Liverpool target ‘one of the best in the world’ as Man United plot cheeky €60m Man City hijack

The weekend is finally with us, and as always we want to kick-start your Saturday by rounding up some of the biggest and juiciest new Premier League transfer rumours – and we’ll get going with a story for the Liverpool fans amongst you.

Journalist Duncan Castles has reported that Liverpool have “registered their interest” in a sensational move for the luxuriously talented RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Xavi Simons, according to GiveMeSport - “one of the best number tens in the world”, as they describe him.

Apparently the champions elect have “asked questions” about the availability of the Netherlands international, who could leave this summer despite signing permanently with Leipzig for £48m just last summer.

It’s claimed “all signs” point to Simons taking his next step this summer and the Reds are an unexpected addition to a long list of admirers. No word on how much the Dutchman might cost, sadly.

The 3AM Verdict: The answer is that he would cost a lot, which is why we’re surprised to see Liverpool getting involved. They already need to spend big on a striker and some full-backs, so do they have the transfer budget to go after a pricey player like Simons in a position where they already have Dominik Szboszlai? It feels unlikely, but the summer transfer window is a strange place.

Manchester clubs battle for £51m midfielder

Over to Caught Offside now, who cite Italian sources when they allege that Manchester United are ready to do battle with their cross-city rivals for Atalanta midfielder Éderson as Ruben Amorim’s side look to “improve their midfield options”.

The Brazilian is a long-standing Manchester City target with a reported asking price of €60m (£51m) – according to other stories, as no financial details are mentioned in this report – but they now face “competition” from their neighbours.

Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be “keeping tabs” on Éderson, although one suspects that they would be outgunned by the two Mancunian clubs in any bidding war. No word on whether the player himself has any preferences about his next move. Liverpool and Newcastle have been mentioned in past rumours, too.

The 3AM Verdict: Both sides need to add some strength and depth in the heart of the midfielder, and City have been admirers of Éderson for an age now, so we certainly believe that he’s on their shortlist. As for the United link, it’s perfectly sensible, but we simply haven’t seen enough support from other sources as yet.

Arsenal and Liverpool join fight for big-name free agent

Finally, a story from TBR Football who round up the list of teams who are set to offer a contract to impending free agent Jonathan David – the Canada and Lille forward who is set to be the most in-demand man on the Bosman market this summer.

Arsenal and Liverpool are additions to a list which also includes Manchester United and Chelsea, although the article implies that the only team who have actually made contact with David are West Ham.

The Hammers are going to have to do some serious sweet-talking to get this one over the line, however – Barcelona are apparently the favourites to seal a deal, while “discussions have also taken place” with AC Milan and Juventus. In short, a lot of teams are keen.

The 3AM Verdict: Our suspicion is that West Ham won’t have enough clout to get David, especially after a poor season, while the other Premier League teams involved in the hunt all seem to see him as second or third choice despite the fact that he wouldn’t command a transfer fee. As it stands, we think David doesn’t end up in England next season.