Premier League transfer as Aston Villa, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal chase late window deals
We’re just over a week away from the 2026/27 Premier League starting, and excitement is building ahead of the big curtain raiser next Friday night: Arsenal vs Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium. The hosts are looking to defend their title, while the visitors will see the game as a free hit, as they look to mix it with the big boys after getting promoted last season.
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The summer transfer window’s conclusion is also approaching, and Premier League sides have until September 1st to get their business done. Plenty of big-money deals are expected to go through between now and next month, with Spurs, Chelsea and Man City among the sides expected to be busy right up until the deadline.
Today’s rumours round-up begins at Anfield, where Liverpool are still plugging away as they look to finally sign Bradley Barcola from PSG. The France international has emerged as a target after missing out on Yan Diomande, who joined Real Madrid instead. According to Caught Offside, the Reds are now in “daily contacts” with PSG, as they look to push through the deal.
The update suggests that the player is eager to make the move to Anfield, but Liverpool’s likely bid of just over £100m is unlikely to be accepted. It’s been suggested that PSG could demand a staggering £145m for their prospect, which could prevent the Reds from sealing the deal despite both the club and the player seemingly being eager to make it happen.
The 3AM Verdict: £145m, if that really is PSG’s asking price, is outrageous for a player who isn’t even at starter at their club. Barcola is a top talent, there’s no doubt about it, but Liverpool would be panic-buying if they were to spend that much money on one relatively inexperienced player, even in today’s transfer market of wildly inflated fees.
Chelsea could up interest in Zubimendi
Martin Zubimendi could leave Arsenal following the arrival of Enzo Fernandezplaceholder image
Martin Zubimendi could leave Arsenal following the arrival of Enzo Fernandez | Getty Images
Next up, it’s over to Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea have added some real drama to the transfer window by imposing a Friday deadline for any club wishing to sign their want-away midfielder Enzo Fernandez, with a strict £120m asking price set. Should he go, with Man City likely to be his chosen destination, the Blues could make a move for Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi.
Team Talk report that the Gunners could let the Spain international leave following the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle. Zubimendi’s sale could help fund their purchase of a new left winger, their priority target before the window shuts. The report says that Arsenal will ask for £77m for the 27-year-old, which should be a fee the Blues can reach.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is said to be a big fan of the ex-Real Sociedad gem, who played in all 38 matches of the Gunners’ Premier League title-winning campaign last season. A potential domino effect of deals has now been set up: Man City’s Rodri could leave to Barcelona, which would see City move for Fernandez, and Chelsea then go in for Zubimendi.
The 3AM Verdict: Chelsea don’t want to keep a playerwho clearly has no interest in staying at the club. Zubimendi would be an excellent replacement who is still very much in his prime, and the player won’t want to spend this season twiddling his thumbs on the bench following Guimaraes’ arrival. A lot still has to happen for this move to be realistic, however.
Aston Villa step up efforts to bag Palhinha
Bayern Munich's Joao Palhinha spent last season on loan at Tottenhamplaceholder image
Bayern Munich's Joao Palhinha spent last season on loan at Tottenham | AFP via Getty Images
Our last stop is at Aston Villa, where Unai Emery’s side are dusting themselves down after a narrow 2-1 defeat to PSG in the UEFA Super Cup. They’re after a new central midfielder, and look to have made Joao Palhinha their top target. Reports from Sky Sports in Germany say that Villa have now made their first offer to sign the player, having already agreed personal terms.
It’s said that the Villans are looking to sign Palhinha - who joined Bayern from Fulham for £43m back in 2024 - initially on loan, with an option to buy at the end of the season. However, Bayern are believed to have knocked this proposal back, as they look to secure an upfront fee and permanent sale for a player who appears to have no future at the club.
The 3AM Verdict: Villa desperately need cover for the injured Amadou Onana, and Palhinha would fit nicely into Emery’s system. They now need to see how determined Bayern are to stick to their guns - the Bavarian giants will be wary of Villa getting use out of Palhinha for just one season, before sending him back and putting Bayern in a position where they need to once again try and figure out how to sell him.
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