Raphael Varane‘s relationship with Erik ten Hag has ‘separated’ after a ‘honest’ trade between the pair following the Dutchman’s choice to forget about the safeguard for the Manchester derby.
Regardless of injury to Lisandro Martinez this season, Varane has lost his spot as an ordinary starter.
Erik ten Hag toward a left-footer at left focus back yet in Martinez’s nonappearance, he’s selected to play Jonny Evans there.
Be that as it may, with Victor Lindelof managed out of the derby, Varane had expected to begin – just to be sidelined for Evans.
That was the straw that broke the camel’s back for Varane, who made it clear to Ten Hag how irate he was by the Day to day Mail.
Varane has just shown up since the derby, in spite of Evans being harmed.
Bayern Munich are presently hoping to benefit from the circumstance with a move for Varane in January.
The Germans esteem him at around £25m, however he would have to take a huge paycut to tie down a transition to the Allianz Field.
Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sané has reportedly left the possibility of a departure from the Bundesliga champions open, as per Sport.
The forward, whose contract extends until 2025, has attracted significant attention from LaLiga powerhouses Barcelona and Real Madrid in the recent months.
In early November, reports emerged that no concrete agreement had been made between Bayern and the 27-year-old to extend his contract.
Now, while on international duty with Germany, Sané has said that he “hadn’t thought about it yet; the club wants to have conversations, but for now I want to focus on this season.”
The ex-Manchester City player seamlessly aligns with Barcelona’s winger criteria, particularly amid speculation of Raphinha departing from Camp Nou.
Herbert Hainer has communicated to Real Madrid that his club has no intention of selling Alphonso Davies, a player Los Blancos are eager to acquire next summer.
Real Madrid’s pursuit of Davies has intensified in recent months, and there are reports suggesting they are contemplating meeting Bayern’s €50 million (£43m/$54m) asking price to secure the left-back for Santiago Bernabeu.
However, Bayern Munich is hesitant to part ways with one of their key players, as Davies holds a crucial role within the team.
Carlo Ancelotti, the manager of Real Madrid, is actively seeking reinforcements for the left-back position due to Ferland Mendy’s fitness concerns and Fran Garcia’s lack of convincing performances.
Alphonso Davies has emerged as a primary target, especially since the player’s agent has indicated his openness to a move away from Germany before his contract expires in 2025.
Davies has played a pivotal role for Bayern Munich this season, featuring in 10 of the 11 Bundesliga games and contributing three assists under the management of Thomas Tuchel.
Real Madrid is also eyeing another full-back for the upcoming summer, with reported interest in Chelsea captain Reece James as a potential long-term successor to Dani Carvajal.
While Davies is contracted until 2025, the possibility of a move before then cannot be entirely ruled out. Regardless, he appears set to maintain a regular role in Thomas Tuchel’s plans for Bayern Munich.
Bayern Munich’s goalkeeper and captain, Manuel Neuer, is set to make his return to the field after breaking his leg in a skiing accident last year, according tocoach Thomas Tuchel.
Neuer’s last match was during the World Cup in Qatar on December 1, where Germany was eliminated in the group stage. Shortly after, he suffered a lower leg fracture while on vacation.
Bayern Munich had signed Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer as a backup for the injured Neuer last season but allowed him to join Inter Milan in the summer.
Sven Ulreich, a long-serving reserve goalkeeper, has started in all but one of Bayern’s 13 games this season.
Bayern currently occupies the third position in the Bundesliga, trailing the leaders Bayer Leverkusen by two points, while promoted Darmstadt is positioned 12th.
In addition to his return with Bayern, Neuer also faces a challenge to reclaim his position as the first-choice goalkeeper for the German national team ahead of next year’s European Championship.
Following a series of disappointing results in the English Premier League,Manchester United’s goalkeeper, Andre Onana, found himself in a state of deep despair after his team’s defeat to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, September 21, 2023.
Under the management of Erik Ten Haag, Manchester United had been struggling in domestic competitions, and their trip to the Allianz Arena didn’t provide the redemption they had hoped for.
Despite putting up a valiant fight, they ultimately succumbed to a 4-3 loss against the formidable hosts.
During the match, Onana received criticism for his performance, with several of Bayern Munich’s goals being attributed to his errors.
Nevertheless, his teammates rallied around him on the pitch, offering words of consolation after the final whistle.
In the post-match press conference, the Cameroonian international demonstrated a commendable sense of responsibility by openly acknowledging his role in the game’s outcome.
“It’s my responsibility; because of me, we didn’t win—and I have to learn from it. I have a lot to prove, because to be honest, my start inMan United is not so good,” he is quoted to have said.
Chelsea and Bayern Munich are reportedly keeping a close watch on the situation surrounding Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, as indicated by the Daily Mail.
Ramsdale’s future has become less certain after he was left out of the starting lineup for Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Everton on Sunday, with new addition David Raya taking his place.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hinted at a potential rotation of goalkeepers and even substitutions during matches.
Arteta’s comments imply that Ramsdale still holds significance at the Emirates, but other clubs are monitoring the 25-year-old’s situation, speculating that Raya could eventually surpass him in the pecking order at Arsenal.
While Chelsea acquired Robert Sánchez and Djordje Petrovic during the summer, they remain open to bolstering their goalkeeper options.
Bayern Munich, on the other hand, is in search of a successor for Manuel Neuer, with Sven Ulreich and recent signing Daniel Peretz as their primary alternatives.
Ramsdale extended his contract with Arsenal for four more years in May and remains committed to the club. He will be hoping to regain his starting spot when Arsenal faces PSV Eindhoven in theChampions League on Wednesday.
Harry Kane marked a significant milestone by notching his 300th career club goal in a thrilling 2-2 draw between Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen.
Kane wasted no time, heading in a goal just seven minutes into the match, extending his impressive streak of four goals in as many Bundesliga games. However, the excitement continued as Alex Grimaldo leveled the game with a spectacular free-kick.
Leon Goretzka, who scored moments after Kane was substituted, seemed to secure the victory with a tap-in goal four minutes before the final whistle. Nevertheless, Exequiel Palacios salvaged a valuable point for Xabi Alonso’s side with a controversial penalty awarded by the video assistant referee in injury time.
The draw means that both teams relinquished their perfect starts in the Bundesliga but maintained their unbeaten records.
Kane’s close-range header elevated his club career tally to an impressive 300 goals, with 280 for Tottenham, nine for Millwall, five for Leyton Orient, four for Bayern, and two for Leicester.
In other matches, Paris Saint-Germain suffered their first defeat under the new manager, Luis Enrique, falling 3-2 to Nice despite a brace from Kylian Mbappe.
Terem Moffi initially put Nice in the lead, but Mbappe equalized with a first-time shot from the edge of the area. Gaetan Laborde later restored the visitor’s lead, and Moffi secured his second goal shortly thereafter.
Although Mbappe’s volley offered PSG hope of a late comeback, they were unable to break down their resilient opponents.
Despite lingering uncertainty surrounding his future, the French captain has already tallied seven goals from five games in Ligue 1.
The victory propelled Nice into second place, just behind Monaco, pushing PSG down the rankings.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Tottenham is one of the options being considered, according to sources informed by ESPN’s James Olley.
Fulham and Bayern have agreed on a transfer fee of around €65 million for Palhinha.
However, Palhinha’s move to Bayern hinges on whether Fulham can successfully acquire a suitable replacement before the transfer window closes on Friday night.
ESPN’s sources have revealed that Fulham initially turned down an offer earlier in the week, but Bayern returned with an improved bid that Fulham found acceptable, especially since Palhinha is eager to make the move to the Bundesliga champions.
Additionally, Fulham is nearing the completion of a £20 million deal to sign Everton winger Alex Iwobi, with the 27-year-old currently undergoing a medical examination.
Bayern Munich has officially announced the acquisition of renowned Tottenham striker and England’s national team captain, Harry Kane, in a transfer deal worth £100 million ($127 million).
The confirmation of Kane’s transfer comes after several weeks of negotiations and some contemplation on the player’s part in recent days.
Having made his decision, the 30-year-old striker has put pen to paper on a four-year contract that extends until the summer of 2027.
As part of this transition, Kane will inherit the No. 9 jersey previously worn by Robert Lewandowski, who departed for Barcelona a year ago.
While there is a possibility that the English striker might make his debut tonight against RB Leipzig in the DFL-Supercup, it remains uncertain whether he will be part of the starting lineup.
This uncertainty arises from the fact that the deal wasn’t officially confirmed until Saturday morning, and Kane has yet to train with his new teammates.
Sadio Mane has quickly acclimated to his new team, Al-Nassr, as demonstrated by his impressive performance in the semi-final of the Arab Club Champions Cup.
The former Liverpool and Bayern Munich winger played a significant role in his team’s victory, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, over the Iraqi champions, Al-Shorta, securing their place in the tournament’s final.
The 31-year-old Senegalese star’s contribution included winning a penalty for his Saudi Arabian team, which was successfully converted by Ronaldo to ensure their advancement to the final round on Saturday.
A video circulated on social media showcases Mane effortlessly outmanoeuvring Al-Shorta’s defenders, with a particularly notable instance where he skillfully evaded the right-back, ultimately leaving him on the ground.
Sadio Mane is a great and extraordinary player who did not enter any preparatory camp with them, then he gave this performance today. 🖋️🖤🖤 pic.twitter.com/JzvPlMWfYE
The Senegalese superstar was making just his third appearance for Al-Nassr since joining the Middle Eastern club from Bayern Munich last week.
He is expected to play a vital role in the final against Al-Hilal on Saturday as the Knights of Najd chase their first title since the arrival of Ronaldo.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Pro League season will commence after the conclusion of the Arab Club Champions Cup tournament, as reported by MSN.
Mane’s powerful Al-Nassr welcome speech Sports Brief also reported on Mane challenging his new Al-Nassr teammates to win all possible trophies after his move to the Saudi Pro League.
Tottenham Hotspur’s all-time leading goalscorer, Harry Kane (30), is on the verge of departing the club; however, his exit will not alter the team’s upcoming season strategy, stated manager Ange Postecoglou on Friday.
Kane was scheduled to travel to Germany to finalise a transfer to Bayern Munich for a reported 100 million euros ($109.78 million), which would set a Bundesliga record.
“I don’t have a blow-by-blow account of the whole thing, but my understanding is that it’s progressed to the point where it looks like it’s going to happen,” Postecoglou told reporters ahead of his side’s Premier League match at Brentford on Sunday.
“That’s all the information I kind of have at the moment, and from that perspective, it gives us some clarity that, barring something unforeseen, we move forward without Harry.”
Postecoglou said he understood the deal was imminent and that “certainly with training today and preparing for Brentford, we’re doing it without Harry.
“We’ve been planning for this, fair to say, for a while,” added the Australian, who arrived at Spurs in June after the North Londoners finished a disappointing eighth in the league.
“A lot of our business up until now is with that in mind, so this doesn’t change things dramatically from my perspective, in terms of what we’re trying to build,” he added.
“Our whole strategy has been around the fact that Harry wasn’t going to be around, more than likely. So it’s not like we’ve had a pow-wow this morning, and what do we do? We knew it was coming.”
Postecoglou said Tottenham still had a big squad and there would be some more movement.
“I think some players will seek opportunities elsewhere and there’s still three or so weeks to go in the transfer window… that’s not because Harry’s gone, that’s always been in the plan.
“I’m only new in the building, mate. I’m certainly not a spokesperson for this football club in the sense of proclaiming people’s status but I think it’s fairly evident Harry Kane will always be one of the greats.”
Pep Guardiola has acknowledged that replicating Manchester City’s treble triumph will be “impossible” due to its status as a unique “once in a lifetime” accomplishment.
In the 2022–23 season, the Sky Blues achieved historic success by clinching the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League titles.
This feat marked the first time since Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson in 1999 that a team had secured the treble.
Although the Spanish manager has welcomed the arrivals of Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic, he maintains that achieving a similar feat will be an immensely challenging endeavour.
“It is once in a lifetime. It will not be possible to do what we did last season,” he told reporters.
“We climbed the highest mountain last season, but in the last two days we came down from it, and now we start again.
“Everyone has the same intention, and there will be a lot of difficulties to climb the mountain as high as possible. Our football, our level, and our mentality will dictate how the season will be,” he added.
Guardiola was surprised to learn that Tottenham have agreed to sell Harry Kane to Bayern Munich, for a figure of over €100 million (£86 million or $110 million), as the manager failed in his bid to bring the England international to the Etihad a few years ago despite leaving no stone unturned.
When asked about his opinion on the move, Guardiola did hide his astonishment: “Is that [correct]? Officially?”
After a brief pause, he added: “Everybody knows [what qualities he brings to the table]. Just take a look at him and how good he is. He has great attributes and is a top striker. Right, left, header, dropping, quality of play assists, scoring goals arriving.
“An exceptional striker who has shown it for many, many years. Just Alan Shearer is ahead of him as the Premier League’s top goalscorer and exceptional player.”
Harry Kane is on his wat to Germany to undergo a medical examination with Bayern Munich. This comes as Tottenham have accepted a substantial offer of over €100 million for the talented English striker.
After weeks of prolonged negotiations, Bayern and Tottenham have finally reached an agreement.
Initially, there were suggestions that Kane was leaning towards remaining in the Premier League.
However, a new development has arisen: the 30-year-old has now committed to joining the Bundesliga champions. The Athletic reports that Kane is prepared to sign a four-year contract with Bayern.
Kane is expected to undergo his medical assessment and could finalise his move to Bayern by the conclusion of Friday.
He is poised to take on the No.9 jersey, which became available after Robert Lewandowski’s transfer to Barcelona a year ago.
Consequently, Kane is highly unlikely to participate in Tottenham’s Premier League opener against Brentford on Sunday.
With Kane’s departure, Tottenham might now consider pursuing Romelu Lukaku, who is out of favour at Chelsea, as a replacement. The Belgian striker is seeking a new team.
The England captain is eager to leave a significant mark in the realm of Champions League competition.
Undoubtedly, his focus will be on clinching titles with his new club.
Throughout his career, Kane has yet to secure any silverware at either the club or international level, despite being the all-time leading goalscorer for both Tottenham and the English national team.
Bayern Munich is said to have achieved a breakthrough in their pursuit of Tottenham’s striker Harry Kane, securing an agreement for a transfer valued at over €100 million.
After facing unsuccessful outcomes with three previous bids for the England captain, Bayern Munich has ultimately managed to persuade Tottenham’s Daniel Levy to yield.
Noted journalist David Ornstein has confirmed that the German club has successfully negotiated with Tottenham to acquire their star player for a fee exceeding €100 million (£86 million or $110 million).
The ball is now in Kane’s court. Reports have indicated that the 30-year-old forward has reached the decision that this summer presents the opportune moment for him to depart from Spurs, a club where he holds an esteemed position as their all-time leading goal scorer.
A move to the Bundesliga champions appears alluring, yet the question remains whether Tottenham’s key player, who supposedly had preliminary terms agreed with Bayern earlier in the transfer window, will ultimately finalise the transfer.
Why the potential hesitation? Kane’s contract is set to expire in 2024, potentially granting him the option to choose from an array of elite European clubs interested in acquiring his services on a free transfer.
This dilemma raises the question: Should he embark on the move now, which offers the certainty of Champions League football and the likelihood of winning trophies, or should he wait until the following summer to make a decisive choice?
Decision time. Does he stay, or does he go? As Kane weighs up what to do next, Tottenham will be in preparation mode for their Premier League opener on Sunday, where they will face Brentford.
It’s unclear if the latest developments will now mean the 30-year-old is unavailable for selection; all eyes will be on Ange Postecoglou’s press conference later!
Manchester United are reportedly engaged in discussions to secure the services of Bayern Munich’s standout, Benjamin Pavard, who is being considered as a potential successor to Harry Maguire.
United’s central defender, Maguire, is on the verge of moving to West Ham, with reports indicating that the two clubs have reached a preliminary agreement for a transfer fee of £30 million ($38.2 million) to facilitate his move to the London Stadium.
Bayern’s right-back Pavard has expressed a desire to depart from the Bundesliga side, as he has no intention of renewing his contract, which expires in 2024.
According to information from Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, substantive discussions are taking place between Manchester United and the 27-year-old Pavard, who also possesses the ability to play in central defence.
Manager Erik ten Hag is reportedly eager to secure his inclusion.
United is purportedly aiming to offload Maguire and regain a portion of the £80 million ($101.9 million) they paid Leicester City in 2019—a world-record fee for a defender.
The addition of French World Cup champion Pavard would grant the Red Devils a versatile defensive alternative in the aftermath of Maguire’s potential departure.
With just a year remaining on his contract, United might have the opportunity to secure Pavard’s services at a reduced cost.
Following Bayern’s disheartening defeat by Manchester City in the Champions League quarterfinals, a widely publicised altercation unfolded between Sane and the ex-Liverpool player within the team’s locker room.
According to reports, Mane allegedly confronted the former Manchester City winger, resulting in disciplinary action taken against him by the Bavarian powerhouse, including a suspension.
Cisse blamed the incident on Sane and the Bayern officials’ problem with ‘Mane’s skin colour. The player’s representative has also said Mane’s exit was not a footballing decision and that the club did not like “an African” being the club’s “top earner.” Bayern have now responded to his comments.
The press release read: “We cancelled Sadio Mané’s contract by mutual agreement. Accusations of racism, which are now being levelled by Sadio’s entourage, are unfounded and have been from the start. Our coach, Thomas Tuchel, has also never told Sadio that he can never use him.
FC Bayern liked Sadio Mané as a man and as a player. Unfortunately, the objectives that we set together when he signed weren’t achieved. That happens in football.We wish Sadio all the best and lots of success at his new club.”
Mane has teamed up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, aiming to move past his time at Bayern, which proved to be both unsuccessful and marked by controversy.
Mane is now a participant in the significant trend that involves prominent players transitioning from Europe to the Middle East. Expectations are high for further substantial deals during the ongoing transfer window, with more projected to occur in 2024.
PR manager of Sadio Mane, Bacary Cisse, has alleged that Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane used racial insults against Mane, sparking their heated confrontation in April 2023.
The clash between Mane and his former teammate Leroy Sane is believed to be a significant factor contributing to Bayern Munich’s decision to part ways with the latter.
Formally, the cause behind Mane’s altercation with Sane following Bayer’s 3-0 defeat against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League in April 2023 remains undisclosed.
However, various reports suggest that Sane, who was born in Germany and is of Senegalese descent, directed racial slurs at Mane, prompting the latter to react uncharacteristically by striking Sane in the dressing room.
During an interview with After Foot RMC, Cisse chose not to delve into the specifics of the incident. Nevertheless, when questioned about whether Sane racially abused Mane, he provided the following response:
“Yes, indeed. I can’t enter certain details. That’s why I said there was ingratitude from Bayern’s part. It’s crazy. Everyone with a knowledge of European football knows that Sane is a very condescending guy, whileSadio is very calm and has shown that everywhere he played.
“Sane has exceeded the limits. Many wrong things were said about what happened. Many dirty things came out of the German press. They sided with Sane against Sadio. They said Sadio was fined €500k, which is a lie,” he said, as quoted by the Daily Mail UK.
Cisse disclosed that Sane later apologised and pleaded for a response from Mane through some of the teammates.
‘Sane apologised to Sadio after the incident. Why? Because he knew it was him who f* up. He called some players and told them: “I sent a text to Sadio, tell him to respond”.
‘Sadio responded and accepted his apology, but told him that shouldn’t happen again.’
Sadio Mane has departed Bayern after completing a move to Al Nassr in a deal worth £34 million.
According to Cisse, Mane’s departure from Bayern was not for footballing reasons.
“It wasn’t a football decision (to sell him),’ he said. ‘Sadio’s salary bothered the Germans, they didn’t understand how an African joins the club and becomes the top earner ahead of everyone, so they wanted to get rid of him.”
“They never called the player’s representatives. They never told Sadio face-to-face that they wanted to get rid of him. They just sent (Thomas) Tuchel to tell him that he will be a third-choice left winger.”
“Sadio has nothing to prove to the Germans. He didn’t become what he’s become thanks to Bayern. It was thanks to Liverpool. Bayern were ungrateful. They were paying an African all this money, and that hurt them.”
“Leaving Bayern hurts me. I would have wished for a different ending. We had a long, big hug, and we both agreed that we don’t like what’s happening now, but we think it’s for the best in this situation,” He told Sky Germany.
“Sometimes things don’t work out as everybody wants it to work out. In person, I have always had a very good relationship with him, and this will stay. I can totally understand that he feels hurt and I also wouldn’t feel happy if things like this happened.
Obviously, it’s something that we didn’t bring to its full potential, which is my job and my responsibility, but in this particular situation, it was the best solution to untie the knot.
On another note, Sadio Mane’s transfer to Saudi Arabia has elevated him to the status of the highest-earning African footballer, receiving a weekly income of £661,000 and an annual tax-free salary of £34.37 million at Al Nassr.
Thomas Tuchel is reportedly interested in signing Kepa Arrizabalaga for Bayern Munich, as the team faces a shortage of goalkeeping options due to Manuel Neuer’s prolonged absence.
Bayern Munich, the reigning Bundesliga champions, find themselves in a predicament with their goalkeeping resources, as Sven Ulreich stands as their lone available keeper.
The departure of Yann Sommer to Inter Milan and the uncertainty surrounding Neuer, who is said to be out of action for several more weeks due to a leg injury sustained during a ski trip in December, have prompted the club to seek a new goalkeeper.
Reports from Sport1 indicate that Tuchel has communicated his desire to secure Kepa from Chelsea.
Talks have reportedly begun with both the player’s representatives and the Premier League club.
While Tuchel’s preference at Chelsea was Edouard Mendy, he believes that Kepa could provide healthy competition for Ulreich at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern’s intention is to initially bring in Kepa on a loan arrangement, coupled with an option to make the deal permanent.
Kepa, who still has two years left on his contract with Chelsea, appears open to the prospect of a change, especially considering the competition he faces from Robert Sanchez, who was acquired from Brighton in a £25 million ($32 million) deal.
While Kepa’s stint at Chelsea began with a then-club-record transfer fee of £71 million ($91 million) from Athletic Bilbao in 2018, his performance as a consistent goalkeeper has fallen short of expectations.
Harry Kane is believed to be inclined towards remaining at Tottenham following the decline of Bayern Munich’s third bid for his transfer, with his sentiments influenced by his positive impression of new head coach Ange Postecoglou’s philosophy.
Bayern Munich had made successive offers of £70 million ($90.2 million) and £80 million ($103.3 million) for the England captain, whose contract extends until 2024.
However, Tottenham rebuffed these attempts, including the latest bid of £86 million ($110 million) put forward by the Bundesliga team on Monday.
According to the Evening Standard, the 30-year-old is now gearing up to continue with Spurs for the upcoming season, drawn by his appreciation for the coaching approach of Ange Postecoglou, the newly appointed head coach, and his satisfaction with the training sessions conducted under the Australian’s guidance.
Although Bayern Munichis said to be contemplating an improved offer for Kane, their most recent proposal is reported to fall considerably short of Tottenham’s valuation for their top goal scorer.
Expressing his desire for a swift resolution to his future, Kane has indicated that he wishes to have clarity before the commencement of the season, set to start this weekend.
If no advancements are made, it is likely that he will feature in the match against Brentford on Sunday.
The question of whether Kane will commit to a new contract remains unanswered, particularly after earlier reports suggested he turned down contract extension offers from Tottenham earlier in the summer.
As the pre-season campaign comes to a close, Kane is not among the Spurs squad travelling to Spain for a friendly match against Barcelona on Tuesday, August 8.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou made it clear to Bayern Munich that there was only one deadline that mattered in their pursuit of Harry Kane (30).
Despite the England captain’s outstanding performance, scoring four goals in a 5-1 pre-season friendly win against Shakhtar Donetsk, Kane’s future at Spurs remains uncertain as he enters the final 12 months of his contract.
Bayern has been aggressively courting Kane, reportedly making their latest bid for the forward on Friday and setting a self-imposed deadline of midnight.
However, Spurs have stood firm during the pre-season transfer window, and Kane showed no signs of distraction, delivering an impressive hat-trick in just 55 minutes in what could be his last match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium under Postecoglou’s management.
Postecoglou emphasised that there was only one crucial date in the ongoing saga of Kane’s future, indicating that the situation remains far from settled.
“We know there’s one deadline, and that’s the end of the transfer window,” he said.
“Beyond that, I’m in open dialogue with Harry and with the club on a regular basis. I’ve said to them that if the status quo changes, then inform me…I’m building a team here. I can’t wait (around) for a decision either way to get going.”
Kane ‘invested’ in Spurs’ plans The former Celtic manager added: “You saw today (Sunday) that Harry certainly is invested in what we’re doing, and we’ll keep on doing that unless something changes.”
Bayern have made no secret about their pursuit of Kane, with Postecoglou insisting: “I certainly wouldn’t talk about contracted players at other football clubs, but I’m not at Bayern, mate, so they can go the way they want.”
Postecoglou was given a rousing reception by the Spurs faithful, and the noise increased when it was announced Kane would captain the north London side in the absence of Hugo Lloris.
Kane, Tottenham’s all-time record scorer, had two early shots saved, before opening his account with a 38th-minute penalty after James Maddison had been brought down in the area.
The Ukrainian visitors equalised on the brink of halftime through Kevin Kelsy’s close-range header.
But Kane was soon back on the goal trail when he headed in a cross from fellow England international Maddison in the 50th minute.
He completed his treble five minutes later when Son Heung-Min found Dejan Kulusevski, who slipped the ball between Mykola Matviyenko’s legs, with Kane shooting powerfully into the bottom corner.
Lifelong Spurs fan Kane had already heard several renditions of “he’s one of our own” before his hat-trick, but a section of the crowd chanted “we want you to stay” after his third goal”.
Kane completed his haul for the day when he followed up from close range in the 79th minute after substitute Manor Solomon’s curled shot was saved
Sadio Mane has openly expressed his true feelings as he gets closer to finalizing his move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
During his time with Bayern Munich, the former Liverpool forward managed 12 goals in 38 appearances, but only one of those goals came after he suffered a leg injury in November, which also ruled him out of the World Cup.
Despite having two years left on his contract with Bayern, both Mane and the Bundesliga champions have mutually agreed to part ways after a disappointing and injury-ridden first season together.
Now, the 31-year-old has completed successful medical examinations and is on the brink of joining Cristiano Ronaldo at the Riyadh-based club, Al-Nassr.
“Leaving Bayern hurts me. I would have wished for a different ending,” he told Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg as quoted by Fabrizio Romano on Twitter.
“I know that I could have helped the team this season. Nevertheless, I only wish the club and the fans the best for the future.”
Upon joining Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, Mane’s earnings will reach an astonishing £650,000 per week, resulting in an annual salary of £34 million, per 90 Min.
He is set to become the club’s fourth major signing this summer after completing deals for Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles and Seko Fofana.
Kimmich reveals Why Mane failed Joshua Kimmich has revealed that Sadio Mane’s struggles in his first and only season in the Bundesliga were not the Senegal forward’s fault, Sports Brief reported.
Mane has been heavily criticised in the media after he failed to have the impact he had at Liverpool with the Bundesliga giants after his highly publicised transfer from the Reds last summer.
Kimmich has now come to Mane’s defence, insisting the Senegal forward had to battle too many obstacles, which must have contributed to his low impact at Bayern.
Bayern accept Al-Nassr bid for Mane
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Sadio Mane is just a medical away from joining Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr after Bayern Munich accepted a verbal proposal for the Senegalese forward.
Al Nassr has been in intense negotiations with the Bundesliga champions for Mane, who struggled to adapt to the Bundesliga after his switch from Liverpool last summer.
The Saudi Pro League has become the center of attention this summer as more than 15 top players have made the surprising decision to leave the top European leagues and move to the Middle East.
It all started with Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr in January, which triggered a chain reaction, attracting other big-name players like the Ballon d’Or holder, Karim Benzema, among others.
Pep Guardiola, the head coach of Manchester City, has issued a warning about the attractive deals offered to players in the oil-rich country, making it challenging for other clubs to compete.
Now, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen is the latest player linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, with reports indicating that Al-Hilal has offered him a staggering salary of €1 million per week.
Several top African players have already made the switch to the Saudi Pro League:
Sadio Mane
The quality forward moved from Bayern Munich to explore new opportunities in the Middle East.
Regarded as one of Africa’s best players in recent years, Mahrez accepted Al-Ahli’s offer after his successful stint with Manchester City.
Edouard Mendy
The talented goalkeeper helped Chelsea win the Champions League and the Africa Cup of Nations for Senegal before joining Al-Ahli.
Seko Fofana
The 28-year-old Ivorian surprised many by joining Al-Nassr until 2026 after an impressive season with Lens in Ligue 1.
With the transfer window still open, there could be more African players making their way to the Saudi top flight.
Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech’s move might also be revived, as the club looks to offload him. The allure of the Saudi Pro League seems to be attracting top talents from across the globe.
Comparing Mane’s wages to Ronaldo’s Sports Brief also reported on Mane set to undergo his medicals to finalise a move to Saudi Arabia, where he would automatically become one of the top earners.
Mane will earn a whopping £650,000a week at Al-Nassr, culminating in an annual salary of £34 milliion per year when he joins the Saudi Pro League outfit.
However, the Senegalese forward will earn way less than his new teammate, Ronaldo, who rakes in a massive £177mil each year from his basic club salary.
Bayern Munich has officially announced that Sadio Mane is currently in discussions regarding his departure from the club, and a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr is close to being finalized.
The 31-year-old is set to leave the Allianz Arena after spending just one season with Bayern.
As a result of inconsistent form, injury troubles, and a well-known dressing room altercation with teammate Leroy Sane, Mane’s time at Bayern turned into a nightmare campaign.
To facilitate his potential move to Al-Nassr, Mane was not included in Bayern’s squad for the friendly match against Kawasaki Frontale in Japan.
In a tweet with including their line-up for the friendly against Kawasaki Frontale, Bayern wrote: “Sadio Mans is in contract talks about a change of club and is therefore not in the squad today.”
The attacker is now set for a medical with theSaudi Pro League club after a deal was agreed between the two clubs, and the transfer will likely be announced in due course.
Italian Serie A champions Napoli are reportedly close to securing the signing of Ghanaian defender Kevin Danso from French Ligue 1 side RC Lens.
Napoli is in the market for a strong and high-quality defender to fill the void left by South Korean international Kim Min-Jae, who joinedBayern Munich this summer.
According to Footmercato, Napoli has already contacted the Austrian international of Ghanaian descent and reached an agreement on personal terms with the player. However, the finalization of the move is still pending, as RC Lens has turned down Napoli’s initial offer of 22 million Euros.
The French club is demanding a fee of at least 30 million Euros for the highly sought-after defender.
Napoli sees Kevin Danso as the ideal center-back with the right credentials to replace Kim Min-Jae ahead of the new season. Danso had an impressive season with RC Lens, making 34 appearances, scoring one goal, and providing two assists as his team finished second in the French Ligue 1 table.
If the deal goes through, Danso’s departure will be a significant blow to RC Lens, especially as they prepare to feature in the upcomingChampions League campaign.
Top officials from Bayern Munich are planning to meet with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy again next week to discuss a potential deal for Harry Kane.
Their initial visit to London was reportedly cancelled due to leaked information.
Despite this setback, Bayern Munich remains optimistic about reaching an agreement for the England captain, who recently turned 30.
Harry Kane is interested in discussing a move to Bayern Munich and has not shown any indication of signing a new contract with Tottenham, where he has just one year left on his current deal.
Levy has rejected all previous offers for Kane, holding out for a fee exceeding £100 million for their all-time top scorer.
If no agreement is reached with Bayern Munich, Tottenham risks losing Kane for free, as he would be eligible to engage in pre-contract talks with overseas clubs starting from January.
To avoid this situation, Tottenham’s billionaire owner Joe Lewis has urged Levy to sell Kane if he does not commit to a new contract.
In an attempt to keep the striker at the club, Tottenham has offered him a lucrative deal worth £400,000 per week.
Bayern Munich has already seen two offers of £60 million and £70 million turned down by Tottenham.
Furthermore, Paris Saint-Germain has entered the race for Kane’s signature, adding a new dimension of competition for his potential destination.
Manchester City secured a 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich during their pre-season tour in Japan, with goals coming from James McAtee (20) and Aymeric Laporte (29). This marked the European champions’ second win of the tour.
Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel scored the lone goal for his team, as they sought to avenge their 4-1 aggregate loss to City in last season’s Champions League quarter-finals.
In the intense heat at Japan National Stadium in Tokyo, both teams took some time to size each other up during the opening 15 minutes of the match.
Leroy Sane, who played for both Bayern Munich and Manchester City in the past, showed skill and attempted to set up Jamal Musiala in the 17th minute, but Nathan Ake’s block denied the scoring chance.
Shortly after, Sane struck a powerful free-kick from 25 yards out, only to be denied by the crossbar.
James McAtee, who had a successful loan spell at Sheffield United last season, opened the scoring forManchester City in the 21st minute, giving them an early lead in the match.
The lively Rico Lewis broke into the Bayern penalty area and tee up Julian Alvarez, but after goalkeeper Yann Sommer saved the Argentinian’s low strike at full stretch the 20-year-old McAtee tapped the rebound into the unguarded net.
Thomas Tuchel sent out an entirely different XI for the second half, while City manager Guardiola opted to make eight half-time changes.
Water breaks were also enforced midway through each half in the sweltering heat in the Japanese capital.
Tel levelled for Bayern with nine minutes to play, converting a rebound from close range after City goalkeeper Ederson had denied Paul Wanner.
Laporte restored City’s lead five minutes later, tucking home neatly afterPhil Foden nudged a rebound into his path.
Bayern Munich is reportedly showing interest in signing David de Gea, the former goalkeeper of Manchester United, as Manuel Neuer is still recovering from a severe ski injury sustained in January and has yet to return to full fitness.
Neuer’s backup, Yan Sommer, is rumored to be considering a move to Inter Milan in Serie A because he doesn’t want to remain on the bench once Neuer is fit again.
As a result, Bayern is actively searching for a top-quality goalkeeper and has set their sights on De Gea, who left Manchester United in June after his contract expired.
However, should they fail to secure De Gea’s services, the club has prepared a shortlist of alternative options.
One of their backup choices is said to be Wojciech Szczesny from Juventus, but the Italian club is reportedly reluctant to part ways with the Polish keeper.
Bayern is keeping their options open as they aim to bolster their goalkeeping department for the upcoming season.
David Raya has also made it to the list, but Bayern know that Brentford would demand £40 million (€46.61m/$51.61m) as a transfer fee.
However, Tuchel is reportedly not very keen on him as he wants someone with an imposing stature while Raya stands at just 1.83m.
Sevilla’s Yassine Bounou, Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, Brighton’s Robert Sanchez and FC Copenhagen’s Kamil Grabara are the other options on the table for the German champions.
However, they do not want to pay the €6m (£5.15m/$6.65m) demanded by Bayern as a transfer fee.
But there is a sense of optimism from the Serie A giants as Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Giuseppe Marotta share a strong relationship.
If the move goes through, Bayern will step up their efforts to sign De Gea as they will be left with only Sven Ulreich as a fit goalkeeper for the start of the season.
Borussia Dortmund has completed the signing of Austrian midfielder Marcel Sabitzer from Bayern Munich, a Bundesliga competitor.
The 29-year-old, who had a loan spell at Manchester United in the latter half of the previous season, has officially signed a four-year contract with Dortmund, marking the end of his two-year tenure with Bayern Munich.
Former RB Leipzig star Sabitzer told Dortmund’s website: “I can’t wait to finally join the team and wear the BVB jersey.
“The discussions with Borussia Dortmund’s managers were excellent and showed me how ambitious the club wants to be in the coming years.
“I would like to do my part to ensure that BVB achieves its goals and that it has every reason to celebrate something special with its fans again as soon as possible.”
Sabitzer joins a club who lost the league title to Bayern on goal difference last season after being held to a 2-2 home draw by Mainz on the final day of the campaign.
Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl, who along with Sabitzer will join up with the rest of the squad in the United States on Tuesday, said: “Marcel is an experienced player who has been playing at the top international level for years.
“We are convinced that his personality will also become an important pillar of the team and that he will help us to become even more effective in hard-fought games.”
Bayern Munich began their redemption season with a spectacular display, setting off fireworks both literally and figuratively.
The German champions faced local rivals Rottach-Egern, a ninth-division team, and cruised to a resounding victory, scoring an astonishing 27 goals against their opponents.
While the overwhelming scoreline caught the attention of many, particularly Barcelona fans, it was the remarks of head coach Thomas Tuchel that generated the most interest.
Tuchel speaks on Bayern’s win
Tuchel was not at all pleased with the team’s display on the night. Despite the stream of goals he was treated to from the touchline, it was the details of the little mistakes his team made that left the German tactician frustrated.
Speaking in the post-match conference, Tuchels is quoted by @MunichFanpage on Twitter to have said:
“We won 27-0 but I’m not entirely satisfied with the result. We could’ve scored more goals. The 2nd half wasn’t the best.”
Many have reacted to the words of the former Chelsea manager with confusion, given it was the team’s first proper run-out following their summer holidays.
The Bayern boss did name a supremely strong starting team considering the occasion, as the likes of Jamal Musiala, Serge Gnabry, and Joshua Kimmich all featured.
There is hope that Bayern Munich fans will experience a better season as the club recently completed the signing of Napoli’s Scudetto-winning defender, Kim Min-jae.
The South Korean comes in as a welcome addition to help strengthen a defence that had its shaky moments last season.
The former Napoli man was signed in a deal in the region of 50 million euros (£43m), per reports from the BBC.
Tottenham reject Bayern’s second bid
Earlier, Sports Brief reported Bayern Munich’s bid to sign Harry Kane this summer from Tottenham Hotspur is proving more difficult than they may have anticipated.
Bayern had an offer of €60m plus add-ons to sign Kane rejected by Tottenham last month. Now the Bundesliga champions have returned with an improved deal.
The Bavarians have made an improved offer of €80m for the 29-year-old forward, as they are keen to bring the English forward to the Allianz Arena this summer.
Bayern Munich, the German football powerhouse, has announced the signing of South Korean defender Kim Min-jae (26) from Serie A champions Napoli.
The player has agreed to a five-year contract with Bayern Munich.
Although the specific transfer fee was not disclosed by the German club, reports from German and Italian media indicate that Bayern Munich paid a release clause of 50 million euros ($56.11 million) to secure the services of Kim Min-jae.
“FC Bayern is a dream for every footballer,” Kim told the club website.
“I’m really looking forward to what’s to come in Munich. It’s a new beginning for me. I’ll continue to develop here.
“In discussions with the club, it was made clear to me from the start how interested they are in me. My first goal is to play a lot of games. In addition, I want to win as many trophies as possible.”
Kim, who joined Napoli from Turkish side Fenerbahce in July last year, was a vital part of the team that won the Scudetto for the first time in more than three decades last season.
“Kim Min-jae has developed extremely well, winning the Serie A title with Napoli last season and being voted the best defender in the league,” Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said.
“He impresses with his physical presence, as well as his mentality and speed. We’re pleased he can immediately take part fully in pre-season and firmly believe that he will also excite our fans with his style of play.”
In Napoli, Kim played 45 matches in all competitions, scoring two goals.
He announced he had left the Italian side earlier on Tuesday.
“I send this message to all the Napoli fans who have shown love and support. Thanks to you the Scudetto was possible after (Diego) Maradona, 33 years ago,” Kim said in a statement on Instagram.
“To my passionate club Napoli, Mister (manager Luciano) Spalletti, my teammates, and above all, to Napoli fans, I would like to express my gratitude.
“No matter where I will be or no matter where I go, I will remember Napoli and cheer for you.”
Kim has earned 49 caps for South Korea since making his debut back in 2017. However, he was unable to participate in the last two friendlies due to military service.
Bayern Munich has undergone a significant change with the appointment of Christoph Freund as the club’s new sporting director, effective from September 1, 2023.
Freund, currently the sporting director at RB Salzburg, will transition to Bayern Munich to assume the same role.
The decision to hire Freund comes after the departure of Hasan Salihamidzic from the club at the end of the previous season.
Bayern Munich has been actively considering potential candidates to fill the vacancy left by Salihamidzic, and they have found their choice in Christoph Freund.
The German champions have now finalized their decision with the appointment of Christoph Freund.
Freund, who has been with RB Salzburg since 2015, will assume his new role at Bayern Munich once the current summer transfer window concludes.
His experience and track record with Salzburg, including the development of young talents and consistent Champions League qualification, make him a compelling choice for the Bundesliga champions.
Freund’s association with RB Salzburg dates back to his playing days in the Austrian first division.
He later rejoined the club as team manager in 2006 before taking on the role of sports coordinator in 2012.
Freund succeeded Ralf Rangnick as Salzburg’s sporting director for the 2015/16 season, overseeing the club’s success in the Austrian Bundesliga and Austrian Cup.
Under his leadership, Salzburg also achieved notable performances in European competitions, reaching the round of 16 in the Champions League and the semi-finals of the Europa League.
With Freund set to officially take on his new role as Bayern Munich’s sporting director in September, he will be responsible for shaping the club’s sporting direction and strategy.
As Bayern aims to maintain its dominance in domestic and international competitions, Freund’s experience in talent development and success with RB Salzburg will be crucial in ensuring the club’s continued success.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is reportedly prepared to make an irresistible offer to Tottenham for the signing of Harry Kane, as they compete with Bayern Munich for the striker’s services.
While Bayern has publicly expressed interest in Kane and has already made two bids, PSG is focused on negotiating personal terms with the England captain before potentially submitting an official bid. According to Foot Mercato, if PSG successfully reaches an agreement with Kane, they will then table an offer to Tottenham that would be difficult to turn down.
Kane’s current contract with Tottenham is set to expire next summer, but reports indicate that Spurs are demanding a fee of £120 million ($157 million) for the striker, even considering his contract situation nearing its end.
It remains to be seen if PSG would be willing to match that figure, as such a number may only be achievable if the club sell Kylian Mbappe this summer, amid interest from Real Madrid.
Kane is currently in Australia with Spurs for pre-season but Bayern Munich’s honorary president Uli Hoeness has claimed that his club are confident of reaching an agreement to sign him.
Kane is likely to be involved when Spurs play West Ham in a friendly on Tuesday.
CEO of Bayern Munich, Jan-Christian Dreesen, is displeased with the extensive public coverage surrounding Harry Kane’s potential transfer.
During a recent interview, Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness discussed the club’s transfer activities for the current window, including their interest in major targets Kim Min-Jae and Harry Kane.
However, Dreesen is reportedly concerned that the media attention surrounding Kane’s transfer could lead to an inflated price for the striker.
He is said to be unhappy with the publicity generated by the discussions, as it may impact the negotiations and potentially drive up the cost of acquiring the player.
“It’s no secret that we’re very interested in Kane. Everything Uli Hoeness said is correct,” Dreesen said.
“But it’s best for us to stick with what Thomas Tuchel said. The grass doesn’t grow faster when you pull it…”.
Bayern has already submitted three bids for the striker from Tottenham Hotspur as the Bavarians look for a new striker.
If the prices keep driving up, Bayern may be forced to settle as they also face competition from Paris Saint-Germain.
Dreesen reportedly wants to keep talks under wraps in the future in hopes that it may ease the deal a little.
The future of Kane remains uncertain and the coming weeks could see developments in the situationbetween Bayern and Spurs.
Declan Rice, who just joined Arsenal, would have been an ‘interesting’ addition to Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern Munich team, according to the coach.
On Saturday, Rice signed a record-breaking £105 million transfer agreement with the Gunners.
It ends one of the most drawn-out transfer sagas in recent memory, one in which the top clubs in Europe competed to capture the former West Ham captain.
Bayern, Chelsea and Manchester United, were among those to miss out on his signature, with the Bundesliga champions entering the race for the defensive midfielder late on.
But they were eventually priced out of the move, which will have no doubt disappointed Tuchel who was said to be a huge fan of the 24-year-old having witnessed his impressive performances first-hand while he was Chelsea boss.
Asked about Bayern’s failed pursuit of Rice, the German manager said: ‘It could have been an interesting addition to have a player with his character in the squad.
‘He’s a good player and he went to a good club. He has a profile that I don’t think we have in the squad. It could be interesting to have it.’
Rice is not the only English star that Tuchel has been pursuing however, with Manchester City defender Kyle Walker also on his shortlist.
More notably, Bayern are the favourites to sign Tottenham striker Harry Kane, though striking a deal for the Three Lions captain is proving hard with Spurs rejecting the Germans’ second offer of £70m.
Asked about the links to Kane, Tuchel said: ‘I have a very boring answer: I do not comment on players who are not with us.
‘It’s well known that we are looking for a Number 9. If we find someone that fits in, then we’ll go all in. If we don’t find anyone, we’re happy with our squad. But we need more patience.’
Uli Hoeness, a former club president, claims that Harry Kane has informed Bayern Munich that he wants to sign with them this summer.
In recent weeks, Bayern had two bids for the captain of Tottenham rejected; the most recent was reportedly worth £68.5 million plus add-ons.
The striker has one year left on his present contract, but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is desperate to hold onto him in the hopes that he will agree to a new agreement in north London.
Hoeness, who now serves as Bayern’s honorary president and is a member of the club’s supervisory board, claims that Kane has made it clear that he wants to go with the German champions and that this desire will force Tottenham to make a decision this summer.
‘Harry Kane has clearly signalled in all conversations that his decision has been made – and if it stays, then we will get him because then Tottenham will have to buckle,’ Hoeness said from Bayern Munich’s training camp, SPORT1 report.
He added: ‘He wants to play in European competitions and luckily for us Tottenham won’t be playing there next year. He now has another opportunity to come to a top club in Europe.
‘What we all like: His advisors are also very pleasant in this case. Up to now, his father and his brother have always stood by what they promised. If it stays that way, then it is okay.’
Just hours before Hoeness’ comments, head coach Thomas Tuchel took a more cautious approach when quizzed on the club’s interest in Kane.
‘I have a very boring answer: I do not comment on players who are not with us,’ Tuchel told a press conference.
‘It’s well known that we are looking for a number 9. If we find someone that fits in, then we’ll go all in.
‘If we don’t find anyone, we’re happy with our squad. But we need more patience’.
Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in signing Kane while Manchester United are thought to have shelved their interest this summer.
There are reports suggesting thatSadio Mane will leave Bayern Munich this summer and join Al-Nassr, where he would be reunited with Cristiano Ronaldo, according to a news outlet called Ariadhiah.
Allegedly, the two parties met on Thursday to discuss a potential deal.
Mane, who has had a challenging time adjusting to life in Germany after six successful years at Liverpool, is said to be considering the move.
However, the timing of this potential transfer is peculiar due to Al-Nassr currently being banned from registering any new players.
This ban stems from their failure to pay the promised fee for former Leicester striker Ahmed Musa.
Therefore, if Al-Nassr wants to secure the services of Mane or any other prominent player, they would need to resolve the issue with Musa’s fee first.
FIFA have confirmed the ban will be lifted “upon the settlement of the debts being confirmed by the creditors concerned.”
It seems discussions with the Saudi Arabian side will continue into the coming days but he’ll be remaining at Bayern Munich unless Al-Nassr‘s ban is lifted.
Tottenham Hotspur has included Harry Kane in their pre-season Asia-Pacific tour, while club captain Hugo Lloris will remain behind as he seeks to finalize a transfer to a new club.
Kane, the England captain, is in the final year of his contract with Spurs and has garnered interest from Bayern Munich, who reportedly made an official offer.
Kane, along with several other international players, resumed pre-season training on Wednesday, where new head coach Ange Postecoglou is expected to outline his plans for success to the club’s top scorer.
Spurs confirmed veteran goalkeeper Lloris had been granted permission not to travel on the tour “in order to explore prospective transfer opportunities”.
Tottenham’s stance on Kane, though, has not changed since Manchester City tried to sign the forward in 2021.
City’s advances were turned down and the north London club plan to reject any bids for the forward this summer, despite his contract now entering its final 12 months.
Another player expected to depart is Croatia winger Ivan Perisic – one of the travelling tour party – as Postecoglou trims down a bloated squad ahead of the new Premier League campaign, which starts at Brentford on August 13.
Tottenham fly out to Perth in Australia – with new signing James Maddison making the trip after the England midfielder’s £40million switch from Leicester – ahead of an opening fixture against West Ham on July 18.
Spurs will play Leicester in Thailand on July 23 before the Singapore leg, which will take in a fixture against local side Lion City Sailors on July 26 after previous opponents AS Roma,managed by Jose Mourinho, pulled out of their planned trip to Asia.
Several Tottenham players are still sidelined by injuries – with goalkeeper Fraser Forster (back), defender Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring), midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur (knee), Bryan Gil (back) and Troy Parrott (groin) all continuing their rehabilitation.
German power house, Bayern Munich has advised Senegalese superstarSadio Mane to consider his options in the transfer market according to a report from BILD.
The report suggests that the club has made it clear to the two-time African player of the year that they do not have him in their plans for the upcoming season.
The report also mentioned that Mane had initially made the decision to stay at Bayern, but he and his management were taken by surprise with the news.
Currently, other reports indicate that Bayern is open to selling Mane for a transfer fee of approximately 20 million euros.
Mane joined the Bavarians in 2022 summer, signing a three-year deal. He has had an underwhelming season coupled with injuries.
In addition to his struggle to acclimatise with his new team, he had burst up with teammate Leroy Sane in April 2023 which landed him in the bad books in the dressing room.
Bayern Munich is reportedly considering Bayer Leverkusen’s promising defender, Jeremie Frimpong, as an alternative option in their search for defensive reinforcement.
This comes amidst uncertainty surrounding the future of their primary transfer target, Kyle Walker, who currently plays for Manchester City.
The potential move signifies a strategic change for Bayern as they look to strengthen their backline for the upcoming season.
Bayer Leverkusen has recently set a price tag of 50 million euros for Frimpong, who has impressed as one of the standout defenders in the Bundesliga this season, attracting attention from several European clubs.
Jeremie Frimpong has demonstrated tremendous promise, and his future in football seems bright.
His current Bayer Leverkusen contract is set to expire in the summer of 2025, giving the team considerable influence over his future.
The full-back has provided eight goals and seven assists in the33 Bundesliga games he has played this season, in addition to his defensive prowess.
Ange Postecoglou has his say on Harry Kane’s situation at Tottenham Hotspur amid growing interest from Bayern Munich.
The newly-appointed Tottenham manager claimed that he hasn’t been given any assurances about Harry Kane’s situation since joining the club, although he would love to work alongside the England captain.
Speaking to reporters, Postecoglou said, “I haven’t had any assurances and I wouldn’t expect any. Harry is already part of the history of this club and I want him involved here.
My conversation with him will be about how we can make this club successful and that is what he wants as well.
“I’m trying to concentrate on the things that I know right now, and what I know right now is that Harry’s part of this squad.
“He’s looking forward to coming back to training, getting among the players back in here and we start working together.”
Postecoglu also offered some insight into what he plans to tell Kane when he returns to pre-season training later this week.
“Harry is already part of the history of this club and I want him involved here. My conversation with him will be about how we can make this club successful and that is what he wants as well,” he said.
“I doubt it will be defining in the manner people think. I want to introduce myself to Harry, give him my vision, get an understanding from him over what his vision is and try be successful.”
After an initial bid of £60m ($77m) plus add-ons to sign Kane was rejected by Tottenham last month, the German giants came up with a renewed offer of £70m ($90m) plus add-ons on Sunday.
Bayern Munich has submitted a bigger offer of £70 million, along with potential additional payments, in their pursuit of England captain Harry Kane.
After their initial bid was turned down last month, the Bundesliga champions are hoping that this improved proposal will persuade Tottenham Hotspur to consider selling Kane, as reported by The Guardian.
Kane’s current contract is set to expire next summer, and with no new agreement in place, Spurs face the risk of losing their star player for free if they opt not to sell him during this transfer window.
However, it is anticipated that Tottenham will reject Bayern’s latest offer as they hold a valuation of £100 million for their all-time leading goalscorer.
Bayern have been offered encouragement that Kane would be interested in a move to Germany.
The 29-year-old is yet to win a single major trophy and knows that a switch to Munich would almost certainly see him end that drought.
It appears that the allure of silverware would even convince the Three Lions skipper to give up on his dream of breaking the all-time Premier League goals record.
Kane has scored 213 times in the top flight — 47 short of Alan Shearer’s 260 — and would surely surpass the Newcastle legend if he continues to play in England.
Sadio Mane has denied reports suggesting an imminent transfer to a Saudi Arabian club
The future of Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane remains uncertain, as his manager has changed his stance regarding the player’s immediate destination.
Mane, who joined Bayern Munich from Liverpool, may be facing a potentially lengthy summer as he could be on the verge of leaving the club after just one season, despite being part of the reigning Bundesliga champions.
A reported falling out with teammate Leroy Sane and a struggle to adapt to the Bundesliga have added to speculation that Mane could be seeking a transfer away from Bayern Munich during the summer transfer window.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, initial discussions between Mane and teams in the top tier of Saudi Arabian football have taken place, although they are still in the early stages.
Mane’s agent denies transfer rumour
However, the player’s manager, Bacary Cisse, has recently denied the rumoured offers from clubs in the Middle Eastern country, even claiming discussions had not taken place at all.
He said, via @iMiaSanMia on Twitter, quoting 365Scores Arabia’s Ismaeel Mahmoud:
Earlier reports from Goal have stated that Mane has remained firm about staying with Bayern Munich despite the rumours, but the club might have different idea in mind.
With the Bavarians still pursuingTottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane as Robert Lewandowski’s replacement up front, there may well be less room for the Senegalese star next term.
Mane, Firmino reuniting in Saudi?
In news related to the forward, Sports Brief reported that if Mane joined the Saudi league, he would become part of a long list of players to sign up for the country’s top flight.
Al-Ahli are said to be interested in signing the Senegalese forward, wanting to reunite him with his ex-Liverpool teammate, Roberto Firmino, who joined earlier this week.
After spending only one season with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, there are indications that forward Sadio Mane might be departing from the Allianz Arena.
Despite the team’s overall success, Mane’s debut campaign in Germany did not go as smoothly as expected.
In 38 appearances, the Senegalese forward managed to score only 12 goals, which fell short of the desired impact.
Furthermore, in April, Mane faced suspension following a confrontation with his teammate Leroy Sane.
Rumors have surfaced suggesting that Bayern Munich could be open to considering offers for the 31-year-old, despite having spent £25 million to acquire him from Liverpool just a year ago.
Mane to join Saudi league?
According to reports from transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, initial talks and approaches with the Saudi teams have taken place, but they are only at an early stage.
Mane would become the latest in a long list of names to join the Saudi Pro League this summer if he was to move on from Bayern.
The likes of Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, and Ruben Neves have all already moved to the division, with several more names expected to follow suit in what are turning out to be mega-money moves.
Al-Ahli are said to be one club interested in signing the Senegalese forward, wanting to reunite him with former Liverpool team-mate, Roberto Firmino, who joined earlier this week.
Mane was voted Bundesliga flop of the season by the players themselves last term in a poll carried out by Sky Germany, as quoted by Givemesport.
He received 47.1 percent of the vote, with second-place Joshua Kimmich picking up 7.1 percent from his colleagues.
If he doesn’t leave, he could yet be given a chance to redeem himself at Bayern under Thomas Tuchel, who led the side to Bundesliga success for the 11th year in a row.
With the potential arrival of Harry Kane, a sale of Mané would not only free up more money for Bayern to use but it will also free up space for attacking options.
Mane excited after winning Bundesliga
Sports Brief previously reported Mane shared his excitement after Bayern Munich won the Bundesliga on the final day of the season.
On a dramatic day in the German league, Bayern needed a win against Koln with the hope that Borussia Dortmund would slip at home to Mainz.
Having taken the lead through Kingsley Coman, the Bavarians were pegged back with nine minutes remaining after Dejan Ljubicic levelled for the hosts from the spot.
With Dortmund losing 2-1 in the other game, the Black and Yellows were set to be crowned champions. However, their dreams were dashed after Jamal Musiala netted a late winner for Bayern Munich.
The Spanish coach took up the position in 2016, taking over from Manuel Pellegrini. Prior to his arrival in England, Guardiola had spent three successful years at Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.
During his remarkable seven-year tenure at Manchester City, the former Barcelona manager has achieved great success, triumphing in nearly every major competition.
Numbers behind Guardiola’s stint
ESPN reports that Guardiola has been in charge of City in 413 games since his arrival and has managed to win an impressive 300 matches across all competitions.
More than 1,000 goals have been scored by the Spaniard’s charges, with an incredible 14 trophies lifted in the process.
Key among the trophies include five Premier League titles and the Champions League.
Other trophies the 52-year-old has won during his spell with the Cityzens include two FA Cups, four League Cups, and two Community Shields.
The 2022/23 campaign was Guardiola’s most successful season during his tenure at the Etihad Stadium, as he helped City become only the second Premier League team after rivals Man United to win the treble.
The Manchester club beat Arsenal to the Premier League crown before seeing off United in the FA Cup final at Wembley.
The side added the Champions League to their trophy haul after they stunned Serie A giants Inter Milan in the final in Istanbul.
Messi praises Guardiola
Earlier, Sports Brief reported Guardiola has been crowned the ‘best coach in the world’ by Lionel Messi following the former’s treble success with Manchester City.
After years of heartbreak and near misses, Guardiola – widely recognised for unlocking Messi’s extraordinary potential – finally got his hands on the coveted UEFA Champions League trophy as the manager of Man City.
Senegal and Bayern Munich winger, Sadio Mane, has identified Ghana as one of the top contenders to win the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast next year.
Mane, who was part of the 2021 AFCON-winning team, believes that alongside Egypt, Morocco, and Cameroon, the Black Stars have a strong chance of clinching the title.
Although Ghana is still working towards securing qualification for the tournament following a draw with Madagascar in the penultimate AFCON qualifier, Egypt, Morocco, and Cameroon have already secured their places in the competition scheduled for January.
“The AFCON is full of surprises, but we know the usual best teams like the hosts, Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Algeria and Cameroon,” he said, as quoted by Joueurs Cameronais.
The Black Stars have struggled in recent times, getting eliminated at the group stage of their last two tournaments.
The team failed to progress beyond the group stage ofthe last AFCON with Morocco, Gabon and Comoros advancing ahead of the four-time African champions.
At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Ghana finished bottom of their group with Portugal and South Korea progressing to the round of 16, as reported by nbcwashington.com.
Black Meteors arrive after AFCON disappointment
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that The Black Meteors of Ghana have finally arrived home in Accra after a disappointing U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Ghana failed to secure one of the tickets to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris after exiting the tournament at the group stage.
Following the 1-1 draw against Guinea in their final group game, the Black Meteors finished third in Group A and were beaten to the semi-final spot on goal difference.
Badu unhappy with Ghana football
Former Black Stars midfielder, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu has been lamenting over the state of Ghanaian football following the Black Meteors’ AFCON U-23 exit.
The Ghana U23 team were eliminated from the tournament in Morocco at the group stage, and will not qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
This is the third time in a little over a year that a Ghanaian national team has failed to progress beyond the first round of an international competition.
Tottenham striker would be perfect for Erik ten Hag’s side.
The England captain is reportedly closing in on a move to the German champions – while the Red Devils continue to stand still in their striker hunt
After 14 years of loyal service to Tottenham, it looks like Harry Kane will finally be moving onto pastures new this summer.
Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germainare among those to have registered interest in the 29-year-old, but Bayern Munich are currently leading the race for his signature.
It has been reported that the Bundesliga champions have reached an agreement in principle with Kane’s representatives, after seeing an opening £60m ($77m) bid for the forward rejected by Spurs.
Bayern are set to return with an improved offer, and Tottenham may have little choice but to cash in, or else risk losing Kane for free when his contract expires next summer.
For a long time, it seemed as though Manchester United would be Kane’s landing spot if he left Tottenham.
Erik ten Hag has made it clear he is desperate to bring in a new No.9, having seen his side struggle for goals throughout the 2022-23 campaign.
Daniel Levy’s reluctance to sell to a direct rival is no secret, which is why the Spurs chairman reportedly demanded over £100m ($127m) for Kane after United made initial enquiries over his availability earlier this year. And the Red Devils are simply not willing to spend that much.
United haven’t been shy when it comes to shelling out huge fees in the recent past, with the likes of Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Harry Maguire, Jadon Sancho and Antony all brought in for fees exceeding £70m ($88m).
But they won’t make the same level of investment in Kane – arguably the greatest striker in the history of English football.
Bayern are in the clear to complete a huge coup, and if they do seal a deal for the Tottenham striker, they’ll be genuine Champions League contenders next season. United, meanwhile, are making a huge mistake by standing back and letting it happen.
Still at his peakOne of the reasons United have reportedly baulked at Levy’s valuation of Kane is because of his age, with the Spurs marksman set to celebrate his 30th birthday later in July.
But he hasn’t shown any sign of slowing down on the pitch.In fact, the 2022-23 campaign was probably his best yet in a Tottenham shirt, despite the fact he was leading the line for a disjointed team lacking quality in all other areas of the pitch.
Kane reached the 30-goal mark in the Premier League for the second time in his career, and only finished six goals behind Manchester City’s scoring machine Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot race.
Haaland also won the PFA Player of the Year ahead of Kane, but the Norwegian couldn’t really fail in Pep Guardiola’s set-up.
City stormed to the treble last season, and while Haaland deserves great credit for his finishing, he had world-class providers such as Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish putting chances on a plate for him.
Kane, meanwhile, carried Spurs with his outstanding individual performances.
They ended up in eighth place purely because of his superhuman efforts – and it’s not a stretch to say they would have edged towards the relegation zone without him.There are plenty of great players that have been able to prolong their careers at the highest level well into their thirties in the modern era.
In Kane’s position, the man he could soon replace at Bayern, Robert Lewandowski, won the Pichichi award for the top scorer in La Liga last season as he fired Barcelona to the title in his first season at the club.
The 35-year-old Karim Benzema only finished with four goals fewer than Lewandowski (19) in his final season at Real Madrid, having landed his maiden Ballon d’Or in December on the back of his 44-goal haul the previous campaign.
Both players have looked after themselves physically and showed the discipline necessary to ensure longevity. And so has Kane.
The England international could quite easily make the starting line up for any top club in the world over the next four to five years. United’s caution when it comes to Kane, then, makes absolutely no sense.
There might be cheaper options out there to fill a centre-forward berth, but there is no one better.
Getty/GOALPremier League king”If Harry wants to join Bayern, I’ll drive his f*cking car there myself; anything to protect my Premier League goalscoring record,” Alan Shearer said in a recent article for The Athletic.
Kane currently has 213 Premier League goals to his name, which puts him just 47 behind the former Newcastle and Blackburn forward’s all-time record mark.
If he were to stay at Spurs, Kane would undoubtedly go on to break Shearer’s mark.But if Kane went to United, he could potentially smash it.
Ten Hag’s squad is in far better shape than Tottenham’s after a positive maiden year at Old Trafford for the Dutch coach.
The Red Devils lifted the Carabao Cup and came third in the Premier League to qualify for the Champions League, before suffering defeat to City in the FA Cup final.
Players such as Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Luke Shaw all stepped up their game, while new signings Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez added a new dimension to the team.
Ten Hag could ideally do with a new goalkeeper to replace the declining David de Gea, but their top priority must be to sign a top-quality centre-forward.
If United could prise Kane away from Spurs, they’d be guaranteed title contenders in 2023-24. Kane would be the definition of a transformative signing.
He’s not just Premier League proven – he’s the king of the competition.So often last season, United’s final ball failed to match their slick, incisive build-up play, and that’s because they had no one getting into the right positions.
They also were also the most wasteful side in the league, missing 50 big chances in total.
If they swallowed their pride and forked out on Kane, those issues would be solved. Not least because the England captain is motivated to go past Shearer.“For sure it’s something I want to do.
I think whenever you get close to these types of records, all it does is drive you, to try and achieve them,” Kane told Sky Sports in May. “In a couple of years we will see where I am at and how close I am but now I am this close to it, for sure it is something I would love to achieve.”
DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author’s, and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana
Bayern Munich has expressed their interest in signing Harry Kane and reportedly made a verbal offer of £60 million with additional add-ons to Tottenham, which was turned down by the club.
Despite Tottenham’s reluctance to sell Kane, who has one year left on his contract, Bayern Munich and manager Thomas Tuchel seem determined to challenge the club’s stance and test their resolve.
The fans of the Bavaria club have made their stance clear on the choice of striker they deem fit to fill the void left behind by the departure of Robert Lewandowski.
Bayern fans pick Kane
According to a poll carried out by Kicker, Bayern Munich fans would prefer to see their club sign Harry Kane over Victor Osimhen and any other striker this summer.
The poll, of which over two hundred and forty-two thousand fans participated (242.8K) indicated that 34% of fans would like to see Bayern Munich sign Tottenham Hotspur’s Kane over Randal Kolo Muani (18%) andNigeria’s Victor Osimhen (16%) followed by Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic (13%) and Werder Bremen’s Niclas Füllkrug (11%).
After making an opening offer of €70m plus bonuses to Tottenham for Kane, which was rebuffed, Bayern Munich plan on submitting a new improved offer to sign England’s top scorer, who as reported by SkySports is reported to be interested in a move to the German champion.
With 12 months remaining on his current deal, it’s widely reported that the Premier League side are unlikely to accept anything less than €100m for Kane, who scored 30 goals in 38 league games last season.
Regarding the future of Napoli’s Osimhen, the Italian champions remain hopeful that the Nigerian forward will sign a contract extension with the club.
Bayern’s interest in Vlahovic has never materialised while Kolo Muani could yet remain at Eintracht Frankfurt beyond the summer.
The Tottenham striker, who is set to run down his current contract if he is not sold, has been touted to be the best fit to fill the void created by the departure of Karim Benzema.
Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane has expressed to Bayern Munich that they are his preferred choice for a transfer, and the German club is preparing to submit an official bid for the 29-year-old forward in the near future according to Sky Sports Deutschland.
Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel reportedly considers Kane as his primary transfer target, and the Bundesliga giants are increasingly optimistic about reaching an agreement with Tottenham for a fee below €100 million.
Spurs’ all-time-leading goal-scorer has one year left on his contract and is tipped to depart north London this summer in search of some silverware after the Premier League side failed to secure a place in European competition next season.
Kane has previously been linked with a move to Old Trafford, with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reportedly searching for a striker.
However, Bundesliga giants Bayern are now in pole position to sign Kane as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski following his move to Barcelona last summer.
The England captain is reportedly the top transfer target of Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel, and the Bundesliga giants are growing confident that they can negotiate a deal that sees Tottenham part ways with their talisman for less than €100 million.
Spurs’ all-time-leading goal-scorer has one year left on his contract and is tipped to depart north London this summer in search of some silverware after the Premier League side failed to secure a place in European competition next season.
Kane has previously been linked with a move toOld Trafford, with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reportedly searching for a striker. However, Bundesliga giants Bayern are now in pole position to sign Kane as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski following his move to Barcelona last summer.
Manchester City defender Kyle Walker is keen on a permanent move to Bayern Munich according to Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Deutschland.
Advanced discussions are said to be taking place between Walker and the German champions.
After spending six years at Manchester City, the 33-year-old reportedly wishes to leave the club in the summer.
This decision comes following a challenging season for Walker, where he struggled to secure regular playing time under manager Pep Guardiola.
Walker was not included in the starting lineup for Manchester City’s Champions League final victory against Inter Milan, as Manuel Akanji was preferred instead.
This situation has made the English international open to the possibility of a transfer.
The report reveals that whilst Manchester City and Bayern Munich have not yet reached an agreement, all parties are optimistic that a deal can be reached, with Bayern’s head coach Thomas Tuchel proving to be vital in convincing Walker to join the Bavarian club.
The Premier League champions will be eager to offload Walker this summer to ensure he does not depart on a free transfer next year, with the right-back having just one year remaining on his current deal.
Walker has also been linked with a return to his boyhood club Sheffield United, however, this now looks unlikely, with the Blades unable to offer Champions League football.
With one year left on his contract at Etihad Stadium, the 33-year-old Walker may be on the brink of departing City this summer, particularly after being left on the bench during their Champions League final triumph over Inter Milan.
Bayern Munich is said to be aware of the circumstances and has internally deliberated the potential signing of Walker, who brings versatility as both a right-back and a centre-back to the table.
So far there has been no contact from Bayern over a transfer for Walker but he is being watched closely and is on the club’s shortlist.
Walker, who joined City from Tottenham in 2017 for £50m, has won fivePremier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and the Champions League in his six years in Manchester.
Getty/GOALPremier League king”If Harry wants to join Bayern, I’ll drive his f*cking car there myself; anything to protect my Premier League goalscoring record,” Alan Shearer said in a recent article for The Athletic. 
