The latest Premier League transfer rumours - with news from Chelsea, Newcastle, Manchester United, Aston Villa and more.
Welcome to our latest round-up of the juiciest new Premier League transfer rumours – and to kick things off, we’re going to start with a potential seismic story coming from Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea are apparently starting negotiations for another huge transfer.
TBR Football claim (via Simon Phillips’ Substack) that the Blues have “started talks” with the representatives of Crystal Palace and England attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze as cross-capital rivals Arsenal continue “dragging their heels” over a potential bid.
Palace are expected to want Eze’s £68m release clause paid in full in order for a deal to be struck and as Arsenal prevaricate over whether to make a formal offer, Chelsea are set to swoop in, although it isn’t clear whether they plan to trigger the clause or attempt to negotiate with Palace.
Chelsea are said to be prioritising an attacking midfielder as their next signing and are apparently interested in another big name – RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons. Details on the odds that they make a bid for the Bundesliga star aren’t forthcoming, however, and it sounds as though Eze is the first name on their shortlist.
The 3AM Verdict: Why not? Arsenal seem to be either holding out for Real Madrid’s Rodrygo or simply waiting to assess their transfer budget once they sort a move for Viktor Gyökeres, so it makes perfect sense for a team like Chelsea to sweep in – especially if Enzo Maresca plans to keep Cole Palmer on the right wing after his impressive performance in the Club World Cup final.
Newcastle ‘plan to accept offers’ for Tyneside star
While stories concerning the future of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak continued to swirl around St. James’ Park, the Swede may not be the only popular player who leaves this summer, according to Football Insider – the club also “plan to accept offers” for youngster Lewis Miley.
The 19-year-old is much loved by the fans but is said to be on the hunt for first-team football, while Eddie Howe is supposed to want to sign a new midfielder this summer. Atlético Madrid’s Conor Gallagher, who could be available for £50m, is mentioned as one potential target.
PSR concerns could also compel them to sell the talented Miley, it’s claimed, especially if they want to do more than “keeping a close eye” on Gallagher. It’s not clear what kind of transfer fee Miley might command, nor are the names of any teams who might be interested mentioned.
The 3AM Verdict: This feels very speculative, with no tangible details and no hints as to who might even make an offer, less still whether it would be worth accepting. As much as selling home grown players helps out for profit and sustainability purposes, we suspect that Miley is more likely to stay put and continue his development on Tyneside.
Manchester United alter asking price as Aston Villa bid awaits
We’ll round off this edition of our transfer rumour round-up with the latest developments in the story of Alejandro Garnacho – with the only bid to arrive so far having been rejected by the player, Caught Offside claim that Manchester United are sufficiently “eager” to sell the Argentine that they will drop his asking price.
The Red Devils had hoped to raise £50m from the sale but the only takers they had were Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, who were rejected by Garnacho due to his preference to remain in the Premier League. Serie A side Napoli seem to have been scared off, as well.
With Chelsea also said to have “cooled their interest”, that may leave United and Garnacho with Aston Villa as their best hope of hashing out a deal. They “remain one to watch”, apparently, and are “favourites” to land the 21-year-old, but no concrete negotiations have taken place as yet.
The 3AM Verdict: It isn’t clear just how cheap United could be prepared to make Garnacho in order to get him off the books, nor what Aston Villa – who had a recent brush withPSR problems – can afford to spend. We do think a deal is relatively likely, but doubt it will happen as quickly as United want.
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