Premier League transfer news update as Chelsea, Newcastle, Leeds United and more eye summer deals
Another day, another steaming hot bowl of nourishing transfer rumour broth to guzzle down. The 2026 summer window has been a hectic one thus far, with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United all spending big money, seeing a host of big-name players changing hands across the Premier League.
Today’s rumours round-up begins at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea are preparing for a season with no European football under new manager Xabi Alonso. The Blues missed out on the signing of ex-Man City star John Stones, who now looks set to join Serie A giants Inter, and Caught Offside claim they could now look to recruit Barcelona defender Gerard Martin instead.
The report says that the Blues are taken with the player’s ability to play either as a centre-back or on the left, making him an ideal fit for Alonso’s similarly flexible system. However, It’s asserted that AC Milan are the current frontrunners to sign the 24-year-old, with an offer of around £30m believed to be imminent. The Blues are said to still be “seriously interested” in Martin, who made 51 appearances for Barcelona last season.
The 3AM Verdict: Chelsea may have nine centre-backs on the books (soon to be ten, once Maxence Lacroix arrives from Crystal Palace) but they will sell or loan out a considerable amount of them this summer. The Blues could do with one more quality central defender, and Martin would be a fine investment. They’re unlikely to give him the regular starting spot Milan would, however, with Levi Colwil and Lacroix set to be Chelsea’s starting centre-back pair.
Newcastle United and Leeds battle for Serie A ace
Inter star Petar Sucic has been linked with both Leeds United and Newcastleplaceholder image
Inter star Petar Sucic has been linked with both Leeds United and Newcastle | Getty Images
Next up, it’s over to Italy, where Inter midfielder Petar Sucic looks to have caught the interest of both Newcastle United and Leeds. Reports from the Italian print media - via Sport Witness - claim both the Magpies and the Whites are in the running to sign the Croatia international, who impressed at the World Cup earlier this summer.
The report says that both clubs are willing to pay around £34m to sign the highly-rated 22-year-old, but notes that Inter are determined to hang on to the promising talent for at least another season. Given Inter’s aging midfield, keeping Sucic is viewed as vital for now, as the Serie A giants look for more time to map out the long-term future of their engine room.
The 3AM Verdict: Inter have got a serious talent on their hands, and it would be intriguing to see how he’d fare if he made the step up to the Premier League. With just one Serie A season behind him, however, interested clubs really need a bigger sample size of matches before committing to a costly permanent deal. One to revisit next summer, perhaps.
Man United-linked striker still keen on PL switch?
Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen has been linked with a Premier League switch for a number of yearsplaceholder image
Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen has been linked with a Premier League switch for a number of years | Getty Images
Last up, it’s over to Old Trafford, where Michael Carrick’s side have been tipped by many as outsiders for the Premier League title this season, after transforming the side’s fortunes since the disastrous reign of Ruben Amorim ended. A rather unusual new report from Team Talk references the club’s links with Galatasaray earlier this summer, and suggests the player is still keen on a switch to the Premier League.
The report directly quotes “sources” close to the Nigeria international, who reel off the typical quotes of those representing a player looking for a move, including revealing their apparent desire to “compete for major trophies every season” and to “play at the very top”. It’s said that the star’s entourage are continuing to seek out their client’s next big move, after two seasons impressing in Turkey.
The 3AM Verdict: We really don’t think there’s much in this from a United perspective. It’s clear that Osimhen wants a move, but the so-called “continued links to Man United” that are referenced are from an article written over a month ago. It feels like this story is just a case of the player’s representatives reminding people that he’s still up for grabs - albeit for a massive weekly wage.