It may only be two years since Andriy Yarmolenko’s extra-time goal knocked Julen Lopetegui’s Sevilla side out of the Europa League, but West Ham United have gone through their fair share of changes since then. At least, from the perspective of their playing personnel. In the build up to that last-16 tie at the London Stadium, Julen Lopetegui picked out six Hammers players he felt could cause European specialists Sevilla a few headaches. Now, flash forward to May 2024. With the former Wolves, Real Madrid, Porto and Spain boss expected to take over from David Moyes – HITC understands he impresse ..read more

Wolves might not be quite so reliant upon the Portuguese market these days. But, still, when a player of this talent and potential shows himself over in Iberia, you can usually expect the men from Molineux to be front and centre. Back in January, the agent of a speedy, skilful Portugal Under 21 international admitted that Wolverhampton Wanderers were one of a number of clubs who ‘contacted me’ to enquire about the availability of Rodrigo Gomes. “(Wolves are) showing interest in Rodrigo,” Marcelo Cipriano said. But I believe it’s no surprise considering the excellent season he is having.” “I be ..read more

Via Graeme Bailey West Ham United chairman David Sullivan met with Julen Lopetegui last week and was impressed by the former Wolves boss ahead of a potential return to the Premier League for the Spaniard. HITC understands that West Ham, who we reported earlier in the week had been ‘inundated’ with potential David Moyes replacements, have now held talks with another of those candidates. Julen Lopetegui, the one-time Real Madrid, FC Porto, Sevilla and Spanish national team head coach, remains out of work nearly a year after walking away from Molineux due to concerns over Wolverhampton Wanderers ..read more

Via Graeme Bailey Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim has been offered to West Ham United in the last few days alongside ex-Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui with David Moyes potentially leaving the Premier League outfit in the summer. HITC have been told that West Ham, who are ‘inundated’ with candidates to potentially take over from the veteran Scot, have suddenly emerged as a potential option for an extremely highly-rated head coach who is on the radar of both Liverpool and Chelsea. Chelsea, we understand, are eyeing Ruben Amorim should they opt to move on from Mauricio Pochettino. Liverpool, me ..read more

Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League table after beating Wolves 2-0 on Saturday. It has been a challenging week for Mikel Arteta and his players after their defeat to Aston Villa last week. Arsenal then followed it up by crashing out of the Champions League when they were beaten by Bayern Munich. But goals from Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard at Molineux ensured that the Gunners were back on track in the race to become champions of England again. Given that Manchester City were in FA Cup action on Saturday – 1-0 win over Chelsea – then it allowed the London club to put points ..read more

EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey Premier League trio West Ham United, Wolves and Brighton and Hove Albion have all watched Samu Omorodion during an eye-catching breakout season in La Liga for the Atletico Madrid-owned striker. HITC understands that, with the teams of David Moyes, Gary O’Neil and Roberto de Zerbi all in the market for a goalscorer, the performances of a 19-year-old have caught the eye over in Spain. Samu Omorodion joined Atletico Madrid last summer, Diego Simeone’s side triggering the £5 million release clause in his Granada contract. The teenager was then farmed out on loan ..read more

There was a time, not so long ago, when barely a window went by without Leeds United being linked with a man who now finds himself chasing down Daniel Farke’s side in the Championship promotion race. As Leeds went down 1-0 at home to relegation-threatened Blackburn Rovers – seriously, does anyone really want to play Premier League football in 2023/24? – the club’s long-time transfer target put the team in fourth three points closer to the Yorkshire giants in what is threatening to become a tense and tight end to a typically enthralling second-tier campaign. Adam Armstrong may have hogged most ..read more

With the summer edging closer by the day – not that you’d believe it to look at the weather forecast – we are reaching that stage of the season where every knock and niggle sparks a pang of fear. An injury, around this time in the calendar year, could scupper your hopes of featuring at Euro 2024, for one, while also ruining any chances you may have had of securing a big-money transfer. For a £20 million-rated midfielder on the radar of Wolves and Nottingham Forest, he can kiss his prospects of a summer switch to the Premier League – or a starring role at the European Championships – goodbye. L ..read more

EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey West Ham United scouted Real Betis left-back Juan Miranda this weekend with Premier League rivals Brentford, Crystal Palace and Wolves also keen on the former Barcelona ace. HITC understands that the Spain international, who scored in a Man of the Match performance during Friday night’s 2-1 win over Celta Vigo, is on the radar of a number of clubs ahead of the summer transfer window. There is interest from a Brentford side who will look to replace Sergio Reguilon should the Tottenham Hotspur loanee return to North London. Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderer ..read more

EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey Ben Johnson could leave West Ham for nothing this summer with Aston Villa, Everton, Wolves and Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur all running the rule over the out-of-contract defender. The academy graduate might not be one of the most vaunted members of the West Ham dressing room, at least compared to Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus. But Ben Johnson‘s versatility, his homegrown status and the fact he will be available on a free transfer from July onwards means the 24-year-old is emerging as a player in high demand ahead of the summer tra ..read more