English Premier League
Chelsea want to hand new contract to £144,000-a-week star, but in ‘no rush’
Chelsea are prepared to reward midfielder N’Golo Kante with a new contract, reputed journalist Fabrizio Romano reports. The Frenchman produced several standout performances during the final months of last season as the Blues finished in the top four and won the Champions League. The 30-year-old has another two years remaining on his contract, but the west London club are keen to finalise a new long-term deal with him. However, there is ‘no rush’ to reach an agreement as they have a great relationship with Kante, who rejected offers from two clubs last summer. Sportslens view: Kante had a disappointing 2019/2020 season with the Blues where he missed part of the campaign with four different injuries. There were suggestions that midfielder could be shown the exit door amid regular injury...
Everton contact 25-yr-old’s agent regarding transfer following his impressive Euro displays
Everton have been linked with a move for Netherlands international Denzel Dumfries in recent weeks. The 25-year-old PSV Eindhoven star has been outstanding for his country in the European Championships, scoring against Ukraine and Austria in the group stage. According to Spanish publication Sport, Everton want to sign the player and have already contacted his agent Mino Raiola regarding a summer transfer. Bayern Munich and Inter Milan have also contacted Raiola. Dumfries was outstanding for PSV in the Eredivisie last season and has proven his quality at the international level this summer. It is hardly a surprise that top clubs are looking to sign him, and Everton will have to move quickly to fend off the competition and secure his services. SL View: Ideal replacement for Coleman The Toffe...
Watford keen on signing 25-year-old defensive midfielder with 33 international caps – report
Watford are interested in landing the signature of Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara this summer, The Mail reports. The Hornets are back in the Premier League after a solitary season, and they are likely to make quality signings to boost their survival prospects. A new defensive midfielder is one of the priorities, and it is reported that Kamara is a player that has been discussed extensively by the club. Rangers are reluctant to part company with the Finland international but may have to cash in with just one year left on his contract. Sportslens view: The Hornets comfortably secured promotion at the first time of asking, and they will be aiming to re-establish themselves in the top-flight. The club have plenty of experienced Premier League players in their ranks, and they need quality signi...
Report shares why Moshiri didn’t stop £250k-a-wk man from leaving Everton
Carlo Ancelotti left Everton on the first day of this month to return to Real Madrid, and the Toffees have yet to find a replacement. The Italian was earning £1 million per month at Goodison Park, and his decision to leave stunned Everton owner Farhadi Moshiri. Ancelotti and the club were already discussing transfer plans for the summer before he walked away, and The Sun has shared why Moshiri did not put up a fight to stop him. With three years still to run on his contract before his departure, the exit enabled the Everton owner to cut salary costs, saving £36m as a result. The Toffees lost £240m in the past two years and are lurching towards a cash crisis if they do not slash more off the wage bill. Ancelotti was well aware of the financial situation at Goodison Park, and one reason why ...
Report suggests West Ham are plotting a summer swoop for 24-yr-old La Liga player
Barcelona defender Junior Firpo has been linked with a move away from the Spanish club this summer. According to Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness), West Ham United and Southampton are leading the chase to secure his services. Clubs from Italy are also keen on signing Firpo, but they are more interested in a loan deal rather than a permanent signing. Barcelona are under massive financial pressure and need to sell players this summer. SL View: Could be a superb addition for both teams West Ham need more depth at left-back, and Firpo could compete with Aaron Cresswell for the starting berth next season. Cresswell has proven to be a reliable defender for the Hammers, but Firpo would add more attacking quality. Meanwhile, Southampton have lost Ryan Bertrand and need to strengthen their option...
Report claims Everton managerial target has been advised to turn down the job
Former Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has been advised to turn down the Everton job. The 61-year-old has been linked with a move to Goodison Park but Football Insider claims that he is unsure about taking over because of protests from Everton fans. The Spaniard reached an agreement with the Premier League club on Wednesday, but his advisers have told him to wait for a return to Newcastle United. He is a managerial target for the Saudi-backed organisation that is looking to buy Newcastle and would be welcomed back by the fans there. The Toffees are yet to appoint a replacement for Carlo Ancelotti and were recently linked with a move for former Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno. He did a reasonably good job in the Premier League with Wolves and could prove to be a reasonable shor...
Manchester United could lose their star player for just £50m this summer – report
Manchester United will sell midfielder Paul Pogba this summer if he does not put pen-to-paper on a new long-term contract, The Mirror reports. Pogba’s current deal with United expires in June next year, and the midfielder recently admitted that there have been no concrete negotiations. He is likely to hold fresh talks after the European Championships, but there are doubts whether he will commit his future to the club. United are fearful that the midfielder is looking to run down his contract such that he can negotiate a free transfer elsewhere in January. They are keen to avoid the prospect, and will sanction his sale this summer if there is no breakthrough in the contract negotiations. Pogba was once valued by United at around £150 million. It is suggested that they may be lucky to r...
Manchester City ready bid for 27-year-old star with 50 goal contributions last season – report
Manchester City are planning to make a take-it-or-leave-it offer for Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane this summer, The Star reports. The Cityzens are searching for a new striker after the departure of Sergio Aguero, and Kane is reportedly the top target on their wishlist. Spurs chairman wants around £150 million to consider the prospect of selling Kane, but the English champions are unlikely to meet the valuation. They are concerned over his ankle injury concerns over the past few years, and plan to propose a £100m take-it-or-leave-it bid for the marksman. Sportslens view: The 27-year-old had his best-ever campaign with Spurs last term, registering a stunning tally of 33 goals and 17 assists from 49 appearances in all competitions. However, he has failed to carry over the for...
Spurs chief reportedly believes he can convince club to appoint Cup-winning boss
Tottenham Hotspur pulled out of talks to appoint former Napoli manager Gennaro Gattuso during the week and have since been linked with ex-Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde. After opening meeting with Jorge Mendes, Tottenham told Gattuso they’re not interested in appointing him. ⚪️❌ It’s never been a done deal, just an interview with the current frontrunner… as many others made by Spurs this summer. Fans reaction, key for the decision. #THFC — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 18, 2021 According to Sunday Times’ Duncan Castles, Spurs managing director Fabio Paratici admires Gattuso and was looking to bring him to Juventus as Andrea Pirlo’s replacement. He was behind Tottenham’s attempt to appoint the Italian, and while the club have since withdrawn from the process, ...
‘Interest remains strong’ — Spurs reportedly eye move for €20m winger
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing Mikel Damsgaard this summer. According to reports from Club Doria, Spurs are eyeing the Sampdoria midfielder, who is currently playing in the European Championships for Denmark. Spurs are without a manager at the moment, and they are missing out on potential targets as a result. The report claims that Paulo Fonseca, who was close to joining Spurs before talks broke down, would have been keen on signing the player. He previously worked with him at Roma. Damsgaard is one of the bankable assets for Sampdoria. He has suitors in Europe, especially Tottenham. Sampdoria chief Massimo Ferrero is asking for more than €20 million for the exciting winger. While he is well within Tottenham’s budget, the managerial circus at the club means the...
West Ham United plotting move for 23-year-old with 28 goal contributions last season
West Ham United could revisit their interest in signing Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard this summer, Football Insider reports. The Hammers were heavily linked with the Frenchman last month, but it appeared that Leicester City had beaten them to his signature. However, there has been a surprise change of events over the past few weeks, and the Foxes have cooled their pursuit of the 23-year-old. The Midlands outfit have instead reached an agreement with Red Bull Salzburg for Patson Daka, and the player has agreed personal terms. It is now reported that the Hammers could return for Edouard’s services as they aim to bolster their attacking options ahead of next season. Sportslens view: Edouard struggled for consistency last term but still registered an impressive tally of 22 goals and six assis...
Manchester United make £75m bid for attacker with 36 goal achievements last season
Manchester United have made an improved bid to sign Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon Sancho, Sky Sport reports. The Red Devils were heavily linked with the Englishman last summer, but a deal failed to materialise as they were put off by the £108 million valuation. Sancho could be available for a lesser fee this time around, but United are yet to reach an agreement with the Bundesliga outfit for his services. United recently made an opening offer of £67m plus add-ons which was rejected, and they have now made an improved bid of more than £75m. The offer remains short of Dortmund’s valuation, but there is ‘a willingness from all parties’ to get the deal done with Sancho’s contract expiring in June 2023. Sportslens view: Sancho was in sublime form for Dortmund this past season, registerin...
