Tottenham try and sign a Tottenham player, Brighton chase an immortal, Arsenal eye Palace raid

New week, new batch of Premier League transfer rumours. I could sit here and wax lyrical for a couple of hundred words over some tangential excuse for an introduction or other, or I could cut right to the heart of the matter and come barrelling in with the goods straight off the bat. It is, after all, what you came here for, and we all have busy lives to live outside of this gossip column. (Although technically speaking, my life away from this article largely consists of writing various other pieces of a similar ilk.) Anyways, without further ado...

Brighton eye Milner

How do they do it? Little ol’ Brighton and Hove Albion, patron saints of all that is modest and patient, have a seemingly infinite conveyor belt of hidden gems and emerging talent at their disposal, powered by a recruitment policy that is as thorough as it is imaginative. In that regard, the Seagulls have steadily become the envy of the division, and if you can believe it, they look as if they might just have done it again.

According to a report from The Athletic, Albion are chasing the signature of a versatile young whippersnapper by the name of James Milner. Some of you might have heard of him. The Liverpool midfielder/defender/immortal is out of contract at Anfield this summer, and it is understood that Brighton are willing to offer him a deal on the south coast. The Seagulls could, however, face competition from newly-promoted Burnley, who are - of course - managed by Milner’s former Manchester City teammate Vincent Kompany.

The 3AM Verdict: Even at the ripe old age of 37, Milner would be an asset to most clubs. His professionalism, versatility, and astounding physical fitness are all hugely admirable, and even taking his contributions on the field out of the equation, his presence around the dressing room could prove invaluable for a side who have a very good chance of playing in Europe next season. If he can be signed on a free transfer, even better.

Tottenham believe in Gibbs-White

Elsewhere, Tottenham are said to be interested in Nottingham Forest attacker Morgan Gibbs-White. The 23-year-old only arrived at the City Ground last summer, but has already done enough to impress scouts from North London, who have been watching him all season and who are apparently convinced that he has a big future ahead of him.

Forest would naturally be reluctant to lose such a marquee signing so soon after luring him to the club, but might have matters taken out of their hands if they suffer an immediate relegation back to the Championship come the end of the campaign, as per Football Insider.

It is also suggested that Gibbs-White is considered a talent who ‘plays the Spurs way’. Given all that has happened recently, perhaps chalk that one up in the column labelled ‘Reasons to Avoid’.

The 3AM Verdict: Gibbs-White has shown plenty of flashes of what he can do in a Nottingham Forest side that have struggled to consistently hit the heights this season. By no means has he been flawless, but there is evidently a player in there, and a move to a top six club could be exactly the boost needed to coax his full potential out of him. It would represent a bit of a gamble for Spurs, but sometimes these things do pay off.

Arsenal want Guehi

And finally, Arsenal are said to be keen on Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi. Rob Holding may have triumphantly reclaimed his hairline, but it would appear that Mikel Arteta doesn’t trust him to triumphantly reclaim a regular starting spot in the absence of one of his first choice centre-backs.

According to The Sun, the Spaniard is eager to bring in defensive reinforcements this summer, and could look to Selhurst Park in an effort to bolster his backline. How much Guehi would cost, or indeed how willing Palace would be to part with one of their main men, remains to be seen.

The 3AM Verdict: Arsenal need quality in depth, especially as they prepare for a return to Champions League football next season. Guehi unquestionably possesses the talent to succeed at a high level, but whether he would be willing to leave Palace for what would almost certainly be an understudy role at the Emirates, only he will know for sure.