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Newcastle United’s pursuit of a striker seems like it will continue into the final days of the transfer window. Eddie Howe’s side are still without Alexander Isak, who is still not back in training after remaining adamant that he will join Liverpool this summer.

That is a deal that seems likely to go on until Monday’s transfer deadline. In that time, the Magpies will need to focus on centre-forward targets of their own. One of those players is Jorgen Strand Larsen. The Norwegian star got his first couple of goals of the new campaign on Tuesday night, hitting two against West Ham United.

The North East giants do seem to have some alternatives lined up if a deal for Strand Larsen does not materialise.

Latest on Newcastle's striker search

The Magpies’ pursuit of Strand Larsen this summer has certainly been frustrating. Howe’s side recently saw a £50m bid rejected by his club, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and could return with a new offer before the deadline, with the player himself ‘keen’ to join.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

However, the former Celta Vigo star is not the only Norwegian striker in their sight. According to a recent report from The Athletic, a move for Atletico Madrid striker Alexander Sorloth has ‘been discussed’ by the higher-ups at St James’ Park in the past few days.

Of course, he is one of a number of targets for Newcastle, but with options now becoming few and far between so close to Deadline Day, a move for the 29-year-old could materialise.

As for his price, Atleti would accept anything that exceeds the £30m they spent on the striker last summer, as per reports.

Why Sorloth would be a good signing

If Newcastle can sign Sorloth this summer, there is no doubt they would be landing a striker at the very top of his game. Described as a “phenomenal” player by manager Diego Simeone, he was excellent for Atleti last term.

In 54 games across all competitions for the Spanish giants, Sorloth bagged 24 goals. Impressively, he found the back of the net 20 times in La Liga, playing 35 games and 1561 minutes, the equivalent of 17 full 90-minute games.

Already, the former Crystal Palace star has started the season on fire. Despite only playing 76 minutes this term, he has already bagged his first goal of the season, scoring the opener against Elche in what ended a 1-1 draw last weekend.

Despite being at a different stage of his career, it is easy to see why Sorloth could be considered a better signing than Strand Larsen. The Wolves star has shone for the Old Gold so far, and impressed in La Liga before that.

Last season at Molineux, the 25-year-old scored 14 goals in 35 Premier League games, six fewer than what Sorloth managed for Atleti. In Strand Larsen’s second full season in La Liga for Celta Vigo, he could only bag 13 goals, again less than what his countryman managed.

That experience of scoring regular goals consistently might certainly make Newcastle more interested in signing Sorloth this summer. The former RB Leipzig star, who could be considered something of a journeyman, has played right across Europe and has built up key experience and a knack for finding the back of the net.

In fact, the underlying stats from next season suggest Sortloth would be a better signing than Strand Larsen. For example, he averaged 1.15 goals per 90 minutes compared to just 0.49 goals each game for the Old Gold striker.

The fee to sign Sorloth this summer will not break the bank for Newcastle, especially if they sell Isak. The Norwegian star is a true number nine with a great record behind him in recent seasons. It is easy to see why he would be a better addition than Strand Larsen.

With the Magpies looking to bring in a striker who can find the back of the net regularly, Sorloth could be the man to answer their problems.

New Guimaraes: PIF exploring late bid to sign £42m "monster" for Newcastle

Newcastle are prioritising a new striker, but are still considering a move for a centre-midfielder.

By
Angus Sinclair

Aug 27, 2025

Antony has accused Manchester United of "rudeness" during his time at Old Trafford, with a forgettable stint in English football being brought to a close when completing a permanent transfer to Real Betis. The Brazil international linked up with the Red Devils in 2022 when completing a big-money move from Ajax, but struggled to produce his best with the Premier League heavyweights.

• Antony flopped at Man Utd & moved on to Real Betis

  Antony registered just 12 goals for United through 96 appearances in all competitions. Having been written off as an £85 million ($114m) flop, the 25-year-old forward was allowed to link up with Betis on loan in January 2025. He impressed during a stint in Spain, gracing the Conference League final, and quickly determined that he wanted to remain in Andalusia.

  A protracted summer transfer saga dragged on until deadline day when a £22m ($30m) move was finally completed, with Antony able to escape the infamous ‘bomb squad’ at United that included fellow exiles under Ruben Amorim’s rule in Manchester. The South American has hit out at the Red Devils on a regular basis since embracing a new challenge, with questions continuing to be asked of how he was treated.

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  Antony accuses Man Utd of 'rudeness'

  Antony has now told : "Look, I'm not the kind of guy who gets involved in controversies, who names people, in fact, I won't mention anyone's name here. But I think there was a bit of a lack of respect there, even a bit of rudeness too, with no one giving you a good morning, a good afternoon. Not even that. But, anyway, that's in the past, I won't give much importance to these things. Now I'm here, at Betis, I'm living here, that's the most important thing for me."

  He added when asked why things did not play out as planned for him in England: "I am a man who accepts my responsibilities. I think off-field matters affected me a lot, in my performance. I know my potential, I know my qualities, I didn't play in a World Cup for nothing, I didn't return to the national team for nothing. I also take responsibility for it not working out, for not performing as I wanted. But I always try to see the bright side of things, going through this entire process, this time at United, was necessary to see myself."

• Dark days for Antony in England

  Antony has previously told of the dark days that he endured when struggling for form with the Red Devils and tumbling down the pecking order: "[Coming to Betis] changed a lot because I needed to find myself, because of everything I went through in my personal life. I wanted to do things, but they didn't seem to work out because I wasn't happy, I didn't feel that desire to play football, and I needed to find myself and be happy again because playing football was always something I loved. I went through difficult times [at Manchester United] when I no longer felt that pleasure. I even always told my brother, I told him that I couldn't take it anymore."

  He added: "[My brother] told me to hold on a little longer, that things were going to change. It even made me emotional, because they were very hard days for me. Only I know what it was like to be there at home, not having the strength to even play with my son, going days without eating, staying locked in my room. So, for me it was very complicated, but thank God, with the help of my family and mainly with the help of God, I managed to get ahead and today I am very happy here."

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  World Cup dream but left out of latest Brazil squad

  Betis are delighted to have Antony back on board, having worked hard to reach a compromise with United that suited all parties, and saw him open his goal account for the 2025-26 campaign in a dramatic 2-2 Europa League draw with Nottingham Forest. He has not, however, been included in Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for upcoming friendlies against South Korea and Japan.

President Joan Laporta hailed Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal as a "genius" and accepted the fact that the 18-year-old can be prone to making mistakes due to the superstardom he has achieved. Yamal, who has been criticised for his lifestyle at times, was defended by Laporta, who added that the attacker is "already more mature than other boys his age."

• The world at Yamal's feet

  Yamal has had a sensation last year-and-a-half. After being named the best young player at the 2024 European Championship, which Spain won, the teenage sensation played an instrumental role in helping Barcelona win a domestic treble in the 2024-25 season, registering 18 goals and 21 assists. His exploits saw him finish as the runner-up to Ousmane Dembele for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, with the notion that Yamal will lift the prestigious individual award sooner rather than later. 

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  Fame and fortune threaten to derail Yamal's progress

  With the world already at his feet at the age of 18, Yamal has often been warned by legends of football and other sports to navigate the pitfalls of fame and fortune very carefully. Boris Becker, who created history by becoming the youngest male Wimbledon champion at the age of 17 in 1985, said last month that Yamal's early success "rings alarm bells" for him, urging the Barca wonderkid to not "make the obvious mistakes."

  The teenage boy wonder often makes headlines due to his lifestyle and his romance with Argentine singer Nicki Nicole. His lavish 18th birthday celebrations were criticised, too, as he invited professional dwarfs for entertainment. At one point, he was even threatened with legal action against him.

• Laporta knows Yamal can be overwhelmed by fame

  Speaking in an interview with , Laporta said: "Lamine is a genius. We have to support him and give him the best advice, but he is already much more mature than other boys his age because of what he has been through. This fame can overwhelm him, but he is handling it very well. He is 18 years old and trains every day. He is disciplined with his groin injury and with what the club tells him, he follows everything to the letter so that he can improve. The way to treat him is to help him. He will make mistakes like everyone else, and perhaps more so because he is very young. He is a lad who makes himself loved."

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  Has Yamal become injury-prone?

  Yamal has already clocked over 9,000 minutes of football in two seasons, having become indispensable for both club and country. However, with his minutes not being managed carefully, the right winger has become prone to injuries, with his latest setback set to keep him out of action for at least another week. His management has sparked tensions between Barca head coach Hansi Flick and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

Despite not winning a Premier League title, Arsenal had some sensational players during Arsène Wenger’s final few years at the helm.

Mesut Özil, for example, was still unquestionably one of the most brilliant midfielders in the world, and with a better strike force, would have smashed assist records.

Likewise, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goals ensured the Frenchman’s final campaign at the club was a complete disaster.

However, perhaps the best player the former manager had during the Emirates era was Alexis Sanchez, and it looks like Mikel Arteta is crafting his own version of the Chilean today.

Sanchez's Arsenal career

There was a fair amount of excitement around the fanbase when Arsenal paid Barcelona £35m for Sanchez in the summer of 2014, and yet, he still managed to more than exceed expectations when he got to the Emirates.

For example, in just his first campaign with the Gunners, the game-changing winger racked up a simply sensational tally of 25 goals and 12 assists in 52 appearances, totalling 4326 minutes, and helped the club to win their second FA Cup in as many years.

The right-footed monster didn’t slow down there, either, racking up 28 goal involvements in 41 games the following season and then reaching his peak, and perhaps putting in the best campaign any player has had in the Emirates era in the 16/17 season.

That year, the Tocopilla-born phenom somehow managed to put the ball in the back of the net 30 times and provide 18 assists in 51 appearances, totalling 4230 minutes.

In other words, the former Barca star averaged a goal involvement every 1.06 games, or every 88.12 minutes, and once again played a role in an FA Cup triumph, scoring a goal in the Final against Chelsea.

Unfortunately, such a world-class rate of return saw Manchester United come knocking in January 2018, and he left to join them in a swap deal that essentially put an end to him as a truly elite player.

Since then, Arsenal have had some brilliant players, but now it feels like Arteta and Co. are moulding one of their current stars to be a left-footed Sanchez.

Arsenal's new Sanchez

Thanks to their summer business, Arsenal now have a couple more wingers to choose from this season in Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze.

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However, neither one is likely to become the club’s new Sanchez, unlike Bukayo Saka.

Now, while that might sound like a stretch to some of you, there are reasons behind this comparison, and perhaps the most consequential is his output.

For example, while he wasn’t always the most impactful of players in his early campaigns, largely due to being moved around the team and being so young, he has since become the Gunners’ biggest attacking threat.

In the 22/23 season, he racked up 27 goal involvements in 48 games; the following campaign, he racked up 37 in 47 and then last season, despite missing almost four months through injury, he racked up 26 in 37 appearances.

On top of just being hugely impressive, these numbers also made him the first Gunners ace since Sanchez to score and assist over ten goals for three seasons on the bounce in early April.

Moreover, like the 36-year-old, this sensational rate of return has made him a vitally important part of the team, and therefore one of the manager’s talismans.

Finally, while it’s quite a difficult thing to define, the Englishman is also, without a doubt, the biggest star in the current team, the face of the project and as talent scout Jacek Kulig put it, a “legend in the making.”

Ultimately, thanks to his brilliant output and stature in the team, it’s easy to look at Saka as Arteta’s left-footed Sanchez.

Their homegrown Isak: Arsenal may regret selling "special" Hale Ender

The talented goalscorer could have become something really special at Arsenal.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Sep 10, 2025

Arsenal have made a name for themselves in scoring late goals, with their meeting against Manchester City at the Emirates yesterday another example of their late heroics.

Gabriel Martinelli’s late goal off the substitutes bench secured a vital point for Mikel Arteta’s men – keeping them just a couple of points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.

However, despite the last-gasp effort from the Brazilian, the Gunners boss certainly made a few questionable calls which ultimately cost the side three points in North London.

There’s no denying that the investment over the summer has provided key depth to the Spaniard, but he’s still yet to figure out his best eleven on a regular basis.

One of the biggest issues that plagued his side yesterday was his selection in one area of the pitch – with such a decision being a conservative one rather than one to challenge Pep Guardiola’s side.

Arteta’s midfield disappointment against Man City

After Martin Odegaard was ruled out with the shoulder injury sustained against Nottingham Forest, Arteta had a huge dilemma as to who to utilise in his Arsenal midfield against Man City.

He decided to go with Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino as a flat trio, but it was a decision that ultimately proved to be the wrong one.

None of the aforementioned talents are a natural number ten, which saw the Gunners lack a huge amount of creativity, especially in the first 45 minutes.

The Spaniard’s side had 68% of possession in such a period, but only registered one shot on target – dominating the play but unable to break down the visitors’ backline.

Guardiola’s men were comfortable with the hosts maintaining as much of the ball as they did, putting their focus into counterattacks – as showcased by Erling Haaland’s first-half strike.

Arteta did eventually make the changes his side needed, which resulted in Martinelli’s late effort, with the manager needing to start one player on a consistent basis in the weeks ahead.

The Arsenal star who must start every game

Given the influx of additions, along with the players already at Arteta’s disposal, it was always going to take time for the manager to work out his best starting eleven.

The volume of competitions the club will take part in will require strength in depth, but it’s also vital that the boss creates a settled side in their title charge.

Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres have already cemented their place in the first eleven, both starting every one of the club’s first five Premier League outings.

However, fellow summer addition Eberechi Eze has had to bide his time in making an impact for the Gunners, after joining from Crystal Palace in a £60m transfer.

The England international has only started twice since his transfer, often having to resort to minutes off the substitutes bench to make an impact on proceedings.

He’d already registered an assist from a starting position, picking out Gyokeres for the second goal in the 3-0 triumph over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates last weekend.

However, Arteta decided that the 27-year-old would start on the bench against Guardiola’s men – a decision that proved to be a mistake given his impact after coming on at the break.

He completed 87% of the passes he attempted, two of which were into the final third, allowing him to create one big chance in the process – offering the side the needed attacking presence they craved in the first half.

Eze also provided the perfectly sighted pass over the top for Martinelli to run on to, further showcasing the superb creative nature he possesses when in possession of the ball.

As a result of his second half cameo, the Englishman was handed an 8/10 match rating by GOAL’s Sean Walsh – subsequently highlighting the impact he had off the bench.

Given his showing off the bench, Arteta simply can’t look past Eze for the Gunners’ next outing, with his talent massively aiding the club’s ambitions of ending their title drought.

It’s clear that the deep-lying midfield trio didn’t work against a side that’s prepared to sit deep, with Eze arguably being the perfect player to unlock the goods going forward.

Saved by Martinelli: Arteta must drop Arsenal star who lost 100% of duels

Arsenal rescued a late draw with Manchester City thanks to a late goal from Gabriel Martinelli.

By
Ethan Lamb

Sep 21, 2025

Chelsea made it back-to-back Premier League victories with a 3-0 win over troubled Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon. Second-half goals from Josh Acheampong, Pedro Neto and captain Reece James saw the Blues build on their last-gasp triumph over Liverpool and heap more misery on under-fire Forest manager Ange Postecoglou at the City Ground.

Feeling the absence of midfield stars Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez – the former on the bench with the latter missing out completely – Chelsea struggled in possession as Forest passed up chances to score through Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White. Despite being second best in the first half, the visitors almost took the lead through Andrey Santos but the young Brazilian fired wide of the post.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, serving a one-match touchline ban following his dismissal against Liverpool, rang the changes at half-time, bringing on Caicedo, Jamie Gittens and Marc Guiu, and his substitutions were effective, injecting much-needed energy into his side's play. And the west Londoners soon took the lead in the second half when Acheampong headed home Neto's pinpoint cross after 49 minutes. The Portugal winger was soon at it again as he doubled his side's advantage just three minutes later with a free-kick which found its way past Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels.

Forest continued to pose a threat but it was simply not their day in front of goal, as Neco Williams blazed over from close range before Igor Jesus hit the crossbar. And the hosts' misery was compounded when James netted a third for Chelsea, who were reduced to 10 men late on when Malo Gusto – already on a caution – was given a second yellow card for a reckless tackle on Williams.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from the City Ground…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Robert Sanchez (6/10):

  While Forest had chances to score through Anderson and Gibbs-White, both efforts were off target, meaning he rarely had to make a save.

  Reece James (8/10):

  The captain registered the assist for Neto's goal, via a little lay-off, and then guided the ball past Forest's Sels for Chelsea's third.

  Josh Acheampong (7/10):

  Brave on the ball, making forward runs to drive Chelsea up the pitch, the young defender gave his side the lead with a second-half header.

  Trevoh Chalobah (5/10):

  He struggled to help Chelsea build from the back, gifting Forest possession on a few occasions.

  Marc Cucurella (5/10):

  Forest almost scored twice at the back post – first through Williams and then through Jesus.

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  Midfield

  Malo Gusto (4/10):

  Operating from midfield, the Frenchman found it difficult all afternoon, receiving his marching orders for a silly challenge on Forest's Williams.

  Romeo Lavia (4/10):

  Like so many of his team-mates in the first half, he was unable to get Chelsea going in the middle of the park, before being substituted.

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  Attack

  Pedro Neto (9/10):

  A threat all afternoon, his cross was headed home by Acheampong before he doubled Chelsea's lead with a free-kick.

  Andrey Santos (4/10):

  The young midfielder passed up a chance to score in the first half, firing wide of the post. He was taken off during the interval.

  Alejandro Garnacho (4/10):

  Unable to get into the game, he fell over more times than he got past his man. Substituted at half-time.

  Joao Pedro (7/10):

  Despite receiving little service at times, he was effective by dropping deep to bring Chelsea forward.

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  Subs & Manager

  Moises Caicedo (6/10):

  Brought on at half-time, he helped Chelsea look after the ball better.

  Jamie Gittens (5/10):

  Introduced after the interval, the young winger was quiet, unable to do much better than Garnacho.

  Marc Guiu (7/10):

  Working tirelessly up top, he was brought down for the free-kick which Neto scored from.

  Estevao (6/10):

  He curled in the corner which brought about James' late strike for Chelsea.

  Tosin Adarabioyo (N/A):

  He was brought on too late to make an impact.

  Enzo Maresca (8/10):

  Working from the stands due to his one-match touchline ban, he was proactive following Chelsea's poor first-half, making three quickfire substitutions that helped deliver the win.

Pep Guardiola delivered a worrying update on Erling Haaland's injury status ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth. The 24-year-old marksman sat out City’s 3-1 Carabao Cup victory over Swansea midweek, a result that booked their place in the quarter-finals. But it is still uncertain whether he will be fit to face Bournemouth this weekend at the Etihad.

• Haaland’s frustration at Villa Park

  Haaland endured a rare off-day at Villa Park, squandering several golden chances as Pep Guardiola’s men stumbled to their first defeat in six games. The prolific No. 9 saw an early strike denied by Emiliano Martínez before having another effort ruled out for offside. His evening went from bad to worse when he collided heavily with the post late in the game. The sight of Haaland trudging off down the tunnel with his head bowed and shoulders slumped left fans fearing the worst. Those fears were partially realised when he failed to make the squad for the trip to Swansea, where Guardiola’s men came from behind to seal a victory without their talisman. 

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  Guardiola keeps his cards close to his chest

  Guardiola knows how vital Haaland has been to his team this season. The Norwegian has already smashed home 15 goals across just 12 appearances in the Premier League and Champions League. No other City player has managed more than a single goal in those competitions, emphasising just how dependent the champions have become on their towering striker. When pressed for an update after the Swansea victory, Guardiola’s response did little to calm nerves among City supporters.

  “I don’t know yet. I hope so,” he said tersely when asked if Haaland would be ready to face the Cherries at the Etihad.

  Unai Emery’s Aston Villa deserve credit for how they nullified Haaland. The Spanish manager revealed that his side had worked meticulously to cut off service to the Norwegian and deny him space to operate.

  "We tried tactically and in individual performance to get duels with him, intelligently, with the power we showed," Emery said. "Then we had some help from defensive cover and also the goalkeeper. We needed everything to stop him."

  The plan certainly worked as Villa became only the second team, after Tottenham, to keep Haaland off the scoresheet this season. It is a remarkable feat given his ruthless form in front of goal in the current campaign. 

• Marmoush steps up in the cup

  In Haaland’s absence, Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush led the line against Swansea and took his chance brilliantly. The versatile attacker netted his first goal of the campaign in a lively display that helped City advance to the next round. Guardiola was full of praise for the 25-year-old, who recently returned from injury.

  "With Erling, he knows perfectly how to be patient, how to be in small spaces, how to be consistent, to go to the ones in behind," Guardiola gushed postgame. "Marmoush has been injured for a long time and of course, playing in the position that Erling plays, and Erling is important, but we know in many games we need both and having him back is so nice."

  The Egyptian has not started a league game since August but could be handed another opportunity against Bournemouth if Haaland isn’t passed fit.

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  City’s crunch run ahead

  City currently sit fifth in the table, four points behind leaders Arsenal, and the pressure is building. Guardiola’s men face a crucial run of home games before the next international break, starting with Bournemouth in the league, Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, and then a blockbuster clash with Liverpool. The reigning champions can ill afford to drop further ground in the title race, especially with Arsenal refusing to slip up. Dortmund’s visit to Manchester next month will mark Haaland’s reunion with his former club, and Guardiola will desperately want his superstar firing on all cylinders for that occasion. Bournemouth also arrive at the Etihad in fine form. The Cherries have been one of the league’s surprise packages, sitting just four points off top spot and unbeaten since the opening weekend defeat at Anfield. A tough fight awaits Guardiola's men on Sunday. 

West Ham United’s current first-team annual payroll sits at £86,060,000, with the average Hammers player picking up just under £3m during the Premier League season.

Here’s a look at what the Irons are paying their players and who their biggest earners are, as per Capology.

Disclaimer – only the club and the players themselves truly know their wages, so take each of these figures as you will.

Here's a look at the top 10 highest earners at West Ham United currently:

10

Guido Rodriguez

£75,000 per week

West Ham were able to make Guido Rodriguez one of their top 10 earners after picking him up on a free transfer in the summer of 2024.

The central midfielder signed a three-year London Stadium deal at the time on £3.9m per season.

9

Jean-Clair Todibo

£80,000 per week

Jean-Clair Todibo’s move to West Ham became permanent in 2025 following his loan spell from Nice. The French defender cost the Irons around £36m and is on more than £4m per season.

8

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

£90,000 per week

Right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka signed a seven-year deal when he swapped Manchester United for West Ham in 2024.

The Englishman has been a regular for the Irons and, providing he remains with the club u til 2031, will pick up more than £32m in wages.

7

Niclas Fullkrug

£90,000 per week

Centre-forward Niclas Fullkrug was one of the marquee 2024 signings, coming in from Borussia Dortmund after helping them to the Champions League final.

The Germany international is already over the age of 30, though, so the £27m fee West Ham paid for his services appears to be a gamble.

6

Tomas Soucek

£90,000 per week

Tomas Soucek is someone you cannot question when it comes to West Ham United. He’s defensively solid and provides that extra attacking threat with his runs into the box and aerial ability from set-pieces.

As a reliable performer, £90,000 per week doesn’t seem extortionate at all in the scheme of things.

5

Max Kilman

£100,000 per week

Former West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui worked with Max Kilman at Wolves and sealed a reunion with the centre-back in 2024.

The Englishman was captain at Molineux and is under contract with West Ham until 2031.

4

James Ward-Prowse

£115,000 per week

James Ward-Prowse was actually sent on loan to Nottingham Forest for the 2024/25 season, however, the Hammers big earner returned in 2025 halfway through his temporary move to the City Ground.

Those at the London Stadium seemingly viewed it as a mistake to send the talented midfielder elsewhere and recalled him to become a part of the Irons squad.

3

Alphonse Areola

£120,000 per week

French goalkeeper Alphonse Areola has been on £120,000 per week since his permanent move to West Ham from PSG in 2022.

He has been in and out of the team during his time in London, and his contract expires in 2027.

2

Lucas Paqueta

£150,000 per week

West Ham splashed the cash on Lucas Paqueta back in 2022, and despite being linked with a London Stadium exit on multiple occasions, the Brazilian remains an Irons player for the 2025/26 season.

Under contract until 2027, Paqueta collects £7.8m per season with the Hammers.

1

Jarrod Bowen

£150,000 per week

You can’t argue that Jarrod Bowen deserves to be at the top of the list with Paqueta after witnessing his performances in previous campaigns.

There are attackers in the Premier League on way more money who have had way less influence, so the club captain earned his new deal to take him to £150,000 per week.

Nottingham Forest are suffering a mini-crisis right now and under-fire new boss Ange Postecoglou is under significant pressure, despite being just six games into his tenure.

Ange Postecoglou already facing calls for Nottingham Forest sack

Appointed just under one month ago after Forest parted ways with Nuno Espírito Santo, Postecoglou was brought in on the promise of a new attacking direction and a more positive, high-pressing brand of football.

So far, though, results have been extremely disappointing and dissatisfaction is mounting in the stands.

Chants of ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ rang around the City Ground when Danish minnows FC Midtjylland secured a surprise 3-2 Europa League win in Nottingham on Thursday – a match which best summed up Forest’s serious fragility since Postecoglou took charge.

Forest remain winless under Postecoglou after six matches in all competitions, a stretch that has seen them lose four and draw two.

It’s the worst start by any Forest manager in 100 years, and frustration has spilled over into disdain among supporters.

Postecoglou’s trademark ‘Angeball’ — a philosophy built on possession, quick transitions, and aggressive pressing — has struggled to translate into needed results.

Forest’s squad, accustomed to a more pragmatic, counter-attacking style under Nuno, have looked pretty uncomfortable adjusting to the new approach so far — despite some flashes of brilliant play against the likes of Real Betis — where they really deserved to win that game.

Defensive frailties have been majorly exposed, with the team conceding crucial goals from set pieces and counter-attacks.

A trip to Newcastle awaits Postecoglou next, but while Forest are remaining patient with the 60-year-old (Fabrizio Romano), this could now change pretty quickly.

A loss at St. James’ Park could even spell the end for Tottenham’s former boss, who ended the Lilywhites’ 17-year wait for major silverware at the end of last season.

Fabrizio Romano reported this week that Ange will be given time at Forest, but according to TEAMtalk, ruthless Reds owner Evangelos Marinakis is already considering a bold replacement.

Oliver Glasner emerging as "prime candidate" to replace Ange at Forest

According to their information, as sourced by journalist Fraser Fletcher, Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner is now among the top contenders to succeed Postecoglou if he is sacked.

Glasner helped to end Palace’s history-long wait for a major trophy last term, guiding them to a 1-0 win over Man City in the FA Cup final, and the South Londoners are currently on an unprecedented 19-game unbeaten run.

The Austrian has also worked wonders on a limited budget despite losing the likes of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze, which has prompted links to the Man United job as pressure also mounts on Ruben Amorim.

It is believed that Glasner is emerging as a “prime candidate” for the Forest job now too, but it remains to be seen whether the Europa League-winning tactician would swap high-flying Palace for Forest given their contrasting fortunes.

That being said, Glasner’s proven track record of consistently overachieving with less-fancied squads in the Bundesliga, Austrian Bundesliga and, now, the Premier League, makes him a pretty exceptional option.

The 51-year-old’s flexible tactical approach has earned serious plaudits, and he’s known for building compact, organized teams that defend as a unit, which could address Forest’s vulnerabilities under Postecoglou.

Glasner was named as a managerial target for Tottenham at one point as well, with pundit John Wenham calling him a potentially “exciting” appointment.

While Glasner is currently employed and Palace will likely fight to keep him, reliable reports claim that he is hesitating on signing a new deal after being offered one in the summer, with his current contract due to expire in 2026 (BBC).

Napoli are reportedly plotting another transfer raid on Manchester, with United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo registering on their recruitment radar once more. The reigning Serie A champions were able to acquire Kevin De Bruyne over the summer, after seeing him leave City as a free agent, but the Belgian midfielder is currently ruled out with a thigh injury.

• Napoli require cover for injured De Bruyne

  Antonio Conte is eager to reinforce his engine room, as Napoli compete on domestic and continental fronts, with collective sights being cast in the direction of proven Premier League performers.

  According to , Napoli’s interest in Mainoo is “for real”. They are reportedly working on a deal that could be pushed through in the January window. It is claimed that “the question of a departure is now more than ever on the table” when it comes to Mainoo and United.

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  Mainoo to join McTominay? January transfer being discussed

  The England international midfielder, who burst onto the scene after stepping out of the fabled academy system at Old Trafford, has been restricted to just eight appearances this season. His only start came in the Red Devils’ humbling Carabao Cup defeat to League Two side Grimsby.

  Mainoo is yet to make a starting XI in the Premier League during the 2025-26 campaign, with Ruben Amorim favouring alternative midfield options in his 3-4-3 system. Serious questions were asked of the 20-year-old’s future over the summer, but no deal was done. With game time proving limited, he is ready to reassess his options.

  It is reported that “United are not considering a permanent transfer”, but Napoli are pushing for an initial loan agreement that includes a purchase option. claim that the Red Devils have “opened the door to a compromise”. Mainoo is said to be “tempted” by the opportunity to work with former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Conte.

  A permanent deal for Mainoo could be pushed through in 2026 if certain terms are met, with the amount of appearances he makes over the second half of the season set to determine whether or not he remains in Italy alongside fellow United academy graduate Scott McTominay.

  United are said to have “made it clear they would prefer to see the player in a foreign league rather than in the Premier League”, with several options that would keep Mainoo in English football being “ruled out”.

• More departures: Zirkzee linked with return to Serie A

  Mainoo may not be the only United star swapping the Premier League for Serie A during the winter window. also report on how Joshua Zirkzee could be treading that path. He only left Bologna for Old Trafford in the summer of 2024, but is another forward to have found the going tough in Manchester.

  The Netherlands international is also yet to start a top-flight fixture for the Red Devils this season, with just five appearances being made in total. He has no goals to his name this term, having registered only seven across his debut campaign in England.

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  Roma lead chase for Zirkzee but AC Milan are also interested

  Zirkzee is said to have “told his entourage to find him a loan deal in January to revive his career”. He is considered to be “highly regarded” in Italy, having registered 12 goals for Bologna in the 2023-24 season.

  Roma are considered to be the side most likely to do a deal for the Dutch forward, with talks already taking place. Zirkzee’s representatives have discussed a “salary agreement” with the Giallorrossi, with it likely that he will need to accept a serious pay cut in order to make a move possible.

  The Netherlands international is reportedly willing to pass up financial gain in order to get his career back on track. While Roma are leading the chase for his signature, it is also being suggested that AC Milan could join the race as they look to bring in more firepower at San Siro alongside the likes of USMNT star Christian Pulisic and Portugal international Rafael Leao. Any deal for Zirkzee would leave United short on striking options – having already allowed Rasmus Hojlund to join Napoli – with Benjamin Sesko being backed up by 17-year-old Danish wonderkid Chido Obi.