Spurs may have just got boost in race for ‘one of the highest-rated midfielders’ around – TBR View

Tottenham Hotspur have been heavily linked with Barcelona’s Franck Kessie of late.

Admittedly, Spurs have been credited with an interest in the Ivory Coast international back when Antonio Conte was manager.

However, Ange Postecoglou seems to also be keen on bringing Kessie to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Now, Spurs may have just received a significant boost in their pursuit of the 26-year-old midfielder.

Tottenham are apparently up against Juventus in the race to sign Kessie in the coming weeks.

Rudy Galetti reported that Juve have made contact with Barca for over their player, who they see as a top target.

As for Tottenham, they are “above all” other Premier League clubs in terms of wanting the player.

Barca seem open to do business. They are “now open to evaluate bids on loan (with buy clause)”.

Spurs or Juve?

Player-side, Kessie would no doubt have seen both Spurs and Juve as good clubs to join.

Tottenham look like they’re on the up again, and they’ve made some shrewd signings this season.

The fact Spurs are in London will no doubt provide another big pull factor for any players on their radar.

However, Juventus are one of the world’s most successful clubs historically, a real giant of the sport.

At the same time, things haven’t been going tremendously well for them this year, and it already has cost them.

Juve have now been kicked out of the Europa Conference League and fined for breaching FFP rules.

As reported by BBC Sport, Juve have been fined £17.14million.

Admittedly, a player of Kessie’s calibre – one who’s used to Champions League football – likely wouldn’t have fancied to compete in the Europa Conference League.

But now Juve have been kicked out of the competition and fined, Kessie may well decide that Spurs are the better option in terms of stability and potential.

The 26-year-old is a top player, who was deemed ‘one of the highest-rated midfielders in Serie A’ when he was at Milan.

Barca may not view him as indispensable, but their loss – and Juve’s issues – could well be Tottenham’s gain in the coming weeks.

Tottenham tell agents they want to sign their “amazing” client, he’s allegedly keen – journalist

Spurs: Tottenham inform Muani agents of interest

Tottenham Hotspur have informed the representatives of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Randal Kolo Muani of their interest in signing him this summer.

Will Harry Kane leave Tottenham?

Spurs’ star striker Harry Kane, two summers after his failed move to Man City, is front and centre of another transfer saga as his contract slowly winds down.

Kane’s current Spurs deal expires in 2024, and with no extension in the offing just yet, chairman Daniel Levy has a big decision to make in regards to potentially selling him this summer.

Bayern Munich are the side credited with, perhaps, the most serious interest in signing him, with manager Ange Postecoglou previously expressing his discontent at the rumours surrounding Kane.

“Fair to say I am not relaxed about it,” said Postecoglou to the media recently.

“It’s not something you go: ‘Ah, well, you know if it does or doesn’t happen!’ I mean it’s a very important part of this football club, not just the team, but the football club.

“So, you’ve got to deal with it, and I think, for everyone concerned, we don’t want to be doing it for too long. I don’t think that is good for anyone. I don’t think it is good for Harry, I don’t think it is good for the club, because as laser focused as we want to be, you end up sort of repeating yourself along the way.

“But the flip side of that is I don’t want to put a deadline on it, because that adds even more pressure. You want these things to happen for the right reasons. The reality of it is he’s still a contracted player at our football club, so that’s the way I see him.”

Amid the uncertainty surrounding Kane’s future, Bild journalist and Bayern insider Christian Falk has shared an update as Tottenham reportedly eye Kolo Muani as a possible replacement for him.

There have been reports of the player being “keen” to join Spurs if they can get a deal done, but the proposed move may not be an easy one.

Falk says Spurs have contacted his agents and informed them of their desire to sign their client, but his asking price is a real sticking point.

“Tottenham have registered an interest with the representatives of Muani, but the eventual transfer fee could be too high.” said Falk to CaughtOffside.

Expanding on the fee needed for Frankfurt’s star, it is believed he could cost around €100 million (£86m) to prise away from the Bundesliga side.

How good is Randal Kolo Muani?

Bagging 15 goals and 11 assists in 32 league appearances last campaign, Kolo Muani dazzled for Eintracht over the 2022/2023 season (WhoScored).

The versatile 24-year-old, who can play across the forward line, also stood out as their best-performing player per 90 in the German top flight (WhoScored).

Kolo Muani has also been showered with praise by those who have coached him previously, namely for his elite dribbling ability and clinical finishing in front of goal.

“He’s amazing,” former Eintracht and Bayern boss Felix Magath told French newspaper L’Équipe (via Bundesliga).

“He’s not only a strong dribbler, but he’s very clinical in the final third. I love his mentality; he’s always thinking about the team. That’s obvious when you look at how many assists he’s got this season.”