Man Utd and Arsenal given fresh hope of landing 17-goal sensation as Aston Villa seal £13m defender boost

We begin Tuesday's Premier League transfer rumour round-up with news of a promising update for Manchester United, Arsenal, and Newcastle United. The trio have all been linked with potential swoops for Santos forward Marcos Leonardo in recent times, with his agent now claiming that his exit from the Brazilian outfit could be looming.

The 20-year-old scored 17 goals for his current club in 2023, and according to the player's agent, Rafaela Pimenta, as quoted by Italian media: "Already in the previous transfer market he had the possibility of being sold, but Santos’ sporting situation was very particular. He agreed to stay because he wanted to help out until the end of the championship. He didn’t want to leave because it wasn’t the right thing to do. But the time has come to move. He wants to have a European experience and his time will come this winter."

The 3AM Verdict: This could be great news for any one of the sides chasing Leonardo. The young forward is a precocious goalscorer with plenty of untapped potential, and if he is nurtured in the right way, he could become a genuine star. One to keep an eye on for sure as the January transfer window rolls over the horizon.

Villa handed Acuna boost

Elsewhere, Aston Villa have received a boost in their pursuit of Sevilla defender Marcos Acuna. Unai Emery's men previously failed with a bid to sign the World Cup winner over the summer, but could be handed another opportunity to bring in the player, valued at round £13 million by his current club.

According to Vamos Mi Sevilla, the La Liga outfit are now eager to offload the 32-year-old as they look to secure a deal for Boca Juniors sensation Valentin Barco. In turn that could 'open the exit door' for Acuna, who may well be allowed to leave in January.

The 3AM Verdict: The opportunity to sign a player of Acuna's pedigree and experience is always going to be a difficult one to pass up, and from Villa's perspective, this could be a really astute piece of business. Perhaps if that £13 million could be driven down a little bit then this would represent an even smarter deal given his age, but either way, this is a promising development for the Villans.

Veliz lined up for loan exit

And finally, Tottenham could allow summer signing Alejo Veliz to leave the club on loan just months after arriving in north London. The young striker has made just three appearances for Spurs since joining from Rosario Central, and could seek greater first team opportunities elsewhere for the remainder of the campaign.

Serie A outfit Bologna have emerged as early contenders for the Argentine's signature, with Corriere dello Sport claiming that he is considered a 'top target'. The player himself is said to be keen on a move amid ongoing frustrations at a lack of minutes.

The 3AM Verdict: This makes sense for all parties. Veliz is barely playing, so why not allow him to grow and develop elsewhere for a while? The forward gets minutes, Bologna get a new striker, and all being well, Spurs get a more experienced, effective player upon his return. This could be a no-brainer.