Newcastle and Tottenham eye £25m Serie A star as West Ham close in on next summer signing

We begin Friday’s Premier League transfer rumour roundup with news of Michael Kayode, and the ongoing tussle for his signature. The Fiorentina right-back has been linked with the likes of Tottenham and Aston Villa in recent weeks, but according to an update from Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport, Arsenal, Bournemouth, and Newcastle United are also keen.

As per this latest report, there are two main reasons as to why an English side may prove to be his most likely destination. One is that Fiorentina are currently in England for a preseason training camp, which would make any deal much easier to pull together. The other is that the Serie A side may have to sell before they can buy this summer, with an offer of around £25.3 million potentially enough to secure Kayode’s services. The defender himself is said to be ‘flattered’ by the interest, and there is a chance that Fiorentina could settle for a loan deal with an option to buy attached.

The 3AM Verdict: Kayode is a hugely promising talent with a big future ahead of him. Whichever side secures his services could be getting a real asset for years to come, but whoever it is that ends up signing him, they may have to act swiftly to fend off the mounting opposition.

West Ham close in Mazraoui

Elsewhere, West Ham are understood to be nearing the completion of a deal for Bayern Munich full-back Noussair Mazraoui. The defender has been linked with both the Hammers and Manchester United in recent days, but according to Florian Plettenberg, it is Julen Lopetegui’s men who have moved ahead in the race to sign him.

It is understood that West Ham and Bayern have reached an agreement, with an initial transfer fee of £13 million supplemented by £3.8 million in future add-ons. The Irons are also said to have a verbal agreement in place with the player himself. Plettenberg goes on to suggest that the deal is not fully wrapped up yet, with some financial details left to hash out, but that West Ham are now firmly in the driving seat to land their man.

The 3AM Verdict: This would be a really decent piece of business from West Ham. Mazraoui is an experienced Morocco international in the prime of his career capable of playing on either side of a back four, or as a holding midfielder. He is both affordable and brimming with quality, and if the Hammers can get this one over the line it would be a pleasing sign of intent.

Battle on for O’Brien

And finally, a number of Premier League clubs are credited with an interest in Lyon star Jake O’Brien. According to Foot Mercato, the 23-year-old defender is a target for Brentford, Wolves, and Everton this summer.

It is understood that his exit is ‘almost confirmed’, and that ‘everything should accelerate’ in the ‘coming days’, although it is unclear at this stage as to where he is most likely to end up.

The 3AM Verdict: O’Brien impressed over in France last season, and a Premier League move feels like the next logical step on his career path. Various reports have priced the Irishman between £15 million and £30 million, and if he were available at the low end of that range, then he could prove to be a savvy signing too.