Aston Villa 'could return' to snatch £35m Tottenham gem as Everton battle for bargain full-back
The Premier League's latest transfer news as Aston Villa, Everton, Leeds United and more target big summer deals
We’re well and truly at the crunch of the 2025/26 Premier League season, with a mere handful of matches left to go. It’s been a bonkers season in which we’ve seen Liverpool make an absolute pig’s ear of their title defence and Arsenal, once again, doing all they can to sabotage their attempts to win the league for the first time since 2004.
Meanwhile, Manchester United’s continued failures have subjected a young man to grow his hair to quite frankly dangerous lengths, while Chelsea have hired what appears to be Will from the Inbetweeners crossed with Jake Humphrey as their new manager. Only Fulham are bringing us some sense of familiarity, by finishing mid-table. How very reassuring.
While we try and get our heads around the utter chaos that has unfolded throughout the campaign and prepare our follow-up to last year’s inaugural end of season horror-show awards, we’ve rounded up all the latest Premier League transfer gossip, as England’s top tier sides look ahead to the summer window:
Arsenal ‘set price’ for Gabriel Jesus
Regardless of whether they win the league, Arsenal look set to be busy again this summer, with new players coming in as well as a fair few heading for the exit door. One such player likely to move on is Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus, whose injury-ravaged time at the Emirates Stadium could well come to an end after four deeply frustrating seasons.
According to Brazilian outlet A Critica, via Sport Witness, a £26m bid could be enough to tempt the Gunners into selling this summer, with a loan-to-buy agreement also a potential solution. Serie A giants AC Milan and Juventus are both named as potential suitors, with the former keen to get a new central attacker in to boost their attacking threat next season.
The 3AM Verdict: We covered reports earlier this week week that Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez is Arsenal’s top striker target this summer. With Viktor Gyokeres already on the books, much like that Bethlehem inn - there just wouldn’t be space to accommodate Jesus. A fresh start sounds like the best thing for both player and club at this stage of his career.
Aston Villa ‘could return’ to sign Gallagher this summer
Next up we’re off to the London Stadium, where the vultures are already gleefully circling Spurs’ weather-beaten squad as they huff and puff their way along the blistering asphalt towards the finishing line. Only time will tell whether they are in fact limping along a highway to hell.
Should Tottenham do the unthinkable and actually get relegated, you can be sure a host of their current Premier League rivals will be poised to scoop up their best players and save them from the indignity of playing Preston North End next season. One such player is £35m man Conor Gallagher, who Football Insider claim could join Aston Villa this summer.
The report references the Villans’ long-standing interest in the ex-Chelsea midfielder, and suggests if they’re “made aware of his availability” they could be tempted to make a move. It’s also claimed that the player’s “significant wage” makes him a candidate leave Spurs, despite only agreeing his contract with the club back in January.
The 3AM Verdict: In terms of summer transfer priorities, you’d think that central midfield wouldn’t be a pressing one for Villa. They’ve already got the likes of Amadou Onana, Lamare Bogarde and Boubacar Kamara jostling for spots.
However, with the club set to compete across four competitions again next season, they’re going to need options. Unai Emery loves a player with a great engine, and Gallagher is basically a Shen24 electric locomotive with lovely hair. Or Thomas the Tank Engine rocking an Alice band. Sign him up, Villa.
Leeds and Everton “plotting shock moves” for Targett
Having attempted to buy a ticket for The Strokes’ arena tour this week, only to discover it would cost over one hundred Great British pounds to do so, talk of ‘bargain’ transfers is a welcome, soothing tonic indeed. According to Team Talk, Leeds United and Everton are among a host of Premier League clubs looking to sign Matt Targett this summer, ahead of his contract expiring at Newcastle.
He’s been tearing it up on loan at Middlesbrough this season, with his swashbuckling performances at left wing-back playing a pivotal role in the North East side’s push for promotion. It’s said that Boro are eager to keep hold of the ex-England U21 international, but will only manage to do so if they’re able to seal their return to the Premier League this season.
The 3AM Verdict: It’s a bit of a no-brainer, really. Everton need a new left-back, Leeds United could do with reinforcements too. He’s a homegrown player who wouldn’t cost a penny to sign, which is a rare thing in today’s wildly inflated transfer market. Witnessing a 20-song, new album heavy set from a largely disinterested Julian Casablancas and co, or buying an experienced left-back with £100 left over to buy a massive takeaway? The choice is obvious, surely.