Man Utd set to battle Newcastle for big-money shock signing as Aston Villa eye £22m Chelsea ace

Wake up, wake up - it’s finally here! After months of idle wheel-spinning, we have at long last crossed the threshold into the tangible. The summer transfer window 2023 is open, and the chaotic avarice may begin in earnest.

Who will your club buy? Who will they sell? Who will they neither buy nor sell? It’s all so bloody exciting! Hell, I might not be able to sleep until the market shuts again the end of August! Maybe I can source some of the same military grade hyper-amphetamine that I presume keeps Fabrizio Romano up and tweeting 25 hours a day, eight days a week!

In all seriousness, though, it’s always best to pace yourself in a situation like this, so in spite of the deluge of gossip that is rushing towards us like a torrent of radioactive sludge - the goggles, they do nothing! - we’ve handpicked a dusting of today’s most intriguing rumours to get things off to a nice, easy start. Buckle up, things are about to get speculative!

Raya tug of war begins

With his name like Scooby Doo participating in a game of Play Your Cards Right from the studio audience, Brentford goalkeeper David Raya is already proving to be a popular transfer target this summer. The Spaniard has been edging ever closer to becoming Hugo Lloris’ successor at Tottenham in recent days, but could see their efforts scuppered by Manchester United, who also need a new stopper, and who seemingly possess the inventiveness of a photocopier.

Nevertheless, whoever wins the battle to sign Raya could be charged as much as £40 million for the pleasure, although in both cases, you would fancy they will try and drive that price lower. Or in the words of Scooby Doo, ‘Rower! Rower!’

The 3AM Verdict: In the end, whoever signs Raya is going to be bringing in a wonderfully reliable goalkeeper with a real talent for shot-stopping and a good amount of ability with the ball at his feet. For two clubs who have endured some really tumultuous performances between the sticks of late, perhaps a measure of dependability is needed more than anything else right now.

Adams in demand

Here are list of clubs who are reportedly interested in signing Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams this summer: Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest. Here are a list of people who are mildly surprised by this update: me. And maybe you, I don’t know where you stand on this one.

To be fair to the American, prior to his season-ending injury in March, he was one of the few players in the Elland Road dressing room who could consistently hold their head up high, and his performances were evidently enough to catch the eye of a number of big name clubs. Still, to go from relegation fodder to the top four would be quite the feat.

Again, the asking price is £40 million, although given their current plight, Leeds might also accept a tin of supermarket own brand baked beans and a promise not to laugh at them.

The 3AM Verdict: The issue here might not be with Adams himself, but rather with the price tag. £40 million feels like a lot for a relegated team to be demanding, and you would fancy that if any of the clubs listed above are indeed serious about signing the midfielder, then they will look to negotiate a vastly improved transfer fee.

Mendy on Villa radar

And finally, Aston Villa are considering a raid for out-of-favour Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, according to a smattering of whispers. Do they really need him? Well, that depends largely on whether or not Emi Martinez sticks around this summer, but in the event of the Argentine leaving Villa Park, Unai Emery could look to swoop for the Senegal international.

Either way, there is interest, and god knows if there’s one man in the Premier League who enjoys a good fixer-upper, it’s our Unai. Bet he watches Homes Under the Hammer every morning.

The 3AM Verdict: Mendy has shown on countless occasions that he is a superb talent, but it increasingly looks as if his time at Chelsea has reached its conclusion. Provided Martinez does leave Villa, this could be a deal that greatly benefits both player and club, with Mendy earning a second chance, and Emery’s side bringing in a goalkeeper of considerable international pedigree.