Liverpool and Man City plot bold £111m midfielder battle as striker 'tempted' by Chelsea interest

We begin Thursday's Premier League transfer rumour round-up with reports from Germany stating that Aston Villa and Newcastle United are both keen on signing Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacios. The Argentine has been linked with the Villans before, but it would now appear that Unai Emery's side have competition for his signature.

Moreover, according to SportBILD, Leverkusen are reluctant to part company with one of their key assets in the coming months, and as such, any negotiations over potential transfer fees would have to begin at a minimum of £34.2 million. The understanding is, however, that any eventual agreement would likely cost substantially more than that.

The 3AM Verdict: There is absolutely no doubting Palacios' pedigree. A World Cup winner who has become an essential component in this fearsome Leverkusen side, he is a player who would be an asset to just about any team on the continent. Whether Leverkusen will be willing to let him go at any price this summer, however, remains to be seen.

Chelsea eye Boniface

Elsewhere, Chelsea are reportedly keen on signing another Bayer Leverkusen ace this summer. According to SportBILD, the Blues are keeping tabs on striker Victor Boniface, who has registered 16 goals in 23 outings across all competitions so far this season, and is understood that their interest is 'tempting' to the Nigerian.

That being said, as with Palacios, Leverkusen are not wholly eager to sanction his exit at the end of the campaign, and as a result, any transfer would cost upwards of £34.2 million at least. To complicate matters further for the Blues, Boniface is under contract in Germany until 2028.

The 3AM Verdict: As with his teammate Palacios, it is little wonder that Boniface is attracting attention from the upper reaches of the Premier League. The forward has been in electric form this season, and his efforts in front of goal have been a key aspect in Leverkusen's stunning rise. Again, he won't come cheap, if at all, but if he were available for anything south of £50 million, in today's market, that could be a steal.

Wirtz in demand

And finally, continuing with today's Leverkusen-centric theme, Manchester City and Liverpool are both being linked with potential swoops for midfield maestro Florian Wirtz. According to SportBILD, once again, the Premier League heavyweights are both interested in the German star, as are Real Madrid.

Still only 20, Wirtz is regarded as one of the most impressive young talents in European football by many, and could cost around £111.3 million if he is to leave Leverkusen in the summer. To that end, it is also suggested that Liverpool could have a distinct advantage in luring him to Anfield given the Reds' apparent interest in snapping up Wirtz' current boss Xabi Alonso at the end of the season.

The 3AM Verdict: Wirtz is a superstar in the making, and whoever is fortunate enough to win the race for his signature will be bringing in a sublime young talent who can serve them well for years to come. His price tag could be a stumbling block, of course, but some times you have to spend big if you want the very best.