Tottenham and West Ham enter £30m midfielder race as Man City in ‘very advanced’ defender talks

We kick off Thursday’s Premier League transfer rumour round-up with the news that Tottenham and West Ham have entered the race to sign £30 million-rated Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley, according to TEAMtalk. The Danish youth international has impressed for the Scottish champions in recent times, and is understood to be attracting attention from south of the border, with both Brentford and Brighton also keen on securing a deal for his services.

Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou, in particular, is familiar with the player from their time together in Glasgow. For his part, O’Riley primarily operates in the centre of the park, but is also capable of playing in a slightly more advanced role too. Bids are expected in the January transfer window.

The 3AM Verdict: O’Riley’s form has been quite sensational of late, and his performances in the Champions League in particular have proven that he is capable of mixing it with the very best players in Europe. At £30 million, he would represent a record sale for Celtic, but at the present moment, there is no reason to believe that he couldn’t justify that kind of fee.

West Ham eye Martial

Elsewhere, West Ham are understood to be considering a swoop for Manchester United forward Anthony Martial. The Hammers are said to be in the market for attacking reinforcements ahead of the January window, and it is suggested that the Frenchman is among the players they are keeping tabs on.

As per renowned journalist Rudy Galetti, the Irons have already requested ‘preliminary information’ on the striker, and may look to rekindle an interest that has been previously reported on a number of occasions. Martial has struggled for game time at Old Trafford this season, and has been limited to just 221 minutes of Premier League football.

The 3AM Verdict: West Ham need a striker, and Martial needs a fresh start, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the two are perfectly suited. The Frenchman’s recent injury record and general lack of consistency are both concerns, and in truth, you would imagine that the Irons are more than capable of securing somebody better for less money.

City close in on Barco

And finally, Manchester City are said to be at a ‘very advanced’ stage in their efforts to lure Boca Juniors left-back Valentin Barco to the Etihad. The 19-year-old has been linked with a number of clubs in recent times, but according to Spanish outlet Sport, it is the Premier League champions who are in pole position to secure a deal for the precocious talent.

Barco’s current contract in Argentina expires in December of next year, and is understood to include a £8.7 million release clause. The teenager is also capable of playing on the left wing, and is already a youth international.

The 3AM Verdict: Barco has the potential to be a special, special talent, and if City can sign him for a bargain fee then they would not only be bringing in a very adept player, but also ensuring that they are making a wonderfully smart investment for the future. If it comes off, this could be a masterstroke.