Real Madrid Transfer News: Fresh Harry Kane Rumours, Latest on James Rodriguez

Real Madrid reportedly want to bring in Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane once their transfer embargo is over.

That’s according to Fichajes.net (h/t Steve Mitchell of Calciomercato.com), where it’s suggested that in addition to Los Blancos, both Manchester United and Chelsea are interested in the England international striker. It’s stated that Kane is asking for a huge increase in salary to sign a new deal at White Hart Lane.

Additionally, although Real’s transfer ban means they won’t be able to sign players until 2018, it’s reported that club president Florentino Perez is not going to give up on the forward, whom he views as an ideal replacement for Karim Benzema.

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According to Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph, Spurs are hoping to get Kane to commit to a new contract, although he’ll reportedly demand a weekly wage of £120,000; it’s a sum that would see Tottenham scrap their current wage structure, where no player is paid more than £100,000.

Kane has emerged as one of the best centre-forwards in the Premier League over the last three seasons, leading the line with distinction for Tottenham. His goals, work rate and ability to create chances were key in Spurs mounting a title challenge last term.

As Squawka Football notes, in addition to the aforementioned strengths, Kane has a tendency to stand up and show his best form in the biggest games:

That’s not something that would have escaped the Madrid hierarchy, as the club are involved in so many momentous occasions. Nevertheless, making transfer plans for January 2018 seems a little premature, especially when manager Zinedine Zidane already has the likes of Benzema, Alvaro Morata and even Cristiano Ronaldo to call upon up top.

Kane evidently adores playing for Spurs and will be keen to fire the team to successes in the future. But as was the case with former Tottenham man Gareth Bale, the lure of the Santiago Bernabeu, regardless of the footballer’s affinity for the club, can be too strong to resist.

Inter Milan Eye James Rodriguez

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According to Corriere dello Sport (h/t Mitchell), Inter Milan will look to sign James Rodriguez from Real Madrid as part of a major summer spending spree.

In the report, it’s suggested that the Nerazzurri want to land the Colombia star as well as Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez. However, Rodriguez is said to be top of the club’s list; it’s noted that Inter had a big-money offer rejected for the playmaker in the summer but are more confident of getting a deal done at the end of the campaign.

Despite his undeniable talent, Rodriguez is finding minutes difficult to come by at the Santiago Bernabeu. Here’s a look at why so many are frustrated to see him on the fringes:

The first season Rodriguez enjoyed as a Los Blancos player, on the back of a tremendous FIFA World Cup campaign with Colombia, was magnificent, as he provided a refreshing edge in the attacking third.

These numbers from OptaJose show just how much of a threat Rodriguez can be when he’s at his creative best:

However, as Zidane has sought to add more pragmatism into the team, the 25-year-old has found chances tougher to come by.

This season, he’s made just two starts in La Liga, with Isco, Marco Asensio, Mateo Kovacic and Lucas Vazquez seemingly ahead of him in the pecking order, not to mention Ronaldo and Bale. At this juncture, it’s difficult to see Rodriguez being a long-term success at Madrid with Zidane in charge.

The former AS Monaco man possesses far too much ability to play a peripheral role in the squad, and should he agitate for a change of scenery, there’ll be a queue of elite clubs from across the continent trying to bring him in.