Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has instructed the club's board to bring Harry Kane to the Bernabeu.

Speculation is rife about the future of the England captain, 29, after Tottenham finished a lowly eighth in the Premier League. 

That was despite their talisman netting 30 top-flight goals in a season for only the second time of his prolific career.

Failure to qualify for any continental competition has left Kane considering his options and the likes of Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Newcastle are all keen to pounce.

However, The Athletic claim Madrid are also ready to make their presence felt in the race after their own No9, Karim Benzema, finally confirmed his intention to explore pastures new.

The Frenchman, 35, has been strongly considering a lucrative offer from a Saudi Arabian club and Madrid announced his decision to move on from the Spanish capital in a statement on Sunday morning.

Now, Ancelotti has told Los Blancos president Florentino Perez that Kane would be the ideal replacement.

The Italian, 63, did not exactly pour cold water on speculation when asked about Kane yesterday.

He said: "I have always said that Kane is a great player, but he plays for Tottenham and we have to respect the player and Tottenham."

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is not actively looking to sell his prized asset but is in danger of losing Kane for free next summer when his current deal expires. 

In other news

Reports in the Netherlands suggest Ryan Gravenberch, 21, could depart Bayern Munich only 12 months after joining, with Manchester United and Liverpool on red alert.

Chelsea will make Sporting's Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte, 22, their first signing of the summer, according to Portuguese outlet Record.

The Leicester Mercury say the Foxes and Wolves will miss out on £10million-rated Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, 23, who is set to stay put at the Stadium of Light.