placeholder image
Getty Images
The latest Premier League transfer news including Man United, Spurs, Aston Villa and more
Gameweek 35 of the Premier League is underway, and we’re safely buckled in for another breathless, roller-coaster ride with so much still to play for. Arsenal and Manchester City’s title race looks set to go down to the wire along with the relegation battle likewise, and it feels like just about every team not involved in that still has a chance of qualifying for Europe, somehow.
Meanwhile, we’re just a month away from the summer transfer window being ripped from its hinges, and clubs are already sniffing out their next big money moves and bargain deals to set them up ready for the 2026/27 campaign. As the rumour mill picks up some momentum, here are the latest transfer news involving Premier League clubs.
First up, we’re off to Turf Moor, where Burnley are on the hunt for a new manager. They parted company with Scott Parker last week, after the affable former England international was unable to prevent the club plunging straight back down to the Championship after coming up last season.
According to Team Talk, the Clarets were unable to lure Wales boss Craig Bellamy to the club, where he previously served as a first-team coach under Vincent Kompany. They’re now said to have moved on to Plan B - no, not chart-topping the British 2010s rapper - in the form of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.
The report says that the Clarets are now pushing ahead with the ex-Aston Villa boss as their favoured candidate, and that he himself is open to taking the position.
The 3AM Verdict: If this means we’re spared more arduous hours of Stevie G on Champions League co-commentary, we’re all in. The ex-England midfielder had a mixed spell in the dugout to say the least - he won the Scottish Premiership with Rangers, but endured dismal spells with both Villa and Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq.
Scooping another prime Premier League job doesn’t look like it’s on the cards for Gerrard just now, but rebuilding in the Championship with a strong squad more than capable of achieving promotion next season could be exactly what he needs to get his managerial career back on track.
Spurs defender on Man United and Liverpool watchlist
Next up, we’re off to Tottenham, where the Lilywhites remain locked in an intense relegation battle. It’s not a pretty picture off the field for Spurs either, who are in the unenviable position of having to essentially draw up two summer transfer plans: one for if they don’t drop into the Championship, and one for if they do.
Should they go down, it seems inevitable that powerhouse defender Micky van de Ven will be off, and that’s said to have got Man United and Liverpool circling like vultures. Caught Offside contend that Spurs could ask for as much as £80m to sell the Netherlands international, who could still leave even if Roberto De Zerbi’s side survive.
The report goes on to claim that United and Liverpool are very much “on alert” when it comes to Van de Ven’s uncertain future in north London, and that European giants Real Madrid and Bayern Munich can’t be ruled out of the transfer race either.
The 3AM Verdict: While the Europa League win was special, things in general really haven’t worked out for Van de Ven at Spurs, whose dismal Premier League form over the past two seasons simply can’t be overlooked. He’s a top quality defender who it’s fair to say was pushed to his physical limits under Ange Postecoglu, repeatedly suffering from hamstring injuries like many of his teammates.
The 25-year-old would be an ideal signing for either United or Liverpool. A season learning the ropes at Anfield under his international teammate Virgil van Dijk could work a charm, while a starring role in theRed Devils’ big summer rebuildcould be equally as attractive a proposition. Still, at £80m, it would be a serious investment for any side looking to make a move.
Aston Villa set sights on James Trafford
We’ll round things off at Villa Park, where Aston Villa have a big decision to make on the goalkeeping front this summer. Football Insider report that the club are preparing for Emi Martinez to finally move on at the end of the season, after speculation over his future that has dragged on for well over a year.
They suggest that Serie A leaders Inter are the frontrunners to sign him this summer, which would apparently see Unai Emery’s side spring into action and attempt to sign Man City’s James Trafford as his replacement. He’s said to be unhappy at his current club due to a lack of game-time, and has been identified by Villa as a ‘keeper good enough to play for them in the Champions League next season.
The 3AM Verdict: Trafford was really hard done by in the summer, joining City with intentions of being their new number one, only for the club to seal an opportunistic move for Gianluigi Donnarumma who immediately usurped him before he even had his feet under the desk. Or gloves between the sticks, in this case.
Interestingly, we covered reports just yesterday which suggested Spurs’ Guglielmo Vicario is Inter’s top goalkeeping target, so their move for Martinez may not be as clear cut as this story suggests. It’s rumoured that Trafford could cost around £40m which, for a goalkeeper who could well be England’s next number one, isn’t a bad bit of business.
Continue Reading