Summertime is here folks, and so with it comes the annual “will he won’t he?” saga that accompanies Harry Kane after another trophy-less season at Tottenham.
The England captain has been with Spurs since 2009 – man and boy – and after a series of successful loans, he made himself the clubs’ talisman from 2014 onwards.
Kane has been the Premier League top scorer on three occasions and won the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup. But he has still never won a team trophy and, as he reaches his 30th birthday during the close season, time is running out.
A move to Manchester City is no longer on since the arrival at the Etihad of Erling Haaland, and now there are reports circulating that Kane could be bound for La Liga with Real Madrid the only likely destination.
The shock news that Los Blancos top scorer Karim Benzema is considering a move to Saudi Arabia has left boss Carlo Ancelotti prospecting for a replacement for the prolific Frenchman. Benzema has refused to confirm that he is leaving, but it looks likely and, with 30 Premier League goals in his tally this season, Kane would be an impressive replacement.
The Spanish press reports that Kane has said he would love to play for Real Madrid so fans are asking whether the England man will swap the white of Tottenham for the white of Madrid.
Benzema has had another great campaign, and he is in SBOTOP’s La Liga Team of the Year, but Los Blancos’ will need to move quickly if he does hit foot it off to Saudi.
Another England star who does seem to be ending closer to the Santiago Bernabeu is Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham with a £87 million deal apparently on the table.
And while Real Madrid need reinforcements in other areas, the La Liga 2023 betting odds for the new campaign may well take a turn towards the Bernabeu if these two England stars join Los Blancos.
Messi move in doubt
One of the biggest La Liga 2023 news stories currently circulating is the romantic notion that Lionel Messi could return to Barcelona to see out his career, and the Catalans would simply love to see Leo back at the Camp Nou.
But the move may be hitting a hitch as the Blaugrana are struggling to move Ansu Fati on, and they need that to happen for Messi to be reunited with his old mates.
Barcelona have tried to persuade Fati to move to Wolverhampton Wanderers, but the player is refusing to go even though his agent Jorge Mendes is trying to smooth the deal through.
The young Spain star took Messi’s Number 10 shirt when he went to PSG, but after an exciting start to his career, Fati has failed to kick on this season because of his fitness struggles, and head coach Xavi would be happy to see him make room in the squad.
Who will replace Busquets?
While that situation remains unresolved, another Barcelona legend is heading for pastures new as Sergio Busquets has said goodbye to Barcelona after 18 years at the Camp Nou, and the Spain star is in talks to join the Saudi Arabia league. And Xavi is on the lookout for a replacement in the center of midfield.
Reports are circulating that Barca have been watching the progress of Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, but another player who has been highlighted is Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich, who would be a superb replacement for Busquets.
Kimmich has just helped Bayern Munich to another Bundesliga title and, at the age of 28, he is widely thought to be one of the best midfielders in the world. He is extremely versatile, playing in the centre of midfield or in a deeper lying role often preferred by Busquets.
Bayern are not keen to lose their man and the player has not yet made undertones, but there will be more activity in Munich this summer which may ease a move for Kimmich.
The Bavarians were a little lucky to win the 2023 title as Borussia Dortmund choked on the last day of the campaign, and they have missed the goals of Robert Lewandowski, while Sadio Mane has had a poor season by his high standards.
If head coach Thomas Tuchel makes a big scoring striker his priority, that could be an expensive move, and he may want to bring some funds in elsewhere.
Barcelona are watching the situation closely and will be keen to replace Busquets early in the transfer window if possible. It opens for business on 1st July, but there will be plenty of negotiations going on over the next four weeks.
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