Arne Slot and Nuno Espirito Santoplaceholder image
Arne Slot and Nuno Espirito Santo | Getty Images
The latest Premier League news and rumours including updates on Liverpool, West Ham and Chelsea
Liverpool are showing ‘interest’ in Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba along with Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich, according to CaughtOffside. The report adds that the player is valued at around the £87million mark. He is under contract at the AMEX Stadium until the summer of 2028 meaning the Seagulls don’t have to sell him anytime soon.
Baleba, 21, joined the Sussex club back in 2023 and hasn’t looked back since. He has made 96 appearances in all competitions and has scored four goals. Prior to his move to England, he caught the eye playing in France for Lille.
The 3am Verdict: Carlos Baleba would be an ideal signing for Liverpool if they managed to see off competition from elsewhere to get him. He would inject more quality into their starting XI and provide Arne Slot with something different in the middle of the park. However, other teams are in for him and his price tag is very high which will throw a spanner in the works.
West Ham still confident in Adama Traore pursuit
West Ham are ‘still confident’ of striking a deal to sign Fulham winger Adama Traore this winter, TEAMtalk claim. Their boss Nuno Espirito Santo knows the attacker well from their time at Wolves together and wants to reunite in London now. The Hammers are in the relegation zone and face a battle for survival.
Traore is out of contract at the end of the season and is due to become a free agent in June as things stand. He has been on the books at Craven Cottage since 2021. The ex-Spain international has since played 75 matches and has found the net on four occasions under the guidance of Marco Silva.
The 3am Verdict: West Ham would benefit from having someone like Adama Traore at their disposal. He is very quick and his pace can cause problems for opposition defenders. A change of scene this month would do the Spaniard good and going to the Hammers make sense as it would see him link back up with Nuno Espirito Santo.
Chelsea linked with Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali
Chelsea are being linked with a surprise swoop for Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali, via Football Insider, who report they will ‘set sights’ on the Italian gem. The Blues are well stocked up with options in his position in central midfield with the likes of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez at their disposal. The Blues are in the hunt for a new manager following Enzo Maresca’s exit.
That hasn’t stopped the transfer rumours from swirling and Tonali is the latest player to be mentioned as a potential target for the London club. The 25-year-old was snapped up by the Toon Army in 2023 after his spell at AC Milan. He has since become one of their most prized assets and they won’t want to lose him anytime soon.
The 3am Verdict: It would be a surprise to see Sandro Tonali leave Newcastle United for Chelsea halfway through a season. The Blues need to sort out their managerial situation first and foremost after Enzo Maresca’s exit. Tonali seems settled where he is and the Magpies probably wouldn’t sell him unless crazy money came in for his signature.
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