It’s time for our regular morning round-up of the biggest (and strangest) new Premier League transfer rumours which you might have missed over the past 24 hours – and we start off with a story involving Manchester United and their incoming manager.

With Michael Carrick sacked, the Red Devils are preparing the red carpet for Mauricio Pochettino and TEAMtalk suggest that they’re now targeting two of the Argentine’s charges in the United States national side.

First up, Manchester United are said to be “exploring” a deal for forward Folarin Balogun, with the player allegedly “keen” to return to England despite the fact that he turned down a move to Everton on deadline day this summer. No financial details are discussed in this story, but Monaco are apparently happy to let Balogun leave to ease the financial strain they’re under.

The other American international on United’s radar is said to be Villarreal’s Alex Freeman, who can operate as either a full-back or as a winger. They are apparently “keeping close tabs” on the 22-year-old, and will discuss the possibility of a bid with Pochettino once he’s been installed as manager.

The 3AM Verdict: Whenever a new manager takes charge of a club, gossip columnists fall over themselves to invent rumours linking their former players with a move to their new team. Perhaps this is a more honest and insightful report, but it’s such a common type of terrible transfer rumour that we can’t help but be cynical. We’ll believe it when we see some more sources chime in.

Newcastle make ‘first enquiry’ about Spain international

Over to Italy now, for a story from Tuttosport – they reckon that Newcastle United have made a “first enquiry” about the availability of Bologna and Spain full-back Juan Miranda, who has found some fine form in Serie A this season.

The 26-year-old will enter the final 18 months of his contract with Bologna this January, which could compel his current club to consider offers if they can’t tie him down to a new deal. Apparently they are trying to do just that, but this article implies that they’re struggling to make much headway.

How much Newcastle might need to spend to sign Miranda isn’t made clear in the article, and even if they can agree a price they might find that they face stiff competition – both Juventus and AC Milan have also “set their sights” on the Barcelona academy graduate.

The 3AM Verdict: Miranda, who has a single cap for Spain so far, probably will become available at some point if Bologna can’t agree a new contract, so this is a perfectly plausible story, albeit one not backed up by many other sources as yet. One to keep an eye on, but the left-back could well be on Newcastle’s radar given how thin they are in his position.

Crystal Palace ‘in the hunt’ for potential bargain deal

Crystal Palace may have sacked Pierre Sage but that hasn’t stopped them from making transfer plans, according to Sport Witness – they say that Palace are “in the hunt” for Frosinone winger Giorgi Kvernadze and could the “chance to sign him for a cut-price figure” next summer.

The 23-year-old Georgia international, who was instrumental in Frosinone’s promotion to Serie A last season, apparently has a release clause worth just €4m (£3.3m) in his contract which becomes active in June. Kvernadze’s employers, have understandably, offered him a new contract to head off the possibility of his leaving for well below his market value, but he still hasn’t signed it.

If he does become available for a low price, Palace won’t be the only team in the bidding. Napoli and Roma are also “interested,” according to the report, and could provide some stiff competition.