Man Utd look to snub Liverpool for £52m star, Arsenal eye ‘superstar’ winger, Brighton ‘confident’ on deal

The Premier League is delivering plenty of action before football heads into another international break. Competition is bubbling in every part of the table and right now, it’s impossible to judge which team stands the best chance of finishing in the top four.

But before anything is decided at the end of the season, there is the small matter of the January transfer window to look forward to. After a whirlwind summer, the first business window of 2024 promises to be delightfully chaotic and wonderfully stressful, especially as clubs are already putting plans in place for new recruits.

There’s a good way to go until January but the transfer rumour mill never takes a day off. So, let’s have a look at some of the latest links and what we make of them.

Man Utd look to snub Liverpool for £52m defender

Manchester United’s dilemma with Harry Maguire remains alive and well. The Reds are still looking to offload the former skipper and it’s seemingly becoming a more pressing matter as they have transfer targets already on their wishlist.

According to Football Insider, Erik ten Hag’s side are eager to bring in a new centre-back and have identified Sporting CP’s Gonçalo Inácio as a potential fit for the January window. Sporting are said to be resigned to losing the Portuguese international, who has a £52 million release clause and is also being monitored by Liverpool.

However, United still need to make up some funds before they can splash the cash, and Maguire is one of the names on the chopping block, along with Scott McTominay.

The 3AM Verdict: The writing seems to be on the wall for Maguire now and United simply need to accept they are going to make a loss on the hefty £80 million they spent on him four years ago. Liverpool are eager to re-enter the picture as top four challengers, so United mustn’t allow them the benefit of a strong new signing as this season poses huge competition at the top of the table.

Arsenal eyeing ‘superstar’ winger

Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on Arsenal’s winter pursuits and revealed that their interest in Pedro Neto of Wolves is still very much present. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the transfer expert claimed that the Gunners ‘wanted Neto a year and a half ago’ and are still tracking him now.

Other clubs are also interested in his services but Arsenal are very much on the scent. Neto has had some rotten luck with injuries in recent years but his talent has wowed many, including Jamie Carragher who described him as a ‘superstar’ earlier this year.

The 3AM Verdict: Bukayo Saka is currently untouchable on the right-hand side of Arsenal’s attack, so it’s difficult to see where Neto would get his minutes and whether a handsome price tag would be justified. However, since coming back from injury he has shone this season, starting every single league match for Wolves and notching a goal and four assists.

Neto can play on the left, but his unfortunate history with injuries can’t really be ignored. As a team trying to challenge for the title, is it worth the risk for Arsenal?

Brighton ‘confident’ on smart new deal

Brighton and Hove Albion are ‘confident’ they will be soon be tying down star winger Karou Mitoma and believe they can agree on new contract terms. That’s also according to Football Insider, who reports that the Seagulls are ‘desperate’ to keep the 26-year-old at the Amex Stadium amid interest from Premier League rivals.

Mitoma’s current contract is due to expire in 2025, which has naturally pricked up the ears of other clubs. The Japanese international tallied 10 goals and eight assists across all competitions last season and has already notched seven goal-scoring contributions since the 2023/24 campaign started.

The 3AM Verdict: It seems Brighton have very quickly learned from their mistake of selling Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool for the rather friendly sum of £35 million. Moisés Caicedo’s record-breaking £115 million move to Chelsea more than made up for it but the Seagulls need star players for themselves too. Mitoma is undoubtedly one of the most influential players at the club and tying him down rather than raising more funds through a sale is definitely the smartest choice as they continue their European football journey. Especially since Manchester City recently had their eye on him as well.