A blockbuster Man Utd move for a proven striker is being threatened by Real Madrid, while Newcastle’s chances of signing the ‘world’s best player’ have swelled and there’s been a major development in Mason Mount’s future at Chelsea – all in Saturday’s Transfer Gossip.
REAL MADRID TO SCUPPER MAN UTD PLANS
Real Madrid believe their distinct advantage can swing a deal for a £100m-plus striker wanted by Man Utd this summer, per a report.
The Red Devils’ primary focus at season’s end will be signing a lethal new finisher. Whether Erik ten Hag will then push Marcus Rashford out wide remains to be seen. The 25-year-old is in the midst of his best season ever and has played centrally for much of 2023.
In any case, a new hitman is wanted and among those Man Utd are casting their eye over is Tottenham’s Harry Kane.
Sky Sports recently reported Spurs will not sell their talisman this summer even if he doesn’t pen fresh terms. His current contract expires at the end of next season.
However, Fabrizio Romano reported one avenue that could result in a Kane sale is if the 29-year-old specifically asks to leave.
In that scenario, the Daily Mail echo the claims Tottenham would greatly prefer selling to an overseas club if they are forced to cash in.
That’ll work against Man Utd and in the favour of fellow interested party, Bayern Munich. But per the Mail, Bayern may well be overpowered by Real Madrid.
Los Blancos are poised to tie Karim Benzema down to an extra 12 months. But at 35 he’s clearly not a long-term option and Kane is fast emerging on Real’s radar.
The Spanish giant are monitoring his situation in north London and it’s noted the merits of a move for Kane have been discussed internally at the Bernabeu.
Real believe Spurs would prioritise selling to a foreign club and that advantage could swing a deal their way. Bayern obviously hold that very same advantage, though Real can outmuscle the German club financially.
It’s reiterated Man Utd and Bayern are expected to lodge enquiries for Kane this summer to test Tottenham’s resolve.
However, in the event Spurs do cash in, it’s sounding like Real Madrid may be the club to finally prise Kane out of north London.
NEWCASTLE BOOST NAPOLI TRANSFER CHANCES
Newcastle are sizing up Khvicha Kvaratskhelia who Napoli firmly believe is the ‘world’s best player’ right now, and a report has explained what must be done to have any hope of securing a deal.
The Georgian, 22, has been simply sensational in Naples this season.
Kvaratskhelia has already been nicknamed ‘Kvaradona’ in tribute to Diego Maradona and his displays on the field suggest that moniker isn’t farfetched.
Indeed, the left winger has notched 28 goal contributions in his first 29 matches for Napoli. His exploits have been a major factor in Napoli advancing to the quarter finals of the Champions League and opening up a colossal 18-point gap atop Serie A.
In a TEAMtalk exclusive with transfer insider Graeme Bailey, we recently revealed the vultures have wasted no time in circling.
Indeed, Man City and Newcastle both adore what they’ve seen from a man Napoli “firmly believe” is the “best player in the world football.”
Kvaratskhelia is already valued somewhere within the £140m-£150m range as a result. However, per Football Insider, there is a ray of hope for Newcastle.
FI acknowledge Newcastle are tracking Kvaratskhelia who is reportedly demanding a release clause be inserted into any new contract he signs with Napoli. With that statement alone it sounds like Kvaratskhelia is not averse to leaving Naples when the time comes.
However, there’s more good news for Newcastle with the report adding qualifying for next season’s Champions League would greatly aid their chances of swooping this summer.
The Magpies scored an injury-time penalty to sink Nottingham Forest on Friday night that brought them within a point of fourth-placed Tottenham. Newcastle also have a game in hand over Spurs.
FI claim UCL qualification ‘is likely to dictate’ whether a move to St. James’ Park is viable.
The Saudi-backed club have the financial power to pull off what would unquestionably be a British record signing. It’s now up to Eddie Howe and those already at Newcastle to finish inside the top four.
MASON MOUNT CHELSEA EXIT DEVELOPMENT
Mason Mount has employed a new agent in what could be the clearest indication yet he’s primed to leave Chelsea this summer.
The Telegraph recently reported Mount and Chelsea have hit a stalemate with regards to signing a new contract. His current deal expires in the summer of 2024.
Liverpool and Man Utd are known admirers of Mount who would be sold this summer if a breakthrough at Stamford Bridge can’t be forged in the coming months.
Now, per the Daily Mail, Mount is gearing up to leave his boyhood club after appointing Neil Fewings of the Wasserman agency to handle his affairs.
The Mail term the situation as Mount employing Fewings to ‘manage a potential transfer’. They then add Mount and his father have ‘sought more special assistance’ in the form of Fewings to help ‘negotiate with other clubs’.
This may well be the first concrete sign Mount is poised to leave Chelsea at season’s end.
