Euro Paper Talk: Paratici plots transformative Tottenham double signing; priority revealed after Man Utd forward meeting
Tottenham Hotspur are making plans for two bargain signings in 2022 – one in January and one in the summer – while Manchester United have reportedly been in contact with the agent of a forward whose ideas are becoming clear, according to Thursday’s Euro transfer gossip.
TOP SPURS TARGET WARMS TO JANUARY MOVE
Tottenham are willing to pay in January after emerging as the frontrunners to sign Franck Kessie, who is “overwhelmed” by their interest, while they are also among a four-way battle for the services of Borussia Monchengladbach defender Matthias Ginter.
Fabio Paratici is overseeing a rebuild at Tottenham and made several signings in his first summer as managing director. The former Juventus director brought in Pierluigi Gollini, Cristian Romero, Emerson Royal and Bryan Gil, as well as Pape Matar Sarr with a view to the future.
There are still areas he wants to strengthen, though, and there have been plenty of reports about his plans for 2022 ever since this summer’s transfer window closed.
Kessie was one of the first names mentioned at the start of September, with Tottenham eyeing a free transfer for the AC Milan midfielder.
The former Atalanta star is out of contract at the end of the season and has many admirers. After also losing Gianluigi Donnarumma and Hakan Calhanoglu for nothing in 2021, Milan may be forced to sell Kessie in January for a cut-price fee to avoid a repeat.
According to JuveLive, in part covering Juventus’ own interest in the Ivorian, Spurs seem the likeliest candidates to sign Kessie at present.
Crucially, they will be able to convince both Milan and Kessie to accept their offers in January, stealing a march on the competition – including Juventus – that was looking at him for next summer.
The report claims Kessie is “overwhelmed” by the advances of Paratici and would be willing to accept Spurs.
It would be an immediate and timely boost for Tottenham in January after they failed to sign a new central midfielder (other than Sarr, who was loaned straight back to Metz) in the summer.
Paratici planning Ginter raid also
Another area they could not reinforce to the extent they wanted was at centre-back. Paratici wanted to make two signings there but was only able to bring in Romero.
With that in mind, they could revisit that area of focus a few months after potentially bringing in Kessie mid-season.
For the summer of 2022, Calciomercato claim they are looking at Gladbach defender Ginter.
Like Kessie, Ginter is out of contract at the end of the season and unlikely to renew with his current club. But Tottenham are willing to wait in this transfer battle so they can sign him for free.
There is competition for the Germany international though, as he is also being eyed by Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Inter Milan.
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AND MORE EURO TRANSFER GOSSIP
Manchester United have been in contact with agent Jorge Mendes about Barcelona starlet Ansu Fati. (Todofichajes)
But Fati has told Mendes his priority is to renew his Barcelona contract, which runs out at the end of the season. (Mundo Deportivo)
Arsenal and Tottenham are still tracking Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, who remains a top target for Chelsea. (TMW)
Barcelona are admirers of Liverpool target Karim Adeyemi. In fact, they believe he could have a similar impact to their own academy graduate Fati. (Mundo Deportivo)
However, RB Salzburg striker Adeyemi has confirmed that he would choose a return to Bayern Munich if the opportunity arose. (Marca)
CONTE COULD ACCEPT MAN UTD
Manchester United are the only club in the Premier League that Antonio Conte would consider managing. (Gianluca Di Marzio)
Former Inter coach Conte has revealed his former pupil Achraf Hakimi, now at PSG, dreams of returning to Real Madrid in future. (Sky Sport Italia)
Barcelona “dream” of signing Paul Pogba if he chooses not to renew his contract with Manchester United. (Fichajes)
Former Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge does not think Liverpool can compete for the signature of Erling Haaland. However, he wouldn’t rule Real Madrid out of the race for the Borussia Dortmund frontman. (Bild)
Lautaro Martinez is close to signing a new contract with Inter after rejecting a transfer to Tottenham this summer. (Fabrizio Romano)
PSG DIRECTOR MAKES MBAPPE ADMISSION
Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo says he cannot imagine Kylian Mbappe leaving the club next year. (Canal Plus)
Chelsea are in talks with a new contract for Antonio Rudiger and close to an agreement for one for Andreas Christensen. Jorginho and N’Golo Kante will be next on the list. (Fabrizio Romano)
Rudiger wants a pay rise in order to agree to a new deal with Chelsea. (SportBild)
Liverpool are looking to make a move to reunite Robert Lewandowski with Jurgen Klopp next summer. (Fichajes)
Leon Goretzka has signed a new five-year contract with Bayern Munich. (Official)
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