Newcastle plot sensational defender raid as £73m Man Utd star targeted for shock exit

We begin Tuesday's Premier League transfer rumour round-up with a report from the aptly-named Football Transfers, who claim that Newcastle United are considering a January swoop for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite. The 21-year-old has impressed for the Toffees this season, and has established himself as a key member of Sean Dyche's backline on Merseyside.

For their part, the Magpies are eager to reinforce the heart of their defence in the coming months, and believe that a player of Branthwaite's potential could be the ideal long-term successor to Fabian Schar, who is now 31. It is claimed that the England youth international would be open to a move, although no contact between the two clubs has been made yet.

The 3AM Verdict: Sooner or later, Branthwaite is going to end up at a club with continental aspirations. The young defender continues to grow and thrive at Goodison Park, and the more minutes he gets under his belt, the more attractive a prospect he becomes. If the player is keen and the price is right, this could be a smart move.

Man City in for Leeds youngster

Elsewhere, The Athletic's renowned Leeds United reporter Phil Hay has claimed that Manchester City have agreed a fee for the Whites' exciting midfield prospect Finley Gorman. The 15-year-old is a product of United's academy system, and is highly-rated by many around the club and beyond.

Writing on his personal X account, Hay said: “Manchester City have agreed a deal to sign highly-rated academy midfielder Finley Gorman from Leeds United. Seven-figure fee believed to be a British record for a 15-year-old.” No deal has been confirmed yet, but there is a growing expectation that the teenager will become a City player.

The 3AM Verdict: This is a hammer blow for Leeds. Anybody who has seen Gorman play knows fine well just how high his ceiling of potential is, and there is no reason to believe that he couldn't have graduated to first team duties at Elland Road in the next couple of years or so. City, for their part, will be nabbing a special talent, and here's hoping that he is able to continue his precocious development in Manchester.

Sancho attracting Saudi interest

And finally, a smattering of Saudi Arabian clubs are expected to renew their interest in Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho in January, according to The Telegraph. The England international is currently something of an outcast at Old Trafford after falling out with manager Erik ten Hag, and as yet, there are no indications that his long-term future lies with the Red Devils.

As such, it is suggested that a number of Saudi clubs could try and lure him away from the Premier League, with Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq among them. Sancho cost United around £73 million when he joined the club in 2021.

The 3AM Verdict: If we're being frank, it would appear that Sancho and United have reached a point of no return. With that being the case, an exit probably is the only viable solution, but surely there are better moves out there than the Saudi Pro League. At 23, Sancho still has his best years ahead of him, and if he is to leave Old Trafford, should be trying to rebuild his career in one of the best divisions in European football, not a Middle Eastern sideshow.