The latest Premier League transfer news involving Man United, Liverpool, Chelsea and more
It’s now less than two weeks until the summer transfer window opens for business. The sporting directors have their chequebooks at the ready, the private jets are all fuelled up and Fabrizio Romano has emerged from hibernation ahead of a hectic few weeks of wheeling and dealing for Premier League clubs.
Back to all things transfers, and it’s looking likely to be a summer of great change at Chelsea. The club have already moved assertively to bring in Xabi Alonso as their new manager, and the ex-Real Madrid boss is expected to sign a number of fresh faces as well as clearing out some of the existing squad.
Midfielder Enzo Fernandez looks highly likely to bid farewell to Stamford Bridge, and it appears that Marc Cucurella may be joining him, with a fresh report from Talk Sport claiming that while the Blues won’t be actively looking to sell him, they could be convinced to sell for the right price. This is said to have captured the interest of Atletico Madrid.
The report states that Chelsea, should they sell, are looking to pretty much break even on the £62m they spent to sign the Euro 2024 winner from Brighton back in 2022, while Atleti are hopeful of bringing the asking price down closer to the £40m mark. Given that the Spain international still has three years left on his Blues deal, the west London club are in a strong negotiating position.
The 3AM Verdict: Whispers emerging from Chelsea indicate that Alonso only wants players who are fully committed to the cause, and Cucurella’s past cryptic comments regarding a potential summer exit don’t really reflect a player desperate to stay put. He’s a top class full-back with seemingly unlimited stamina, but the Blues should have the funds to sign a decent replacement if they hold firm on their valuation of the player.
Liverpool ‘leading candidate’ to sign Portuguese gem
Next up, we’re off to Anfield, where Liverpool have a serious job on their hands this summer: replacing Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian legend had his big send-off at Anfield on the final day of last season, and is now preparing to represent his country at the World Cup. The Reds have been linked with a host of big-money replacements, including RB Leipzig wonderkid Yan Diomande.
Fresh reports from Portuguese outlet Record (via Sport Witness) claim the Reds could be looking at an alternative, and that they’re now a “leading candidate” to sign Sporting CP gem Francisco Trincao. It’s noted that the ex-Wolves loan star has a release clause sitting at around £50m, and that Borussia Dortmund are also keen on signing him.
The 3AM Verdict: Trincao has been tearing it up in Portugal this summer, scoring 13 goals and assisting a further 15. It’s worth noting that he’s been playing in a more central attacking role, rather than on the wing, but he’s naturally a winger who plays on the right. He’d certainly be a cheaper alternative to Diomande, who could cost over £100m.
Man United eye £69m release clause star
It looks like Liverpool aren’t the only Premier League side with an appetite for Portugal-based wingers this summer. Caught Offside have linked the Red Devils with a move for Porto gem William Gomes, along with the likes of Newcastle, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Roma.
The 20-year-old Brazilian has a release clause in the region of £69m, according to the report, but his exit could be complicated by Sao Paolo “still holding 20% of his economic rights”, which we think means they stand to benefit from some form of sell-on percentage clause in his contract.
The article goes on to claim that United have gone as far as sending a member of their recruitment team out to Portugal to discuss a potential move, but Porto’s likely insistence that a fee close to the release clause is paid could put off the Red Devils making a bid. The story also says that Arsenal’s interest makes sense, despite the club already have Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Max Dowman as options of the right wing.
The 3AM Verdict: We’re not entirely convinced on this one. United aren’t as well stocked as Arsenal or indeed Chelsea on the right, but given that they’re set to spend over £100m on a central midfield rebuild, splashing out another big fee on a relatively unproven winger doesn’t seem realistic. If he doesn’t move this season, however, they could return next summer if the interest is genuine.
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