Man City agree cut-price exit as Chelsea launch yet another Brighton transfer raid

Premier League champions Manchester City are reportedly ready to accept a cut-price deal that would allow Joao Cancelo to leave the Etihad Stadium on a permanent basis next summer.

The former Valencia and Juventus star is currently on loan at Barcelona and has made an impressive start to life in Spain after scoring two goals and providing one assist in his opening six appearances for the current La Liga leaders. His form has already captured the praise of Barca coach Xavi, who has been impressed with the City full-back and fellow loan star Joao Felix.

Speaking recently, he said: “We are talking about two players whose individual quality is beyond doubt. You see them train and you see their greatness. Cancelo comes from a coach (Guardiola) who for me is the best and he interprets everything very well.

“We have spoken to him and he has understood. With Joao Felix we watched a video with him yesterday. They both give variants that make the team better. Physically, they are strong. They raise the quality of the team, which in general has been very good.”

Barca’s widely reported financial issues have meant a permanent move could remain out of reach but they could be given some hope after the Daily Star reported City are ready to ‘reduce their demands’ for the Portugal star and are willing to accept an offer below £25m.

The 3AM Verdict: One thing that is clear is that Cancelo’s time at the Etihad Stadium is over and a move to Barcelona looks ideal for all parties, as long as the La Liga club have the financial capability to pull off a permanent deal.

Barcelona make major decision over Brighton loan star

One of the surprise deals during the summer transfer window saw Barcelona’s highly-rated youngster Ansu Fati join Brighton and Hove Albion on a season-long loan deal.

It is not so long ago that the talented forward was viewed at Lionel Messi’s natural heir at the Camp Nou after he made a big impression following his introduction into the senior setup with the Catalan giants. After his career stuttered following a number of injuries, Fati will hope to regain some momentum by finding form on the South Coast and he grabbed his first goal for the Seagulls in Saturday’s 6-1 defeat at Aston Villa.

Talk of a permanent deal seems some way off but Barcelona are reportedly hoping Fati can shine with the Seagulls and increase his market value before leaving the club next summer - according to Spanish outlet Sport.

The 3AM Verdict: Fati’s introduction to life at Barca was a spectacular one so there should be some surprise at how the early years of his career have played out. Brighton managed to pull off something of a coup to sign the youngster on loan and you do wonder if they could even make that a permanent switch if the forward impresses over the coming months.

Chelsea consider another Seagulls swoop

Not content with making moves for Brighton’s former manager, coaching staff and several players in the last 12 months, Chelsea are now said to monitoring yet another member of the Seagulls squad.

The likes of Graham Potter, Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo have all swapped life on the south coast to join the ever-changing environment at Chelsea and they could soon be joined by young forward Simon Adingra after Football Insider reported he had caught the eye of Blues recruitment staff.

The talented winger joined the Seagulls from Danish club Nordsjaelland last summer before spending the season on loan at Belgian side Union Saint Gilloise. He returned to Brighton this summer and grabbed his first Seagulls goal when they claimed a 4-1 home win against Premier League new boys Luton Town on the opening day of the season.

Football Insider have now claimed Adingra was watched by Chelsea scouts in their recent 3-1 win at Manchester United and Saturday’s heavy defeat at Aston Villa and is now ‘firmly on the radar’ of the Stamford Bridge hierarchy.

The 3AM Verdict: There is probably some irony that Brighton are the club Chelsea are looking to replicate when it comes to finding some stability as they continue to make moves for coaching and playing staff from the Seagulls. Adingra still has plenty to prove as he looks to prove himself in the Premier League and it may be premature to suggest he could move to what some people would suggest are a bigger club in Chelsea.