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Klopp holding tight on Sturridge
West Ham United are said to be desperate to add to their attacking options in the January transfer window, but they shouldn't expect any sympathy from Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp in their pursuit of Daniel Sturridge.
Slaven Bilic has had a rotten time of it, with injuries depriving him of Andy Carroll, Andre Ayew and Diafra Sakho for long periods of the season so far. Meanwhile, Sturridge is out of favour and said to be unhappy at Liverpool.
A move would appear to make sense, but the Mirror reckons Klopp will "resist renewed West Ham efforts" to sign the England international striker, despite the Hammers' willingness to spend big to land their No. 1 target.
Klopp, who has lost Danny Ings to long-term injury and could lose Sadio Mane to the African Nations Cup in January, probably has the right idea being selfish on this one.
Mourinho plans defensive overhaul
It hasn't escaped Jose Mourinho's attention that Manchester United have kept only four Premier League clean sheets in 13 outings so far this season.
The Portuguese is known to like defensive stability, and with United having the joint-best backline in the division last season you would have thought he had a good base from which to build. As it stands, they have conceded 15 goals -- the worst tally of any team in the top six.
Enough is enough and Mourinho is ready to "aggressively strengthen," the Daily Record reports, in an effort to remedy the situation. Plans appear to be reasonably well advanced with the report adding that "executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is prepared to allocate significant funds" for United to attract new signings.
Chelsea's Koulibaly move on hold
You would be forgiven for thinking defensive reinforcements are the least of Antonio Conte's worries right now. Since shipping three goals against Arsenal on Sept. 24, Chelsea have conceded only one goal in seven Premier League outings.
So maybe that is why the Sun claims Conte has put the club's bid to sign Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli on hold until the summer. Or it could be that the £50m-rated 25-year-old centre-half is off to the African Nations Cup.
Either way, with longstanding captain John Terry expected to be politely ushered towards the exit door by Conte at the end of the current campaign, it is said a blockbuster move for Koulibaly is on the cards at some point down the line.
Tap-ins
- Swansea City manager Bob Bradley says he has not discussed the possibility of signing his son Michael Bradley, who plays for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer, in the January transfer window.
- Crystal Palace have lost six Premier League games in a row, and the future of manager Alan Pardew is in doubt, but that is not stopping him identifying targets for the January transfer window, the Guardian reports. A left-back is an immediate priority given Pape Souare's long-term absence, with Newcastle United's Paul Dummett, Leeds United's Charlie Taylor and Kieran Tierney of Celtic all linked.
- Maarten Stekelenburg's arrival at Everton in the summer didn't attract much fanfare, but the Dutch goalkeeper has been a standout player for the Toffees on occasion this season. Despite that, Ronald Koeman would like to add to his goalkeeping ranks in January, the Mirror claims, with the intention of any new addition becoming Everton's long-term No. 1.
- The London Evening Standard reports that Arsenal's Dan Crowley could have his loan spell at Oxford United cut short "amid concerns over his professionalism." The 19-year-old midfielder, who has not been involved since mid-November, has a clause allowing the League One side to end his season-long loan in December.
- Finally, from the women's game, Lyon are apparently stepping up their pursuit of U.S. international Alex Morgan. The 27-year-old reportedly has just visited the club and undergone a medical with an eye to helping the team to a Champions League title should the stars align.