West Ham ‘plot’ £26m goal-machine striker raid as Newcastle ‘eye’ Lionel Messi-compared winger

It’s all getting a bit real now. The resumption of the Premier League is just days away at this point, and it won’t be long before we are sucked headfirst back into a tornado of relentless action.

Before then, though, there are still plenty of transfer rumours to sift through. Here is Wednesday’s best gossip rounded up, sprinkled with a dash of opinion, and presented for your perusing pleasure...

Hall nears Palace move

Crystal Palace are closing in on a season-long loan for Chelsea full-back Lewis Hall, according to Football Insider. The teenager has broken into the Blues’ matchday plans in recent times, but is expected to leave Stamford Bridge this term to further his development elsewhere.

It is understood that the Eagles have been identified as the ideal custodians to help him earn valuable first team minutes having previously impressed Chelsea with their handling of Conor Gallagher’s temporary stint at Selhurst Park. There will be no option-to-buy clause written into the deal, which is understood to be edging ever closer to completion.

The 3AM Verdict: This makes an awful lot of sense. After another busy summer, it is going to be more difficult than ever for young prospects to get their chance at Chelsea in the coming months, and Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping that this allows Hall to develop his game at the top level while still ensuring that he has a future at Stamford Bridge. It also speaks volumes as to how highly the teenager is regarded that he is being sent out to a fellow Premier League side.

Toon eye Rollheiser

If you haven’t heard of Benjamin Rollheiser, you are not alone. The Argentine winger has been making waves in his home country for Estudiantes, but beyond that still remains something of an unknown entity.

One man who is evidently aware of his existence, however, is Eddie Howe. According to renowned journalist Alan Nixon, the Newcastle United manager is eager to bring the 23-year-old to Tyneside this summer, and it is understood that a bid of around £12 million could be enough to secure a deal.

There is enthusiasm from the player too, who would reportedly turn down interest from CSKA Moscow and Zenit St Petersburg to make a transfer to the Premier League happen.

The 3AM Verdict: We’re not going to profess to know a great deal about Rollheiser, but we do know that he scored 11 goals last season, and that he has been compared to Lionel Messi by his current manager, who said: “The comparison has to be with the maximum expression. It seems to me that he has Messi things. Of course, today he is one of the most decisive players in Argentine football”. Not bad at all.

West Ham plot Guilherme raid

And finally, West Ham are understood to be plotting a swoop for Flamengo striker Pedro Guilherme as a replacement for the recently departed Gianluca Scamacca. The Italian left the Hammers for Atalanta last week, and David Moyes is now firmly in the hunt for attacking reinforcements.

As per AS, Guilherme has emerged as one potential candidate for the Irons, with the Brazilian international valued at around £26 million and having bagged 93 times in 193 outings for his current employers. Nottingham Forest and Benfica are also understood to be monitoring his situation closely.

The 3AM Verdict: West Ham need a striker, and Guilherme clearly knows where the back of the net is. Even without his domestic form, forcing his way into the Brazil squad is no mean feat, and his natural game - full of running and physicality - could prove to be ideal for the rough and tumble of the Premier League. It would be a gamble, but potentially a gamble that pays off massively.