Arsenal handed ‘major transfer boost’, Liverpool craft £25m ‘alternative’ plan and Chelsea ‘prepare for talks’

There we have it, another season is in the books after Saturday night’s Champions League final.

We spare a thought for everyone who had to sit through that one. What should have been the pinnacle of football excellence was anything but, with sloppy passing and even worse finishing throughout, with the exception, of course, of Rodri, who scored the only goal of the game. Though, if you think you had it bad, imagine being Italian. The poor fans of one of the best footballing nations in the world had to sit back and watch as the third of three European finals featuring Italian sides this season go sideways.

Anyway, Manchester City scraped through and completed their treble, reaffirming their dominance. We can now switch attention to the summer transfer window, and we have done so below.

Rice boost for Arsenal

Arsenal may have been handed a transfer boost in regards to reported priority target Declan Rice.

It looks as though the Gunners will move to sign an elite defensive midfielder this summer, likely to move on from Thomas Partey. Mikel Arteta needs to fine-tune more than one area if he wants his side to topple Manchester City next season, but it seems that midfield role is a priority.

Rice is expected to move on from West Ham, with club owner David Sullivan already admitting that the England international midfielder will be allowed to move on to fulfil his dreams of further success. Arsenal will need to pay between £90 and £100million, according to reports, and Ran Sport are saying Bayern Munich are interested in a move.

But they also add that Rice has already told West Ham that he only wants to join Arsenal, impressed by Arteta’s project and keen to remain in the English capital.

The 3AM verdict: It would be no surprise if Rice chose to stay in London. There is a role cut out for him at Arsenal, and he can step into an already elite and functioning team. Bayern may have won the league this season, but they are not at their best, and it’s no certainty Thomas Tuchel will succeed there in the long-term. Arteta and Arsenal feel like the safest bet at this moment in time, and Rice will need little to no time to get up to speed, not having to adjust to a new way of life or language.

Liverpool’s Mount alternative

Liverpool are said to have crafted a plan B when it comes to the Mason Mount transfer race.

Mount has attracted plenty of attention ahead of this summer as he prepares to move on from Chelsea in a bid to secure more regular minutes. Liverpool were expected to battle Manchester United for the England star’s signature, but it seems the former have a new plan. According to Daily Mail, Jurgen Klopp is now eyeing a move for Southampton star James Ward-Prowse, who is not expected to follow the Saints down to the Championship.

Liverpool have already snapped up Alexis Mac Allister, and it’s reported they could land Ward-Prowse for as little as £25million - although Southampton likely want much more. Mount would reportedly cost £85million this summer.

The 3AM verdict: Ward-Prowse is a different player to Mount, but he is certainly worth considering when you factor in Mount’s reported price tag and what Liverpool actually need. The Reds have signed a creative and versatile player in Mac Allister, and they could now do with another work-hard midfielder to replace James Milner. Ward-Prowse, although technically excellent, is much more that kind of player than Mount is, with the Chelsea star more of a luxury midfielder who can also play wide. If the money makes sense, this transfer will, too.

Chelsea’s Caicedo move

Last but not least, Chelsea are said to be making their move to sign Brighton star Moises Caicedo.

Caicedo is a man in demand after Brighton managed to keep hold of him during the summer, despite the midfielder reportedly throwing his toys out of the pram. CBS Sports say Chelsea are now preparing to start talks with the Seagulls over a deal, hoping to add to their already bloated squad. Though, in this case, they are likely attempting to replace N’Golo Kante, who is said to be likely to head for pastures new.

Having already sold Mac Allister, Brighton are likely to charge a big fee for Caicedo, who has also been targeted by Arsenal in the past. Though, it’s clear Chelsea have the money to spend after what we have seen in the last two transfer windows.

The 3AM verdict: Brighton might wind up being forced to sell if Caicedo makes a fuss again, but much will depend on the offer. The Seagulls won’t need to sell given the Mac Allister deal and their new-found Europa League money, but that doesn’t mean they won’t if Chelsea make a huge offer. As for Chelsea, there’s not much more we can say at this point. Clearly, their focus should be on offloading players, and while they do need to replace Kante, it’s difficult to predict what impact any signing will have ahead of next season.