Man United 'scouting' midfield gem amid £39m fee claim as Leeds United could get green light for bargain deal

There are a mere 53 days until the summer transfer window opens. In that time, you could watch the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe output, or perhaps, if you were feeling particularly deranged, watch the whole Friends boxset ten times over. You could learn basic coding, draft a decent sized novel, or lose about ten pounds of body fat. The potential for self-fulfilment and idle fun is seemingly limitless.

Or, you could, like us, sit hunched in a darkened room, obsessing over the latest whispers and chatter among the ‘In The Know’ elite, desperately trying to separate the genuine transfer talk from the agents looking to get their players’ names in as many gossip columns as possible.

While we continue to ruminate on such questions as ‘Just how many 14-year-old South American wonderkids will Chelsea sign this time?’ and ‘Exactly how many versatile centre-backs do Manchester City actually need?’ we’ve also compiled the latest Premier League transfer tales doing the rounds:

Man United learn potential Rios asking price

First up, we’re off to the red side of Manchester, where an asking price update may have pricked up some ears in the Man United recruitment team. Caught Offside bring news regarding the future of Benfica midfielder Richard Rios, and claim that he could be allowed to leave the club if a bid in the region of £39m is made this summer.

It is said that United have scouted the highly-rated Colombia international, but it is in fact Fulham who have made an early move towards him, with the report suggesting they’ve ‘made contact’ over a potential summer deal. Napoli are also namechecked as a potential suitors, although their interest, like United’s is not believed to be as advanced as that of the Cottagers.

The story also notes that Rios has the potential to make a real name for himself at this summer’s World Cup, which could see his value sky-rocket. Benfica are said to be mindful of this, and could hold off agreeing a sale until he’s had his chance to dazzle on the world stage in North America.

The 3AM Verdict: United are set for a serious summer overhaul, with a number of players likely to depart Old Trafford. Two top class new arrivals in midfield looks a likely scenario, especially with Casemiro on his way out, and Rios could be an ideal signing alongside either Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson or Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali. Fulham may be keen, but if Man United come calling, he’ll be off in a shot, you would imagine.

Liverpool close in on Mohamed Salah replacement

In a way, it might have been better had Mohamed Salah left Liverpool when all the links to the Saudi Pro League first came about. He’d have left the club still in his prime, rather than fizzling out in a particularly underwhelming final season at Anfield. That aside, the race to find his successor is well underway, with RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande heavily linked in recent days.

The latest report from Team Talk suggests that the wonderkid has been very much wooed by the Reds’ apparent advances, and that personal terms are likely to be agreed without any hitches to scupper the deal. He’s likely to cost somewhere close to £90m - a serious chunk of cash to part ways with for a 19-year-old, it has to be said.

The 3AM Verdict: The Reds’ recruitment over the past couple of seasons has been exceptional, with the hits far outweighing the misses. They’ve clearly got the early groundwork done on Diomande, and will be in a prime position to sign him this summer. Arsenal are said to be interested too, but he probably wouldn’t fancy being Bukayo Saka’s understudy. It feels like this one could well happen for Liverpool.

Leeds and Everton could get green light to sign Targett

Last week, we covered news of growing interest in Newcastle United full-back Matt Targett, who has been having a lovely old time of it on loan at promotion-chasing Middlesbrough this season. Leeds United and Everton were among the clubs said to keen on signing him this summer, with his Magpies contract set to expire in July.

It looks like potential suitors could be in luck, with the 30-year-old now relishing the prospect of playing Premier League football next season, according to Football Insider. It’s suggested, however, that he’d likely be a backup option for Leeds or Everton, if either club managed to sign him, with both clubs currently possessing stronger options in his position.

The 3AM Verdict: If Middlesbrough do manage to get promoted, Targett would do well to sign a permanent deal with the club. Sure, he probably wouldn’t earn as much as Everton or Leeds might offer, but if he wants to return to starting every week in the top tier as he was once at Aston Villa, remaining on Teeside is surely the right move.

Read more: Chelsea were pathetic against Brighton – the real reason why is blatantly obvious