Roma keen to keep Under
Tottenham believe they have the edge over Arsenal in the tussle to sign Cengiz Under from AS Roma but they may be about to encounter another obstacle.
According to The Sun the Italian club are ready to “triple” the wages of the Turkish winger in order to secure his loyalty.
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Taking Italian outlet Calciomercato as its source, the Sun claims that Roma value the 21-year-old Under so highly that they are prepared to stretch their finances to the limit.
Scouts from Arsenal, Manchester City and Bayern Munich have all checked out the youngster this season, but Tottenham believe they are best placed to land him with the guarantee of regular game-time.
If they are serious about prising Under from the Italian capital, it may cost them in the region of £45m, the release clause that apparently will be inserted into his new contract.
Rivals for Rabiot
Meanwhile Tottenham’s principal rival in the race to sign Adrien Rabiot from Paris Saint-Germain could be Liverpool.
The Daily Star says that the Reds have their eye on the French midfielder, although Barcelona are also interested in the 23-year-old.
The Star alleges that Spurs were “heavily into a deal” to sign Rabiot in a £20m move last month, but his father died a few days before the January window closed. Rabiot’s mother, Veronique, is also his agent, and talks were naturally put on ice as a result of the loss.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino remains “a huge fan of the midfielder” but so is Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and sources in France claim he will come calling in June.
Race for Rice
If Liverpool are plotting to hijack Spurs’ bid for Rabiot, might Tottenham have their revenge by winning the race to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice?
The Sun says that Spurs manager Pochettino is “preparing to bid £35m” for Rice after being given the green light by club chairman Daniel Levy to bolster the squad in the summer.
Rice penned a new deal with the Hammers in December, one worth a modest £30,000 a week, but Spurs believe West Ham won’t be able to resist a monumental bid for the 20-year-old.
Liverpool have also been linked to the young playmaker in recent weeks but Pochettino wants Rice to replace Christian Eriksen in his squad, who allegedly has turned down the chance to extend his contact.
Hot for Herrera
TalkSPORT reports that the midfielder Tottenham want is actually Porto ace Hector Herrera.
The 28-year-old is apparently being “monitored” by the Lilywhites “ahead of a potential summer move”, and they’ve been encouraged in their pursuit by the playmaker’s refusal to pen a new deal with the Portuguese outfit when his existing contract expires in June.
Premier League results and fixtures
Weekend results
- Fulham 0 Manchester United 3
- Crystal Palace 1 West Ham United 1
- Huddersfield Town 1 Arsenal 2
- Liverpool 3 AFC Bournemouth 0
- Southampton 1 Cardiff City 2
- Watford 1 Everton 0
- Brighton & Hove Albion 1 Burnley 3
- Tottenham Hotspur 3 Leicester City 1
- Manchester City 6 Chelsea 0
Tonight’s fixture
- Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Newcastle United (8pm, live on Sky Sports)
