The latest Premier League transfer rumours - with news from Manchester United, Newcastle, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and more.
That’s because TBR Football claim that United, Spurs, Newcastle and Liverpool are all “sniffing around” Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, who has impressed since making a £30m move from St. James’ Park to the City Ground.
Now, not only did his old club appear to want him back – indeed, Eddie Howe is said to have never wanted to let him leave in the first place - but he is “on Manchester United’s radar” while Liverpool and Spurs are “keeping tabs on his progress.” No financial details are mentioned and there’s no suggestion that any kind of discussions have taken place.
In fact, Forest are said to have “issued a hands-off warning” and have “little intention of letting [Andrerson] go any time soon.” Ange Postecoglou appears to view the 22-year-old as a crucial part of his team and it doesn’t sound like Forest will entertain any offers this winter.
The 3AM Verdict: There’s virtually no chance that Anderson will leave the City Ground this January, not least because Forest would be in an extremely strong negotiating position and the price tag would be astronomical. Perhaps a bidding war breaks out next summer, but this is a story not worth revisiting until then.
Liverpool chase £50m man also wanted by Chelsea
Over to a story from Caught Offside now, who reckon that Liverpool are “keeping an eye” on Barcelona defender Ronald Araújo and see the Uruguayan as a potential replacement for Ibrahima Konaté, whose contract is coming to an end next summer amid interest from Real Madrid.
Araújo is supposedly “considering his options” and Barcelona are said to be willing to sell for a fee in the range of €50-60m (£43.5-50m). Liverpool’s preference is to extend Konaté’s deal, but they have begun contingency planning in case that can’t be done.
The 26-year-old is also a “target” for Chelsea, while Tottenham Hotspur are also mentioned in passing as a team that have been rumoured to be interested – so Liverpool could have some competition. There’s no word on whether a deal could be struck in January or not.
The 3AM Verdict: Araújo is becoming a gossip column regular and one of those players who is perennially linked with a deal that never happens – still, given that Barcelona are effectively a selling club these days, we imagine that something will give eventually. We’re not convinced that Liverpool are necessarily especially interested, however, although we’re sure they’ll keep an eye on him as one of a number of options.
Sunderland haven’t given up on key summer target
Let’s wrap up on Wearside, with a story from Sport Witness which provides an update on Sunderland’s pursuit of Bologna defender Jhon Lucumí – a pursuit that seems to be continuing despite their failure to sign the Colombian during their otherwise extravagant summer transfer window.
Centre-back Lucumí was a major target but Bologna were only prepared to accept “an off-market offer above his value” which never came, but the player was “clearly interest” in the move and may jump at a second chance. That could end up coming at some stage, with Sunderland apparently sending a scout to watch the 27-year-old over the past week.
It's said to be “unlikely” that Bologna would be prepared to sell Lucumí in January, but with the player into the last two years of his contract the pressure to sell for a reasonable fee will start to increase the closer he gets to the final year of his deal. It remains to be seen if and when Sunderland make a second bid.
The 3AM Verdict: Bologna aren’t in a bad financial position, which complicates negotiations from Sunderland’s point of view, and is one reason that we agree that a January deal is relatively unlikely. If they’re still in the Premier League next summer, however, it sounds like there’s every chance that they could revisit this deal.
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