A round-up of the latest Premier League transfer rumours, with news from Chelsea, Brighton, Spurs, Newcastle and more.
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Another day of transfer stories is in the books, and that means that it’s time for 3 Added Minutes’ regular morning round-up of the biggest and strangest Premier League transfer rumours that you might have missed over the past 24 hours – starting with a story involving Chelsea and several other top-flight teams.
According to TeamTalk, the Blues are among several sides “showing interest” in Ecuadorian “sensation” Patrik Mercado, a 22-year-old midfielder currently at Moisés Caicedo’s former club Independiente del Valle.
The youngster’s form means plenty of clubs are taking notice, with Brighton & Hove Albion, Bournemouth and Fulham all said to have “registered their interest” alongside several clubs from Europe and Brazil. Mercado is “set to be on the move this summer” after the World Cup, it’s said, with the three-cap international likely to be a part of Ecuador’s side.
There’s no word yet on how much Independiente del Valle might want for Mercado’s services, but it’s suggested that many of the clubs in the running could make formal offers “in the coming weeks.” Apparently Chelsea would likely send him to sister club RC Strasbourg at first, should they be the winning bidders.
The 3AM Verdict: Mercado is a tremendously talented player whose stock is rising rather rapidly and a good World Cup could easily see his price tag become rather hefty – and we wouldn’t be shocked to see any of these sides mentioned in the bidding when the times comes. Chelsea are always keen to find their next big thing, after all, and this is the kind of deal which matches their business model.
Spurs building shortlist to replace Vicario this summer
Over to struggling Tottenham Hotspur now, who seem set to move on from first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario this summer if another report from TeamTalk can be believed – and they’ve already put together a list of potential replacements.
Apparently Juventus are “prepared to meet the asking price” for Vicario, with Spurs set to demand up to €30m (£26m), while Inter Milan could make a move too. Supposedly Vicario has a “desire” to return to his home country, and isn’t expected to stand in the way of such a move.
All that means that Spurs are looking for alternatives, and have identified three possible new signings: Manchester City’s James Trafford, Sunderland’s Robin Roefs, and Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen. Apparently there is “no clear favourite” as yet, with all three potential targets.
The 3AM Verdict: None of those seem unfeasible, assuming that Spurs manage to stay in the Premier League at least. We’re certainly seeing more and more noise about Vicario leaving this summer, and this report brings in multiple Italian sources as corroboration. We think the alleged shortlist of replacements is speculative, but Vicario leaving looks quite likely.
Newcastle and Fulham ‘in mix’ to sign Liverpool target
Let’s finish up with a story from Sport Witness (via Corriere dello Sport) which claims that both Newcastle and Fulham are “in [the] mix” to sign AS Roman full-back Zeki Çelik – not long after reports suggested that Liverpool were also interested in getting their hands on the 29-year-old.
Although the Turk remains a key player for Roma, negotiations over a new contract have hit a dead end with Çelik apparently looking for wages which the Italian outfit aren’t prepared to meet, but which could be within a Premier League side’s wheelhouse. He’s available on a free transfer come July, hence the widespread interest.
Little evidence is provided for Newcastle or Fulham’s alleged interest, and nor is there any suggestion that either side has offered him a contract, as they are able to do now that he is in the last few months of his current deal.
The 3AM Verdict: We’re seeing growing speculation surrounding Çelik and while we do believe that he’ll be on the move this summer, we suspect that a lot of the links really are more speculation than anything solid – and we haven’t seen any firm evidence to suggest that either Newcastle or Fulham will be in the mix, not that it’s especially improbable. One to wait and see with, as it stands.