The latest Premier League transfer news including Man United, Arsenal, West Ham, Spurs and more
In just over a month, the summer transfer window will once again open for business, as Premier League sides and others across Europe start the yearly process of rebuilding their squads ahead of the new season. It’s looking set to be a busy few months, but the World Cup could delay some high profile deals, with football’s superstars otherwise occupied in North America.
It feels like more clubs than usual will be making wholesale changes over the summer months. Manchester United need to completely rebuild their midfield, Liverpool need a new goalkeeper and to replace club legend Mohamed Salah, while West Ham and Tottenham look set for major squad overhauls regardless of which of the two gets relegated.
We begin today’s transfer round-up at the latter, with intriguing reports emerging linking Spurs with Barcelona loan star Marcus Rashford. Football Insider suggest Tottenham will go all guns blazing in the transfer window should they manage to avoid the drop, and could turn their attention to the exiled Man United forward.
The report notes that Barca do have an option to sign the England international for £26m at the end of his loan deal, but it remains unclear whether they’ll opt to do so. It’s also noted that Rashford wages - said to be in the £325k per-week ball park - could be too rich for Barcelona’s blood, opening the door for Spurs to pounce.
The 3AM Verdict: Tottenham had an absolute stinker in the past two transfer windows, and the pressure is on for them to get it spot-on this summer. They look more likely than West Ham to stay up, and bringing in Rashford would certainly be a marquee signing. He needs a fresh start, and could be in high demand should he impress at the World Cup with England. Signing the 28-year-old would be a fine move, but certainly one not without risks.
Manchester United ‘keeping close eye’ on Arsenal target
We’ll stay in Manchester for our next story, which focuses upon United’s apparent interest in Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand. Caught Offside follow up a story we covered last month regarding the Red Devils’ hopes of signing the highly-rated midfielder - who now looks set to be available for less than his rumoured £70m release clause - ahead Arsenal.
The report suggests that Arsenal remain interested in the Denmark international, alongside United, and that the Portuguese club could be willing to let their player go for closer to £50m. It is then speculated that Sporting could be trying to instigate a ‘bidding war’ and that Man City could turn to Hjulmand if they lose out on Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson**.**
The 3AM Verdict: Man United have an excellent record when it comes to signing players from Sporting CP, and Hjulmand would be a fine addition to their midfielder. If they can bag him for £50m, they’d still likely have some money left in the bank for another quality option, too. The allure of Arsenal can’t be overlooked, although it’s hard to see him slotting straight into the Gunners midfield as he would at United.
West Ham and Crystal Palace eye £5m colossus striker
Look to the horizon, and you may already see Senegalese striker Pape Moussa Fall lumbering over the hills and heading straight for the capital. Standing at over two metres tall, the FC Metz striker - currently on loan with Belgian household name RAAL La Louvière - has attracted the interest of both West Ham and Crystal Palace, according to Team Talk.
He could be available for a mere £5m, and the report also names Fulham and Brentford as sides keen on the 21-year-old rising star. Belgian side Anderlecht are also namechecked, along with Turkish team Samsunspor. It is suggested that it’s currently an “open race” to sign Fall, with the player keen to continue playing top flight football next season.
The 3AM Verdict: Arguably, football’s transition into an ever more technical game has robbed it of much of its magic, so the delightful throwback of seeing the ball lumped in to the head of a towering giant is always good to see. This is the first we’ve heard of Fall linked with a Premier League move, however, and it does all feel a bit ‘agent putting their clients name out there to secure a big summer move’.
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