Chelsea join Manchester United in pursuit of Danny Rose, but despite selling Kyle Walker, this is a completely different scenario for Tottenham.
Antonio Conte has turned his attention to Rose with a deal for Juventus’ Alex Sandro looking unlikely, while the Red Devils are long-term admirers of the 27-year-old.
Antonio Conte, manager of Chelsea.
Spurs still have a reputation of being a selling club despite being the most successful Premier League side over the past two seasons with two second-placed finishes.
Many are citing Kyle Walker’s £50m (BBC) transfer to Manchester City last month as a reason as to why fellow full-back Rose could leave too, but the two situations are entirely different.
With rumours of unrest, Walker was already being phased out of the team by manager Mauricio Pochettino towards the end of last term and Kieran Trippier proved himself as a more than adequate replacement at right wing-back.
Tottenham therefore knew they could live without the England international and master negotiator Daniel Levy still managed to squeeze enough cash out of the Citizens to make the 27-year-old the most expensive Englishman ever.
Rose, in contrast, remains an important part of Pochettino’s plans – despite having not played since January due to a knee injury – and at the same age as Walker, should cost at least as much if not more if he were to leave.
That is irrelevant, though, as the North Londoners do not want to sell and until the defender expresses otherwise, the Blues and United will have to look elsewhere – with the lure of doubling his £65,000-a-week wages perhaps being their final bargaining tool.
Pablo Zabaleta of Manchester City (obscure) and Danny Rose of Tottenham Hotspur (R) battle for possession.
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