Villa join the Zirkzee race as Spurs consider a £60m swoop for defender

Today’s 3AM round-up of the Premier League transfer rumours includes news on indemand Shakhtar midfielder

We begin today’s Premier League transfer rumour round-up with a report from Italy suggesting that Aston Villa could go toeto-toe with some of the biggest clubs in the division for a chance to sign Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna this summer.

The Dutchman has been linked with Arsenal and Manchester United, but it is understood that Villa’s director of football, Monchi, has already contacted super agent Kia Joorabchian over a possible swoop.

Zirkzee is expected to cost somewhere in the region of £60m and a lot could hinge on whether or not Unai Emery’s side qualify for the Champions League next season.

The 3AM Verdict: If Emery’s men could somehow fend off the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, or even Tottenham Hotspur, Zirkzee’s arrival would represent a genuine coup for the club.

HITC reports that Shakhtar Donetsk are preparing to sell midfielder Georgiy Sudakov this summer, with a whole host of Premier League and continental clubs keeping tabs on the Ukrainian international.

The 21-year-old has a release clause of around £100m written into his current contract, with Shakhtar having previously rejected an offer of around £35m from Napoli.

The 3AM Verdict: Sudakov is not exactly short on quality. The likelihood is that he will cost somebody a fair amount of money, but whoever lands him is going to be nabbing themselves a huge talent.

Tottenham Hotspur may have to pay up to £60m to sign Mohamed Simakan this summer. According to Sky Sports Germany journalist Philipp Hinze, the RB Leipzig centre-back has a release clause that comes into effect this summer.

It is also understood that Newcastle United are monitoring Simakan. As well as operating at the heart of defence, the 23-yearold Frenchman is also capable of playing at right-back.

The 3AM Verdict: Simakan is a quality player with plenty of potential and, on paper, he would strengthen the defensive options of either Spurs or Newcastle.