Newcastle United could trigger top winger's £35m release clause as Aston Villa chase Bundesliga wonderkid

The day has finally arrive: the 2025/26 Premier League campaign will be wrapped up this afternoon, bringing to an end an enthralling season that has kept fans hooked throughout its duration. All eyes will be on Tottenham and West Ham, who are both looking to avoid finishing in 18th place and being condemned to playing Championship football next season.

Arsenal will be in party mode as Selhurst Park as they celebrate winning the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years. It should be an intriguing spectacle, given that the hosts, Crystal Palace, will be almost entirely focused on their Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano just a few days later. Maybe they can just call it 0-0 and break the board games out? Although that wouldn’t be ideal for FPL players, it must be said.

Meanwhile, the summer transfer window is almost upon us, and we’ve been trawling the internet to find the very latest rumours concerning sides in England’s top tier. We begin today’s round-up in the West Midlands, where Aston Villa are still on cloud nine after winning the Europa League earlier in the week.

They’re set for a big summer transfer window having qualified for next seasons Champions League, and Team Talk reckon they’ve got Bayern Munich wonderkid Arijon Ibrahimovic on their radar. However, Brighton, Fulham, Brentford and Crystal Palace are all also credited with an interest, after an decent season spent on loan with Heidenheim.

The report goes on to suggest that Bayern want to hold on to their young talent, but with so much elite competition for a starting spot in their squad, they’ll be unlikely to offer him the first-team football he craves any time soon. Interestingly, it’s suggested that he could move to a Premier League club on loan, giving Bayern another year to make up their minds.

The 3AM Verdict: Even if all those clubs truly are interested in the Germany U21 international, you’d still fancy Villa to win the race to sign him permanently. However, if Bayern prefer a loan deal, they may find things a bit trickier. He’s unlikely to slot straight into Unai Emery’s back four, and may get more game time at Fulham or Brentford.

Barcelona gear up Joao Pedro raid

Next up, it’s over to west London, where Chelsea have presumably cut all the phone chords, turned off the fax machine and tipped their computers into a skip, as they look to avoid any contact with Barcelona. The Catalan giants are already after Marc Cucurella, and now fresh reports from Football Insider suggest they’re after star striker Joao Pedro too.

The story suggests that a “change of scene” as a means to work his way back into the Brazil setup could appeal to the ex-Brighton striker, who missed out on a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad. It’s also said that the Blues will look to rebuff Barca’s interest, and may set an asking price so high that the Catalan club aren’t able to reach it.

The 3AM Verdict: With Enzo Fernandez likely leaving this summer, Chelsea can’t afford to lose another key component of their spine. He’s the best striker they’ve had since Diego Costa, and should be a key part of their side going forward under new boss Xabi Alonso. Pedro’s contract runs all the way through until 2033 - which is, let’s be honest, ridiculous - so the Blues are in a very strong position to keep him.

Newcastle United eye up Anthony Gordon replacement

Finally, we’re heading to the banks of the Tyne where, if you listen carefully, you might just hear Anthony Gordon painstakingly trying to learn the zither as he prepares to immerse himself in Bavarian culture ahead of his big summer move to Bayern Munich. If that moves ahead, the Magpies will of course need a replacement, and the Mirror think they’ve already found him.

The story names Newcastle United, along with Aston Villa and Real Madrid, as clubs interested in Osasuna winger Victor Munoz, whose sparkling displays in La Liga have seen him tipped as a rising young talent to keep an eye on. Interestingly, it’s noted that Sunderland tried to sign him for £20m in January, but the Spanish club could be holding out for his £35m release clause to be met.

The 3AM Verdict: If Newcastle want to compete with the Premier League’s top sides, signing emerging talent is a vital part of that. Munoz is so highly rated in Spain that he could make their World Cup squad, and has managed to notch up seven goals and five assists this season despite playing for a struggling side. The Magpies would do well to take a gamble on this one.