Rounding up the biggest new Premier League transfer rumours, with news from Liverpool, Chelsea, West Ham, Leeds and more.
It’s time for your Friday morning round-up of all the juiciest new Premier League transfer rumours that we’ve seen doing the media rounds over the past 24 hours – and we’re kicking things off with a seismic story concerning Liverpool’s summer transfer plans.
Caught Offside claim that the Reds have “scheduled talks” over an “ambitious” move for Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz – a deal that would cost them a massive €120m (£101m).
No formal offer has yet been lodged with Wirtz’s current club, but Arne Slot’s side are alleged to be intent on disrupting what had appeared to be a two-horse race between Bayern Munich and Manchester City. A race, incidentally, that Bayern seem to be well ahead in.
They hope to take advantage of an “issue” for Bayern, which is that they may not be prepared to pay more than €100m for Wirtz. Liverpool are said to be “optimistic” that they can persuade Wirtz of the virtues of a move to Anfield. All of this would come after a £30m deal for Wirtz’s team-mates Jeremie Frimpong was wrapped up.
The 3AM Verdict: It’s great gossip, of course, but we don’t see this one happening, partly because Wirtz seems pretty intent on joining Bayern and partly because with Liverpool set to spend big in several positions, it’s unlikely that they can also afford to throw £100m in on a position they already have covered through Dominik Szoboszlai. But if Leverkusen play hardball on the price and force Bayern to let thePremier League teams in to the reckoning, who knows?
Chelsea eye £25m Dean Huijsen alternative
Another week, another centre-back linked with a move to Stamford Bridge – if TeamTalk have their facts straight, then Chelsea could have “set their sights” on Lazio’s Mario Gila as they prepare to give up on a bid for Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen.
With Real Madrid set to win that particular race, Chelsea are “pivoting” to 24-year-old Spaniard Gila. A Real academy graduate, Gila has been in Serie A for the past three years and could now be a “cost effective solution” to Chelsea’s search for a new centre-back. TeamTalk’s sources suggest that Gila would set a suitor back around €30m (£25m) but that despite the relatively reasonable price tag, it would “not be a straightforward deal” to get done, with Inter Milan also interested.
The 3AM Verdict: A new rumour to us, and until we hear more we’ll stick it on the shelf alongside about 30 other stories suggesting that Chelsea are targeting a certain defender. Nothing implausible here, to be fair, and Gila may well be on the shortlist, but we’re still putting our money on a move for Marc Guéhi.
Leeds United and Everton target West Ham United legend who ‘can leave’
Let’s wrap today’s round-up off with a report from TBR Football now, which claims that West Ham have told much-loved midfielder Tomáš Souček that he “can leave” the London Stadium this summer – and Leeds or Everton could be the beneficiaries.
Apparently a “host” of Premier League teams are keeping tabs on the 30-year-old’s situation, and “up to five” sides have already held talks of some kind – with Leeds and Everton name-checked as being among the interested parties.
Despite his relatively advanced age, the Czech international could command a fee as high as £20m, it’s claimed, with West Ham aiming to raise funds to refresh their squad. The Hammers, meanwhile, could pinch a player from Leeds – they’re interested in left-back Junior Firpo, who could leave Elland Road on a free transfer at the end of June.
The 3AM Verdict: Normally, £20m would sound steep for a player the wrong side of 30, but his remarkably impressive goal-scoring record from a deep midfield position makes him a more valuable asset than many might appreciate – to be honest, we’re surprised West Ham want to sell, but he isn’t the most Graham Potter-adjacent of players. Real Betis may be more likely to sign Firpo if he decides to leave Leeds.
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