Man Utd plot bold £60m goalkeeper swoop as Chelsea eye summer raid for Aston Villa stalwart

We begin Friday’s Premier League transfer rumour round-up with news of West Ham and their apparent pursuit of former Crystal Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha. According to Turkish outlet Fotomaç, talks are underway between the Hammers and the Ivory Coast international to bring him back to the Premier League just one season after he left Selhurst Park to join Galatasaray.

Despite having scored 10 goals and assisting five across 39 games during his debut campaign, a recent dip in form means that the player is reportedly ‘expected to leave’ Turkey this summer. It is understood that West Ham are the ‘most serious suitor’ for his signature, and they ‘continue negotiations’ to lure him back to London. That being said, Zaha’s current deal lasts until 2026, and this latest update makes no concrete mention of Galatasaray’s desire to part ways with the forward.

The 3AM Verdict: Zaha is a superb talent who has proven time and time again what he is capable of achieving in the Premier League. For West Ham, the prospect of bringing in the same player who lit up the top flight for Crystal Palace is an exciting one, but it is worth noting that Zaha has not scored or assisted in the league for Galatasaray since the end of January, and it remains to be seen how much he would cost the Hammers if he were to leave is current employers.

Man United eye new goalkeeper

Elsewhere, Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, report that Manchester United are plotting a summer swoop for Real Sociedad goalkeeper Álex Remiro. The 29-year-old has been in fine form for the La Liga outfit this season, keeping 20 clean sheets and conceding just 40 goals in 45 outings across all competitions, including 14 clean sheets and 32 goals conceded in 33 league games.

It is claimed that United have already made contact with the player’s agents, who have subsequently informed Real Sociedad of their interest. The Spanish side are said to be relatively calm about the situation, however, with Remiro seemingly happy at the club, and with a £60.3 million written into his contract, which is due to last until 2027.

The 3AM Verdict: This is an odd one. For United to go out and spend £60 million on a new goalkeeper this summer would suggest that they are looking to replace Andre Onana, who was only recruited at considerable cost this time last year. While the Cameroonian has been erratic at times, he has statistically been one of the better stoppers in the chelsea/fantasy-premier-league-gameweek-37-tips-including-perfect-team-chelsea-man-citys-huge-doubles-4619926" title="Fantasy Premier League: Gameweek 37 tips including perfect team for Chelsea and Man City's huge doubles" rel="follow">Premier League this term, and with plenty of other positions desperately in need of reinforcement, a huge swoop for an alternative number one feels a little unexpected.

Chelsea want Martinez

And finally, according to TBR Football, Chelsea are considering a swoop for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. The report suggests that Unai Emery’s men may be forced into offloading a key player or this summer in an effort to comply with financial sustainability regulations, and that the Argentina international may be a prime candidate as he enters the final two years of his contract in the Midlands.

Chelsea have previously been linked with Martinez, but instead signed Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic last year. England internationals Jordan Pickford and Aaron Ramsdale are also mentioned as prospective goalkeeping targets.

The 3AM Verdict: If Chelsea could somehow find a way of signing Martinez, it would represent a notable coup for Mauricio Pochettino’s side. A World Cup winner with a heap of pedigree, the 31-year-old is one of the best players in his position in the Premier League. That being said, it is difficult to imagine either the Argentine or Villa acquiescing to an exit easily, even taking into account external financial pressures. Don’t be surprised if this remains little more than a speculative rumour.