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    Man Utd told to ‘break the bank’ for Harry Kane transfer who can make them Champions League contenders, says Paul Merson

    MANCHESTER UNITED have been urged to “break the bank” for Tottenham star Harry Kane.The Red Devils are in the market for a new striker following the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo in October.
    Manchester United have been told to sign Harry KaneCredit: Getty
    Paul Merson reckons that Kane would help United challenge Manchester CityCredit: Getty
    The Portuguese striker left the club following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
    This has left Manchester United short of options upfront and former Arsenal star Paul Merson believes they should go all out for Kane.
    The England international is a prolific goalscorer in the Premier League having netted 265 goals and 62 assists across 412 games for Spurs.
    And Merson thinks that a potential signing of Kane would help them close the gap to cross-city rivals Manchester City.
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    He told the Daily Star: “In an age where clubs spend money for fun and world-class centre-forwards are a rarity, I would find it crazy if Manchester United did not break the bank for Harry Kane.
    “You can look all around the world, rack your brains and round up every scout within your network and the answer is right there in front of you. There is nobody that comes close to Kane that is currently available.
    “If United ever want to catch Manchester City, they’ve got to go and get Kane. Everybody wants a striker and is searching far and wide but the best centre-forward is staring everybody in the face.
    “He plays for a team in Tottenham that are going to win absolutely nothing and surely, sooner or later his head is going to be turned by a move again.
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    “I don’t know what I’m missing here. Even if he costs £150million and it’s a four or five-year contract, you are buying over 100 goals. Who else is going to give you that?”
    Merson also revealed that he thinks Kane would be able to produce the same impact as Erling Haaland if he was at Manchester City.
    He goes as far to say that if the Red Devils signed Kane that they would have a chance to win the Champions League.
    He added: “Everyone talks about Erling Haaland but for me, Kane could deliver similar numbers in that Manchester City team and even add more assists.
    “Call me silly but Kane would even give United a chance of winning the Champions League in my opinion.
    “He is a machine. Tottenham are only where they are because of Harry Kane, it really is that simple. He is the difference.” More

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    Tottenham ‘target shock transfer for England No1 Jordan Pickford with David Raya also lined up to replace Hugo Lloris’

    TOTTENHAM are interested in pursuing Jordan Pickford and David Raya as they hunt for a new goalkeeper this summer, according to reports.Spurs’ long-term No1 Hugo Lloris turned 36 on Boxing Day and will have just one year remaining on his contract at the end of the season.
    David Raya is on Tottenham’s wishlistCredit: Getty
    The Lilywhites are making plans to recruit a successor for the Frenchman.
    According to the Telegraph, Brentford stopper Raya is “high on Tottenham’s list of targets”.
    The Spanish international, 27, will have one year remaining on his deal at the end of the season.
    Given his contractual situation, Spurs will likely face competition for the highly-rated, Premier League proven stopper.
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    Everton and England star Pickford is also on Tottenham’s radar.
    The 28-year-old has impressed despite his side’s struggles, and will also enter the final 12 months of his contract at the end of the campaign.
    Spurs’ 2-2 Boxing Day draw at Brentford marked the first Prem match Lloris had missed since March 2020.
    He has made 439 appearances for Tottenham since joining from Lyon in 2012, and has been club captain since 2015.
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    Jordan Pickford has 18 months remaining on his Everton contractCredit: Getty
    Lloris was backed up by Pierluigi Gollini last season, before Fraser Forster was signed on a free transfer in the summer.
    Forster, 34, has made three appearances this term, including in yesterday’s 1-0 win over Portsmouth.
    While Tottenham are looking to sign a goalkeeper in the summer, it is not a priority position for this month’s window.
    Instead, the Lilywhites are focusing on swoops for a right wing-back and an attacking midfielder.
    Spurs have been linked with a double raid for Sporting Lisbon stars Pedro Porro and Marcus Edwards.
    They are also rumoured to be interested in Barcelona ace Franck Kessie.
    Hugo Lloris has skippered Spurs since 2015Credit: Reuters More

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    Chelsea and Tottenham dealt Josko Gvardiol transfer blow after Croatia defender names ‘dream club’ in Premier League

    CHELSEA have been handed a major transfer blow after Jasko Gvardiol revealed his “dream club” in the Premier League.And it is bad news for Tottenham and Manchester City, too.
    Josko Gvardiol revealed the Premier League team he would love to play forCredit: Getty
    The Croatian defender was already on the wishlists of plenty of English clubs thanks to his stellar rise at RB Leipzig.
    However, his stock soared even higher thanks to his standout performances for Croatia at the World Cup.
    Gvardiol, 20, was arguably the best defender at Qatar 2022.
    As a result, a number of top clubs are weighing up bids for the young centre-back.
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    Chelsea had a bid rejected in the summer but plan to go back in for Gvardiol at the end of the season – that is despite just spending £35million on Benoit Badiashile.
    Tottenham are also interested while City boss Pep Guardiola is said to be keen to bring the ex-Dinamo Zagreb ace to the Etihad.
    However, it is Jurgen Klopp who may be in pole position should he want to snap up the centre-half this summer before a reported £112m release clause kicks in.
    That is because Gvardiol – born in 2002 – admitted he grew up supporting Liverpool.
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    The 19-cap international told RTL Danas: “My dream club? That would definitely be Liverpool.
    “Since I was little, I watched a lot of their matches with my dad.
    “We covered every season in detail. It is a club that has remained in my heart.”
    Liverpool could be in the market for a new defender with Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate and even Virgil van Dijk both struggling to find their top form.
    The Dutch giant is currently out for at least a month and faces a race to be fit to face Real Madrid in their Champions League showdown. More

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    It will be sad when my dad Jimmy Greaves’ Tottenham goalscoring record is broken, but Kane is great, says legends son

    WHEN Harry Kane surpasses Jimmy Greaves as Tottenham’s all-time leading goalscorer, the England captain will complete a lifelong quest.Kane’s status as ‘one of our own’ is no idle terrace boast by Spurs supporters – his father Pat is a lifelong fan who ensured his son grew up knowing all about the legend of Greaves.
    Danny Greaves (left) spoke to Sun Sport’s Dave Kidd about Harry Kane breaking his father’s goal recordCredit: Louis Wood
    The legendary Jimmy Greaves is Tottenham’s all-time top scorer with 266 but Kane is only two goals behindCredit: PA
    Danny Greaves, son of Jimmy and a former Southend United centre-forward, has struck up a friendship with Pat and knows exactly how much breaking his father’s record will mean to the Kane family.
    Wednesday’s double against Crystal Palace leaves Kane just two goals behind Greaves’ record of 266 Spurs goals, ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup third-round clash with Portsmouth.
    It is a record which many, including the families of both strikers, believed would never be broken.
    Danny said: “Harry’s dad Pat is a big Spurs fan, and of Dad. So Harry was brought up being told ‘if you can be as good as Jimmy Greaves…’
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    “Harry know his history. He was always well aware who Dad was, what he achieved and what he meant to the club.
    “Pat recently messaged me and said they never thought Harry would get anywhere near Dad’s record and here he is on the cusp of getting past it.
    “There’s a tinge of sadness that this record will be broken but I feel that, in the eyes of many supporters, Dad will always be the king of White Hart Lane.
    “We never thought anyone in this era would stay at the club long enough to beat Dad’s record, so good luck to Harry. We, as a family, appreciate him as a fantastic footballer and a great lad.
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    “He’ll be Tottenham and England’s greatest goalscorer – he’s just got to be careful he doesn’t finish his career without winning a trophy because, for such a great player, that would be a tragedy.”
    Jimmy Greaves died 16 months ago at 81, six years after he’d suffered a devastating stroke, which left him in a wheelchair and with limited speech.
    But he and Kane met at Tottenham’s training ground, along with Danny and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, in 2017.
    Danny said: “Harry spent 20 minutes chatting with Dad and it was lovely – they had such genuine admiration for each other. Dad couldn’t communicate well but he knew exactly what was going on and he enjoyed meeting Harry.”
    He’ll be Tottenham and England’s greatest goalscorer – he’s just got to be careful he doesn’t finish his career without winning a trophy because, for such a great player, that would be a tragedy.Danny Greaves on Harry Kane
    While Kane could become Tottenham’s leading scorer today, he is unlikely to beat Greaves’ all-time record of 357 English top-flight goals. Kane, with 198, is 32nd on that list.
    The fixation with Alan Shearer’s Premier League record of 260 goals airbrushes the likes of Greaves and Dixie Dean out of history – and Danny admits that is a frustration.
    “Will that record ever be beaten? Probably not,” says Danny, “but it’s a real shame they don’t put that record up, like Alan Shearer’s. Shearer was a fantastic player but still way behind Dad.”
    Danny, 59, was only seven when his father left Spurs for West Ham in 1970 but he has ‘vague, happy memories’ of watching his old man play at the Lane, along with his younger brother Andy.
    “We sat on wooden benches at the front, almost touching the pitch,” said Danny.
    “Then we’d go into the dressing-room, where the physio gave us the old bottles of Lucozade. Dad got the hump on the way home because we were hyperactive.
    Harry Kane is now just two goals behind Jimmy Greaves’ total for SpursCredit: Getty
    Danny Greaves insists that the current Spurs star is a fantastic player and will be a worthy successorCredit: Louis Wood
    “We’d have a kickabout in the car park and Big Pat Jennings would come out and give us a cuddle.
    “But the memory that had the most impact as a teenager was when Spurs signed Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa and they had a match with some ex-players and celebrities at the training ground in Cheshunt and Dad was going to play.
    “We got out in the car park and there was a sea of people. We got separated and I could hear my Dad shouting to security ‘get my boys’ as he got carried off by this wave of people.
    “There were these two great Argentinian World Cup winners there but the only person they all wanted to see was Dad. That was the first time I realised ‘hold on, he must have been something’.”
    Danny is co-manager of Isthmian League club Heybridge Swifts and I met him after a coaching session with the Under-19 team at another Essex club Billericay Town.
    He also coaches at the Jimmy Greaves Academy in nearby Basildon, where aspiring strikers get advice passed down from the great man himself.
    Danny said: “The only advice Dad ever gave me as a goalscorer was that it didn’t have to break the net, it only had to cross the line.
    “People get in front of goal, they tighten up, snatch at it, try to break the net. So pass the ball into the goal. I still pass that on to strikers now.”
    He is too kind to suggest Kane might have benefitted from such advice in Qatar last month.
    But what about the relative attributes of Tottenham’s two greatest strikers?
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    Danny says: “I don’t think Harry can pick the ball up from halfway, beat four or five players and score, which is what made people get off their seats watching Dad, but then I don’t think Dad scored anywhere near as many goals as Harry aerially.
    “Imagine them as a front two, though, they’d have been phenomenal, eh?” More

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    Chelsea ‘are still keen on Josko Gvardiol transfer but face competition from Tottenham for £88m-rated defender’

    JOSKO GVARDIOL isn’t short of options when it comes to choosing his next club as Chelsea and Tottenham battle for his signature.The RB Leipzig defender has been long sought after by Premier League clubs after his breakthrough year last season.
    Josko Gvardiol was an important part of Croatia’s bronze medal winning side at the World Cup.Credit: Getty
    Now after playing a crucial part in Croatia’s third place finish at the World Cup, the 20-year-old’s already hefty price tag has since increased further.
    Chelsea seemed favourites to finalise a move for the highly rated centre back yet it seems as though London rivals Tottenham could swoop in and steal the deal.
    According to Bild, the competition from Spurs hasn’t deterred the Blues with Graham Potter’s side still keen on Gvardiol.
    The London sides will need to empty their pockets if they want their man however, with Gvardiol signing his allegiance to RB Leipzig until 2027 last September.
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    The contract states that a release clause of £112million will become active in 2024, meaning Leipzig will be asking for even more before the clause can be activated next year.
    This will see Gvardiol become the most expensive defender in history, beating the record set by Harry Maguire when he made his £87million move from Leicester to Manchester United in 2019.
    If the Croat does make the move to Stamford Bridge, he will be the fourth big named defender to have been recruited by Chelsea since July.
    With Kalidou Koulibaly and Wesley Fofana joining the two-time Champions League winners in summer followed by the recent signing of Benoit Badiashile, Chelsea’s defence has seen a complete overhaul.
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    Despite this, the Blues defence has seen a decline from last season, conceding 19 goals in 17 league games so far, seven more than this time last season.
    The addition of Gvardiol could see him fill the void of the ageing Thiago Silva, with the Croat’s playing style similar to that of the 38-years-old.
    However neither Chelsea or Tottenham have approached Leipzig as far over a move for Gvardiol. More

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    Tottenham fans all say the same thing as footage emerges of Ndombele appearing to row with Napoli boss

    TANGUY NDOMBELE appeared to engage in a heated argument with his Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti last night.The Frenchman is on loan with the Serie A side from Tottenham until the end of the season.

    Tanguy Ndombele appeared to argue with his managerCredit: BT Sport
    The Frenchman didn’t back down when confronted by his managerCredit: Rex
    Napoli possess an option to make Ndombele’s transfer permanent at the end of the season for around £26.5million.
    But after his exchange with Spalletti, Spurs supporters are pessimistic that the Italian table toppers will take them up on the deal.
    The Neapolitans fell to their first defeat of the season last night, going down 1-0 to champions Inter Milan.
    Ndombele began the match on the bench, before replacing Frank Anguissa with just 14 minutes to go.
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    He was unable to help his side find an equaliser during his cameo, and appeared to frustrate his boss in the process.
    In a clip shown on BT Sport, a visibly frustrated Spalletti gesticulated with his arms and seemed to ask Ndombele: “Why you stay there?”
    The midfielder waved his arms and appeared to answer back to his manager, before animatedly pointing across the pitch.
    He then turned his back on Spalletti, shrugging his shoulders as he walked off.
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    After watching the clip, one Tottenham fan wrote: “It’s not looking good for selling him permanently.”
    To which another responded: “It’s gonna take a miracle.”
    Another added: “I don’t think Napoli will be making Tanguy Ndombele’s deal permanent…”
    A further supporter moaned: “It’s getting to the point we’re gonna have to terminate his contract.
    “He’s not good enough to play in any top league, and teams outside of them won’t pay his wages.”
    Spurs smashed their transfer record to sign Ndombele for £65m back in 2019.
    He made 91 appearances for Spurs over the following two-and a-half years – representing five managers in the process, including caretaker Ryan Mason.
    His final appearance came in an FA Cup tie against Morecambe 12 months ago.
    He was booed by his own fans that day, as he walked off the pitch with his side trailing the League One strugglers 1-0 with 21 minutes left.
    A loan return to former club Lyon followed in the second half of last season, before he joined Napoli on a temporary deal last summer.
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    He has made 19 appearances for the Serie A side this season, but has only completed 90 minutes once.
    Ndombele remains contracted to Tottenham until 2025.
    Ndombele, 25, was booed off by Spurs fans during an FA Cup tie against Morecambe last seasonCredit: Reuters More

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    Grief-stricken Antonio Conte pulls out of Tottenham press conference after death of Italy legend Gianluca Vialli

    ANTONIO CONTE has pulled out of Tottenham’s press conference following the death of Gianluca Vialli.The Italian manager was due to speak to the press ahead of Spurs’ FA Cup tie against Portsmouth tomorrow.
    Antonio Conte pulled out of a press conference following the death of Gianluca VialliCredit: PA
    Vialli died at the age of 58Credit: Reuters
    However, Conte was a no-show following the announcement that Vialli had passed away at the age of 58.
    He died after his pancreatic cancer returned in 2021 after he was given the all-clear in 2020.
    Vialli continued to work until he was forced to step away from his role with the Italian national team last month.
    The two Italians played together at Serie A side Juventus between 1992 and 1996.
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    However, they never played together for the Italian national team, as Vialli had finished his international career before Conte’s debut.
    They were both part of the successful Juventus side that won the UEFA Cup in 1993, the Serie A title and the Coppa Italia double in 1995, as well as the Champions League in 1996.
    Vialli ended his time in Turin in 1996 when he moved to the Premier League Chelsea, where he would then become player-manager for a year.
    It is another overlap in their careers as Conte also managed the Stamford Bridge side, taking charge in 2016 before he was sacked in 2018.
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    Conte is still expected on the touchline at Tottenham’s FA Cup clash with Portsmouth at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which will take place just 24 hours after Vialli’s death.
    The 53-year-old manager will be hoping that his side can convert their Premier League form after they thrashed Crystal Palace 4-0 on Wednesday evening.
    Spurs assistant manager Cristian Stellini took over the duty of the press conference in Conte’s absence and spoke about the manager’s emotions.
    He said: “Absolutely, Antonio, in this moment, is upset and sad and every one of us we are close to Vialli’s family and all the people that love Vialli.”
    Stellini also paid tribute to Vialli as he said: “He’s an important person in Italy and also in England. We’re close together to stay with his family and remember him in the right way.
    “He was a great player, but first of all was a great man. He taught us a lot of things, not only when he played but when he spoke with everyone.
    “When you know him, and the people who know him can only speak well about this great guy. He was a great leader for Italy.
    “He opened the door for Italian managers. He was the first [in England]. In that moment, maybe Premier League for us was different, not a country for Italian managers.
    “But, in that moment, the Premier League grew a lot and overcame the Serie A.
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    “Now we have to say thanks to Vialli for opening this door to everyone. He let us understand how important football in Europe is, to open doors.
    “Because an Italian manager came into the PL and improved the PL together. It’s a great thing.” More

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    Tottenham supporters’ trust sends letter to board over ‘genuine concerns about the situation’ and asking 4 key questions

    TOTTENHAM Hotspur Supporters’ Trust have sent out a letter to the club’s board expressing “genuine concerns” and asking four questions. Spurs are up to fifth after beating Crystal Palace 4-0 on Wednesday – but manager Antonio Conte’s future remains in question.
    Antonio Conte during Tottenham’s win over Crystal PalaceCredit: Reuters
    And the Italian raised alarms when he urged Tottenham fans to lower their expectations on success this season.
    THST revealed in a tweet that they had contacted the board asking key questions.
    A statement read: “There are genuine concerns about the situation at Spurs and the direction of the Club.
    “We have written to the Club Board seeking answers to the fundamental questions that fans want answered and we will share the Club’s response in due course.”
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    Conte claimed Spurs fans’ expectations were “not realistic” following his side’s 2-0 loss to Aston Villa last Sunday.
    He said: “I know what the reality is because I am the coach. The club knows very well what my thoughts are on the situation.
    “The situation was very clear. I continue to work and to improve and to help you to improve the club, to create a solid foundation and then to develop.
    “You have to know that there are clubs who can invest £200m or £300m and others with different policies and, I repeat, you have to respect the policy.
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    “The policy has to be very clear with all people otherwise we created a situation that’s not positive for the environment to create expectations that are not realistic, honestly.
    “I was expecting this moment. Now we have to start to fight strong, because the situation in this league you can slip quickly.
    “If you ask me if I’m scared, I’m not scared. I believe in my work, I believe in these players, but don’t ask me for things I cannot promise you.”
    A double from Harry Kane and goals from Matt Doherty and Son Heung-min got Conte back to winning ways.
    Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust Four Questions To Board
    1) Will the club share its medium and long-term strategy for success, both on and off the pitch? How is the club measuring progress and how does it judge current outcomes against those expectations.
    2) The manager employed by the Club has not signed a new contract and tells us we should lower our expectations about on-field outcomes. He has said publicly that the club needs to spend big money every window just to compete. How does this align with the Board’s philosophy for achieving success?
    3) Are you satisfied with player recruitment in recent transfer windows and with the performance of the youth teams and development and supply of younger players through to the first team? Are there any plans to improve this?
    4) Does the Club have a plan for further investment to ensure the Club remains competitive on the pitch in the face of substantial additional investment by other Premier League clubs. Is the Club closer to securing a [stadium] naming rights provider? Is there plans from further investment from ENIC or other potential investors or buyers?

    The former Premier League title winner at Chelsea praised his side’s character after second-half rout.
    He said: “It’s always important to get three points and have this type of win. This brings confidence.
    “The game against Aston Villa, after a good first half, we conceded the goal and our confidence dropped a lot and to recover in two or three days after a defeat at home where we are expected to win, and to go again, was not easy.
    “The response was really good. My players showed great character, great personality.”
    Antonio Conte celebrates with players at Selhurst ParkCredit: PA More