Tottenham, West Ham two of quartet chasing Ligue 1 centre-half

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Tottenham, West Ham and fellow Premier League side Watford are all in the hunt for Monaco centre-half Guillermo Maripan, according to the Spanish media.

The Chile international, 26, joined Monaco from Alaves for a fee of €18 million in the summer of 2019, despite reported interest from the Hammers.

The adjustment from LaLiga to Ligue 1 has not gone as smoothly as many had predicted, however, with Maripan enduring a difficult debut season with Monaco as they laboured to a mediocre ninth-placed finish prior to the ruling to prematurely end the Ligue 1 season last week.

Regardless, the Chilean was afforded 20 league starts in the campaign, notching two goals along the way.

Now, Spanish outlet AS (via Goal.com) note that Tottenham, West Ham and Watford ‘all want to sign’ the centre-back.

Owing to his initial struggles, Monaco could be open to sanctioning his departure, and given his age, Maripan would represent a ready-made and experienced starter.

Spurs could be on the lookout for central defensive reinforcements if club veteran Jan Vertonghen departs.

The Belgian international’s contract at White Hart Lane expires at the end of June, and the player himself recently dropped a hint that his future lays elsewhere from North London.

Goal note that Maripan ‘could well be available for transfer,’ though Portuguese heavyweight FC Porto are also name-checked as an interested party.

Meanwhile, Spurs talisman Harry Kane has revealed his thoughts about Liverpool’s ongoing uncertainty over whether they will lift their maiden Premier League trophy.

 

Kane accepts that Liverpool’s 25-point lead in the table makes them worthy champions whatever becomes of the 2019/20 campaign and that the absence of their supporters from any conclusion is a necessary evil.

“Liverpool deserve to lift the title and with their fans missing it will be a strange situation,” he said.

“But we’ve not been through a time like this in our lifetimes. Fans are a massive part of football, they make football what it is. It will be different to play without them, I have done it before in a game for England and it is not the same but I guess if we want to finish the season then we are going to have to do that.”

Kane also revealed he had been contact with team-mate Dele Alli following the news the Spurs midfielder was burgled at knifepoint.

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