Transfer Gossip: Man Utd, Tottenham deflated as new suitor begin Harry Kane signing; next Lionel Messi club named

Tottenham striker Harry Kane

The manager of a Euro giant has ordered the signing of Tottenham talisman Harry Kane and a move to sign the Man Utd target is underway, while Lionel Messi’s next club has been named ahead of a June 6 announcement, and a Man Utd target attended their FA Cup final defeat to Man City – all in Sunday’s Transfer Gossip.

HARRY KANE TO REAL MADRID?

Carlo Ancelotti has told Real’s decision-makers to bring Harry Kane to the Bernabeu, and why he could succeed where Man Utd may fail has been revealed.

Kane, 29, is out of contract at the end of next season. Tottenham are dead set against selling their all-time leading scorer, though may be backed into a corner if a new contract goes unsigned.

Talks over a new deal will soon come to a head this summer. Kane could put the speculation to bed by penning fresh terms, though if he decides enough is enough, heavyweight suitors are ready to pounce.

BILD’s Christian Falk recently reported Kane has opted against pursuing a move to Bayern Munich. However, that still leaves Man Utd and Real Madrid in the mix.

The Manchester Evening News declared Kane to be Man Utd’s No 1 striker target for the summer. Real, meanwhile, may soon need a new centre-forward if Karim Benzema leaves for Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad.

Whether Benzema will stay or go as yet remains unclear. In the event he leaves, the Athletic report Ancelotti has ‘told the club’s board he wants to sign Tottenham striker Harry Kane’.

The Real board were reportedly receptive to Ancelotti’s plea, with the Athletic adding ‘the board told Ancelotti they would try to make that happen’.

Real had initially hoped to delay their search for a Benzema successor until 2024. At that stage, a move for either Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland would be explored.

However, the potential Benzema exit is accelerating their plans and Kane is the player Ancelotti wants right here and now.

The Athletic double down on Tottenham’s desire to retain their best player. However, it has been widely reported that if forced to cash in, they would prioritise selling to an overseas club rather than domestic rival.

That makes perfect sense for Spurs who would be loathe to see Kane face them at least twice a year in another English side’s colours. Theoretically, Spurs may never come up against Kane if he joined Real Madrid.

While the Athletic don’t list a transfer fee, other outlets have stated Kane will cost north of £100m if chairman Daniel Levy reluctantly waves goodbye.

LIONEL MESSI NEXT CLUB NAMED

Where Lionel Messi will play next season has seemingly been revealed, with a report claiming an announcement is due on Tuesday, June 6.

The Argentine icon will leave PSG as a free agent this summer and despite turning 36 later in June, does not lack for interest.

Indeed, two Premier League clubs are circling, while MLS side Inter Miami and Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Hilal are courting the World Cup winner.

Barcelona too hope to forge a sensational reunion with Messi, though their financial strife is likely to rule them out of the running.

Instead, Spanish outlet Sport report it’s Al-Hilal who Messi is poised to join.

Indeed, Sport state Al-Hilal ‘intends to announce the signing’ of Messi this coming Tuesday. Messi will reportedly reach a quick decision on his future and Al-Hilal believe they’ll be in a position to announce the deal 48 hours from now.

Al-Hilal have reportedly offered Messi an eye-watering salary of €400m per season. That roughly equates to a weekly wage of £6.62m.

Unsurprisingly, that will make Messi the highest paid sportsperson in the world and will see him earn double what Cristiano Ronaldo takes home at Al Nassr.

Sport’s reporting tallies with the comments of Spanish reporter Guillem Balague on Saturday.

Balague told the BBC: “In Saudi Arabia there are government officials already working on his arrival. They have been told Messi has accepted a very lucrative offer from Al-Hilal and are preparing for the move.”

MAN UTD TARGET PICTURED AT WEMBLEY

A player Man Utd made multiple approaches for last summer was spotted in attendance for the FA Cup final on Sunday.

Jurrien Timber is the player in question, and while Man Utd failed to sign the Dutchman last summer, the story may have a different ending this time around.

Erik ten Hag had hoped to bring the Ajax defender to Old Trafford during his first window at the helm. However, in a summer that saw Ajax’s ranks decimated, Timber was one of very few in-demand stars they retained.

The 21-year-old – who can operate at centre-back or right-back – was pictured at Wembley for United’s clash with Man City on Sunday.

Liverpool have drawn more recent links with the Netherlands international, though Ten Hag isn’t likely to lay down easily if Jurgen Klopp initiates a move.

One of the reasons Timber opted against joining United last summer was in order to ensure he played regular first-team football in the lead-up to the World Cup.

However, with that tournament now in the history books and a year less remaining on his Ajax deal, both the club and player may be more receptive to a move this time around.