The latest Premier League transfer news involving Everton, Man United, West Ham and more
We’re just 19 days away from the summer transfer window opening, and Premier League clubs are ready to tear out the blocks and get some early business done before the World Cup gets into full swing. Newcastle need a striker, Manchester United need some midfielders, and just about everyone seems to need a new left-back.
Let’s today’s round-up off at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea are said to be ready to rival Manchester United for Sporting CP gem Maximiliano Araujo. According to Caught Offside, the Uruguayan gem has caught the interest of both clubs, with the Blues becoming the latest to weigh up a potential bid. He has a release clause in his contract believed to be sitting at around £70m.
The report notes that both Arsenal and Man United have already made enquiries regarding the 26-year-old’s availability, something we covered earlier this month. It is also suggested that Sporting may well not hold out for the full release clause, and could accept a bid as low as £43m.
The 3AM Verdict: If Sporting did demand the full £70m, Premier League clubs would be crazy to pay that kind of money for a left-back whose only top flight experience comes in Uruguay, Mexico and Portugal. For a lower fee, however, he could prove an excellent investment. For Chelsea, though, £43m seems a lot to pay for a player who would be Marc Cucurella’s understudy rather than a starter.
Moyes eyes relegated full-back bargain
Over to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, where Everton are looking to capitalise on West Ham’s fall into the Championship by poaching one of their players. The Telegraph report that the Toffees are keen to boost their options at right-back, following club icon Seamus Coleman’s decision to bring his 17-year career on Merseyside to an end. Aaron Wan-Bissaka looks to be their chosen target.
Wan-Bissaka, who was once a £50m signing for Manchester United and spent five seasons with the club, looks unlikely to follow the Irons into the second tier of English football, and could be allowed to leave for just £10m. The cash-strapped east London club are said to be looking to raise around £150m in player sales this summer, as they face the stark financial consequences of losing the relegation battle with Tottenham.
The 3AM Verdict: Wan-Bissaka is a traditional full-back in that he actually defends, which is why he’s of great interest to Moyes. £10m is a bit of a bargain for a 28-year-old with bags of Premier League experience, and he’ll be looking to impress on the international stage this summer too, when he turns out for the DR Congo have switched allegiance from England last summer.
Real Madrid ready to swoop for Chelsea star
It’s back over to west London to round things off, this time looking at a player who Chelsea may be looking to sell rather than sign. Vice-captain Enzo Fernandez, who was famously banned for two matches by his own club after the last international break, looks increasingly likely to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.
Team Talk now say that Real Madrid’s hopes of signing the Argentina international have been “significantly boosted by Florentino Perez’s forthcoming presidential election campaign” in that he will make signing the Blues star a priority if re-elected. His signing is said to have been met by the approval of Jose Mourinho - the man set to become Los Blancos’ next manager.
The 3AM Verdict: It all feels a little inevitable, doesn’t it? Real Madrid always get their man. The player even appeared to be waving goodbye to Blues fans following their final day 1-0 defeat at Sunderland. Given Fernandez’s agent’s bullish remarks regarding his client’s future should a new contract not be agreed after the World Cup, Chelsea may be better off cutting ties now and reinvesting in a less volatile new replacement.
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