A round-up of the day’s most interesting news surrounding the London clubs in the Premier League, including Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham.
Tottenham fans have revived their hopes of signing former Spurs hero Gareth Bale, after seemingly having any hope of a return dashed on Monday.
However, The Independent have reported that Bale is “very open” to the prospect of returning to White Hart Lane, and would be “willing to make compromises on financial demands,” to make a move happen.
The Welsh international is set to be offered £200,000-a-week – matching Harry Kane on the highest wage bracket at the club – according to The Independent.
In other Spurs news, the club are supposedly among the favourites to secure the signing of Borussia Dortmund’s American sensation Christian Pulisic, along with Liverpool and Chelsea, according to the Express.
The 19-year-old forward is one of the most exciting prospects in world football, and would go for upwards of £50 million. In today’s over inflated market, that would certainly represent good business for such a special talent.
Pulisic has amassed 12 goals and 20 assists in 97 appearances for Dortmund and is constantly developing and improving in the preliminary stages of his career.
Pulisic isn’t the only player likely to swap Dortmund for a North London club this summer.
Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos is close to joining Arsenal as Unai Emery’s first summer signing, for a reported fee of £16 million, according to Sky Sports.
The former AC Milan defender is allegedly highly rated by the Spanish manager, who is said to be keen on bolstering his defensive options following Laurent Koscienly’s serious Achilles injury.
Jose Mourinho was reported to be a keen admirer of the 29-year-old’s talents, having been in frequent contact with the player over a potential move to Manchester United (Sport 1), but it looks as though Arsenal will be his next destination.
However, things aren’t all rosy at the Emirates.
The Gunners are said to have made a late move for Brazilian midfielder Fabinho, moments before the 24-year-old joined up with Liverpool, according to Sky Sports.
There’s no question Arsenal currently have a soft centre in the team and are in need of quality midfield additions, however, their move for Fabinho came a little too late and the ex-Monaco man will be plying his trade on Merseyside next term.
Click to see Arsenal fans’ reaction to reports on Twitter.
Now across to West London.
Chelsea are close to agreeing a deal for ex-Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri, and the Italian could bring Gonzalo Higuain with him to Stamford Bridge, according to reports from the Sun.
Alvaro Morata has failed to hit the lofty heights set by Antonio Conte, after his club-record transfer of £60 million from Real Madrid – scoring just 11 goals – and the boss-to-be is plotting a move for the record-breaking Argentine.
Higuain scored 36 goals in 35 matches under the tutelage of Sarri, before joining Juventus in 2016.
Across town in East London, Manuel Pellegrini is looking to mould his new West Ham side.
The Chilean is looking to build an “attacking” squad capable of achieving loftier ambitions next term, and he has identified AC Milan forward Fabio Borini as his first summer target, according to reports from Calcio Mercato.
The 27-year-old had an impressive loan spell at Sunderland in 2013/14, scoring the opening goal in that season’s League Cup final. He returned to Liverpool at the end of it, determined to prove his worth, but made the move permanent 12 months later.
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