A round-up of the biggest new Premier League transfer rumours - with news from Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Everton, Aston Villa and more.
Once again, we’ve scoured the gossip columns to bring your our regular morning round-up of some of the biggest (and often wildest) Premier League transfer rumours which you might have missed over the past 24 hours – and today, we’re starting with a story involving Liverpool and Arsenal.
Andoni Iraola & Mikel Artetaplaceholder image
Andoni Iraola & Mikel Arteta | Getty Images
Several media outlets reported on Sunday that Arsenal have opened discussions with Lille over a move for 18-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who impressed on World Cup debut against Brazil – but now TEAMtalk claim that Liverpool are getting ready to “hijack” the Gunners’ bid for one of the brightest young stars in the African game.
Citing Fabrizio Romano, the story suggests that Liverpool have already “made contact” as they work to steal in ahead of Arsenal, who are “very much keen” to snap the teenager up themselves. Both clubs are now said to have held meetings with Bouaddi’s representatives during the World Cup.
They aren’t the only sides interested, however, with PSG also said to be in the mix, although it’s Arsenal who are said to be the “most advanced” in negotiations right now. There’s no word on the transfer fee which might be required to secure Bouaddi’s services as yet, although it looks like Lille will be able to demand top dollar.
The 3AM Verdict: Reports of Arsenal’s interest seem to be pretty solid but while we can’t be certain that Liverpool are quite as keen, it would be a massive surprise if several other elite sides didn’t get involved in the bidding. There’s a lot of haggling to be done, and it could be a few weeks before we find out who’s won the race, so it’s too early to honestly say which side will get hold of a supremely talented young player.
Manchester City ‘set sights’ on £70m Everton star
Apparently City are “watching the English defender closely,” although they may only make an offer if more defenders depart the Etihad this summer, with the future of several current stars under scrutiny. They aren’t the only team keeping tabs on Branthwaite, either, with Bayern Munich and local rivals Manchester United also “credited with an interest.”
Everton, for their part, have “set a minimum asking price of £70m” for a centre-back who’s been hugely impressive when he hasn’t been on the treatment table. He may not be the only member of David Moyes’ squad on the way to City, either – apparently both Iliman Ndiaye and James Garner are of interest as well.
The 3AM Verdict: The tone of this article is very speculative butThe Daily Mail also suggested that Manchester City were interested in Branthwaite last week, which perhaps lends the link a little bit of credence. There’s certainly no suggestion that active talks are taking place, and we suspect that he’s but one of several potential targets under consideration. A deal could well take place, but we don’t know how likely it is as yet.
Spurs & Aston Villa ‘particularly keen’ on Serie A star
Let’s finish up with a story from Sport Witness which suggests that Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa are “set to battle” over the signature of AS Roma attacking midfielder Matías Soule – who apparently wants to leave Italy and is said to be especially interested in a move to the Premier League.
Citing multiple press sources, Sport Witness note that while other teams are also in the race to sign the 23-year-old Argentine, the three who are “particularly keen” are Spurs, Villa and Borussia Dortmund. The chances of Soule moving on are becoming “increasingly concrete” as the amount of interest increases, apparently.
Roma have set an asking price in the €35-40m region (£30-36m), it’s suggested, although contradictory reports argue over whether he might have a release clause in his contract which could allow him to leave for less. There’s no suggestion that any bids have come in yet, either way, but apparently we can expected “movements in the coming weeks.”
The 3AM Verdict: Soule is a gossip column regular and with no suggestion that any contact has been made over a move, we’re remaining somewhat sceptical as it’s difficult to tell just how solid any interest really is. He may be no more than one name on a long list of possible options for any of the clubs said to be involved in the bidding, and it doesn’t sound like we’re that close to getting a clearer picture of what the future holds for Soule.
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