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The latest Premier League transfer rumours - with news from Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, Spurs and Crystal Palace.

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Once again, 3 Added Minutes have pored over the global gossip columns to bring you our regular morning round-up of all the biggest and juiciest new Premier League transfer rumours – and today, we start off with a story from Manchester United.

Football Transfers combine stories from a couple of different outlets to suggest that United are “preparing” a January bid for Nottingham Forest standout Elliot Anderson as the Red Devils work to rebuild their midfield.

Apparently they are getting ready to launch “an opening offer of €58m” – that’s roughly £50m – and United see Anderson as a “cheaper and more viable” alternative to Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba, who could cost twice as much if they make a bid next year.

The bad news for United fans is that Forest are said to be “unlikely to grant a sale mid-season” – but the club are still prepared to “test [Forest’s] resolve” once the winter transfer window opens in a few short months.

The 3AM Verdict: The key source for this story is Spanish outlet Fichajes, who provide the financial details, and their track record doesn’t inspire much confidence in us – nor do we think that Forest are remotely likely to permit a move in January unless the fee is absolutely outrageous. Finally, we doubt that United have enough PSR room left to make a £50m bid for anyone unless there’s an unexpected sale. In short, we doubt the entire story.

Spurs make England star their ‘priority’

Having just slated Fichajes, we’ll give them a second chance after they printed a story which could interest Tottenham Hotspur supporters – they claim that Spurs have “shown the most interest” in arranging a deal for former Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, and have made him a “priority”.

Apparently, Spurs are “planning a move in the next transfer window” after a summer in which a number of rumours connected Gallagher with a move back to England, with several sides alleged to be interested in securing his services a year after he left to join Atlético Madrid.

Manchester United were said to have been “very close” to signing the England international, too, but Atléti are still unsure how to proceed and are “carefully analysing” their next move as they decide whether to negotiate with other teams or keep hold of Gallagher. The player is said to be “comfortable” in Spain but won’t rule a move back home out.

The 3AM Verdict: We suspect that a few teams did indeed enquire about Gallagher over the summer but with nothing happening we doubt that he’s a “priority” for any clubs right now – not to say that Spurs aren’t interested to some degree. The next few months will determine whether Atléti decide to keep or sell, we suspect.

‘Talks ongoing’ over Crystal Palace deal

Let’s round off today’s digest with an update on a potential transfer deal involving Crystal Palace – Sport Witness state that Turkish side Besiktas are “planning a late move” for Jefferson Lerma, which can take place immediately as their transfer window remains open.

The Istanbul side have “started talks” with Lerma’s representatives, although the outcome is “still open” according to one of the journalists quoted in the article. Palace’s stance on the potential deal is unknown and there is no suggestion that formal bid has been lodged.

The Colombian winger, who is entering the final year of his Palace contract, is said to be one of several names on Besiktas’ shortlist, but they have “intensified” talks as they work to get a deal done.

The 3AM Verdict: A plausible enough story, and one that seems to be corroborated by several sources in and outside of Turkey, which usually hints that it’s more than just paper talk. Whether or not the deal actually takes place, it seems as though the interest is very genuine.

Chelsea & Spurs are among the sides to have been linked with a talented teenager who has already scored a famous goal.

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With the summer transfer window freshly closed behind us, stories are starting to trickle through that tell us about the deals that didn’t quite get done, the failed bids made around the Premier League which could get revisited in the near future – and one audacious enquiry from Tottenham Hotspur, in particular, sets up an interesting story line.

According to TeamTalk’s sources, Spurs made a late enquiry concerning the availability of 19-year-old midfielder Senny Mayulu, best known for scoring PSG’s fifth and final goal against Inter Milan in May’s Champions League final – and while their advances were rebuffed, it sounds as if they will continue to monitor a sensationally talented player’s future.

They won’t be alone. Both Chelsea and Manchester City are said to be tracking Mayulu, who has just two years left on his contract at PSG. But just how good is the young Frenchman, and how likely is it that he moves to the Premier League in the near future?

Why Spurs & Chelsea are both chasing Senny Mayulu

Mayulu made a name for himself when he slashed the ball inside Yann Sommer’s near post with the confidence and poise of a player who plainly felt perfectly comfortable on the biggest stage in club football – but French football fans were familiar with him long before he put the cherry on top of PSG’s record-breaking 5-0 win in Munich.

Although the teenager has only made 16 senior starts, he already has seven goals to his name (including that fine finish against Inter) and four assists, and since making his debut as a 17-year-old last January has dazzled with his quick feet, vision, precise passing and poise under pressure.

His movement is remarkably fluid for such an inexperienced player and he is capable of finding sudden pockets of space that defenders simply can’t cover. His only apparent weakness is that he isn’t especially effective out of possession – a slight figure, he hasn’t shown that he can force turnovers and wouldn’t suit a team looking to produce consistent pressure off the ball.

As an attacking midfielder, though, his combination of creativity, technique and ability to play through and around far more experienced defenders makes him increasingly lethal. There’s little question that he is a special talent, and it’s no surprise that PSG knocked Spurs back.

Still, even though PSG have the funds to ensure that they keep him for the foreseeable future there is also a reason that three Premier League teams could be monitoring him – and there must be a good reason that they believe that the youngster can be lured away from the Parc des Princes. But are Mayulu’s suitors right to be so optimistic?

Will PSG sell Senny Mayulu?

Assuming TeamTalk’s story has its fact straight, PSG have made their present position on Mayulu’s future pretty plain – that he won’t be leaving. Get French Football News also reported back in June that they planned to offer the youngster a new contract off the back of his success in the Champions League final.

That contract remains unsigned, however, and his current deal – which expires at the end of June 2027, has little enough time left on it that clubs will have every reason to suspect that he might become available if he doesn’t agree an extension sooner rather than later.

The reasons that Mayulu has yet to agree a new deal remain obscure, and it’s unclear whether it is simply a matter of haggling over fine details or whether the French Under-20 international is demanding more money than PSG are willing to pay – or even whether he is actively looking to engineer a move in the near future.

It’s also unclear whether Mayulu will get any more game time this season. An adductor injury has prevented him from playing since the Club World Cup, but he in order to become a regular starter he will have to force his way past the likes of Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz. He may well reach a point, like many young talents before him, at which he sees a transfer as a sensible investment in his development.

All of that is speculation, of course, but Spurs are perhaps unlikely to have made an enquiry if they didn’t have some reason to believe that there was a realistic prospect that a deal could be struck. They were wrong in this instance, but the longer the midfielder goes without a contract extension, the more that the pressure will mount on PSG to sell him.

Mayulu is a special talent and it may well be that the clubs watching him are simply doing their due diligence in case the circumstances ever arise in which they can sign him – but with several sides supposedly circling, there may be slightly more to it. If the teenager remains on his current contract come January, this could be a transfer story to keep an eye on.

The latest Spurs team news and predicted line-up - with updates on Dominic Solanke, Randal Kolo Muani & Xavi Simons.

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Thomas Frank’s Tottenham Hotspur return to Premier League action this Saturday when they make the short trip across the capital to face rivals West Ham United – but will be forced to travel without several key first-team players due to fitness problems.

Up to six players could be absent through injury, with striker Dominic Solanke among the doubts for the match at the London Stadium – and there are question marks over the fitness of deadline day signings Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani.

We’ve got all the latest team news, injury updates and a predicted starting line-up for Frank’s side below as Spurs look to build upon a solid start to the new campaign.

Is Dominic Solanke fit for Spurs – or will Randal Kolo Muani play instead?

It’s not yet clear whether summer signing Kolo Muani is considered to be fit enough to start for Spurs. The versatile forward had only limited involvement in pre-season while a transfer away from PSG was being negotiated, and hasn’t played a match since his loan side Juventus were knocked out of the Club World Cup in July. It’s probable that he starts from the bench against West Ham with Richarlison in fine form.

Elsewhere, there are conflicting reports concerning the fitness of striker Solanke, who picked up an ankle injury that manager Frank initially described as “minor” when the forward missed the 1-0 defeat to his former side Bournemouth.

Since then, journalist Jake Sanders has claimed that Solanke’s injury is more serious than first anticipated and that surgery could be required, in which case he could be set for a long spell on the sidelines. That report has yet to be confirmed by the club, making the situation extremely unclear heading into this weekend.

Another doubt for the game is Japanese defender Kota Takai, who has yet to make his debut for the club due to planar fasciitis. He has returned to training over the international break, but it isn’t clear that he will be available this weekend. Fellow defender Radu Dragusin has returned to light training this week following an ACL injury, but is still some months away from full fitness.

Will Xavi Simons start for Spurs?

Dutch playmaker Simons became Tottenham Hotspur’s record signing when he moved from RB Leipzig shortly before the end of the summer transfer window, and could be ready to start against West Ham having enjoyed more game time and a more complete pre-season than fellow new arrival Kolo Muani.

Simons played two competitive matches for Leipzig before his move and started for the Netherlands against Poland during the recent international break. He should be close to full fitness and Frank will have to decide whether to put him straight into the first team or whether to integrate him gradually from the bench. If he doesn’t start, then Spurs will likely continue in a 4-3-3 system and revert to 4-2-3-1 when Simons is available.

Simons is set to act as the long-term replacement for James Maddison, who will miss most of the season with an ACL injury, while another key playmaker – Dejan Kulusevski – is not expected to return from his own knee injury before December. Yves Bissouma is another doubt in midfield as he works his way back from a muscular issue which scuppered his proposed move to Galatasaray.

Ange Postecoglou has been announced has Nottingham Forest’s new manager

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The drama at Nottingham Forest surrounding Nuno Espirito Santo and owner Evangelos Marinakis was confusing at worst, downright irrational at best.

One of the greatest success stories in the Premier League last season as Forest qualified for Europe for the first time in 30 years, Nuno had earned every right to continue building a dynasty at the City Ground. Or, at the very least, to guide them into the Europa League this season.

Tensions with famously hands-on owner Marinakis escalated over the summer, to the point where Nuno was speaking publicly about his issues with the ownership by the start of the Premier League season. From there, it was only going to end one way.

On Monday, Forest announced that Nuno had been sacked just over 18 months after his appointment. Mere hours later, former Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou was, perhaps predictably announced as his successor. It will be fascinating to see how Postecoglou does in his new job in the coming months, as he looks to impose his distinctive playing style on Nottingham Forest.

Ange Postecoglu arrives - and could raid Spurs in January

On face value, this appointment does make some sense, though controversy may inevitably arise at some stage between the two outspoken figures of Postecoglou and Marinakis.

Postecoglou, Australian by nationality but Greek by birth, name and heritage, could be seen as a potential ally by Marinakis as he attempts to take Forest to the next level. Postecoglou plays a famously-exciting brand of football, too, and recently won the Europa League as his final act at Spurs, so he certainly has the pedigree to succeed Nuno.

It is a distinct possibility that Postecoglou returns to his former club to secure new signings for the City Ground in January. Many Spurs players expressed sadness at Ange departing the club and may be tempted by their former boss to reunite with him in the red of the Tricky Trees. There are several stars Postecoglou could attempt to lure away from north London, but Richarlison could be a huge signing if the Australian aims to secure a former player who would elevate his new side at Forest.

Postecoglou could reunite with Richarlison at the City Ground

This move may seem ambitious given that Richarlison has started for Spurs in their opening three Premier League fixtures and scored an opening-day double against Burnley. But that comes in the context where Dominic Solanke is only just returning from an injury, while deadline-day signing Randal Kolo Muani may well limit the Brazilian’s minutes if he makes a fast start to football in England.

In a World Cup year, former £60 million signing Richarlison will be determined to play enough football to earn a spot on the plane to represent his nation next summer. His performances at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar were arguably the pinnacle of the 28-year-old’s career so far and he will be keen to get the chance once again.

Another key factor could be Richarlison’s close relationship with Postecoglou. He said in a recent interview with Mail Sport: “Ange is a spectacular guy. He was very important to me and is very loved by everyone at the club. He’s tough, he said he always wins championships in his second year, and he kept that promise.

“Ange always talked a lot with me during his time at the club. In my worst moments, he always tried to help, and I’m very grateful for that. He knew about my desire to help the team but also understood the tough moment I was going through. Honestly, I have nothing to complain about. When I had a run of games after my pubis surgery, I was performing well and scoring goals. It’s a shame I couldn’t do more for him on the pitch because of the injuries I had while he was manager.”

With Forest aiming to go deep into multiple competitions this season, some help to take the load off 33-year-old Chris Wood could be just what they need in January. While strikers Igor Jesus and Arnaud Kalimuendo have arrived this summer, neither have any Premier League experience and may take their time to adapt to the league. A loan move for Richarlison, with a view to making it permanent if things go well, could be the perfect remedy as Postecoglou looks to make an impact at the City Ground.

He’s starred as a cameo for Liverpool under Arne Slot

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Thomas Frank’s Tottenham were brought back to earth with a bump by Bournemouth after a very promising honeymoon, with Spurs’ remaining limitations plain for all to see despite a solid transfer window.

And while Brennan Johnson has enjoyed a positive overall start to the season, picking up where he left off following that Europa League-winning strike with two Premier League goals in three games, he had a hellish afternoon against the Cherries.

The Spurs faithful let him know too, vociferously cheering his substitution for Wilson Odobert and when Tottenham posted on Instagram that Baltimore Ravens star Kyle Hamilton had visited the team’s training facility, the top comment was ‘can he play left wing’?

Hamilton is one of the more versatile players in the NFL but specialises on the defensive side of the ball so Frank and Daniel Levy will need to keep searching, and the solution for Spurs could be a player who’s at least proved he can vanquish Bournemouth this season - Federico Chiesa.

Sidelined Chiesa retains the ability to shape Premier League

Liverpool signing Chiesa was one of the more bizarre deals of last summer but it’s turned out that was only the first chapter in the enigma of the Italian’s career at Anfield.

The impact of his decisive 88th-minute goal in the season opener against Bournemouth may have been seismic in terms of shaping the narrative around the start of Liverpool’s season, but it barely seems to have resonated with Arne Slot as Chiesa has played just 21 minutes since.

Worse still, he’s been left out of Liverpool’s squad for the start of the Champions League for 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha, who became the Reds’ youngest-ever scorer when he confidently hit the winner against Newcastle to keep Liverpool’s perfect start to 2025/26 going despite the hosts being the better side at St. James’ Park.

However, there’s a reason Liverpool jumped at the chance to make Chiesa their only signing of the 2024 summer transfer window. The 2023/24 season was only Chiesa’s third best in Serie A, yet he lit up Italy as one of the most dynamic players in the top flight and he’s shown in that player remains in flashes at Liverpool. According to Opta via FBRef.com, Chiesa averaged five shot-creating actions per game that campaign, placing in the top 2% of Serie A wingers with a tally similar to Martin Odegaard, James Maddison or Eberechi in the Premier League last season.

His progressive passes received and progressive carries production also ranked among the best in the league - both facets of the game that Tottenham struggled with against Bournemouth - and the data suggests he should’ve tripled his actual assist tally if Juventus’ other attackers had only packed their shooting boots more often. Chiesa’s own finishing was strong as he outperformed his expected goals tally by three, while all of his key passing metrics were off the charts too, measuring up against the very best creatives in England.

There are obviously reasons why his reputation took such a hit following Euro 2020 despite Chiesa continuing to put up such impressive numbers, including the dramatic drop off in his form for Italy. Having scored twice as the Azzurri were crowned kings of Europe, that semi-final strike against Spain remains his last goal at a major tournament and Chiesa’s failure to fire in World Cup qualifying contributed to Italy missing out on Qatar 2022.

But Chiesa remains a player who can contribute at the highest level and he’d certainly provide an antidote to Tottenham’s lack of proven creative options up front and Frank’s over-reliance on outstanding dribblers versus elite technicians. So can they tempt him from Liverpool?

Uphill battle for Chiesa’s signature not in vain

Liverpool were reportedly fielding offers for Chiesa this summer but the player steadfastly refused to leave Anfield, determined to fight for his place under Slot. Less than a week after the transfer window closed, it’s not idle speculation to wonder whether he’s already regretting that decision.

Slot’s comments on Chiesa following his intervention against Bournemouth were decidedly low-key especially given the overwhelming emotion surrounding the evening, with the Dutchman simply saying: “As long as he’s here, it’s definitely Liverpool and I have no reason to believe something is going to change. He had a hard time last season getting his fitness ready. Unfortunately for him he missed out on our Asian tour as well so he missed quite a lot. When we needed Federico at 2-2, we brought him in and he delivered and that’s always positive for your future at the club."

And if actions do speak louder than words, Slot’s subsequent decisions in Chiesa don’t exactly have to break any decibelometers to drown out those quotes, and it’s clear that he’s now at least third-choice on the left flank without even considering the possibility that Hugo Ekitike or Florian Wirtz could be deployed there out of position.

Given Chiesa’s injury history, a loan move in January may be better than Spurs going all-in on then 28-year-old who will still have over two years left on his contract. It would be an economical way to potentially ignite their attack and potentially save Chiesa’s career in a World Cup year and benefit Liverpool too, truly a win for all parties.

The Premier League transfer window has now closed but there’s still time for clubs in the Middle East and Turkey to strike late deals

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Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has emerged as the subject of an epic transfer battle in Saudi Arabia, with giants Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr both expressing an interest in the England international.

Maguire joined the Red Devils from Leicester City six years ago in a deal worth £80m - a world record fee for a defender at the time. His performances since making that move have often divided opinion but it’s worth noting that the Sheffield-born defender has racked up 249 appearances for the Old Trafford club, scoring 16 times while also contributing eight assists. He was handed the captain’s arm band just six months after joining the club and held the position until 2023 when Erik ten Hag decided to swap the leadership position over to Bruno Fernandes.

Maguire, who has helped England reach a World Cup semi-final in 2018 and a European Championship final in 2021, has just one season remaining on his contract with United and it remains to be seen whether the club will offer him an extension beyond the summer of 2026. The former Leicester City ace has played three matches across all competitions this season. He appeared as a substitute in league games against Arsenal and Fulham, and played the full 90 minutes in a shock defeat to Grimsby Town in the League Cup - in a game which only was decided on penalties due to Maguire’s late headed equaliser.

What does the future hold for Harry Maguire?

According to Caught Offside, both Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli are weighing up 15 million euro offers for Harry Maguire, which equates to around £13m. That figure, while modest by Premier League standards, could be enough to persuade United to offload a player that’s amongst the highest earners, and one that’s struggled to produce in Ruben Amorim’s system.

Maguire hasn’t represented England yet in 2025 and currently faces an uphill battle to get back into the Three Lions setup despite his exceptional performances in past tournaments at international level. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who worked under Gareth Southgate, criticised United for failing to play to Maguire’s strengths at times and claimed for England that the Yorkshireman is a ‘proper leader’.

In an appearance on The Overlap earlier this week, the former Chelsea man said: “We missed Harry Maguire [at Euro 2024]. He’s a top lad, always positive, will always put himself forefront even when he makes mistakes. He’s there, he doesn’t hide has a voice everybody respects him.

“The thing at Man United is that we all know what what what Harry Maguire is. At Man United, if you’re going to play open, yeah, he’s going to get in trouble. But if you protect him at the right ways, he’s going to be a proper proper leader. He’s going to be there. And whatever you say, he’s done brilliant for England.”

The 3AM verdict: While it’s fair to say that Harry Maguire has never truly lived up to his hefty price tag at Old Trafford, it has to be said that there’s a lot of truth to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s comments that his weaknesses have been exposed due to the team’s playing style. However, Maguire remains one of the best remaining leaders in the club’s dressing room and a player that’s capable of helping the team climb the table. He’s an experienced head, one that knows the club well, and still has a habit of chipping in with important goals on occasion.

At this stage, Maguire should be kept by United, and it’s also worth noting that staying in Manchester is best for the player’s short-term future as it gives him a better chance of breaking back into the England setup ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Yves Bissouma could still leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer. Football Insider understands the Mali international is no longer a part of Thomas Frank’s plans and claims a sale is ‘expected’ soon amid reports of interest from Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Bissouma joined the Lillywhites in a £35m transfer from Brighton in 2022 but struggled with injuries in his first campaign as the team finished in eighth position. He produced a much stronger second season when Ange Postecoglou first arrived and helped the club to finish fifth. Last term was Bissouma’s worst in a Spurs shirt as the club finished in 17th position but he did play the full 90 minutes in the team’s Europa League triumph over Manchester United as the club finally ended their 17-year-wait for silverware.

Bissouma is yet to make an appearance following Frank’s arrival, with the Dane explaining that he left the midfielder out of the club’s UEFA Super Cup final squad due to persistent lateness. The midfielder has not appeared in the matchday squad since that incident and also been left out entirely of the club’s Champions League squad.

The 3AM verdict: Tottenham are blessed with options in the middle of the park, including new-signing Joao Palhinha as well as other names such as Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray, Pape Matar Sarr and Rodrigo Bentancur. All are younger and more likely to feature under Thomas Frank while they also have the added bonus of not having clashed with the new boss. The writing seems to be on the wall for Yves Bissouma after his Champions League omission, and a move to the Middle East or Turkish Super Liga could well prove to be the best solution for both parties at this stage.

The biggest new Premier League transfer rumours - with news from Liverpool, Spurs, Newcastle and more.

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The transfer window may have closed but there are still plenty of teams who are planning ahead for future deals – and as such, we’re still here with our regular morning round-up and review of all the latest Premier League transfer rumours to keep you in the loop.

Today, we start with a story for Liverpool supporters who want to know if the club is going to be get their hands on Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guéhi when his contract expires at the end of the season – and they’re facing a bigger battle than they’d like, at least if TeamTalk have their facts straight.

Following the late collapse of Guéhi’s £35m move to Anfield, it seems clear that the centre-back will “reject any and all offers” that his current club make to extend his deal, but that doesn’t mean Liverpool will get him on a free transfer, with several major European clubs also keen.

Bayern Munich are said to have “joined the race” alongside Barcelona and Real Madrid, who are “circling” Guéhi ahead of next summer. Liverpool are still the favourites, apparently, but Guéhi will have plenty of offers to choose from when the time comes.

The 3AM Verdict: An inevitable situation, really, and much will depend on whether Guéhi himself fancies a move abroad or not – and this article doesn’t make any claims as to his preferences. Liverpool have the advantage given that they’ve already sold the project to the player, but don’t expect it to be easy for them to make this deal happen.

Spurs to ‘try again’ in January for £44m winger

Tottenham Hotspur could be gearing up for a second crack at a young winger that they failed to buy over the summer, according to Caught Offside – and are “expected to try again” come January.

Spurs are allegedly “continuing to show a strong interest” in Lyon winger Malick Fofana, and apparently saw a late bid rejected because the French side didn’t have time to find a replacement. Apparently Lyon value the 21-year-old Fofana at €50m (£44m).

While Spurs are showing “strong interest” in the Belgian, they may not be alone in making a move over the winter – Liverpool, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and a number of continental clubs are also mentioned as having been linked with Fofana at some stage of the summer.

The 3AM Verdict: We were surprised Fofana didn’t leave over the summer and unless hid form dips quite dramatically, we’d expect a bidding war to break out sooner or later, and Spurs may very well be at the front. Whether Spurs’ opinion on a bid changes now that Daniel Levy has been sacked remains to be seen.

Newcastle set for second striker bid in next transfer window

Another of the many deals that fell through on deadline day was William Osula’s proposed move from Newcastle United to Eintracht Frankfurt – but Bild (via Sport Witness) report that the German side “haven’t given up” on signing the striker just yet.

Frankfurt are “planning a January transfer window attempt” to get the deal over the line at the second time of asking – apparently, the deal collapsed because Newcastle demanded too much money, both for the up-front loan fee and for the purchase clause, which would have totalled up to €25m (£22m), less than reported by the British media.

The gap in valuation has “not ended their interest”, however, and it is “likely” that they line up a second bid over the winter. It’s suggested that Osula himself is happy enough to make the move, and it’s just a matter of negotiating the fee.

The 3AM Verdict: Given that January transfer fees tend to be inflated, we’re not sure what will change to make it easier to arrange a deal, but perhaps the initial loan fee being lower (given that they’d be borrowing him for less time) would make it all more palatable? We’ll likely find out in January.

The latest England team news and predicted line-up ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Andorra.

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England’s World Cup qualifying campaign continues this weekend when Thomas Tuchel’s side welcome Andorra to Villa Park this Saturday – and fans are likely to see a somewhat unfamiliar Three Lions side.

With key starters including Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer all unavailable through injury and a potentially crucial game against Serbia in Belgrade on the near horizon, Tuchel is likely to name an experimental side which could feature as many as three debutants.

We’ve got all the latest team news ahead of the game against Andorra below, along with a predicted starting XI for the first international match of the new campaign.

John Stones & Adam Wharton join England injury list for Andorra match

England had already been affected by the withdrawals of several key players before Tuchel named his latest squad, with Cole Palmer (groin), Bukayo Saka (hamstring) and Jude Bellingham (shoulder) all out of action, with Bellingham also a doubt for the October international break. Phil Foden was also left out with the winger recovering from an ankle injury.

Tuchel’s plans were further spoiled when Adam Wharton was forced off with an adductor injury during the second half of Crystal Palace’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa last weekend. The young midfielder is expected to be injured for around three weeks and did not report to St. George’s Park for training.

In his stead, AC Milan midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek was handed his first call-up in seven years and could add to his 10 caps in what looks likely to be a double pivot alongside either Jordan Henderson or Elliot Anderson. Declan Rice is available but likely to be rested prior to the Serbia game.

Since then, Manchester City centre-back John Stones has also become an injury victim, leaving the England camp with what was described as a “muscular issue” that will rule him out of both matches during the international break. It is not reported as being serious and with Jarell Quansah already in the squad as a late call-up, it is unlikely that a replacement is named.

Elsewhere, Tuchel is likely to be cautious with the health of key starters save, perhaps, for captain Harry Kane, who also started in the reverse fixture against Andorra and scored the only goal of a disappointing game.

James Trafford, Elliot Anderson & Djed Spence could earn first caps

Nottingham Forest midfielder Anderson is among three players who could make their first ever appearances for the Three Lions, with Tottenham Hotspur’s Djed Spence likely to be handed a start ahead of Myles Lewis-Skelly. Spence is set to become the first Muslim to represent the senior men’s team.

In goal, James Trafford may finally see one of his call-ups turn into a cap as he competes with Dean Henderson for the gloves. The Palace goalkeeper was given the starting role against Andorra last time out but Trafford could be given a chance to impress in the battle to be England’s number two behind Jordan Pickford.

Up front, Anthony Gordon and Jarrod Bowen are the presumptive starting wingers for the Serbia match based on Tuchel’s previous selections, suggesting that Marcus Rashford or Eberechi Eze will play on the left, while Noni Madueke should start on the right flank. Morgan Gibbs-White and Morgan Rogers are the options at number ten.

The latest Premier League transfer rumours - with news from Spurs, Manchester City, Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and more.

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While the transfer window may have closed for another three months, top flight teams are still scouting and building their shortlists ahead of the January transfer window – and to keep you abreast of all the latest news, we’re back with our regular morning round-up of all the biggest new Premier League transfer rumours.

Let’s start with a story for the Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City supporters amongst you. According to Caught Offside, Spurs are “considering” a second attempt to sign defender Nathan Aké in the new year after failing to secure a deal during the summer.

It’s said that Spurs see Aké as a useful rotational option, but they aren’t the only team keeping tabs on his situation at City – apparently both Everton and Nottingham Forest “are also keen” on the Dutchman, while it’s noted that West Ham and Newcastle both looked at him earlier in the summer, presumably before deciding against a bid.

The article doesn’t claim to know how much City might charge for Aké or whether they would be prepared to let him leave at all after the departure of Manuel Akanji, but it speculates that his value is likely to be close to £20m.

The 3AM Verdict: Aké does feel likely to leave City at some point over the next year, but in terms of the specific links to Spurs and other teams, we can only note that this article appears to be very speculative with little of it based on anything especially solid. That doesn’t mean that it won’t prove to be a good guess come January, of course.

Manchester United linked with surprise midfielder move

When you combine the club’s failure to sign a much-needed central midfielder in the summer with their worrying recent form, there’s bound to be a lot of articles published which speculate about Manchester United signing some January reinforcements – and one such story from Fichajes caught our eye.

They claim that United have been “attentive” to the situation of 32-year-old Italian midfielder Marco Verratti, currently plying his trade in Qatar after his departure from PSG back in 2023, and a player that is supposedly viewed as being an “ideal” addition to Ruben Amorin’s squad.

Apparently the idea of a return to Europe “appeals” to Verratti himself, meanwhile, although there’s no word about what his current employers, Al-Duhail, make of the notion. It’s also worth noting that a separate report from Football Transfers yesterday also claimed that Amorim was “furious” with the club’s failure to sign his favoured target – Conor Gallagher. Another one to watch in January, perhaps.

The 3AM Verdict: In our opinion, Fichajes’ track record doesn’t make them the best source for such stories and we haven’t seen the link between Manchester United and Verratti corroborated anywhere else – we suspect a younger signing is more likely, whether in the winter or next year. As for Amorim’s interest in Gallagher, we’ll wait to see if the manager is still in charge next time United can buy players before wondering how likely that one is.

Nottingham Forest stars set for triple Saudi deal

While the transfer window may have closed for most major European leagues, it remains open in several countries, notably including Saudi Arabia – and according to Football Insider, Nottingham Forest could be doing some business there in the coming days.

No fewer than three of their players are linked with a move to the Pro League. First up, Jota Silva, whose hopes of a move to Sporting fell apart towards the end of the transfer window, “is a target” for Neom SC, with an initial loan deal with an option to buy said to have “been discussed between the two clubs”.

Alongside Silva, there is said to be “interest” in striker Taiwo Awoniyi while back-up defender Morato “could be targeted by Saudi clubs” as well, although there’s no concrete information on which teams might take them on.

The 3AM Verdict: The Silva link is based on reporting from The Telegraph’s John Percy and is likely solid, while the Awoniyi and Morato stories aren’t at all fleshed out and feel quite speculative – if perfectly plausible.

Everton have a problem at full-back with Vitalii Mykolenko injured - could a free transfer fix the issue?

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Everton’s season has started rather brightly – better, perhaps, than many had anticipated. For all the doubts surrounding their summer recruitment, they have two wins on the board already, Jack Grealish looks like a player rejuvenated, and it’s all going rather smoothly so far. Except at full-back.

The club were linked with a host of wide defenders over the summer and saw a deal for Kenny Tete collapse, but never got the signing they needed over the line. As it stands, their full-backs are either old (Séamus Coleman), young (Adam Aznou) or simply incapable of staying fit (Nathan Patterson). The result has been a centre-half crow-barred in at right-back and an over-reliance on Vitalii Mykolenko on the left – and now the Ukrainian is injured.

Given that the transfer deadline has already passed, of course, there isn’t much that Everton can do – but there is one option left open to them should they feel the need for some reinforcements along the back four, in the form of a player who’s played for Spain, Real Madrid, Manchester United and others besides...

Why Everton can still sign the full-back they may need

Mykolenko was sent home by his national side after a scan revealed a muscular injury sustained while playing for Everton. The extent of the damage isn’t fully clear but the left-back immediately becomes a doubt for the Toffees’ game against Aston Villa next weekend, and perhaps even for the Merseyside derby which follows.

That leaves Everton without a fully fit full-back save for the 36-year-old Coleman. Summer signing Aznou is working his way back from an ankle injury and Patterson’s latest problem is a hernia. Jake O’Brien’s temporary role on the right is starting to look like a very small sticking plaster placed over a rather substantial wound.

Fortunately for Everton, while we’re past the point at which Premier League clubs can make new permanent or loan signings, they can sign players on a free transfer – and there’s one full-back with plenty of quality who surprisingly remains on the market.

Sergio Reguilón may have fallen out of favour at Tottenham Hotspur prior to his release by the club this summer, but the 28-year-old is not so far removed from a point at which he was considered one of the best left-backs in the top flight following his transfer from Real Madrid.

There are a number of factors behind his relative fall from grace, with fitness problems popping up at inopportune times acting alongside the damage down by being a traditional overlapping wing-back playing for teams that wanted to move away from that style of player. In many ways, his career path has almost exactly mirrored that of Ben Chilwell, a player who has failed to find a place in the new tactical order that wants full-backs to take up narrower supporting positions instead of bombing on down to the byline.

David Moyes, however, still likes his full-backs to stick to the flanks, even if he doesn’t necessarily encourage them to push too far forward. There is every chance that his methods suit Reguilón’s style of play – and with such a thin defence increasingly beset by injuries, it may make sense to give him a chance.

Sergio Reguilón could be just what Everton need to maintain momentum

Everton were supposedly in the bidding to sign Reguilón all the way back in 2020 ahead of his eventual move from Spain to Spurs – and the club and player have remained connected on the rumour mill this summer, with some sources occasionally suggesting that the Toffees might have made a bid for him back in July.

Clearly, none of those stories have amounted to anything as yet, and nor have any of the more reliable sources available to us suggested that a deal is likely – but with Reguilón still available and no move for him imminent, this could be a rare occasion on which the speculative stories floating around made a sensible point.

It may have been a while since we’ve seen Reguilón at his very best, but the class is there and his weaknesses – his poor passing, for instance, which made him a poor choice for a team who wanted him to operate on the underlap – should be less of an issue in Moyes’ direct system than they were at Spurs or Manchester United, for instance.

Reguilón may not have ended up being a truly great player or an especially versatile one, but he is still a strong defender who has consistently contributed high volumes of tackles, interceptions and turnovers throughout his career, and a player who can make a difference going forward.

He has had his own intermittent fitness issues, too, but there aren’t quite as chronic as they are in the case of Patterson and he is still only 28. A short-term contract would be a very low-risk move with a relatively high ceiling – and at the very least, it would increase the odds that Everton actually have one fit and available full-back for any given game.

Moyes’ teams have always been sturdy defensively and Everton have been no exception since he returned – but there’s only so much that his disciplined style of management can do to keep clean sheets if he doesn’t have any players to choose from. Perhaps signing Reguilón may not be inspiring, but it would move the club closer to the day that James Garner and Jake O’Brien don’t have to operate as emergency full-backs at the same time.