A round-up of the latest Premier League transfer rumours - with news from Arsenal, Sunderland, Newcastle, Crystal Palace and more.
It’s once again time for 3 Added Minutes’ regular morning round-up of the biggest new Premier League transfer rumours which you might have missed over the past 24 hours – and we get our latest digest underway with a story concerning Arsenal and Sunderland.
placeholder image
Getty Images
According to TEAMtalk, Arsenal are “looking to hijack” the Black Cats’ proposed deal for Marseille winger Igor Paixão – despite claims that the Brazilian had already agreed personal terms with the Wearsiders.
Igor Paixão scored 12 goals in 43 games for Marseille last seasonplaceholder image
Igor Paixão scored 12 goals in 43 games for Marseille last season | Getty Images
Sunderland had appeared to be close to getting a deal over the line but now Arsenal have “made enquiries” as they weigh up whether to gazump the transfer – and they aren’t the only team who might muscle in, with Aston Villa also said to be interested. Leeds United, who very nearly signed Paixão last summer, have been extensively linked too.
Marseille, for their part, are said to be keen to hold on to the Brazilian and are apparently “confident” that they can do so. There’s no word on what kind of fee might be required to change their mind, but prior reports have suggested that €50m (£42m) is a sensible ballpark figure.
The 3AM Verdict: Arsenal have quite a lot of irons in the fire on the left wing and we’re slightly sceptical about the idea that Paixão is likely to be a priority signing – we suspect that they probably won’t get involved unless other potential deals fall apart. Which, in fairness, could well happen.
Newcastle eyeing Fernandez-Pardo alternative
Bilal El Khannouss was a member of Morocco's 2026 World Cup squadplaceholder image
Bilal El Khannouss was a member of Morocco's 2026 World Cup squad | Getty Images
Over to a story for the Newcastle United fans among you, now – Sport Witness claim that the Magpies have switched to Plan B after growing “frustrated” in their attempts to sign Lille winger Matias Fernandez-Pardo, and that they could now make a move for former Leicester City attacking midfielder Bilal El Khannouss.
Now playing for Stuttgart in Germany, Newcastle have supposedly “turned their attention” to the 22-year-old after failing to meet Lille’s €70m (£60m) asking price for Fernandez-Pardo.
This sounds like a more achievable deal – Stuttgart “want to sell” the former Fox, and the player himself is said to be “particularly interested” in a move back to the Premier League. No word on the transfer fee that would be involved.
The 3AM Verdict: A plausible story, apparently backed up my multiple sources on the continent who are cited in Sport Witness’ article – but we suspect that the Fernandez-Pardo deal isn’t dead yet, with the player seemingly keen for it to happen.
Crystal Palace gazump key Aston Villa deal
Joel Ordóñez has been monitored by a number of Premier League sides - but could now move to Crystal Palaceplaceholder image
Joel Ordóñez has been monitored by a number of Premier League sides - but could now move to Crystal Palace | Getty Images
We’ll wrap up with a story from Fabrizio Romano, now – the inescapable Italian claims that Crystal Palace have “agreed a deal” to sign Club Brugge defender Joel Ordóñez despite the fact that Aston Villa were believed to be deep in negotiations over a deal for the Ecuador international.
The fee is apparently set at €30m (£26m) plus add-ons, with the player having “said yes” to a move. There’s no word on whether Aston Villa still have any chance of getting a deal done, or whether this is a situation in which they will have to accept defeat – but the latter looks more likely.
The only caveat, as Romano notes, is that any deal is subject to a medical, which isn’t as straightforward as it might sound given that Ordóñez is currently sidelined by a broken metatarsal.
The 3AM Verdict: Aston Villa had seemed to be the strong favourites to sign the 22-year-old a day or so ago, but Crystal Palace appear to have won the race, with a few other sources agreeing with Romano’s story. Those medical checks will be interesting, however – Ordóñez is expected to be out for another two months or so.