West Ham in 'advanced talks' for bold £26m swoop as Newcastle United plot Premier League attacker raid

We begin Saturday’s Premier League transfer rumour roundup with news of West Ham and their pursuit of Palmeiras attacker Luis Guilherme. The Hammers are understood to be closing in on a £25.5 million deal to bring the teenager to East London, with UOL reporter André Hernan claiming that talks are getting ‘more and more advanced’.

Guilherme, who is a Brazilian youth international, is said to be open to the move, and eager to complete a transfer to the Premier League this summer. The starlet plays mainly on the right flank but can also operate on the left or as an attacking central midfielder, and has made 17 appearances for his club since the turn of the year. 

The 3AM Verdict: This could be a real coup for West Ham. Guilherme is still very much a developing talent, but his ceiling of potential is staggeringly high, and if he were to arrive at the London Stadium, the Hammers could be securing themselves a hugely exciting talent for several years to come.

Mbeumo attracting interest

Elsewhere, both Liverpool and Newcastle United have identified Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo as a target this summer, according to L’Equipe. The Cameroon international is under contract until 2026, but both the Reds and the Magpies have ‘already expressed an interest’ in prising him away from the Bees.

As for the player himself, L’Equipe suggest that he is ‘ready to join a club the size of Liverpool’. A quote from Mbeumo reads: “I spent five seasons at Brentford, at a club that helped me grow and turn a corner. But yes, I want to play in the biggest competitions, for the best clubs. It’s still exciting to see some of the big teams interested in me. We’ll see.” 

The 3AM Verdict: Mbeumo has proven time and time again that he is a top attacking talent in the Premier League, and it is only natural that he has started to attract interest from higher up the division. His contract will be a factor, as will Brentford’s prospective valuation, which remains unspecified, but this could be a pursuit that rumbles on for the duration of the summer window.

United eye Kerkez

And finally, talkSPORT report that Manchester United are interested in signing Bournemouth left back Milos Kerkez. The Red Devils are said to be in the market for a new left-sided full-back this summer as they look to provide cover and competition for Luke Shaw.

Kerkez has spent just one season in the Premier League, but has impressed immensely, and it is understood that Bournemouth would demand a high fee for his services. Speaking in April, the player himself told BBC Radio Solent that he was not concerning himself with potential interest from other clubs.

The 3AM Verdict: Kerkez has been fantastic since arriving in England, and it is understandable that United would be taking such a keen interest in him. Cover at left-back is a must, given the respective injury records of both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, and if they were to persuade Bournemouth into a deal, they could secure themselves a very impressive international defender capable of making an impact now, and driving them forward in the future.