Newcastle set to raid Forest once again as Southampton target £20m wonderkid

Welcome to Wednesday’s round-up of the latest and potentially most improbable Premier League transfer rumours – and we start with word of further negotiations between Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, with the two teams set for their third deal of the summer.

Midfielder Elliot Andrerson has already moved to the City Ground and goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos seems set to move the other way, but according to TeamTalk we could also see Swedish winger Anthony Elanga on the move as well, with Newcastle keen to bring the 22-year-old, who scored five goals last season, to St. James’ Park.

Apparently the two teams are “in talks” over a move, with Newcastle looking for a long-term replacement for Miguel Almirón, who is expected to leave the club this summer – while Liverpool’s persistent interest in Anthony Gordon is also a factor in their interest, apparently.

The 3AM Verdict: No transfer fee is mentioned yet, but presumably Forest will want to make a comfortable profit on the £15m they paid for Elanga a little under a year ago. If we assume that he’d cost at least double that then it’s a tricky proposition to judge – Elanga can be electrifying and adds a direct threat and verve to an attack that Newcastle would love, but he isn’t a model of consistency and can drift from games.

Southampton set for £20m starlet swoop

Down on the south coast, meanwhile, freshly-promoted Southampton are setting their stall out as they aim to build a team capable of surviving in the top flight – according to Football Insider, they are “stepping up their interest” in Manchester City’s £20m-rated youngster Liam Delap.

Delap, the son of long throw legend Rory, has spent the last couple of seasons impressing during loan spells in the Championship and although he hasn’t played at St. Mary’s, they’re now moving to secure the talented forward’s services – and he could follow the likes of Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Gavin Bazunu in swapping the Etihad for Hampshire.

The 3AM Verdict: As with many of Southampton’s recent moves, this may be a better long-term purchase than a short-term one – Delap has definite talent but only scored eight goals in 32 games for Hull City, and he can’t be expected to score the goals required to stay in the Premier League alone. From Manchester City’s perspective, this looks like fine business, as Delap is probably not at the level required to get time in Pep Guardiola’s starting eleven yet.

Arsenal star set for loan exit

Finally, some news from the Emirates, where Albert Sambi Lokonga seems to be set for yet another loan move away from Arsenal – if Caught Offside know what they’re talking about, anyway.

After failing to establish himself in the Gunners’ first team, Sambi Lokonga has had respectable loan spells at Crystal Palace and Luton Town, and while his performances don’t seem to have persuaded Mikel Arteta to bring him back into the fold they have attracted the interest of Spanish side Sevilla. Apparently Nottingham Forest and Everton were interested, too, but Andalucia looks to be the 24-year-old’s next temporary home.

The 3AM Verdict: It’s maybe a little disappointing from Arsenal’s point of view that they aren’t able to get a permanent transfer and a fee here, as it seems as if the club have made up their mind about the Belgian’s future prospects. But if he isn’t going to challenge Declan Rice and Jorginho for their starting places, then letting him go again does make sense.