Ruben Amorim and Enzo Maresca could compete for a new signing.placeholder image
Ruben Amorim and Enzo Maresca could compete for a new signing. | Getty Images
Your Monday morning dose of the latest Premier League transfer rumours
The summer transfer window is over for the year. Sad times. So, no more transfer rumours? Think again: the rumour mill does not stop spinning, not even for a day.
A new week is upon us, as the football world takes a breather from an intense August with a brief international break - though for some, such as Thomas Tuchel’s England, the international break remains as stressful as ever.
Here are your latest round-up of transfer rumours this Monday morning, starting at London Stadium, where one man is set to stay while another may depart:
It is well-known that West Ham United have struggled in the early weeks of the new season. A late victory at Nottingham Forest aside, the Hammers have looked lacklustre in attack and careless in defence. Graham Potter has found himself under early pressure in the managerial hotseat as a result.
It will therefore come as a relief to Hammers fans that, as per reports by Football Insider, Lucas Paqueta is set to stay at the club this summer. The Brazil midfielder continues to be a target for Saudi Pro League sides, with the Saudi transfer window remaining open until September 23. But the player has reportedly decided to stay in east London - a decision he is also said to have made when the Hammers were prepared to sell him to Aston Villa in the final knockings of the transfer window.
Meanwhile, further reports by Football Insider gained traction over the weekend that West Ham have ‘sounded out’ Frank Lampard as their potential next manager if Potter were to lose his job. The Coventry City manager has done a great job with the Sky Blues in the Championship and may soon target a return to the top flight.
The 3AM verdict: Keeping Paqueta in the building is important news for whoever is in the West Ham dugout. While a Saudi exit never looked a likely outcome anyway, the fact that the player himself has chosen to stay is great news for a club with little to shout about in recent months.
As for Lampard, an emotional return to where he began his playing career may be as naive an idea as it is heart-warming. There has been high pressure on the last three West Ham managers (at least) and it is difficult to envisage a world where things go well for Lampard for long.
For the man himself, an attempt at promotion with Coventry or a move to a newly-promoted club would appear a more natural step, while for the club - they should focus their next appointment around ensuring they are in the right hands to avoid a catastrophic relegation fight.
Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal could battle for high-profile defender who wants PL
Elsewhere in the Premier League, three of the division’s top clubs have been touted to battle for the signature of Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries, as per reports by Caught Offside.
The 29-year-old is said to be open to a new challenge after the key role he played in Inter’s run to the Champions League final last season, while he has yet to experience playing in the Premier League in his career.
Caught Offside cite Fichajes as having reported an interest in Dumfries from the trio of Premier League giants. The player is said to be prioritising a move to the English top flight, with a reasonable price tag of €25m - €30m unlikely to hold back any of the interested parties, with Chelsea, Man United and Arsenal all said to be ‘eyeing’ a deal.
The 3AM verdict: While this speculation is more likely to have arisen from the player’s camp rather than from those of the clubs involved, there is no doubt that many Premier League sides would love to have Dumfries.
Of those mentioned, a move to Old Trafford makes the most sense. With Amad Diallo currently starting at right wing-back for United, Dumfries would offer a much more natural option, capable of affecting games in both defence and attack. Given that Manchester City are in desperate need of a right-back, it would not be surprising if Pep Guardiola’s side also come in for the Netherlands international in January.
Newcastle considering return for Barcelona ace after failed summer move
Over in the north east, Newcastle United may return to the negotiation table with Barcelona over a move for 21-year-old midfielder Marc Casado in the future after a summer transfer failed to materialise, according to reports by Caught Offside.
The report states that a move could be made in 2026 after the Catalan giants insisted that the midfielder was not for sale this summer. Newcastle are said to have refused to give up their pursuit of the midfielder and may enquire about the availability of a move once again next year. Arsenal and Man United have previously been said to hold an interest.
Enjoying a break-out campaign last season, defensive midfielder Casado made 36 appearances in all competitions. But he does, of course, play in a very competitive area of the pitch for La Blaugrana and may decide that his future could lie elsewhere.
The 3AM verdict: The decision to future-proof the midfield does make sense for Newcastle. While their trio in the centre of the park was one of the league’s very best last season, Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes find themselves in their late twenties and there is a drop in quality if either of the pair or Sandro Tonali pick up any injury problems.
Very rarely do Barcelona let a first-team La Masia graduate leave before their prime, though, and nor does such a Barca young star often want to depart the club of their dreams. We would say this looks unlikely at this point, but certainly one to watch out for next summer.
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