£34m star may have 'no choice' but to join Newcastle United as Aston Villa plot Man Utd transfer battle

We begin Wednesday’s Premier League transfer rumour round-up with news from Spain on Newcastle United’s pursuit of Giorgi Mamardashvili. According to AS, the stopper will ‘have no choice’ but to join the Magpies if the La Liga side accept an offer in the coming weeks.

The two clubs are said to have ‘already started talks’ for the Georgian, with Newcastle making no secret of their desire to sign him. Valencia could demand as much as £34.2 million, while the Magpies would rather pay somewhere in the region of £29.9 million. Mamardashvili has not ruled out staying put this summer, but is also said to be aware that Newcastle have the capability to submit a contract offer that he would struggle to turn down.

The 3AM Verdict: Mamardashvili is a special talent, and one who would represent a real coup for Newcastle. Of course, the biggest loser in all of this would be Nick Pope, who would presumably have his number one jersey taken away from him, but from the Magpies’ perspective alone, this would be a savvy deal.

Villa eye Rabiot

Elsewhere, Aston Villa are understood to be weighing up a swoop for Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot, according to Tutto Juve. The Villans are said to be ‘thinking about’ the Frenchman ahead of their Champions League campaign next season as uncertainty continues to reign over his stay in Italy.

Rabiot is out of contract in June, and as yet, it is unclear as to whether he will sign a new deal or not. If he does become available, Villa can reportedly expect competition from the likes of Manchester United and Bayern Munich. Unai Emery previously worked with the player at Paris Saint-Germain.

The 3AM Verdict: It is testament to where Villa now find themselves that they are being mentioned alongside the likes of Manchester United and Bayern Munich in the race to sign a player of Rabiot’s calibre. A lot is going to rest on whether or not he pens a fresh deal in Turin, but if he doesn’t, this could be a bargain swoop for Emery’s side.

Palace contact Kamada

And finally, as per reports in Italy, Crystal Palace have ‘already made contact’ with Lazio midfielder Daichi Kamada over a potential summer transfer. It has previously been claimed that the Eagles are ‘seriously trying‘ to sign him, with his contract in Serie A side rapidly coming towards its conclusion.

Palace are understood to have offered him the same salary that he’s been requesting for a renewal with Lazio, but the Italian outfit are still hopeful that he could stay put during the upcoming window.

The 3AM Verdict: Kamada is a player who Palace manager Oliver Glasner knows very well, having won a Europa League alongside him at Eintracht Frankfurt. With 31 senior Japan caps to his name, he boasts a wealth of experience at the very highest level, and the prospect of signing him - especially on a free transfer - should be one that massively excites Palace fans.