Chelsea make shock £40m striker transfer U-turn as Arsenal & Liverpool line up last-gasp deals

Welcome to Friday’s deadline day round-up of some of the biggest and boldest Premier League transfer rumours that we’ve caught doing the media rounds in the past 24 hours – and given that today is the final day in which teams can do business, we won’t have to wait very long to find out which are true and which were all hot air.

And it’s only right that we should start our final rumours column of the summer window off at Stamford Bridge, spiritual home of the incomprehensible transfer. Spanish outlet Fichajes have the scarcely-credible scoop here, claiming that Chelsea are lining up another bid for former target Jhon Durán, barely five minutes after the Aston Villa striker celebrated his first goal of the season with an ‘I’m staying here’ gesture. In fairness, he was in London at the time...

Apparently they see the Colombian as an “attractive alternative” should other, unspecified, negotiations fall flat. We assume that means Victor Osimhen, who the Blues have been pursuing vigorously in recent weeks. Apparently Villa would still want around £40m to sell him and talks between players and club have not only started but reached a “preliminary understanding”, whatever that entails.

The 3AM Verdict: God, there’s a lot to unpack here. Let’s start with the fact that it’s pretty clear that Chelsea want Osimhen if they can get him. Failing that, a move for the largely unproven Durán seems strange even by Stamford Bridge standards, but it may make sense when packaged with another rumour that’s been floating around elsewhere which suggests that Chelsea are trying to shop Nicolas Jackson to Villa. Doing a pseudo-swap deal would, if nothing else, allow for a little bit of sweet amortisation as they try to toe the profit and sustainability line. So it’s not entirely implausible – but Fichajes don’t have the best track record, to be honest.

Gunners make last-gasp goalie move

With Aaron Ramsdale’s move to Southampton all but signed and sealed, Arsenal are making a very last-minute dash to find a back-up for David Raya, according to 90min among several other outlets. Apparently Mikel Arteta’s side have picked out 23-year-old Espanyol stopper Joan García, who became the Catalan club’s first-choice last season.

The report claims that the Gunners have submitted a bid worth around €20m (£16.8m) for the Spaniard, who is a sweeper-keeper who is impressive in the air, has a good save percentage and commands his penalty area well, effectively the same core traits that Raya has. That first bid may not be enough, however, and apparently Espanyol want a deal closer to €30m (£25.2m), which is pretty much what Arsenal got for Ramsdale.

The 3AM Verdict: This seems to be pretty much established fact as a huge range of outlets are carrying a similar story, including the fact that Espanyol have rejected Arsenal’s opening bid. We would assume, however, that García isn’t the only goalkeeper they have in their sights, and we would be far from shocked if they went for a cheaper option if the Catalans prove inflexible in their negotiations.

Liverpool in surprise Mexican raid

We’ll wrap up today with a report from TBR Football, who cite sources from Mexico in claiming that Liverpool are making an unexpected move for Mexico international César Huerta, a 23-year-old winger who plies his trade for UNAM Pumas in his home country. Apparently, the link has “come out of nowhere” but the Reds are nevertheless “close” to signing the ten-cap international.

That doesn’t mean we’d see him strutting his stuff at Anfield right away, however. It seems that the plan is to sign him and then loan him out to a Championship club, although which one isn’t specified and presumably that would take time to figure out – time Liverpool may not have on deadline day. Aston Villa were supposedly interested too but there’s no indication that they’ve made a bid, and while the report doesn’t pretend to know the finances involve it seems that Pumas would want around £7.6m for him.

The 3AM Verdict: Huerta is a two-footed winger who can also play through the middle as well and is a fine dribbler, but this is still a bit out of the blue. It also seems rather odd that Liverpool would want to sign and loan a player at the age of 23 – he feels a few years too old for that sort of thing. Nevertheless, a few outlets are carrying this story and there would be a lot of smoke for there to be no fire whatsoever…