Reviewing the biggest new Premier League transfer rumours - with news from Liverpool, Chelsea, Sunderland and more.
Another morning rolls around, that means it’s time for 3 Added Minutes’ daily round-up and review of the biggest and juiciest new Premier League transfer rumours – kicking off, today, with a story that may interest Liverpool supporters.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Liverpool are “preparing a multi-million pound offer” to sign Athletic Club and Spain star Nico Williams, who is somehow still in the Basque Country despite the widespread assumption that he would leave for a superclub over the summer.
Apparently Liverpool want to “close the deal before the 2026 World Cup,” but the Reds are hoping that they can get a discount on Williams’ €90m (£78m) release clause – and plan to open the bidding with an offer of around €75m (£65m) to test the waters.
Liverpool is hoping that some recent injury issues will persuade Athletic to part with their star player for a slightly better price, while Fichajes don’t claim to know whether the 23-year-old’s current employers are prepared to let him leave or not.
The 3AM Verdict: Williams will surely leave Athletic Club next summer, especially having already made it fairly clear that he wants to go, but we’re not sure that Liverpool are necessarily going to be at the front of the queue – and we’d note that Fichajes are not, in our opinion, an especially reliable source for transfer news. We’re sceptical.
Sunderland weighing up surprise Chelsea deal
Over to TeamTalk, now, who provide an interesting story which suggests that Sunderland are set to “give careful consideration” to the possibility of re-signing former loanee Marc Guiu from Chelsea in the January transfer window.
Guiu was meant to be at the Stadium of Light for the season but was recalled by his parent club following Liam Delap’s injury – but the Black Cats “are open to the idea of bringing him back,” according to this article, with Chelsea perhaps prepared to let him leave again given that they’re only warming the bench with him.
FIFA registration rules mean that Guiu can’t join a side other than Sunderland on loan if he does want to go somewhere else to get minutes in January, but it isn’t a sure thing that the Black Cats will make a fresh bid. Apparently some in the corridors of power at the club are “not entirely convinced” that re-claiming the Spaniard would be worth it.
The 3AM Verdict: Sunderland’s deadline-day signing of Brian Brobbey could render this a non-issue as the club currently have three strikers for one spot in the team – form or injuries could change the landscape, but we doubt that a second deal for Guiu is all that likely as it stands.
Liverpool & Chelsea in danger of losing star players next summer
Let’s wrap proceedings up with a story from Caught Offside which suggests that both Liverpool and Chelsea are in danger of losing key players next summer – with Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández “among the names on Real Madrid’s list of targets” as the Spanish giants cast around for a new midfielder to sign.
Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and AZ Alkmaar youngster Kees Smit are also of interest, allegedly, while Real could even make a separate bid for Moisés Caicedo, who they are targeting separately for a different role in the midfield.
While Real “hold an interest” in both Enzo and Mac Allister, no financial details have emerged and there are no suggestions that any talks are taking place. It’s suggested that it could take “crazy money” for either Liverpool or Chelsea to consider a sale.
The 3AM Verdict: If Real do want a player from one of the Premier League big boys, then much may hinge on whether the players themselves are willing to try and force a move – there’s very little incentive for either Liverpool or Chelsea to do business otherwise. Still, Real are a team who usually get their way eventually…
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