Assessing the latest Premier League transfer rumours - with news from Manchester United, Arsenal and more.
The beginning of the new Premier League season is just under six weeks away, with transfer rumours flying in as clubs from up and down the country ready their squads to push for success in 2025/26. It’s time to take a look at some of the latest stories breaking as we near the weekend - we begin our round-up in Manchester, where a surprising name has come to the fore as Ruben Amorim looks to bolster his attacking options this summer.
Caught Offside report that Manchester United could make a move for England striker Ivan Toney, who has been playing out in Saudi Arabia for Al-Ahli but is viewed as a candidate to lead the line ahead of the likes of Rasmus Hojlund at Old Trafford. Toney scored 30 goals last season for the Saudi side, while he struck 36 Premier League goals in 83 appearances during his time at Brentford.
The report states that United are “watching” the £40m forward keeping tabs on a potential move, viewing him as an upgrade on the strikers they have at the club currently. It is a move that Toney would reportedly be open to.
The 3AM verdict: Would be a slightly left-field move, but if Toney has done enough to earn his way into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad, then we believe he still has enough to play in the Premier League. At 29 years old Toney could lead the line for United for a few years and would cost significantly less than the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, which United will be more than aware of as they continue to struggle with getting big-name players out the exit door. Toney would be an inexpensive and relatively low-risk option, and he would likely relish playing for a club like Manchester United.
Blow for Arsenal as quest for new striker continues
Continuing on the theme of strikers, but some less promising news for the Gunners. GiveMeSport report that talks have “collapsed” with long-time target Benjamin Sesko, with a club insider reportedly revealing that RB Leipzig will not budge on their valuation and Arsenal are unlikely to push forward with the deal as a result.
Leipzig reportedly want €83m (£72m) for the Slovenian striker and are demanding it all up front, while Arsenal were hoping to negotiate down their price or break down a fee into smaller payments. An impasse has been reached and Mikel Arteta’s side may decide to move on and pursue other targets such as Gyokeres.
The 3AM verdict: This feels like the right decision by Arsenal. To pay £72m for a young striker unproven in the Premier League is risky enough, to pay it all up front like a release clause is a disaster waiting to happen. The way this is going, we wouldn’t be surprised if Leipzig put off all interested parties so Sesko remains in Germany another year, then is available for £20m less next summer. It would be smart for Leipzig to negotiate a better deal, but in the meantime Arsenal should focus their attention elsewhere.
Wolves prepare bid for Club World Cup hero
Meanwhile in Wolverhampton, Vitor Pereira’s Wolves are preparing a bid for 20-year-old Flamengo forward Wallace Yan according to Caught Offside. Many will remember Yan as the man who scored the Brazilian side’s sealing third goal to sink Chelsea in the Club World Cup and he is reported to have a £34m release clause in his contract, though Wolves may be able to sign him for as little as €15m (£12.9m).
Flamengo are said to hope they can tie him down to a longer contract until 2030, but a transfer could be possible if the player decides that a move to Europe is the right next step in his career. The waters will certainly be tested with Wolves’ expectedly imminent bid.
The 3AM verdict: Wolves are garnering a reputation for developing talented Brazilian players and Wallace Yan could become the next on that conveyor belt. He will have seen the performances of Matheus Cunha in particular and may feel Molineux is the right place for him to take his next step. His stock will have risen during the Club World Cup so as long as Flamengo don’t hike up their price too much, we see potential of this happening.
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