Manchester United’s Scott McTominay is another option being considered by the Hammers according to reports

Manchester United’s Scott McTominay is another option being considered by the Hammers according to reports

The midfielder has struggled for starts under Erik ten Hag and is free to depart this summer should the Red Devils receive a “very big offer”. The United youth product is a versatile and experienced option, having made over 200 career appearances across central midfield, central defence and centre forward.

Denis Zakaria is also a reported option, however, according to ExWHUEmployee that deal is stalled due to the two clubs being unable to agree on a payment structure. The Hammers want a loan move or an installments move based on appearances made in order to account for the Swiss international’s injury problems, whilst Juventus want a straight fee for the player who spent last season on loan at Chelsea.

Liverpool have made an initial approach for Fluminense midfielder Andre as Jurgen Klopp continues to reassemble his team, according to recent reports…

Is Andre signing for Liverpool?
That’s according to Football Transfers, who have confirmed that Brazilian outfit Fluminense will listen to offers for the 22-year-old – who is also wanted by Fulham – though not until the Brazilian Serie A campaign concludes in December.

It’s stated that Premier League sides, including the Reds have tested the waters in order to ascertain what it might take to finalise a move.

While this might not seem ideal for the Anfield side, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the Reds have made a formal approach to Southampton for prodigious midfielder Romeo Lavia – who is valued at £50m – and could re-craft his defensive midfield with two astute purchases spread over the 23/24 campaign.

Andre’s outfit will demand €25m (£22m) for his services, which only furthers the argument for the Merseyside club to make their move, securing an exciting and industrious talent to enrich the ranks.

Who is Fluminense midfielder Andre?
Brazil boasts an illustrious history of talent and Andre could prove to be the latest who make the well-trodden path from the South American country to the Premier League.

The one-cap international has made 143 appearances for Tricolor Flu Fluzão since rising through the youth ranks, and now one of the club’s eminent names, could take the next step in his development and put pen to paper with Klopp’s side.

As per Sofascore, the “leader” – as Andre has been called by talent scout Jacek Kulig – has recorded an average rating of 7.08 in the Brazilian top-flight across 13 appearances this term, completing 92% of his passes, succeeding with 70% of his dribbles and 62% of his ground duels.

Andre’s prowess as a touch-tackling midfield gem is further highlighted by FBref, who rank him among the top 1% of midfielders across Men’s Next 8 divisions – the leagues below the established European top five – for pass completion, the top 3% for passes attempted and the top 6% for successful take-ons per 90.

Newly-signed Paris Saint-Germain star Manuel Ugarte is listed as Andre’s most comparable player, via FBref, which could work in Liverpool’s favour considering the Merseyside outfit were actively pursuing the Portuguese pro earlier this year.

Ugarte has been hailed as a “machine” by Kulig and looks likely to cement his stature as one of Europe’s foremost holding midfielders over the next year with the French giants, and Andre could provide Liverpool with their own version this winter if the club do decide to forge ahead with a deal.

Ugarte also ranks among the top 1% for pass completion, while ranking among the top 9% for successful take-ons, the top 1% for tackles, the top 3% for interceptions and the top 12% for blocks per 90.

Andre would arrive at Anfield at the season’s midpoint and could make a marked improvement on the side’s season, offering cover to the holding midfielder and working his way into a prominent position at a Reds team targetting a renaissance to strike fear into the hearts of opposition across Europe.

West Ham: ExWHUemployee drops Joao Palhinha transfer update
BY
THOMAS LITTLE
PUBLISHED 1 HOUR AGO
The 28-year-old was the subject of two bids by the Hammers this summer.

West Ham United will not be making a third bid for Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha, according to ExWHUEmployee.

The 28-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the London Stadium throughout the summer.

Will Joao Palhinha join West Ham this summer?
It seems now that the Portuguese midfielder won’t be making the switch to West Ham this summer.

All window long the defensive midfielder has been linked with a move to the Conference League champions as their Declan Rice replacement as the England international joined Arsenal for a record fee of £105m.

Palhinha impressed many last season in his debut campaign for Fulham following his £20m move. The 28-year-old led the league in tackles made quite comfortably with 147. That was ahead of second-placed Moises Caicedo who could only manage 100. The midfielder was ranked as the sixth-best defensive midfielder in the Premier League last season with an average rating of 6.93 according to WhoScored.

After the Cottagers reportedly valued the former Sporting CP midfielder at £90m, negotiations continued until the Hammers submitted their first offer for Palhinha of £45m which was turned down by Fulham. A week later the Hammers returned to the table and submitted an increased offer of £50m that was also rejected by the Cottagers with the club desperate to keep their Player of the Season from last season.

Two days ago, Palhinha suffered an injury in a pre-season clash against Brentford, forced to come off injured in the first half with what looked like a dislocated shoulder, which has put any potential move this summer at risk of collapse, should the scans reveal the worst.

Speaking on The West Ham Way Podcast on Patreon, ExWHUEmployee stated that West Ham have communicated to Fulham that following the second rejection they will not be making any more offers for the 28-year-old: “Palhinha was subjected to a second verbal offer from West Ham, that offer was supposed to be at the £50m price tag. I’m not sure if that was a flat price or if it contained clauses but £50m in total which Fulham turned down and we have now said that we won’t be making any offers, which coincided with him going off injured in a pre-season friendly for Fulham with a suspected dislocated shoulder”

Who will West Ham buy instead?
West Ham do have a number of other players who they might target after moving on from Palhinha.

One such player is Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez. The Mexican was reportedly close to joining Borussia Dortmund earlier this window however that move collapsed due to the German side not wanting to pay the asking price, which is reportedly between £35-40m. Alvarez is an incredible all-around option, with his passing numbers of 83.91 passes attempted and 88.7% passes completed being comparable to some of the best in the world, whilst his defensive numbers are consistently strong according to FBref.