Welcome to the latest edition of my twice-weekly column – bringing you exclusive transfer and contract news, as well as news from the Premier League, EFL, Scottish Premiership and beyond.
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WEST HAM
The Irons are stepping up their pursuit of at least one forward this month amid injury and availability problems at the London Stadium.
David Moyes is down to the barebones in attack at present, and I’m told moves for Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez and Stuttgart ace Serhou Guirassy are being considered.
Sources say West Ham are very interested in signing one of the duo, who have been in red-hot form in the Eredivisie and Bundesliga respectively.
Gimenez will cost a fee of between £30-40million this month amid lots of other interest – and the Londoners could raise funds for that deal by offloading the likes of Nayef Aguerd, Danny Ings and Said Benrahma.
Feyenoord are not keen to lose the striker this month and feel a better deal could be presented in the summer window.
I’m told the likes of Fulham, Tottenham and Arsenal are all in the background and could move later this year.
Meanwhile, Guirassy has a release clause worth £15million at Stuttgart – and top clubs like Man United, Newcastle and AC Milan are all also interested.
Sources say West Ham could face huge competition for the Guinea international and Stuttgart are trying their best to keep him around.
Meanwhile, defender Ben Johnson is attracting lots of interest as he enters the final six months of his contract.
Johnson has rejected multiple offers of a new deal and he could leave West Ham on loan this month.
Leeds United are keen – they are looking for a new left and right-back, and the Irons star could fit the bill.
Sheffield United, Southampton and Rangers are also considering a move.
Johnson is keen to play first-team football in his preferred right-back berth – and West Ham are still keen to give him a new deal with home-grown players valuable for David Moyes’ side.
READ MORE EXCLUSIVE WEST HAM NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS
EVERTON
Arnaut Danjuma is keen to leave Goodison Park to join Lyon on loan this month.
I’m told that the French club, Danjuma and Villarreal have an agreement – but Everton would need to agree to cancel his loan to allow him to make the move.
Sean Dyche’s side were looking for wide players before the window even opened, and won’t want to leave themselves short by allowing Danjuma to move on without lining up a replacement.
Additionally, Dwight McNeil is currently out through injury and is being assessed week-by-week.
I’m told Everton are searching for a Danjuma replacement and will only allow him to go if they find one.
READ MORE EXCLUSIVE EVERTON NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS
SUNDERLAND
West Ham and Brentford have reportedly joined the race for Jack Clarke‘s signature – with Burnley also admirers after trying to sign him in the summer.
Clarke has been in outstanding form for Sunderland this season – and I’m told it would take a £20million fee for them to even consider losing the winger this month.
Sources say none of the interested sides are likely to get close to that valuation this month.
If his form continues, there will be interest in his services in the summer window – when a deal could be more likely.
I’m told Sunderland will struggle to hold on to Clarke if they are not promoted to the Premier League this season.
READ MORE EXCLUSIVE SUNDERLAND NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS
CHELSEA
The Blues are keeping tabs on Evan Ferguson at Brighton with recruitment staff at Stamford Bridge well-versed on his talents.
I’m told he features alongside Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface and Brentford star Ivan Toney in a list of top striker targets for Chelsea.
The Londoners want the best young talent – but Brighton have no plans to sell him, and the player is content having just signed another long-term contract on the south coast.
As always, the Seagulls would consider the right offer for Ferguson, but I’d be very surprised if Chelsea can meet their valuation in January – and a move in the summer is even more unlikely.
Sources say Brighton are confident of keeping the teenager at the club into 2025.
READ MORE EXCLUSIVE CHELSEA NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS
NEWCASTLE UNITED
The Magpies are keen on Dominic Solanke, who has been in outstanding form for Bournemouth so far in the 2023-24 campaign.
I’m told Newcastle will be in the market for a new striker this summer and manager Eddie Howe is a big fan of Solanke.
The Magpies are keen, and I’m told Tottenham and Arsenal are also looking at the England international.
Bournemouth are bracing for interest this summer and I’m told Solanke is likely to cost £50million+ after proving he can cut it in the Premier League.
His home-grown status will drive the price up – as English stars are valued highly by top-flight clubs.
