A round-up of the latest Premier League transfer rumours, with news from Manchester United, Chelsea, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Spurs and more.
It’s time for 3 Added Minutes’ regular evening round-up of some of the biggest (and wildest) Premier League transfer rumours which you might have missed over the course of the day – and we start with a story which suggests that Manchester United and Chelsea are set to join the bidding for one of Europe’s most in-demand midfielders.
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According to TEAMtalk, both teams are “plotting moves” for AS Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, a 22-year-old Senegal international whose aggressive, box-to-box playing style has earned him plenty of admirers.
Lamine Camara was a member of Senegal's World Cup squad this summerplaceholder image
Lamine Camara was a member of Senegal's World Cup squad this summer | Getty Images
Those admirers also include Crystal Palace, who are said to have had a €50m (£43m) offer rejected already, a sum which would have made Camara the Eagles’ club record signing. They could now be blown out of the water in their attempts to sign him, however, with Manchester United and Chelsea said to have undertaken “extensive” research.
Liverpool and Newcastle are also said to be “in the picture” as the bidding unfolds, along with a number of elite sides from the continent including PSG and Bayern Munich. There’s no word on what kind of fee will be needed to prise him away from Monaco, but Camara is apparently “ready” to move this summer.
The 3AM Verdict: Camara is an extremely well-rounded player with few apparent weaknesses and a ton of stamina – precisely the kind of midfielder that top-level sides are desperate to sign this summer. In short, we believe that teams like Manchester United and Chelsea are indeed likely to make bids, and that Palace will have to get very lucky indeed to land him.
Tottenham Hotspur ‘ahead’ in £51m battle – but Newcastle also in the mix
Folarin Balogun made 10 appearances for Arsenal - scoring twice - but could now join their North London rivalsplaceholder image
Folarin Balogun made 10 appearances for Arsenal - scoring twice - but could now join their North London rivals | Getty Images
Yesterday evening, L’Equipe became the first reliable outlet to report that Tottenham Hotspur were ready to launch a bid for American striker Folarin Balogun – but Sport Witness suggest that Newcastle are also “accelerating” their own interest in the 25-year-old.
A team-mate of Camara’s at Monaco who found himself at the centre of intense controversy when his ban for a red card offence at the World Cup was suspended, Balogun scored 19 goals in 48 games last season and is likely to cost around €60m (£51m), double the amount that his current club paid to sign him from Arsenal in 2023.
Spurs have already opened talks over a deal and are said to be “ahead” in the bidding, but Newcastle are now mobilising their own transfer team having kept an eye on Balogun since April. It doesn’t sound like the Magpies have made a formal offer as yet, however.
The 3AM Verdict: Signing a new striker isn’t necessarily Newcastle’s first priority, which could explain why they have been hesitant to join Spurs in opening negotiations – but now that the first move has been made, it wouldn’t be a surprise if other teams joined the bidding. All sources currently suggest that Spurs are the frontrunners to sign Balogun, but it’s not a cut-and-shut deal as yet.
Aston Villa set to announce Digne replacement
Matteo Ruggeri has spent just one season in Spain after leaving Atalanta last summerplaceholder image
Matteo Ruggeri has spent just one season in Spain after leaving Atalanta last summer | Getty Images
We’ll finish up this evening’s column with a story from Spain which suggests that Aston Villa are close to finalising the signing of Atlético Madrid left-back Matteo Ruggeri, with Mundo Deportivo suggesting that the 24-year-old is on his way to England to undergo a medical before completing a transfer.
Apparently an official announcement could be made after Wednesday evening’s Super Cup match against PSG, with the transfer fee expected to be set at €18m (£15m) rising to €25m (£21m) with add-ons.
The Italian, who is uncapped by his country at senior level, will serve as a replacement for the outgoing Lucas Digne, who has joined PSG. Since Mundo Deportivo first reported the story, The Athletic have confirmed it with an article of their own – but have suggested that the transfer fee is actually closer to €20m (£17m).
The 3AM Verdict: Only the transfer fee seems to be a matter of debate at this point, and it appears all but certain that Ruggeri will be on the way to Villa assuming that he passes his medical. He will compete with Ian Maatsen for the starting role on the left of Unai Emery’s back four.