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MT 30 July 2017

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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 30 JULY 2017 49 Sport SPORTTODAY FOOTBALL Inter Milan boss Luciano Spalletti against potential sale of Ivan Perisic INTER Milan boss Luciano Spal- letti says he will "strongly oppose" any move for Ivan Perisic if Man- chester United make a firm offer for the Croatia winger. Earlier in the month, United were close to agreeing a fee for Perisic, with Inter holding out for a £48m transfer fee or a deal that would see Anthony Martial head to the Serie A club. But Perisic has gone on Inter's pre-season tour of Asia, impress- ing in the 2-0 win over Bayern Munich, and Spalletti says the lack of time to find a replacement would make a transfer even more difficult. Perisic joined Inter from Wolfs- burg in 2015 and enjoyed a fine second campaign in Serie A last season, contributing 11 goals and six assists. He is 7/4 with Sky Bet to remain with the Italian side be- yond the current transfer window. "Until now, there hasn't been any important contact," Spalletti said. "There was something you al- ready know about at the begin- ning of the window (but) there was no follow-up and so, for me, the topic is over. "It's true as time goes by, it be- comes more and more difficult to replace him with another player. "I will strongly oppose the sale of Perisic if an offer comes." Ivan Perisic Mauricio Pochettino hits back at Antonio Conte over Harry Kane comments TOTTENHAM boss Mauricio Pochettino has hit back at Anto- nio Conte after the Chelsea head coach said Harry Kane would be his dream striker signing. The Italian spoke this week of his great admiration for the striker - who finished last season as the Premier League's top goals- corer with 29 goals - and claimed the 23-year-old is worth "at least £100m". Pochettino on Friday responded to the comments by demanding "more respect," as he questioned the 47-year-old's approach to com- menting on rival clubs' players. "That makes me laugh, because I don't know why people are so focused on our players and our club," said Pochettino. "At the moment, so far we know him best. Our ambition is not the same as a lot of clubs that sign and spend a lot of money. "I respect every single philoso- phy and, for me, the most impor- tant thing is to show more respect. "I like to show respect to another way and the people that behave in another way, only I expect the same from the people that com- pete with us." Meanwhile, the Argentinian re- assured fans not to feel concerned by Tottenham's lack of activ- ity during the summer transfer window and hinted signings will be made, with the club yet to an- nounce a single new arrival. The lack of transfer activity, combined with the expected im- provement of both Manchester clubs, sees Spurs available art 8/1 with Sky Bet to go one better than when second to Chelsea in the top flight last term. "We are calm but we have a very clear idea of who we want and what we need to do to achieve our target," Pochettino added. "I want to say to our fans 'don't be worried' because today there are a lot of rumours around. We will move on the market, sure, and we will be competitive like last season, sure." Mauricio Pochettino Gareth Bale agent dismisses "ridiculous" speculation over his future at Real Madrid GARETH Bale's agent has dis- missed the "ridiculous" specu- lation suggesting he could leave Real Madrid this summer. The 28-year-old is preparing for his fifth season at the Ber- nabeu, having won the Champi- ons League three times during that spell, but reports have once again linked the Welshman with a move away. However, Bale's representative Jonathan Barnett told Press As- sociation Sport: "The specula- tion is ridiculous. Stupid." Bale signed a new six-year contract with Real last October but speculation was sparked by coach Zinedine Zidane's com- ments after this week's pre-sea- son defeat to Manchester City in Los Angeles. The French- man said he could not guaran- tee Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo would all be at the club at the start of the season. "I hope the BBC (Bale, Ben- zema and Cristiano) stay for this season. I hope everyone remains," he said after Wednes- day's friendly. "I want everyone who is here now to stay...but anything can happen right up until August 31." That, coupled with Manches- ter United boss Jose Mourinho stating he was still looking for a player who can play on the wing, led to suggestions Bale could be the one to be off loaded, es- pecially with Real interested in signing Monaco's 18-year- old striker Kylian Mbappe in a world-record deal. Barnett, though, has dis- missed those claims. Gareth Bale

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