest that he would be open to moving to Tyneside and working under Howe’s stewardship.

What McTominay would offer Newcastle

It’s a testament to McTominay’s meteoric rise in Italy that had Newcastle signed him from Manchester United, it would have been a move met with indifference.

But now, he is revered as a hero for both club and country, 18th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings and regarded as a “true superstar of European and world football”, as said by content creator Adam Joseph.

Ole Gunnar Solskjær, his former boss at Old Trafford, also hailed him as a “physical monster” once, and this is why McTominay could be such an interesting Anderson alternative.

He is capable of show-stopping moments, but the Tartan Army hero also has the athleticism and defensive attributes to dovetail right into Howe’s engine room.

His high duel success bespeaks his tenacity, and his eye for goal makes him an intriguing option to place just ahead of Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, both elegant and combative players with excellent passing ranges, sure to pick out the Napoli star’s surges into the danger area.

Matches (starts)

37 (33)

34 (33)

Goals

2

12

Assists

6

4

Touches*

54.2

43.1

Accurate passes*

28.7 (82%)

22.7 (85%)

Chances created*

1.0

0.8

Dribbles*

1.0

1.1

Ball recoveries*

5.6

4.2

Tackles + interceptions*

2.5

2.0

Duels (won)*

6.5

6.1

Anderson has since raised his level, but McTominay has hardly regressed himself, instrumental in a title-defending Napoli team that trail first-placed AC Milan this season by only a single point.

There is a winning mentality about McTominay that Newcastle need to take their project to the next level, and while the 23-year-old Anderson would be a fantastic addition, this would provide Howe with the instant effect he and his team need.

Newcastle need a new midfielder, and that won’t change. Either of these stars would mark stunning acquisitions.

He wants to leave: PIF must sell Newcastle's "poor man's Haaland"

Newcastle United must cash in on this player who reportedly wants to move on from the club in January.

1 ByDan Emery Dec 1, 2025

The harsh winter months have proven to be Manchester United’s recent undoing in the Premier League.

Since the 1st of November hit, the Red Devils have reverted back to their inconsistent selves under Ruben Amorim, with three wins on the trot in October then followed up by two unwanted draws on the spin, before a ten-man Everton got the better of Amorim and Co on their own patch 1-0.

They did respond to that home humiliation at the hands of the Toffees with a much-needed 2-1 win over Crystal Palace, but an unsatisfactory 1-1 draw last time out against West Ham United only saw the misery pile up once more.

How will the up-and-down outfit fare across their remaining five fixtures to come across a jam-packed December? Only time will tell.

Whatever does take place, United will be able to take some solace in the January transfer window reopening, as several bumper deals are alleged to be in the works…

Man United's list of transfer targets

Indeed, it does appear as if the red half of Manchester will be very busy during January, as Amorim’s men hunt down some improvements all across the pitch.

A clear priority, when looking at the rampant rumours coming to the surface, is United’s desire for a new central midfield talent, with both Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson incessantly linked to the Theatre of Dreams.

Away from bolstering their personnel in the middle of the park, United also look to be on the prowl for some fresh winger additions, with a spectacular swap deal perhaps in the offing.

As per Football Insider, Paris Saint-Germain are keen on picking up Marcus Rashford in the summer as his Old Trafford future hangs in the balance. To smooth out a potential deal, the French giants could offer Bradley Barcola to the Red Devils who has shone in spurts at the Parc des Princes as a promising attacking talent.

The faltering Premier League side could have to wait it out until the summer for this swap deal to come into play, but it might well be a deal still worth persisting with, as Amorim potentially wins himself his next Amad Diallo in the blistering Frenchman.

How Barcola can be Amorim's next Amad

Amad hasn’t always found his stay at Old Trafford to be smooth sailing.

Under Erik ten Hag, the tricky Ivorian only managed to muster up a paltry three goals and two assists from a limited 24 appearances.

Amorim

41

9

11

Ten Hag

24

3

2

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

8

1

1

Ruud Van Nistelrooy

4

2

1

Ralf Rangnick

1

0

0

Transition to the here and now, however, and the 23-year-old is very much a consistent first-team presence under his hot-and-cold Portuguese manager, with an impressive haul of nine goals and 11 assists next to his name under Amorim’s reign, seeing him be described as an “explosive” threat by analyst Statman Dave.

Barcola would aim to reach these same heights under Amorim’s guidance if he were to swap Paris for Manchester shortly, having also been noted as being an eye-catching winger at the peak of his powers, with “devastating pace” to burn, as per U23 scout Antonio Mango.

Thankfully, the 18-time France international also has some lethal end product to back up all his entertaining tricks and flicks, much like Amad, with Barcola up to 31 goals and 33 assists in total now for his current employers.

Last season saw the 23-year-old put away a stunning 40-goal contributions in all competitions, with United praying that Barcola’s possible entry on the scene can take them to that next level, away from folding at the hands of Everton, as the left winger’s stunning exploits have even seen Luis Enrique’s men lift the Champions League trophy.

Off the back of helping his team clinch this unbelievable honour in Europe’s elite competition, Barcola had certainly lived up to his hype as “one of the best left wingers in Europe” which was handed to him by Como scout Ben Mattinson. The Premier League would be the next big test, though, for the slick number 29.

Looking at what Amad has managed to achieve under Amorim on the flanks, Barcola should be able to enter into a new daunting division and succeed.

It certainly won’t be a cheap deal to pull off, with a whopping £87m price tag previously touted, when Barcola was on Arsenal’s reported shopping list.

But if United want to make their attack even more of a mouth-watering prospect – away from already possessing Amad and the likes of Bryan Mbeumo – sealing a statement move for Barcola could be a phenomenal next step.

He’s "better than PL players": Man Utd have bigger academy star than Mainoo

This academy ace is a player Man Utd fans will see in the first team before long

ByJoe Nuttall 6 days ago

The defending champions are off to a flying start with their stand-in captain leading from the front

AAP11-Nov-2025Melbourne Renegades 151 for 6 (Wareham 58*) beat Sydney Thunder 148 for 7Melbourne Renegades captain Georgia Wareham has claimed back-to-back player-of-the-match awards in a four-wicket win over Sydney Thunder.Filling in for the injured Sophie Molineux, Wareham smashed 58 off 32 deliveries in the run chase at Junction Oval after claiming 2 for 25 with her legspin.Wareham had starred just two days previously against Brisbane Heat with bat and ball and she backed that up.The heavens opened on several occasions during the match but the players pressed on through it. After the Thunder made 148 for 7 in their 20 overs the Renegades were in trouble at 73 for 5.Wareham and Nicole Faltum (37 off 26 deliveries) then combined in a match winning partnership that enabled the hosts to coast to victory with 11 balls to spare.Wareham’s placement was superb as she compiled her runs with minimal risk and plenty of nous in her fifth WBBL half-century .Earlier, Thunder had a solid start provided by Georgia Voll (26) and Tahlia Wilson (30). But from 60 without loss they slipped to 79 for four and that was largely due to the influence of Wareham.In her four accurate overs she dismissed the dangerous Thunder captain Phoebe Litchfield for just 12. Power hitting by Heather Knight and Anika Learoyd at the death gave the visitors a decent total but not enough to stop Wareham and Faltum.