Man Utd make cheeky ‘request’ to leaving player as Chelsea ‘agree’ £75m transfer deal

How time flies, eh? It feels like only yesterday the season finished, and July is here already.

We are already seeing players called back to pre-season training, with the bulk of Premier League clubs kicking off their pre-seasons on Monday. Transfers are going ahead left, right and centre at this point, and the transfer market will only ramp up with players out of contract now officially free agents following the expiry of their respective contracts.

Just a matter of weeks separate us from the start of the new season, and it’s set to be a huge Premier League season, but what are we doing talking about football at this stage of the summer? Let’s get back to transfers.

De Gea latest

Let’s start today’s round-up by sparing a thought for David De Gea, who becomes a free agent on Saturday after being released by Manchester United.

After earning a monumental wage - even in the wake of inconsistent form - De Gea was offered a reduced fee, but he ignored the offer and it was later withdrawn. But it seems the story will not end there, with The Sun claiming United have asked De gea not to join another club for now.

With United yet to identify a new goalkeeper signing, they have reportedly told De Gea they could hold fresh contract talks ahead of the new season. It will be interesting to see how the Spaniard responds to that.

The 3AM verdict: De Gea was seemingly insulted by United’s latest offer, but he is not the keeper he once wal - albeit he is still a very good player. Despite that, there is not going to be a huge market for De Gea due to his wages, and indeed because most of Europe’s top clubs currently have good keepers in place. It’s going to take a big goalkeeping exit to start a chain reaction, and that’s what De Gea needs at this point. In the meantime, he may well bide his time.

Caicedo deal ’close’

Chelsea are said to be close to striking a deal to sign Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo.

According to Rudy Galetti, talks are entering the final stage, with the clubs already reportedly agreeing a £75million fee. It’s claimed add-ons are now being discussed, with Caicedo keen to join Chelsea this summer after submitting a transfer request to join Arsenal in January. The Ecuador international wound up staying, but it seems he might get his move this summer.

Chelsea find themselves needing midfielders after selling Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount, with N’Golo Kante also leaving.

The 3AM verdict: Chelsea have amassed a recent track record of big spending, and this seems like a deal they will do, especially given their need for midfielders this summer. Caicedo has been in-demand, but few can afford to risk so much on him beyond Chelsea, so this will likely be a one-horse race.

Xhaka price tag raised

Arsenal star Granit Xhaka could be on the move this summer, but it seems the Gunners are playing hardball.

Bayer Leverkusen are said to be interested in Xhaka this summer, and it felt like a deal was all-but certain. According to The Mirror, though, Arsenal are considering upping their asking price for Xhaka to £20million, and that might see Leverkusen walk away from the table given the Swiss international is now 30 years of age.

Xhaka is likely to see play time reduced significantly next season, and a departure is more likely ahead of the new season.

The 3AM verdict: Xhaka put together a solid season of last, and Arsenal will feel they need to maximise incoming money on the back of the giant Declan Rice deal. But £20million seems a high fee for a 30-year-old player who is likely to decline in the near future. Arsenal may be aiming a little high here.