The latest Premier League transfer news as Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and more continue their summer recruitment drive
With just fourteen days left to go until the 2026/27 Premier League season begins, clubs in England’s top tier are hard at work getting match fit for the big kick-off on Friday 21st August. The grand curtain raiser will be a showdown between current champions Arsenal and newly promoted Coventry City, before a packed weekend of action follows.
placeholder image
Getty Images
In the summer transfer window, things are moving along swiftly, with a number of clubs spending some serious money on new signings. Spurs, Chelsea and Manchester City have all hit the £100m+ mark on a single player, while other clubs such Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace have had a more cautious approach to player trading thus far.
Today’s rumours round-up starts at the Etihad Stadium, where star midfielder Rodri looks increasingly likely to join Barcelona. The writing has been on the wall for some time, with the Spain international’s exit looking inevitable, and now talk has turned to his potential replacement. New boss Enzo Maresca is said to have made his choice: Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez.
The Independent say that City are now “exploring” a move for the Argentina international, whose often fractious relationship with Chelsea saw him banned by his own club for two matches last season. The Blues are thought to want around £120m for Fernandez, while a bid from Real Madrid can’t be ruled out with Los Blancos now set to miss out on Rodri.
The 3AM Verdict: We’ve been waiting for this particular transfer domino to fall for some time. Man City are also likely to lose Tijjani Reijnders this summer, meaning they’ll surely have to recruit. Having already spent £116 on Elliot Anderson, signing Fernandez could require some serious financial gymnastics from City, but don’t bet against them doing that reverse triple pike to get the deal done.
Liverpool ‘in pole position’ to sign PSG star
PSG's Ibrahim Mbaye is the latest winger to be linked with a move to Liverpoolplaceholder image
PSG's Ibrahim Mbaye is the latest winger to be linked with a move to Liverpool | Getty Images
Over at Anfield, Liverpool are working hard to sign a new winger, and Football Insider suggest they’re now in “pole position” to sign PSG wonderkid Ibrahim Mbaye. They say the Parisians are prepared to sell the 18-year-old given their wealth of options on the wings, with the player also unlikely to sign a new deal committing his future to the Ligue 1 giants.
It’s claimed that the Reds want to get the deal done “as soon as possible” amid rival interest from Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. There’s also said to be admiration from Liverpool’s Premier League rivals, namely Aston Villa and Manchester City, both of whom are looking to freshen up their options on the wings.
The 3AM Verdict: Despite knowing Mohamed Salah would be leaving for some time, Liverpool have really dragged their heels when it’s come to signing his replacement. After their pursuit of Yan Diomande ended in disappointment, and their chances of signing Bradley Barcola looking slim, Mbaye may be their best bet at this stage of the window.
Arsenal could turn to Torres after Vinicius Junior snub
Could Arsenal turn to Barcelona's Ferran Torres as their Vinicius Junior backup option?placeholder image
Could Arsenal turn to Barcelona's Ferran Torres as their Vinicius Junior backup option? | Getty Images
Last up, it’s over to the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal are reeling after the all too predictable outcome of Vinicius Junior committing his future to Real Madrid despite apparently considering a move to north London. With their part of playing a pawn in the Brazilian’s contract chess now over, it’s time for the Gunners to find their Plan B.
According to Caught Offside, said Plan B is Barcelona and Spain star Ferran Torres. The £46m versatile forward, once of Man City, is believed to have emerged as a target for the Gunners, with the player believed to be unsettled in La Liga due to a lack of regular starts. However, PSG are likely to provide fierce competition for the Arsenal, and are said to be further down the line in their attempts to sign Torres.
The 3AM Verdict: With only a couple of weeks left to go, Arsenal need to get a move on. They missed out on Rogers, failed to land Vinicius, and they won’t want the same to happen with Torres. That said, he won’t be the only option they’re currently considering, and we don’t doubt they’ll end up with a top class left winger before the window closes.
Read more:Exclusive: Legendary former Spurs goalkeeper on why Kinský is 'more than ready' to be number one