A round-up of the latest Premier League transfer rumours - with news from Manchester United, Leeds, Liverpool and more.
It’s once again time for 3 Added Minutes’ regular morning round-up of the biggest (and often wildest) new Premier League transfer rumours – and we start off today with a story which suggests that Manchester United might make a splash in the January transfer window.
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According to TEAMtalk, the Red Devils want to add another striker over the winter, and have “closely monitored” Borussia Dortmund’s Serhiou Guirassy as they make up their minds about who they might try to sign.
Serhiou Guirassy has scored 26 or more goals in each of the last three seasonsplaceholder image
Serhiou Guirassy has scored 26 or more goals in each of the last three seasons | Getty Images
The 30-year-old, who scored 26 goals in all competitions last season and already has four since the summer, is said to have been on Manchester United’s radar for a long time and they could now finally make a move. The transfer fee that might be required isn’t discussed in the article.
United aren’t looking to move on from Slovenian striker Benjamin Šeško, it’s said, but do want to add another option up front to allow them to find a new home for Joshua Zirkzee. It’s also noted that both Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea asked after Guirassy over the summer, suggesting that there could be competition if they do make a bid.
The 3AM Verdict: While Manchester United have monitored Guirassy for some time, they’ve never really come that close to making a bid – and we wouldn’t be surprised, given Guirassy relatively advanced age, if they held off again in January. Next summer, the Guinean striker will be into the last year of his contract with Dortmund, and that seems like a more plausible time to strike.
Leeds ‘not giving up’ on signing £30m striker – despite Juventus interest
Ermedin Demirović scored a hat-trick against Viking in the Champions League earlier this monthplaceholder image
Ermedin Demirović scored a hat-trick against Viking in the Champions League earlier this month | Getty Images
Over to a story from Sport Witness now, who cite Italian media sources in claiming that Leeds are “not giving up” on their hopes of signing Stuttgart striker Ermedin Demirović – despite the fact that Juventus are also keen to land the Bosnia & Herzegovina international.
It’s said that Leeds are providing “intense competition” in the race to sign the 28-year-old, with Juventus allegedly sending scouts to watch him on a number of occasions. AC Milan and Galatasaray are also mentioned as potential suitors for Demirović, who has scored four goals in his first six games of the new campaign.
In spite of the size of the task apparently facing them, Leeds are “very keen” to win a tricky transfer battle – and it will apparently take a bid of around €35m (£30m) to persuade Stuttgart to part with their man. No word on whether bids are likely to come in January or later.
The 3AM Verdict: Demirović has an impressive scoring record and will be entering the last 18 months of his contract come January – the point at which a lot of clubs start to sell players to get maximum value. Certainly one to keep an eye on, but it doesn’t sound like any negotiations have taken place.
Liverpool ‘looking into’ Dutch wonderkid bid
Givairo Read picked up three assists in a recent game against PEC Zwolleplaceholder image
Givairo Read picked up three assists in a recent game against PEC Zwolle | AFP via Getty Images
Let’s wrap up today’s digest with a story involving Liverpool – according to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are “looking into” a deal for 20-year-old Feyenoord full-back Givairo Read, who was heavily linked with a move to Nottingham Forest over the summer.
Some bigger sides are now apparently pay attention to Read after an impressive start to the season, with Arsenal and Manchester City among the clubs who could provide “competition” for Liverpool if they do launch a bid.
Concerns over Jeremie Frimpong’s form have encouraged Liverpool to look for a new right-back, and they will supposedly keep a “close eye” on Read over the coming months. There’s no word on the kind of sum they’d have to pay to sign the Netherlands Under-21 international.
The 3AM Verdict: Read was expected to move over the summer but Feyenoord ultimately played hardball in negotiations – it sounds as though Nottingham Forest could be among the club regretting their failure to up their offers given his early-season form. Definitely a player we expect to hear more about in the coming months, although it’s far too early to have any clear idea of where he might land.