The latest Premier League transfer rumours - with news from Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and more.
We’re back once more with our regular daily round-up and review of the biggest and boldest new Premier League transfer rumours – and today, we’re kicking things off with a story that puts Liverpool and Chelsea among the suitors for rising defensive star.
According to Caught Offside, those two teams (along with Manchester United and Newcastle) are “all interested” in RB Leipzig centre-half Castello Lukeba, a 22-year-old former Lyon player who recently earned his first cap for the French national team.
It’s Chelsea and Liverpool in particular who share a “strong interest” in Lukeba, with Liverpool supposedly having considered a bid over the summer. The defender has a €90m (£78.5m) release clause in his contract, which is deemed to be “too high” by the chasing pack, but there could be hope of a cheaper deal.
Leipzig are allegedly “ready to accept” bids in the region of €60m (£52m), although it’s not clear whether a deal would be possible in January or whether the teams in the bidding would have to wait until next summer.
The 3AM Verdict: Lukeba is the kind of young talent that gets thrown into transfer rumours with abandon during quieter periods in the year, so we’re not getting too excited just yet – but there’s no doubt that he’s the kind of player teams like Liverpool and Chelsea are liable to be monitoring. We doubt that he’s more than one name on a shortlist at the moment, however.
Manchester City considering move for Real Madrid midfielder
Let’s head over to the Etihad, now. TeamTalk come bearing news that Manchester City could be preparing to continue their “midfield overhaul” in January by looking at the possibility of selling Kalvin Phillips – and signing a Real Madrid midfielder with plenty of admirers.
City “could swoop” for Frenchman Eduardo Camavinga as they work to “future-proof” their midfield, with the 22-year-old’s future said to be “uncertain” under new Real manager Xabi Alonso.
Pep Guardiola’s side are “supposedly planning” a €60m (£52m) bid – apparently the going rate for 22-year-old France internationals – partly due to concern over Rodri’s long-term fitness. Everton, meanwhile, are said to be potential bidders for Phillips.
The 3AM Verdict: Camavinga was brilliant at times under Carlo Ancelotti and could well be a steal at that price point for the right club – Newcastle are among other teams tohave been linked with a fair bit of regularity. As for Phillips, we’re sure that City are doing everything they can to find him a new home.
Manchester United continue of €60m Sporting star
Let’s wrap up with a story for the red half of Manchester – according to Spanish outlet Fichajes, United are “preparing” a €60m (£52m) bid for Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand. Apparently, that’s the going rate for absolutely everybody.
Hjulmand was, of course, extensively linked with United over the summer but ended up staying in Lisbon – but he is once again a “desirable player” at Old Trafford and it’s suggested that the Red Devils could make a move in the winter transfer window.
A part of the reason that United didn’t sign the Dane in the summer was, of course, because Sporting didn’t want to let him leave, and they won’t give the 26-year-old up “easily.” There’s mounting pressure, however, with Juventus supposedly “negotiating” a deal of their own while Tottenham Hotspur are also “possible candidates.”
The 3AM Verdict: TheHjulmand-to-United story has been circulating for so long now that we’ll only believe it when we see it – Sporting have stood pretty firm so far and we doubt that changes in January. Next summer, perhaps. We also should note that we don’t personally trust Fichajes’ word very much.
Continue Reading