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Chelsea to spoil Tottenham's Harry Kane back-up plan after making contact with Napoli
Chelsea could scupper Tottenham's summer transfer plans after enquiring about Napoli striker Arkadiusz Milik.
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Chelsea are set to spoil Tottenham’s plans to secure a back-up for Harry Kane after reportedly contacting Napoli over Arkadiusz Milik. Spurs have identified the Polish frontman as a reliable option who can provide support for Kane, but the Blues are also monitoring the striker and could make a move this summer.
Tottenham have been short on attacking options over the past few seasons with England captain Kane their only reliable out-and-out forward.
The 26-year-old has 17 goals already this term and comfortably passed the 20-goal tally across all competitions in the preceding five seasons, with a highest total of 41 in the 2017/18 campaign.
However, Spurs struggle badly in his absence when injured with attacking midfielders such as Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura drafted in as emergency strikers.
Tottenham did have veteran forward Fernandro Llorente on their books but the Spaniard never managed more than eight goals in a campaign and left the club on a free transfer at the end of last season.
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Spurs boss Jose Mourinho is therefore keen to bolster his attacking unit and has identified Napoli ace Milik as a potential target.
Journalist Alfredo Pedulla told Sport Italia (via Tutto Napoli) that the north London club are pushing for the 26-year-old, but also reported that Chelsea and Juventus are monitoring the situation.
Frank Lampard is searching for a striker who can ease the goalscoring burden on Tammy Abraham and it is claimed Chelsea have asked for information about Milik.
However, it is not made clear whether the Blues have approached Napoli or gone directly to the striker’s representatives.
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Milik is only under contract at the Stadio San Paolo until 2021 so Napoli could look to cash in this summer before potentially losing their asset for free next year.
Pedulla states that the Serie A club cannot afford to let Milik run down his contract, while Juventus are waiting for news of any potential renewal negotiations before making their move.
As well as Milik, Chelsea have been linked with Lyon frontman Moussa Dembele, RB Leipzig star Timo Werner and Lille sensation Victor Osimhen.
The Blues are hunting further attacking reinforcements in the form of creative midfielders, with Jadon Sancho the most high-profile name linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
However, the Borussia Dortmund ace is also wanted by Manchester United and valued at £120million.
Philippe Coutinho and Kai Havertz are other playmakers who the Blues have been credited with interest in, while Lampard wants defensive reinforcements to bolster an inconsistent rearguard.
A new centre-back is desired, with Gabriel Magalhaes and Jerome Boateng two potential options.
Meanwhile, Emerson Palmieri and Marcos Alonso are expected to leave the club so Ben Chilwell is being lined up as a big-money replacement.
Leicester are expected to demand £80m for the England international – the same fee Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire last summer – so Porto star Alex Telles is a cheaper alternative due to his €40m release clause.