The 2026/27 Premier League season has got off to a flying start, with stunning goals, shock results and late drama being dolled out by the bucketful over the course of the first three weekends. As things stand, newly promoted Hull City are all the way up in third place, while Spurs and Aston Villa - the latter of whom had a nightmare summer transfer window - are in and around the relegation zone.
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Manchester City and Arsenal are the pace setters at the moment, with both sides winning all three of their opening fixtures. It’s early days, but already it looks like we could be set for another enthralling two-way title race between City and the Gunners, with the two sides looking a cut above their domestic rivals so far this season.
Today’s rumours round-up begins at Arsenal, who are gearing up for their Champions League opening fixture against Napoli. The Gunners failed to sign a new left-sided forward over the summer months, with moves for the likes of Vinicius Junior, Yan Diomande and Julian Alvarez all ending in failure. In January, they are likely to begin the process again.
According to Football Insider, the club may have some trouble in their attempts to sign Bournemouth ace Eli Junior Kroupi. They say that the Cherries are unwilling to sell midway through the season, and could keep the Gunners at bay with an £80m price tag - something they are said to have utilised in the last transfer window. The wonderkid is expected to return to action next month, after missing the start of the season with injury.
The 3AM Verdict: Had Kroupi not suffered that fractured foot back in July, he could well be an Arsenal player by now. The Gunners made a serious mess of strengthening in a key position over the summer, and could reignite their interest in Kroupi come the new year. Bournemouth may say they’re not willing to sell, but as we saw with Antoine Semenyo’s move to Man City last January, things can change quickly.
Liverpool and Newcastle eye January raid for Wharton
Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton continues to attract interest from a host of top Premier League clubsplaceholder image
Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton continues to attract interest from a host of top Premier League clubs | Getty Images
Over in south London, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton’s name is back in the rumours again amid keen interest from both Liverpool and Newcastle United. Team Talk claim that both clubs are looking to sign midfield gem, who is apparently ready to leave his current club either in January or the 2027 summer transfer window.
The story says that Palace are likely to stick a £75m price tag on the former Blackburn Rovers prodigy’s head, and that both Liverpool and Newcastle would be willing to meet this asking price. The Reds in particular are said to be on “high alert” regarding Wharton’s situation, amid speculation that Alexis Mac Allister may leave the club next summer.
The 3AM Verdict: Liverpool took a bold risk in opting not to bring in a replacement for Curtis Jones, opting instead to splurge a whopping £123m on winger Bradley Barcola. Palace will know they can’t hang on to a talent of Wharton’s pedigree forever, and if they find themselves out of Europe before the January window closes, he could well look for a January exit.
Manchester United keen on Newcastle United ace
Newcastle United defender Malick Thiaw has proven himself to be a top level defenderplaceholder image
Newcastle United defender Malick Thiaw has proven himself to be a top level defender | Getty Images
Last up, Manchester United look to be planning the next stage of their rebuild: upgrading their defensive options. The Red Devils signed three new central midfielders over the summer, and are now thought to be prioritising their back line when it comes to the next couple of transfer window. According to Caught Offside, they’re eager to sign Newcastle’s Malick Thiaw.
They say that United are “monitoring” the Magpies’ top centre-back, who is likely to have a price tag as high as £70m as Newcastle look to hang onto their top players. The Red Devils could, however, face competition for his signature from Liverpool, who are still mulling over how to replace club icon Virgil van Dijk, who turned 35-years-old back in July.
The 3AM Verdict: United’s heavy focus on revamping their midfield left them light both at centre-back and at left-back, and that could seriously cost them this season. They may well be eager to sign Thiaw in January, but it’s hard to see Newcastle selling mid-season when the player’s contract runs all the way through until the summer of 2029.