The biggest new Premier League transfer rumours - with news from Brighton, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and more.
It’s time once again for 3 Added Minutes’ regular morning round-up and review of all the latest Premier League transfer rumours – and we’re starting things off today with a story for fans of both Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion.
According to TBR Football’s Graeme Bailey, Brighton’s new sporting director Jason Ayto – until recently a member of the Gunners’ transfer team – apparently “brings with him some targets from his Arsenal days,” one of them being Sevilla star Lucien Agoumé.
Apparently, Arsenal were “keen” on him and considered a move in both transfer windows of 2025, and now Brighton view him as a “possible target heading into 2026” and a player who could replace Carlos Baleba should Manchester United open their chequebook sufficiently wide to sign him at some stage.
23-year-old Agoumé is said in the article’s headline to have been a £20m target for Arsenal when Ayto was at the Emirates, but doesn’t clarify anywhere whether that was what Sevilla would have accepted or what Arsenal were prepared to pay, so it’s not clear whether that would be a fair reflection of what the Seagulls would have to fork out.
The 3AM Verdict: All a little speculative, and we didn’t see much connecting Arsenal and Agoumé over the summer, either – but if Ayto was indeed a fan at one club, it stands to reason he’d remain enamoured now that he’s in East Sussex. As for the £20m, we suspect that could be a little light. No word, by the way, on whether Arsenal will still want the player in 2026.
Liverpool eye Guéhi alternative if Konaté replacement required
Liverpool’s biggest transfer problem over the next year or so will be working out firstly whether they need to replace Ibrahima Konaté, who could leave for Real Madrid on a free transfer in a year’s time, and secondly whether they will get their hands on Marc Guéhi after the collapse of his transfer from Crystal Palace. As it happens, Spanish outlet Fichajes suspect that the Reds have found a solution.
Liverpool are said to be “on the scene” for Barcelona defender Ronald Araújo, a defender who is suggested to be open to “a change of scenery” due to his reduced playing time at the Camp Nou. Barça have “no plans to give away” the 26-year-old centre-back, but it’s suggested that they could be prepared to listen to sufficiently large offers.
Any team wanting to buy Araújo will have to fork out €50m (£43m), it’s claimed, but despite the hefty price tag it’s said that other teams besides Liverpool are interested – although the Reds are the only side that’s named in this report.
The 3AM Verdict: Given that this is only suggested as a deal that would take place if Konaté leaves and Guéhi doesn’t sign for Liverpool, there’s a fair chance that we’ll never be able to prove Fichajes right or wrong about this. Either way, we suspect that price tag will come down a little if someone does sign him next summer.
Chelsea eye January move for Crystal Palace star
We’re starting to get a little bored of reporting on a constant stream of dubious stories connecting various big-ticket teams with a bid for Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, but we feel compelled to mention TeamTalk’s report not only because it throws Chelsea into the mix but also because it claims that the Blues could make a move in January.
Enzo Maresca’s side are allegedly “intensifying their pursuit” of Wharton, while a “January swoop is not being ruled out” despite initial assumptions that he was unlikely to move until next summer. Apparently the persistent injury problems plaguing Roméo Lavia are forcing Chelsea to rethink their transfer plans.
Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United are mentioned in this report as Chelsea’s likely rivals for Wharton (no mention of Real Madrid, who pop up in most similar stories) – but it’s also mentioned that Chelsea could be taking a look at Baleba as well, despite United being linked with him rather more frequently.
The 3AM Verdict: Chelsea are usually at the back of the queue for the Wharton links, while very few stories suggest for one minute that he might move in January – very likely correctly, as he’d cost an immense amount and few clubs have that kind of money left under PSR. Chelsea probably aren’t one, but perhaps they’ll be in the bidding come next summer.
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