Man Utd player set for loan exit as Newcastle reach defender agreement and Arsenal target £40m raid

We are so, so close. Actual, meaningful football is so very nearly back. The Women’s World Cup kicks off on Thursday, and this summer drought of idle chatter is all but through.

Not that the gossip will stop once the action gets underway Down Under, of course, but at the very least, we should have something to distract us from the unending barrage of rumours and hearsay. Today, however, we are still out here fending for ourselves, stuck in the wilderness surrounded by anticipatory buzz like needles in haystacks of tittle-tattle...

Mengi set for loan exit

Whisper it quietly so as to not tempt the gods into spiteful vengeance, but Manchester United are having a very, very solid transfer window. Mason Mount has already arrived at Old Trafford, Andre Onana looks set to follow him any day now, and there are growing rumblings suggesting that Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund could also be wearing red sooner rather than later.

To boot, United are also making decent attempts at clearing some of the deadwood out of their dressing room. High-profile names like David de Gea and Phil Jones have finally parted ways with the club, while Alex Telles is understood to be edging ever close to a Saudi exit, and according to an update from the Manchester Evening News, Teden Mengi will be sent out on loan before the end of the transfer window.

A number of domestic and continental clubs are said to be keen on the 21-year-old defender, who has previously spent time Derby County and Birmingham City. His current deal at Old Trafford runs until next summer, and the club have the option of another year.

The 3AM Verdict:This seems like a smart idea. Mengi isn’t going to play much first team football this season, so why not send him out to develop further elsewhere? Not only will the player himself learn and grow, but should United decide to offload him on a permanent basis next summer, he might just add a couple of noughts to the transfer fee they can demand for him.

Newcastle agree Disasi terms

I like Axel Disasi, not only do I think he is a fine, fine footballer, but his name also sort of reminds me of what I imagine Jar Jar Binks would call a car accident. It would appear that I’m not his only admirer, however, and not even his only one based on the banks of the Tyne.

According to a report from Football Insider, the AS Monaco defender has already reached a verbal agreement with Newcastle United over a potential summer transfer, with the Magpies keen to bolster their ranks ahead of a highly-anticipated return to the Champions League.

Now all that remains is for Toon to agree on a transfer fee with his current employers - and while it is understood that talks are still at a very early stage, it is claimed that a fee of around £40 million could do the trick.

The 3AM Verdict:If Newcastle were to pull this deal off, it would be an astute addition from Eddie Howe’s side. An extra boost of continental quality in a key area of the pitch is never going to hurt, and with suggestions that Jamaal Lascelles could be on his way out of St. James’ Park, this would be a way that the Magpies could be soften that blow and strengthen at the same time.

Arsenal eye Kudus

And finally, having already spent £170 million on new midfielders this summer, Arsenal are understood to be in the market for... another midfielder. Edu must be stopped.

In fairness to the Gunners’ sporting director, the Daily Mail report that he is focusing his attentions on outgoing deals, with Kieran Tierney, Cedric Soares, Nicolas Pepe, Albert Lokonga, Nuno Tavares, and Rob Holding all potentially on the chopping block.

Once some/all of those players have shunted out of the exit door, then Arsenal could swoop for Ajax midfielder Mohammed Kudus, who is said to be rated around £40 million by his current employers. Given how recently the Gunners wrapped up their raid for Jurrien Timber, Edu might still even have their number in his recent contacts.

The 3AM Verdict: Given the business that Arsenal have already done this summer, a swoop for Kudus feels a tad unnecessary at this precise moment in time. Then again, with persistent doubts over Thomas Partey’s future, and with the possibility of more players leaving besides, they could need bodies before September 1st. If they do decide to spend more, they could do far worse than signing Kudus, who continues to prove that he is a hugely promising talent.