We\u2019re now into that strange period of the season where the starting gun has been fired but the transfer window remains open. In other words, there\u2019s even more howling to be done as fans bemoan the glaring holes in their teams that were brutally exposed on opening day.<\/p>\n
In the battle for who needs most reinforcements, surely West Ham are leading the race after starting the season in shambolic style with a 3-0 defeat<\/a> by newly promoted Sunderland. When the oddsmakers updated their \u2018next Premier League manager to go\u2019 markets on Monday morning, it was no surprise to see Hammers boss Graham Potter listed as the favourite.<\/p>\n The crumb of comfort for disconsolate West Ham supporters this morning is at least the rumour mill is whirring when it comes to their club and one name that keeps popping up is Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos. It\u2019s believed that the Hammers have already made a \u00a345m bid for the 21-year-old Brazilian midfielder, who scored 11 times in Ligue 1 for Chelsea\u2019s sister club, Strasbourg, when on loan last season. That was rejected so the Hammers may need to test Chelsea\u2019s resolve by flashing cash that adds up to nearly \u00a350m.<\/p>\n The Hammers may also make another another knock on the door for Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes. A \u00a330m bid was turned down for the Portuguese midfielder but West Ham could go back in. The good news: Southampton boss Will Still has said the Saints need to sell before they make moves in the transfer market. The bad news: West Ham may need to up that bid significantly \u2013 \u00a350m has been suggested \u2013 to prise Fernandes away. Finally, and perhaps least likely, is a move for Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz, who probably added a few million to his price tag by scoring a late, late equaliser in the Cottagers\u2019 1-1 draw at Brighton<\/a> on the opening weekend.<\/p>\n After watching the performance of Viktor Gyokeres on Sunday, the Rumour Mill suggests Arsenal still need a striker. Early days for that gag but the Gunners are still being linked with a move for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, with a fee of \u20ac100m (\u00a386.3million) being mooted. In what looks a rather wild suggestion, Defensa Central believe that would release the funds for Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso to make a double Premier League raid for Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konat\u00e9 and Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton.<\/p>\n Konat\u00e9\u2019s rather skittish performance in Liverpool\u2019s 4-2 win over Bournemouth<\/a>, worthy of a \u201cwhat is he doin\u2019?\u201d screech from Jamie Carragher after being turned inside out by Antoine Semenyo for the Bournemouth equaliser, does seem to have increased calls for Liverpool to beef up the defence. They did that by signing 18-year-old Giovanni Leoni from Parma for \u00a326m<\/a> on Friday but, as for the here and now, Crystal Palace\u2019s Marc Guehi remains the big rumour. The England defender helped Palace keep a clean sheet in the 0-0 draw with Chelsea<\/a> on Sunday but Liverpool fans are excited by a video showing Guehi being a bit frosty towards boss Oliver Glasner as the pair walked down the tunnel.<\/p>\n Marc Guehi: still a target for Liverpool. Photograph: Allstar Picture Library Ltd\/Nigel French\/Apl\/Sportsphoto<\/p>\n Eberechi Eze also played in that goalless draw but his move to Tottenham seems to be getting ever closer with reports of an opening \u00a360m bid being made over the weekend. If the 27-year-old moves across London, Palace need a replacement and Leicester\u2019s Bilal El Khannouss is the name drawing most attention. Palace may have to fork out close to \u00a330m for the 21-year-old Moroccan international as Leicester are reluctant to sell. Club Brugge\u2019s 23-year-old Greek attacker Christos Tzolis is also a target for Palace but reports suggest an opening bid has already been rejected.<\/p>\n skip past newsletter promotion<\/a><\/p>\n Sign up to Football Daily<\/p>\n Kick off your evenings with the Guardian’s take on the world of football<\/p>\n Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/a>. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy<\/a> and Terms of Service<\/a> apply.<\/p>\n after newsletter promotion<\/p>\n