Spurs News & Rumour Mill

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Chimbonda set for new deal

Skysports.com understands Pascal Chimbonda is in talks with Tottenham over a new deal at White Hart Lane.

Spurs are ready to offer the Frenchman a bumper contract extension to ward off interest from rival clubs.

Chimbonda has established himself as one of the key components in Martin Jol's side since arriving from Wigan in the summer of 2006.

Chelsea were linked with a move for the full-back earlier in the summer, but Spurs are keen to keep the French international and are ready to reward him with a new contract.

Chimbonda's agent Willie McKay admitted talks over a new deal were underway and that he hoped for a successful conclusion soon.

"We are in talks over a new deal for Pascal," McKay told skysports.com.

"I have spoken to Damien Comolli (Tottenham's sporting director) about an extension for Pascal.

"Talks are going well and we are waiting until after the next match to try and conclude things."

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Tottenham have confirmed vice-chairman Paul Kemsley has left the club, on the day in which they announced their financial results to the Stock Exchange. Club chairman Daniel Levy has spoken of Kemsley's desire to focus on his America-based business interests as the main reason behind his departure.

Finances released to the Stock Exchange have revealed a record turnover and profit for the last financial year. An impressive run in the Uefa Cup, when coupled with a fifth-placed finish in the Premier League, has seen Tottenham post a turnover of £103.1million for the year ending 30th June 2007, up £29million on the 2006 figures. The club's operating profit before football trading and depreciation increased from £4.6million to £32million while operating profit before training totalled £29.7million from £2.4million for the previous year. Profit before tax increased impressively to £27.7million from £600,000 with retained profit for the year £18.9million.

[unitedfan]

It is understood, apparently, that Martin Jol will leave his position as Spurs' manager and that Juande Ramos is lined up to replace him.

[bandini]

Levy apologies to Spurs fans over Jol exit

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has apologised to fans for the club's handling of Martin Jol's departure and admits it should have been dealt with better.

Jol was dismissed after Thursday's UEFA Cup defeat by Getafe at White Hart Lane but the news it was going to happen was leaked before the game and spread quickly as the match went on.

A number of versions of the sequence of events have been reported but Levy has attempted to put the record straight in an open letter to supporters.

'Several events clearly did not happen as we all would have wished and I am the first to admit that things could have been handled differently and better,' wrote Levy on the club's official website.

He added: 'The first time Martin and I met to discuss his position was after the match, there were no discussions prior and there were none of the reported disagreements.

'We would not have, in any case, asked Martin to take charge of the match under those circumstances.

'Media speculation which preceded the game, inaccurately reporting Martin as having resigned, was in no way a deliberate measure by this club, in no way served our purposes and we have resented any suggestion that this was the case.

'Leaks (which are wholly unacceptable) and speculation accompanied the game and it is a sad and regrettable aspect that individuals get caught in their midst.'

Levy has also tried to clarify the club's transfer policy following reports that Jol's involvement in the process was limited to informing the sporting director which positions he wanted to fill and making a recommendation.

Levy insisted Jol played a big part in decisions, as will his replacement Juande Ramos.

He said: 'We have a football management group which meets on a regular basis - this is constituted by myself, Damien Comolli (sporting director), John Alexander (club secretary) and the head coach, now Juande Ramos.

'This group meets to discuss, identify and acquire players in targeted positions and to consider possible disposals.

'No player is brought into the club or sold who is not approved by the coaching staff - it would be counter-productive to buy players that won't be played.

'It is a system that Juande has worked with for years, which allows him to specify his needs and to concentrate on coaching the team whilst Damien and his scouting network seek options.'

source: ESPNsoccernet - England - Levy apologies to Spurs fans over Jol exit

[bandini]

Poyet back at Spurs as first team coach

Leeds United assistant manager Gus Poyet will move to White Hart Lane as first team coach.

The 39-year-old Uruguayan will become one of two first-team coaches alongside Marcos Alvarez, working under the north London club's new head coach Juande Ramos.

Poyet played at Spurs for 3 seasons.

[jec1]

FOX Sports on MSN - England - Spurs and Reds lining up Silva



Star Tottenham boss Juande Ramos will make a £3m move for Sporting Lisbon starlet Adrien Silva.

My opinion, he's too good for that amount. Unproven, but yet a future talent. I would love for him to stay with sporting for at least two years but with he economics of soccer....money talks!

[unitedfan]

Spurs seem to have wrapped up a deal for Cardiff defender Chris Gunter, with a fee agreed. Personal terms are still to be agreed though.

Chris Gunter is poised to join Tottenham after the Premier League club agreed a fee with Cardiff.

The young Wales international was linked with a move to Everton in the summer but now looks to be heading to White Hart Lane.

The fee for Gunter has not been disclosed, but Cardiff have granted the defender permission to speak with the Premier League side.

Right-back Gunter has impressed with his displays for Dave Jones' Championship outfit, who have struggled for consistency this season.

Gunter will join international team-mate Gareth Bale, currently on the sidelines recovering from a foot injury, in North London.

Valuation

A statement from Cardiff said: "We can officially confirm that Chris Gunter is in talks with Tottenham Hotspur over a potential move in January.

"We had received a number of offers from Tottenham concerning Chris. When the figure reached our valuation of the player on Thursday night we then spoke to Chris to inform him of their interest.

"Chris then agreed to meet with Tottenham with a view to a permanent move to the London club.

"Chris is currently in talks with the club."

[unitedfan]

Defoe: Ramos Has Given Me The Boot

Jermaine Defoe has sensationally claimed that he has been told by manager Juande Ramos that he can leave the club. A report in The Times suggests, at the same time, that Aston Villa have expressed their interest in him.

It is no secret that Defoe has been unsettled at White Hart Lane over the last year or so. He was restricted to substitute roles under Martin Jol, and the same has been the case under Juande Ramos.

There have been some opportunities for him of late, and the relations between him and the club were supposedly improving. However, a rumoured new deal was yet to be offered, suggesting that work remained to be done.

However, it has all been thrown haywire following declarations from the striker this morning.

“The manager has said I can leave if I want," he told The Sun. "But I want to prove him wrong. I want to stay here.


“He called me into his office and told me. At first, I thought it was a joke.

"I thought he was going to say I would be starting against Arsenal in the Carling Cup, which was why he didn’t give me a game against Reading at the weekend.


“But he just said ‘You can leave if you want to’. Yet I have no intentions of leaving this club because I love it here."


“I would love to sign a new contract - and I know people at the top of the club want me to stay," he continued, backing suggestions that a new deal was close.


“But no one can expect me to sign a new deal if I can’t get a game.


"All I want to do is play football. It would be great to play against Arsenal as it is such a big game.”

The Times claim, at the same time, that Aston Villa have taken the opportunity to express their interest in the player.

Martin O'Neill is looking for a new front man this winter to improve his team's goal scoring ratios, and sees Defoe as just the man to both complement and substitute John Carew.

The valuation of the player is unlikely to be less that £10-12 million, but Villa are ready to meet the price according to the report.

From Goal.com

[bandini]

Spurs poised to sign Hertha's Gilberto

Tottenham look poised to sign Gilberto from German club Hertha Berlin.

The Brazilian, 31, can operate in midfield but would also offer Spurs boss Juande Ramos an option at left-back.

An announcement could be made later today should the proposed transfer reach completion, although it is unclear at this stage if the deal would be a pre-contract or immediate.

'I'm accustomed to winning trophies with Brazil but now I'd like to do the same at club level,' he said over the weekend.

Gilberto was included in the 2006 World Cup squad for Brazil and scored in the victory over Japan, cutting in from the left and drilling his finish into the far corner.

He had a brief, unsuccessful spell at Inter Milan in the 1999-2000 season but most of his career was spent in Brazil before moving to Germany in 2004. His contract with Hertha Berlin expires at the end of the season.

Spurs have only bought Chris Gunter from Cardiff in this transfer window and look set to continue their trend of leaving business until later in January.

There is interest in Tiago from Juventus and Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing, both to bolster Ramos' midfield.

Lyon striker Fred was a target while the futures of Dimitar Berbatov and Jermain Defoe looked uncertain, although both appear increasingly likely to remain at White Hart Lane until at least the summer.

Ramos gave Defoe the skipper's armband for Saturday's victory over Sunderland as Ledley King and Robbie Keane were rested, while Paul Robinson has lost his place in the starting line-up.

Radek Cerny had not made a mistake since taking over from Robinson and the former Leeds goalkeeper has been reported to be deeply concerned over his future at Spurs.

Keane, who came off the bench against Sunderland and scored his 100th goal for Spurs, is likely to partner Berbatov in attack for the Carling Cup semi-final against Arsenal tomorrow.

source: ESPNsoccernet - England - Tottenham poised to sign Hertha's Gilberto

[Oliver_Kahn]

He would be a crap signing if you want him at LB, he would just be a faster version of Lee, since Gilberto can't tackle.

Bale at LB and Gilberto at LM might work though, actually, it would be a very good left wing

[Olzy]

Just message board rumours really.

Watford have been linked with loan moves for Gardener and Derviate?

Have you heard of these rumours?

[Oliver_Kahn]

Portuguese press is reporting that an agreement has been reached between Espanyol and Tottenham for the transfer of Kameni.

The deal is worth 6m €, Kameni will earn nearly 3 times more than at Espanyol.

------

He is an excellent, great signing if true.

[unitedfan]

It is understood that the Spurs boss has told sporting director Damien Comolli that he wants to bring in seven new players in the summer, and that means the end of the road for a number of current players.

With Tottenham targeting a push into the top five, the former Sevilla boss has told chairman Daniel Levy that only Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane, Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate and Alan Hutton are guaranteed to stay as he prepares a clear-out in preparation for a summer spending spree.

Ramos arrived in October to replace Martin Jol, and has delivered the League Cup already. He has now outlined his long-term plans for the club to the board and that could well spell the end for some of Spurs’ established stars.

Keepers Paul Robinson and Radek Cerny are coming under threat with Ramos understood to be preparing a £4 million bid for Espanyol goalkeeper Carlos Kameni. England keeper Robinson would then be free to join either Aston Villa or Middlesbrough, who are showing interest.

Also on the way out are Pascal Chimbonda, Lee Young-Pyo, Paul Stalteri, Younes Kaboul Ricardo Rocha, Kevin Prince Boateng and Darren Bent.

Others such as Jermaine Jenas, Steed Malbranque, Tom Huddlestone and even Aaron Lennon still have work to do if they are to fully convince manager Ramos that they have what it takes to push Spurs into a Champions League team.

“It seems hard on several players who have given their all this season to find themselves fighting for places but Juande has already won the UEFA Cup twice with Seville and wants to take Tottenham a stage further” an insider said.

“He looks upon only five first-teamers as cast-iron certainties. No one is saying he wants to sell the others but many of them still have something to prove to him.”

Alongside Kameni, Ramos is also looking to bring in defender Dani Jarque from the same club for around £8 million. He also reportedly has an eye on attacking midfielder Esteban Granero, who is loan at Getafe from Real Madrid.

Getafe defender Cata Diaz is also in the Spurs manager’s sights along with Argentine striker Diego Milito from Real Zaragoza.

Ramos may also be set to raid his former club Sevilla with moves for Frederick Kanoute, Luis Fabiano and midfielder Diego Capel.

A clear out at Spurs in the summer? Even the 5 players said to be fixtures there would have to be looking over their shoulders if this report is true - Jarque and Diaz, a CB and a RB, alongside 3 mentioned forwards who are all regulars at their clubs. Ramos is probably looking to carry on his policy of squad rotation, so some of it all would make sense.

[bandini]

Chimbonda hopeful of Spurs deal after Toon snub