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    Micah Richards says ‘I don’t know how Harry Kane sleeps at night’ in passionate rant on Sky Sports

    MICAH RICHARDS says he “doesn’t know how Harry Kane sleeps at night” in a passionate rant on Sky Sports.The striker overtook Wayne Rooney to become the second-highest Premier League goalscorer on Saturday.
    Micah Richards says he ‘doesn’t know how Harry Kane sleeps at night’Credit: Sky Sports
    The Tottenham star is now on 209 goals in the Premier LeagueCredit: Alamy
    “To not have won anything… I don’t know how he sleeps at night” 😰Micah Richards on Harry Kane ⚪ pic.twitter.com/9SOnM1wrvE— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 6, 2023

    Tottenham’s all-time top scorer, 29, headed in to earn a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
    That was his 209th strike in the Premier League, moving him one clear of Rooney on 208.
    But Kane has done it in just 317 appearances – whereas Rooney played 491 times in England’s top flight.
    And the current Three Lions captain, who is also our country’s all-time top scorer, is now just 51 goals behind Alan Shearer’s all-time record of 260 goals.
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    Manchester United have made the star one of their top summer transfer targets as Kane’s future remains in the spotlight.
    It has been another year of disappointment for him at club level and he is still yet to win a trophy during his incredible career. 
    He only has a year left on his contract at Spurs as speculation continues to mount, but ex-Manchester City ace Richards believes it would be a tragedy if he ended his career without silverware.
    During a passionate rant on Sky Sports, he said: “Harry Kane has remained focused on what he’s needed to do and he does what he does best and is scoring goals.
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    “But there’s going to be a time, especially in the summer, when he is going to have to make a decision.
    “Who is the manager going to be and what are their plans going forward because a player with so much quality to have not won anything, I just don’t know how he sleeps at night.
    “He’s an unbelievable talent and he’s got nothing to show for it apart from just the goals.
    “Some people would just take the goals, he’s a Spurs legend already and what he has done has been absolutely incredible.
    “But, at the end of your career, you want a trophy.” More

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    Tottenham ‘make Franck Kessie enquiry’ with Barcelona expected to demand £22m fee for midfielder transfer

    TOTTENHAM have allegedly approached Barcelona to “give them a price” to sign midfielder Franck Kessie.The 26-year-old only joined Barca on a free transfer after his deal expired at AC Milan last summer.
    Tottenham have been linked with a swoop for Barcelona’s Franck KessieCredit: Getty
    He penned a four-year contract at the Nou Camp but the Ivory Coast ace has struggled to cement himself in the starting XI.
    Kessie has made 39 appearances for the LaLiga side but only five of them have been starts in the Spanish top-flight.
    Rumours first started that he could be leaving Barcelona back in October – but his agent quickly slammed them as “fake news”.
    However, Spurs are known to be long-term admirers of Kessie and allegedly had a £13m bid for him rejected ahead of the January transfer window opening.
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    Now, despite still looking for a new permanent manager to replace Antonio Conte, a new report from Spain has claimed that they are making a renewed approach to try and sign him.
    SPORT claim that the North London club have once again inquired about Kessie and that the ace “is one of the players chosen to leave Barca as of June 30”.
    Cash-strapped Barcelona are desperate to balance the books in order to firstly hold on to their key stars and to ensure they can bolster their squad with new additions.
    Kessie is also believed to have been one of a number of players that has refused to take a pay-cut to help Barcelona try and finance the return of Lionel Messi and is said to be valued at around £22m.
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    Now his potential exit could help them ease the squeeze with the publication starting: “The club’s [Barcelona’s] goal is to close a direct sale and Tottenham has asked for a price in recent days.”
    As we revealed this week, another player that could be heading out the Nou Camp exit door is Raphinha.
    Newcastle are believed to be plotting a £70m swoop for the Brazilian attack. More

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    Leicester star Harvey Barnes ‘set to switch Premier League clubs in shock transfer’ after stalling on new deal

    LEICESTER CITY could be set to lose Harvey Barnes as well as James Maddison this summer, according to a new report.We reported earlier this week that Foxes star Maddison, 26, looks certain to depart even if they survive in the Premier League.
    Leicester are bracing themselves for interest in winger Harvey BarnesCredit: Alamy
    However, a fresh new report claims that fellow winger Barnes “could follow him out of the exit door” as a host of clubs track the 25-year-old.
    The former West Brom loanee has scored ten goals in 30 top-flight appearances this term and is valued at around £60m by Leicester.
    He is likely to “attract bids” at the end of the season and the Foxes are bracing themselves for plenty of interest.
    Newcastle have previously enquired about the England international last year.
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    Now Tottenham and Aston Villa are also believed to be “watching developments closely” as they plot a swoop, says the Daily Mail.
    While Maddison is about to enter the last 12 months of his deal, Barnes is contracted to Leicester until 2025.
    However, no “meaningful discussions” have taken place over an extension.
    But this fresh update states that whether they stay up or suffer relegation, a “huge overhaul” of the squad will occur in the summer window.
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    There are eight first-team players that are out of contract and are expected to leave.
    And the Foxes know that they could get the chance to cash in and help fund a rebuild by selling Barnes and Maddison. More

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    Julian Nagelsmann ‘has held talks with Premier League club’ and ex-Bayern Munich boss could be appointed this summer

    JULIAN NAGELSMANN has reportedly held discussions with Tottenham over their vacant managerial position. Nagelsmann was sacked by Bayern Munich during the most recent international break.
    Julian Nagelsmann has reportedly held discussions about the Tottenham jobCredit: Getty
    This conveniently coincided with the sacking of Antonio Conte at Spurs.
    But with reports suggesting Bayern would demand a fee for him to go to another club before the end of the season due to a clause in his contract, he has not moved elsewhere yet.
    Nagelsmann had been linked with the Chelsea job before Frank Lampard took over as interim boss, while Tottenham initially appointed Cristian Stellini before Ryan Mason assumed the role.
    Now according to Sky in Germany, Tottenham have held discussions with the German in the last few days over their vacant head coach position.
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    The report states Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is “pushing more” to bring Nagelsmann to north London.
    The 35-year-old is said to be interested in the job, though no agreements or commitments are in place yet.
    This is because Nagelsmann wants to know how much power he would be afforded on transfers if he were to take the role.
    Spurs appear to have a clear shot at landing Nagelsmann, with Chelsea no longer considering him for the role.
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    Instead, Chelsea appear set to appoint Spurs fan-favourite Mauricio Pochettino.
    Nagelsmann has also been encouraged to take the “exciting” Spurs job by former Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick, who is also a former mentor of Nagelsmann.
    He told Sky Germany: “I think Tottenham is an exciting club in many ways.
    “They probably have one of the most modern, beautiful stadiums in the world at the moment.
    “They have one of the best training centres, that is there at the moment and Daniel Levy, who has been leading the club for many, many years.
    “Although he is not a big spender, he knows the football business and would not put himself in the centre of the cameras.
    “If Tottenham really want him, then I think it would be important if a sporting director was still there to support him.
    “It can be a very, very exciting story. There is room for improvement, a lot of room for improvement and yet this is not a club where the house expects you to be in the top one or two right away.”
    But Nagelsmann is not the only boss being considered for the Spurs gig.
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    The likes of Vincent Kompany, Xabi Alonso and Michael Carrick have all been linked as well.
    Tottenham are also looking for a new director of football after Fabio Paratici stepped down from the role last month following his involvement in the alleged financial irregularities scandal at Juventus. More

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    Tottenham legend to meet Pochettino NEXT WEEK in last, desperate attempt to prevent him joining Chelsea

    TOTTENHAM legend Ricky Villa will make a last ditch attempt to get Mauricio Pochettino to swerve Chelsea and rejoin Spurs. The Argentine boss is widely expected to take the reigns at Stamford Bridge after their horror season.
    Pochettino was a very popular figure among fans during his five years in the dugout at SpursCredit: PA
    💪 “We need Pochettino back!”👀 “I’m meeting him next week – we’ll see what happens…”🗣️ #THFC legend Ricky Villa urges compatriot Mauricio Pochettino to reject #CFC for a Spurs return! pic.twitter.com/AUMIkZJ1hJ— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) May 5, 2023

    It will be his first job in England since his largely successful five years at Tottenham.
    Many Spurs fans had been praying the 51-year-old would return and fill their managerial vacancy after the sacking of Antonio Conte.
    And Villa, best known for his two goals in the FA Cup Final replay of 1981, has not yet given up hope of his compatriot returning to North London.
    He told talkSPORT: “It’s a difficult moment for the club. [But] the club is very strong and there will be a recovery very soon.
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    “Pochettino should come back. We need Pochettino back into the team.”
    When reminded that the boss looked set for the Blues, Villa said: “Yes, yes, yes… [but] Spurs have not called him. If he had another offer, he would have to make a decision.
    “It’s not my decision, it’s the decision of the chairman. I’m meeting Pochettino next week and we’ll see what happens.”
    Villa joined Tottenham from Racing Club in 1978 and would become a fan favourite at the club over his five years.
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    More than 30 years on another Argentine would capture the hearts of supporters.
    Pochettino quickly had Spurs playing expansive football and managed regular finishes in the top four between 2014 and 2019.
    He also took the club to the 2019 Champions League final where they lost to Liverpool. More

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    Xabi Alonso breaks silence on links to Premier League jobs as Tottenham eye him to replace Conte

    TOTTENHAM target Xabi Alonso says he is “100 per cent” focused on managing Bayer Leverkusen next season.The former Liverpool midfielder, 41, is one of the candidates Spurs are considering to be the permanent successor to Antonio Conte.
    Xabi Alonso has impressed since taking over Bayer Leverkusen in OctoberCredit: EPA
    Alonso has been a huge hit since taking over at struggling Leverkusen in October, taking them up to sixth in the Bundesliga and into the Europa League semi-finals.
    And he suggested that he does not yet feel his time is up yet with the German side as he addressed reports of Tottenham’s interest in him.
    The Spaniard, who began his coaching career with Real Sociedad’s B side, said: “I’ve been in football for many years, rumours are normal but we still have a lot to achieve.
    “That’s why my head is 100 per cent here for the last few months.
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    “And my head is also 100 per cent here for next season.”
    Spurs have been searching for a new boss since Conte departed in March.
    But they look set to finish the campaign with an interim head coach.
    That had originally been Cristian Stellini’s – Conte’s No2 – until he was sacked following the 6-1 thrashing at Newcastle and Ryan Mason was put in caretaker charge.
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    Alonso, Julian Nagelsmann, Feyenoord’s Arne Slot and Vincent Kompany are all among the contenders Daniel Levy is assessing.
    Meanwhile, Spurs could lose whizkid midfielder Romaine Mundle on a free transfer this summer.
    Belgian clubs Anderlecht and Standard Liege are among those keen to sign the 20-year-old, who has been on Spurs’ bench a number of times this season but is yet to make his first-team debut. More

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    Tottenham whizkid Harvey White weighing up his future at club as midfielder targets first-team football

    TOTTENHAM whizkid Harvey White is weighing up his future at the club.The midfielder, 21, has enjoyed his time on loan at League One Derby during the second half of this season. 
    Harvey White is weighing up his future with SpursCredit: Reuters
    He has an offer of a new contract with his parent club on the table, with his present deal expiring in the summer of 2024.
    Discussions will be held with the Spurs hierarchy at the end of the season.
    White is keen to experience more first-team action.
    The youngster has made 14 League One appearances for the Rams since joining the club on loan.
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    He was regularly involved in Spurs’ matchday squad under Antonio Conte in the first half of the campaign – when the fiery Italian was still at the helm – but only played four minutes.
    The Maidstone lad, who came through the Spurs academy, must consider whether now could be the right time to move on from his boyhood club or not.
    White’s only appearance for Spurs was when he replaced Ivan Perisic off the bench against Crystal Palace at the start of January.
    He was named in the matchday squad for two other Premier League matches, as well as five out of Spurs’ six Champions League group games.
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    White has started five games in League One since joining the Rams on loan, and has featured off the bench nine times for the club.
    Derby are sixth in League One going into the final game of the season, with Paul Warne’s side looking to secure a place in the play-offs. More

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    How Tottenham could line up under Xabi Alonso with Prem legend having huge network of wonderkids to choose from

    XABI ALONSO could make some drastic changes if he was named Tottenham manager.The Spaniard is reportedly Spurs’ No1 managerial target to replace the axed Antonio Conte.
    How Spurs could line up under Xabi Alonso
    Alonso is reportedly the club’s No1 choice to be the new managerCredit: Getty
    Patrik Schick could join Alonso at the clubCredit: Reuters
    Schick could replace Harry Kane if he leavesCredit: AFP
    Cristian Stellini was given the job on an interim basis but was sacked after some shocking form and now Ryan Mason has been placed in charge until the end of the season.
    Alonso took charge of Bayer Leverkusen last year, having previously managed Real Sociedad’s B Team.
    He has impressed since taking charge, guiding his side to sixth in the Bundesliga and the Europa League semi-finals.
    And if he got the job in North London then he would need to make some changes to improve their form on the pitch.
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    Alonso’s first mission would be to sign a replacement for Harry Kane, who is thought to be on his way out of the club this summer.
    A move for Bayer’s Patrik Schick could make sense having worked with the Czech striker.
    Fans will remember him for his amazing goal against Scotland from the half way line in Euro 2020.
    While he has not been at his best this season, a fresh start could bring the best out of him.
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    Another option would be for another Bayer and Czech striker, Adam Hlozek.
    The youngster is highly rated and after a slow start to life in Germany, he has started to prove himself, scoring six goals in 31 games.
    Although at 20 years old, he would be a risk with taking on the burden of Kane’s goalscoring responsibilities.
    Another area Alonso will want to improve is in the defensive line, which has become incredibly frail this season.
    He could plan a double swoop to sign Bayer duo Piero Hincapié and Edmond Tapsoba.
    The pair would fit in either side of Cristian Romero to form a solid back three.
    Jonathan Tah would be another option that could potentially be cheaper than the other two.
    To improve the creativity in the side, Alonso could look to either German wonderkid Florian Wirtz or winger Moussa Diaby.
    One of the two would be able to help Son Heung-min add goals to the side from midfield.
    Jiri Pavlenka could replace Hugo Lloris in goalCredit: Getty
    The Frenchman has not been in good form this seasonCredit: Alamy
    Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz could be good additions to SpursCredit: Reuters
    Another potential line-up for Spurs
    To improve the midfield and give another quality competition for Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur, Alonso could look to LaLiga.
    Former Newcastle youngster Mikel Merino has developed into a top player and he could play a similar role to that of Alonso in his playing days.
    Or the club could opt to try and tempt Japanese star Daichi Kamada to the club after his contract expires at Eintracht Frankfurt.
    The club could also be on the lookout for a new right wing-back after Emerson Royal made it clear he wanted to leave the club.
    And Bayer’s Jeremie Frimpong has been highly tipped for a move to the Premier League, but Spurs would likely have to beat Manchester United to his signature.
    The last position that would need strengthening is between the sticks.
    Hugo Lloris’ form has dipped this season and Fraser Forster is not a good enough No1 in the Premier League anymore.
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    Werder Bremen star Jiří Pavlenka has been impressive for the Bundesliga side recently and could be a cost-effective addition for Spurs.
    Mikel Merino could improve the Spurs’ midfieldCredit: Getty
    But Daichi Kamada would be a cheaper option as he is out of contract this summerCredit: Getty More