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Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy will block any attempts from Real Madrid to try and acquire star striker Harry Kane this summer, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest transfer news involving Harry Kane?

According to talkSPORT, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has identified Kane as his prime target to replace Karim Benzema at Real Madrid following news that the France international has moved to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad.

The report states that Levy is keen to hold on to Kane this summer and is resistant to Premier League interest in his services. Bayern Munich are also keen on the £200k-a-week ace as they look to find someone in the mould of former striker Robert Lewandowski.

Cited by The Evening Standard, Tottenham defender Pedro Porro has said that Kane would go to Real Madrid with the blessing of the Lilywhites' squad, stating in an interview: “If Kane decides to go to Real Madrid we'll be as happy as he is or more."

As per The Telegraph, Manchester United are also suitors in the hunt for Kane in the off-season as Erik Ten Hag looks to add an elite striker to his forward line at Old Trafford.

Pundit Micah Richards has weighed in on the Kane debate and has urged Spurs coach Ange Postecoglou to sell the attacker, as per BBC Sport, stating: "They're too reliant on Kane. Every time you see who scored for them, it's Kane, Kane, Kane. They need something more.

Sometimes it's frustrating to watch because he's so good at number 10, but you want him further forward at number nine to cause more trouble but he's having to do everything by himself at times. I think it's time now. I'm sure Spurs fans would say 'you've given everything for us, let's get some money for him, just cash in now and start again."

Writing for GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jones has suggested that Levy will go to any lengths necessary to keep hold of Kane this summer.

Jones stated: "Tottenham Hotspur are ready to declare that Harry Kane is completely off the market this summer.

"Daniel Levy’s stance on him joining Manchester United is well documented—the Spurs chairman does not want him switching to Old Trafford at any price.

"But new noises out of Tottenham are suggesting that is also the case with Real Madrid. There have been assumptions that a transfer to the Spanish capital would be viewed differently by Levy as it would mean he is not lining up for a direct rival, and would mean he gets to cash in on his star asset before losing him for free next year.

"Yet sources are now suggesting that is not the case and he Levy is making it known he does not want to sell to them, either."

Should Tottenham Hotspur cash in on Harry Kane?

This comes as a big twist as it has been reported previously that Levy was willing to come to an agreement on a price for Harry Kane to leave Tottenham for Real Madrid.

Spurs find themselves in a difficult situation because either they cash in on Kane this year and lose his services or let him run his contract down until next summer when it expires and risk losing the striker on a free transfer.

It is easy to see why Levy and Postecoglou would want to retain the English international, given that he recorded 32 goals and five assists in 49 appearances across all competitions in 2022/23, as per Transfermarkt.

As per FBRef, Kane also managed to successfully carry out 159 shot-creating actions this term, demonstrating his ability to lead the line in exemplary fashion.

Moving forward, Tottenham will have a big decision to make on his future this summer which could have major consequences, from both a footballing and financial perspective.

While Tottenham Hotspur are still yet to decide who will be their next permanent manager, a further issue for the Lilywhites is the uncertainty surrounding the future of talisman, Harry Kane, with the England skipper having been linked with a move away from the club of late.

The 29-year-old isn't the only Spurs man whose future at the club is somewhat up in the air, however, with it also unclear as to whether on-loan winger, Dejan Kulusevski will remain at N17 beyond the end of the season.

The Sweden international was signed on an 18-month loan deal from Juventus back in January 2022, with Sky Sports revealing at the time that the move included a £29.2m obligation to buy that would be triggered if certain 'sporting criteria' were met.

With the north Londoners having since missed out on the Champions League – as well as European qualification altogether – it would appear that it is no longer a certainty that Kulusevski will be signed on a permanent deal, with reports in Italy suggesting that the 23-year-old could be set for a return to Turin.

The player himself revealed on Sunday that he was unsure as to whether he would be staying put at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with there a potential for Spurs to have make do without the one-time Parma man next term.

Who could replace Kulusevski at Tottenham?

While the loss of the Stockholm native would appear a notable blow – having previously been a "real asset" to the club, according to pundit Paul Robinson – Tottenham could well ease that setback by snapping up a new recruit this summer.

According to the Daily Mail, one potential target that is on the club's radar is Leicester City sensation, Harvey Barnes, with the 25-year-old seemingly now looking even more likely to depart following the Foxes' relegation to the Championship.

The dynamic winger – who could command a fee of around £40m – could well allow the Lilywhites to forget all about Kulusevski, with the Englishman having dazzled this season despite Leicester's collective woes.

While the on-loan Spurs man contributed just two goals and seven assists in the top flight this term from the flanks, Barnes, by contrast, proved a far more clinical presence at the King Power Stadium, scoring 13 goals in 34 league outings.

That has ensured that the one-time West Bromwich Albion loanee ranks in the top 6% in Europe's top five leagues among those in his position for non-penalty goals, while Kulusevski ranks in just the bottom 8% in that regard.

Although Barnes has typically operated on the opposite side to that of the Swede, the Burnley-born speedster has previously slotted into a right-wing role at times in his career to date, ensuring he could well be a solution in that starting berth for Spurs.

The 5 foot 9 ace – who has been described as "unbelievable" by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp in the past – also provides the benefit of his defensive ability as he ranks in the top 13% for aerial duels won, while Kulusevski ranks in just the bottom 8% for that same metric.

As such, Spurs could well consider allowing Kulusevski to return to the Old Lady if they can prise the Englishman from the Midlands side this summer…

There is no better way to prove that you are worthy of Division One status than by bowling out your last opposition in the final five hours of the summer. For Hampshire, that is the task

Will Macpherson at the Ageas Bowl22-Sep-2016
ScorecardLiam Dawson helped take Hampshire’s lead over 200 and will have bowling to do on the final day•Getty ImagesThere is no better way to prove that you are worthy of Division One status than by bowling out your last opposition in the final five hours of the summer. For Hampshire, that is the task.With 96 overs remaining in their season, Hampshire lead Durham by 226, a target they do not deem enough – to the extent that, remarkably, they sent in a nightwatchman instead of the No. 9, Gareth Berg, for the last 18 balls of the day. They will bat, according to their director of cricket Giles White, for an hour on the fourth morning. From there, 10 Durham wickets stand between promotion and relegation; with Lancashire looking unlikely to do them any favours at Edgbaston, it really does appear that simple.Hampshire’s penultimate day of the campaign started badly, and did not improve markedly. Unforecast, unwelcome rain came up the M27 from Bournemouth at about 10am, great swathes of the stuff, preventing a prompt start and refusing to fully shift before noon.The punters felt they were watching Hampshire’s Division One status wash away with the rain, a tough end to a tough season; a season, it should not be forgotten, including death, life-threatening illness, and the comparatively trifling issue of a coach departing midway through. They busied themselves making small talk about Jonathan Trott, the man both on their back-pages and batting at Edgbaston, the other game of interest. Fingernails were chewed, few sat still.Upon resumption, with 16 overs lost, little changed. Hampshire began the day in front by 169. By stumps, that advantage had grown, although not by as much as they would have hoped, to 226. The brilliant Michael Richardson, as he had on the second evening, held them up in the company of the tail, getting Durham to within 50, before being left stranded on 99 by Chris Rushworth’s brainless swipe. As Hampshire celebrated in relief, he battered his pad with his bat, then stood motionless at the non-striker’s end.The 47-over period in the evening session was the game in microcosm. Hampshire flew out the blocks, zipping to 50 in as many balls, before losing 6 for 58 to be pegged back. Liam Dawson and Lewis McManus, so similar in style, shared 57 before the former fell trying to push the score on; susprisingly, with five overs remaining, Hampshire were cowed, and sent out a nightwatchman, Mason Crane, rather than Berg. The decision to eat into the 96 overs had been made; the doomsaying local view had not changed.”It didn’t go to plan this morning,” White said. “They batted well, particularly Richardson, and we weren’t at our best.”Durham’s wicketkeeper, who shared 79 for the eighth wicket with Brydon Carse and a zippy 86 for the ninth with Graham Onions, played a magnificent hand, eating up deliveries and eking out runs as Hampshire’s spin assault continued.The hosts had been wasteful with the new ball (they have also wasted 10 runs by allowing the ball to twice hit the helmet), erring plenty onto leg stump and overpitching often. Carse and Onions – batting with glee – were the aggressors, but Richardson punished the bad ball, skipping down the track to Dawson and lofting over long-on, as well as cutting Crane. He deserved better than to watch Rushworth pinned in front sweeping when he had entrusted him with just a single Dawson delivery.As Hampshire set up a target, Rushworth’s first over went for 11, all pulled, as Will Smith and Jimmy Adams started with intent. But Adams, top-edging to 45, and Tom Alsop, caught at slip but very unhappy about it, fell in consecutive overs as the spinners, Ryan Pringle and Scott Borthwick, came on early. In the blink of an eye Pringle had four more, James Vince bowled through the gate and Smith caught at bat-pad, then then lefties, Sean Ervine and Ryan McLaren, gone in a single over.There remains plenty to encourage Hampshire. That all seven wickets, including Dawson to Borthwick late on, fell to spin is cause for optimism. The pitch, as Paul Collingwood predicted, has not deteriorated greatly (perhaps a couple stayed low), but continues to turn sharply and in Crane and Dawson, with Smith supporting, they have the stronger spin attack; certainly they turn the ball plenty, even if Dawson is nursing a finger injury. The plan is to dangle an enticing target before Durham’s eye, induce errors, and watch wickets fall in clusters, as they have in their own second innings so far.That’s the plan, but now the talking stops. Do they have the minerals to escape again? “We’ll be better with the ball second time round,” White said. They have no choice: with all eyes on the top of the table, county cricket’s Great Escapologists face their latest day of reckoning.

Glasgow Rangers could see a mass exodus of players this summer as Michael Beale looks to move out some deadwood, while the likes of Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos will depart once their contracts expire at the end of the season.

Beale will be looking to raise some precious funds for future transfers as he aims to assert his own authority on the team and this could mean players who have been at the Light Blues the previous few years will be moved on.

Kemar Roofe should certainly be one who can raise a decent sum by being sold, with the £26k-per-week forward only having one year left on his current deal, yet he has made only six appearances this term due to injury.

Indeed, across his three seasons with the club, he has missed more games than he has actually played and despite his overall scoring record being solid enough (36 goals in 78 matches), it’s time both parties moved on.

Who could replace him, however? American striker Haji Wright may just be the perfect solution.

Could Rangers sign Haji Wright this summer?

The Ibrox side have been linked with the Antalyaspor striker recently, even having a reported bid of £7m rejected, with the Turkish side valuing him at around €10m (£8.8m) – a potential obstacle for any deal.

The 25-year-old has been in wonderful form this term however, scoring 15 goals across just 26 league starts while ranking fourth in the squad for overall Sofascore rating (7/10), sixth for big chances created (four), fourth for successful dribbles per game (one) and first for shots per game (2.8), clearly proving his importance to the side.

Is it any wonder then, that he has been described as a “dangerous striker” by former Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt and not only does he have plenty of experience at club level, but he has been a regular fixture in the USA national side, even representing his country at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

He played a part in all four matches and managed 1.5 shots per game, despite averaging only 34 minutes of game time each match, proving his enthusiasm for scoring as often as possible, despite little chance to impress.

The American did score a bizarre goal against the Netherlands in their last 16 defeat, but the experience gained on the biggest stage will stand him in great stead heading into the future.

Beale could certainly get goals out of Wright next season if utilising him in the correct manner, and it would be the perfect licence to move on Roofe in the process.

While sealing a deal may prove expensive, the 6 foot 3 gem certainly warrants a closer look for those at Ibrox.

The England one-day bandwagon rolls on, a rare ODI series whitewash still in view, after they overcame a challenging position at Headingley

The Report by Andrew McGlashan01-Sep-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details0:58

Root becomes fastest England batsman to 3,000 ODI runs

The England one-day bandwagon rolls on, a rare ODI series whitewash still in view, after they overcame a challenging position at Headingley. Chasing a modest 248 they were troubled by the returning Mohammad Irfan, slipping to 72 for 4, but two players who did not even feature in the world record at Trent Bridge, Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow, broke the back of the target with a stand of 103.For Stokes, who has had a frustratingly truncated season, it was his first fifty in any international format since February. He played some fantastically crisp shots, not least a brace of drives early in his innings off Hasan Ali, and there was the chance for a maiden ODI hundred before he picked out deep midwicket.Bairstow, meanwhile, had been a late call-up to play on his home ground after Jos Buttler tweaked a quad muscle during the warm-ups. He survived a tight run-out chance on 17 but had not lost any of his fluency from the Test series despite limited time in the middle since. He could not quite see the chase home in front of his home crowd, run out by a direct hit, his speed not saving him this time, but an adopted Yorkshireman – David Willey – finished the job alongside Moeen Ali with 12 balls remaining.In the end, the result was comfortable for England once the middle-order pair found their stride and Irfan, who had caused the early problems, left the field with what was indicated to be cramp. When he tried to bowl again in the 42nd over he sent down one ball, which was so wide it missed the pitch, then walked off again. In the pavilion, Mickey Arthur had a face like thunder. With overs to fill, Azhar Ali was forced to bowl himself when Irfan may have forced a late wobble.However, although perceptions can be warped so soon after seeing a record like 444 for 3, Pakistan’s total appeared significantly short. It had been anchored by Azhar’s 80 off 104 balls, but he was one of three wickets for Adil Rashid as England rarely lost control, although Imad Wasim again impressed with an unbeaten 41-ball 57. At least, though, there was a frisson of excitement early in England’s chase for a crowd boasting strong Pakistan support.Six years ago on this ground, Irfan was given a serve by the then captain Shahid Afridi after a poor performance contributed to a narrow Pakistan defeat. Afridi strongly suggest he would not play Irfan again. As with many things in Pakistan cricket it did not quite work out like that. Irfan’s return to Headingley was briefly – but only briefly – more enjoyable.In his second over he ended Jason Roy’s breezy start with a delivery that climbed and took the edge, sharply held at second slip by Mohammad Rizwan, and in his fourth gained a nick from Alex Hales from round the wicket – a change of line forced on him when he was twice warned for his follow through from over the wicket.The few moments that followed were the most intense of Pakistan bowling v England batting in this series as he roughed up Eoin Morgan from round the wicket. There was an appeal for a gloved hook – which was called wide – then a shout for caught behind which was reviewed but had clipped the back pocket.Morgan was relieved to see out the over, the last of Irfan’s opening spell. Azhar may ponder if his giant quick could have stretched to one more, while running hot, given his later absence. Still, Morgan did not last much longer as he fell offering slip-catching practice against Umar Gul.At that point England were 72 for 4 having also lost Joe Root, who had been closing in on an England record six consecutive ODI fifties when he hooked to long leg where Irfan steadied himself. It was the trickiest position England had been in since the opening ODI against Sri Lanka, at Trent Bridge, when Liam Plunkett’s last-ball six earned a tie. And this time there was no Buttler or, for that matter, Chris Woakes.But they had Stokes, Bairstow and Moeen, which was more than enough. Stokes was given a life on 34, when Mohammad Nawaz couldn’t hold what would have been a fine catch at deep square-leg from a fiercely struck sweep and Bairstow edged Imad narrowly wide of the keeper on 37. But Pakistan would have needed everything to go their way.Azhar had kept his bowlers out of the initial firing line after winning the toss, but again Pakistan’s batting was from another era. After 10 overs they were an unthreatening 40 for 1 with Azhar and Sami Aslam struggling to break free. Aslam’s struggle was ended when he top-edged to Stokes at deep square leg and, after a promising stand of 49, Babar Azam cut Moeen’s fourth ball to backward point.England’s spin duo took hold of the innings and they finished with 5 for 86 from their combined 20 overs. Plunkett’s second catch was a standout as he flung himself to his left to pluck Sarfraz Ahmed’s lofted drive off Rashid, who then made one straighten on Rizwan to trap him lbw.Rashid signed off his bowling duties, in which his second five-over spell brought 3 for 17, by having Azhar caught at long-off. When Moeen, who did not concede a boundary during his 10 overs, got one to turn and bounce to beat Nawaz there was precious little left for the final flourish.However, Imad, who had missed the carnage at Trent Bridge with a knee injury, enjoyed the return to pace. He took four boundaries off Plunkett over the space of two overs with as good a timing as any of the Pakistan batsmen had managed, before denting Willey’s figures with 16 off the 48th over to reach a 32-ball fifty.Chris Jordan was the pick of England’s attack at the death, going for 14 in a four-over spell to close out the innings, as he regularly speared his yorkers under the bat. A performance, like Bairstow later on, that reinforced the depth and interchangeability within this England squad.

Afghanistan’s pace pair of Dawlat Zadran and Yamin Ahmadzai and chinaman bowler Zahir Khan played key roles in the side’s innings-and-36-run win over Netherlands within two days in Voorburg.

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Jul-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsFile photo: Dawlat Zadran finished with career-best innings and match figures against Netherlands•ICC/Saleem SanghatiAfghanistan’s pace pair of Dawlat Zadran and Yamin Ahmadzai and chinaman bowler Zahir Khan played key roles in the side’s innings-and-36-run win over Netherlands within two days in Voorburg.The win gave Afghanistan 20 points and lifted them to the top of the points table of the ICC Intercontinental Cup, with 61 points, only one ahead of Ireland at 60. Zadran finished with a career-best match haul of 7 for 77, while Ahmadzai’s five-for in the first innings and Zahir’s four-wicket haul in the second bundled Netherlands out for 117 and 159 respectively.Between them, Zadran and Ahmadzai took nine wickets in the first innings, after Afghanistan opted to bowl, inducing a slide so severe that Netherlands lost six wickets for 49 at one stage and were in danger of being bowled out for less than 100. They limped past 100 largely due to Pieter Seelaar’s unbeaten 38 off 75 balls, which included five fours.Afghanistan responded with a score of 312, taking a lead of 195 runs. Hashmatullah Shahidi anchored the innings with 83 off 184 deliveries, and shared two 50-plus stands, with Mohammad Nabi (50 for the sixth wicket) and Mirwais Ashraf (68 for the seventh wicket). Afghanistan also benefited from an 83-run second-wicket partnership, between Nasir Jamal and Rahmat Shah, that helped Afghanistan recover from a shaky 39 for 2 to 122 for 3.Netherlands’ openers, who had a partnership of 0 in the first innings, stitched together 57 in the second innings but another slide negated that effort. Netherlands went from 57 for 0 to 59 for 3 in three overs, and could only muster another 100 runs thereafter as Zahir and Dawlat struck. The only innings of note for Netherlands was opener Michael Rippon’s 80 off 126 balls and he was the last man to be dismissed in an innings that lasted only 43.1 overs.

Aston Villa will target a summer move for Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams, according to The Athletic.

What’s the latest Aston Villa transfer news?

Unai Emery and NSWE appear to be putting plans in place ahead of the manager’s first full season in charge, with the owners readying a “huge” spending spree.

The Spaniard won’t be working alongside Barcelona director Mateu Alemany set to stay at the Nou Camp after talks over a move to the Midlands collapsed. However, despite this, Villa still appear to have Johan Lange working behind the scenes, and a move for Williams could well be on the cards.

The Athletic shared a transfer story on Friday regarding plans for every Premier League side. When it came to Villa, reliable reporter Gregg Evans said that ‘top of Emery’s wish list is a striker and/or wide player who can also play as a No 9’.

When it came to specific targets, he named Williams, who was linked with a move earlier in the year, alongside midfielder Giovani Lo Celso and Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio.

Who is Nico Williams?

Williams is just 20 years of age and is primarily a right-winger. The Spain international has been a regular for Bilbao this season, making 40 appearances in all competitions, contributing to 15 goals. He also featured at last year’s World Cup in Qatar, turning out in all four of Spain’s games as a right-winger.

Valued at a career-high €25m by Transfermarkt, a figure which has more than doubled over the past 12 months, Williams has come in for praise from brother Inaki, who labelled the winger as a “great player” who is in “incredible shape”.

“I’m not surprised by what my brother does because I’m used to seeing him practically every day, I know the capabilities he has.

“Nico is a great player, he is in incredible shape and I think he can give a lot to Spain.”

He may not have featured regularly as a centre-forward during his career to date, however, Williams would be able to play on either flank and who knows, Emery may look to coach him in a central role over time, should he move to the Midlands.

It seems as if he is an attacking target, and with a £50m release clause in his current contract, a move looks likely to be one to keep an eye on in what is set to be an extremely busy summer.

Even though most of the Zimbabwe squad members have recovered, Hamilton Masakadza, their most experienced batsman, has picked up a back injury and was ruled out of the second Test

Firdose Moonda05-Aug-2016Even though most of the Zimbabwe squad members have recovered from the illnesses and injuries that have plagued them over the past week, Hamilton Masakadza, their most experienced batsman, has picked up a back injury and was ruled out of the second Test. Sean Williams, though still coughing, was feeling much better and Tino Mawoyo made significant progress from a bruised thumb injury he sustained before the first Test against New Zealand.Masakadza, Zimbabwe’s most capped player by a distance with 30 Test appearances, will not be able to take his spot at No.3. Instead, it is likely Sikandar Raza or Craig Ervine will be promoted with Prince Masvaure moving into the middle order and Peter Moor likely to debut to bolster the batting line-up.This will be the first Test Masakadza will sit out since Zimbabwe’s Test comeback five years ago, in 2011 against Bangladesh. In that time, they have played 15 Tests and Masakadza has scored three centuries, including a career-best 158. Masakadza scored just 15 and 4 in the first Test and was so disappointed by his first-innings dismissal – a return catch to spinner Mitchell Santner – he said it weighed on him for the rest of the match.

James Maddison would be a game-changing signing for Newcastle as they return to Europe, journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed.

What's the latest news with James Maddison and Newcastle?

The England international is looks set to depart Leicester City, who are on course to be relegated from the Premier League, and Newcastle are interested in the midfielder.

Although Leicester have been poor, Maddison has been one of their brighter performers, and he could be a statement signing for Eddie Howe's side as they return to Europe.

Speaking to Football FanCast, Jacobs claimed that the 26-year-old could be a level-raiser for the Magpies, who have had a long-standing interest in the former Norwich star.

"Newcastle have always been interested in Maddison as the kind of creative-minded, slightly versatile goalscorer, assister, that Eddie Howe feels is going to be a difference maker," he stated.

"With Champions League football now, Newcastle are going to be in an even stronger position."

Should Newcastle move for Maddison?

The midfielder has scored ten and assisted nine times in 28 league games this season, and this is no easy feat in a side struggling near the bottom.

He could be a statement signing as Newcastle aim to return to the Champions League, and help Howe's side move up another level after a sensational season of progress.

Newcastle are light in midfield, and Maddison could line up alongside Bruno Guimaraes and one of Joe Willock or Sean Longstaff, and inject some more end-product into the side.

At 26, he will be entering his prime years, and if Newcastle can beat off other interest and secure his signature, he would be a huge signing in terms of statement and quality.

Extra quality and depth will be necessary for the Magpies as they prepare to deal with the extra workload of European fixture congestion, and Maddison will arrive as someone proven in the Premier League with European experience.

Graeme Souness described Maddison as a "great player," and whilst a deal may not be cheap, Newcastle may be able to flex their financial muscles with the addition of Champions League revenue if they can secure a top four spot.

Maddison can be the first of a number of signings which could transform Newcastle from a top-four contender to a title challenger in the next few seasons, and even if they have to pay a premium now, it could be a deal which provides a lot of value in the long term.

Newcastle United have "concrete interest" in Bayer Leverkusen forward Moussa Diaby, according to an update from reliable journalist Christian Falk.

Is Diaby having a good season?

The 23-year-old has been a key player for Leverkusen throughout this season, producing numerous influential performances. He has started 30 Bundesliga matches, scoring nine goals and registering eight assists in that time, often taking up a right-sided forward role.

Diaby has also displayed his versatility, however, playing in an attacking midfield role and as a centre forward, and he looks like a superb long-term prosect. The £49,000-a-week attacker's current deal expires in 2025, but Leverkusen could struggle to hold onto him until then.

With Newcastle looking to bring in reinforcements in the summer transfer window, it looks as though the exciting young Frenchman could be a genuine target, having been linked with him recently.

Could Newcastle sign Diaby this summer?

Speaking to Caught Offside, Falk claimed that Newcastle are one of the clubs showing "concrete interest" in Diaby this summer, along with two other huge clubs:

"So we’re not quite sure if Arsenal is out of the race for Moussa Diaby. There are three clubs with concrete interest as things stand; one is Arsenal, one is PSG, and the third is Newcastle.

"Newcastle have been interested for a long time and now they’re gearing up to have another go at signing him. We heard they’re preparing an offer of about €60m.

"The last time we talked in the winter, they were interested but the deal never came about because Leverkusen weren’t interested in selling, so Newcastle brought in Anthony Gordon. I think they paid €45.6m but he isn’t the solution they’re searching for, which is why they’re coming back for Diaby. He has a contract until 2025 and Leverkusen are wary of having to potentially sell the player if €60m is put on the table."

Diaby could be an ideal summer signing by Newcastle, with the nine-cap France international someone who could be an upgrade on Miguel Almiron, for all his improved form this season. He has 97 goal contributions (49 goals and 48 assists) in 168 appearances for Leverkusen, and that type of end product could take the Magpies to a different level.

At 23, he is still so young, too, so his all-round game should only become more polished as the years pass – Freiburg manager Christian Streich has called him "incredibly dangerous" – and Newcastle qualifying for next season's Champions League would hopefully be enough to entice him to the club.