The latest Premier League transfer news including Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Man United and more
The footballing world is currently transfixed with the FIFA World Cup, but that hasn’t stopped the transfer rumour mill ticking along, as Premier League sides look to get some big deals done before the start of September. Once proceedings in North America draw to a close, business will be booming, and clubs are poised to land their top transfer targets.
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We’ll start today’s transfer news round-up in west London, where Chelsea are looking to add some experience and quality to their otherwise youthful squad. Team Talk follow up talk of the Blues’ interest in Crystal Palace’s Maxime Lacroix with a fresh report, claiming that they’ve made “significant progress” in their attempts to sign the France international.
The Eagles are said to be eager to hold on to their star defender, and would be willing to offer him an improved contract to keep him at the club. However, Lacroix is said to be ready to make the move to Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea could get their man if they’re willing to place a bid in the region of £50m to £60m.
Liverpool and Man United linked with Spurs star
Brighton, Liverpool and Man United are among a host of sides to be linked with Spurs defender Luka Vuskovicplaceholder image
Brighton, Liverpool and Man United are among a host of sides to be linked with Spurs defender Luka Vuskovic | Getty Images
Heading to the north of the capital, Tottenham defender Luka Vuskovic looks set to be in high demand this summer, and could leave the club following Spurs’ capture of Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton. Caught Offside claim both Man United and Liverpool should be “paying close attention” to the Croatia international, who is said to be valued by his club at around £60m.
Their story goes on to list the reasons why Liverpool and Man United should both target the 19-year-old. The former need to start considering a future without the ageing Virgil van Dijk, while the latter also have less specific long-term defensive issues to consider. At no point does the article actually give any indication that either club is pursuing a move.
The 3AM Verdict: Glass houses and all that, but this is a shameless bit of clickbait. The headline ‘Sources: Liverpool and Man United alerted as fierce rivals face £60m defender dilemma’ is a complete miss-sell, as the mysterious “sources” simply aren’t mentioned in the article. It’s an opinion piece dressed up as a transfer new story, really. Poor show!
Everton ‘lead race’ to sign Delap
Everton are believed to be keen on Chelsea striker Liam Delapplaceholder image
Everton are believed to be keen on Chelsea striker Liam Delap | Getty Images
Finishing things up, a report from Football Insider claims that Everton are currently “the favourites” to sign Chelsea striker Liam Delap. The ex-Ipswich Town forward is widely expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer after a dismal first campaign at the club, and a host of Premier League clubs are said to be in the running to sign him.
Newcastle United and Leeds are also said to be in the running, but it’s claimed that the Toffees look to be moving ahead of their rivals, with the Blues demanding a £40m fee for the ex-Manchester City prospect. The article notes Everton’s long-standing interest in the ex-England youth international, who joined Chelsea for £30m from Ipswich last summer.
The 3AM Verdict: Delap to Everton makes total sense: they need a new forward, and Delap’s combative attacking play could make him a good fit for David Moyes’ physical side. The fee, however, could be an issue. Given that the Toffees haven’t yet met Middlesbrough’s rumoured £20m asking price for top target Hayden Hackney, we’re not sure quite how they’ll conjure up double that fee for Delap at short notice.
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