West Ham United plan shock move for £54m Ballon d'Or nominee as Leeds United talk denied

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has angrily hit out at claims suggesting Kalvin Phillips’ loan spell at Portman Road could be cut short during the January transfer window.

The Manchester City midfielder joined the Premier League newcomers on a season-long loan deal during the summer and has gone on to make seven appearances in all competitions as McKenna’s side have endured a challenging return to the top flight.

A Football Insider report released last week suggested Ipswich could consider terminating the loan deal early in the new year after becoming ‘amazed’ at Phillips lack of mobility and running power and stated senior figures at Portman Road felt the midfielder’s ‘head is still at Leeds’. However, McKenna angrily refuted the claims and stressed there ‘have been no conversations of the like’.

Speaking after Saturday’s 4-3 defeat at Brentford, McKenna was asked for a comment on the report and said: "What can I say on that? Proper, proper nonsense. I learned quite a while ago in football that you can write something online and it circulates and gets picked up by quite a lot of media outlets and then it becomes a story. It's absolute nonsense. There have been no conversations of the like and I think it's a real, real shame. He had a very good game."

The 3AM Verdict: Although Ipswich’s return to the Premier League has not gone as planned, the Tractor Boys have shown some signs of improvement in recent weeks and the experience and knowhow Phillips provides could well be key over the coming weeks and months.

West Ham United consider move for Europa League hero

West Ham United are reportedly keen to secure a deal for in-form Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman.

A report from GiveMeSport has claimed the Hammers are keen to boost their attacking options during the January transfer window and have drawn up a three-man shortlist of potential targets. Despite bringing in the likes of Borussia Dortmund striker Niclas Fullkrug and Crysencio Summerville during the summer, Julen Lopetegui is believed to be considering a move for the likes of Lille star Jonathan David and Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran, with the latter strongly linked with a move to the London Stadium during the close-season.

However, it is the name of Ademola Lookman - who is thought to be valued at around £54m - that may spring a surprise as the former Everton forward continues to shine with Serie A club Atalanta.

The 23-times capped Nigeria international scored a stunning hat-trick to help his side see off Bayer Leverkusen in last season’s Europa League Final and has continued his form into the current campaign. Lookman has scored five goals and provided five assists in ten games so far and was in fine form on Saturday as he struck a brace in his side’s 6-1 hammering of Verona.

The report claims West Ham are ‘likely bidders’ for Lookman, who could be tempted into a return to the Premier League for the first time since he left Leicester City just over two years ago.

The 3AM Verdict: There were few that could have predicted the impact Lookman has made during his time with Atalanta and his performance in last season’s Europa League Final was nothing short of spectacular. There is little surprise he is the source of transfer talk - but any deal would be expensive for any willing suitor.

Everton eye move for Championship star

Sean Dyche’s attempts to boost Everton’s attacking options has reportedly led to interest in West Bromwich Albion winger Tom Fellows.

Journalist Alan Nixon has claimed the Toffees are on the trail of the England Under-20 international after he impressed during the opening months of the Championship season. The talented youngster has provided five assists in 12 league games for the Baggies as Carlos Corberan’s side challenged for a return to the Premier League.

However, Fellows could well head into the top flight whether the Baggies make it or not as he attracts attention from the Toffees. Any deal could well prove to be expensive as Fellows only penned a new deal at the Hawthorns earlier this year and that could mean Everton may have to await news on their long-awaited takeover before pursuing one of their targets for the January transfer window.

The 3AM Verdict: There would be no surprise to see Fellows move into the Premier League at some point in the future - whether that be with West Brom or with another club. He has established himself as one of the brightest talents in the Championship and interest is always likely to come in any promising player in the second tier.