Premier League transfer news update as Leeds, Brighton, Nottingham Forest, Man United and more push on in the summer window
The countdown is on to the 2026/27 Premier League season, and it’s shaping up to be another enthralling campaign with a host of clubs bringing in new managers and high calibre new signings. Arsenal are looking to defend their Premier League title, but are expected to face fierce competition from the likes of Liverpool, Man City and Man United.
Meanwhile, some huge Premier League transfers have already gone through this summer: Spurs completely reshaped their midfield by signing both Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, Chelsea broke the bank to sign £117m midfielder Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, while Manchester City spent a similarly hefty amount on his England teammate Elliot Anderson.
We’ll kick off today’s rumours round-up at Old Trafford, where Man United are still trying to figure out who will be their third and final central midfield signing. According to The Sun, they could now have the opportunity to sign Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni, as Los Blancos look to raise the necessary funds to make a blockbuster move for Man City star Rodri.
The report claims that City could cash in on the 2026 World Cup winner this summer, with his contract set to expire in a year’s time. Man United’s interest in Tchouameni is now said to be “strong”, as they look to replace Casemiro who has left the club, and Manuel Ugarte who is set to be out for some time with a serious knee injury.
The 3AM Verdict: Call us cynical, but we’re not sold on this one. The article’s apparent “sources” are supposedly from Real Madrid, who would of course like to put it out there that one of their squad players is up for grabs. They’re certainly after Rodri, but we can’t see United blowing mega money on Tchouameni when they’realready fairly far down the line to sign Roma’s Manu Kone.
Leeds United ‘very keen’ on Bundesliga striker
VfB Stuttgart striker Ermedin Demirovic has once again been linked with Leeds Unitedplaceholder image
VfB Stuttgart striker Ermedin Demirovic has once again been linked with Leeds United | Getty Images
Over at Elland Road, Leeds United are working away on a major deal to sign Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford. However, it’s not just between the sticks where the Whites are looking light - they need a new striker too, and a report in the Bosnian press - via Sport Witness - claims VfB Stuttgart striker Ermedin Demirovic is among their options.
The story says that Leeds are “very keen” on signing the Bosnia and Herzegovina striker, who netted an impressive 15 goals for his side last season. It’s said that Juventus and Fenerbahce are also in the mix, but their interest isn’t believed to be as strong as that of Leeds. The player is said to have a price tag of around £26m, but could take some persuading to leave his current club.
The 3AM Verdict: Leeds were linked with Demirovic back in May, and clearly he’s still on their radar, most likely among other targets. If Juventus make a move, the Whites stand no chance of signing him, but with the Italian giants seemingly looking elsewhere, it could be an ideal opportunity for Leeds to make their case to the 28-year-old.
Nottingham Forest could see move hijacked
Lucas Bergvall looks highly likely to leave Spurs this summerplaceholder image
Lucas Bergvall looks highly likely to leave Spurs this summer | Getty Images
Last up, the summer of Premier League hijacks looks set to continue, with Brighton poised to snatch Lucas Bergvall from the grasp of Nottingham Forest, according to Team Talk. They claim that the Seagulls are ready to break their club transfer record to sign the Spurs star, with a bid in the region of £60m likely to blow the Tricky Trees out of the water.
Aston Villa and Newcastle United are also thought to be in the picture, but it appears that Brighton are ready to go all-out now to sign the Sweden international. The story also notes that a previous offer from Forest was rejected, and that Bergvall is deemed as an ideal fit a Brighton recruitment model that has seen them excel in the transfer window in recent years.
The 3AM Verdict: We weren’t fully convinced that Bergvall was a suitable replacement for Anderson, but missing out on the wonderkid would still be a real blow for Forest. Brighton, as usual, are going about their business as quietly and effectively as an assassin - expect to see Bergvall to move to a Champions League club in two or three years time for double what the Seagulls will pay for him.