Newcastle United ready to swoop for £52m attacker as Tottenham plot Everton raid

We begin Friday's Premier League transfer rumour round-up with an update on Newcastle United's pursuit of Juventus attacker Federico Chiesa. The Magpies have been linked with the Italian international before, but look set to firm up their interest, with TuttoJuve suggesting that they are ‘willing to offer’ in excess of £52 million to lure him to St. James' Park in January.

Arsenal and Chelsea are also touted as potential suitors, but it is claimed that Newcastle are willing to outbid both in an effort to bring the 26-year-old to the Premier League before the end of the winter window. Chiesa's contract in Turin is set to expire in 2025.

The 3AM Verdict: There are two sides to this. Firstly, would Chiesa be a good signing for Newcastle United? The answer is almost certainly a resounding 'yes', given his considerable talent and international potential. In fact, you could probably go as far as to suggest that Chiesa would be a good signing for just about anybody. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, would Chiesa be a necessary signing for the Magpies? Well, probably not. Eddie Howe is not exactly short of options out wide, and with the heart of defence and the point of attack more overtly pressing areas of concern, you would wager that the £52 million mentioned above could be better spent elsewhere.

Tottenham consider Godfrey swoop

Elsewhere, Tottenham are said to be considering a January raid for Everton defender Ben Godfrey. A report from 90min states that Spurs have been 'admirers' of the 25-year-old for some time, and may look to prise him away from Goodison Park this winter as they seek cover for summer signing Micky van de Ven.

Newcastle are also said to be monitoring his situation, with Godfrey having fallen down the pecking order on Merseyside under Toffees boss Sean Dyche. The two-cap England international has played just one minute of Premier League football so far this season.

The 3AM Verdict: Tottenham signing Godfrey in January would make an awful lot of sense for all concerned. Evidently struggling for game time at Everton, the player could really use a fresh start elsewhere, while Tottenham themselves could really use extra defensive cover, as illustrated by the aforementioned Van de Ven's recent hamstring injury.

Arsenal plot exodus

And finally, Arsenal could be willing to sell a number of first team talents in an effort to fund the purchase of Brentford striker Ivan Toney. The centre-forward is a man in demand, with the Gunners reportedly battling it out with Chelsea over a deal that could eventually cost the winner anywhere up to £80 million.

As a means of raising that kind of money, the Daily Express claim that Mikel Arteta's men could enact an exodus of sorts, with Emile Smith Rowe, Thomas Partey, Aaron Ramsdale, and Eddie Nketiah all ear-marked as potential departures.

The 3AM Verdict: Smith Rowe, Ramsdale, and even to an extent Partey, feel like relatively realistic sales for Arsenal, but it is difficult to imagine a side so short on out-and-out striking options bringing in another by willingly sacrificing one of the few they already possess. Toney could very well be an Arsenal player by the time January is through, but surely Nketiah will be too...