Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Tottenham? ‘No chance’ says Jose Mourinho as Spurs have Harry Kane
Special One rules out signing the Swede because it makes no sense
Jose Mourinho has shot down the suggestion that one of his first signings after taking over at Tottenham could be Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The pair worked together at Inter Milan and Manchester United, and with the veteran striker now on the market as a free agent after leaving LA Galaxy there are rumours linking him to north London.
But the Special One has said such a move “doesn’t make sense” because in Harry Kane he has one of the sharpest shooters in the business.
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Kane bagged a brace of goals on Saturday as Tottenham won 3-2 at West Ham, making it 175 in 269 games, and takes the England captain to third on the club’s all-time top scorer list.
Kane’s goals could be seen as a parting present for Mauricio Pochettino, who was sacked by Tottenham last week.
According to Sky Sports Kane was “shocked” at the Argentine’s dismissal and visited him for two hours at his home to commiserate.
Amazing
Ibrahimovic has just come to an end of a two-year spell Stateside and he has made it clear that he believes he still has much to offer despite being in his 39th year. But it won’t be at Tottenham, reports BBC Sport.
“Amazing player, amazing guy, but I would say ‘no chance’,” was how Mourinho responded to a question about signing the Swede.
“We have the best striker in England. It doesn’t make sense to sign him when we have Harry Kane.”
On his way to Hammarby?
On Tuesday morning The Sun reported that Ibrahimovic appeared to confirm a transfer to Hammarby - but the Swedish club deny a deal has been done.
LA Galaxy owners Anschutz Entertainment Group also has a 45% stake in Hammarby.
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Eriksen unclear
But according to the Daily Mail, if Kane is central to Mourinho’s plans at Spurs the same can’t be said of Christian Eriksen.
The 27-year-old Denmark midfielder was left out of the starting XI against West Ham because the Special One is “uncertain over the player’s mindset”.
The Mail says that Mourinho and Eriksen have had a heart-to-heart in recent days. “I’m not going to tell you what we said,” remarked the Spurs gaffer. “He’s committed, loves the club and is one of us.”
Nonetheless, Eriksen’s contract expires in a little over six months and with Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid all circling it’s expected that Spurs will listen to offers in the new year if any club comes calling.
Mourinho takes charge of his first home game tonight when Spurs host Olympiacos in group B of the Champions League (8pm, live on BT Sport).
Victory over the Greek side will see Spurs qualify for the knockout stages.
Today’s back pages
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