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    Harry Kane is right to leave Spurs for Bayern – he will win trophies, make history and can still break Shearer’s record

    HARRY KANE certainly took his time, not that Bayern Munich or Tottenham fans were thanking him for it.But the England captain, who finally put Spurs fans out of their misery after the confirmation of his transfer, has clearly delivered the right decision to move to Bavaria. 
    Harry Kane has left Tottenham Hotspur for Bayern MunichCredit: Bayern Munich
    He has signed a four-year contract with the Bundesliga championsCredit: Bayern Munich
    It should be an exciting chapter of a fine career which, so far, has yielded lots of goals but not a single trophy.
    Once the clubs agreed a fee of over £100million, both sets of supporters would have thought it was deal done.
    So everyone in Germany, including Bayern themselves, were left totally baffled as the transfer suddenly stalled.
    Tottenham fans were hoping that maybe after all, their all-time goalscorer, who has been with the club since he was 11, was ready to stay for at least one more season.
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    Officials at Bayern could not understand any of this. Talks with Kane’s family that had gone so smoothly yet all of a sudden, there was a chance that their no 1 target was about to slip through the net.
    Equally, Kane’s wife, Kate, has also been spotted in Munich looking at homes so none of this last made any sense.
    Ultimately, the delay was because Kane’s father Pat, and brother Charlie, were looking to sort out the final financial details.
    Kane has always loved a statistic and much has been made of his desire to beat Alan Shearer’s Premier League goals record.
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    Alan Shearer is 48 goals ahead of Harry Kane’s Prem totalCredit: AFP
    Kane has won the Premier League Golden Boot three timesCredit: Getty
    With 213 goals from 320 games, Kane needs just 48 more to break Shearer’s record.
    Yet considering his fitness record these days, he could still have a couple of years at Bayern and return home and break the record in any case.
    But equally, Kane will now absolutely love the chance to write his name into history at a club with a long tradition of fine number 9s which includes Gerd Muller, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Robert Lewandowski.
    Kane’s only mistake was not leaving Tottenham sooner, although he did post an emotional goodbye to the club’s fans on social media.
    A few Spurs fans are feeling let down and angry that he has left but the vast majority are not blaming Kane for leaving because he has given everything for the club. 
    Instead, the supporters’ anger is being directed at chairman Daniel Levy for completing the deal so close to the start of the season. 
    Instead, Kane is joining one of the biggest clubs in the world where he will finally collect some trophies.
    He will also have a chance of winning the Champions League whereas had he stayed at Spurs, he would have spent his midweeks watching the games on TNT Sports.
    There is a sneering attitude in England at Bayern because of their dominance of the Bundesliga after 11 successive titles.
    But let’s not forget Manchester City are threatening the same kind of dominance over here. Also, the Bundesliga is a terrific division packed with great clubs who boast some major footballing history. The total opposite to Saudi Arabia. 
    Germany has the highest attendances in Europe and Kane will experience a better atmosphere at the stadiums than in England.
    Bayern have been crowned champions of Europe on six occasions, three times this century and most recently three years ago.
    As a result, Kane will now come under enormous pressure to help Bayern once again win the Champions League.
    And maybe it is written in the stars that Kane could feature in next year’s June 1 final . . . at Wembley.
    After then, we will move on to Euro2024 in Germany. Kane will now be able to give the Three Lions squad some info on the grounds as he will have played at all of them.
    Equally, England boss Gareth Southgate will not be too upset that Kane has decided to move away from England.
    With Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid, it is incredible that the nation’s best two players will not be featuring in England but instead, will be playing each week for two of the world’s biggest clubs.
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    And while this is not great news for the Premier League, it will be fascinating for those who love their European football to see how Kane – and Bellingham – progress in the next 12 months.
    As for Kane,  he will just continue to be an absolute nightmare for opposing defenders. He scored 30 goals in an ordinary Spurs side last season, so place your bets, please, on how many he gets for Bayern.
    Two of Gareth Southgate’s biggest stars will be playing abroad next seasonCredit: Getty
    Kane will join a long line of famous Bayern No9sCredit: Reuters More

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    Forgotten ex-Premier League star, 31, targeted by Everton and Sheffield United after rejecting Saudi transfer

    PREMIER LEAGUE duo Everton and Sheffield United are monitoring Pajtim Kasami.Kasami has been a free agent since June when his contract with Olympiacos ran out.
    Pajtim Kasami has made the shortlist of Everton and Sheffield UnitedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Kasami turned down lucrative offers from two Saudi Arabian clubsCredit: PA:Empics Sport
    SunSport understand the versatile midfielder has made the Toffees and the Blades’ shortlist.
    This comes after the 31-year-old turned down lucrative offers from two clubs in Saudi Arabia.
    The ex-Switzerland international rejected an approach from Slaven Bilic’s Al-Fateh.
    Kasami also opted against moving to Al-Riyadh and joining some of the biggest names, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante, who now play in the Saudi Pro League.
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    Instead, the Swiss ace is prioritising a return to the Premier League before the summer transfer window slams shut on September 1.
    And a return could be materialised with both Everton and Sheffield United keen.
    Kasami initially joined the English top flight in 2011 when he signed for Fulham from Palermo.
    The central midfielder, who can also play as a playmaker and a No6, spent three years with the Cottagers and amassed 56 appearances as well as an unforgettable screamer against Crystal Palace in 2013.
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    Kasami also spent a season on loan in the Championship with Nottingham Forest in 2016 during his first stint at Olympiacos.
    He amassed a total of two goals and two assists in 27 matches for Forest.
    The ex-Basel star rejoined the Greek giants late last term and amassed two goals as well as one assist in 16 games. More

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    David Moyes admits Lucas Paqueta’s head HAS been turned by Manchester City – but tells West Ham star he is staying put

    DAVID MOYES admits Lucas Paqueta’s head HAS been turned by Manchester City’s interest.But, the West Ham boss has told his Brazilian playmaker that he is staying put unless City vastly improve on their verbal offer of around £70m.
    Lucas Paqueta has had his head turned by interest from Manchester CityCredit: Getty
    Pep Guardiola is keen to strengthen his squad by bringing in PaquetaCredit: Getty
    Pep Guardiola is very interested in bringing Paqueta to the Etihad to fill the gaps left by the likes of Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez.
    Paqueta, 25 – who joined the Hammers from Lyon last August for £51m including add-ons – has four years left on his contract that includes an £85m release clause from next summer.
    West Ham are adamant they do not want to sell another big star during this window at any price following Declan Rice’s £105m departure to Arsenal last month.
    Moyes refused to put a price tag on Paqueta, but it is believed the club would only begin to consider an offer closer to £100m, given they have time to find a replacement.
    City are yet to make an official bid.
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    But as it stands, Moyes has confirmed that Paqueta WILL be a part of the squad that takes on Bournemouth in their Premier League opener tomorrow afternoon.
    Moyes said: “We’ve had an offer from Manchester City, it’s not close enough to our valuation, so at the moment we have no decision [to make].”
    On whether Paqueta’s head has been turned, Moyes added: “There are a couple of football clubs in the world who could turn your head quite easily.
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    “Let’s be fair, Manchester City are probably one of them.
    “I brought Lucas up to speed with everything I know. He’s fully aware of everything. I explained to him where we’re at, what’s been said, so he knows.”
    West Ham have made their first signing of the summer in Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez, 25, for £35m on a five-year deal.
    However, the Mexican international will NOT be involved at the Cherries tomorrow owing to the fact he has not yet trained with the squad after his recent international exploits.
    Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse, 28, completed his medical today ahead of his £30m switch, but is not expected to be announced as a West Ham player until early next week.
    Talks continue with Manchester United defender Harry Maguire, 30, over a £30m move. West Ham are believed to have agreed to pay £120k-a-week of the player’s £190-a-week wages, with United also forking out a £6m leaving package to cover the two years remaining on his current contract.
    David Moyes insists he has a good relationship with technical director Tim SteidtenCredit: Getty
    There have been reports of tension between Moyes and new technical director Tim Steidten – formerly of Bayer Leverkusen – over player recruitment this summer.
    Moyes is believed to have opted for more British-based targets with Prem experience, while Steidten has been suggesting younger players from the European market.
    On their working relationship, Moyes said: “We have got on very well actually. There has been a lot of rubbish spoken.
    “We may not agree on every player, but there would be something wrong if we did. The longer we are together, the longer we work together, the better it will become.
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    “Tim had been working at another club and had players in mind for his other club.
    “But it’s a different way you’ve got to do it when you’re buying players for the Premier League compared to the German league.” More

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    Newcastle vs Aston Villa LIVE SCORE: Toon take on Emery’s Villans in tasty Premier League opener – stream, TV

    NEWCASTLE will start their Premier League campaign with a tricky test against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.The Magpies were fantastic last season and qualified for the Champions League, and boss Eddie Howe will be hoping he can carry the momentum into the new campaign.
    They will face a tough Aston Villa side who have been phenomenal since Unai Emery took the reins at Villa Park in October.

    Date: Saturday, 12 August
    Kick off time: 5:30pm BST
    TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event
    Live stream: NOW
    Stadium: St James’ Park

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    Everton vs Fulham LIVE SCORE: Latest updates as Toffees entertain Cottagers in Premier League opener

    EVERTON will begin their Premier League campaign by hosting Fulham at Goodison Park.The Toffees narrowly avoided relegation last season after securing survival on the final day.
    Sean Dyche’s side will take on a Fulham team that will be hoping to continue from where they left off last season.

    Date: Saturday, August 12
    Kick off time: 3pm BST
    TV channel/live stream: Not available in the UK due to 3pm blackout
    Stadium: Goodison Park

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    Brighton vs Luton Town LIVE SCORE: Latest as Hatters begin Premier League fairytale with trip to high-flying Seagulls

    LUTON TOWN will begin their Premier League journey with a trip to Brighton.The Hatters had a fairytale ending to their Championship season with a play-off final win against Coventry clinching promotion to the top flight.
    Rob Edwards’ side have been tasked with a tricky customer in Brighton on the opening day.

    Date: Saturday, August 12
    Kick off time: 3pm BST
    TV channel/live stream: Not available in the UK due to 3pm blackout
    Stadium: Amex Stadium

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    Bournemouth vs West Ham LIVE SCORE: Latest updates as Hammers take to Premier League with new-look side

    WEST HAM travel to Bournemouth to begin their Premier League campaign.The Hammers will have a new-look side on display as they look to re-build following the departure of Declan Rice.
    Elsewhere, Bournemouth have been active in the transfer window and will be aiming to establish their Premier League status this season.

    Date: Saturday, August 12
    Kick off time: 3pm BST
    TV channel/live stream: Not available in the UK due to 3pm blackout
    Stadium: Vitality Stadium

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    Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace LIVE SCORE: Latest updates as Blades clash with Eagles on Premier League return

    NEWLY promoted Sheffield United take on Crystal Palace on the opening day of the Premier League season.The Blades claimed promotion to the top flight after an impressive season in the Championship ending in automatic promotion.
    Meanwhile, Crystal Palace will be hoping to build on last season’s 11th-place finish with Roy Hodgson at the helm.

    Date: Saturday, August 12
    Kick off time: 3pm BST
    TV channel/live stream: Not available in the UK due to 3pm blackout
    Stadium: Bramall Lane

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