KANE HAS NO REASON TO LEAVE 'EXCITING' TOTTENHAM, INSISTS POCHETTINO

The Spurs coach is not worried at the prospect of losing the free-scoring England international, despite speculation over the striker's future

Tottenham striker Harry Kane has "no reason" to leave the club at the end of the season, manager Mauricio Pochettino has insisted.


Kane moved top of the Premier League goalscoring charts after netting four times in his side's 6-1 rout of Leicester City at King Power Stadium on Thursday.

The England international is in line to collect his second Golden Boot in a row and is only the fifth player since the Premier League began to score 25 or more goals in successive seasons, following in the footsteps of Robbie Fowler, Thierry Henry, Alan Shearer and Robin van Persie.

There has been speculation that Kane could be tempted away in the transfer window, with Manchester United among the clubs to have been linked in the past, but Pochettino says Spurs are building a project that should appeal to all of their best players.

"It's fantastic for him. It's a season where again he fights for to be the top scorer in the Premier League," he told Sky Sports of Kane.

"What can we say about him? He's one of the best strikers in the world. Now he has to keep going and try to finish in the best way and look forward to next season.

Harry Kane Son Tottenham Leicester

"It's very clear. I think I told you many times that we will keep the players we want to keep and maybe sell the players that we want to sell.

"Like always, every season, every summer, it's possible. But we are so, so, so, so calm about our key players and they are very happy here.

"We're building a very exciting project. There's no reason for players like Harry to leave the club.

"The team has worked so hard in the last three seasons to settle on principles and play how we play.

"We have to improve the squad again and try next season and the season after to not only keep the performance but to win some trophies. This group deserves to win something."

Premier League top scorers: Kane overtakes Lukaku


Spurs' win – their biggest away from home in the league since April 1989 – moved them on to 83 points, two more than Leicester managed when they won the title a year ago.

"I am very happy with the performance and the attitude. Fantastic. The only way to improve our mentality is to try and always play in this way," Pochettino said.

"Always it is important to improve. In the first half we dominated the game; in the second half, it's true that they changed [shape] and tried to play with a little bit more energy.

"It was difficult because we conceded the goal but the team tried to keep going and I think we fully deserved it."

GIROUD EYES ARSENAL EXIT

Olivier Giroud is ready to quit Arsenal this summer in order to keep his 2018 World Cup dream alive, reports the Daily Mirror .

The France international has struggled for starts at times this season and will push for a move if further striking reinforcements are brought in when the transfer window re-opens

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CHELSEA STEP UP BAKAYOKO BID

Chelsea will look to push on with their efforts to sign Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko before the window opens, according to the Telegraph .

The Blues are ready to spend £43 million on the 22-year-old after handing Antonio Conte a £200m warchest to strengthen the Premier League champions.

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OBLAK WANTED BY MOURINHO

Manchester United are ready to fight for Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak if David de Gea leaves the club, reports the Daily Mirror .

Goal revealed on Thursday that Real Madrid are also looking to raid their local rivals in their search to find a reliable shot-stopper.

MAN UTD WANT NAINGGOLAN


Manchester United have joined Premier League rivals Chelsea in the pursuit of Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan, reports Sky Sports .

The Blues are reported to have seen several bids for the Belgian knocked back in 2016, and United intend to pip them to a highly sought-after signature when the window re-opens.

CHELSEA JOIN AUBAMEYANG HUNT

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Borussia Dortmund Champions League

Chelsea have entered the chase for Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to TMW .

The Gabon international, who has netted 37 times in all competitions this season, is said to be valued at around the £50 million mark.

ARSENAL LINKED WITH MIDFIELDER

Arsenal are preparing a £20 million bid for Juventus midfielder Mario Lemina in the summer transfer window, according to a report from the Standard .

The Gunners are in search of a central midfielder and have narrowed their search to the 23-year-old, who has been likened to Manchester United star Paul Pogba.

Lemina, who has made just 15 Serie A starts since joining the Turin club from Marseille in 2015, is thought to be available should Juventus receive an adequate offer.

BELLERIN OUT, DANILO IN?

Arsenal are lining up Real Madrid right-back Danilo as a replacement for Hector Bellerin, Don Balon reports.

Barcelona are said to be on the verge of sealing a deal to bring the Spaniard back to Camp Nou, while Arsenal see the Brazilian as a decent alternative to the 22-year-old.

DE GEA REAL'S TOP PRIORITY

Real Madrid have made David de Gea their number one transfer target for the summer, the Daily Mail reports.

It is said that while the club may be quiet on naming potential incomings, they are working hard on ensuring there is no repeat of their very public failure to land the Spain international in 2015.

AC MILAN WANT MODRIC

AC Milan are eyeing Luka Modric as they look to build a team capable of challenging for the Serie A title once again, Don Balon reports.

The Rossoneri feel that Modric still has plenty to offer, and that his age, 31, could actually be a positive in that Madrid may be more willing to let go of a player past his prime years.

NEWCASTLE AGREE ATSU DEAL

Newcastle have agreed a £6.5 million deal to make permanent Christian Atsu's move to St James' Park, according to the Mirror .

The report claims the Ghana international winger will sign a four-year contract after impressing for the Magpies during their promotion-winning Championship campaign.

ZABALETA SET FOR WEST HAM

Pablo Zabaleta is set to swap Manchester City for West Ham in the summer transfer window, TYCsports reports.

The 32-year-old right-back is not part of Pep Guardiola's long-term plans and leaves the Etihad Stadium with six pieces of silverware to his name.

NEWCASTLE EYE GRAY SWOOP

Newly-promoted Newcastle United are considering a move for Burnley frontman Andre Gray, the Shields Gazette reports.

Gray has only one year left on his contract at Turf Moor and the Magpies feel the striker's pace would be a helpful addition to the club's Premier League campaign.

CHERRIES WANT CHELSEA DUO

Bournemouth are hopeful of signing both Asmir Begovic and Nathan Ake from Chelsea, the Telegraph reports.

The article suggests the Cherries are eager to wrap up a deal for the goalkeeper within two weeks of the Premier League season's end, and will look to broker a permanent deal for Ake, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Dean Court.

CHELSEA MAKE VERRATTI BID

Chelsea have made a £55 million bid for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti, according to The Sun .

The Italy international does not want to leave the French capital, but Antonio Conte is hoping he can persuade him to change his mind.

ARSENAL KEEN ON TOLISSO

Arsenal are interested in signing Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso, according to the Daily Mirror .

The 22-year-old has impressed in Ligue 1 this season and would likely cost in excess of £30 million.

SPURS TRIO WANT TO LEAVE

Tottenham trio Eric Dier, Kyle Walker and Danny Rose all want to leave the club this summer, according to The Sun .

Manchester United have turned Dier's head by offering to double his wages while Walker is set to join Manchester City.

Rose, meanwhile, is less likely to move after undergoing knee surgery but is also wanted by both Manchester clubs.

EVERTON TO MAKE IHEANACHO BID

Kelechi Iheanacho Manchester City

Everton are preparing to make a £20 million bid for Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho, according to The Sun .

The Nigeria international has struggled to make an impact under Pep Guardiola, and Toffees boss Ronald Koeman believes Iheanacho could help replace Romelu Lukaku.

CHELSEA

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte will be given £200m to strengthen his Premier League title-winning squad and is set to spend 50m euros (£42.7m) on Monaco's 22-year-old France midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko. (Telegraph)

The Blues have told attacking midfielder Eden Hazard, 26, they will make him the focal point of the team for years to come if he signs a new contract at Stamford Bridge. (Evening Standard)

MONACO

Monaco reject Liverpool's 75 million euro offer for Mbappe

Although teams like Liverpool are keen on his signature, Monaco have rejected a 75 million offer for Kylian Mbappe and will do whatever it takes to persuade the player to remain in France for the upcoming season, according to the club's vice-president Vadim Vasilyev.

The Reds have expressed their interest on paper, but the boss of the French team, Dimitri Rybolovlev, is convinced that the particular transfer can wait for another year.
As MARCA understands, the offer has been rejected by Monaco, who believe that the price tag carried by their prodigy should read a number above 100 million euros.
The young striker produced exceptional performances, both domestically and in the Champions League, attracting several clubs around Europe and Vasilyev claimed that despite Les Monegasques' undisputed will to retain the player's services, the club will respect his decision.
"[We will] do everything possible [to keep him in the team]," he told Canal +.

Everything [however] depends on the player's will."
With one game to go for the end of the season, Mbappe has participated in 40 of his team's goals in all competitions, scoring 26 and assisting 14 in 43 games.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Manchester United interested in Benfica goalkeeper Ederson

Man Utd transfer news includes an update on the David de Gea situation as Jose Mourinho considers Benfica goalkeeper as a replacement.

Manchester United are considering Benfica's goalkeeper Ederson as a possible replacement for David de Gea if he leaves in the summer.

M.E.N. Sport understands Ederson, 23, and Atletico Madrid number one Jan Oblak are the prime candidates to succeed De Gea in the event he completes a protracted transfer to Real Madrid.

Brazilian Ederson is also interesting Manchester City after establishing himself as Benfica's first-choice goalkeeper last year and has started 27 of the newly-crowned Portuguese champions 33 Primeira Liga fixtures this term. Ederson is represented by Jorge Mendes' Gestifute group, which also handles De Gea and Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho said after United's 15th Premier League draw of the season at Southampton he expected De Gea to play for the club beyond this season.

"David? I think the first match against LA Galaxy in pre-season in Los Angeles," Mourinho said. "I hope to play Joel Pereira against Crystal Palace, I hope to play Sergio in the final and hopefully we don’t have problems with these two keepers.

"And David is top of the world and we want to keep top of the world."

Privately, Mourinho is believed to be concerned about losing De Gea and is understood to have promised the 26-year-old they will hold talks at the end of the season to gauge how determined he is to join Real.

executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to scout the teenager in January last year and he was regularly watched by United but joined Bayern Munich in May.

Despite reports Louis van Gaal did not want to sign Sanches, M.E.N. Sport reported how United refused to publicly undermine Van Gaal and could have clinched a deal for Sanches a week before he agreed to join Bayern. Mourinho later admitted his belated appointment scuppered a deal for Sanches, whose move to Bayern was announced two-and-a-half weeks earlier.

United scouts have been regulars at Benfica yet the club has never signed a player from the two-time European Cup winners.

The club have monitored Javi Garcia, Ezequiel Garay, Nico Gaitan, Renato Sanches and Victor Lindelof over the last six years. Sanches' agent Mendes convinced United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to scout the teenager in January last year and he was regularly watched by United but joined Bayern Munich in May.

Ederson is only 23
Over the last seven years Benfica have sold 13 of their most sought-after players for a total of £270million yet their only dealings with United were over the signings of Karel Poborsky in 1997 and the much-derided Bebe's switch in 2014.

United's reluctance to negotiate with Benfica is also partly influenced by the incessant and inaccurate links with Gaitan in the Portuguese media.

Benfica eventually sold Gaitan to Atletico Madrid last year.

ARSENAL
Arsenal manager's future decided after FA Cup final


Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says his future at the club will be decided at a board meeting after the FA Cup final on 27 May.

The 67-year-old Frenchman has been with the Gunners since 1996 and his contract comes to an end this summer.

Wenger has faced numerous protests by Arsenal's own supporters this season, calling for him to quit as boss.

"There are many aspects to be discussed at a board meeting. One is what happens with the manager," he said.

"Of course I will be there. At the moment we should focus on the short term and what is going on on Sunday and in the cup final."

The north London side face Premier League champions Chelsea at Wembley Stadium, the Gunners' only hope of claiming a trophy this campaign.

But the season has been blighted by continuous questions surrounding his future at the club and banners from fans demanding he end his long association with the club. In their previous away game at Stoke, a plane was flown over the stadium which read "Wenger - out means out".

Arsene Wenger banner
Wenger faced further calls to leave the club last weekend
With one game remaining in the league, they face a battle to qualify for the Champions League as they are currently in fifth position, a point adrift of Liverpool in fourth and three behind third-placed Manchester City, albeit with an inferior goal difference of five.

Arsenal host Everton in their final game on Sunday (15:00 GMT), while Liverpool welcome relegated Middlesbrough to Anfield and Manchester City travel to Watford.

Wenger added: "We have to do our job, we are professionals and want to win. We are on a good run and all we can do is win our game on Sunday. After that what happens to me is less important.

"I am here to serve the club and the best way to do that is by winning the next game."

INTERMILAN

INTER STARLET PINAMONTI SIGNS NEW DEAL TO QUELL PREMIER LEAGUE SPECULATION

The 18-year-old has been linked with the likes of Tottenham and Liverpool but has opted to commit his future to the Nerazzurri in Serie A

Inter have announced that Andrea Pinamonti has signed a new contract at the club.

The highly-rated striker, who turned 18 on Friday, has extended his deal through to June 30, 2021.

Pinamonti had been linked with Premier League clubs Tottenham and Liverpool, although his agent had suggested last month that his fondness for Inter would likely influence a decision over his future.

"In addition to the new contract, we are also discussing the sporting plans with the Nerazzurri," Tullio Tinti told Calciomercato.

"Andrea is highly regarded in Italian and European football, but his attachment to Inter will have an effect on his decision."

Pinamonti has made two appearances for the senior side this season, against Empoli in Serie A in February and in the Europa League against Sparta Prague.

The Italy youth international has shone for the Primavera side, scoring 16 times in only 20 appearances.

LYON

LACAZETTE CONFIRMS HE'S LEAVING LYON

The 25-year-old is set to leave Lyon at the end of the season, having spent his senior career at the Ligue 1 side

Alexandre Lacazette has said he is leaving Lyon, with the striker confirming he has spoken to Atletico Madrid.


The French attacker confirmed he will leave the Ligue 1 side at the end of the season, having played for Lyon since making his senior debut in 2010.

Lacazette indicated that he feels that the time is right to move and prove himself at a higher level.

"I think that's the right time. I want to discover something else, and to play at a different level," Lacazette told L'Equipe.

"I know very well that on a European scale I am not yet well recognised. I want to see if I can answer the questions that people are asking, and to make further progress."

Lacazette also revealed that he has spoken to Atletico Madrid, praising their players and facilities, but admitted that he has not agreed to sign for them just yet. He also discussed the possibility of linking up with France team-mate Antoine Griezmann.


"Atletico is a club that is in the last rounds of the Champions League for several years," the 25-year-old said. "It is a great team, in a new stadium, and it is also a club that helps their players progress.

"And there is Antoine Griezmann. If Atletico is the club I chose, I have not told you, maybe I'll give you another answer in a few months!

Antoine Griezmann Atletico Madrid

"It would be a beautiful story if we [Griezmann and Lacazette] could go on together It started in the French Under-18 team. He arrived timidly.

"There are always small groups, and he was a little alone, but we got closer, because we played together in attack and we got along well in life. Then, both of us, we carried almost all the rest of the group.

"Initially, Antoine was as shy as I was. Afterwards, he climbed the ladder, he became an international star, and he took more confidence, he opened up."

Having spent the last 14 years at Lyon, rising up through the youth teams before playing for their senior side, the former Ligue 1 Player of the Year is proud of what he as achieved at the club, and says that he is leaving on good terms.

"The president told me what he told you at a press conference," Lacazette continued.

"It is I who chooses my future destination. It is a personal choice for my carefully considered career, which I have done for a long time.

"No one wanted to harm anyone. The common goal was to be able to leave on good terms. It is important that the club that trusted me and who came to pick me up at the age of 10 can recover money after all that we have been able to do together."