The latest Premier League transfer news including fresh updates on Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle United
We’ve got just one more day left of Premier League football until the first international break of the season gets underway. Gameweek 5 has already seen a host of dramatic matches, with highlights including Brentford ending a wait of almost 88 years to beat Chelsea on home turf, and Aston Villa’s impressive 3-2 win away at Tottenham Hotspur.
placeholder image
Getty Images
To finish things off today, Liverpool travel to the south coast to take on Bournemouth in what promises to be a highly entertaining encounter, Leeds United host Crystal Palace, and Sunderland visit the Etihad to take on a Manchester City side who could go three points clear at the top of the table following Arsenal’s shock loss to Brighton.
Today’s round-up begins at Arsenal, where Mikel Arteta’s side suffered a nightmare 3-0 defeat to the Seagulls despite looking in superb form heading into the weekend. One Gunners player who continues to struggle in the Premier League is striker Viktor Gyokeres, and Caught Offside now claim that a cluster of Saudi Pro League and Serie A sides want to sign him.
They say that Al Ittihad, Al Ahli, Juventus and AC Milan have all earmarked the struggling Swedish striker ahead of the January transfer window, with the player said to be “frustrated” over his lack of minutes. His entourage are said to have already “held talks” with the clubs named, while the Gunners aren’t themselves looking to instigate a sale.
The 3AM Verdict: Gyokeres scored a more than healthy 14 Premier League goals last season, but it would be fair to say he ‘stat-padded’ to an extent with the majority of them coming against poor opposition. Against the very best, the ex-Coventry City forward struggles, and he doesn’t seem to have the look of a top level striker just yet. It may be the best thing for both parties if the 28-year-old seeks a new challenge.
Newcastle United could go back in for midfielder
Newcastle boss Matthias Jaissle will be keen to make more signings in Januaryplaceholder image
Newcastle boss Matthias Jaissle will be keen to make more signings in January | Getty Images
Next up, it’s over to St. James’ Park, where Newcastle United bounced back from a harrowing 4-1 loss to Leeds United with a nervy 2-1 win over Hull City. It was a summer of seismic change at the club, with a major turnover of both playing and coaching staff. New boss Matthias Jaissle has brought in plenty of new recruits, and is now looking to reignite the club’s interest in Djurgarden star Bo Hegland.
So say Football Insider, anyway, who claim that Newcastle are “on alert” when it comes to the 22-year-old’s situation, with the Magpies keen to boost their midfield options. The player himself has suggested that he could leave his current club in January, which could see Newcastle spring into action and sign him before too much rival interest builds.
The 3AM Verdict: Hegland’s stats are highly impressive: he’s scored eight goals and racked up a whopping 14 assists over his last 21 games in the Swedish top tier. But at 22-years-old, it’s notable that he’s not been capped at international level, and has just one youth cap for Norway. The numbers look good, but we’re dubious over whether could do the same in the Premier League.
Liverpool look to solve right-back problem
Liverpool are believed to be keeping a close eye on Real Sociedad defender Jon Aramburuplaceholder image
Liverpool are believed to be keeping a close eye on Real Sociedad defender Jon Aramburu | Getty Images
We’ll round things off at Anfield, where Liverpool are gearing up for their Premier League clash with Bournemouth. Ever since Trent Alexander-Arnold left the club to join Real Madrid, the club have struggled to fill the right-back void, with Jeremie Frimpong struggling to put in consistently solid performances since joining the club last year.
Team Talk say that the Reds are now taking an interest in Real Sociedad ace Jon Aramburu, along with Man City and a host of other Premier League clubs including Everton. The Venezuela international’s contract is said to carry a £50m release clause, and Liverpool’s scouts are believed to have been particularly impressed with what the full-back has to offer.
The 3AM Verdict: Aramburu is undoubtably a bit of a hidden gem, and at 24-years-old he’s still got plenty of time to improve further. It’s worth noting that the ex-Real Union prospect racked up a hefty 11 yellow cards in both of his last two seasons at the club - that’s a disciplinary record that’s far from glowing, and could make any potential buyers have second thoughts. £50m also seems a bit steep, to say the least.
Read more: Why Nottingham Forest's Gibbs-White should be in the England squad - and this Arsenal star should be out