Chelsea offer player swap to hijack Liverpool’s Moises Caicedo deal plus Harry Kane latest


Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich appeared to strike an agreement over the transfer fee for Harry Kane on Wednesday after a summer of back and forth, but the England striker’s move was delayed ahead of his trip to Germany to complete the deal. A proposal from the Bundesliga side worth more than €100m (£86.4m) was reportedly accepted by Spurs. But now the sides remain engaged to thrash out the finer details.

And in a crazy final few hours before the season begins, Liverpool appear to have gazumped Chelsea for the signing of Moises Caicedo, with Brighton set to pocket £110 million. Elsewhere, the transfer carousel continues to spin with news that West Ham and Monaco are emerging as main competitors for Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun.

We’ll have team news from all the Premier League press conferences up and down the country, the latest transfer news and Fantasy Premier League tips below:

Premier League updates live

MIGUEL DELANEY: The Premier League is having an identity crisis – but one thing can save it

LATEST: Kane waits on Bayern Munich move as Tottenham talks continue

Chelsea could offer player to Brighton to try to complete Moises Caicedo deal

Erik ten Hag insists Manchester United have no regrets over Harry Kane

Fantasy Premier League: 30 players you must consider for 2023/24 season

Chelsea could offer player to Brighton to try to complete Moises Caicedo deal

14:22 , Miguel Delaney

Chelsea are seeking to offer Brighton players in order to break the deadlock over the Moises Caicedo deal, with the south-coast club having accepted a larger offer from Liverpool.

The player himself has made it clear his preference is Stamford Bridge, and no terms have actually been agreed with the Anfield hierarchy. The situation is nevertheless complicated because Brighton set a deadline of Thursday evening for an auction, want it resolved quickly, and accepted Liverpool’s higher bid.

In order to try and solve this deadlock, Chelsea have been talking of offering players, with a number understood to be available.

Conor Gallagher is one who could be attractive to Brighton, although their recruitment is usually far more forward-thinking and considered than engaging in swap deals.

Liverpool trumped Chelsea by £10m, in what would have been a Premier League record deal of £110m. The London club are prepared to improve on this, but it remains to be seen whether Brighton would re-open the process.

Moises Caicedo’s destination remains uncertain (Getty Images for Premier League)

Erik ten Hag has no regrets over Harry Kane ahead of Bayern Munich move

14:15 , Richard Jolly

Erik ten Hag insisted Manchester United have no regrets about their decision not to bid for Harry Kane as the England captain could instead join Bayern Munich.

Kane has been a long-time target for Manchester United and Ten Hag, who described the 30-year-old as a “great striker” and is an admirer of the forward, who could join the German champions for a reported £86 million.

United instead chose to pursue Rasmus Hojlund, paying a fee rising to £72 million for the 20-year-old Dane, who scored 10 goals for Atalanta last season.

“We have chosen a striker and we are really happy with our choice,” said Ten Hag. “We are professional, the processes we do are really careful, we consider a lot of things but finally we make decisions, not overnight, we study every decision behind, we are happy with the squad we have behind us now.”

Erik ten Hag has no regrets over Harry Kane ahead of Bayern Munich move

Ange Postecoglou confirms Harry Kane move ‘likely to happen’

14:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“Fair to say I don’t have a blow by blow account but my understanding is it has progressed to the point where it looks like it will happen,” the new Tottenham manager said today as he prepares to take charge in the Premier League for the first time.

“From that perspective, at least it gives us some clarity and we move forward without Harry.

“From my perspective it is just about understanding where we are at and the information I have at the moment is the deal is imminent but like with all these things, you leave yourself some leeway.

“But moving forward and training today preparing for Brentford, we are doing it without Harry.

“It is best Harry speaks for himself in terms of the decision but no doubt he is one of the greats of this football club and that never changes.

“I am only new in the building but fairly evident Harry Kane will always be one of the greats for this football club.”

The Premier League is having an identity crisis – but one thing can save it

13:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

We are just a few hours away from it all getting going, Manchester City at Turf Moor to begin the defence of their crown with a short trip to Burnley. Miguel Delaney sets the scene ahead of what could be a pivotal season for the Premier League:

The Premier League is having an identity crisis – but one thing can save it

Dean Henderson future uncertain after Manchester United goalkeeper injury

13:40 , Richard Jolly

Manchester United face a decision whether to keep Dean Henderson after their third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton was ruled out for several weeks.

United have been in talks with Nottingham Forest for weeks and were willing to allow the England international to leave after signing Andre Onana.

But the veteran Heaton was injured in training and, while United are waiting to discover the full extent, he is certain to miss their first few fixtures.

Dean Henderson future uncertain after Manchester United goalkeeper injury

New Bournemouth signing set to miss start of season

13:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

New Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott will miss the first couple of months of the season through injury.

The Cherries completed the £20million signing of England Under-20 international Scott from Bristol City on Thursday despite a scan showing up a “significant” knee injury sustained in training.

And new Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola revealed on Friday that Scott, 19, may not be available to make his debut until October.

“It’s a great signing for the club, the first impressions are really nice,” Iraola said at his pre-match press conference.

“For the start of the season, the first couple of months he’ll be out. We have to take these weeks for him to settle in, for him to get to know more about the team and for him to see how he can help us in the season.

“He is a player of his age who had a fantastic season in the Championship last year and he can definitely help us.”

The ‘incredible’ Micky Van de Ven trait that Tottenham want to weaponise

13:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

One player who will be wearing a Tottenham shirt this season is Micky van de Ven, the Dutch defender confirmed as Ange Postecoglou’s latest summer signing this week and potentially immediately into the first-team mix for this Sunday’s game against Brentford. Ben Davies has been filling the left-sided centre-half spot in Postecoglou’s back four, but Van de Ven would appear ideally suited to partner Cristian Romero – WhoScored’s Ben McAleer looks in detail at his qualities.

The ‘incredible’ Micky Van de Ven trait that Tottenham want to weaponise

Thomas Tuchel confirms Bayern Munich working to secure Harry Kane

13:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel has been speaking in the last couple of hours, confimring that the German club are still working to sort a few final details after reports that Harry Kane’s move to the Bundesliga may have hit a late snag.

“We are working on it intensely, that much I can confirm,” Tuchel has said. “As of right now, no agreement has been reached, and when no agreement has been reached, then a coach will not comment on it, because it is not his player.”

Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich move in doubt after Tottenham last-minute U-turn

Fantasy Premier League 2023/24: Why Nicolas Jackson could be a value pick up front

13:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Nicolas Jackson, Chelsea – 7.0

After Christopher Nkunku’s injury, Nicolas Jackson is destined to start up front for Chelsea for the foreseeable future. Without Nkunku’s creative side, Jackson’s output takes a hit but at 7.0, the value is there for a player who can be trusted to provide assists for runners in behind if Mauricio Pochettino can inspire movement in the final third. If the Senegalese can match his goal or assist every 100 minutes for Villarreal last season in LaLiga, fantasy owners will be delighted.

Find out who else The Independent’s team of experts think you should be targeting with just a few hours to go before the opening weekend FPL deadline:

Fantasy Premier League: 30 players you must consider for GW1

Can Arsenal better Man City? Talking points as the Premier League kicks off

12:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The new Premier League season kicks off this weekend with clubs still finalising their squads for the challenge ahead.

Champions Manchester City and last season’s runners-up Arsenal will resume battle with the Gunners’ having struck an early blow in the Community Shield, while newcomers Burnley, Sheffield United and Luton begin the task of ensuring their stay among the big boys is not fleeting.

The PA news agency has picked out some of the key talking points surrounding the opening fixtures.

Can Arsenal better Man City? Talking points as the Premier League kicks off

Marco Silva urges Fulham to ‘focus’ ahead of Everton opener

12:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Fulham manager Marco Silva has stressed the need for “togetherness” from his undersized squad as they face a tricky start to the new Premier League season.

Three of the Cottagers’ first four top-flight fixtures are away from home, with Saturday’s trip to Everton followed by visits to last term’s runners-up Arsenal and champions Manchester City.

Fulham have signed Calvin Bassey and Raul Jimenez this summer and look set to hold on to Aleksandar Mitrovic despite interest from other clubs, but Silva has made it clear to the board that he needs more new arrivals.

“It doesn’t change anything in our preparation,” Silva said when asked about the early-season fixture list.

“Sometimes you think it’s going to be more difficult to play against teams that finished in the top of the table and if you don’t pay attention for the others it will be the first mistake you make.

“For us the focus is on the Everton match. It’s always difficult that type of game, to play there at Goodison first game of the season and of course after that we talk and think about Brentford and all the others.

“We are not thinking about Arsenal or City or what’s to come after, we have to keep focus on our preparation. (Pre-season) was not great in terms of numbers to prepare really for the first match of the season.

“Normally I would not start to think about other games and even more now, because we need everybody really together and to focus on the Everton match.”

(PA Wire)

Harry Kane saga leaves Tottenham paying the price for Daniel Levy’s ego — again

12:20 , Miguel Delaney

Earlier this summer, when there was still the feeling that Manchester United might come in for Harry Kane, it was put to one figure at the club that Bayern Munich were very confident of getting him.

“They have no experience of dealing with Daniel Levy,” came the response. The German champions have since found out the very hard way.

Extremely late on in the Kane deal, just as the player was about to board the plane, negotiations were ongoing with Tottenham about the make-up of the final figures.

Levy has long been insistent that 80 percent of the overall package should be guaranteed and the total fee should come to £120 million. This has made many people in the football industry roll their eyes, but it all reflects how the chairman has long divided Tottenham fans. The cries of “Levy out” and “get out of our club” grew louder and louder last season, in that gleaming new stadium.

Those who back him, and have admittedly been the far quieter party lately, would point to how he has gradually built the club from a glamorous but under-performing name to one of the Premier League’s “super clubs” with the best infrastructure in Europe. They were included in the Super League, after all. Levy is clearly adept at long-term macro business strategy.

Tottenham pay the price for Daniel Levy’s ‘ego’ — again

What Premier League games are on TV this weekend?

12:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Friday 11th August

Burnley v Man City (8pm) Sky Sports Premier League / Main Event

Saturday 12th August

Arsenal v Nottingham Forest (12:30pm) TNT Sports

Newcastle v Aston Villa (5:30pm) Sky Sports Premier League / Main Event

Sunday 13th August

Brentford v Tottenham (2pm) Sky Sports Premier League / Main Event

Chelsea v Liverpool (4:30pm) Sky Sports Premier League / Main Event

Monday 14th August

Man Utd v Wolves (4:30pm) Sky Sports Premier League / Main Event

Historic all-female line-up to present TNT Sports football coverage

Rob Edwards ready to lead Luton into debut Premier League season

11:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Luton boss Rob Edwards will fulfil a dream when he sends his team into Premier League action for the first time at Brighton on Saturday.

Edwards took charge at Kenilworth Road in November last year and guided a club which less than a decade earlier had been plying its trade in non-league football back into the top flight after a 31-year absence.

Life since victory in the Sky Bet Championship play-off final has been something of a whirlwind, with the Hatters busily preparing for their latest – and perhaps biggest – challenge on and off the pitch, but Edwards admits he will feel a huge sense of pride when the dream finally becomes a reality.

He told a press conference: “I’m really proud. It’s hard because you don’t always think about it, you just think about what’s next and don’t always have time to reflect.

“It’s been an aim of mine for long time. I think most people would agree the Premier League is the highest level.”

PA

(Action Images via Reuters)

Moises Caicedo transfer takes twist as Chelsea look to hijack Liverpool offer

11:45 , Miguel Delaney

Chelsea remain confident in their pursuit of Moises Caicedo despite Liverpool‘s interest and Brighton’s deadline, believing they have a superior offer to the player and that they can trump the Anfield club on price.

The race has created another sub-plot to Sunday’s meeting between the two teams at Stamford Bridge, as both clubs have gone for Caicedo and Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, in what almost appears a response to the other.

Liverpool agreed a fee with Brighton on Thursday night, as confirmed by Jurgen Klopp, but it is felt by Chelsea that the 21-year-old Caicedo’s preference is to go to London.

Moises Caicedo transfer takes twist as Chelsea look to hijack Liverpool offer

Eddie Howe says Newcastle cannot ‘slap money on table’ in pursuit of signing

11:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has admitted he cannot just “slap money on the table” as he attempts to find the last piece of his jigsaw for the new season.

The Magpies, backed by their majority owners, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, have invested a net £95milion in Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento at the expense of the departed Allan Saint-Maximin this summer but Howe is keen to add one more player to his resources, with central defence a remaining focus.

However, the 45-year-old knows the club may have to be “creative” to get another deal over the line in an attempt to plot a path through Financial Fair Play regulations, with loans and staggered payments among the options.

Asked what that meant on the eve of the new Premier League season’s opener against Aston Villa, Howe said: “It means we can’t just go out and slap money on the table and buy a player. We don’t have the resources to do that at the moment with FFP restrictions.

Eddie Howe says Newcastle cannot ‘slap money on table’ in pursuit of signing

Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich move in doubt after Tottenham last-minute U-turn

11:20 , Miguel Delaney

Harry Kane’s prospective move to Bayern Munich isn’t yet 100 per cent completed as negotiations are still ongoing with Tottenham Hotspur about the exact make-up of the fee.

Kane is yet to fly to Germany, but Spurs never took permission away from Kane to fly, sources have told the Independent.

The England captain was at Stansted airport on Friday morning, waiting in a car for the green light to make the trip to Munich.

While the Premier League club on Wednesday agreed they were willing to sell the 30-year-old, and the principles appeared settled, it is understood that there are still talks about what the exact figures will look like.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has wanted 80 per cent of the fee to be guaranteed, with the rest made up of achievable bonuses and add-ons to take it over £110m.

Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich move in doubt after Tottenham last-minute U-turn

James Ward-Prowse undergoing medical at West Ham

11:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

West Ham have started to re-invest the cash they received for Rice, with Edson Alvarez through the door yesterday and James Ward-Prowse all but certain to follow. Sky report that the Southampton midfielder is currently having a medical at the club.

How Declan Rice can transform Arsenal and bring Mikel Arteta’s grand plan to life

11:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Arsenal begin their Premier League campaign against Nottingham Forest tomorrow, with Declan Rice set to make his league debut for the club after a summer switch from West Ham. Can Rice be the transformative figure Mikel Arteta’s team may need to close the gap to Manchester City? Miguel Delaney explores…

How Rice can transform Arsenal and bring Arteta’s grand plan to life

Fantasy Premier League 2023/24: Defenders to target

10:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Defenders

Premium

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool – 8.0

Naturally it’ll feel an obvious pick, but such is Liverpool’s new vice-captain’s impact that he’s a full 1.5m more costly than any other defender this season. Even so, we’d go as far to suggest he’s a must-have if you’re looking for attacking points in deeper areas. Alexander-Arnold isn’t just a set-piece taker, he’s now playing much higher up in midfield in possession, has scored for England from that area and looked in incredible creative form at the back end of last term too.

Kieran Trippier, Newcastle – 6.5

His starting price may have risen 1.5 from last season but the experienced English right-back still offers plenty of upside, having scored 42 more points than the next best defender last season. One goal, nine assists and 16 clean sheets was an excellent return and, despite a tough opening run of fixtures this season, he should be primed for another excellent showing.

Mid-range

Luke Shaw, Manchester United – 5.5

With the most clean sheets and third-fewest number of goals conceded, Manchester United’s defensive performance last season may have gone under the radar. Despite his nightmare debut in an Old Trafford friendly, Andre Onana’s signing should improve Erik ten Hag’s side in that capacity with Shaw set to play a key part once again. The 28-year-old takes some set pieces, offers a threat of attacking returns and scored more points last season than his Liverpool rival, Andy Robertson, who is 1m more expensive.

Pervis Estupinan, Brighton – 5.0

The 10th most points from defenders last year (128), a goal and seven assists was a great return. The left-back has a gentle start to the season with four of the favourites for the drop including Luton, Wolves, West Ham and Bournemouth in Brighton’s first six games.

Pedro Porro, Tottenham – 5.0

Pedro Porro quietly assembled an impressive debut fantasy half-season for Spurs after arriving in January. With three goals and three assists from just 1,132 minutes, you could be looking at a top-five defender under Ange Postecoglu if things break right. Pervis Estupinan, a comparable full-back alternative, played 2,674 minutes last season for Brighton in the Premier League, finishing with the 10th most points, if Porro replicates that game time with last season’s output, he’ll score 139 points, enough to rank sixth among defenders last year.

Fantasy Premier League: 30 players you must consider for GW1

DONE DEAL! Everton sign young Portuguese forward Youssef Chermiti

10:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

We mentioned that it had been a slow summer at Goodison Park earlier but Everton have this morning confirmed the signing of Youssef Chermiti, a talented young striker who has been impressive since breaking into Sporting Lisbon’s first-team set-up this year.

“Youssef is a talented young striker who can add a different dimension to our squad,” Sean Dyche says of the forward. “He is still a teenager who is learning his game, which we will be mindful of, but we think he has the raw talent and ingredients to be a very good player and that’s why we are pleased to have signed him for Everton.”

Chermiti himself said: “It’s a big move for me. Joining Everton is a new beginning, a new page and I’m very happy to be here. It is a beautiful city and a beautiful club.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the fans, my new teammates and to get to work with the coach. I want to embrace everything about the club.”

Eddie Howe still targeting one more addition to his Newcastle squad

10:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Newcastle have already brought in Sandro Tonali, Tino Livramento and Harvey Barnes this summer but the club are still on the hunt for one more signing, Eddie Howe has confirmed this morning, with the club needing to manage a European campaign alongside their league efforts. “I’d love one more player,” Howe said. “That’s what I’d love personally, and I think then we’d have the ideal depth at this moment with the injuries that we currently have, but let’s wait and see.

“It’s a good question,” Howe continued when asked if he had received assurances that further funds would be available. “Not 100 per cent because it depends on the deal and I think we may have to be creative with this last player.

“But it’s difficult to make that a definite because, again, it depends on injuries between now and the window shutting.”

We Are Newcastle United: What we learned from the Amazon Prime docuseries

Jurgen Klopp urges caution over Liverpool’s move for Moises Caicedo

10:11 , Richard Jolly

Jurgen Klopp has cautioned that Liverpool’s move for Moises Caicedo is not yet done despite confirming that the club have agreed a British record deal worth a reported £110 million.

Klopp said: “I can confirm the deal that the club has agreed, I don’t know what it means exactly, the player and agreement we will see.

“What changes is we have not endless resources, we didn’t expect a couple of things happening, Hendo, Fab and then it happened and we give it a go and the club was really stretched. We will see in the end.

“I have told you what I know. Besides that we cannot share, don’t praise the day before the night. Let’s see what happens.”

Jurgen Klopp urges caution over Liverpool’s move for Moises Caicedo

Inside Trent Alexander-Arnold’s new role: ‘With great power comes great responsibility’

10:05 , Karl Matchett

If there’s one thing football fans never learn from, it’s the year-to-year optimism that flourishes right ahead of a new season’s kick-off. Suddenly, regardless of disappointments or despair that came only a few months earlier, positivity and possibility reign supreme once more.

Naturally, that can ebb and flow once the campaign actually gets started, not just with results but with those within the club talking up, or down, the prospects of success.

For Liverpool fans, while 2022/23 was a year to forget as fast as possible, the regeneration in the centre of the park and promise of still-new attackers taking another step up offers the tantalising prospect of an immediate return to fighting for honours in 23/24. For that to happen, it’s almost certain that one factor needs to play out perfectly: the qualities and availability of Trent Alexander-Arnold, the team’s greatest creator and new vice-captain, must be consistently on show in the roving, scheming role he occupied in the final months of last term.

Inside Trent Alexander-Arnold’s new role: With great power comes great responsibility

Alan Shearer eager for Harry Kane to join Bayern Munich

09:52 , Jack Rathborn

Alan Shearer is keen for Harry Kane to head to the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich.

It will likely preserve his all-time Premier League record for a few more years.

Kane, still just 30 years old, is 47 goals behind Shearer’s total of 260 goals.

But Dyche feels Everton are heading in the right direction

09:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Less concerned with Everton’s summer is Dyche himself, with the manager suggesting he thinks his side are beginning to take tentative steps in the right direction.

“It looks like a gradual change because obviously you can’t change the whole thinking of a club from last season to this season with five-and-a-half weeks pre-season and a close season of similar length,” Dyche said yesterday ahead of Everton’s opener against Fulham.

“But I think we are beginning to make steps in the right direction, rebalancing the squad on the pitch looking for that mixture with younger players as well as older, experienced players to find a healthy balance.

“In my time here we have done enough good work to make sure we stayed in the division, that was the biggest challenge, and then, from there, can we take some of the stuff we learned from that and improve? That’s the first step.

“I have confidence. Having a pre-season with the players and rubbing off more with what we expect from them and some of the things we think is important.

“So far during pre-season it has been pretty solid with some good performances and a good energy and belief in what we are doing. We want that to go into the first game, and beyond. The truth of it will be when the whistle blows.”

Everton’s summer of stasis leaves Sean Dyche with a salvage job on his hands

09:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s been a slightly odd summer for Everton, maintaining their place in the top flight by the skin of their teeth last season but strangely inactive in the transfer market. As Sean Dyche prepares for his first full campaign in charge. Richard Jolly tries to figure out what exactly the Merseyside club might be this season.

Everton’s summer of stasis leaves Sean Dyche with a salvage job on his hands

‘Pundits, prepare to eat your hats’: Airport backs Luton Town with giant flight path message

09:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Inspired appointment Vincent Kompany repaying Burnley’s gamble

09:30 , Richard Jolly

Long before Burnley’s charge to the Championship title brought a century of points and perhaps even more plaudits, Alan Pace experienced a different kind of charge. It was a more unwelcome sight. Some 15 months ago, before the game against Newcastle that decided their destiny, the Burnley chairman declared they would remain in the Premier League “for a long time.” A couple of hours later, they were relegated.

Cue the rancour. “To have people come up to the directors’ box on their way out and almost charge at the directors’ box, and yell and scream and tell you to eff off and go die, I don’t think people are really ready for that,” Pace reflected. “I know I wasn’t. And then walking down the street and people are waving with one of their five fingers and yelling stuff. The hardest part was being with family when people were telling us to go home: this is home.” It is safer for him to show his face in public now. “It is way, way better when things are going well. People are very respectful and kind.”

Inspired appointment Vincent Kompany repaying Burnley’s gamble

Referees chief Howard Webb explains exactly why more added time is here to stay

09:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Raphael Varane and Kevin de Bruyne have both questioned the logic of placing further demands on already exhausted players, but it appears the extended periods of additional time at the end of Premier League games are here to stay.

Referees chief explains exactly why more added time is here to stay

Pep Guardiola expects Man City’s standards ‘to drop’ this season

09:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Pep Guardiola claims it is inevitable standards will drop at Manchester City following last season’s treble success.

The City boss accepts it is unlikely his team will be able to match the intensity that saw them pick up the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League trophies last term as a new campaign begins.

The Spaniard wants to make sure City pace their challenge for further silverware and is not even thinking about an end goal yet.

“We are going to drop that’s for sure,” said Guardiola, whose side begin their quest for a sixth domestic title in seven years at Burnley on Friday.

“It’s inevitable a little bit. We’ll try to avoid it as much as possible. Now it’s (about) not dropping too much – staying there, staying there, (being) close to our rivals.”

Pep Guardiola expects Man City’s standards ‘to drop’ this season

The factors which could stop Man City making Premier League history

09:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Manchester City get their season up and running with a short trip to Burnley this evening, Pep Guardiola ready to re-acquaint himself with Vincent Kompany as the Belgian prepares to take charge of his first game in the English top flight. A fourth consecutive Premier League crown would be unprecendented – Richard Jolly has been digging back through the history books to try and explain why.

The factors which could stop Man City making Premier League history

Ange Postecoglou has a rebuild mandate – but Spurs’ Harry Kane tactics are only harming themselves

08:55 , Karl Matchett

As the curtain went down on last season, one of the clubs facing most uncertainty over the immediate direction they would, or indeed could, take was Tottenham Hotspur.

It was clear that their second interim manager of the campaign, Ryan Mason, wouldn’t be in charge; who was to take over and try to – yet again – restructure and rebuild the underperforming team was a mystery. It was clear that a new sporting director had to be appointed given Fabio Paratici’s ban and departure; who they would land to fill the void was unclear. And above all, it seemed that both captain and vice-captain would move on from tthe playing squad: Hugo Lloris’ last involvement saw him subbed midway through the drubbing at Newcastle and he was outspoken over summer over his “desire” to depart, while star striker – and most valuable asset in every sense – Harry Kane has just a year left on his contract and many suitors keen on his talents.

And yet, in what can only be described as very Tottenham-esque fashion, both Lloris and Kane remain at the club on the eve of the new season, new boss Ange Postecoglou handed the task of rebuilding a team without fully knowing if the spearhead of it will in fact remain past the next few weeks.

Postecoglou is in rebuild mode – but Spurs’ Kane tactics harm themselves

Fantasy Premier League: 30 players you must consider for 2023/24 season

08:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Remember to set your FPL gameweek 1 teams today – a Friday night fixture means an early deadline as the new season begins. Our writers have picked out the 30 players you should be targeting for fantasy success.

Fantasy Premier League: 30 players you must consider for GW1

Another twist in Harry Kane saga?

08:40 , Jack Rathborn

And Miguel Delaney, our chief football writer, has more detail on what might be holding up the completion of Kane’s transfer.

Harry Kane waits on Bayern Munich move as Tottenham talks continue

Another twist in Harry Kane saga?

08:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Some more news on Harry Kane’s potential move to Bayern Munich, which now would appear to be in doubt. Kaveh Solhekol, of Sky Sports, is reporting that Tottenham may be attempting to alter the terms of the deal they agreed with the German club yesterday:

Premier League 2023/24 predictions: Champions, top four, relegation, best signing, top scorer and more

08:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The Premier League is back ahead of a new season with different teams emerging as front runners and the prospect of top players leaving European football.

But there is plenty of intrigue surrounding Arsenal and whether they will be able to push champions Manchester City again, especially with their lucrative spending and the addition of Declan Rice.

Liverpool will hope that their last campaign was more of a blip with Chelsea also looking to firmly leave the 2022/23 season in the dust. There will be questions concerning Newcastle who surpassed expectations to qualify for the Champions League last time round, as well as Tottenham who finished outside the European spots.

While there is great uncertainty at the bottom, with Nottingham Forest looking to avoid a second-season dip, and Luton just looking to survive.

The Independent’s team of writers have made their predictions for the next season:

Our writers predict how the Premier League season will unfold

Chelsea make Romeo Lavia bid in attempt to beat Liverpool in transfer race

08:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Could that see Chelsea pivot to Romeo Lavia as their primary midfield target? Todd Boehly and co. have tabled a bid for the Southampton youngster.

Chelsea make Romeo Lavia bid in attempt to beat Liverpool in transfer race

Liverpool agree £110m deal to sign Moises Caicedo in British transfer record

08:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And another player set for a mega-money move is Moises Caicedo. The Brighton midfielder has long an object an interest for Chelsea but Liverpool have swooped in with an offer that would set a new British transfer record.

Richard Jolly has the latest:

Liverpool agree £110m deal to sign Moises Caicedo in British transfer record

Harry Kane set for Bayern Munich move after making Tottenham decision

08:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s officially day one of the new Premier League season, with Burnley and Manchester City ready to raise the curtain at Turf Moor this evening, but the morning stories are all transfer related, with a couple of big bits of breaking news overnight.

The first concerns Harry Kane, who it would appear is Munich-bound, as Miguel Delaney reports.

Harry Kane set for Bayern Munich move after making Tottenham decision

The Premier League is having an identity crisis – but one thing can save it

08:12 , Miguel Delaney

If the Premier League is to become a title race between Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta once again, it will not be the only way they stand apart. They are two of the only people in the competition who seem to think anyone other than Manchester City can win the title. Even Guardiola’s opinions on that have to be viewed with some caution, however, given the performative humility he occasionally displays.

A tight title race certainly isn’t what the Catalan expects from his City players on the eve of the season. Guardiola is demanding more perfection.

Some of the other public comments on the issue from Jurgen Klopp and Erik ten Hag are similarly for the benefit of their own squad, but it should still be notable for the Premier League that the managers of its two biggest clubs are now so open about how closed off the title is.

“Nobody besides City can have the real target to become champions again this year,” the Liverpool manager said. Ten Hag totally echoed that, saying that only City have the right to talk about the title.

This may not exactly be the most thrilling preface for a season currently selling itself as the “greatest show on earth”, but that’s sort of the point. The issue poses an identity question for the Premier League, especially given how it has surged clear as the planet’s most popular sporting competition. The extravagant expenditure in this window is further testament to that – but does all this show it is no longer living up to this “unique selling point”?

The Premier League is having an identity crisis – but one thing can save it



source

Recommended For You

About the Author: soccernews