Man Utd target ‘wants to leave’, Liverpool target 32-time France international and ex-Sunderland ace eyes return
The biggest new Premier League transfer rumours, including updates from Manchester United, Liverpool and Sunderland
The Premier League table is slowly beginning to take shape - and Manchester United currently find themselves in 10th position, meaning there’s still plenty of work to do if they are to get themselves back into the European picture after a disastrous 15th place finish last term.
The Red Devils board, who seem intent on keeping Ruben Amorim in the dugout for a fair while longer, backed the Portuguese coach with £236m worth of new signings, but the one significant miss was a commanding central midfielder despite countless reports linking them with Brighton’s Carlos Baleba.
In the end, Brighton showed great resolve to fend off interest from the 13-time Premier League winners by setting a price tag of around £100m, which was enough at the time to stop Jim Ratcliffe reaching into his pocket.
However, in a fresh development, Indykaila News claims the 21-year-old Cameroonian international is planning to hand in a transfer request in January. The same reports adds that talks between the player and the board are likely to take place in November, opening the door to a potential mid-season switch.
The 3AM verdict: Carlos Baleba would be a great fit at Manchester United is definitely the calibre of player that could help push the club back up the table. He’s quick, aggressive, athletic and reads the game incredibly well. However, Indykaila News is a long way from a source known for its reliability, and it’s worth also mentioning that even if Baleba was to hand in a transfer request, Brighton’s £100m price tag could be too much in the winter window. Ultimately, this seems like a deal that could happen at some stage, although January may be too soon.
Liverpool target Bayern Munich star
Premier League holders Liverpool are believed to be ready to enter serious discussions with Bayern Munich over a move for Dayot Upamecano, according to TEAMtalk.
The Reds have struggled defensively at times this season, keeping just one league clean sheet and are believed to be in the market for a central defender to replace Ibrahima Konate, who is out of contract in June.
Upamecano is a 32-time French international, a three-time champion of the Bundesliga and has thrice featured in the division’s Team of the Season.
The 3AM verdict: Dayot Upamecano is an excellent defender in the peak years of his career that has the quality to make the transition from Germany to England. He, like Konate, is in the final year of his contract, making it potentially one to watch out for as extension talks at the Allianz Arena continue to stall. He could be a great alternative target to Marc Guehi for the Reds if that move fails to materialize.
Former Sunderland star targets return to Stadium of Light
Promising Spanish forward Marc Guiu is becoming “increasingly fed up” with his lack of first team football at Chelsea and is expected to push for a return to the Stadium of Light, according to GiveMeSport.
The Spaniard signed for the Black Cats on loan during the summer transfer window, and featured briefly at the start of the campaign, making two substitute appearances in the Premier League and scoring on his full debut in the Carabao Cup against Huddersfield Town. However, his stint in the North East was cut short when an untimely injury to Liam Delap resulted in Chelsea terminating the loan and summoning him back to Stamford Bridge.
Guiu failed to even make the squad against Brentford and was an unused substitute in the following four matches after making his return to Stamford Bridge. His only taste of first team football came in a 16-minute cameo against Liverpool before the international break.
The 3AM verdict: Marc Guiu joined Sunderland with a point to prove after playing just three times for Chelsea in the league last year. He’s a former Barcelona academy graduate with a solid record of six goals in seven Conference League outings for Chelsea last year and was seen as a useful option. In theory, Liam Delap’s return to fitness and the incoming signing of Emanuel Emegha next summer, should mean Guiu is free to go out on loan again in January. However, Sunderland may not actually need Guiu back at the club any more after scrambling to sign Brian Brobbey from Ajax on a permanent deal while also having Wilson Isidor and play-off final hero Eliezer Mayenda as striking options.