Liverpool could seal golden chance to snatch £29m Chelsea gem as Aston Villa eye top La Liga talent
The latest Premier League transfer news including updates on Liverpool, Aston Villa and Everton
Gameweek 3 of the 2026/27 Premier League season is up and running, and we’re set for another enthralling weekend of action in England’s top tier. Highlights of the upcoming action include Everton hosting Manchester United, newly promoted Coventry City traveling to Man City, and Arsenal taking on Chelsea in a Sunday afternoon showstopper.
Meanwhile, clubs are taking stock after a hectic summer transfer window that saw Premier League teams smash the spending record once again, with Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham all breaking the £100m mark on a single player as part of their respective summer spending sprees.
The window may now be bolted shut until January, but the rumours continue to come thick and fast, as clubs begin to fret over the areas of their squads they’ve failed to strengthen. Today’s rumours round-up starts with a corker - The Sun say that Everton, who endured a disastrous Deadline Day, are now considering a stunning move for 39-year-old free agent Jamie Vardy.
The Toffees are left with just Thierno Barry up top, after their attempts to sign Monaco’s Folarin Balogun broke down. There’s next to nothing in terms of further detail of Everton’s apparent interest, nor any mention of whether Vardy himself would be keen on the move. The story does claim that he rejected a move to Wrexham, and could potentially end up in Brazil.
The 3AM Verdict: A truly bonkers story, and one we’re not entirely convinced by. Everton are desperate, there’s no getting away from it, and Vardy is unquestionably a Premier League icon. But the man will be 40 in January, and will surely have lost a yard of pace or two from when he last played in the division two seasons ago. A fun idea, but that’s as far as it will go.
Aston Villa among clubs chasing Baena
Next up, it’s over to the West Midlands, where Aston Villa are looking to bounce back from losing both their opening Premier League season fixtures without scoring a single goal. According to Caught Offside, they’re ready to challenge the likes of Newcastle United and Man City for the signing of Atletico Madrid winger Alex Baena in January, after his impressive start to the season.
The 24-cap Spain international has turned heads by scoring three goals and making one assist in three La Liga outings, and all three English clubs are now said to be “ready to test the waters” over a potential move in the new year. It’s also said it would take a “huge offer” for Atleti to consider a sale in January, with a 2027 summer move touted as more likely.
The 3AM Verdict: We’re not suggesting for a moment that the writers at the publication in question have a big shiny tombola where they pull out club names and players at this time of year, but it does sometimes almost feel that way. Could the clubs mentioned all do with another left winger on the books? Sure. Is Baena a left winger? He is indeed.
Liverpool-linked gem said to want exit
Finishing things off, Liverpool’s ears may well have pricked up if they happened to hear the latest talk from ESPN Brazil, which suggested that Chelsea’s £29m wonderkid Estevao could look to move in January due to a lack of first team football. The Reds were rumoured to be interested in the Brazilian gem close to deadline day, but ultimately didn’t make a bid.
Liverpool are currently low on naturally right-sided players, but Victor Munoz has started the season well in the position vacated by club icon Mohamed Salah. Game time is particularly difficult for the likes of Estevao, Pedro Neto and Jamie Gittens at Chelsea now, with new boss Xabi Alonso preferring a formation that doesn’t use wingers.
The 3AM Verdict: Chelsea may well end up paying the price for their scattergun approach to the transfer market in previous seasons, signing players seemingly based on potential rather than how they actually fit into a squad. The Blues have no European football this season either, meaning Estevao’s minutes will be even more limited. If he’s unwilling to be patient and/or change his role, Liverpool just might have a chance to sign him this winter.