Premier League transfer latest as Aston Villa, Manchester City and Everton chase summer signings
We’re just 23 days away from the 2026/27 Premier League season getting underway, and excitement is continuing to build ahead of the big Friday night kick-off between Arsenal and Coventry City on August 21st. It’s the reigning champions against a newly promoted side - one who haven’t played Premier League football since 2001, having fallen all the way down to the fourth tier and bounced back again.
In the meantime, it’s all about the summer transfer window, as managers look to get their squads locked in ahead of the upcoming campaign. Most Premier League sides have been busy so far, and we’re expecting more high profile transfers in the coming weeks, with Liverpool and Arsenal in particular likely to make some major statement signings.
Today’s rumours round-up begins at the Etihad Stadium, where Manchester City will be looking to challenge for the Premier League title this season under new boss Enzo Maresca. Caught Offside report that the club are continuing to hunt for a long-term replacement for Rodri, whose future in Manchester remains uncertain amid increasing interest from Real Madrid.
The article says that Barcelona wonderkid Marc Bernal has been identified as an ideal long-term successor, with his impressive composure on the ball among the attributes City are looking for in their next Rodri. City are said to have little chance of signing the 19-year-old, however, with neither the player nor the club believed to be willing to entertain an exit.
The 3AM Verdict: Given that Bernal has a €500m release clause, it won’t exactly be easy for City to get their man. He could easily stay at Barcelona for the next decade, playing an integral role in their La Liga and Champions League pursuits. Should Rodri go this summer, we can only see Man City moving for Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez.
Aston Villa could land ex-Brighton star
AC Milan and Ecuador star Pervis Estupinan could be set for a return to the Premier Leagueplaceholder image
AC Milan and Ecuador star Pervis Estupinan could be set for a return to the Premier League | AFP via Getty Images
Over to the West Midlands next, where Aston Villa look set to up their interest in AC Milan full-back Pervis Estupinan. That’s according to Football Insider, who assert that the Ecuador international is Villa’s primary target to replace Lucas Digne. Both manager Unai Emery and the club’s scouting team are said to have kept a close eye on the 28-year-old in recent times.
Villa’s interest in Estupinan is said to stretch as far back as his time at Brighton, and with the player struggling for game time at the San Siro, now could be the ideal moment to sign him. There’s no specification of the price tag put on the player’s shoulders, although it has been suggested that Milan will look to recoup much of the £17m they spent to sign him last summer.
The 3AM Verdict: A combination of injury problems and form issues saw Estupinan, once a top performer for Brighton, ushered out of the Premier League, and he had a poor debut season at Milan where he failed to fit into the tactical set-up. Emery has already set himself the target of reigniting Alejandro Garnacho’s career, and having to do the same for Estupinan could make things tricky for Villa - given that they’ll be tested in the Champions League alongside their usual domestic duties this season.
Everton leading race to sign Delap
Liam Delap could leave Chelsea after just one season in west Londonplaceholder image
Liam Delap could leave Chelsea after just one season in west London | Getty Images
Over at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, it’s been a decent window for Everton so far, who have signed Hayden Hackney, Tyrique George and Merlin Rohl for a combined fee of around £68m. They’re now pushing ahead to sign a striker, and Team Talk report that the Toffees are leading the race to sign Chelsea’s £30m forward Liam Delap.
In the report, it’s claimed that Leeds United and Newcastle are also in the mix, as the Blues look to get the ex-Ipswich Town man off the books as soon as possible. Everton are said to be an attractive option for Delap, who is believed to be prioritising playing regular first-team football over more lucrative offers that would entail more time spent on the sidelines.
The 3AM Verdict: Delap leaving Chelsea is in everyone’s interests. He could turn his career round at Everton, with his combative style of attacking play likely to suit David Moyes’ system. The Toffees failed to get their man last summer, but with the Blues eager to sell swiftly, we get the feeling Moyes will be in luck this time around.