Transfer Gossip: Harry Kane makes Man Utd decision after Old Trafford chiefs step up £85m pursuit; Emery to end Aston Villa career of English defender

Man Utd officials are putting more work into the potential signing of Harry Kane from Tottenham, while one Aston Villa defender will be seen off by Unai Emery and Bournemouth want a Jose Mourinho misfit – all in Saturday’s transfer gossip.

HARRY KANE SETS STANCE ON MAN UTD MOVE

Man Utd are “exploring” a deal for Tottenham striker Harry Kane in the summer, further reports have revealed.

As one of the best strikers in the Premier League, it has been natural for Kane to be linked with clubs like Man Utd for a number of years. But there is a feeling that 2023 could finally be the one in which he leaves Tottenham.

By the end of the season, his contract in north London will be entering its final 12 months. At that stage, Tottenham might have their last chance to cash in for a reasonable fee.

Preferably, they would get the academy graduate to extend his commitment to the club. But with no major honours to his name yet, the 29-year-old might have to jump ship before it is too late.

Recently, a transfer to Man Utd has come back into focus. The Red Devils will need a new striker in the summer after Wout Weghorst’s loan spell from Burnley ends.

The Daily Mail is the latest source to confirm that Kane will be on Man Utd’s shortlist. In fact, the club’s decision makers are already “exploring the particulars” of a move for the England captain.

It is believed that Tottenham will ask for at least £85million to let the centre-forward leave. Their valuation may be higher if they are doing business with a domestic rival like Man Utd.

Kane, incidentally, is also on the radars of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in mainland Europe.

Man Utd to take Harry Kane elsewhere in Premier League

But a Premier League stay appeals to him as he hunts down the competition’s all-time goalscoring record. With that in mind, Kane looks likely to choose between staying with Spurs and moving to Man Utd.

And according to the report, he is in fact “open” to joining Man Utd, which officials at Old Trafford are aware of and encouraged by.

They will still have to make a major effort to convince Tottenham into selling Kane. After all, Spurs held firm when their rivals Man City tried to sign the striker in 2021.

But due to his contract status, Kane could be more attainable now. He has the kind of presence up front that appeals to Erik ten Hag and could be worth investing in since he shows no signs of losing his edge.

Indeed, this season, Kane has scored 15 goals in 20 Premier League matches. Therefore, he has plenty to offer at the highest level and could hit the ground running in Manchester.

For now, though, he will be focusing on his commitments with Spurs until the end of the season at least.

ASTON VILLA SET TO SELL CALUM CHAMBERS

The next step of the overhaul of the Aston Villa squad that Unai Emery is overseeing will be to offload Calum Chambers, according to a report.

After taking charge of the club midway through the season, Emery is getting his first chance to reshape the squad he has inherited this month.

Aston Villa have already signed Alex Moreno and Jhon Duran, while bidding farewell to the likes of Danny Ings and Frederic Guilbert.

The next player at risk of an exit, according to the Daily Mirror, is Chambers.

Emery previously coached Chambers at Arsenal, giving him 15 appearances, but allowed him to leave on loan for Fulham in 2018. Now, their reunion at Villa Park could be very brief.

Chambers only joined Villa 12 months ago. However, the defender hasn’t really had a look in under Emery (nor was he significantly popular when Steven Gerrard was in charge).

Hence, after just 18 appearances for Villa – including seven this season – he may now have to find a new club again.

The report does not mention where exactly he might end up. Having just turned 28, Chambers still has something left in the tank, but might be ready to take his Premier League experience elsewhere.

BOURNEMOUTH ASK FOR ROMA FLOP

Bournemouth have turned their attention to a full-back cast aside by Jose Mourinho at Roma.

After Bill Foley became their owner, Bournemouth have been preparing to spend in the transfer market. Their first January signing went through this week, as Dango Ouattara joined from Lorient for £20m.

Now, after strengthening their attack, they are looking at reinforcements for further back.

Specifically, they want to add a new left-back to Gary O’Neil’s squad. In that regard, the Daily Mail has relayed that they recently tried to lure Robin Gosens away from Inter.

Therefore, the report claims they have turned their attention to another Serie A option. Indeed, Bournemouth have asked Roma about the availability of Matias Vina.

The Uruguay international is currently in his second season with Roma. However, he has been classed as a disappointment there, losing the trust of Mourinho.

Hence, Bournemouth want to take Vina on loan for the rest of the season. In theory, Roma are unlikely to object, but then again, Gosens has been out of favour at Inter too and that was a deal that couldn’t be done.

Yet there should be some more confidence that Bournemouth could bring Vina – who went to the World Cup with his country despite his lack of gametime at club level – to the Premier League for the first time in his career.