Tag Futebol

Chelsea have reportedly entered the race to sign Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe in a huge development in the transfer saga.

What is the latest with Kylian Mbappe's PSG future?

After months – and indeed years – of speculation surrounding his future, Mbappe appears closer to the PSG exit than ever after being left out of the Ligue 1 giants' squad for their pre-season tour of Asia.

The Parisians' all-time leading goalscorer turned down the option of a one-year extension at the Parc des Princes, meaning he will become available on a free transfer next year should he not be sold this summer.

Real Madrid have long been considered the favourites to sign Mbappe, but RMC Sport reports that Chelsea have shown an interest in the France international, as have Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal.

It is reported that Al-Hilal are willing to pay PSG €200m (£173m) to sign Mbappe, and double that amount to the player himself over the next two years to persuade him to ply his trade outside of an elite European club.

Are Chelsea going to sign Kylian Mbappe?

This is not the first time Chelsea have been linked with Mbappe. However, the difference this time is that PSG are now actively seeking offers for the World Cup winner.

It is not known exactly how much it would take to persuade PSG to cash in – the sum being offered by Al-Hilal would surely be enough – but Football Transfers values the Frenchman at around £109m, which would make Mbappe the most expensive player in Premier League history.

The mammoth fee aside, it goes without saying that Mbappe would be an almighty acquisition for Chelsea. The Frenchman first emerged as one to watch when overtaking Thierry Henry as Monaco's youngest goalscorer at 17 years and 62 days in February 2016.

Mbappe has since cemented his status as one of the greatest players of his era across six goal-laden campaigns with PSG, during which time he has scored 212 goals in 260 appearances in all competitions, on top of his international success with France.

As per The Analyst, Mbappe ranks in the top 2% of all forwards for goals scored last season across Europe's top five leagues, the top 1% for shots, and nobody rates higher in terms of touches in the opposition box.

While more than just a goalscorer, it is the 148 goals in 176 Ligue 1 appearances – an average of 0.84 goals per 90 minutes – that will get Chelsea supporters most excited about a deal going through.

That type of scoring rate has never been seen at Stamford Bridge before, though Didier Drogba – one of Chelsea's greatest-ever strikers in terms of goals scored – 104 times in 254 Premier League games at a rate of 0.41 per 90.

That gap between Mbappe and Drogba highlights just how prolific the PSG forward has been over his career to date. However, Drogba's figures are skewed somewhat by a couple of off-seasons, including the campaign he returned in 2014-15.

Indeed, if you take Mbappe's figures from last season and Drogba's from 2009/10 – his best in a Chelsea shirt – they scored at a staggeringly similar rate: 0.93 per 90 for Mbappe; 0.94 for Drogba, as per FBref.

When taking assists into the equation, Drogba outperformed Mbappe (1.27 goal involvements per 90 v 1.09), while they found the net from a similar number of their shots on target (0.42 v 0.36 respectively).

Mbappe is showing more longevity than Drogba and, as Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti put it last season, is an "unstoppable" force.

Chelsea have been accused of overspending in recent windows, but no price would be too much if Mbappe is indeed in their reach.

West Ham United "dream" of signing Fulham star Joao Palhinha this summer but it could be a very expensive deal, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Who will West Ham sign?

After selling former star midfielder Declan Rice to Arsenal, in a marquee deal worth £105 million (including £5 million in add-ons), West Ham are set to benefit from a huge financial windfall.

The agreement took time to be finalised, as there were delays in documentation from Arsenal's end, but Rice has now become the most expensive English player of all time – overtaking the price tags of Jack Grealish (Man City) and Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid).

It's now up to David Moyes' side to put that money to good use and invest in major signings. West Ham are also in dire need of an out-and-out replacement for Rice in midfield.

Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria, Bayern Munich's Leon Goretzka, Man United's Scott McTominay, Chelsea ace Conor Gallagher and James Ward-Prowse of Southampton have all been linked with taking up the role recently.

Palhinha is also a player on West Ham's radar and has been subject to approaches, and while the player is apparently keen on joining, it is believed his price tag could well be too much.

According to Romano, speaking to CaughtOffside, the east Londoners "dream" of signing the Portugal international as he shares an update on West Ham's hunt for a new midfielder.

"Monaco want Zakaria, they have submitted their first bid for the player. It’s now up to West Ham if they want to bid again after initial proposal was rejected by Juventus 15 days ago," said Romano.

"Zakaria is still assessing his options, and Monaco could be an interesting option for him as their new manager Adi Hutter knows him well.

"West Ham’s dream target in midfield is Fulham’s Joao Palhinha, but that looks like being a very expensive deal.”

How good is Joao Palhinha?

The 28-year-old was one of Marco Silva's best-performing players by average match rating, according to WhoScored, and he racked up multiple goals from midfield.

Palhinha was also a fixture in the Fulham starting eleven last season, with the former Sporting Lisbon star playing more minutes than any other outfielder (WhoScored).

To further emphasise what a phenomenal player he is, the Portuguese averaged more tackles per 90 than any other player in the English top flight – making him the division's best in that regard (WhoScored).

Serbia international forward Aleksandar Mitrovic also called Palhinha the signing of the season for Fulham, not to mention an "amazing, amazing" player for the west Londoners.

“I think this year there’s been some sensational [signings] that we have made," said Mitrovic.

“For me personally, [Joao] Palhinha is the signing of the season so far, amazing, amazing [player].

“[Bernd] Leno is the signing that we made that’s amazing. The players who fit straight away and didn’t need time to adapt like before, they fit straight away.

Luke Wright rediscovered his panache with the bat after abandoning the Sussex captaincy but Worcestershire produced an excellent response after conceding their second-highest total in matches between the pair

ECB Reporters Network03-Jun-2017
ScorecardWorcestershire produced an excellent response after conceding their second-highest total in matches against Sussex.Luke Wells followed his 258 in his last appearance at Hove with 155, Luke Wright made 87, his highest Championship score at Hove for nearly two years and David Wiese a rapid 66 before Sussex declared on 579 for 8.But Worcestershire openers Daryl Mitchell and Brett D’Oliveira prospered after negotiating the new ball to post an unbeaten century stand as they reached 139 for 0 from 44 overs at the close.Chris Nash, leading Sussex after Wright resigned as captain on Wednesday, was able to employ attacking fields but his five-strong pace attack found a slow pitch as unyielding as Worcestershire’s bowlers had.Mitchell survived one scare on 14 when he was put down at slip by Chris Jordan off the third ball after tea to make an unbeaten – his sixth half-century against Sussex.He has hit 15 fours and a six in his 85 not out and although D’Oliveira was more circumspect he gave his partner good support as Nash rotated his seam attack and regularly employed eight men in catching positions without being able to break through on a wicket which has so far shown little evidence of deteriorating.Just five wickets fell on the second day, three of them after lunch as Sussex pushed towards a declaration.Wells and Wright had employed a cautious approach at the start of the day and Sussex failed to claim maximum batting points. Wells, 139 overnight, added 16 runs in just over an hour before he came down the pitch in Nathan Lyons’ first over of the day and lost his leg stump to the Australian off-spinner. Wells batted for six hours, faced 288 balls and 22 fours.Luke Wright’s captaincy resignation paid dividends with the bat•Getty Images

Wright batted with the freedom which had been absent during much of his time as captain and looked on course for a hundred. He hit two sixes and two fours off four successive deliveries from Ed Barnard before upper-cutting the next ball to backward point for 87, his highest score at Hove for nearly two years, having added 86 in 16 overs with Michael Burgess.Burgess lost his off stump to Barnard after lunch for an enterprising 46 but Wiese and Jordan had licence to go for their shots. Jordan used the slog-sweep effectively to take three boundaries off Lyon in one over while Wiese employed the long handle to hit three sixes and eight fours in his 66 off 53 balls.Worcestershire skipper Joe Leach, the pick of their eight bowlers, had Jordan (37) caught at wide mid-off to end a stand of 91 in 14 overs for the seventh wicket before the declaration came when Wiese failed to clear long on.

علّق إريك تين هاج، المدير الفني لفريق مانشستر يونايتد، على تعادلهم في مباراة الأمس مع برينتفورد في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وتلاقى الفريقان في إطار منافسات الجولة الثلاثين من البطولة، حيث تعادلا بهدف لمثله (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

كان ماسون ماونت قد سجل هدفًا قاتلًا لـ مانشستر يونايتد، في الدقيقة 96، ولكن لم يفز الضيوف في النهاية حيث نجح برينتفورد في تسجيل هدف التعادل بعد دقيقتين.

وقال تين هاج في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية: “كدنا نفوز في النهاية، ربما لم يكن الأمر مستحقًا ولكن كنا سنحصل على 3 نقاط، ولذلك كان من المخيب للآمال للغاية أن نتعادل في النهاية”.

وأضاف: “كان برينتفورد أفضل منا اليوم، لقد أظهروا المزيد من الشغف والرغبة والتصميم كما فعلنا، جودة هذا الفريق هي أنهم يقاتلون من أجل ذلك، لكن علينا أن نظهر المزيد”.

وواصل: “ليس من المقبول أبدًا أن تظهر الفرق الأخرى المزيد من الشغف والرغبة مقارنة بنا، لقد أظهرنا ذلك أمام ليفربول وفي العديد من المباريات، علينا أن نظهر ذلك على أرض الملعب”.

واستمر: “لقد قاتلنا ولكن في الأشياء الصغيرة، الكرات الثانية وما إلى ذلك، كان برينتفورد أكثر تركيزًا وأكثر عدوانية، كان يجب أن يكون الأمر من جانبنا نحن”.

وأردف: “كدنا نفوز، وكنا سنهنئ أنفسنا على ذلك، ولكن بعد ذلك أهدرنا النقاط الثلاث وهذا أمر مخيب للآمال للغاية، يجب علينا جميعًا أن نقف ونتحمل المسؤولية عن ذلك”.

وعما إذا كان التأهل إلى دوري أبطال أوروبا أصبح صعبًا، رد الهولندي: “هناك العديد من المباريات التي يجب لعبها، دعونا نتقبل تلك النقطة، في النهاية يمكن أن تكون نقطة جيدة للغاية”.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane is believed to be open to a potential move away to Bayern Munich this summer but Daniel Levy will not make any deal easy.

How much is Harry Kane worth?

Despite the north London club enduring a seriously underwhelming 2022/23 campaign, it was not a season to forget for Kane on a personal note.

Indeed, the 29-year-old striker enjoyed one of his best individual Premier League campaigns after returning an impressive 30 league goals.

To put that into context, his return was only six short of the Golden Boot winner, Erling Haaland, who was operating in a Manchester City side which won the title.

And it is apparent his stunning displays across his career at Tottenham has earned him a lot of interested potential suitors.

The likes of Manchester United have been heavily linked with a possible move for the England captain this summer, but are believed to have since pulled out of the race.

Now, it seems as if a potential move abroad could potentially be opening up for the 29-year-old with the Bundesliga champions reportedly making their move in the last few days.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has claimed the striker is believed to be open to a possible move to Munich but any deal would be made difficult by Levy:

"From what I understand, and I always said even when he was linked with Real Madrid, Daniel Levy – Tottenham chairman – is going to make this deal very difficult. He wants to keep the player the club is still dreams of Harry Kane as Tottenham player for the next season and for the future."

"They don't want to give up on the story for Harry Kane also because they feel that the player will be open to make this move happen. So Harry Kane is not saying no to Bayern and this is why they sent an official bid and this is why they want to insist but it's also crucial to understand Tottenham's position in this story. They don't want to make it happen."

Should Harry Kane leave Spurs?

There was certainly a lot that went on in north London last season which could potentially make the England captain keen to find a new adventure this summer.

Tottenham's eighth place finish was largely as a result of the stunning form in front of goal shown by the 29-year-old who after he scored 43% of the club's leagues goals.

However, another season showing similar form in front of goal could potentially take him within 30 goals of matching Alan Shearer's all-time record.

It is apparent Levy will be in no mood to see his prized assed leave this summer under any circumstances which could potentially lead to a messy affair in north London.

But if Kane is adamant on leaving, then next summer would allow him free rein over his options and would even allow him a bigger scope to negotiate a better deal for himself.

There promises to be a lot of change at Spurs this summer with the arrival of Ange Postecoglou and the expected signing of James Maddison.

And perhaps the early signs being shown from Levy to wrap up the signing of Maddison, for example, may be enough to persuade Kane to give Spurs one more chance.

With it now seemingly a matter of when and not if Brendan Rodgers will be named as the successor to Ange Postecoglou at Celtic, attention can begin to turn to just how the returning boss will alter the current Hoops squad this summer.

The ex-Leicester City boss – who had been out of work since being sacked by the Foxes back in April – will likely be hoping to keep hold of the Old Firm outfit's key men ahead of mounting another domestic and European charge next summer, with midfield maestro Reo Hatate, in particular, having been mooted for a reunion with Postecoglou at Tottenham Hotspur.

As well as attempting to persuade the likes of Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi – who has been linked with a move to Spurs – to stay in Glasgow, the Northern Irishman may also have a plan to ditch those who he deems surplus to requirements among the first-team ranks, with Stephen Welsh perhaps among those who could well face the axe.

A recent report from Football Insider claimed that the Scottish champions are open to offers for the 23-year-old this summer, with the former Scotland youth international seemingly also keen to secure increased game time elsewhere.

While the young centre-back may be hoping that his standing could be improved with Rodgers in the dugout instead of Postecoglou, the one-time Liverpool boss could pull off the first blinder of his second spell in charge by showing the 6 foot 3 dud the door.

Will Stephen Welsh leave Celtic this summer?

It is seemingly not the first time that Welsh has been linked with a move away from Celtic Park in recent times, with reports back in January 2022 revealing that the club had rejected a loan approach from Serie A side Udinese, while Ligue 1 outfit Toulouse also made an enquiry last summer.

That was followed by further speculation heading into the winter window that the Coatbridge-born brute could be on his way, albeit with Postecoglou and co ultimately opting against sanctioning an exit following the abrupt end of Moritz Jenz' loan spell.

The latter man's exit did not aid Welsh's bid for increased game time, however, as he ultimately ended last season with just four Premiership appearances to his name – all of which came prior to the World Cup break.

The £4.6k-per-week asset notably underwhelmed when he was handed an opportunity to impress, however, having been branded "weak" by pundit Michael Stewart following the shock 2-0 defeat away to St Mirren back in September, while journalist Josh Bunting suggested that both Welsh and Jenz were "all over the place" on the day after getting "bullied" by the likes of Curtis Main and Jonah Ayunga.

That lack of physicality has been a theme of the criticism that has fallen the Scotsman's way of late, with pundit Frank McAvennie also stating that the academy graduate needs a loan move to "toughen him up", while also labelling him as someone who "ball watches".

With Rodgers set to inherit a squad that includes the likes of Carl Starfelt, Cameron Carter-Vickers and January arrival Yuki Kobayashi – all of whom have been above Welsh in the pecking order of late – the 50-year-old can then make the decision to send the one-time Greenock Morton loanee packing, either on a temporary basis or permanently.

There has never been a better time to be a Newcastle fan.

Within the last 18 months, the club has escaped the clutches of Mike Ashley, avoided relegation, ditched Steve Bruce, found new ownership, hired Eddie Howe, and has just secured Champions League football for the first time since 2002.

It is a wondrously exciting dawn for the Magpies, but they must not rest on their laurels, and begin shaping their squad for their European excursion.

They need to add more depth and quality to juggle the increased amount of fixtures and James Maddison would be a magnificent addition.

What’s the latest on James Maddison to Newcastle?

According to the Guardian, the Magpies and Tottenham are set to be part of a hotly-contested tug-of-war for the 26-year-old’s signature.

The Magpies have been reportedly working on a deal for Maddison since last summer and can offer the playmaker the chance to compete in Europe’s most elite competition.

The Foxes have accepted that Maddison 'can leave for the right offer' and only has a year left on his contract.

It is understood that an offer of around £40m could be enough for the 2016 Premier League winners to sanction his sale.

How would James Maddison fit in at Newcastle?

Despite his side’s torrid season, the £110k-per-week maestro has emerged from the rubble of Leicester’s relegation with his formidable reputation still intact.

In 30 Premier League appearances, the attacking midfielder registered 19 goal involvements and the highest average rating (7.24) in the whole squad, as per WhoScored.

The two-cap international has been a fountain of creativity and end-product as he ranks in the top 11% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for assists per 90, as well as within the best 15% for shot-creating actions and progressive passes per 90.

A player of this stunning effervescence propped behind the irrepressible Alexander Isak is a frightening prospect.

In his debut season in England, the forward scored ten top-flight goals, despite only making 22 appearances in an injury-ravaged start.

In this short period, the 23-year-old has already displaced his dazzling quick feet, his clinical finishing, and intoxicating directness as he ranks within the highest 7% for successful take-ons per 90 and 16% for progressive carries per 90.

Hailed as someone who possesses “all the attributes”, a combination of Maddison’s mesmeric creativity and the flourishing potential of Isak could be a potent force in domestic and European competition.

Described as “fantastic” by Frank Lampard, Maddison should deservedly be playing top-flight football come August and St James Park would be a mouth-watering destination.

The Supreme Court of India has directed the BCCI not to distribute funds to its state associations until they comply with the Lodha Committee’s recommendations

Nagraj Gollapudi21-Oct-20165:23

Kalra: Supreme Court giving BCCI as much breathing space as it can

The Supreme Court of India has passed an order that limits the BCCI’s financial freedom and power until the board and its state associations comply with the Lodha Committee’s recommendations.In a 25-page order issued on Friday, the court directed the BCCI not to distribute funds to its state associations until they submit affidavits stating compliance with the recommendations to the court and the Lodha Committee in two weeks. The order was passed by a three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India TS Thakur and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud.The court also asked BCCI president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke to meet the Lodha Committee before November 3. They were required to submit an “affidavit of compliance” in the court by December 3, elaborating on the recommendations already implemented by the BCCI and what it had done to persuade the state associations to adopt the recommendations. The court scheduled the next hearing for December 5.BCCI’s financial wings clipped

The Supreme Court has asked the Lodha Committee to oversee financial transactions undertaken by the board by putting in place the following measures:
♢ Appoint an independent auditor to check the income received and expenditure incurred by the BCCI
♢ Fix a threshold value for BCCI contracts which would be overseen by the auditor from the tender stage
♢ Approve or disapprove BCCI contracts above the threshold value and obtain the advice of the auditors on the fairness of the tendering process
♢ Formulate the terms of engagement and reference for the auditors. The BCCI shall bear the costs, charges and expenses of the auditors

In another significant decision, the court asked the Lodha Committee to appoint an independent auditor to verify the BCCI’s accounts. The Lodha Committee was also asked to set a “threshold value” for various contracts the BCCI enters into, and all contracts in excess of that amount would need the committee’s approval. The next major contract for the board is the IPL broadcast deal, set to be finalised on October 25.”I’ve always maintained that we have the highest respect for judiciary. We have welcomed the Lodha Committee recommendations, we more than welcome them because we have nothing to hide,” Thakur told after the order came out. “I’m very optimistic in my approach and I am sure some of the issues that we have requested for a re-look will be addressed. We are not fighting against anyone. All I have been saying is that there is confusion regarding certain recommendations. I am sure a dialogue can be had in the interest of the game.”Friday’s order is the second one issued this week by the court, after an interim order on October 17 in response to the Lodha Committee’s status report, which had recommended that the BCCI office bearers be “superseded” and a panel of administrators be appointed because the board was impeding the implementation of the court-approved recommendations.In its order the court noted that there was “substance in the status report”. It also said the BCCI was in “breach” of the July 18 court order that had approved the majority of recommendations in the Lodha Committee’s report and asked the board and states to implement them in four to six months. “Implementation of the final judgment of this Court dated 18 July 2016 has prima facie been impeded by the intransigence of BCCI and its office bearers,” the court order said.The court said that “at this stage” it was refraining from approving the Lodha Committee’s suggestion to supersede the BCCI office bearers because the board had said in a submission to the court that “it would make every genuine effort to persuade the state associations” to comply with the recommendations.The BCCI’s position had been that it could not implement the Lodha Committee’s recommendations without a majority of its state associations agreeing to do so. The key recommendations the board said the states were reluctant to accept were the one-state-one-vote policy, the age cap of 70 for administrators, and the limit of three, three-year terms with cooling-off periods in between for office bearers.The court order put the states under pressure to comply by cutting off their funding. “The BCCI shall forthwith cease and desist from making any disbursement of funds for any purpose whatsoever to any state association until and unless the state association concerned adopts a resolution undertaking to implement the recommendations of the Committee as accepted by this Court in its judgment dated 18 July,” the court order said. A state was to receive funds from the BCCI only after the resolution, signed by its president, was submitted to the committee and the court.The court said it had taken cognisance of the argument raised by the board’s legal counsel Kapil Sibal, who had said the BCCI would “demonstrate” to the Lodha Committee how it had already fulfilled some of the recommendations. The court asked the committee to verify whether there had been “full compliance”.

Arsenal seem set to lose Granit Xhaka this summer, willingly sanctioning his exit after a fine final campaign in north London.

The Swiss international has been instrumental in Mikel Arteta's engine room, but with the midfielder set to turn 31 at the start of next season, his five goals and seven assists are far from maintainable given his inevitable decline will likely soon start.

Such willingness to allow an integral cog of their success this season to leave marks confidence in quickly securing his replacement, with sporting director Edu Gaspar having seemingly narrowed his pursuit down to two targets: Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo.

What's the latest news on Declan Rice's move to Arsenal?

With two bids rejected for the latter in January, reports are claiming that the 21-year-old remains high on their wish list, and a raid of Brighton and Hove Albion could still be committed this summer.

Despite this, renowned transfer expert and journalist Fabrizio Romano recently spoke on his YouTube channel about the Gunners' alternative plans to move for the West Ham United captain, who has been touted at a cost of £100m.

The Italian transfer guru noted that the 24-year-old machine remains a "top target" for the north London outfit, with conversations ongoing with the player and the club.

An official bid is expected from the Gunners in the coming weeks, though it is noted that the Hammers remain in no position to negotiate, despite David Moyes' recent admission that he may well leave in the coming window.

Should only one of these two midfield powerhouses be attainable for Edu and Arteta, there is no doubt as to which one should be preferred.

Is Declan Rice better than Moises Caicedo?

Although the Seagulls' star man may well be battling at the right end of the table, it arguably makes Rice's exploits within a relegation battle even more impressive.

To shine when his teammates are of such low quality, as opposed to thriving in a well-rounded and generally outstanding side, showcases true character and quality.

As such, the Irons ace has maintained a 7.19 average rating, with three goals, two assists and one key pass per game suggestive of the creativity creeping into his game, This seeks to build upon his already outstanding defensive work, which has seen him record 1.8 interceptions and 2.3 tackles per game, via Sofascore.

Although Caicedo might maintain similar stats to the £55m-rated England international, it seems that the resolute Roberto De Zerbi will remain keen on keeping his Ecuadorian general, especially with the promise European football is set to bring.

He too has maintained 1.3 key passes and three tackles per game, culminating in a 7.14 average rating, via Sofascore. Their respective skill sets are actually frighteningly similar, yet the pedigree and experience of Rice probably edges him as the better alternative heading into the summer window.

His consistently-impressive performances for years at the top flight have afforded him the experience to go with his country to a World Cup and a EUROs campaign, having starred in both.

It is no wonder the £60k-per-week star has been branded "world-class" by pundit and ex-Arsenal man Alan Smith, and therefore is no surprise that he seems set to be Edu's preferred midfield option right now.

Dutch football expert and journalist Marcel van der Kraan has told Tottenham Hotspur they're targeting an "absolutely phenomenal" manager in Arne Slot.

Who could be the next Spurs manager?

There are currently a succession of candidates still in the frame to become Spurs' next manager, coming two months after former boss Antonio Conte departed north London.

Spurs must get preparations underway for the summer window but hiring a new head coach takes centre stage for now, and any prospective new manager will want time to identify transfer targets.

The Lilywhites are ever so slowly winding down their list of possible candidates, but there are still many names in the frame, with Ruben Amorim, Marco Silva, Michael Carrick, Brendan Rodgers, Graham Potter, Luis Enrique and Slot all linked in the past week (90min).

Perhaps chief among them is Slot, and while Sky Sports say he is not the clear favourite yet, there are other reports claiming he's entered pole position.

One thing seems crystal clear – the 44-year-old is a firm target for Levy and co as they step up plans to appoint Conte's replacement.

Amid these reports, and as Tottenham eye a move for Slot, reporter Van der Kraan has told Sky Sports that they're targeting an "absolutely phenomenal" option – and Feyenoord fans "cannot believe" what he's done.

He explained:

"We all know Cruyff had only a couple of people who follow him. One of them is Pep Guardiola, I would say this is a Pep Guardiola-style manager."Everything I’ve seen of him over the last two years, every week, week in week out. He’s been absolutely phenomenal. The players like him, his style of football is great he’s super attacking.“The fans at Feyenoord cannot believe what they’ve seen over the last two years in the amount of entertainment in all the matches. And it’s brought, you a lot of goodness as well with a final and a trophy with the league.In the past, we all know that many Dutch coaches like to attack and we like entertaining football but it’s been too naive. This coach is not naive, he’s great.”

Who is Arne Slot?

The Feyenoord coach is fresh off the back of winning his first ever Eredivsie title after just missing out on a Europa Conference League crown last season.

Slot's stock is growing rapidly, leading to Tottenham's serious interest, and he could fit into the mould of an attack-minded, young and exciting project manager.

That is the type of manager Spurs are reliably believed to be pursuing and it will be interesting to see if they can prise him away from Feyenoord, who are desperate to keep him.