The latest Premier League transfer news including stories on Liverpool, Arsenal, Man United, Newcastle and more
placeholder image
Getty Images
Meanwhile, the summer transfer window opened earlier this week, and Premier League sides are racing to get some business done. This week, we’ve seen Chelsea sell Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid for a £52m fee, while Tottenham look to be chasing two huge targets: Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke and Newcastle’s midfield machine Sandro Tonali.
We’ll kick off today’s rumour mill round-up at St. James’ Park, where the Magpies are gearing up for a hectic summer in the transfer market. They’ve already bagged towering goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen from Ligue 2 side Reims, and have been moving at pace to try and sign their ideal Anthony Gordon replacement: Osasuna winger Victor Munoz.
A fresh report from Caught Offside claims that Newcastle are close to agreeing a fee in the region of £35m for the Spain international, in an impressive coup that should see them beat both Liverpool and Man United to sign him. It’s said that the Magpies can offer the regular first-team football he’s after, which the other two potential suitors could not.
The 3AM Verdict: We’re not entirely convinced that Liverpool and Man United’s interest was anywhere near as advanced as Newcastle’s - they’re both looking at other priorities at the moment. Still, Munoz is a highly-regarded young talent tipped for big things, and to get in there before a couple of Champions League clubs is an achievement worth recognising.
Arsenal have Sporting CP gem on shortlist
Down to north London next, where Arsenal will look to refine their already mighty squad this summer as they look to defend their Premier League title and go one step further in the Champions League after losing last season’s final on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain. They’re expected to sign a new full-back this summer, and have now been linked with a move for Sporting CP gem Ivan Fresneda.
Reports in the Portuguese press, via Sport Witness, claim that both Arsenal and Real Madrid are keen on the Spain U21 international, who is said to have a release clause fee in the region of £69m. However, while the club were previously said to be willing to discuss a heavy discount on that price, they’re now viewing him as ‘untouchable’.
The 3AM Verdict: Ah, that old chestnut. This isn’t our first rodeo - we’ve seen scores of players branded ‘untouchable’ before, only to see them sold a few weeks later. The Portuguese club are clearly - and understandably - looking to get as much for the in-form star as possible, and if Arsenal’s interest in genuine, they’ll no doubt pay up.
With Jurien Timber their first choice right-back, however, we can’t see them going all the way to the £69m release clause to a backup option.
Liverpool boss ‘pushing’ for big-money deal
We’ll finish up on Merseyside, where Liverpool are looking ahead to a fresh era under new manager Andoni Iraola. The Spanish coach has been brought in to replace Arne Slot, and has a number of dilemmas to solve in this summer’s transfer market. Top of the list? Replace club icon Mohamed Salah, after he left the club at the end of last season.
The Reds have been linked with a move for RB Leipzig and Ivory Coast sensation Yan Diomande for a number of weeks, but his club’s apparent £112m asking price is said to have slowed Liverpool’s progress. A new story from Team Talk suggests that Liverpool could now be set to up the ante. This is because Iraola is supposedly now personally “actively pushing” for the move.
The article says that Liverpool remain in close discussions with the Bundesliga club, but also adds that there is the possibility of a transfer hijack from PSG or Real Madrid, and suggests that the transfer saga could unfold over the weeks, with the ongoing World Cup likely to slow things down.
The 3AM Verdict: Liverpool proved they’re not afraid to spend big last summer,dropping over £400m on new signings. They broke the £100m barrier twice to sign Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, which suggests doing so for Diomande isn’t out of the question. Still, £112m is an enormous amount of money to spend on one player, when they could sign the likes of West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen or Sporting CP’s Trincao for a far more reasonable fee.
Continue Reading