Arsenal have made an approach for Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi, while Manchester United are considering a move for Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Liverpool have made contact over Lamine Camara as clubs look to secure new signings before the January window opens.
Arsenal make approach for Kroupi
Arsenal have made an approach for Eli Junior Kroupi, reports claim. The French forward was believed to be a key target for the Gunners in the summer transfer window after a fantastic debut season at Bournemouth, yet any transfer plans were scuppered by a foot injury that required surgery.
However, Kroupi is now back in action and the rumour mill is once again going into overdrive, with CaughtOffside reporting that Arsenal have made early enquiries over his potential availability - along with Manchester United. However, it is being claimed that Bournemouth will not entertain the prospect of any sale until next summer.
Manchester United and Chelsea linked with moves
Manchester United are pondering a shock swoop for Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, while they could yet battle Chelsea and Arsenal for Jacobo Ramon. Chelsea could strike a deal for Alex Scott before the New Year, while they are also being linked with a stunning move for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Liverpool are believed to have made contact over a deal for Lamine Camara, who missed out on a late switch to Stamford Bridge in dramatic fashion on Deadline Day. Tottenham could target the likes of Ibrahim Maza, Nicolo Tresoldi and Alex Freeman, though they will not receive any further funds for Harry Kane despite his Ballon d'Or win this week.
Other club news
Arsenal have been dealt a huge blow after their appeal over Max Dowman's red card was dismissed. The young winger was sent off in the Carabao Cup clash against Fleetwood Town on Tuesday night, as the Gunners were stunned at the Highbury Stadium.
Mikel Arteta's men were beaten on penalties by their League Two opponents, who had taken a shock lead in the first half through striker Aaron Loupalo-Bi, who put the fourth-tier hosts ahead against the odds.
West Ham fans were confused on Thursday when the Hammers' first-team squad photo was revealed. The Irons published the shot on their social media channels, with manager Nuno Espirito Santo sporting a plain expression as he was flanked by club captain Jarrod Bowen and summer signing Arne Engels to both sides.
The photograph captured all the Championship side's stars, from Tomas Soucek to Konstantinos Mavropanos, but Hammers supporters were perplexed at the sight of three stars who have hardly played a minute all season.
Jack Grealish was a surprise omission from Everton's squad to face Newcastle on Thursday. The Toffees take on the Magpies in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup, but were without their talismanic winger at the Hill Dickenson Stadium. Grealish, on loan on Merseyside from Manchester City for the second season running, was left out intentionally by manager David Moyes, with Tyler Dibling and Tyrique George preferred out wide.
Injury updates and manager comments
Providing an injury update, a manager said: "Good news, Kobbie done a little bit of training yesterday, so he's back in and around the group, so that's obviously a positive. Unfortunately Ben looks like he's going to be out for a period of time. We're still not clear of exactly how long, but it's going to be for a longer period of time."
On his own position, the manager added: "No. I'm here to do my job, you know. I'm here to do the best for the team, and I'm desperate to make us better and improve things. So, I'm not surprised, no."
Discussing the squad's mood, he said: "The boys are hungry. We're hurting because we haven't won enough football games, but there's an intensity, an edge, and disappointment. There's a hunger to do better."
On Bruno Fernandes, he commented: "Bruno is fully committed to this football club. We move forward, we make decisions as we go, and we're looking forward to the game on Saturday now."
He concluded: "I care about what the supporters think, I care about what it feels like in the stadium, and them travelling for games to us, to come and see us and support us. I care about what we give them, and what we offer them, and what they see. I genuinely don't take any notice of anything else. I know this job, I know what it brings, I know what we need to do really to be better. I don't need anyone else to tell me anything else."
