Newcastle plot raid for £56m Chelsea signing as West Ham chase big-money lethal attacker

Believe it or not, there are other transfers happening besides the Moises Caicedo saga. The Ecuadorian has been plastered across the headlines of just about every gossip column in the country over the weekend, but while his British record move to Chelsea has finally been confirmed, there are a barrage of other deals simmering away too.

Check out a selection of the latest, and most intriguing, Premier League speculation below...

Palace eye Adams

Crystal Palace are considering a bid for Southampton striker Che Adams, according to an update from the Evening Standard. The Eagles have already lost Wilfried Zaha this summer, and may be about to bid farewell to Michael Olise amid ongoing speculation involving Chelsea.

As such Roy Hodgson is on the hunt for attacking reinforcements, and could turn his attention to the Scotland international in the coming days. A fee of around £10 million is being touted, although if his touchline altercation at Bramall Lane on Saturday is anything to go by, Palace could just as easily send in their veteran manager with a baseball bat and wait for the Saints to turn Adams over free of charge as they beg for mercy.

The 3AM Verdict: It could turn out to be a tough summer for Palace, especially if Olise leaves, but bringing in Adams would at least go some way towards making up for any attacking shortfall. Signing a proven Premier League goalscorer for just £10 million is no mean feat, and this could be a savvy piece of business from Roy’s boys.

West Ham keen on Kudus

You have to feel sorry for West Ham; barely have they recovered from losing captain and talisman Declan Rice, and now they could be about to lose Lucas Paqueta to Manchester City too. The treble winners are understood to be keeping tabs on the Brazilian, and it is understood that if a bid of around £95 million is submitted, the Hammers could acquiesce to his exit.

If that does happen, a replacement will be required. According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, talks have been opened over a potential swoop for Ajax midfielder Mohammed Kudus, who has long been touted for a Premier League move in some guise or other. If Romano’s update is to be believed, positive progress is being made, and the player is open to the prospect of swapping Amsterdam for east London.

The 3AM Verdict: Losing Paqueta would be a real blow, but if they could somehow lure Kudus to the London Stadium it would be a magnificent coup for the Irons. The Ghanaian has been linked with some of the biggest and best clubs in the country, and his well-rounded, technically-astute style of play would make him a compelling replacement for West Ham’s current number 10.

Newcastle consider Cucurella loan

Newcastle United are eager to sign a new left-back before the end of the transfer window, and could look to complete a loan deal for Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella, according to Luke Edwards of the Telegraph. The Spaniard has been at Stamford Bridge since last summer, but has struggled to lay claim to an undisputed starting role amid stiff competition from newly named vice-captain Ben Chilwell.

For their part, the Magpies are said to be interested in strengthening their backline ahead of a first European campaign in two decades, and Edwards has suggested that they could turn to Cucurella, or long-term target, Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney. He said: ‘Newcastle United are looking to sign a left back on loan before the close of the transfer window with both Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney and Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella of interest to them.

‘Only one will arrive on Tyneside, but Newcastle have been given reason to believe that both would like to make the move and are looking to progress talks. Both deals would include either an option or an obligation to buy the player next summer and there is some confidence a breakthrough can be reached with at least one of their Premier League rivals.’

The 3AM Verdict: While it is true that Newcastle could do with bringing in a left-back, it’s hard to envisage either Chelsea or Arsenal being particularly enamoured with prospect of a loan deal for either one of their respective assets - especially when the Magpies evidently pose such a threat this season. Then again, Edwards seems confident and stranger things have most certainly happened.