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A round-up of the latest Premier League transfer rumours - with news from Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Leeds.
Every morning, we comb through the gossip columns to bring you a quickfire round-up of some of the biggest (and strangest) Premier League transfer rumours you might have missed over the past 24 hours – and today, we start off with a story involving old rivals Liverpool and Manchester United.
According to Sport Witness (who cite Italian media sources) the two top-flight sides may be set for a “battle” to land the signing of Juventus centre-back Pierre Kalulu this summer, with both teams “in the mix” to land him in the coming transfer window.
Manchester United and Liverpool are both said to have sent scouts to observe the 25-year-old in action recently, although it’s also noted that other, unnamed teams have been monitoring his progress too.
Juventus have Kalulu under contract until 2029 and manager Luciano Spalletti apparently said that the Frenchman was “untouchable,” suggesting that Juve would like to keep hold of him – but with the Italian outfit under financial pressure, a substantial offer may well twist their arm. There’s no suggestion that a formal offer has been made as yet, nor what they might be prepared to pay.
The 3AM Verdict: Links betweenUnited and Kalulu have been prevalent over the past few months, and while Liverpool aren’t mentioned as frequently, they have come up too – so this isn’t a completely new story, rather fresh confirmation of the two teams’ interest. We do believe he’s on both sides’ shortlists somewhere, but there will be plenty of alternatives if the price proves to be too steep.
Chelsea watching winger also wanted by Liverpool
Our second story of the day sticks with Liverpool and, as it happens, Juventus – while also bringing Chelsea into the mix. Sports Boom report that both Premier League sides have Juve winger Francisco Conceição “under close surveillance,” with a potential summer transfer on the cards.
Scouts from both teams have apparently watched him repeatedly in the past few weeks (although perhaps Liverpool’s were just doing double duty with Kalulu around as well) and there is a process of “intensive monitoring” going on as they determine whether to make a move.
Liverpool apparently see the 23-year-old as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah, while Chelsea’s interest is presumably a result of their inability to go five minutes without buying another winger. Juventus, for their part, have “no interest in sanctioning a sale,” but for the aforementioned economic reasons could be compelled to negotiate if an offering approaching €65m (£56m) comes in.
The 3AM Verdict: Again, Conceição will be one of several players both teams are watching, if indeed they are. We don’t think he’s Liverpool’s first choice at this stage but as their chance of landing Michael Olise look very slim, the Portuguese wideman could come into play down the line. We’re not sure how keen Chelsea are, but he would fit in with theiryouth-focussed transfer policy.
Leeds ‘plotting’ move for Nottingham Forest man
Let’s finish up with a story from Football Insider now – they reckon that Leeds are “plotting a move” for Nottingham Forest forward James McAtee, a star of recent England Under-21 sides who has struggled to earn starting minutes at the City Ground since signing for his current club last summer.
Leeds are said to be “long-term admirers” of McAtee’s talents, and “could provide him with a way out” – but aren’t likely to be the only side in the bidding. Apparently McAtee could favour a move abroad, with sides in France and Germany said to be interested.
Both Lyon and Bayer Leverkusen could be rivals for the 23-year-old, who is allegedly “keen” to try his hand at playing overseas. There’s no word on how much Forest might want for a player who cost a reported £25m last summer.
The 3AM Verdict: A perfectly plausible story, albeit one which the article suggests is really rather speculative. Nevertheless, McAtee has the talent to flourish in the right system, so we wouldn’t be at all surprised if Leeds were at least somewhat interested – but we absolutely do expect further interest from abroad, especially Germany, based on the clubs that chased him before he moved to Forest.
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