Transfer Gossip: Postecoglou presents Tottenham with three-man wish list of Prem targets; Arsenal set top target timeline

Ange Postecoglou has already greenlighted three signings for Tottenham Hotspur, while Arsenal have planned when to step up their pursuit of their main target and a Crystal Palace icon has a surprising next option – all in Tuesday’s Transfer Gossip.

TOTTENHAM HANDED THREE-MAN WISH LIST BY POSTECOGLOU

Ahead of Ange Postecoglou becoming their next manager, Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly learned who his three main targets this summer will be.

Tottenham are on the verge of announcing Postecoglou as their new boss after being impressed with his work at Celtic. He will have a big rebuilding job on his hands, with reports on Monday highlighting how he could end the Spurs careers of 11 players in a major clear out.

But there will have to be some new arrivals to the team too. In that regard, the Daily Mirror has revealed the first three players he wants – and all of them were in the Premier League this season.

First of all, Spurs are spying a deal for James Maddison after the attacking midfielder suffered relegation with Leicester City. There is a feeling they will be able to compete with Newcastle for his transfer, which should cost around £40m.

In all honesty, Maddison might be something of a luxury purchase for Tottenham. They have more pressing needs, such as strengthening in goal and defence.

For those issues, Tottenham are ready to bid for Brentford’s David Raya and Wolves’ Max Kilman respectively.

Raya is up for sale at Brentford as he approaches the final year of his contract. He could become the long-term successor to Hugo Lloris in the Tottenham net, since the captain’s future is now uncertain.

READ MORE: Every goalkeeper Tottenham have been linked with in 2023 as they search for Hugo Lloris’ successor

Kilman, meanwhile, has developed well with Wolves in a centre-back role over recent years. If he joins Tottenham, it could spell trouble for Davinson Sanchez and Eric Dier.

The report does not reflect how much Raya and Kilman would cost on top of Maddison. But it does clarify that Spurs have no intention of funding this business by selling Harry Kane.

Due to become a free agent in 2024, Tottenham’s all-time top scorer is attracting interest from more competitive clubs, like Real Madrid and Man Utd. Yet if he wants to leave, it might have to be after Postecoglou’s first season in charge.

ARSENAL AWAIT ACCELERATION FOR RICE DEAL

Arsenal are waiting until Declan Rice has played his last match of the season before stepping up their pursuit of him.

That’s according to the Evening Standard, which reminds that Rice is one of the targets Arsenal have shortlisted as they aim to make two midfield signings this summer.

However, while the season is over for Arsenal, West Ham still have the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina to look forward to on Wednesday.

Only after then will Arsenal accelerate their pursuit of Rice, who will be captaining his current club in the European showdown.

In order to buy him from West Ham, where he is only under contract for another year, Arsenal would have to pay a significant transfer fee. Per the report, the Hammers want to receive £120m for Rice, but the Gunners hope to get him for £90m.

However, West Ham do not believe the outcome of the Fiorentina match will have any bearing on Rice’s future. They expect him to move on this year regardless, in what will be the first transfer of his senior career.

Arsenal are not the only suitors for the England international. Man Utd are also keen to offer him the next step within the Premier League, while Bayern Munich want to take him to the Bundesliga.

But Arsenal could allow him to remain in London and will be ready to amplify their attempts to sign him soon.

ATLETICO MADRID ASK ABOUT ZAHA

Wilfried Zaha has become a possible target for Atletico Madrid as he nears the end of his Crystal Palace contract.

Palace would still like to keep their talisman, but as things stand, he will be a free agent within a month. From there, he could have his pick of a number of suitors.

According to the Daily Mail, a new candidate to sign him is Atletico Madrid. Diego Simeone’s side have supposedly made an enquiry to his representatives to register their interest.

Simeone previously wanted Zaha in the Spanish capital in 2020 and could finally get his man three years later.

Atleti would be able to offer the Ivory Coast international his first taste of Champions League football. Therefore, they could be worthy of serious consideration.

Zaha is still reflecting on the chance to continue his incredible Palace career, though. His current employers have offered him the biggest contract in the club’s history at around £200,000 per week and he has until the end of June to respond.