Showdown talks could see Scrooge join ex-Chelsea boss as Liverpool star's namesake tipped for New York exit

We begin our 3 Added Minutes Christmas Day transfer rumour round-up with news from the North Pole, and suggestions that Santa Claus could look to bolster his frontline with a late move for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer this festive period. The bright young talent has been out of action since the Reindeer Games, but is understood to have caught the eye of the big man himself with a number of dazzling displays in recent weeks.

As such, it is understood that Santa has held a series of meetings with a trusted group of his top elf advisers ahead of a sensational swoop that would catapult Rudolph from relative obscurity to the very forefront of his plans going forward. As yet, there is no word on what such an arrival could mean for the futures of several key operators at the North Pole, including Dasher, Prancer, and Vixen.

The 3AM Verdict: This feels like a smart decision from Santa, albeit one borne of pragmatism. For a while now, his starting VIII has looked relatively dull in vital moments, and if the opportunity arises to freshen things up at the most crucial juncture in his calendar, then he would be wise to take it. How the rest of the dressing room reacts to these latest developments remains to be seen, especially amid previous reports of discontentment with Rudolph, but if the collective good can be put before any individual grievances, this should be a canny addition to Santa's sleigh.

Scrooge set for showdown talks

Elsewhere, widespread reports suggest that Ebenezer Scrooge is set for crunch talks with the Ghosts of Past, Present, and Future. The Scrooge and Marley, Inc. stalwart is understood to have stoked the ire of spiritual chiefs, who have grown frustrated with his unrelentingly conservative management style.

Specifically, it is claimed that there is a growing annoyance with his unwillingness to utilise funds in the transfer market, and that such an approach, coupled with a reluctance to invest in youth and infrastructure (the ongoing Tiny Tim debacle is thought to be a particular bugbear) is broadly perceived to be weakening his team as a whole. While such assertions remain unfounded at the present moment in time, it is believed that Scrooge will be presented with an ultimatum - change his ways or join the likes of Graham Potter and Steve Cooper down at the job centre.

The 3AM Verdict: Scrooge and his abrasive style of man-management feel as if they are from another era entirely. Some may call him Dickensian, others will suggest he is simply a dinosaur, but the manner in which he conducts himself is never going to pass muster in a modern dressing room. Unless he is willing to adapt, he could very easily find himself going the way of a Tony Pulis, or an Alan Curbishley.

McCallister facing disciplinary action

And finally, concerning news out of Shermer, Illinois, with suggestions that precocious young talent Kevin McCallister (no relation to Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, or his brother, Kevin Mac Allister) could be facing serious disciplinary action following an alleged incident in which he repeatedly tortured two home invaders. While details remain largely unclear at this stage, reports claim that the starlet embarked on a violent spree when faced with a pair of would-be burglars, utilising various household items including paint cans, blowtorches, and clothing irons in a sugar-fuelled rampage intent on repelling their advances.

One less severe potential course of action for McCallister - as opposed to, y'know, jail - would be a temporary move away from his current surroundings, with New York understood to be a preferred destination. The assumption at this stage is that nothing bad, or indeed, remotely similar, could ever happen in New York.

The 3AM Verdict: Look, you have to admire McCallister's composure and his knack for putting in big performances when it matters most, but when push comes to shove, you can't be setting fire to Joe Pesci's head.