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Insider ExWHUEmployee has revealed that it is unlikely that West Ham United will have a change in ownership any time soon with David Sullivan not intending to sell.

What are the latest West Ham takeover rumours?

There seems to be a bit of an air of uncertainty around the long-term future of the club with regard to ownership. After all, Czech businessman Daniel Kretinsky completed his purchase of 27 per cent of club shares only back in 2021 and did actually agree upon an option for a full takeover of West Ham when making that deal. Only adding more doubt to all the speculation, co-owner David Gold sadly passed at the start of the year.

What's more, as per Daily Mail, if a sale was to go through this summer, the owners wouldn't have to give any of their profits – 20 per cent to be exact – to London Stadium landlords the LLDC due to a clause expiring.

It was felt that after this 10-year deadline passed, Sullivan would potentially look to sell up to a figure like Kretinsky but in a new update it sounds as though this isn't the plan for the time being.

Indeed, in the latest update on the whole situation, Ex has stated that after talking to sources over the last week, he can confirm that there is no intention to sell in "the foreseeable future".

Speaking on The West Ham Way podcast, he said (10:09): “There was always talks that come 2023, April time, the club would be sold and that there'd be an investor from abroad to take over the club.

"When I inquired about this, in the last week or so, I was told very much so that the current chairman wants to keep the club for the foreseeable future. So I don't think there's any takeover imminent at this point.

"But that said, you know, things can happen. But at the moment, there's nothing on the near horizon.”

What Premier League teams are up for sale?

A number of Premier League clubs seem to be linked with possible takeovers right now. Of course, Manchester United are the ones with the most attention in the media but Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have also been named as clubs potentially up for sale in recent months.

For the time being though, it seems as though West Ham can be taken off that list. To be fair, with a Europa League semi-final on the horizon and the threat of relegation still a possible issue, maybe it's not the worst thing in the world to avoid this off-field distraction with key football games still to be played.

Celtic sent club scouts to watch AEK Athens forward Levi Garcia in action last weekend ahead of a potential move.

What’s the latest Celtic transfer news involving Garcia?

The Hoops look set for a busy summer window, with Ange Postecoglou after three headline signings ahead of the 2023/24 season in defence, midfield and attack.

One of those could well be Garcia, who can play anywhere across the front three but is primarily a right-winger. The left-footed forward has been with AEK Athens since 2020 and has scored 32 times and provided 19 assists in 107 appearances for the club, with 24 of those goal contributions coming in 2022/23.

The 25-year-old appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high €5m Transfermarkt valuation, and a move to Glasgow could well be on the cards even though his current contract isn't set to expire until 2025.

The Scottish Sun shared a story in the last 48 hours regarding Celtic and Garcia. The Hoops have made their first move over a potential transfer by sending scouts to watch him in action, with Garcia, labelled as prolific in the report, scoring in a 3-1 win over Olympiacos.

The report states how the Trinidad and Tobago international could come in as a replacement for Liel Abada, with the future of the Hoops winger currently up in the air.

Is Abada leaving Celtic this summer?

Abada could well be on the move this summer, with reports suggesting he has turned down a new Celtic Park contract and wants to quit the club over the coming months.

The Hoops could allow him to depart for a fee of between £7m-£10m, a figure which would represent a healthy profit after signing the forward for £3.6m, with Dutch giants Ajax thought to be one of the sides keen on his services.

Therefore, should he depart, Garcia could be viewed as an ideal replacement, with his versatility in the final third possibly being something the Hoops admire. He is four years older than Abada and has plenty of experience in a number of attacking positions, so Celtic could be getting a ready-made forward at the top of his game.

It could be one to keep an eye on over the coming months, and it’ll be interesting to see if the Hoops make a formal approach for Garcia after getting on the score sheet while Celtic officials were in attendance.

Arsenal transfer target Declan Rice is just 'waiting' for the Gunners to make an offer for him, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest on Rice to Arsenal?

The West Ham United star is a player of real interest to Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu, according to recent reports, with claims suggesting they're the current favourites.

Rice is also thought to be on his way out of east London this summer and is set to leave David Moyes – previously making no secret of his desire to play at the top level.

"Growing up as a kid I’ve seen all these top players win the trophies, win the Premier League, the Champions League," said Rice in an interview last year.

“Me as a football fan and a player I want to win the best stuff, I want to win the Premier League, I want to lift that trophy, I want to win the Champions League, I want to win the FA Cups, League Cups, even with England, I want to win it all."

As such, Arsenal are looking to take advantage of his situation in an attempt to shore up their midfield – with the 24-year-old standing out as one of their primary transfer targets.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, reporter Jones has claimed that the England international is simply 'waiting' for Arsenal to come in for him when asked about Newcastle's chances of signing the player.

He explained:

"If they make the top four, obviously, it becomes more possible and they can join the conversation, but it still depends on the level of funding on such a deal.

"It will involve how the player himself views the project. It's obviously an intriguing one, but from Declan Rice's point of view, at the moment, all the focus is waiting for Arsenal to make an offer. That's his preference."

Should Arsenal sign Rice?

The homegrown ace is West Ham's star player and general in centre-midfield – averaging their highest rate of interceptions per 90 whilst also standing out as their best-performer overall (WhoScored).

He's also been called 'underrated' by members of the media for what he does, and what's more, reliable journalist David Ornstein of The Athletic has indicated he could leave West Ham for around £75 million this summer.

Rice's stance on a move to north London will only strengthen the case for Arsenal to make a move and we believe he could strengthen Arteta's ranks to no end.

Of the numerous polarising figures to grace the hallowed Emirates turf, few command as much disdain as former Arsenal man Alexis Sanchez.

The mercurial Chilean was an ever-present member during the twilight years of Arsene Wenger's tenure and maintained an outstanding level of quality even if those around him might have been lacking.

However, in the end, it seemed to be this lack of progression, or perhaps an underlying fiscal incentive, that caught the 34-year-old's eye. Having played 166 times for the club, recording a mouth-watering 125 goal contributions during that period, the allure of Manchester United proved to once again be too much.

Mirroring the heartbreaking move that had seen Robin van Persie leave just six years prior, once again the Gunners were thwarted in the market by their long-time Premier League rivals.

Why did Alexis Sanchez leave Arsenal?

The current Marseille forward was a fan favourite in north London, as the spearhead of a free-flowing front line that also boasted Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil. However, his shock exit saw that adulation expunged in no time at all.

Indeed, Sanchez is now a figure that draws scorn for the manner of his departure, however, he might have tried to spin his reasons behind instigating the move.

Having been denied what was a dream transfer to Manchester City who, at the time, were league champions, there was understandable frustration coming from the player's camp. However, it did not warrant the petulant behaviour that followed.

GOAL would report, speaking to members of the attacker's inner circle: "He does not believe Arsenal have what it takes to compete at the top level, that he feels they have "messed around" with his future, and that he has no motivation to play for them."

Few could put up a true argument to challenge the 5 foot 7 speedster, as before that moment he had only won an FA Cup as a sole major honour in an Arsenal shirt. Given his performances, he clearly sought out the elite titles that Pep Guardiola had brought to the Etihad, as upon first joining in 2014 he had stated: "I came here to win the league title, the Champions League and every title at stake."

This boiled over into various stages of the subsequent exit, as the players first grew frustrated with his on-pitch antics before the diminutive finisher was eventually forced to train away from the first team.

With a dwindling contract and little wiggle room remaining, Wenger was forced to sanction the sale. The best deal he seemingly could get was to welcome Henrikh Mkhitaryan in a straight swap, seen as a direct replacement. With the bumper £350k-per-week their former winger would then earn, many once again questioned his motives behind the move.

It was a saga where they had drawn the short straw, and through Sanchez's immediate desire to escape the Emirates, the Gunners were left short-changed.

Who has a better Arsenal legacy than Alexis Sanchez?

Although he might have been a fine asset during his time at the club, plenty of players actually boast a more impressive legacy in north London than Sanchez. However, if we're seeking out a direct present-day comparison, then it could be argued that even Reiss Nelson will adorn that list should he depart N5.

With his £15k-per-week deal coming to its natural conclusion this summer, it is clear that the 23-year-old is no more than a backup player for Mikel Arteta. That is not to suggest that his impact this season has not been integral, however.

Having yet to make a league start all season, which has still seen him manage three goals and two assists from the bench, it could be questioned how the Hale End graduate can possibly come close to Sanchez's legacy.

However, it was one such cameo in early March that has kept them firmly in the race for this unprecedented Premier League title.

With Arsenal trailing at home to AFC Bournemouth, their Spanish boss seemed all out of ideas. Nelson was thrown on with more hope than any tactical ingenuity in mind. However, having assisted Ben White's equaliser in the 70th minute, the former England youth international would then win the game in dramatic fashion as his scorching left-footed effort from the edge of the area hit the back of the net.

The Emirates erupted in a fashion never before seen, and players and staff alike took to the pitch to celebrate. The most unlikely of heroes had kept their dreams alive.

Pundit Chris Sutton even tweeted: "It’s days like today where you think maybe this is Arsenal’s season. Incredible comeback and the game settled by a Reiss Nelson rocket."

Considering journalist Alex Wood had suggested the winger was "struggling" whilst in the team back in 2017, this has been a remarkable rise for a player who Alex Iwobi labelled a "joke".

Whilst Sanchez too had his standout moments, including a goal in their first of two FA Cup final wins whilst he was at the club, it is incomparable to the ultimate prize of the Premier League title that the current squad might still claim.

Although their last two results have allowed the Cityzens to creep back into contention, should they see it through, it is perhaps undeniable that the role Nelson played in securing those vital three points would immediately surpass that of the £92k-per-week livewire.

Liverpool are reportedly battling with Tottenham for the signing of influential Leicester City midfielder James Maddison this summer.

Is Maddison shining for Leicester this season?

The 26-year-old has continued to be a vital player for the Foxes this season, arguably standing out as their star man in a campaign of struggle. While some have failed to repeat their performances of the past, Maddison has been the creative hub of the team, scoring nine goals and registering six assists in the Premier League.

The Englishman's displays have not gone unnoticed in recent months and he has been continually linked with a move away from Leicester during the summer transfer window. Liverpool are one of the clubs to have been tipped to snap him up, as Jurgen Klopp looks to completely rebuild his midfield at the end of the season.

A new update has now emerged – one that suggests Maddison could still be viewed as a main target once the current campaign reaches its conclusion.

Is England man off to Liverpool?

Taking to Twitter, journalist Graeme Bailey claimed that the Reds and Tottenham are tussling to complete the signing of the Leicester ace this summer, with Newcastle United also in the conversation:

"Liverpool and Tottenham both confirming their interest in James Maddison. Newcastle long seen as favourites to land the Leicester man, but they will have a battle to get the England midfielder."

Maddison could be a superb signing by Liverpool if they get a deal over the line, providing the midfield spark that has so often been lacking. For starters, his aforementioned end product is something that the Reds' current midfielders don't get close to matching, with Fabio Carvalho their highest-scoring player in that area in the league with two goals this season.

The two-time capped England international is someone who could bring both guile to the team and also an underrated work rate, having averaged 1.6 tackles per game in the league so far this season. At 26, he is also primed to come in and be a key player for a number of years, while 42 goals and 31 assists in the Premier League are proof that he can shine at the highest level.

Gary Lineker has hailed Maddison as an "extraordinary" player in the recent past, and while he likely wouldn't arrive on the cheap, the fact that he is out of contract at Leicester next year means they may let him leave for a cut-price amount this time around.

Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak added yet another goal to his growing tally on Wednesday night in their latest victory against West Ham United.

Can anyone stop Newcastle United?

Eddie Howe’s side marched out of London on Wednesday night with three big points and a healthy boost to their goal difference after thumping the Hammers.

Their hopes of a finish inside the top four also took a big boost with the Magpies now sat in third spot and three points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

Only 10 games remain for the Magpies in their league campaign and they are seemingly only getting stronger ahead of their game against Brentford on the weekend.

And one player who received a lot of praise for his display on Wednesday night was the Swedish striker, Isak, who only came on for the final 26 minutes.

Callum Wilson was handed the spot up top in the starting XI and returned Howe’s faith with two goals against the Irobs, however, the Swede quickly added his name to the score sheet as well.

And club legend Alan Shearer hailed the 23-year-old’s nonchalant celebration as he added to Newcastle’s tally at the London Stadium as he spoke on Matchday Live Extra:

(8:15) “I mean, it’s a clever finish. There’s still a lot to do. But as a forward you’re saying thank you very much. The manager’s just put me on.

“Look at the arrogance of Isak there with him standing with his hands on his hips, watching and waiting for the ball to hit the back of the net.”

How good is Alexander Isak?

Newcastle spent big on the £120k-per-week Swede over the summer having broken their club record for the £63m striker in a deal with Real Sociedad.

And there certainly will have been some concerns as to whether that would be a decision which would prove to pay off.

However, any concerns about Isak meeting his price tag will have been silenced over recent months with the striker showing exactly what he is capable of in the Premier League.

Having struggled with two injuries already this season, the 23-year-old has now found his stride and returned an impressive seven goals in 729 minutes of Premier League action (via Transfermarkt).

After coming on in the latter stages of the game, Isak’s opportunities were minimal with the Magpies firmly in control at the London Stadium.

And this was reflected in the player’s stats as he only recorded 17 touches of the ball and attempted just 11 passes (via SofaScore).

But when the opportunity arose, Isak was there to put the ball home after capitalising on some shocking defending from the Hammers.

And that is all Newcastle can ask for in their striker. To be there when the opportunities present themselves and put the ball home.

That’s exactly what the Swede has been doing in a black and white shirt and it is becoming apparent he is winning the approval of the club’s greatest-ever number nine.

Graham Potter will have kept a close eye on his Chelsea players during the international break to see who is worthy of some more minutes when the Premier League resumes this weekend.

The former Brighton boss has a huge roster of players to choose from at Stamford Bridge, following the influx of new signings under Todd Boehly and it means he always has the option of switching things up with the aim of surging up the table in the final stages of the season.

Chelsea fans will have been pleased to see winger Christian Pulisic star for the USA, in the hope that the former Borussia Dortmund can recover some of his confidence at Stamford Bridge, but it was arguably Noni Madueke who was the star of the international break.

Who was Chelsea's best player during the international break?

Pulisic may well have grabbed a goal and two assists in the USA's 7-1 thrashing of Grenada but considering the standard of the opposition, this is perhaps a less-impressive feat than Madueke's.

The former PSV Eindhoven man came off the bench for England U21s in their crunch match against France U21s and would also contribute a goal and two assists in less than 30 minutes on the pitch.

As per SofaScore, the 21-year-old would earn a phenomenal 9.0/10 rating for his performance in the 4-0 win, registering his goal with his only shot on target, and providing two assists despite playing just six passes in his impressive 24-minute cameo.

Manager Lee Carsley was full of praise for the silky winger following the game, and seemingly urged Potter to use him more often rather than letting his talent go to waste.

He said: “He is exciting, fast, direct, and very versatile but what we have to remember is he is still young.

“He is going to need time, match minutes, the time to work on his game, but he has high potential. Like a lot of the younger players, he just needs an opportunity.

“They need opportunities to show that talent and given a run of games he will be fine.”

Since his move to Chelsea in January, Madueke has been limited to just two starts and two substitute appearances in the Premier League, which is perhaps unsurprisingly when you consider the sheer number of wide players that Potter has at his disposal.

However, the former Brighton boss must recognise Madueke's talent and give the £29m signing minutes over the likes of Hakim Ziyech and Pulisic, who don't look to have long-term futures at Stamford Bridge.

Indeed, his performance against France shows that he can be a huge difference-maker when given the opportunity.

Southampton are closely following Manchester City youngster Carlos Borges and are likely to make a move in the summer transfer window, according to a recent report.

The Lowdown: Southampton building for the future

The Saints have been known for targeting Man City youth players in the past, bringing in Romeo Lavia for an initial £10.5m last summer, and they could be set to make a tidy profit on the midfielder.

Pep Guardiola’s side have a £40m buy-back clause which becomes active in the summer of 2024, while interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United could drive his price up in the upcoming transfer window.

City have also sold Sam Edozie, Juan Larios and Gavin Bazunu to Southampton in recent times, with the latter player going on to establish himself in the first team, making 28 appearances in the Premier League so far this season.

The Latest: Borges targeted

As per a report from The Athletic, the Saints have an ongoing interest in bringing Borges to the club in the summer transfer window, and they have a good chance of being at the front of the queue for his signature.

Scouts have closely monitored the 19-year-old this season, and with the City influence that is now at the club, a move could appeal to all parties at the end of the campaign.

The young attacker has made it clear that he wants to get more minutes, having noted the progress made by Edozie since making the switch to the South Coast, which means he could actively seek out a move in the summer.

The Verdict: Get it done?

Southampton have a proven track record signing quality young players from Man City and giving them the opportunity to develop in the first team, and the left winger would be another excellent addition to the squad.

While he is lacking in experience at first-team level, the Portugal U19 international has proven that he is ready for the step up with his performances for the youth team this season, notching an incredible 23 goals and 15 assists in just 27 outings.

That said, the starlet is not going to reach his huge potential until he is given a consistent run in the first team, which means a move to St Mary’s is perfect for all parties, if City again choose to include a buy-back clause in his contract.

Hailed as the ‘real deal’ with a ‘seriously bright future’ by journalist Tom Young, Borges should undoubtedly be one of Southampton’s priority targets this summer.

A number of Manchester United supporters have been reacting to the news that Harry Maguire will be suspended for the FA Cup semi-final against Brighton.

The Lowdown: Sunday chaos

Erik ten Hag’s side continued their long unbeaten record at Old Trafford following a dramatic quarter-final with Fulham on Sunday afternoon.

Aleksandar Mitrovic put the visitors in front in the second half before chaos ensued with 20 minutes to go. Jadon Sancho’s effort was blocked on the line by Willian, with referee Chris Kavanagh initially giving a corner. However, VAR advised the official to check the pitchside monitor, with Willian protesting and manager Marco Silva not happy. Silva was then shown a red card before Kavanagh awarded a penalty, with Willian also dismissed as well.

Mitrovic was also furious and pushed the referee’s arm, becoming the third visitor to be sent off. Bruno Fernandes equalised from the resulting spot kick before Marcel Sabitzer put United in front shortly after and Fernandes sealed a 3-1 win in stoppage time.

Ten Hag’s side will now take on Brighton at Wembley for a place in the final, but the United boss won’t have a full selection of players to choose from.

The Latest: Fans react to Maguire news

Maguire received a booking after just 21 minutes for a foul which meant that he would be suspended for the semi-final. United Report shared the news on Twitter during the game, where a number of supporters were actually happy at the update.

“Finally some good news” – @nilohitsharma

“Best thing to happen today even if we win” – @MattyMurray18

“Yessssss” – @thatmendiguy

“Blessing in disguise if Varane is for enough to replace him” – @forthesp0rts

“YESSSSS TODAY CAN’T GET ANY BETTER” – @kxngrxse

“One less game I have to endure Maguire in a United shirt until he’s sold to Newcastle in the summer. Seems like a decent enough lad but watching him play for United gives me major health problems. Looking forward to it being over, but I will have PTSD for many many years.” – @ManUnitedTalk

“This news, makes me feel better than seeing our performance” – @djuangnoff

The Verdict: Varane and Martinez?

Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez have been Ten Hag’s first-choice centre-back pairing this season. Varane missed the match on Sunday with an injury but is expected to be back in action following the international break.

Therefore, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if the two were to start at Wembley next month, with Victor Lindelof a potential option from the bench.

Maguire being suspended isn’t ideal, though, despite the reaction from some fans, so Ten Hag will be hoping his squad remain fully fit over the coming months, especially at the back before the meeting with Brighton.

Everton reporter for PA Media Carl Markham says that Idrissa Gueye is ‘a mistake waiting to happen’ after holding onto the ball for too long against Brentford.

The Lowdown: Vital win

Everton picked up a vital win at the bottom of the Premier League table with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against high-flying Brentford.

Dwight McNeil scored in the very first minute of the game, and that ended up being enough to give them all three points at Goodison Park.

The Latest: Gueye criticism

Despite the victory, Markham was unimpressed with Gueye, claiming that he looks like ‘a mistake waiting to happen’:

“Everton’s midfield have done a pretty good job so far but Idrissa Gana Gueye looks like a mistake waiting to happen. Just holding onto the ball far too long when there are options around him.”

The Verdict: Not the first time…

This is not the first time that Gueye has received criticism this season, and Markham’s statement was justified by the shocking mistake that he made in Arsenal’s 4-0 win over the Toffees earlier this month.

This afternoon, the £80,000-per-week central midfielder was dribbled past twice, the joint-most in the home team, and only managed to make two tackles, while he also gave possession away nine times (SofaScore).

Gueye also had more touches than any of his team-mates with 53, which suggests that he was holding onto the ball for too long, as Markham suggests.

Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see whether he keeps his starting place, with the likes of James Garner and Tom Davies as other options on the bench.