All the latest transfer rumours as we enter the final week of the window
It has truly been an enthralling summer transfer window. With just seven days remaining until everything slams shut on September 1, it is beginning to dawn on several clubs across the Premier League just how much they still need to sort out - the opening weeks of a new season can often have that effect.
It is time to have a look at the latest transfer rumours doing the rounds on this Monday evening as we approach crunch time. We begin with the news that a surprise late contender have joined the race for a long-standing Liverpool target...
Marc Guehi has been linked with the Reds for much of the summer and with just a year remaining on his contract and no sign that the England international could be open to signing a new deal, the belief is that Crystal Palace could reluctantly agree to sell their captain this week.
Reported by Caught Offside, Manchester City have now joined the race for the 25-year-old and are hoping to hijack any potential agreement in place between Guehi and Liverpool. Often Premier League title rivals in recent years, this could end up becoming a showdown between two of England’s biggest clubs to sign one of the national team’s top performers.
The 3AM verdict: Somewhat surprising news, but it shouldn’t be. City often looked out of sorts at the back last season and the signing of Guehi would no doubt see to helping fix that.
We still believe the player favours a move to Liverpool and Merseyside remains his most likely destination. But if City enter the fore at this stage it is all the better for Palace, who will hope to start a bidding war for a player who can walk away for nothing next year. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
Newcastle and West Ham join Everton in race for Man City star
3AM recently reported that Nathan Ake is a surprise target for Everton, who are looking to begin a strong new chapter under David Moyes at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Fresh reports by Caught Offside reveal that Newcastle United and West Ham United have joined the race for the Netherlands international, who played an important role in the Cityzens’ 2023 treble win but spend large periods of last season out with injury. Pep Guardiola has stated that he has too many players in his squad and Ake could ultimately become one of those to depart. With two years left on his contract, the club might view this as the right time to cash in on the 30-year-old. Ake himself is reportedly open to moving to somewhere where he is guaranteed a regular starting place.
The 3AM verdict: West Ham’s need for defenders is obvious after their tumultuous start to the new season, while Newcastle will view Ake’s trophy-winning experience and versatility as hugely valuable as they prepare for another Champions League campaign, one where their defence may be more important than ever amidst uncertainty surrounding Alexander Isak and their attacking options.
Ake’s wages may prove a stumbling block for any of the interested trio, but it also likely depends on how much Guardiola wants him out of the door. The Spaniard has insisted he wants a small squad and it remains to be seen if Ake is part of those plans. Any of these moves still appear unlikely at this stage, but expect there to be further developments.
Bournemouth in talks to sign £39m Chelsea outcast
Reported by Fabrizio Romano for GiveMeSport, Bournemouth are in ‘advanced talks’ with Chelsea to sign defender Axel Disasi before deadline day. Disasi signed for the Blues for £39 million in 2023 but spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa and is not viewed as having a future at Stamford Bridge.
Bournemouth are said to be ‘confident’ of getting the deal done and bringing in the five-cap France international to shore up their defence. The Cherries have lost outstanding defensive trio Dean Huijsen, Ilya Zabarnyi and Milos Kerkez over the summer and may feel that there is still room to improve their starting back-line despite already bringing in reinforcements.
The 3AM verdict: This seems like a solid piece of business for both Chelsea and Bournemouth. The Blues want Disasi off the books permanently and Bournemouth are in need of defensive options, while the Cherries are known to have a huge wad of cash following their sales this summer and Chelsea could use this to extract a significant transfer fee - this will be used to finalise a move for Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig.
The only party who may have his doubts over the move is Disasi himself. Having played for European giants Chelsea and Monaco and featured in the World Cup final, the 27-year-old may see Bournemouth as a step down. But it may reach a stage where it is important for his career to secure a move and he may need to agree to a pay-cut in order to facilitate this. Should he sign for Andoni Iraola’s side, he will see the pathway taken by the likes of Huijsen as proof that Bournemouth have a good track record with improving and selling on players in recent years.
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