Harry Kane can still be a trophy winner with Tottenham and deserves a statue in his honour, according to club chairman Daniel Levy.

Levy addressed the Cambridge Union and told an audience of students Kane should also consider it significant that he has "legend" status already with the north London giants.

The 29-year-old England captain has been linked with a host of bigger clubs, including Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, and his contract is due to expire at the end of next season.

He has never won a major title with Spurs, although he has become the club's record scorer, overtaking Jimmy Greaves in February of this year.

"He can absolutely win a trophy at Spurs," Levy said of Kane.

"But being a legend is also important. The fact that he's the top scorer for Tottenham Hotspur – he's making history. I hope one day that there is a statue of Harry Kane outside our stadium."

If Kane decides the time has come for him to leave Spurs, then Levy will be the man who either negotiates his sale, or puts his foot down and insists he stays.

The Spurs chief has acquired a fearsome reputation as a hard man to broker deals with, being determined to secure optimum value for any player that sets out to leave.

Yet Levy played that down, saying: "I don't consider myself a special negotiator. I'm just acting in the best interest of my club.

"When it comes to the transfer, it depends on the balance of power. If you have a player you really don't want to sell, then you have every right to say no, you own the registration.

"It depends also on the character of the player, whether you feel at the end you can keep the player. Because we're operating in a team sport, it's very important we keep the team together, so every circumstance is different."

Tottenham have not won the league since 1960-61, last triumphed in the FA Cup in 1990-91, and they have only two EFL Cup victories to show since that latter success, in 1998-99 and 2007-08.

They reached the Champions League final against all expectations in 2018-19 but lost out to Liverpool.

Spurs are unquestionably the great underachievers of English football and Levy said the recent record has not been good enough and that he is "sick" to see title-chasing north London foes Arsenal ahead of them this season.

"If you go back in history, Tottenham was a club that has lots of history because it's won things," Levy said. "In recent times, it's not been where it needs to be. But we're on a journey and we need to get better success on the pitch.

"But we have been in the Champions League a number of times, and we almost got there, winning the ultimate, which would have been winning the Champions League."

Levy added: "When we first came into Tottenham, winning was making sure we stayed in the Premier League. And then, as time goes on and we got more successful, it was about getting into the Europa League, getting into the Champions League and, obviously, the ultimate is to win the trophies.

"That is clearly what we're trying to do. It's easier said than done.

"Am I happy we haven't won more than one trophy in the past 15 years? Absolutely not. But I also think we've had some fantastic times and been in the Champions League a number of times.

"Despite the fact I feel sick there's another club in north London that's a bit higher than us at this moment in time, if I look back over the past five years, we've also been above them, so, it's what happens."

The race for Jude Bellingham's signature continues, with Liverpool having pulled out last week.

Numerous top clubs are keen on the 19-year-old England international who is contracted with Borussia Dortmund until 2025.

Bellingham signed his initial deal with Dortmund in 2020 but is set for a major pay rise if he moves or pens fresh terms.

TOP STORY – MADRID TO USE DIAZ IN BELLINGHAM DEAL

Real Madrid are plotting a potential player swap-plus-cash deal to land Jude Bellingham in the off-season, according to Cadena SER.

Los Blancos are investigating potentially using Brahim Diaz, currently on loan at Milan, in a deal to help reduce Dortmund's reported €150 million asking price.

Madrid are currently in the process of extending the stays of veteran midfielders Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.

ROUND-UP

- Manchester City are preparing a new contract offer for Erling Haaland to ward off rivals interest from top clubs such as Real Madrid, claims The Athletic.

- Rafael Leao wants to stay with Milan following interest from Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, according to Manchester Evening News.

- Newcastle United have established contact with Ousmane Dembele's representatives to discuss a move for the Barcelona winger, claims 90min.

- Arsenal and Newcastle United are both interested in Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby, per Le10Sport.

- The Telegraph reports Chelsea have opted against pursing Luis Enrique as their new manager, instead turning their attention to former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino. The Guardian claims Julian Nagelsmann remains Chelsea's top candidate.

- Tottenham will swoop on Chelsea's decision and look to appoint Enrique as Antonio Conte's replacement, according to The Express.

Tottenham and Brighton and Hove Albion have each been fined £100,000 for the touchline clash during their Premier League encounter earlier this month.

The incident occurred in the 58th minute of Spurs' 2-1 win over the Seagulls, which saw both bosses – Cristian Stellini and Roberto De Zerbi – sent to the stands.

Tempers had become flared during a game in which Brighton saw two goals and a penalty claim denied after VAR checks, before going on to lose to their hosts.

When asked about the incident after the game on April 8, Spurs interim head coach Stellini told Sky Sports: "I don't like to be involved when there is a fight or something too aggressive. I'm quiet and focused on the game.

"I try to do my job. I want to speak only about my team and the game, not what happened between us and them on the bench."

Fellow Italian De Zerbi responded to BBC Sport: "I am used to always respecting everyone and I want the same towards me."

The FA charged both clubs for the "mass confrontation" and confirmed the fines on Wednesday, saying: "Both clubs admitted they failed to ensure that their benches conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and did not behave in a way which is improper during the 58th minute."

Harry Kane's future at Tottenham is uncertain, with his contract due to expire in 2024.

As a result, speculation is developing about a move for the England international striker during the next transfer window.

Manchester United are known to be interested in the 29-year-old, while Bayern Munich were previously linked too.

TOP STORY – PSG TO CONTEND WITH UTD FOR KANE SIGNATURE

Paris Saint-Germain will battle it out with Manchester United to land Tottenham forward Harry Kane, reports Le Parisien.

PSG sporting director Luis Campos wants to bolster the side's attack and has identified Kane as their top target.

The French champions' president Nasser Al Khelaifi has a good relationship with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, which may help negotiations.

ROUND-UP

- Lionel Messi has decided to remain in Europe for another two seasons, amid speculation about a move to Saudi Arabia or MLS, namely Inter Miami, claims SPORT. Messi has been linked with former club Barcelona, having yet to re-sign with Paris Saint-Germain.

- Fichajes reports Barcelona are circling to make a move for Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold in the upcoming transfer window. Barca are hoping to sign him on a reduced fee, with the Reds to miss out on Champions League football next term.

- Liverpool will commence talks with Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Alexis Mac Allister's camp soon, according to Fabrizio Romano, who said an off-season exit is a certainty.

- Newcastle United, West Ham United and Tottenham are all circling for James Ward-Prowse who has been told he can leave Southampton if they get relegated, claims Daily Mail.

- Inter have turned their attention to signing Borussia Monchengladbach's Marcus Thuram or Liverpool's Roberto Firmino, rather than making Romelu Lukaku's loan spell from Chelsea permanent, claims Gazzetta dello Sport.

- Fabrizio Romano reports Borussia Dortmund have agreed personal terms with Borussia Monchengladbach defender Ramy Bensebaini to join as a free agent in the off-season.

Hugo Lloris has described the boos Davinson Sanchez was subjected to by Tottenham fans during a stunning 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth as "sad for the club".

Sanchez replaced the injured Clement Lenglet 10 minutes before half-time when Spurs were 1-0 up in the Premier League clash at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but his appearance was only brief.

The Colombia international inadvertently provided Dominic Solanke with the opportunity to put the relegation-threatened Cherries 2-1 up after the break, prodding the ball into the striker's path before he beat Lloris.

Centre-back Sanchez was soon back on the bench in the 58th minute after making way for Arnaut Danjuma, who equalised before Dango Ouattara scored a last-gasp winner for Bournemouth.

Sanchez was booed by Tottenham supporters when he was hauled off and captain Lloris was not impressed with the way he was targeted.

The France goalkeeper beIN Sports: "It started earlier. It's when he came on the pitch. I've never seen this in my career.

"I feel really bad for Davinson. He's a team-mate, he's a friend and he's been fighting for the club for many, many years now.

"It's just sad. The story is sad for the club, for the fans, for the player. It's something you don't want to see in football."

Spurs interim boss Cristian Stellini stressed the importance of the club must rallying around Sanchez.

"I understand it's a tough moment for everyone and we have to analyse this moment," he said. "Everyone needs to analyse how important it is to support a player.

"I take the responsibility for the decisions I make. I thought it was too early in the game to use another striker because we were 1-0 up in the first half.

"When we were 2-1 down I thought it was the moment Davinson has to [come off]. It was only a tactical decision. We need to support him because it's a tough moment for him and also for all the team."

Real Madrid are reportedly eager to bolster their full-back options, to upgrade from Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy.

Los Blancos were linked with Manchester City's Joao Cancelo - currently on loan at Bayern Munich - earlier this week by Fichajes.

The Spanish giants are set to miss out on this season's LaLiga title, with Barcelona leading by 10 points.

TOP STORY – MADRID KEEN ON LIVERPOOL'S TAA

Real Madrid will turn to Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold should they fail to land Reece James from Chelsea, claims Ekrem Konur.

Los Blancos are in the market for a new full-back and Konur claims Madrid could also turn to Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong.

Alexander-Arnold has had a mixed campaign for Liverpool, who appear set for a squad revamp in the off-season. The 24-year-old England full-back is contracted with the Reds until 2025.

ROUND-UP

– Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is an admirer of Torino's 21-year-old midfielder Samuele Ricci with Los Blancos keeping tabs on his situation, according to Tuttosport.

– The Sunday Mirror claims Manchester City are leading the race to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham from Real Madrid , with Liverpool having pulled out.

– Chelsea are looking to offer Romelu Lukaku as part of a deal with Atletico Madrid to sign Portuguese forward Joao Felix permanently, reports Fichajes. Chelsea are unwilling to pay Atletico's €100m asking fee, but may part with €70m along with the Belgian forward.

– Tottenham are tracking Barcelona winger Ansu Fati, reports Mundo Deportivo. The report suggests Spurs are willing to make him their most expensive transfer in club history.

– RB Leipzig are considering a move to sign Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun in the close season, claims Todofichajes. Balogun has impressed this season on loan with Reims .

– Chelsea have interviewed Sporting boss Ruben Amorim about taking over as manager next season, reports talkSPORT.

Kevin De Bruyne became the second player to reach 100 Premier League assists for one club as the Manchester City playmaker teed up Erling Haaland for the hosts' third goal in a 3-1 win over Leicester City.

The result cut Arsenal's lead to three points at the top of the table, ahead of the Gunners' trip to West Ham on Sunday.

Saturday's games saw Ollie Watkins remain in eye-catching form for Aston Villa, but there were grim home defeats for London giants Chelsea and Tottenham as Brighton and Hove Albion and Bournemouth celebrated impressive victories.

Here Stats Perform, guided by notable Opta match facts, unpicks the finer detail from the day's Premier League action.

Manchester City 3-1 Leicester City: Haaland and De Bruyne star as City keep pressure on

Armed with a 3-0 lead after 25 minutes, Manchester City took their foot off the pedal and Leicester gained a foothold, but the Foxes rarely get much from this fixture. It is 11 wins in their last 13 league games against Leicester now for Pep Guardiola's team, and five wins from as many meetings.

City are on a 10-match winning streak across all competitions, which they have bettered only twice during the Guardiola era, having a run of 21 wins from December 2020 to March 2021, and an 11-game run from August to October in 2017.

Haaland scored twice to take his goals tally to 32 in the top flight, ever closer to the Premier League record of 34 in a single campaign, while De Bruyne's pass that set up the Norway striker's second meant he completed 100 assists for City. Ryan Giggs, with 162 for Manchester United, is the only other player to reach a century of assists for one club in the Premier League.

De Bruyne has now assisted 10 goals for Haaland across all competitions this season, and that is the most assists any one player has had for the young goal machine with a top-flight club, beating Jadon Sancho's nine when he and Haaland were team-mates at Borussia Dortmund in the 2020-21 campaign.

Leicester remain deep in relegation trouble, with the 2015-16 Premier League champions having taken just eight points from 16 games in the competition (W2 D2 L12), losing eight of their past nine.

Aston Villa 3-0 Newcastle United: Watkins and Villa hit half-century marks as Emery revival gathers pace

Aston Villa were hovering precariously closely to the relegation zone when Steven Gerrard was sacked in October. A sensational recovery continued as they steamrollered third-placed Newcastle on Saturday, with their winning run in the Premier League now at five games.

They last reached five wins in a row in the competition on this corresponding weekend 25 years ago, when John Gregory was boss, and Saturday's result means Newcastle's Eddie Howe has lost his last four league clashes with Villa manager Unai Emery, who was previously in charge of Arsenal, by an 11-2 aggregate.

Villa have reached 50 points from 31 games, the earliest they have achieved that tally since they got there in 29 matches in 2009-10, and Watkins has been a key figure in the team's resurgence.

The England striker added to Jacob Ramsey's opener, which came from Watkins' headed assist, by netting a second-half double to take the game away from the Magpies.

Watkins' 50th, 51st and 52nd goal involvements for Villa (39 goals and 13 assists) came in his 102nd Premier League game for the team, with only Christian Benteke (88 games) having reached 50 in fewer games in the competition for the club. Watkins has 12 goals and three assists on Premier League duty since the World Cup, with only Haaland (16) having more goal involvements during this time.

Chelsea 1-2 Brighton and Hove Albion: Seagulls swoop for Stamford Bridge scalp

Brighton substitutes Danny Welbeck and Julio Enciso did the damage, and Chelsea could have no complaints. In terms of expected goals (xG), Brighton bossed this, ending with 2.28 compared to the hosts' 0.60.

After failing to win against Chelsea in 14 Premier League matches, Brighton have done the double this season, having won 4-1 at home in October.

Chelsea's winless run at home in the league now stands at four matches (D2 L2), and that is their worst streak since taking just one point from their final five games at Stamford Bridge in the 2015-16 season.

Only Manchester United (10) have had more goals from substitutes than Brighton (8) in the Premier League this season, and those two sides meet next weekend in the semi-final stage of the FA Cup.

Tottenham 2-3 Bournemouth: Echoes of Balotelli as Outtara stuns Spurs

Tottenham have Aston Villa and Brighton in hot pursuit after this shock reverse, with Dango Ouattara getting Bournemouth's winner four minutes and 11 seconds into stoppage time.

It was the latest winning goal Bournemouth have ever scored in the Premier League, as well as being the second-latest winning goal scored against Spurs by any team on record since 2006-07, after Mario Balotelli's strike for Manchester City in January 2012, which came after four minutes and 39 seconds of added time.

This was Bournemouth's first away league win against Tottenham, after losing on all five previous attempts, and it marked the first time Spurs have lost at home when taking the lead since a 3-2 setback against Southampton in February of last year.

Bournemouth have won five of their last nine Premier League games and have remarkably leapt six points clear of the bottom three, having won just five of their previous 25 matches. Dominic Solanke scored the Cherries' second and provided assists for their two other goals, scoring and assisting in the same Premier League game for the third time this season, with no player having done so on more occasions.

Arnaut Danjuma believes Tottenham must "come to terms" quickly with their dramatic 3-2 loss against Bournemouth as they chase a top-four finish.

Spurs were on the wrong side of a five-goal Premier League thriller on Saturday, after Dango Ouattara's 95th-minute strike sealed victory for the Cherries.

Danjuma had equalised at the end of normal time to seemingly rescue a point after Matias Vina and Dominic Solanke had cancelled out Son Heung-min's opener.

As a result, fifth-placed Spurs missed the chance to move level on points with Manchester United and third-placed Newcastle United, who suffered a 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa.

"We have to come to terms with it," he told BBC Match of the Day. "I think we did our best to pursue an extra goal. If you are Spurs, you should always try to go for the win.

"Inevitably, you leave some space for Bournemouth to counter-attack. It is a bit quiet [in the dressing room] but as quiet as it is, we are still excited about upcoming games.

"We saw Newcastle dropped points. The game has not been good for us, but we go back to the drawing board and work hard in training."

Danjuma, who is on loan at Spurs from Villarreal, previously spent two seasons with Bournemouth and was the club's player of the year during their 2020-21 Championship campaign.

Reflecting on finding the net against his former team, he acknowledged his mixed emotions, adding: "It is always a bit dubious scoring against your old club.

"I have nothing but love for Bournemouth. They treated me well and gave me a very good three years. Football is a business, though. I am at Spurs now, and I give my all for the club."

Spurs next play top-four rivals Newcastle a week on Sunday, before a subsequent clash against United in what is a decisive stretch for their Champions League ambitions.

Dango Ouattara's dramatic late strike snatched a 3-2 win for Bournemouth over Tottenham in a Premier League thriller on Saturday.

Arnaut Danjuma looked to have salvaged a point for Spurs with an 89th-minute equaliser after goals from Matias Vina and Dominic Solanke put the Cherries in front following Son Heung-min's opener.

But Ouattara had the final say with a superbly composed finish in the fifth minute of stoppage time to hand Gary O'Neil's side three precious points in their battle to stay in the top flight.

Defeat is the latest setback for Spurs in their quest to qualify for the Champions League, with key clashes against rivals Newcastle United and Manchester United to come.

Cristian Stellini has called on Tottenham to take more risks as they approach the first of "eight finals" in the race to secure a top-four Premier League finish. 

Tottenham approach Saturday's meeting with Bournemouth three points adrift of Newcastle United and Manchester United in the battle for Champions League qualification, having played one game more than both sides.

Despite only Arsenal and Manchester City bettering their tally of 55 Premier League goals this term, Spurs attracted criticism for a perceived negative approach under Stellini's predecessor Antonio Conte.

With Tottenham facing an uphill task to reach Europe's premier club competition for a second season in a row, the club's acting head coach is aware they need to step things up in attack.

"We have to play the eight final games like eight finals," Stellini said. "We started with Brighton and now we have eight games. We have to play attacking football. 

"We are trying to push more to create more chances, to try to shoot more on target, to create something that can create a good atmosphere in the stadium, and to get the crowd behind us.

"I think we played many games in the past that were really attractive. For me, it is important to win games in this moment and not only to think about how attractive our football is."

Tottenham's last game – a controversial 2-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion – was marred by a mass confrontation involving members of both teams' coaching staff, which saw Stellini and opposite number Roberto De Zerbi sent off.

Both teams were charged by the Football Association in the aftermath of that incident, though Stellini and De Zerbi both appear to have avoided touchline bans.

Reflecting on the incident, Stellini said: "What we created in that moment was not a good impression for anyone. Maybe for the atmosphere we created, the decision is good.

"We have to be better and personally, I am happy we showed we are a team, we are linked, we are close and we defend ourselves and our club. 

"At the same time, I am happy because I feel I was not involved in anything, so it is a good decision that I stay on the touchline for tomorrow."

Asked if he had spoken to De Zerbi since the game, Stellini said: "No. This type of thing stays on the pitch, you forget this type of situation immediately after the game. Everything is fine for me."

Heavyweight clubs including Manchester City, Liverpool, Napoli and Milan are reportedly closely monitoring the exciting Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga due to his affordable release clause.

Veiga, 20, is enjoying the best season of his young career, with the skilful central midfielder forcing his way into manager Carlos Carvahal's best XI.

Playing mostly as an attacking midfielder, Veiga has racked up nine goals in 26 LaLiga appearances, earning his first call-up to the Spain Under-21 team along the way.

His play in one of the top leagues in the world has caught the eye of midfielder-hungry Champions League sides, with his release clause providing a more affordable alternative to some of the other top central midfielders on the market in the upcoming transfer window.

TOP STORY – PREMIER LEAGUE AND SERIE A GIANTS CLAMOUR FOR VEIGA

Veiga is said to have a €40million (£35m) release clause, which Galician newspaper Atlantico says has caught the attention of Manchester United, City, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle United, Napoli and Milan.

The report states Celta Vigo are prepared for a big club to come and activate that clause in the off-season, and they will not budge or negotiate a lower figure.

The emergence of Veiga provides another option for clubs who have been closely following Brighton and Hove Albion 21-year-old Moises Caicedo, who is believed to be valued around £80m, or £100m-plus teenager Jude Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund.

ROUND-UP

– The Guardian is reporting Liverpool, Chelsea and United are the leading candidates in the chase for 24-year-old Brighton and Argentina standout Alexis Mac Allister, with Puroboca.com quoting the player's father, Carlos, as saying: "It is most likely that Alexis will already be playing in another team next July."

– According to Foot Mercato, Nice are hoping to receive a €60m (£53m) fee in return for 22-year-old midfielder Khephren Thuram, with Paris Saint-Germain, Dortmund, Liverpool and City all said to be circling the France international.

– Roma are reportedly in advanced talks with 24-year-old Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar ahead of his contract expiring in a few months, although they will face competition from Real Betis and Eintracht Frankfurt, per Fabrizio Romano.

– 90min is reporting Chelsea are confident they will be able to sign 24-year-old Mason Mount to a new long-term contract.

– According to CBS Sports, Al Nassr are targeting either Zinedine Zidane or Jose Mourinho as their future manager after the club where Cristiano Ronaldo plays fired Rudi Garcia.

Vincent Kompany insists he is happy at Burnley despite reports linking him with the vacant manager's role at Tottenham.

Kompany has guided Burnley to an immediate return to the Premier League in his first season in charge at Turf Moor, having arrived from Anderlecht at the end of the 2021-22 campaign after the Clarets were relegated from England's top-flight.

Burnley sit top of the Championship on 90 points from 40 games, and secured promotion with a 2-1 win at Middlesbrough last Friday.

Their form and impressive style of play – having scored 78 goals and conceded just 30 – has led to links with Premier League jobs, including Tottenham, who parted ways with Antonio Conte at the end of March.

Asked what he thought of such links, Kompany told reporters: "It is not at the forefront of my thoughts at all.

"Wherever I am, in my head, it is always the biggest job in the world."

He added: "What can I say? I'm not happy [at Burnley]? We are 14 points clear at the top of the Championship.

"A key part is I'm always happy, never satisfied."

Previously known for their direct style under Sean Dyche, no team has averaged as much possession in the Championship than Burnley's 64.3 per cent this season, showing the impact Kompany has had in a short space of time.

The former Manchester City captain has also been linked with taking charge at the Etihad Stadium in future, with City boss Pep Guardiola regularly championing him for the job once he leaves.

Cristian Stellini has been put in charge at Spurs until the end of the campaign, with the likes of Julian Nagelsmann, Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino also being linked with taking over ahead of next season.

Michael Salisbury has been dropped from refereeing duties after his failure to award a penalty while acting as the VAR for Tottenham's win over Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.

Kaoru Mitoma was tripped by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg during the Seagulls' 2-1 loss at Spurs but no penalty was awarded by referee Stuart Attwell, and the VAR did not summon him to the pitchside monitor for another look.

Howard Webb, the chief refereeing officer at the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), is said to have apologised to Brighton since.

Attwell has not been stood down and will be the VAR for Wolves' home match against Brentford on Saturday, before operating as the fourth official for the London derby between West Ham and Arsenal a day later.

However, Salisbury, the VAR official for Saturday's game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, will see no action this weekend.

Assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis, who is being investigated for an alleged elbow on Liverpool defender Andy Robertson during the Reds' 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Anfield, is also not involved this weekend.

The PGMOL will not consider Hatzidakis for any matches until the investigation is completed.

Bayern Munich have reportedly fallen out of love with the idea of Tottenham striker Harry Kane and are instead prioritising Eintracht Frankfurt frontman Randal Kolo Muani.

Kolo Muani, 24, has been one of Europe's breakout forwards this season. After arriving on a free transfer ahead of the current season, he has scored a career-high 19 goals in 38 appearances.

The explosive striker was rewarded with an international call-up by France for the World Cup in Qatar, scoring his first senior goal in the semi-final against Morocco before having his potential tournament-winning strike saved by Argentina's Emiliano Martinez deep into extra-time in the final.

His rise onto the world stage has not gone unnoticed, and now Bayern view him as one of their top targets at the position.

TOP STORY – BAYERN NOW VALUE KOLO MUANI ABOVE KANE

According to Sky Sports Germany, Bayern are desperate to recruit a new star striker in the upcoming transfer window, but since the departure of Julian Nagelsmann "Harry Kane is no longer very popular" internally.

Another target mentioned is Napoli's Victor Osimhen, but an asking price well over €100million makes that an unrealistic proposition, while Benfica's Goncalo Ramos is also mentioned as a potential alternative.

But Kolo Muani is now supposedly at the top of the list, even though Frankfurt have informed them that they will have to fork out around €100m to pry away the talent after he recently signed an extension – with no release clause – tying him to the club until 2027.

ROUND-UP

– Football Insider is reporting Aston Villa have strong interest in 27-year-old Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who would reportedly cost a club-record £45million.

– According to Foot Mercato, Paris Saint-Germain are big fans of 23-year-old Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo and will make a run at him in the next transfer window.

– Brighton and Hove Albion are confident 18-year-old striker Evan Ferguson will sign a new contract with the club despite interest from Manchester United and Tottenham, per the Daily Mail.

– Sport is reporting Barcelona's 19-year-old left-back Alejandro Balde is close to signing a new four-year contract that will include a £1billion release clause.

– According to Sport Bild, Arsenal and Chelsea are both investigating the price of 24-year-old Wolfsburg right-back Ridle Baku.

Tottenham star Son Heung-min acknowledged feeling extra "pressure and attention" after sharing the Premier League Golden Boot last season.

Son scored 23 league goals for Spurs during the 2021-22 campaign, finishing level with Mohamed Salah as the division's top scorer.

That was Son's best Premier League goals total for a single season, six more than the 17 he managed 12 months earlier, and he believes such an outlay brought with it a level of scrutiny he had not felt before.

Although he insists he loves the pressure, Son's form amid the additional recognition has been underwhelming, managing just seven Premier League goals in 28 appearances.

The 30-year-old still has another eight matches left to play this term, and he did score in Saturday's 2-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion, though there is a chance this could be the first season he has not reached double figures for goals since only getting four in his debut campaign for Spurs.

But regardless of how 2022-23 ends, Son sees no reason why he cannot come back stronger next term.

"Look, if I want to make excuses for the way I've played, I can find lots of them, but I'm not the type of guy who goes around making excuses and saying, 'That was not the real me'," Son told reporters.

"It happened, you move on, and I accept I was not at the top level.

"Last season was fantastic and to win the Golden Boot was a magical moment which gave me amazing confidence.

"Coming into the new season, everyone was saying, 'Sonny's got the Golden Boot' and expecting me to have another amazing run, but sometimes it's not that simple because you get more attention and more pressure, which I love.

"This is the reason we play, because I love this pressure, and it means I'm not the perfect player. I can still improve at my age, and the last eight games will be very important for me and the team."