Premier League transfer news and gossip
Kane is Real Madrid’s first choice
Tottenham and England striker Harry Kane is Real Madrid’s first-choice transfer target this summer, according to the club’s ex-president Ramon Calderon. Real are also interested in Bayern Munich ace Robert Lewandowski, but Calderon says Kane is top of the club’s shopping list. Quoted by the Daily Mirror, Calderon said: “I think Real’s goal is more Kane, also because of his age. But if it does not work out with him, I think Real is trying to get Lewandowski.”
Chelsea open contract talks with Hazard
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Chelsea are in negotiations with Eden Hazard to try to convince the playmaker to agree a new deal at Stamford Bridge, the Daily Mail reports. Hazard has been linked with Real Madrid but Chelsea want the Belgian star to stay for the long-term. His new contract could be worth as much as £300,000-a-week.
Tottenham to bid £35m for Sessegnon
The Daily Telegraph says that Tottenham are ready to pay up to £35m for Fulham teenager Ryan Sessegnon. The 17-year-old has scored 13 goals this season for the Championship side and Manchester United are also believed to be interested.
Clubs interested in Batshuayi
Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi, who is on loan at Borussia Dortmund, is catching the eye of a number of clubs thanks to his form in Germany. Batshuayi has scored five goals in five games and Dortmund would like to sign him permanently at the end of the season. The club’s sporting director Michael Zorc does not believe it will be that easy though. Quoted by the London Evening Standard, Zorc said: “He has become even more interesting to others.”
Premier League news and talking points
Conte is Italy’s top choice
Italian football federation vice-commissioner Alessandro Costacurta says that Antonio Conte is the preferred choice to manage the national team. Conte coached Italy before joining Chelsea in 2016 and Costacurta intends to talk to him before the end of the season. Costacurta told Gazzetta dello Sport: “I haven’t chosen yet but I think Conte is the one who could do the best. I’ll definitely talk with him in a couple of months.”
Premier League happy with winter break plans
Sky Sports News understands that the Premier League is “happy in principle” with plans for a two-week winter break to be introduced from 2020. Sky reports: “The proposals mean there will be no weekend without Premier League football - but the fixtures will be staggered so that there are five Premier League games on one weekend, and five on the next. That would allow for all 20 Premier League teams to have a free weekend, and in effect a 13-day break between matches.”
The Times reports that the Football Association will agree to play an entire round of the FA Cup in midweek to secure the winter break.
Spurs to request away days
The BBC says that Tottenham will request that their opening games of next season will be played away from home so they can complete their new stadium. The £800m stadium “remains on course” to be completed this summer, but Spurs will plan against any “unforeseen hitches”.
