A round-up of the latest Premier League transfer rumours, including news from Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Leeds.
3 Added Minutes are back with our regular morning round-up and review of the biggest Premier League transfer rumours which you might have missed over the last 24 hours – and we kick today’s column off with a story involving both Chelsea and Manchester United.
placeholder image
Getty Images
Italian outlet Corriere della Sera report – via Sport Witness – that Chelsea are “in the picture” to sign AS Roma and France midfielder Manu Koné this summer, a player in whom Manchester United have also been “interested” as they continue their midfield rebuild.
Koné has earned 18 France caps and was a member of their 2024 Olympic squadplaceholder image
Koné has earned 18 France caps and was a member of their 2024 Olympic squad | Getty Images
The 25-year-old is known to be among United’s targets as they look to add a third midfielder following the signings of Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, but Chelsea could now be “favourites” to land Koné, who is currently on World Cup duty with his country.
The Blues are said to have “held initial talks” ahead of a possible bid, which is hinted as potentially being predicated on Enzo Fernández leaving. Roma need to sell for financial reasons, and will listen to offers of “at least” €50m (£42.5m). One thing which could help to grease the wheels is that Roma are said to be discussing a deal for Alejandro Garnacho, which might make negotiations a little easier – but it’s stated that no offers have been made as yet.
The 3AM Verdict: The implication that Chelsea would only bid for Koné if Fernández departs means that we can’t get behind any suggestion that Chelsea are ‘favourites,’ as the Argentine’s proposed move to Real Madrid appears to be on ice. There’s a lot of road left to run in the race for Koné, and we wouldn’t count Manchester United out at all.
Arsenal ‘prepare offer’ for Norway World Cup star
Antonio Nusa had been close to joining Brentford instead of RB Leipzig but a deal was abandoned following medical testsplaceholder image
Antonio Nusa had been close to joining Brentford instead of RB Leipzig but a deal was abandoned following medical tests | Getty Images
Over to a story from Caught Offside now – they reckon that Arsenal are “preparing an offer” for Norway international Antonio Nusa, who has been earmarked as a replacement for outgoing winger Leandro Trossard.
Arsenal’s opening offer is supposedly set to come in at around €40m (£34m), but it’s suggest that such a bid is “unlikely to satisfy” Nusa’s current employers RB Leipzig, who are allegedly expected to hold out for €60m instead. That price tag reflects the fact that Leipzig would prefer to keep hold of the 21-year-old.
The Gunners aren’t the only side who have shown an interest in Nusa, with Newcastle, Juventus and “several other” clubs around the continent apparently keeping tabs on the Norwegian’s situation. There’s no word on the player’s preferences as yet.
The 3AM Verdict: Arsenal are deep in negotiations to sign Christos Tzolis but we do think that they’re likely to add another winger as well – but they’re much more keen on Morgan Rogers, and we’ve heard very little which suggests that the Gunners hold any particularly firm interest in Nusa. Not an especially implausible story, but one we’re sceptical of as it stands based on our own understanding of the situation.
Leeds making ‘push’ for second Serie A defender
Oumar Solet represented France up to Under-20 level.placeholder image
Oumar Solet represented France up to Under-20 level. | Getty Images
Although Leeds are on the brink of signing Sassuolo centre-back Tarik Muharemović, they don’t seem to be done with new defenders – according to Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb, the Whites will now “push” for Udinese’s Oumar Solet as well.
Leeds’ interest “continues to grow” despite the likely arrival of Muharemović, and they are “pursuing” a deal for the 26-year-old centre-half which could apparently be worth around €25m (£21m).
Most of the rest of the report focusses on the players that Udinese are likely to target as replacements for the Frenchman, who has been capped at age group level but has not yet played for the senior side despite impressing in the 18 months since he signed from RB Salzburg. There’s no suggestion that an offer has been made, for what it’s worth, and no word at all on how far advanced negotiations might be.
The 3AM Verdict: Completing the deal for Muharemović remains the firm focus but Solet has drawn some Premier League attention over the past couple of seasons and it’s not a shock to see him cropping up in the gossip columns once more. As for whether Leeds will get a deal done? Frankly, it’s far too early to say, and it’s not yet clear how strong their interest is.
Continue Reading