Liverpool eye ambitious £114m raid - and prepare to battle Man Utd & Newcastle over star defenderplaceholder image
Liverpool eye ambitious £114m raid - and prepare to battle Man Utd & Newcastle over star defender | Getty Images
Breaking down the latest Premier League transfer rumours - with news from Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle and more.
It’s once again time for 3 Added Minutes’ daily round-up and review of some of the biggest and juiciest new Premier League transfer rumours – and we’re starting off with a story which should pique the interest of any Liverpool supporters reading.
According to Caught Offside, Liverpool are “keeping a close eye” on Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha in preparation for what would be a wildly ambitious bid in the January transfer window – with Arne Slot supposedly keen to upgrade his midfield options.
Apparently, the Reds’ scouting department have “identified” the 25-year-old European champion as an ideal purchase, although it’s admitted that Liverpool are “unlikely” to make a formal bid unless one of the players currently on the team departs first.
Even if they do make a bid, it won’t be an easy deal to get done. PSG are said to see Vitinha as “untouchable,” but it’s also claimed that a bid of around €130m (£114m) might “tempt” the French superclub to open negotiations. Arsenal and Juventus are also said to be admirers, although it’s not suggested that either side are close to making a move.
The 3AM Verdict: This deal feels almost impossible to pull off. PSG don’t need the money, Vitinha is under contract until 2029, and Liverpool are unlikely to lose any of their current midfielders over the winter. We can’t see him going anywhere and doubt that this rumour proves true in the slightest. Not that we haven’t been wrong before…
Liverpool, Manchester United & Newcastle all keen on big-name defender
Let’s stick with Liverpool for our second story today whilst also bringing Manchester United and Newcastle to the table as well – TeamTalk reckon that all three teams are interested in Borussia Dortmund centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck, who is entering the final 18 months of his contract.
“A bidding war” is said to be likely, and Liverpool and United are actively “monitoring” the 25-year-old Germany international’s situation – with Newcastle described as “dark horses” having held long-term interest in the defender. Barcelona are also involved, however, and are even said to “lead the chase” as it stands.
Dortmund are claimed to value Schlotterbeck in the region of €40-50m (£35-44m) but his contract situation could drive his price down. It’s not made clear whether the German club would consider selling him in January for the right offer, or whether this is a transfer tug-of-war that’s set to be scheduled for the summer.
The 3AM Verdict: We suspect the latter, with Schlotterbeck highly likely to leave at the end of the season but not in the middle of the campaign. Dortmund do have some financial pressures which will compel them to sell eventually, but it’s not likely that we’re looking at something which takes place over the winter. As for the club he most likely ends up at, it’s simply too early to say with no negotiations yet to take place.
Manchester United prepare for ‘unprecedented’ battle to sign wonderkid
Let’s wrap up with one more story for Manchester United fans. Sport Witness come bearing word from the German media regarding the future of Hertha BSC wonderkid Kennet Eichhorn, with United apparently in the midst of an “unprecedented” bidding war.
The 16-year-old holding midfielder, who has already become a regular in Hertha’s first team, can leave next summer thanks to a release clause in his contract which will let him leave the Olympiastadion for around €10-12m (£9-10.5m) and apparently “all of Europe’s top clubs are in the running” at that price.
All of the big German teams have already sent scouts to watch him in action, while United are also suitors alongside Real Madrid, Barcelona and PSG, all of whom have “expressed interest” in the talented teen. Eichhorn is apparently “open” about his future and has not made a decision on what he might do.
The 3AM Verdict: Eichhorn – who was one of ourTop 10 wonderkids to sign on Football Manager 2026, should you care for such things – is a huge prospect and a big move is inevitable at some stage but it’s clearly far too early for us to have a clear picture of where he might head. We’d be surprised if other Premier League teams weren’t in the bidding as well.
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