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Rounding up the latest Premier League transfer rumours, with news from Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal and more.
It’s time for Tuesday’s round-up of all the biggest new Premier League transfer rumours, and we’re getting the ball rolling in London, today – with news which suggests that Chelsea are moving into position for a massive summer signing.
TBR Football claim that the Blues have “moved themselves into contention” to make a bid for Athletic Club and Spain star Nico Williams, who is expected to have several suitors over the coming months with a price tag likely to be in the region of £50m.
The move comes in part because Chelsea are “considering” leaving Jadon Sancho at Manchester United when his loan ends despite reports that they will have to pay £5m for the privilege of not buying him at the end of the current campaign – but Enzo Maresca still wants a “tried and tested star” out wide.
Williams would certainly fit that bill and it’s claimed in the report that he would be open to a move to England – something which has apparently also alerted Arsenal and Liverpool. Barcelona have long-standing interest but don’t seem in a rush to sign a winger this summer.
The 3AM Verdict: The article suggests that Chelsea may have jumped to the front of the queue but doesn’t really back that up – still, this may be a useful insight into their plans with Sancho struggling and Mykhailo Mudryk suspended. Williams is young, exciting, and expensive, so he fitsChelsea’s transfer policy like a glove…
Tottenham Hotspur could risk loss of key player
Over to a story which will concern Tottenham Hotspur fans now – Italian outlet Calciomercato reckons that a couple of Serie A sides are interested in winger Dejan Kulusevski, and reports that if Spurs don’t qualify for Europe then they could lose one of their most important players.
The Swede is said to be admired by Napoli and it’s speculated that AC Milan are interested too, while it’s claimed that “several contacts were registered to take him away” in January, even though they clearly went nowhere.
Spurs wouldn’t sell him for a penny less than €50m (£41.8m), which is big money for Serie A, but if they don’t make it to Europe (as is likely to be the case) then it’s implied that Kulusevski could be gone.
The 3AM Verdict: It’s fair to note that Calciomercato don’t really back up their assertion that the Swede could leave without continental competition, and the link to AC Milan seems tenuous at best and based in part on the notion that Massimiliano Allegri could take over as their manager. They sound like they’re on firmer ground with Napoli’s interest, but could they afford it? We’ll find out in a few months…
Arsenal ‘in hot’ for Hugo Ekitike
Let’s round off today’s digest by taking in a story from Sport Witness, which cites the German media when reporting that Arsenal are “keen” on Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike after an impressive season in the Bundesliga.
Newcastle, Liverpool and West Ham have both been linked with the 22-year-old striker in the past, and now the Gunners “in particular are hot” for him, per tabloid Bild. Ekitike is expected to leave this summer, with Frankfurt set to demand up to €80m (£68.9m) for his services.
This report also notes Newcastle and Liverpool’s interest while suggesting that Manchester United are keen too, although they sound convinced that Arsenal are the most interested as it stands.
The 3AM Verdict: Ekitike can best be described as a younger version of Alexander Isak, with a bit more developing to do, so one can see the appeal to both Arsenal – who would prefer to sign Isak – and Newcastle, should he leave. In fairness, it also explains the interest of every other club, given how good Isak is. Ekitike isn’t that far behind, so expect him to be expensive.
Related topics:ChelseaNico WilliamsJadon SanchoArsenalEnzo Maresca
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