With the transfer window set to be re-open next week after its brief hiatus, the rumour mill is starting to kick back into overdrive – and to help you keep abreast of all the latest developments, we’re back with our daily round-up of all the biggest new Premier League transfer stories.
We’ll start with a story from Caught Offside which suggests that both Aston Villa and West Ham United have developed an interest in Raoul Bellanova, a buccaneering right-back with Serie A side Atalanta.
While his side have “not yet held any concrete talks” over a transfer with any club, interest is definitely growing, with Napoli, AC Milan and Fulham also keeping tabs. Atalanta are said to want €40m (£34m) for the Italian.
The 25-year-old set up nine Serie A goals last season and would offer any team a fairly hefty amount of attacking threat. It’s not clear why Fulham’s interest is listed as an afterthought while Villa and West Ham get headline billing in the report, but perhaps it reflects the perceived level of interest.
The 3AM Verdict: Villa could do with a right-back, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka was pretty handy for the Hammers last season so that was be an unlikely area for West Ham to invest in. Full-back isn’t a major concern for Fulham, either, but Bellanova would probably represent an upgrade. If Villa are interested, don’t expect any movement until after June’s deadline for PSR accounts has passed. They won’t be spending this month.
Arsenal eye £37m team-mate of Benjamin Šeško
Over the past couple of weeks there have been plenty of stories suggesting that Arsenal are set to strike a deal for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Šeško – but according to TBR Football, it may be one of the Slovenian’s team-mates they really want.
Apparently, they are also “keeping a close eye” on Antonio Nusa, who not so long ago nearly joined Spurs, only for Brentford to steam in at the last minute, only for Nusa to fail a medical, only for Leipzig to sign him regardless. In short, the Norwegian youngster could be set to complete a convoluted journey that ends up in North London anyway.
Quite a few teams are also keen, including Everton, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Villa, it’s claimed, and Leipzig valued him at around €45m (£37m). Arsenal may have an edge however – the versatile 20-year-old supposedly supports the Gunners.
The 3AM Verdict: Leipzig don’t usually sell their better prospects too early, and that’s a lot of cash for a player still developing his way towards the top. He is extremely versatile, able to play at wing-back, on the wing or in midfield, and a hugely gifted attacking player, but if he moves we suspect it will be next year at the earliest.
Kyle Walker could take Turkish path
Over to a story from Sport Witness now. They’ve picked up on a claim from Turkey that veteran full-back Kyle Walker could be on his way to Fenerbahçe – but only if they meet his contract demands. It doesn’t sound as though cash is the main sticking point, but time. Walker apparently wants a two-year deal “before he will consider joining them” after AC Milan opted against making his loan deal permanent.
It’s “unclear” whether José Mourinho’s side are prepared to invest in a 35-year-old for two years, so Walker may end up looking elsewhere. Meanwhile, the same website reports that City have agreed a deal for 18-year-old PSG forward Mahamadou Sangaré to sign on a free at the end of the month. One for the reserves, to start with.
The 3AM Verdict: Walker to Fenerbahçe just feels right, doesn’t it? But he clearly doesn’t want to make another big overseas commitment without assurances that he won’t be looking for a new flat 12 months down the line, while Fener don’t want to risk being saddled with a player past his prime for too long. Plenty of road left to run there, we suspect.
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