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Rounding up the biggest new Premier League transfer rumours, with news from Newcastle, Arsenal, Aston Villa and more.
For today’s round-up of the biggest new Premier League transfer rumours currently doing the media rounds, we’re going to start off with what could be even more good news for celebrating Newcastle fans – so long as they can beat Aston Villa in the transfer market the same way they beat Liverpool at Wembley, anyway.
According to Caught Offside, Newcastle and Villa are “leading the race” for Besiktas wonderkid Semih Kiliçsoy, a 19-year-old forward who has bagged three goals for the Turkish team this season and earned some rave reviews along the way – as well as attention from Premier League scouts.
Fulham, Everton and Nottingham Forest have reportedly has people watching Kiliçsoy as well, but it sounds like Villa and Newcastle are the two most keen in a player valued by his club at around €20m (£16.8m). Concrete approaches are supposedly expected by the end of the season.
The 3AM Verdict: Able to play through the middle or on the left, Kiliçsoy has impressed with his dribbling skill in particular but he’s one for the future more than a player who would make the difference immediately. If either side need some depth up front next season, however, he could be a shrewd signing at a relatively reasonable price.
Bournemouth battle for Stoke star
Over to Sport Witness now – they’ve picked up on a story from Sweden which suggests that Bournemouth are in the market for Stoke City goalkeeper Viktor Johansson, and have “identified him as a target” along with Serie A side Como.
With Kepa Arrizabalaga only at the Vitality Stadium on loan, Andoni Iraola seems keen on a new shot stopper and may have settled on the former Rotherham United man, who only signed for Stoke last summer but has been among the best goalkeepers in the second tier for the last few seasons.
Como also made a bid in the winter, apparently, so their continued interest is no surprise – sadly, we don’t have details of the financials involved, although they are likely to hinge on whether Stoke survive relegation to League One.
The 3AM Verdict: This would be a bet on a goalkeeper who has been excellent in the second tier for some time but hasn’t had the chance to prove himself at the highest level – and he probably wouldn’t be all that expensive, especially if Stoke don’t survive. It’s worth noting that Kepa couldsupposedly be available for as little as £5m this summer, however…
New Arsenal sporting director eyes midfield target
It’s been widely assumed that Arsenal were set to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi this summer – but should anything change, their new sporting director Andrea Berta has a Plan B, according to TBR Football.
Berta has been “seriously impressed” by Atlético Madrid’s 21-year-old Pablo Barrios, who has established himself as a regular in Diego Simeone’s side and became a full Spain international in the autumn.
Barrios’ contract, which runs until 2028, contains a release clause worth a huge €100m (£84m), but Arsenal “would surely not be willing” to pay such a fee, according to the article, and would try to haggle the price down. Zubimendi does remain the top target, the report affirms.
The 3AM Verdict: We can’t imagine Atléti letting Barrios go for anything less than top dollar, so this feels like a non-starter, but could at least offer some hints as to the direction that Berta might take Arsenal’s transfer dealings – but we suspect it will just be Zubimendi who signs in the centre of the midfield this summer, at least in terms of senior players.
Related topics:ArsenalStoke City
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