More stories

  • in

    How Tottenham could line up under Arne Slot with two England stars as top transfer targets for summer rebuild

    TOTTENHAM could have a whole new look next season if they land Arne Slot from Feyenoord.Slot, 44, emerged as a leading contender for the Spurs manager’s job after leading the Dutch club to a surprise Eredivisie title.
    Tottenham could have a whole new-look if Arne Slot joins from FeyenoordCredit: Getty
    Daniel Levy is already believed to be working on transfer recruitsCredit: PA
    SunSport revealed this week that Feyenoord plan to give Slot a hefty pay rise AND back him in the transfer market ahead of next season’s Champions League campaign.
    But whatever they offer will be dwarfed by the cash the London club can put on the table if they go for the ex-AZ Alkmaar gaffer.
    And Daniel Levy is also set to back him in the transfer market.
    We previously revealed how Spurs want to snap up England No 1 Jordan Pickford — despite Everton tying him down to a new 4½-year contract.
    READ MORE FOOTBALL
    The North London club are preparing to change their goalkeeper in the summer with 36-year-old skipper Hugo Lloris’ days numbered.
    And Pickford is STILL their first choice even after committing to his long Goodison deal.
    Pickford’s value will depend on what happens with Everton at the end of the season.
    If they are relegated, there is an agreement that he can be sold.
    Most read in Football
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
    Pickford’s price would be lower as a Championship player but the Toffees would still want around £35million — although that could be haggled down.
    We also reported how James Maddison is set to leave Leicester City even if they survive in the Premier League.
    Maddison is also about to enter the final 12 months of his contract, which means this is the last opportunity for Leicester to cash-in rather than risk losing him for nothing next year when his deal expires.
    Spurs are one of the clubs battling to sign the attacker.
    And there is no doubt that Slot would love to have both Three Lions stars among his ranks next term if he were to take charge.
    Meanwhile, the Daily Express are also claiming that Slot could raid a number of other relegated clubs to help his Tottenham rebuild.

    Southampton are preparing for life in the Championship but midfielder Romeo Lavia looks certain to be one of the players to leave, with this report stating that “Spurs should definitely be involved” in the chase to sign him.
    Meanwhile, Saints defender Armel Bella-Kotchap is another being linked.
    The 21-year-old has struggled with injuries this season but the German ace has shone during his limited outings.
    Leeds United are also facing a fight to stay in the top-flight.
    Read More on The Sun
    The Express claims that their 19-year-old forward Wilfried Gnonto is also on Spurs’ radar.
    And if Slot does get the green light to make a move for the above men, then long-suffering supporters could have an exciting new-look young side to cheer on next term – especially if they manage to hang on to club-record scorer Harry Kane to lead the attack. More

  • in

    Liverpool boss Klopp reveals summer transfer plans with three big-name Premier League stars linked with Anfield move

    JURGEN KLOPP has revealed that Liverpool will look to sign several players when the summer transfer window opens.The Reds are set to bid farewell to James Milner, Roberto Firmino, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita at the end of the season.
    Klopp has revealed that Liverpool will look to strengthen in several areas this summerCredit: Getty
    And club officials have already compiled a list of potential replacements.
    According to The Daily Mail, midfielders Alexis Mac Allister, Mason Mount and Matheus Nunes have all emerged as top transfer targets.
    However, Klopp has revealed that the club will look to strengthen in all areas of the pitch this summer.
    In a press conference on Friday, the 55-year-old said: “We look in all departments apart from goalkeeper at the moment.
    Read More on Football
    “Yes, if there is a good one (defender) out there, I would not deny it. That’s all. We look at all areas of the pitch, definitely.”
    Liverpool are also expected to bring in a new Sporting Director to oversee transfer activity.
    Former goalkeeper Jorg Schmadtke has been heavily linked with the job, but club officials are yet to confirm his appointment.
    When questioned about the potential arrival of Schmadtke, Klopp added: “I cannot speak about that.
    Most read in Football
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
    “But if it happens, it would not be a Jurgen Klopp signing because we are both German or both know each other. That would have nothing to do with it. I can say that.
    “Jorg Schmadtke I have known a long, long time. He knows me probably not as long as I know him, because he was a much better player. But we started in a similar moment our second career, I became a coach at Mainz and he became sporting director at Aachen.
    “Two teams of similar status, so from there we know each other a little bit. I know he is a good guy and a smart guy. Very good at what he did in Germany, definitely, very successful.
    “His character is good, his personality is good, his humour is good. I know that from a few moments next to the pitch.
    “We could talk about (former Borussia Dortmund Sporting Director) Michael Zorc. Similar age group, similar situation, just a bit longer in retirement I know him much better. There are some good sporting directors in Germany you wouldn’t believe!”
    Liverpool are set to host Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
    A win will see the Reds leapfrog Manchester United into fourth. More

  • in

    Blackpool striker Jerry Yates chased by FIVE clubs but they’ll have to splash out £4m to land Tangerines’ top scorer

    BLACKPOOL face a fight to keep hold of top scorer Jerry Yates following relegation to League One.Yates, 26, scored 14 goals in the Championship last season.
    Jerry Yates could be playing in the Premier League next termCredit: Getty
    However, the hotshot’s efforts still could not keep the Tangerines up.
    Now play-off finalists Luton and Coventry are both plotting a move for the ace.
    And second-tier sides West Brom, Bristol City and newly-promoted Ipswich have all shown interest in hotshot Yates.
    SunSport understands a bid of £2.5million from an unnamed club has been rejected.
    READ MORE TRANSFER NEWS
    And Blackpool are holding out for their £4m valuation.
    The striker claimed a hat-trick at the club’s end-of-season awards after winning the Players’ Player of the Year, top scorer and goal of the season gongs.
    Yates still has 12 months remaining on his contract at Bloomfield Road.
    And there is also the option of another year.
    Most read in Championship
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
    The star ended the campaign in the top 10 goalscorers for the Championship.
    He scored 15 in all competitions with his other goal coming in Blackpool’s FA Cup third round shock over Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest.

    Yates came through the ranks at Rotherham and enjoyed loan spells in non-league with Harrogate before going on to have stints with Carlisle and Swindon.
    Blackpool swooped for him in 2020 and he helped them to earn promotion via the League One play-offs the following year.
    He has scored 42 goals in 124 league appearances for the club during his time there. More

  • in

    Napoli ‘could SACK boss Luciano Spalletti just 14 DAYS after Serie A title with Rafa Benitez lined up as replacement’

    NAPOLI boss Luciano Spalletti could sensationally be replaced by Rafael Benitez despite winning the league, according to reports.The 64-year-old has achieved legendary status after he ended the club’s 33-year wait to be crowned Serie A champions.
    Luciano Spalletti could allegedly leave Napoli this summerCredit: Getty
    Rafa Benitez has been linked with a return to the Serie A championsCredit: EPA
    However, Spalletti’s contract expires next summer after Napoli recently triggered a 12-month extension.
    He has been expected to ink new terms following the title triumph but La Gazzetto dello Sport are claiming that negotiations with club president Aurelio De Laurentiis have frozen.
    And they also state that the pair are not even on speaking terms.
    Now various reports say that contact has been made with Benitez over a potential return.
    READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
    It was widely-believed that Spalletti would be offered a new two-year contract worth £2.43m-a-year.
    But after having dinner with De Laurentiis last week to discuss it, discussions have now allegedly stopped.
    This latest report states that Spalletti expressed his anger over the potential sale of some of high-profile stars this summer.
    Meanwhile, Benitez had a two-year spell in charge of Napoli in 2013. 
    Most read in Football
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
    The ex-Liverpool boss guided them to Coppa Italia success before leaving for Real Madrid.
    The Spaniard has been out of work since being sacked by Everton in January 2022. More

  • in

    Arsenal ‘preparing opening proposal’ for Declan Rice.. but won’t kick start transfer talks yet for incredible reason

    ARSENAL have prepared their opening proposal for Declan Rice but will not start negotiations just yet, according to reports. Rice, 24, has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates in the summer.
    Arsenal are preparing their opening offer for Declan RiceCredit: Getty
    But will not start transfer talks just yetCredit: Reuters
    The West Ham skipper has been earmarked for a £100million transfer.
    With reports suggesting Arsenal have a summer war chest of £200m, it is a fee they could afford.
    And according to Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners are preparing their opening salvo as they seek to land the England International.
    However, talks between the two parties will not begin until June at the earliest.
    READ MORE ON ARSENAL
    Romano has revealed Arsenal will hold off on initiating talks until June at least.
    The reason for this is to “respect” West Ham.
    The Hammers’ victory over AZ Alkmaar on Thursday means they must now prepare for the Europa Conference League final – the club’s first European final in 47 years.
    Mikel Arteta and Co will be hoping this patience will be rewarded with smoother negotiations when the two clubs sit down to discuss a deal.
    Most read in Football
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
    Arsenal could land two midfielders in the summer, depending on departures.
    Granit Xhaka is set to depart the club for a move to Bayer Leverkusen this summer, leaving the North London outfit needing to find a replacement as well.
    Moises Caicedo is another star who Arsenal have an interest in.
    They previously saw two bids for the Ecuador star rejected by Brighton in January, though Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi has hinted they are resigned to losing Caicedo this summer. More

  • in

    Man Utd legend warns club NOT to sign Harry Kane in £100m transfer as it’ll lead to nightmare scenario in two years time

    MANCHESTER UNITED legend Andy Cole has urged the club NOT to sign Harry Kane this summer.The England captain, 29, is set to enter the final year of his Spurs contract.
    Harry Kane has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
    Andy Cole, right, does not feel Man Utd should sign Kane or Declan RiceCredit: Reuters
    And he is one of two strikers being heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford at the end of the season along with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.
    Tottenham are thought to value Kane at around £100million despite the possibility of him departing for free next summer.
    And Cole does not believe things would end well for Man Utd if they were to strike a deal for Kane.
    Speaking to William Hill, he said: “Manchester United can’t go with a short-term solution again.
    READ MORE ON MAN UTD
    “They can’t go and spend £80 million or £100 million on Harry Kane. In two years’ time they’ll turn round and say to themselves, ‘he’s 32, we need to get ourselves another striker’. They can’t afford to find themselves in that position again.
    “When you look at the recognised strikers that Manchester United have had, you look at the likes of Robin van Persie, but the crazy thing is that he only stayed for two years, and ever since then it has just been one after another for two years.
    “A football club like Manchester United cannot just keep having different strikers for two years at a time, it’s ridiculous.
    “They know now that they have to sign someone who is going to give them five years.”
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Kane is the all-time record goalscorer for both Tottenham and England.
    And he has continued to impress this season despite Spurs’ dismal campaign, bagging 29 goals in 47 appearances.
    He recently hinted he could stay in North London as he discussed Tottenham’s long-term future.
    Speaking about the Europa Conference League, Kane, who is yet to win a trophy, said: “You can’t disrespect any competition that you play in.
    “It’s one of those, if you end up in the Conference League and win it, it’s worth it. If you don’t, then people probably look at it as an inconvenience.
    “But when you’ve been at a club where we haven’t won a trophy for 15 years, if we do end up in it, it could be an opportunity to try and put that to bed.”
    Tottenham occupy seventh in the Premier League table with two games remaining – a spot that would see them qualify for the Europa Conference League.
    Their final games come at home to Brentford and away at Leeds.
    Victor Osimhen has also been linked with a summer transfer to Old TraffordCredit: Getty More

  • in

    Sir Alex Ferguson’s former No2 urges Man Utd to ‘do everything’ to land top midfield target that Ten Hag is ‘chasing’

    SIR ALEX FERGUSON’s former assistant Rene Meulensteen has urged Manchester United to go all out for Frenkie de Jong. The Red Devils spent most of last summer chasing the Barcelona man but repeatedly fell short.
    Rene Meulensteen was No2 at Old Trafford before spending three months as boss of Fulham in the 2013-14 seasonCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Manager Erik ten Hag has managed to get on just fine without the 26-year-old as United edge closer to a top four spot.
    They could also end the season with a domestic cup double if they can mastermind a Wembley win over rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final next month.
    But Meulensteen, who was United assistant coach between 2007 and 2013, still believes his old side need another top class midfielder to compete at the very top.
    He told Man United’s official Scandinavian supporters club: “They need a really good midfield player.
    READ MORE MAN UTD
    “Yes, they’ve got Casemiro in there. You’ve got Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes – a lot of experience, a lot of qualities – but there’s also a little bit of a vulnerability because their mindsets are predominantly in going forward.
    “I would 100 per cent do everything to get De Jong. He’s got energy, he’s got legs, he’s tactically very, very good in the build-up.
    “For De Jong, I think to be fairly honest, he would have already been here if he had not been happy at Barcelona.
    “But he’s obviously very happy playing for Barcelona otherwise he would have said, ‘Okay, no problem, sort me out’ because there’s always a way to fill that financial gap. That can never be the reason. But I can see why Ten Hag is chasing him.”
    Most read in Football
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
    The summer recruitment of Casemiro and Eriksen helped United plug holes in their midfield.
    The pair have been fantastic and helped deliver a solid debut season for ten Hag.
    Barcelona’s chaotic financial situation means they could need to sell some of their star players this season, despite winning LaLiga.
    United could also be in the market for a new goalkeeper and Meulensteen believes that is also an important area following the long tenure of David de Gea.
    He added: “I really like David de Gea, I’ve obviously worked with him myself, lot of experience, done fantastically well. 
    “People are judging him sometimes because the mistakes that he’s made in this season in certain games are so much unlike him – which you have to ask the question: why is that?
    “That could be because sometimes you can get a bit stale, sometimes you need a new environment or to freshen things up.” More

  • in

    Mauricio Pochettino set to make managerial return at Old Trafford as he prepares to take Chelsea job

    MAURICIO POCHETTINO’S return to the dugout will be at Manchester United instead of Chelsea when he manages the World XI at Soccer Aid.Pochettino is set to start work officially at Chelsea on July 1 but beforehand will take charge for the UNICEF charity match against England at Old Trafford on June 11.
    Mauricio Pochettino is set to make his managerial return at Old Trafford for Soccer AidCredit: Getty
    Pochettino is set to take over at Chelsea as the next managerCredit: Getty
    Pochettino, 51, said: “It is a real pleasure to be part of a match that represents a big cultural moment in this country’s annual calendar – and rightly so, because it raises so much money for Unicef.
    “I love English football stadiums, the passion the fans show for the game and the atmosphere they create, so it will be great to feel that again next month.”
    Pochettino will coach former Argentina team-mates Gabriel Batistuta and Hernan Crespo in the Old Trafford encounter.
    World’s fastest man Usain Bolt will be captain of a side that includes the likes of Francesco Totti and ex-Manchester United stars Patrice Evra and Nani.
    Read More on Football
    Pochettino is finalising the details on a three year deal to take over from Chelsea’s interim boss Frank Lampard at the end of this season.
    The former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain boss has been out of work since being sacked by the French giants last July.
    Pochettino is believed to have impressed Chelsea owner Todd Boehly with his commitment to working with youngsters.
    This comes after the Blues splashed out over £600million since Boehly took over from Roman Abramovich last year.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    And the ex-Tottenham boss has identified the likes of £88m winger Mykhailo Mudryk and academy defender Levi Colwill as integral to his vision.
    The Argentine tactician is also set to oversee a huge clear-out, with Chelsea currently boasting well over 30 first-team stars.
    And there could even be fresh chances for flops like Romelu Lukaku, who could be the answer to the West Londoners’ problems up front.
    England vs Soccer Aid World XI FC takes place on Sunday 11 June. Tickets for the game are on sale: www.socceraid.org.uk/tickets More