West Ham ‘jump the queue’ for signing, Newcastle pull plug on deal – Footymercato.com

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WEST HAM

The Irons have jumped to the front of the queue for Man City midfielder Kalvin Phillips – who is available on loan this month.

I’m told David Moyes is pushing to land him before the 1 February deadline and the Scot has made Phillips his number one target.

However, any deal could hinge on Man City’s loan fee demands.

West Ham are not willing to pay the £6-7million currently being mooted – but with Phillips interested in making the move, he could force through a loan switch for a significantly lower figure.

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NEWCASTLE UNITED

The Magpies have cooled their interest in Phillips despite their availability issues in midfield.

I’m told Eddie Howe isn’t sure the England international is the right player for the Magpies and is no longer pushing club chiefs to make a move for his services.

Sources say Newcastle are now looking elsewhere.

Ederson of Atalanta has been watched in action but a deal is likely too hard to do in January and will have to be revisited in the summer window.

Howe and his recruitment staff are scouring the market for a midfielder to come in this month.

Transfer chiefs are working overtime to find the right player and the potential sale of Kieran Trippier to Bayern Munich could boost their transfer kitty.

READ MORE EXCLUSIVE NEWCASTLE NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS

CHELSEA

The Blues have shortlisted Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres – but no firm move has yet been made.

There has been no approach for the Sweden international and I’m told Sporting are not considering selling him in January.

Gyokeres has a release clause worth around £87million but Chelsea are not willing to pay that even if they follow up their interest in the striker.

I’m told the 25-year-old is low down the list for Mauricio Pochettino’s side – who are desperate to improve their firepower this month.

Coventry will stand to benefit from any move he makes in the future – but I’m told any deal is more likely to happen in the summer, rather than January.

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TOTTENHAM

Spurs are working hard to wrap up a deal for Club Brugge attacker Antonio Nusa this month.

I’m told the Lilywhites will then loan the 18-year-old back to Brugge for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign.

Nusa is extremely highly rated in Belgium and has impressed internationally for Norway too.

Tottenham’s willingness to loan him back to Brugge has allowed them to steal a march on their rivals – with Fulham and Chelsea also monitoring his situation.

Spurs have taken the initiative by agreeing an early deal to bring him to the club in the summer.

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WOLVES

The Midlands club sold big players last summer to avoid a breach of Financial Fair Play regulations – but I’m told key players could still go despite the ship being steadied by that fire sale.

Rayan Ait-Nouri is wanted by Liverpool and Arsenal and both clubs are monitoring his situation as present.

Meanwhile, Hwang Hee-chan has also been in impressive form and Liverpool and Tottenham have dispatched scouts to watch him in action this season.

Joao Gomes is also attracting interest despite only arriving at the club last summer.

Wolves are bracing for more offers for star players at the end of the season, with the club adamant they will not sell key stars this month.

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CELTIC

Matt O’Riley is attracting interest from La Liga leaders Girona, Serie A giants Inter Milan and other Premier League clubs this month.

My understanding is there is no possibility of O’Riley leaving in January – Brendan Rodgers has been clear on that as he is a key member of the Celtic squad.

However, clubs are already ready to test the Hoops’ resolve in the upcoming summer window later this year.

I’m told O’Riley will cost around £20million in the off-season.

READ MORE EXCLUSIVE CELTIC NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS

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