Tottenham and Leeds battle for Premier League rivals’ £25m star as Everton lead race for bargain full-back
While the summer transfer window may have recently slammed shut with all the usual drama and last-minute deals, it won’t be long before the madness begins again. And when it does, you can count on 3 Added Minutes to deliver your daily fix of the latest and juiciest Premier League transfer gossip. From the deals that seem inevitable to the long shots that make you raise an eyebrow, we’ve got everything covered.
Spurs & Leeds Interested in Brentford’s Rising Star
Let’s kick things off with a report emerging from Caught Offside, which suggests that both Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United are keeping a close watch on one of Brentford’s promising young talents — Yegor Yarmolyuk. The 21-year-old Ukrainian international has been steadily making a name for himself since joining the Bees in 2022, and his performances haven’t gone unnoticed.
Yarmolyuk, a composed and energetic defensive midfielder, still has several years left on his contract at Brentford — reportedly tying him to the club until 2031 — but that hasn’t deterred interest from across Europe. In addition to Spurs and Leeds, clubs like Napoli, Borussia Dortmund, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Everton are said to be monitoring his development closely.
Brentford, for their part, have reportedly slapped a €30 million (around £25.5 million) price tag on the player. However, insiders believe that figure is more of a deterrent than an open invitation — a “back off” message to suitors rather than a starting point for negotiations. No official offers have landed yet, but it will be interesting to see if any of these clubs decide to test Brentford’s resolve.
3AM Verdict
Is €30 million too steep for a young midfielder who only recently broke into the first team? On paper, perhaps. But in today’s market — especially for Premier League clubs flush with cash — it’s not an outrageous figure for a player with international experience and clear potential. Yarmolyuk has steadily grown into his role and has become an increasingly reliable presence in Brentford’s midfield. The Bees clearly value him, and it would take a significant offer to prise him away.
Still, given the lack of hard details and secondary sources, it’s difficult to gauge how close this story is to developing into a serious bid. One interesting angle is the potential appointment of Thomas Frank — Brentford’s current manager — as a possible future candidate for Tottenham’s managerial hot seat. That could explain why Spurs are being linked with the player, though the connection may be speculative at this stage.
Arsenal Miss Out on Long-Term Target Sverre Nypan
While Spurs are sizing up midfield reinforcements, bitter rivals Arsenal appear to be licking their wounds after losing out on a long-term target. According to the ever-reliable David Ornstein, the Gunners are set to miss out on the signing of Sverre Nypan, the prodigious 18-year-old midfielder from Rosenborg who had been on their radar for several months.
Back in January, Arsenal were believed to be on the verge of completing a deal for Nypan, with terms between the two clubs reportedly agreed. But the Norwegian wonderkid opted to bide his time, choosing to delay a final decision. And now we know why — Manchester City have swooped in, and a deal is now said to be “close”.
All that remains is for City to finalize personal terms with the player. No exact fee has been reported yet, but it’s expected to be a record-breaking transfer — likely the biggest outgoing sale in Rosenborg’s history. The deal also includes a loan move that will see Nypan spend next season away from the Etihad, likely gaining experience before making the leap into Guardiola’s squad.
3AM Verdict
This will be a tough one for Arsenal fans to swallow. The club had invested months into trying to bring Nypan to north London, only to see the move hijacked at the last minute by a heavyweight rival. It’s a familiar story in modern football — even when deals seem close, the biggest clubs can swoop in and change the game with a better offer or bigger platform.
Given Ornstein’s solid track record when it comes to transfer news, there’s every reason to believe this deal is all but done. And while Arsenal will be disappointed, City have once again demonstrated their ability to secure the most exciting young talent in Europe.