Magpies eye bold £140m double raid as Bees chase surprise target
The latest Premier League transfer rumours with news from Newcastle, Manchester United and Brentford
HITC claim that Newcastle United have sent representatives to take a look at Sporting duo – centrehalf Ousmane Diomande and midfielder Morten Hjumland – who both have £70m release clauses.
The report goes on to claim that Manchester United have also been keeping tabs on Danish international Hjumland as a possible alternative to Benfica’s João Neves. Diomande, meanwhile, is a high-profile young centre-half who is on the shopping list of just about every big team in Europe.
The 3AM Verdict: We suspect that Hjumland might be available for less than his £70m release fee but Diomande will probably generate enough bids to go for the full amount as he’s pretty much the complete defensive package. Hjumland, meanwhile, is a rock solid holding midfielder with a great passing range.
Word now from Sport Witness regarding ex-Brentford target Bryan Zaragoza, who they courted in January but failed to buy after Bayern Munich stepped in and signed him from Granada on an initial loan which becomes permanent in the summer.
Zaragoza has not been getting many games for his new club and Bayern might loan him out next season – and apparently Brentford could be a beneficiary of that.
The 3AM Verdict: Zaragoza is a versatile attacking midfielder who scored six goals in 21 games earlier in the season in La Liga. A loan deal with Bayern could be a fine short-term deal for the Bees.
Finally, an update on Kalvin Phillips, who has struggled sorely to regain his best form at West Ham United. Widespread reports had suggested that parent club Manchester City were willing to sell him for £30m in the summer, but Caught Offside claim that no price tag has been set at all, and instead they are waiting to see what any suitors offer.
The 3AM Verdict: Phillips’ lack of form implies that £30m will be a bit optimistic, but it would still be a snip for the player that was so good for Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United a couple of years ago. It will be interesting to see who takes a chance on him, as he’s likely to be pretty cheap.