Liverpool ‘rocked’ by potential transfer ‘hijack’ as Chelsea aim to beat Man Utd to rising starplaceholder image
Liverpool ‘rocked’ by potential transfer ‘hijack’ as Chelsea aim to beat Man Utd to rising star | Getty Images
The latest Premier League transfer rumours - including stories from Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Aston Villa and more.
It’s once again time for 3 Added Minutes to round up and review some of the biggest and spiciest new Premier League transfer rumours that have done the media rounds in the past 24 hours – and today, we start with a story which may worry some Liverpool fans reading. As if they don’t have enough on their mind already.
TeamTalk claim that the Reds have been “rocked” by the impending “hijack” of their bid for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi after Barcelona made “two formal approaches” to the 25-year-old’s representatives over the past fortnight.
With Guéhi set to leave Selhurst Park on a free transfer at the end of the season, Liverpool had hoped that they would be able to complete a deal which collapsed at the last minute at the end of the summer transfer window, but Barcelona are “intensifying” their efforts to steal in ahead of their apparent rivals for the England international’s signature.
The Catalan giants are said to be mounting “a huge charm offensive” to get a deal over the line, although a January bid is said to be unlikely due to their financial constraints. Liverpool, for their part, are said to be “slipping away” in the race to sign a player they thought would be theirs just a few months ago.
The 3AM Verdict: The fact is that we’re going to hear a lot of stories like this over the next few months and there will be plenty of ‘charm offensives’ being attempted – but with Guéhi in no hurry to decide his future, don’t expect a resolution any time soon. Barcelona may be in the lead to some extent, but it’s too early for a clear favourite to have emerged and Liverpool still have every chance of getting a deal done.
Chelsea hoping to beat Manchester clubs to wonderkid signing
Let’s take in a story from The Daily Mail, now, who reckon that Chelsea are “working on” a deal to bring a highly-rated young African prospect to Stamford Bridge – and they are “ahead of competition” from both Manchester United and Manchester City.
16-year-old Mohamed Zongo – his name appears as Muhammad Zongo elsewhere – is an attacking midfielder who shone for Burkina Faso in the recent Under-17 World Cup, scoring twice and providing three assists in six games before his country were narrowly beaten by Italy in the quarter-finals.
Apparently both Villarreal and Anderlecht are also keen on Zongo, who plays for an academy team in his homeland, but Chelsea are “now considered favourites” to land a seemingly stellar talent.
The 3AM Verdict: We can’t wait to see more of Zongo based on his performances at the Under-17 World Cup last month, and signing him would certainly fit Chelsea’s strategy of snapping up young talent in droves – they’ve already secured several deals for teenagers who will move to the UK in the coming years. We don’t doubt that this is a deal they’re keen on and could easily complete.
Aston Villa & Spurs among suitors for Belgian wonderkid
Let’s wrap up with another story which involves three Premier League sides battling it out to sign a teenager with plenty of promise – in this case, Sport Witness report that Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion are all after Anderlecht wonderkid Nathan De Cat - no relation to DJ and record producer Felix da Housecat, we are fairly certain.
A 17-year-old holding midfielder, De Cat is already a key member of Anderlecht’s first team and playing age-group football for Belgium, with the three Premier League sides mentioned above described as “admirers” after a string of impressive performances. Reports from Belgium agree that the trio are “keen” to land De Cat in the near future.
There’s no suggestion that any formal offers have yet been made for the teenagers, who is described by one Belgian press source as a hybrid of Youri Tielemans and Leander Dendoncker, but it’s hinted that Spurs, Villa and Brighton could “come calling” soon. No word on how much he might cost, or whether he would be keen to leave or remain in Belgium to continue his development.
The 3AM Verdict: Much of the article actually hinges on experts in Belgium advising him to stay put, which seems like sound advise giving that he’s already getting regular minutes there – but the financial lure of the Premier League could prove to be very strong. It all looks like speculation at the moment, however, and we can’t see any sources suggesting that a bid is imminent. One to keep an eye on, perhaps for some time.
Continue Reading