Magpies and Villa battle for star winger as Man Utd eye £34m man
All the latest Premier League transfer rumours including updates from Newcastle, Tottenham and Man City
We begin today’s Premier League transfer rumour round-up with a report from Bild, claiming that Newcastle United, Aston Villa, and Liverpool are all ‘lining up’ to sign Mainz youngster Brajan Gruda.
It is widely understood that the German outfit are willing to sanction the winger’s exit now that they have secured their Bundesliga status for next season.
All three Premier League clubs could be set to miss out on the Albanian teenager, however. Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund are both said to be keeping tabs on his progress, with the German champions supposedly willing to pay £17 million or so for his signature.
The 3AM Verdict: Gruda is undoubtedly one of the rising stars of German football. As with most Bundesliga-adjacent transfer chases, however, beating Bayern Munich will be a stiff task, especially if the Bavarian giants suddenly decide to enter the race and gazump their rivals.
Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are said to be keen on OGC Nice’s Jean-clair Todibo, according to Nice-matin. Todibo is still very much in the frame for a departure over the coming weeks, although it is worth emphasising that his contract does not expire until 2027, and that he could cost as much as £34 million.
The 3AM Verdict: Todibo is a fantastic talent, and would represent a fine signing for either Spurs or United, but you suspect the latter could benefit from his arrival more.
And finally, Real Madrid have reportedly earmarked Manchester City’s midfield general Rodri as a key transfer target this summer. As per AS, the Spanish giants believe that the 27-year-old could be the ideal successor to the retiring Toni Kroos.
The 3AM Verdict: You would assume that there is no way Pep Guardiola will acquiesce to Rodri’s exit this summer. There is a strong argument to be made for the Spaniard being the most important player in City’s squad. Real will surely have to look elsewhere.
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