Man United run 'initial checks' on emerging winger as Aston Villa consider stunning transfer from local rivals
All the latest transfer rumours including Manchester United, Aston Villa, Leeds and more
The January transfer window is now just a matter of days away from opening, meaning that the rumour mill will only begin to spin faster than ever as Premier League clubs look to secure the crucial transfer moves they need ahead of the business end of the season.
It’s time for your Tuesday morning update of some of the latest stories breaking this week, starting at Old Trafford, where a wonderkid is in the Red Devils’ sights…
According to reports by Caught Offside, Man United are one of several Premier League clubs who have begun ‘initial background checks’ on 19-year-old Hoffenheim winger Bazoumana Traore, who has impressed hugely since signing for the Bundesliga outfit in the winter transfer window of last season.
Traore has bagged two goals and five assists in 16 matches this term, swiftly becoming one of the most highly-rated wonderkids in the Bundesliga and drawing Premier League interest from Arsenal, Brentford and Newcastle United in addition to the Red Devils.
The Ivorian is ‘pushing hard’ to earn a World Cup spot for next summer and is valued at around €45 million (£39m) by Hoffenheim following his rapid rise to prominence.
The 3AM verdict: Traore certainly appears to be a bright prospect for the future, and will only see his stocks rise further if he competes and impresses at the World Cup with the Ivory Coast next summer.
Caught Offside state in their report that a summer move is believed to be more likely than a January one and we concur with that, particularly after the Red Devils spent over £200m on attacking talent over the summer. There could be an interesting transfer battle for Traore at the end of the season, though.
Aston Villa consider shock move for Wolves star
Elsewhere, Caught Offside report that Aston Villa are considering a shocking move for Wolves full-back David Moller Wolfe alongside rival suitors such as Brighton, citing reports by Football Insider.
The 23-year-old has made eight starts for the Premier League’s bottom club, who have yet to win so far this season, but could reportedly be on the move in 2026 as Wanderers prepare for an inevitable relegation.
The report states that Villa are seeking a long-term replacement for 32-year-old Lucas Digne, with Moller Wolfe identified as an option to take over from the Frenchman and compete with Ian Maatsen at left-back.
The 3AM verdict: We’re not sure what makes this more unlikely – the fact that Aston Villa and Wolves are local West Midlands rivals, or the status of Wanderers as one of the worst sides the Premier League has ever seen. He has not even nailed down a starting berth for his current employers, so earning a January move to title-chasing Villa appears very far-fetched.
Wolfe was previously monitored by several Premier League clubs before joining Wolves and so a move next summer if they are relegated is possible, but even then it appears implausible that could be to Villa.
Leeds in five-club Premier League list ‘monitoring’ James McAtee
According to reports by Mail Sport which broke over the weekend, Nottingham Forest’s James McAtee is a target for several Premier League clubs including Leeds United, as the former Manchester City academy graduate struggles to settle in at his new club following his summer arrival.
McAtee has had to contend with three different permanent managers already this season and has not been first-choice for any of them, making just one Premier League start all season and just two substitute appearances in the league under Sean Dyche.
Leeds headline the list of clubs said to be ‘monitoring’ McAtee, alongside Chelsea, Bournemouth, Fulham and Sunderland, in addition to interest in Europe. Leeds are said to have a long-term interest in McAtee, while multiple of the other clubs mentioned are more interested in a loan deal.
The 3AM verdict: Forest are struggling at the moment and so it can be easy for out-of-favour players to miss out on game time entirely. McAtee is currently experiencing that problem, and might already have lingering doubts about whether he made the right choice to complete a big-money move to the Tricky Trees in the summer.
McAtee would certainly add something to Leeds’ creative department and no doubt has a bright future at this level. He could be a smart loan or permanent move for any of the clubs mentioned – apart from Chelsea, for whom he would get even less game time in the league and from whom he should, therefore, steer well clear.