(GUARDIAN) - It's starting. Tottenham have been here before. Real Madrid have decided they want to sign Harry Kane next summer and Tottenham will know from past experiences that the European champions like to get their man.
The European champions are preparing to do a swop deal for Kane in an attempt to make Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino consider the merits of selling the best striker in England.
Admittedly, it's not Antonio Nunez they're preparing to chuck Tottenham's way. Nor is it a signed photo of Julien Faubert.
In fact, at first glance, it looks like they're being mightily generous, with plans afoot for Real to throw Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Luka Modric into the bargain - until you consider that Benzema turns 30 in December, Modric is already 32 and Bale was watching from the stands as Wales lost their decisive World Cup qualifier to Martin O'Neill's Ireland after his latest injury setback.
Tottenham may want to think carefully before agreeing to that one.
Anyway, there's no point for them to even contemplate an emotional reunion with Bale.
Not if Manchester United have anything to do about it.
They've been after the Welshman for ages - it might seem that Jose Mourinho doesn't need any more forwards, but his team could do with an upgrade on the left wing - and reckon that £89 million (S$159 million) will convince Real to sell a player whose star has slightly dimmed at the Santiago Bernabeu in recent months.
Unlike Bale and Kane, no one wants poor Mesut Ozil, whose hopes of securing a bumper deal are looking increasingly forlorn.
It turns out there's exceedingly little appetite across Europe to hand the German playmaker the £330,000 a week he wants when his Arsenal contract runs out at the end of the season.
Inter Milan and Besiktas thought about it before deciding he was too expensive, and that could leave Ozil with having to come crawling back to Arsenal with a view to reviving negotiations about getting £250,000 a week.
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is feeling smug.
Although whether he'll still have space for Ozil in his team remains to be seen.
Wenger is already eyeing up a move for the PSV Eindhoven winger Hirving Lozano, who could be theirs for £20m.
Paris Saint-Germain want to sign Chelsea's N'Golo Kante for £90m and watch him argue with Neymar over penalties.
Elsewhere, Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud is a target for Inter and Juventus, while Brighton, Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion want Sheffield Wednesday striker Gary Hooper, who would cost £6m.
Leicester City will attempt to sign Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend in January. Still, at least Mr Roy has that winger from Wolves. What's his name again? Oh, what does it matter?
