Tottenham and Arsenal could battle for Bundesliga gem amid intriguing Crystal Palace next manager update

Gameweek 9 of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign is just around the corner, with the first quarter of the season almost in the rear-view mirror. It’s set to be another classic weekend of action in England’s top tier, with highlights on Saturday including Manchester United’s trip to take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and Man City vs Brighton at the Etihad Stadium.

On Sunday, Liverpool and Arsenal face off in a box office clash which could prove pivotal in the ongoing title race, before Newcastle United round things off with their home fixture against Everton - a fixture both sides will be targeting three points in as they aim to force their way back into contention for the European qualification spots.

Today’s rumours round-up begins with Chelsea, who will be feeling hard done by after losing to Liverpool on penalties in the Carabao Cup earlier this week. The Blues are expected to busy in the January transfer window, with the Enzo Fernandez millions burning a hole in their pocket after the club failed to sign a replacement on Deadline Day.

Caught Offside suggest that both Chelsea and PSG are “paying close attention” to £83m-rated Barcelona gem Fermin Lopez, with the Blues in particular said to be plotting a “massive bid” amid the Catalan club’s financial struggles. It’s been tipped as a “serious story to watch” either for the upcoming transfer window or next summer.

The 3AM Verdict: Given that Chelsea like to play two central attacking midfield players, bringing in Lopez would be a smart move ahead of next season, if the Blues manage to find their way back into Europe. That would see the strain on starters Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers grow considerably. Whether Lopez would be willing to come and be an understudy for either player seems doubtful, however.

Next Crystal Palace manager update emerges

Up next, it’s over to Selhurst Park, where Crystal Palace are preparing gearing up for a weekend trip away to fellow London side Tottenham. Despite the club’s 1-0 Carabao Cup win at Fulham in midweek, manager Pierre Sage’s future is still thought to be uncertain, with his side currently sitting 17th in the Premier League, just one point clear of the relegation zone.

Football Insider suggest that despite being linked with ex-Everton and Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche, the coach is not currently in the running to get the job. Instead, ex-Spurs manager Thomas Frank looks to be the firm front-runner, with the Eagles already “making progress” to bring him in as their next head coach.

The 3AM Verdict: Frank would be a brilliant appointment for Palace, as harsh as it would be to sack Sage this early into his Palace career - especially after he didn’t get much in the way of backing in the transfer market last summer. Frank thrived at Brentford before Spurs, and Palace feels like the ideal environment for him to make his long-awaited comeback.

Premier League duo eye Bundeliga gem

We’ll round things off in north London, where both Tottenham and Arsenal have taken a shine to Bayer Leverkusen youngster Ibrahim Maza. That’s according to Team Talk, who suggest the Premier League duo could be set to up their interest in the Algerian ace, as PSG threaten to scupper their transfer plans by launching a move to sign him in January.

It’s said that Leverkusen are unwilling to sell at this stage of the season, however, as they view the player as a crucial part of their push towards Champions League qualification via the league. The talented number ten has scored two goals and provided as many assists in the 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign thus far, and also impressed in the Europa League.

The 3AM Verdict: Arsenal could do with another quality number ten in the mix, and Maza would be a fine young understudy to learn the ropes from Martin Odegaard. Spurs already have bags of options in this position, and would be better off saving their money to sign a top quality new striker to ease the burden on Dominic Solanke up top.

Read more: The in-form forward on Arsenal’s transfer radar – and whether they’ll make a surprise January bid