Man City record breaker to ‘make way’ for £85m target as Liverpool’s latest Lavia bid knocked back

The month of July is almost over which means not only that the new Premier League season will soon kick off but that the summer transfer window will be closing in around four weeks times.

Clubs across English football’s top flight have already made some major deals this window but there’s plenty time remaining to get even more over the line. With reigning champions Manchester City and Burnley kicking things off on August 11, there are likely to be a few more major moves between now and then. Here is a round up of some of the latest transfer news stories:

Laporte to leave Man City after Gvardiol signing

If Manchester City are able to complete a deal for Josko Gvardiol during this window then the reigning Premier League champions will reportedly look to sell Aymeric Laporte. That’s acroding to reports refrences by the Manchester Evening News who say the Spaniard will be the players who makes way for the highly rated young Croatian.

Laporte, now 29, was City’s record signing when he arrived from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 for £57 million but the fee would be dwarfed by the £85 million that Gvardiol is priced at.

The 3AM Verdict: Someone was always going to have to make way to balance the books if City do splash the cash on Gvardiol and it makes sense that it would be Laporte. If his excellent five year spell at the Etihad is coming to an end then his availability will surely set alarm bells ringing across many of Europe’s biggest clubs. Whether he heads back to Spain, remains in the Premier League or goes further afield (Saudi Arabia per chance?) his new club will be getting a world class defender in the prime of his career.

Aston Villa plotting surprise bid for former Wolves and Barcelona star

Football Insider writes that Aston Villa are plotting a surprise move for Adama Traore following his Wolves exit. The versatile winger spent last season on loan at former club Barcelona but has struggled for form in recent years having previously been a star player at Molineux.

Villa signed Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen so have already made big moves in the wide attacking areas and Traore is likely to come in initially as a squad player for Unai Emery.

The 3AM Verdict: This news might not get Villa fans off their seats the way the Diaby signing will have but it seems, on paper, like a shrewd piece of business. Still only 27, the Spain international still has plenty to offer and could very well force his way into a regular starting berth if he rediscovers the previous form. Even if he doesn’t, a free transfer for a squad player would be good sense with both domestic and European football to contend with.

Liverpool’s latest Lavia bid knocked back

Southampton are holding out for £50 million if they are to sell Romeo Lavia in the current window. With the Liverpool Echo making clear that Jurgen Klopp is intent on bringing in another central midfielder this could yet be a long and drawn out process.

The Saints reportedly rejected Liverpool’s latest bid of £34 million plus £4 million in add ons and it’s unclear if that will put an end to things or if the Reds are planning to come back with an improved offer.

The 3AM Verdict: It still feels like Lavia will be a Liverpool player before the transfer window shuts. The two clubs don’t seem to be too far apart in their valuations but there is still clearly some way to go so perhaps there is a chance that Jurgen Klopp could give up and turn to other targets? It seems unlikely given the work they’ve already put into this deal so far.