Chelsea ready to beat Newcastle to big defender signing while Man Utd consider bid for Serie A star

Welcome to your daily dose of the latest transfer rumours washing around the Premier League – and let’s start at Stamford Bridge today, with news that Chelsea could be planning a last-gasp bid to pip to Newcastle United to a key defensive signing.

A number of sources had suggested that the Magpies were close to a deal to bring Fulham centre-half Tosin Adarabioyo to St. James’ Park, but according to Caught Offside Chelsea have come into the equation as well and have asked “to be kept informed” of developments surrounding the defender.

The Manchester City academy product has been a staple of Fulham’s back four for the last four years but has rejected a new deal that would keep him at Craven Cottage and has now been dropped from the matchday squad by Marco Silva with the assumption being that he will leave on a free in July. The article notes that “nothing is done or agreed yet.”

The 3AM Verdict: We’re fans of Adarabioyo and while he probably isn’t the kind of player who greatly elevates the defence of a team with European ambitions, he’d be an outstanding budget addition. Have Chelsea finally learned their lessons after several windows packed with colossal amounts of spending? We’ll see…

United back in for Serie A star

One transfer rumour that has lingered for the last couple of years is the one linking Manchester United with a bid for Inter Milan and Netherlands right-back Denzel Dumfries – his name seems to crop up every transfer window in connection with a move to Old Trafford, and this one will be no different.

Football Italia note that “several” Premier League clubs are keeping tabs on the 28-year-old right-back, who played in last season’s Champions League final, but that Dumfries “hopes to sign for Manchester United should he ultimately leave Inter.” That doesn’t mean he will move, however – apparently he isn’t pushing to leave the San Siro and talks are ongoing over a new contract.

The 3AM Verdict: This is all getting a little bit Wesley Sneijder – another Dutchman who plays for Inter and who is linked endlessly with a move to Manchester which never materialises. Will this summer be any different? We have our doubts, but United are definitely in the market for a right-back and he ticks a lot of boxes, not least because he’s far more threatening going forward than players like Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diego Dalot.

Brighton go bargain hunting

Let’s stick with Serie A for the final report of today’s transfer digest – Sport Witness have picked up on reports from the Florentine media that Ghana midfielder Albert Duncan’s wife agent were spotted visiting Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend, which could be a sign that he’s on his way to the Amex Stadium.

Duncan, who has 10 caps for his country, is a hard-grafting defensive midfield who worked under Roberto de Zerbi when he was at Sassuolo – which strengthens the implication that the 31-year-old could be chatting with Brighton about a summer move. His contract at Fiorentina, where he’s a first-team regular, is up this summer, so it would be another free transfer.

The 3AM Verdict: Perhaps Mrs. Duncan was just popping by after a shopping trip down The Lanes – there are worse ways to spend a day – but Brighton have always mixed some veteran signings into their unceasing parade of talented youngsters and Duncan could be the next James Milner or Adam Lallana. He’s a rock solid midfielder who doesn’t get his name up in lights very much, but he’s certainly the kind of canny operator teams rarely regret signing on a free.