Bayern Munich ace could cross divide with Tottenham ‘interested’ in free transfer coup

The Bayern Munich star could follow in Niklas Sule’s footsteps by leaving the Allianz Arena on a free transfer, and Tottenham are reportedly interested in snapping the 26-year-old up.

Sule had been a summer target for Chelsea and Newcastle after entering the last six months of his Bayern contract. However, the center-back rejected such offers from the Premier League to link up with Bayern’s Bundesliga rivals Dortmund.

He will join BVB for free once his contract in Bavaria expires on June 30.

Bayern Legend Lothar Matthaus recently confirmed that Newcastle made a lucrative offer to land Close. He also explained the defender’s decision to move to the Westfalenstadion instead.

“It’s not about the money. I don’t think Close changes (Clubs for) money. Otherwise, they would have gone to England, ”Matthaus said.

“He had an offer from Newcastle United, where they would have earned twice as much.”

The Ballon d’Or Winner added: “In recent years, Sule has often been attacked because of his weight. And no one (at Bayern) has protected him.

Niklas Sule could be followed out of Bayern

“During his long injury break, he sacrificed himself for the club. He won the Champions League and played great games.

“And I know that (being under-appreciated) is the reason why Sule got to his team of Advisors, ‘we don’t need to talk to Bayern anymore. I want to go. ‘”

Bayern are struggling to tie down one of Sule’s team-mates, right Winger Serge Gnabry. The Germany international has been in good shape for this campaign, registering 12 goals and nine assists in 31 outings.

His current deal runs until 2023, and reports now claim Tottenham could land Gnabry for free.

According to Sport Witnesswho cite German outlet BildAntonio Conte’s side ‘show interest’ in the 26-year-old ahead of him potentially becoming a free agent next year.

Their transfer hopes are boosted by the fact Gnabry ‘likes London’, following his spell at Arsenal between 2013 and 2016.

Gnabry’s potential transfer to Spurs would see him cross the North London divide and play for both Clubs, something few stars have done.

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Tottenham players need to ‘suffer’, says Conte

Meanwhile, Conte admits they will have to make his players ‘suffer’ upon their next defeatin order to install a ‘winning mentality’ at the club.

“You have to suffer. If you don’t suffer, it means that you don’t want to improve your winning mentality, ”he said (via the Daily Express). “The situation has to be different when you win and when you lose.

“Otherwise if the atmosphere is always the same and it’s always Joy and Celebrations, I think it will be very difficult to install the right mentality, the winning mentality, in a team. I repeat – always in a balance.

“We lost two games against Wolverhampton and Southampton and then we won against City.

“The first step to change your mentality is after a loss… you have to understand that you lost a game. That is different and for sure the atmosphere has to be different. ”

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