Liverpool's stunning transfer shortlist 'revealed' as Fabrizio Romano comments on intriguing Man Utd story

The weekend is finally here, and as always we’re here to kick off the festivities with a bite-sized round-up of some of the biggest and boldest Premier League transfer rumours currently making the media rounds – and we’ll start today at Anfield, where Liverpool seem to be keen to get some support up front next year.

A report from TeamTalk links the Reds with no fewer than four wide forwards, all of which could apparently be on their way to work under Arne Slot next summer – but it seems as though they have Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi right at the top of the shortlist. The Germany international could be available for £37.5m, which Liverpool apparently view as “fair.”

Should they fail to win the race for Adeyemi, however, other possible targets include Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo, Athletic Club’s Nico Williams and Bayern Munich man Leroy Sané. All of this is essentially succession planning should Mohamed Salah depart at the end of the season.

The 3AM Verdict: The report also mentions, almost as an afterthought, that Liverpool could make a bid for either Viktor Gyökeres or Ollie Watkins next summer if they want a striker, as well – could be an expensive one for John Henry and friends, then. None of the individual links are new, but the focus on Adeyemi is interesting. He’s probably the fastest but in some ways least proven of the alleged options.

Manchester clubs look to gazump Liverpool

Recent reports have also linked Liverpool with a bid for Bayer Leverkusen wing-back Jeremie Frimpong, who could be the replacement if Trent Alexander-Arnold ends up leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of the season – but according to Football Insider, they aren’t alone in their admiration of the 23-year-old Dutchman.

Apparently both Manchester City and Manchester United are keen as well, although the extent of their interest isn’t made very clear by the report. We just know that “sources” have suggested that they’ll join the bidding next summer, when Frimpong could be available for £35m.

The 3AM Verdict: The lack of detail in the story is pretty typical for Football Insider, who have what we’ll politely describe as a patchy track record, and we’re treating this one sceptically as a result – although with Manchester United lacking in the attacking full-back department and Manchester City eventually needing to replace Kyle Walker, we wouldn’t be shocked if one or the other made a move.

Man Utd’s “alarm bells” over shock Leicester move

If any Manchester United fans were concerned about a recent rumour that they were interested in Leicester City midfielder Harry Winks, then they need not be, according to Caught Offside’s Fabrizio Romano – apparently any “alarm bells” set ringing can be quieted, with the Italian transfer hound saying that he doesn’t “know where this is coming from.” Perhaps his inside track has run dry, or it was just fake news to begin with.

“I have zero information and zero confirmation,” he continued on the claims that the Foxes midfielder would be a budget target to bolster the squad. So that’s that one nipped in the bud. Elsewhere, Spanish outlet Todo Fichajes return to the story that United are still looking to buy Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, but that’s hardly new information.

The 3AM Verdict: We’ve no idea where the Winks story came from but the link to the former England man always seemed a little implausible, and Romano’s response was about as unequivocal as you can get. As for the Branthwaite story, we suspect United will prioritise spending their 2025 transfer budget in other areas but if Leny Yoro or Matthijs de Ligt struggle, we won’t be surprised to see them make another play for him.