Cristiano Ronaldo ‘offered £230,000-a-week by Man City, Harry Kane wants £400k-a-week, Kounde Chelsea transfer update
Sponsored by
HARRY KANE has taken to Twitter to confirm he will be STAYING at Tottenham.
But it has emerged that the England captain was fined two weeks wages for returning late from his summer holiday, even though he thought the club had given him the all-clear to extend the trip.
Man City were willing to offer Spurs their pick of five players - Bernardo Silva, Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez, Aymeric Laporte or Gabriel Jesus in exchange for Kane - but will now turn their attention elsewhere.
And their top target could be Cristiano Ronaldo, who they have reportedly offered a two-year deal worth £230,000-a-week.
However, City do not want to pay a transfer fee or offer Juventus Gabriel Jesus in exchange, in what could be a potential stumbling block to the move.
Follow ALL of the latest news and updates below…
POCH WATCH
Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino insists his club are 'aware' of Lionel Messi's situation - but will not sell Kylian Mbappe to fund a deal to sign the Argentine.
Speaking in a press conference, Poch said: "I have not spoken with [Messi]. And [any move] would not mean that Kylian would leave.
"A player of Messi’s calibre, that is what is interesting to me. The club are working on several options, but we must focus on the game with Troyes [on Saturday].
"We know about what happened yesterday.
"The club is working on the transfer window and on the elements that could come in to improve the team and allow us to achieve our goals."
CUTI COUP
Sticking with Spurs, the club have just confirmed the signing of Argentine centre-back Cristian Romero from Atalanta.
Known as 'Cuti,' the 23-year-old joins the North London club on a five-year contract for a fee of around £50m.
Named as 'Best Defender' in the Serie A last season, he helped Atalanta to third-place finish in the league, and went on to make his debut for the Argentina national team.
KANE TO STAY AT SPURS?
Following Harry Kane's statement, the odds of him remaining a Tottenham Hotspur player beyond the 2021 transfer window have shortened slightly.
While the striker refuses to go into the 'specifics of the situation,' his words appear to be a source of comfort to anxious Spurs fans, worried about their star's possible departure.
Betfair now have Kane at 4/6 to remain at Tottenham while Manchester City are listed at 23/20 to sign the England captain.
HARRY'S PAIN
Tottenham striker Harry Kane has taken to social media to issue a statement regarding comments over his professionalism that have left him hurt.
While speculation continues regarding his future, Kane insists that he will be returning to Spurs tomorrow as planned, and that he would never do anything to jeopardise his relationship with the supporters that have always backed him.
TEN TO TEMPT MESSI
Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar has reportedly offered his number ten shirt to Lionel Messi in order to tempt his former Barcelona teammate into joining him at the Parc des Princes, according to French news outlet RMC Sport.
Both players have become synonymous with the number ten jersey during their illustrious careers, but only one will be able to wear it if they were to again end up on the same side.
A MESSI ENDING
Barcelona have now confirmed that Lionel Messi has officially left the club after contract negotiations ended.
Which airport will he be spotted at first?
NO COUTINHO PAYDAY FOR REDS
Barcelona's perilous finances have been making recent headlines, and now the Spanish giants are banking on an aspect of Phillipe Coutinho's failed transfer.
Rumours in England had suggested that the Catalans would owe Liverpool another £20m for when the Brazilian reached 100 games for the La Liga club, but Barcelona are now insistent that is not the case.
Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo have been running the story after manager Ronald Koeman admitted that Coutinho - currently on 90 Barcelona appearances - would be part of his plans if financially viable.
PEP TALKS
Man City boss Pep Guardiola has admitted he is 'very interested' in signing Harry Kane.
But the Spaniard has warned Tottenham that if they are not prepared to negotiate, the deal is 'finished'.
Kane is desperate for a move to the Etihad after telling Spurs he wants to leave to win trophies.
But chairman Daniel Levy is thought to value the England captain around £160m, with City unlikely to reach that target.
They have of course just shelled out £100m to sign Jack Grealish from Aston Villa.
Speaking about the possibility of bringing in another £100m+ man, Guardiola said: "Harry Kane is an exceptionally talented striker and of course, we're very interested.
"But if Tottenham don't want to sell… Of course, we'll try."
CITY OFFER
The City Football Group have made their move for Lionel Messi, according to French outlet le 10 sport.
The report suggests the 34-year-old has been offered a three year deal, with two of them to be spent in Manchester with City, and the final year to be at New York City.
The six-time Ballon d'Or winner is thought to want to spend a couple more years playing at the top level before retiring in the USA, and that contract certainly appeals to his wishes.
PSG are still thought to be the frontrunners for his signature though.
THAT'S ALL
That's all from Joan Laporta as he leaves the stage.
He made it clear that Messi wanted to stay at Barcelona, the club did all they could and so did Messi, but financial constraints mean it can't happen.
Laporta blames the disastrous losses from the previous presidency that have left the club in serious debt, with 95% of the club's income going on the player's salaries.
It means the club could be in a position at the end of the season that sees them lose over £400million.
Laporta didn't say where Messi would be going when quizzed by reporters, but he did say he is the best player in the world so he has offers from the best clubs in the world.
BIG LOSSES
Joan Laporta claims that Barcelona's losses by the end of the season could be in excess of £400m!
WOW!
LAPORTA LATEST
"We even shook hands [him and Messi] but the contract didn't fit in the regulations.
"And we reached the agreement that it couldn't be."
ON PSG INTEREST
When asked who he wants to see Messi move to and where he's moving to, Laporta says:
"I would like to see him play at Barca but whatever he does is up to him.
"You'll have to ask him.
"I don't know but it's always been said that they have options [for Messi]."
PREVIOUS PRESIDENCY
Laporta calls the inheritance from the previous presidency disgraceful, with impossible debt.
And that is partly the reason for Messi's exit.
CLUB IN DANGER?
"We need to rationalise the salaries and we need to boost the income."
The fact that Laporta is publicly saying the club need to increase their income is very worrying for Barcelona fans.
It's almost indicating that the club is in danger of going under.
MORE FROM LAPORTA
He thinks the players' salaries should be 65-70% of income.
But it's 95% without Messi.
But he says the losses aren't purely down to salaries, again blaming decisions made in the previous presidency.
LOSSES EXPECTED
Laporta goes on to say there will be serious losses.
But he refuses to go into the exact numbers, but says they will be released at some point.
MORE FROM LAPORTA
Laporta is saying the salary of the players is 95% of the club income.
It means negotiations will be needed with players for them to accept reductions in their salaries.
UNDER SCRUTINY
Barcelona President Joan Laporta continues to be quizzed by the Spanish media.
Credit: AFP "BARCA IS HIS HOME"
On whether Laporta has spoken to Messi:
"Leo wanted to stay, so he's not happy.
"We all wanted him to stay but for him right now he has to confront reality.
"It's a reality he can't change and he knows I wish him the best wherever he goes, him and his family.
"And Barca is his home."
SAYING IT HOW IT IS
When asked if the situation could have been dealt with differently, Laporta says:
"It could have been done better maybe.
"But I'm explaining it as it is."
OVER THE LIMIT
Laporta explains that Barca are over the salary limit, even without Lionel Messi.
He says he has to abide by the rules of La Liga, even though La Liga want him in the league.
But they can't make an exception for him because other clubs are abiding by the rules.
INSIDE THE ROOM
Laporta says: "My decision is that we can't put the club at risk."
ON THE SALARY SITUATION WITHOUT MESSI
"Everyone is working on the situation [salary situation].
"And now we have a little bit more margin to see if we can find a solution, but we're at the limit.
"Even without Leo.
"Even without Leo we don't have a margin."
DECISION DAY
"Two days ago I reached the conclusion that we had to say enough, that we couldn't do it.
"And yesterday we had our last conversations with Leo's father."
