WEDNESDAY’S BIGGEST STORIES
Let the Kane Games begin
Well nothing is going to happen with this in the January transfer window, naturally, but evidently the past 24 hours has shown us Harry Kane’s future will not be far from the headlines from now until the summer.
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A Robin van Persie-esque signing for Manchester United this summer? Sure, why not. But a striker that goes against Erik ten Hag’s philosophy? Sure, true as well, as is the prospect of him doing absolute numbers at Bayern Munich, who still remain interested in making him their Robert Lewandowski replacement, according to Sky in Germany.
Whatever the outcome, it is evident Kane and his agent/brother Charlie have chosen this week to get the ball rolling on a matter that will ultimately get resolved by the summer given Kane’s current Spurs contract expires in 2024.
Of course, that could simply mean a new deal at Spurs, with Kane telling reporters this week that he is “sure there’ll be conversations over the coming months” regarding a new contract, but this lack of total commitment will always lead to speculation.
“I know there’s going to be rumours, a lot of talk and speculation about my future but I’m just focused on what I can do,” he added.
“Of course I still want to win trophies for Tottenham Hotspur. That’s been my goal since I started playing first-team football with them.”
Hence why this will drag on. Spurs may be in a bad spot but with a Champions League run still possible and a top-four finish still the aim, a professional – and an England captain no less – like Kane is going to remain just that. A professional.
Nevertheless, recent headlines are no accident. Kane will want Spurs to know that he’s a wanted man both in the Premier League and abroad, but only come the summer will we see what all this leads to. My guess is as good as yours.
Advantage Newcastle
The noise St James’ Park will bring next week will surely get them over the line, you would think, as the Toon look to reach a first cup final since 1999 and win a first major trophy since 1969.
And should they get there they have their goalkeeper to thank, with clean sheet chief Nick Pope twice denying Che Adams to make it a remarkable 17 clean sheets this season – and an unprecedented 10 in a row.
“I’d like to say thank you to Nick Pope – he has been brilliant for us,” said Bruno Guimaraes. “He is the best goalkeeper in the world.”
Some praise.
Another hijack!
Who remembers transfer hijacks before they arrived with frustrating regularity?
The beauty of a proper “hijack” was that it stood alone during its transfer window. John Obi Mikel in 2005. Willian in 2013. But the nature of the current world of transfers means we know the movements of nearly every club and player, mainly down to that bloke Fabrizio Romano, so the frequency of hijacks is now increasing.
To be fair, Danjuma is said to have completed his Everton medical before Spurs thought another winger (probably wing-back in the making, knowing Antonio Conte) was a good idea, and so you have to feel for the Toffees. It’s safe to say they’re not having a great time of late, what with being without a manager, 19th in the table, winless since October, and with a fanbase who hate the board.
Apart from that, though. Great.
IN OTHER NEWS
Wait. What.
Without a manager. Currently 19th in the table. Desperate for transfers in the final week of the January window to save their season. Fans against the board. What next for Everton? Oh, okay, the owner is looking to sell the club. Talk about timing.
IN THE CHANNELS
All for this. Why not.
RETRO CORNER
What a day for birthdays. Xavi is 43 today, Robinho 39 and David Ginola 56. The late, great Eusebio would have turned 81 today, too.
Let’s go proper retro, then, and enjoy 10 minutes from one of football’s first global superstars.
COMING UP
Our Australian Open coverage continues this morning, and you can check what you missed overnight as well, while in the world of football it’s a big evening at the City Ground as Nottingham Forest host Manchester United in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final. There’s also Barcelona in Copa del Rey action against Real Sociedad.
Transfers
Plot twist as Danjuma spurns Everton and heads for Spurs medical – report
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Premier League
Kane equals Greaves record as Spurs see off Fulham
YESTERDAY AT 19:24
