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A round-up of the latest Premier League transfer rumours - with news from Manchester United, Chelsea, Leeds, Manchester City and more.
We’re back with our regular morning round-up of some of the biggest (and wildest) new Premier League transfer rumours you might have missed over the past 24 hours – and we kick today’s digest off with a story concerning Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and just about every other big side in the top flight.
It comes from Sports Boom, who claim that those three are among a number of elite teams chasing 18-year-old KAA Genk prodigy Konstantinos Karetsas, a Greece international winger who has already established himself as a starter for both club and country.
Manchester City are said to be “monitoring” the youngster, Chelsea are “firmly in the picture” and Manchester United are keen as well – while Liverpool supposedly have him on their radar too. Arsenal are also said to have “considered” a bid but are apparently less likely to get involved as they already have Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke in Karetsas’ position.
Genk are said to want to hold an “auction” this summer, with the bidding apparently set to start at no less than €45m (£39m). The teenager is under contract until 2029, giving his Belgian employers plenty of leverage heading into the transfer window.
The 3AM Verdict: An inherently speculative article with no sources suggesting that any of the clubs mentioned have made an approach of any kind as yet – but we do expect there to be significant interest in Karetsas from a number of clubs, including some outside England. Predicting who will win the race is rather tricky as it stands, with most likely suitors keeping a watching brief for now.
Bournemouth give Leeds competition for audacious Serie A raid
Over to a story from Sport Witness, now, which draws from Italian sources to re-assert an older rumour which suggested that Leeds were interested in a seemingly ambitious move for Juventus striker Loïs Openda – but which also adds that Bournemouth now have the Frenchman “on their radar” as well.
Juventus will “open the door” to a sale this summer as they look to make some sales to help deal with their ongoing financial problems, while Openda is seen as disposable after a relatively disappointing spell at the Allianz Stadium. Leeds, Bournemouth and Stade Rennais are said to be the “interested parties.”
All three teams have apparently “made contact” over a potential transfer already, with a loan deal with a purchase option apparently the most likely outcome. There’s no word on how much the option might be, however.
The 3AM Verdict: Openda was a big hit in Germany with RB Leipzig and while he’s struggled at Juventus, it would still represent something of a coup for either Leeds or Bournemouth to sign him. One would expect Bournemouth to have the financial advantage, but if Leeds survive then they could easily make a persuasive case to the French forward.
Newcastle and Aston Villa ‘watching’ former Norwich star
Let’s finish up with the latest on the future of Galatasaray attacking midfielder Gabriel Sara, who has been linked with several sides – but is, according to Turkish media outlet Sporx, a target for Newcastle and Aston Villa.
Those two teams are said to be “watching” the former Norwich City star, with their scouts “closely observing” his progress in recent weeks. There’s no mention of either Leeds or Tottenham Hotspur, who have been suggested as potential suitors for Sara as well.
As well as supposedly narrowing down the field of interest sides, Sporx’s report also puts a firm price tag on the Brazilian’s head – Galatasaray “will absolutely not accept a transfer fee below €30m,” they claim, which is about £26m, but the suggestion is that offers will be entertained.
The 3AM Verdict: We’re not honestly sure whether Sporx is reliable enough for sides like Leeds and Spurs to be counted out just yet, as they don’t cross our radar very often, but we have seen Villa mentioned as suitors for Sara before, so we don’t find that side of things especially hard to believe. There’s certainly a lot of smoke rising about the potential for a return to England. We’ll find out if there’s fire before long.
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