Premier League transfer news latest as Leeds United, Man United, Fulham and more eye their next summer moves
There are just over two weeks left to go until the great void between the World Cup ending and the Premier League starting is over. Arsenal and Coventry City will get the ball rolling in what’s shaping up to be an intriguing 2026/27 opening fixture between the reigning champions and a newly promoted side who haven’t played in England’s top tier since 2001.
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Meanwhile, the summer transfer window continues to move at pace, with the vast majority of the Premier League’s twenty clubs rolling up their sleeves and getting stuck into the player trading bonanza. We’re expecting things to go up a notch over the next fortnight, as clubs aim to have the bulk of their business done before the new season gets underway.
Today’s rumour mill round-up starts at Craven Cottage, where Fulham are one of nine Premier League clubs to begin the season with a new manager. Ex-Real Madrid interim boss Alvaro Arbeloa came in to replace Marco Silva, and reports claim he’s on the hunt for a new central midfielder, with Southampton’s Shea Charles emerging as a target.
Team Talk assert that the Cottagers are “in talks” with the Saints over a potential deal, with a fee of £25m mooted. Fulham could now beat Leeds United - who are said to have had two bids turned down already this summer - to sign the Northern Ireland international, with the player believed to favour a move to west London.
The 3AM Verdict: This would be a great bit of business for Fulham, who have already recruited well this summer bringing in the likes of Gonzalez Garcia and Jonah Kusi-Asare. Charles is a highly promising all-rounder of a midfielder whose fee is more than reasonable for a player of his potential. Leeds may well end up kicking themselves for not stumping up the extra few million quid to sign him.
Man United and Liverpool ‘on alert’ to sign Woltemade
Nick Woltemade is expected to leave St. James' Park on loan this summerplaceholder image
Nick Woltemade is expected to leave St. James' Park on loan this summer | Getty Images
Next, we’re off to St. James’ Park, where you get the impression Newcastle United might end up selling the seats if they weren’t bolted down. The mass exodus of both players and staff continues, and now it appears that German striker Nick Woltemade could be the next player out the door, after a deeply underwhelming first season at the club.
Caught Offside state that Woltemade is set to leave the club on loan this summer, which they say has put Manchester United and Liverpool “on alert”. Aston Villa are also thought to be keen, as are Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund. It’s also suggested that the Magpies could be tempted to sell the player permanently if an offer in the region of £56m is made - despite the club buying him for £65m only last summer.
The 3AM Verdict: Plenty of strikers have got off to a slow start in the Premier League before going on to excel, so it’s surprising to see Newcastle ready to give up on Woltemade already, especially with a new manager coming in. The towering Germany international wouldn’t be a starter at Liverpool or Man United, but could be a decent rotation option for either side. The same goes for Villa.
Leeds United ‘offered’ chance to sign Leao
Leeds United have been linked with a shock move for Portugal and AC Milan star Rafael Leao.placeholder image
Leeds United have been linked with a shock move for Portugal and AC Milan star Rafael Leao. | Getty Images
Bringing today’s rumours round-up to a close, it’s over to Elland Road, where Leeds United are looking to do some more business after only signing two new players so far this summer. According to Talk Sport, the Whites were, rather sensationally, offered the chance to sign AC Milan star Rafael Leao this summer, along with Man United and Arsenal.
However, it’s said that a move to Leeds, or the Premier League in general, is now unlikely to happen, largely down to financial reasons and the player’s likely wage demands. Milan are believed to be demanding a fee of around £43m for the Portuguese ace, and the report suggests he may well end securing a lucrative move to the Turkey instead.
The 3AM Verdict: It goes without saying that Leao would dramatically improve Leeds’ attacking options, but a switch to Elland Road seems like a bit of a pipedream. The player has publicly expressed a desire to join a Premier League side, but with no offers appearing to be forthcoming, he could well end up making the big-money Turkish league as the report suggests.
Read more:The £5.5m midfield signing who could be a must-buy for every FPL team