Transfer Gossip: Incredible double Tottenham swoop on Chelsea has Conte purring; Liverpool learn staggering price for Napoli raid

Tottenham are hopeful of a double raid on Chelsea in 2023 that Antonio Conte believes can take them to the next level, Liverpool have learned the staggering cost needed to sign Napoli’s star man, while Thursday’s Transfer Gossip can reveal the new leading suitor for Ilkay Gundogan.

N’GOLO KANTE IS ANTONIO CONTE’S TOP TOTTENHAM TARGET

Tottenham are emerging as leading contenders to sign N’Golo Kante next summer when the player becomes a free agent at Chelsea.

The World Cup winner has been one of the Premier League’s outstanding midfielders over the past decade. Indeed, he was won the title twice, with both Chelsea and Leicester, as well as the Champions League and Europa League with the Blues.

But with his deal due to expire at the end of the season, the Blues are facing up to losing the 31-year-old.

And while talks over a new deal are ongoing, Fabrizio Romano claims they are at ‘serious risk’ of losing him on a free.

Understandably, there are several clubs looking to sign a player of Kante’s calibre on a free. Barcelona are well documented admirers of his, while just this week a report has claimed that Juventus are also keen.

However, the Daily Express claims that Tottenham are now muscling their way to the front of the queue.

Their manager Antonio Conte knows Kante well from their time together at Stamford Bridge. And the Spurs boss is desperate for a reunion at Tottenham as he the Italian looks to take his side to the next level.

Conte is reportedly firmly behind the potential move while Kante too is also thought to be keen.

N’Golo Kante admits his admiration for Conte

Speaking previously about his time under Conte at Chelsea, Kante has made clear his admiration for his former coach.

When asked when he played his best football for Chelsea, Kante had a very specific answer.

“With Antonio Conte in the period we won more than 10 games in a row,” Kante told the club’s official website.

“At that time when we were going on the pitch we were very confident. The team were playing very well, we managed to dominate our opponents and to win. I felt very good on the pitch. That was a beautiful time.”

And it seems Kante won’t be the only Chelsea making the move across London either. Indeed, a report claims Spurs are also back on the trail of Hakim Ziyech ahead of the January window.

The Moroccan has become a bit-part player at Stamford Bridge and is seemingly free to leave.

The Blues are reportedly seeking a fee of around £20m for his services. And the price is well within Tottenham’s budget.

Former Spurs star Rafael Van der Vaart also believes a deal for Ziyech may even help Tottenham win the title.

“Hakim Ziyech has to join Tottenham,” Van der Vaart told Ziggo Sport during their Champions League coverage on Wednesday evening.

“If Tottenham get Hakim Ziyech, they could win the Premier League. I am serious.”

LIVERPOOL LEARN STAGGERING FEE NEEDED TO SIGN KHVICHA KVARATSKHELIA

Napoli are doing all in their power to dissuade Europe’s big-hitters from a move for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia by placing a huge asking price on his head.

The Georgian has proved one of Europe’s most in-form stars this season following his move to Naples over the summer.

Signing in a bargain £9m fee, he has already lit up Serie A and the Champions League with some brilliant displays.

Indeed, the winger already has eight goals and eight assists to his name this season from just 17 appearances.

Understandably, that form has seen him linked with several top sides with Real Madrid and Liverpool among his admirers. Indeed, Jurgen Klopp is reportedly blown away by the form shown by Kvaratskhelia this season.

However, Napoli are unwilling to entertain his sale and have reacted by placing a mammoth price tag on his head.

And as per the player’s agent, Napoli are seeking a price of £85m (€100m) should any side try prise him away.

“You know what’s crazy, he’s done what he’s been in doing in Russia and Europe for the past couple of years,” he told Fabrizio Romano’s YouTube channel.

“He’s come to Napoli, he’s been brilliant, and people are talking about 100m euros.

“For me, if he continues to perform like this till the end of the season and next season, because there’s a zero per cent chance they sell him [in January]. He will reach 100m euros for sure.”

NEW SPANISH ADMIRERS FOR ILKAY GUNDOGAN

Manchester City’s prospects of keeping Ilkay Gundogan beyond next summer having taken another nosedive.

The player is out of contract in 2023, with this list revealing every Premier League star set to join the free transfer market.

The 32-year-old is a popular player at Manchester City and has been an influential figure over his six years there.

Bayern Munich are keen to bring him back to Germany on a free transfer.

But there is also interest from Spain with Barcelona are reportedly weighing up a move.

However, as per Mundo Deportivo, there is a new top suitor for the player’s services in Atletico Madrid.

Their coach Diego Simeone is a huge admirer of the player and is looking to tempt him to Spain.

And the move to the Wanda Metropolitano may appeal to the star as he looks for one final career challenge.

Gundogan has made 270 appearances for City, scoring 51 goals. His best-ever haul came in the 2020/21 season when he struck 17 times.

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