Tottenham Transfer News: Latest on Amadou Diawara Bid, Top Rumours
Tottenham Hotspur have offered £34 million for Napoli teenage sensation Amadou Diawara, but the Serie A giants have turned down the White Hart Lane club's initial bid.
According to Italian outlet Il Mattino (h/t Lewis Winter of the Daily Star), Partenopei director Christian Guintoli rejected the approach for the Guinean defensive midfielder, describing the player as "unsellable."
Mauricio Pochettino is "excited" by the burgeoning youngster and is keen to bring him to the Premier League with a huge offer.
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The 19-year-old only moved to Naples in August, making four appearances in the Italian league, and two in the UEFA Champions League, according to Winter. The player began his career at San Marino before earning a £420,000 switch to Bologna in 2015. He made 34 appearances for the Greyhounds before completing the step up to Napoli.
Tuttosport (h/t Matthew Judge of Goal) also reported Chelsea want Diawara after he "caught the eye" of Blues coach Antonio Conte. They wrote the former Italy national team manager is preparing a massive offer in order to tempt Napoli.
Here is the player in action:
In other Lilywhites news, Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City are monitoring Harry Kane's contract situation after it was reported recent negotiations have collapsed.
Neil Ashton of the Sun wrote that talks have been shelved by club and player, alerting the big guns of the Premier League to take notice. Kane is earning only £60,000 per week at present—which is £35,000 short of recent signing Moussa Sissoko's weekly wage.
Ashton explained:
"Tottenham are refusing to offer a deal in line with Kane’s England strike partners or even make him one of the highest earners at White Hart Lane.
No date has been set for the talks to resume with chairman Daniel Levy but it will be another massive worry for Spurs supporters following Hugo Lloris’ failure to agree fresh terms.
[...]
There is a feeling at White Hart Lane that Kane’s loyalty is being tested, especially with the club offering Moussa Sissoko £95,000 a week to sign from Newcastle in the summer.
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According to Ashton, Kane's current deal runs until 2020, partially explaining why Spurs are refusing to increase their terms at present.
However, with top players commanding extraordinary sums in the modern game, Kane will want to cash in on his status as one of world football's best strikers.
According to Joe Bernstein of MailOnline, Paul Pogba earns £290,000 per week at Manchester United, dwarfing the totals being discussed with Kane.
The 23-year-old remains Spurs best player and deserves a contract which reflects this. The north Londoners will want to hold on to the attacker, but if they cannot pay him a top-bracket salary, he will certainly not remain at White Hart Lane.
Pochettino's title challenge is built around the England player's ability, and if his morale becomes affected, their chances of a Champions League finish at the end of the campaign diminish significantly.
