SPURRED ON
Only once have Tottenham spent the most of any Premier League club in a single season. A budget of £120million is unlikely to change that, with the investment of the Manchester clubs expected to sky rocket further. But it is a lovely Football Manager-style amount for Mauricio Pochettino to indulge himself with.
The claim comes from The Independent, with Miguel Delaney adding that Pochettino ‘primarily seeks players in central defence and attacking positions’. The possible sale of Toby Alderweireld will both boost that transfer fund, as well as opening up said squad space in central defence.
Jamaal Lascelles of Newcastle and Ajax’s Matthijs de Ligt are the two targets named, both young and both excellent. At the other end of the scale, Jonny Evans would provide a more experienced and much cheaper option.
Further forward, Wilfried Zaha remains ‘a long-term target’, while even Jay Rodriguez is linked. He did score the league-winning goal, in fairness.
GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN’
One player Tottenham appear to have cooled their interest in is Watford forward Richarlison. The same cannot be said for Manchester United.
The Daily Mail report that United ‘are favourites’ to land a player supposedly valued at around £40m. As much as we love Richarlison, that is sodding mental; he hasn’t scored in 24 games, dating all the way back to November.
Jose Mourinho remains ‘keen’ however, and United are at the front of a queue which includes Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.
The United manager sees Richarlison as ‘an ideal replacement’ for Anthony Martial, who is ‘unhappy’ at Old Trafford and could well leave. Watford are ‘desperate’ to keep the Brazilian, but could find themselves powerless to resist offers.
RIYAD TO NOWHERE. OR CITY
Elsewhere in this episode of ‘Manchester club targets probably overpriced winger’, City still want Riyad Mahrez. And they want him for £65m.
Pep Guardiola is ‘plotting’ a move for the Algerian, according to The Sun, who add that Leicester wanted £85m when the two clubs negotiated in January. Those demands could be lessened with Mahrez having two years left on his current contract, particularly having seen how the failure to move to City in the winter affected him.
Guardiola is ‘determined’ to land his man. Anything United can buy, City can buy better and for more money.
AND THE REST
West Ham are interested in signing 31-year-old England goalkeeper Joe Hart, who is on loan at London Stadium from Manchester City, on a permanent basis… Real Madrid’s pursuit of Chelsea and Belgium forward Eden Hazard, 27, this summer could depend on whether or not Gareth Bale, 28, leaves the club… Wales forward Bale’s relationship with Real manager Zinedine Zidane has broken down… Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger hopes 26-year-old midfielder Jack Wilshere will sign a new long-term contract at the club… Everton manager Sam Allardyce is keen to sign the England international on a free transfer, with Wilshere’s deal expiring in the summer… Juventus would consider signing 25-year-old Spain forward Alvaro Morata from Chelsea – but only for a cut-price deal.
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