The latest Premier League transfer news as Arsenal, Man United, Spurs and others eye summer deals
The summer of 2026 is shaping up to be a real classic for football fans, with both the World Cup and transfer window set to provide drama and entertainment aplenty. England are still waiting to get their campaign underway in North America, with the expanded tournament meaning there’s a been a mountain of football to get through before Group L gets going.
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Meanwhile, there’ve been a flurry of early deals in the summer transfer window so far, with Tottenham and Manchester United in particular looking to get the bulk of their business done early. The former are set for a crucial pre-season under Roberto De Zerbi, as he looks to get his squad in shape after last season’s brutal 17th place Premier League finish.
Today’s transfer news round-up begins at Nottingham Forest, where last season’s Europa League semi-finalists face an uphill struggle to keep their top players at the club this summer. Elliot Anderson looks destined to join Manchester City, and now another star player could be on the move: midfield talisman Morgan Gibbs-White.
The 26-year-old, who brutally missed out on a place in England’s controversial World Cup squad, has been eyed by elite Premier League clubs for some time and, according to Caught Offside, is being monitored by Arsenal, Man City, Man United, Chelsea and Tottenham now the window has opened again.
The story notes that Forest are determined to hold onto their star man, who scored 15 Premier League goals last season. There is no indication as to whether the player is willing to leave the club, and it’s worth noting that he signed a contract extension last summer, which runs through until 2028 and removed the previous deal’s £60m release clause.
The 3AM Verdict: Losing both Gibbs-White and Anderson in one window would be a disaster for Forest, to the extent you’d have to consider them relegation candidates if it happened. Even with the riches they’d get from the double sale, they’d struggle to adequately replace them with no European football to offer next season. They need to dig their heels in, stand firm, and ideally cut the phones off at the City Ground until September 2nd.
Tottenham ‘in talks’ with Tonali
Over to north London next, where Tottenham have had a frantic start to the post-season. Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi are already in, they’re pushing to sign Netherlands international Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton, and now it appears that they’re looking to reel in an even bigger fish: Newcastle United midfield Sandro Tonali.
According to The Athletic, Spurs have already held “positive talks” with the £60m man’s entourage, with an approach to Newcastle set to follow swiftly if personal terms can be agreed with the Italy international. Tottenham are said to be ahead of both Arsenal and Man City in the race to sign him, with the duo believed to be focusing on other targets.
The 3AM Verdict: Tottenham were a laughing stock last season, but to give them the credit they deserve, they’ve got straight down to business this summer and look set to have a significantly stronger squad that should be more than capable of challenging for Europe heading into the 2026/27 Premier League season. Tonali will be a huge loss for Newcastle, however, who will need to work hard to find a suitable successor.
Arsenal ‘agree personal terms’ with Serie A gem
That Arsenal target who isn’t Tonali? I think we may have found him. Reports from the Italian press, via Sport Witness, claim that the Gunners have gone as far as to have “agreed personal terms” with Roma and France star Manu Kone, who is said to have an asking price set at around £43m.
The story says that Arsenal will now look to make contact with the Serie A side to thrash out a deal, with the player’s representatives pushing hard to get the deal done quickly. It’s suggested that Roma need to sell players before the end of the month for financial reasons, which could see the move accelerate over the next week or so.
The 3AM Verdict: Kone is an absolute machine in midfield, and would be an excellent addition for the Gunners. A fee around the £40m isn’t too bad in this day and age, and the fact he can get into a France squad already bursting at the seams with talent shows just how highly-rated the 25-year-old is. He’d be a cracking signing should Arsenal pull it off.
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