Transfer Gossip: Casemiro inspires Man Utd move as Harry Kane plan takes shape; Liverpool hone in on move for Lille midfielder
Erik ten Hag wants Manchester United to move for Harry Kane in a move inspired by Casemiro, Liverpool are stepping up the hunt for a Cameroon midfielder, while Sunday’s Transfer Gossip claims Tottenham are plotting a swoop on Everton.
MAN UTD GOING ALL OUT FOR HARRY KANE
Manchester United are ready to make Harry Kane their No 1 target this summer – and Erik ten Hag is growing hopeful a move can come off.
The Red Devils are looking to sign a new top-tier No 9 this summer to ultimately replace Cristiano Ronaldo. They brought in Wout Weghorst on a temporary deal, but his stay only looks likely to be brief.
An over-the-top reaction to an incident with the This Is Anfield sign last week appears to have done in the Dutchman’s chances of a permanent move anyway.
Truth be told, Ten Hag wants more mobility and a better source of goals from his frontline striker. And it seems the United boss has a shortlist of three names who he is considering.
The two leading names come from the continent in Goncalo Ramos and Victor Osimhen.
Benfica striker Ramos, 21, has 23 goals in 34 appearances this season, underlining his abilities.
And Napoli hitman Osimhen, 24, is probably regarded, alongside Erling Haaland, as probably the best striker in world football right now. He has 21 goals in 27 games this season and 49 in 89 overall for the Serie A leaders.
Given their ages, either signing perhaps make sense for United right now.
That is probably more true given the third man on their list, Harry Kane, will turn 30 this summer.
However, the Daily Mirror claims Ten Hag is not worried by Kane’s age.
And having been inspired by the Casemiro signing – he too was 30 when he signed for Manchester United – Ten Hag is adamant that age is nothing but a number.
Manchester United ready to make Harry Kane move
Indeed, Casemiro has proved one of the best signings this season. And there is a fair chance he will make the six-man cut in the Player of the Year nominations.
And despite spending £70m on the player, his drive, ability and leadership has made a tangible difference to the United midfield.
Now Ten Hag is taking inspiration from that with Kane.
And with the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Karim Benzema and Ronaldo still going strong into their mid-30s, United could easily get several seasons out of Kane if the move goes through.
As such, Ten Hag reportedly now sees Kane as proving the best signing of all for United.
His deal with Tottenham expires in summer 2024. And while there is a belief that he will still sign fresh terms, reports claim the chance of winning trophies could see him push for a move elsewhere.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will not make any move easy, however, and will likely demand a British record transfer fee for Kane.
LIVERPOOL CHASE CARLOS BALEBA
Liverpool are closely watching Lille midfielder Carlos Baleban ahead of a possible summer swoop.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp will make at least two midfield signings this summer with Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain departing.
And the likes of Jude Bellingham and Matheus Nunes feature highly on Klopp’s wishlist.
However, the Reds are also keeping an eye on other options should moves for either fail.
To that end, the Merseysiders have been linked with a plethora of midfielders already this summer.
Now, according to 90min, Liverpool are joining multiple Premier League clubs in keeping an eye on Baleba.
The 19-year-old has made a big impression this season for Lille, featuring in 14 games so far.
Newcastle, Arsenal, West Ham and Manchester United are also reportedly keen.
But the strongest interest seemingly comes from Liverpool. And Klopp has reportedly instructed his scouts to watch the Cameroon-born player’s every move as they weigh up a summer approach.
The report claims Lille will seek to replicate the £30m fee they received last summer from Everton for Amadou Onana if they were to sell Baleba.
READ MORE: The 46 midfielders Liverpool have been linked with in the transfer gossip columns
TOTTENHAM STILL KEEN ON JORDAN PICKFORD DEAL
Tottenham are still keen on a summer move for Jordan Pickford despite the keeper recently signing a new deal at Everton.
The England No 1 recently committed his future to Goodison Park until summer 2027. The deal does not contain any release clauses in light of relegation.
However, The Sun claims Spurs remain undeterred and are still determined to land the Everton stopper.
With Hugo Lloris’ days at Tottenham seemingly numbered, Spurs are pushing hard to sign a new No 1.
And it seems that Pickford is now their top choice with a huge summer offer being prepped.
Their chances will increase, of course, should Everton go down.
But the report claims Spurs will make their move regardless with the new deal only serving to protect Everton’s valuation.
Nonetheless, the 29-year-old is likely to cost at least £35m this summer.
The report claims Pickford is Tottenham’s main target with Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez their back-up option.
