PSG step up chase for AVB after Real agree deal to capture title-winning boss Ancelotti



Paris St Germain will resume their pursuit of Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas.



The French champions have struck an agreement with Real Madrid over Carlo Ancelotti and will begin the task of replacing him.

They are understood to have spoken to Villas-Boas’s agent, Carlos Goncalves, and have other names such as Roberto Mancini, Michael Laudrup and Guus Hiddink, despite his contract renewal at Anzhi Makhachkala, to consider.



Wanted man: PSG are preparing to make their move for the Tottenham boss this summer

Villas-Boas has emerged as the prime candidate after a series of discussions between PSG president Nasser El-Khelaifi and his advisers.

The 35-year-old Spurs coach earned recognition last season for the way he rebuilt his reputation after an ill-fated spell at Chelsea.

Qatar-backed PSG are one of the richest clubs in the world, and have the finances and transfer funds to attract a top manager.



Although Tottenham failed by one point to clinch a Champions League place, their record Premier League points total, their pleasing style of play, and the development of Gareth Bale have made Europe’s elite take notice.

The Portuguese, who is still the youngest coach to win a European title from his time at Porto, has been mentioned at Real Madrid and Napoli as they sifted through contenders for their own management positions.

Bale, too, has lauded the manager's influence on his progression this season.

Villas-Boas was understood to be frustrated that he could not bring in some of his desired transfer targets last summer and in January, notably being left short on options in attack.

Work is well under way to attract the high-calibre players he wants and offload those he doesn’t, with Tottenham also ready to bring in Franco Baldini as technical director to aid recruitment.

Reputation rebuilt: Spurs boss AVB is wanted to replace outgoing boss Ancelotti

Chairman Daniel Levy will be reluctant to lose Villas-Boas and is understood to have a substantial release clause on a man who still has two years left on contract, with a figure of around £10m mooted. However, that should not pose a problem for PSG’s wealthy owners.

Should Villas-Boas depart, it is sure to have a significant bearing on whether Bale stays at White Hart Lane with Real Madrid poised to bid.

Bale said: ‘He has helped me in all aspects of my game. He is a young manager and he has got a great past at Porto. Maybe not so much at Chelsea but given time, like he has been this season, he has shown what a good manager he is. It has been a very exciting time for the club.’