Man City to trigger release clause of Liverpool and Arsenal target as Newcastle eye £25m-rated goalkeeper

Manchester City are reportedly ready to full the Rodri-shaped hole in their side with the signing of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

The man that played a part in Spain’s successful Euro 2024 campaign has been linked with a move to the Premier League on several occasions over the last two seasons and was said to have rejected an offer to join Liverpool during the summer. The Reds are far from the only Premier League club said to retain an interest in the 25-year-old after Arsenal were also believed to be keen on securing a move for the 15-times capped Spain star.

However, Football Insider have now reported reigning champions Manchester City are ready to jump to the front of the queue to sign Zubimendi by triggering the reported £50m release clause in his current Sociedad deal. They have also suggested ‘well-placed sources’ have told them the midfielder would be open to a move to the Etihad Stadium.

The 3AM Verdict: “How do you replace an influential Spanish midfielder? Well, by signing another influential Spanish midfielder it seems. Jokes aside, Zubimendi’s talent in unquestionable and if this report is true, he could well prove to be one of the most important signings Guardiola has made during his City reign.”

Magpies eye move for £25m-rated Premier League goalkeeper

Newcastle United are facing a major decision over the future of a number of their goalkeepers.

Despite his recent injury, Nick Pope remains Eddie Howe’s first-choice goalkeeper and will hope to reclaim his place i the starting eleven when he returns to fitness in the new year. There have been questions asked over the future of summer signing Odysseas Vlachodimos after he became a somewhat surprise addition to the Magpies squad in June. John Ruddy, Mark Gillespie and Martin Dubravka, who has deputised for Pope in recent weeks, are all out of contract at the end of the season and there is a feeling another goalkeeper could be on the agenda over the coming months.

TEAMtalk have claimed Newcastle are ‘keeping an eye on’ Caoimhin Kelleher’s situation at Liverpool and revealed the Reds are ‘willing to sell’ the Republic of Ireland stopper next summer. Kelleher impressed in recent months as he deputised during Alisson’s injury absence but is now back on bench duty after the Brazilian returned to full fitness. The situation is further complicated by the signing of Giorgi Mamardashvili, who will form part of Arne Slot’s squad when his season-long loan spell with Valencia comes to an end next summer.

The 3AM Verdict: “Despite possessing several goalkeepers within their squad, there is a feeling Newcastle need some serious competition for Nick Pope and a move for Kelleher would give them exactly what they want.”

Man Utd consider shock deal for France star

It has not been an easy start to life at Manchester United for new head coach Ruben Amorim.

Ahead of Monday’s home clash with Newcastle United, the Red Devils have won just two of Amorim’s first seven Premier League games in charge and will be looking to avoid a five defeat in six games when the Magpies travel to Old Trafford. The fixture will take place just days before the January transfer window opens for business and there is a belief the Red Devils squad could be boosted during the first month of the new year.

Football Insider have suggested the 13-time Premier League champions could well make a move for Paris Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani as he looks set to depart the Ligue 1 champions over the coming months.

The 3AM Verdict: “There would be little surprise if this ‘interest’ has been ignited by Marcus Rashford’s apparent desire to leave Old Trafford. Amorim is not blessed with many attacking options so there would be a need to boost the quality and quantity of his players in the final third.”