Spurs have ushered in a new era under former Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou, the Australian manager who is renowned for his exciting brand of football and his success with Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos and Scotland’s Celtic.
Postecoglou’s reign hasn’t been easy with the constant uncertainty surrounding the immediate future of Harry Kane. Last night, Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur agreed on a Bundesliga record transfer fee for England captain Kane to join the German champions after weeks of talks.
According to multiple news reports in Britain and Germany, it was now up to the 30-year-old forward Kane to make a final decision on his future.
German reports said that Kane told Munich weeks ago he would join them but Sky Sports in the UK said it was “increasingly likely” he would stay at Spurs because he likes Ange Postecoglou’s philosophy.
Sky TV in Germany also said that the England captain was hesitant despite the reported verbal agreement. Without naming a source, it said his decision was “50-50” at the moment.
According to the Bild newspaper, there are financial issues to be resolved, including agents’ fees, but there has been no immediate reaction from the two clubs, nor Kane.
Kane is Bayern’s top transfer target but their first three offers were reportedly not good enough for the Londoners, who now appear to have accepted a fourth offer said to be a Bayern club record £100 million ($A194 million), plus add-ons for the 30-year-old England captain. Spurs owner Joe Lewis reportedly decided to sell Kane rather than have him leave for free when his contract runs out next year, if he didn’t sign a renewal which hasn’t happened to date.
Kane is said to have wanted his future decided before the start of the Premier League season on the weekend, with Spurs’ first game on Sunday at Brentford.
Defending champions Manchester City will probably be three points clear before their main rivals have kicked a ball when the new Premier League campaign kicks off this weekend. Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning side travel to promoted Burnley, where former City captain Vincent Kompany is now in charge at Turf Moor, on Friday night as they start the chase of a fourth title in a row and sixth in seven years.
Arsenal, runners-up last year after leading for much of the campaign, host Nottingham Forest in Saturday’s lunch-time kickoff while Newcastle United are at home to Aston Villa in the evening.
It promises to be another exciting season especially with a fresh wind blowing across Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and at Stamford Bridge, where Mauricio Pochettino is now in charge.
Liverpool, fifth last season, are at Pochettino’s Chelsea on Sunday while Manchester United, third at the final whistle last May, must wait until Monday for their opening game at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
City lost the Community Shield on penalties to Arsenal at Wembley last weekend, hardly a bad omen given they also lost the previous two and still ended the season as winners.
For Arsenal, however, it was an important statement.
“It’s a marker to know we can go and beat Manchester City in a big game when it matters,” said goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. “I’m not sure what it’ll be like this season. But that mental block is gone.”
City still start as clear favourites and when they played Burnley in an FA Cup quarter-final at the Etihad last March they ran out 6-0 winners with goal machine Erling Haaland scoring a hat-trick.
There will be plenty of interest elsewhere in the performance of big-money signings and what kind of results new managers bring.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal splashed around STG100 million pounds ($A194 m) on signing England midfielder Declan Rice from West Ham, as well as STG65m ($A126m) on bringing Kai Havertz from Chelsea and STG40m ($A78m) on defender Jurrien Timber from Ajax Amsterdam.
Juergen Klopp has lost captain Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to Saudi Arabia but the Liverpool boss still has plenty of ammunition as he too seeks to put behind him the failures of the previous year.
Chelsea, who finished 12th last season, have Reece James as their new captain after Cesar Azpilicueta left in a general clear-out.
Wolves also have a new manager, with former Bournemouth coach Gary O’Neil appointed only on Wednesday after Julen Lopetegui abruptly left.
Promoted Sheffield United are at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday while Luton Town are at Brighton & Hove Albion for the Hatters’ first game in the top flight since 1992, pre-Premier League.
Everton host Fulham also on Saturday, with West Ham United travelling to Bournemouth.
Source: AAP
