Man Utd 'very confident' of finalising landmark transfer as Aston Villa weigh up bold £25m Euro 2024 star bid

We begin Tuesday’s Premier League transfer rumour roundup with news of Manchester United and their apparent pursuit of Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt. According to Fussball News, the Red Devils are ‘very confident’ they can wrap up a move for the centre-back in the coming days, and that they could even ‘largely finalise the transfer’ with Bayern Munich at some point this week.

The report goes on to suggest that talks are currently ‘very constructive’, with offers being exchanged between the various parties. De Ligt is open to the switch, and could be willing to take a pay cut to make it happen. A medical may have to wait, however, with the centre-back currently away on international duty with the Netherlands at Euro 2024.

The 3AM Verdict: This has the feeling of a deal that will happen, and it is now a case of ‘when’, rather than ‘if’. De Ligt would represent a signing of real quality for United in a key area of the pitch, and the hope will be that this is a signal of things to come at Old Trafford this summer.

Villa keen on Yilmaz

Elsewhere, Aston Villa are understood to be showing an interest in Galatasaray attacker Baris Alper Yilmaz. According to Sabah, Unai Emery’s side have been impressed by the 24-year-old’s display at Euro 2024, and could look to make an offer for his services in the coming weeks. Manchester United are also said to be keen.

Galatasary are not expected to entertain offers beneath £25.3 million for Yilmaz, however, with the winger under contract in Turkey until 2027. As yet, Villa have not made a formal bid for the forward, but could face competition from Italy, Spain, and France if they don’t act swiftly.

The 3AM Verdict: Yilmaz is one of several Turkish players who have caught the eye in Germany this summer, and Villa’s subsequent is understandable. Whether he is worth in excess of £25 million, however, is a different question entirely, and one that the Villans will have to mull over before tabling a proper bid.

O’Brien on Everton radar

And finally, according to Foot 01, Everton have tabled a bid of around £16.8 million to sign defender Jake O’Brien from French side Lyon. The Ligue 1 outfit are expected to try and raise funds by selling players this summer, with the Irishman among those facing a possible exit.

To that end, the Toffees have submitted an offer, but Lyon are set to hold out for a bigger fee as they owe Crystal Palace 50% of any cash they receive for the 23-year-old. Alongside that complicating factor, Everton could also face stiff competition from Nottingham Forest for his signature.

The 3AM Verdict: While this initial bid may not be enough to tempt Lyon into a sale, it is a positive sign that Everton are trying to make moves in the transfer market. O’Brien is a fine player, with plenty of potential, and if the Toffees can fend off their Premier League rivals to retain his services, this could be something of a coup.