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The 3AddedMinutes take on the latest transfer talk from across the Premier League and beyond.
The Magpies have been strongly linked with a big money move for PSV Eindhoven star Johan Bakayoko after he scored six goals and provided three assists in 21 appearances in all competitions so far this season. The 18-times capped Belgium international has already spoken about his future with PSV and expressed his desire to ‘become a champion’ - but stressed he is already at a ‘top club’.
"If I were to leave Eindhoven, it would only be to a club that plays for the prizes just like PSV," Bakayoko told Eindhoven’s Dagblad during the summer. "Becoming a champion is what I want. And win the Champions League. I have the qualities for that. I'm ready for the top. But PSV is also a top club, especially if many players from last season stay. And it's nice here. Yes, really. Nice. I think I've never radiated a moment that I play here reluctantly. The holiday was shortly after the European Championships, but it's great to get back to PSV. Last season's vibe is still there."
Such comments will have given some hope to the likes of Newcastle and Liverpool and CaughtOffside have now claimed the Reds have officially ‘entered the race’ to sign a player said to be the Magpies ‘top target’ for the January transfer window. The report also suggests Liverpool could have to pay up to £50m to land the Belgian winger - but that figure is not said to be ‘out of the Merseysiders’ reach’.
The 3AM Verdict: Newcastle are keen to add a winger to their squad but will continue to battle with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations, meaning a costly move for Bakayoko may well be out of their reach. Liverpool have no such issues and could well make a move for a player that has rapidly become one of the Eredivisie’s most feared attacking threats.
Chelsea ‘willing to listen to offers’ for midfield duo
Chelsea could allow midfield duo Carney Chukwuemeka and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to leave the club in January - but are facing one major issue.
The Mirror have claimed Blues boss Enzo Maresca is prepare to allow both players to leave on loan during the January transfer window - but also suggested there could be issues finding interest for both players as they are on significant wages at Stamford Bridge. Dewsbury-Hall followed Maresca from Leicester City to Chelsea during the summer but has made just five Premier League appearances for the Blues so far this season and has made the same amount during their Europa Conference League campaign.
Chukwuemeka is yet to make a league appearance under Maresca but has appeared in four of the five league phase games in UEFA’s tertiary cup competition and also made a substitute appearance in a 5-0 win against Barrow in the Carabao Cup earlier this season. Chelsea are said to be keen to get the duo off their wage bill on a temporary basis and Crystal Palace are named as possible suitors for Chukwuemeka.
The 3AM Verdict: The Dewsbury-Hall situation is a strange one because it hasn’t quite happened for him at Chelsea since he agreed to join his former Foxes head coach at Stamford Bridge. A temporary departure could well work in his favour and the same could be said of Chukwuemeka, who may feel he needs a fresh start to kick-start his career.
Blades prepare double January raid on Southampton
Sheffield United are reportedly keen on securing a double deal for two Southampton players.
Via his Patreon page, The Sun’s Alan Nixon has claimed the Blades are hoping to boost their bid to return to the Premier League with the signings of Ben Brereton-Diaz and James Bree and are ready to offer the duo ‘an escape route’ out of the Saints battle against relegation from the top flight. Chile international Brereton-Diaz spent time on loan at Bramall Lane last season as he scored six goals in 16 games for the Blades - but he has been unable to replicate that form since his summer move to Southampton.
Full-back Bree has only made three Premier League appearances so far this season - although did make starts in defeats against Aston Villa and Chelsea over the last two weeks.
The 3AM Verdict: Although Brereton-Diaz and Bree have struggled to make an impact on Southampton this season, they would add quality to a Sheffield United squad battling for promotion into the Premier League. Their signings could help Chris Wilder’s side over the line come the business end of the season.
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