Arsenal ‘hold edge’ over Tottenham in key transfer battle as Man Utd ‘table’ £35m bid for La Liga star

After another day of jam-packed gossip columns, we’re here with our regular morning round-up of the biggest and strangest Premier League transfer rumours which you might have missed over the past 24 hours – starting with a story involving old rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

Ahead of Sunday’s North London Derby, TeamTalk report that Arsenal “hold the edge over Tottenham” in the two sides’ attempts to lure Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka to the capital, with Spurs “set for disappointment” in their battle to sign the 31-year-old.

The Germany international is out of contract at the Allianz Arena at the end of the season, and both Arsenal and Spurs are “continuing to show keen interest” in him – but it’s Arsenal who are said to be the “frontrunners” with both teams able to discuss a deal with the veteran player ahead of the summer.

The likelihood that Arsenal will be able to offer Champions League football is said to be the key, with Spurs struggling in the league. There’s no suggestion that Goretzka has made a final decision, however, while Liverpool and Manchester United are also mentioned as having at least some degree of interest.

The 3AM Verdict: The idea that Arsenal are ahead of Spurs in the bidding is partly based on a report from Football Insider, and we’d like to see stronger sources before we believe that the Gunners will get Goretzka – but there’s certainly nothing implausible about the notion that their ability to offer European football will make the difference.

Manchester United ‘table’ surprise £35m offer for Barcelona star

Let’s take in a story from Spanish gossipmongers Fichajes now, who claim that Manchester United are interested in Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde – and that an “offer is already on the table.”

The bid is supposedly around €40m (£35m), an offer which Barça supposedly find “attractive” with the 22-year-old defender failing to find consistency this season – but a decision as to whether to sell has not yet been reached, and the “debate is open” as to whether to keep him or sell.

Fichajes don’t think that Balde is the only player on United’s radar. In a separate report, they also allege that the Red Devils are “prepared to make an offer close to €100m” - £87m in sterling – for Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon, with Liverpool also said to be “closely monitoring” his progress.

The 3AM Verdict: We should start by noting that Fichajes are not, in our opinion, a reliable source for such stories. We doubt that Barcelona would sell Balde at such a low price, even with their financial problems, and we certainly doubt that United would spend that much on Gordon with other positions a greater priority. We’d be surprised if either deal happened, although the Balde one is certainly the more realistic of the two.

Newcastle, Wolves & Spurs among sides interested in rising Japanese star

Let’s wrap things up with a story from Sports Boom’s Efrem Konur, who claims that Newcastle, Wolves and Spurs are among the sides “circling” 20-year-old Japanese striker Keisuke Goto, who has impressed on loan at Belgian side Sint-Truidense this season.

Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion are also said to be undertaking “surveillance” of the youngster, with Eintracht Frankfurt and VfB Stuttgart in Germany also “monitoring the situation” of the young forward, who has scored 10 goals in 23 league games this season.

Parent club Anderlecht have apparently “set a floor price” of around €15-20m (£13-17.5m), a significant profit on the €1m they paid to sign him in the first place. Apparently they have not yet received any formal offers, but Goto’s representatives have supposedly “held preliminary talks” with unnamed teams in London.

The 3AM Verdict: A powerful 6’3” striker who already has two caps for the Japan national team, Goto is certainly an intriguing an in-form prospect, and we imagine quite a few teams are indeed scouting him – but that doesn’t mean that any of these specific sides will be making offers any time soon. One to watch, but not one to hold your breath over.