Euro Paper Talk: Tottenham scouts recommend striker with a goal per game to Fabio Paratici as proposal drawn up; Newcastle offer to double Man Utd target’s wages
Tottenham are preparing to bid for a striker with 13 goals in 13 games this season after Fabio Paratici was told to land him, while Newcastle are willing to double a player’s salary to beat Manchester United to his signing – both in Wednesday’s Euro Paper Talk.
SPURS EYE ITALY-BORN ATTACKER
Tottenham like the look of Bari hitman Walid Cheddira and could sign him as a potential replacement for Harry Kane up front, according to a report.
Kane has been heavily linked with Bayern Munich in recent months. The German giants let Robert Lewandowski go in the summer and brought in Sadio Mane as a result, though they need a more traditional number nine to replace Lewandowski’s goals.
Kane seems to be the best fit and this has brought up the possibility of him moving to the Allianz Arena.
German journalist Christian Falk believes Bayern will not sign anyone during the January transfer window. But they could make a move for Kane at the end of the season, which would leave Antonio Conte needing a new talisman.
And it looks like Spurs scouts have gone to a surprise destination when hunting for Kane’s successor, as they want to capture in-form Serie B forward Cheddira.
He is an Italy-born Morocco international who is enjoying the season of his life. He has found the net 13 times in as many matches already this term.
That includes a hat-trick in Bari’s Coppa Italia scalp over Serie A side Hellas Verona, which they won 4-1. Cheddira also managed two goals and an assist during Bari’s 6-2 league thrashing of Brescia on October 1.
Spurs scouts must have told director of football Paratici about Cheddira’s incredible start to the season as he could now move to north London.
According to Sport Witness, who cite reports in Italy, Paratici is hoping to snare the ‘super’ forward from Bari next summer.
And while Kane could leave the club for big money – potentially as much as £88million – it would not take much to replace him with Cheddira.
Tottenham-linked player available for low fee
That’s because the in-form 24-year-old could be available for just €15m. That works out at £13m currently.
Moving to the Premier League with Spurs would be a hugely impressive next step in Cheddira’s career. He has represented several smaller Italian teams so far, including Lecco and Parma.
Spurs would not have it all their own way when trying to sign Cheddira. That’s because Serie A leaders Napoli are also eyeing a move for him.
They would probably have the upper hand in negotiations, too. This is because Bari president Luigi De Laurentiis is the son of Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis.
Cheddira clearly knows where the goal is and might just end up being a shrewd piece of business from Spurs. However, the club’s fans would probably want a bigger name to arrive at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium if they did have to part ways with Kane.
This could be Ivan Toney of Brentford or AC Milan star Rafael Leao, both of whom have experience in a top-level league.
NEWCASTLE COULD USURP MAN UTD IN FORWARD RACE
Newcastle are preparing to send Lautaro Martinez a lucrative contract offer which would double his Inter Milan wage, as they look to beat Spurs and Manchester United to his services. (Inter Live)
Fabrizio Romano has told Arsenal to go after a ‘more dynamic’ midfielder than Juventus’ Weston McKennie. (CaughtOffside)
Aston Villa man Philippe Coutinho is likely to be left out of the Brazil squad for the World Cup and Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino could get his place. (Sport)
Barcelona are close to reaching a €50m (£43.3m) agreement with Wolves for Ruben Neves. But Xavi is worried about whether he will be a good replacement for Sergio Busquets. (Sport)
Romano says Man Utd sent scouts to watch Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick while Ralf Rangnick was in interim charge at Old Trafford. (CaughtOffside)
A journalist has poured cold water on Man Utd potentially bringing in former Liverpool transfer chief Michael Edwards. (CBS Sports)
CONTRACT UPDATE ON WINGER AS LIVERPOOL PLOT MOVE
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s father Badri says Napoli are yet to begin discussions over a new contract for his son. The wide man is also ‘informed about market rumours’, with Liverpool among the teams trying to sign him. (Imedi TV)
Marseille are being tipped to sell former West Ham ace Dimitri Payet in the January transfer window. (L’Equipe)
Arsenal are preparing to begin contract renewal talks with technical director Edu amid him picking up interest from other clubs. (Daily Mail)
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has slammed his team-mates for being ‘asleep’ during the 3-2 loss to RB Leipzig on Tuesday. (Movistar Plus)
Young Wolves attacker Fabio Silva is struggling on loan at Anderlecht and has lost the most aerial duels out of any player in the Belgian top flight. (HLN)
RALF RANGNICK DETAILS MAN UTD SIGNING RECOMMENDATIONS
Rangnick says he told Man Utd to sign six talented players during his tenure there. His list included Erling Haaland, Josko Gvardiol and Luis Diaz. (Bild)
Real will rival Paris Saint-Germain for the signature of exciting Brazilian teenager Endrick. (Marca)
Romano believes the Leeds board are still backing manager Jesse Marsch. They aren’t looking for potential replacement right now, either. (CaughtOffside)
Juventus attacker Angel Di Maria says he wants to re-join Argentine club Rosario Central in the future. (COMNEBOL)
France boss Didier Deschamps has suggested Man Utd defender Raphael Varane could still make the squad for the World Cup. (L’Equipe)
Thierry Henry thinks Zinedine Zidane will reject any approaches from Juve and will instead wait for the French national team job. (CBS Sports)
Meanwhile, Chelsea have reportedly begun agent talks as they look to sign an impressive Newcastle midfielder.
