So the fixture list has been announced, with the mighty Spurs travelling to Newcastle United for our first game of the season, as yet no manager has been appointed by Daniel Levy, but who has been linked with our club? Matt Walsh takes the time to rate that rumour.
Name: Jan Vertonghen
Club: Ajax
Position: Centre Back/Left Back
Ok, I’m getting fairly bored of this constant speculation between the Belgian defender and Spurs now, Levy could have just sorted this out a few weeks ago.
The only problem is that, he only has a year left on his contract at the Eredivisie club, Ajax, and they are asking for at least €15m, which Levy doesn’t agree with. At all.
Hopefully the two clubs can sort out a fee for the highly rated Ajax captain, as he proved to be one of their best players throughout the season for Ajax, and had a solid game at left back for Belgium against England a few weeks back.
He’s constantly stated he wants to play for us, even without Champions League football, and even considering Harry Redknapp’s sacking last week; time will tell.
Rumour rating: 4 (out of 5)
Name: Loic Remy
Club: Olympique de Marseille
Position: Forward
Spurs have been linked with the French forward for the past two seasons, but in January it came to more than just a rumour, with an alleged ‘enormous’ bid according to the Marseille chairman Vincent Labrune.
“In January, I have two deals to manage,” Labrune told French newspaper L’Equipe. “That of Lucho [Gonzalez]… and that of Remy, who Tottenham wanted to sign. I do not think any other president in France would have refused the enormous proposal the London club made.”
So, it seems we put a bid larger than £15m, which wouldn’t be far off record transfer. According to some reports, Redknapp watched Remy earlier in the season, and then met him in Paris a few weeks after the Premier League season finished.
Remy is a talented striker, and has been likened to our rivals best player of recent times, Thierry Henry. But now Redknapp has left, will Remy still want to play for the Lilywhites?
Again, time will tell, if French head coach, Laurent Blanc, were to become Spurs boss, he may see Remy as an ideal striker to force our way back into the Champions League, however if Levy appoints AVB, he may have different transfer targets.
Rumour rating: 3
Name: Demba Ba
Club: Newcastle United
Position: Forward
The Senegalese striker took the Premier League by storm in his first full season at Newcastle United, but the signing of his fellow countryman, Papiss Demba Cisse, who revelled in his first 5 months of Premier League football, hindered his impact in the second half of the Magpies successful campaign.
Apparently, Ba has a £7million release clause, which could result in Spurs buying the forward, if they meet the required price.
Redknapp put a bid in for the striker in January when he was in the form of his career, banging in 15 goals, but instead went for the experienced Frenchman Louis Saha.
This £7million release clause only lasts for 2 months though, starting on the 31st May – 31st July, so if Spurs have a concrete interest in the striker, who would be £3m less than Man City striker Emmanuel Adebayor, then they best get a move on.
One problem with the Senegalese international is this; he has knee problems and is likely to fail his initial medical at the club, which was why Stoke declined to buy the forward.
It would have been interesting to see Ba in the second half of the season with Cisse alongside him, as that transfer seemed to dent his confidence in front of goal.
Rumour rating: 2
Name: Leandro Damiao
Club: Internacional
Position: Forward
The rumour mill is in overload regarding linking Spurs with strikers, seeing as we only have one recognised front-man on the books – Jermain Defoe.
Brazilian Damiao has been linked with Spurs for the last year, but rumours intensified during the January transfer window and after the Premier League finished, the fee is to be around £15m if we were to purchase the Brazilian striker.
The 22 year old has scored 68 goals in 112 games, a superb record for the club, with more than a goal every other game.
One problem with this transfer may be a work permit, and other clubs being interested in the Internacional target man, with Serie A champions, Juventus being linked with the young Brazilian, also the rich Parisian side PSG interested in Damiao.
Rumour rating: 2
Name: Stephane Sessegnon
Club: Sunderland AFC
Position: Attacking Midfielder/Second Striker
This rumour is a fairly new one; bookies suspended any more bets being taken on the Sunderland player moving to White Hart Lane this summer.
Before the end of the season, Redknapp stated that he admired the player, as he was instrumental for Martin O’Neill’s side avoiding relegation and establishing themselves as a Premier League outfit.
But with no current manager, I struggle to see this transfer becoming a reality, as Blanc or AVB may have other ideas on who they want to bring in, although the ex PSG player is a top talent in the game and has the flair and work rate that the Spurs fans would appreciate.
Although he could move to the Lane for a smaller price than Remy and Damiao.
Rumour rating: 2
Name: Hulk
Club: FC Porto
Position: Striker, Attacking Midfielder.
According to reports, Andre Villas-Boas is expected to become Tottenham Hotspur manager by the weekend, and may well look to hijack Chelsea’s move for the Brazilian if he has the funds to.
Right, if he has the funds to, Hulk’s buy-out clause is around €100m, Levy struggles to see investments over £20m let alone €100m.
Hulk has stated he would love to play for Villas-Boas again, one of the players that blossomed under the management of the young tactician during his reign at Porto.
If we were to sell Luka Modric and at least five or six fringe players, and Levy putting some money towards the deal, it may happen, but this is just a Spurs fan dreaming.
Rumour rating: 1
Spurs are looking at Vertonghen as a done deal, with Remy also one of the top targets this summer. But everything depends on who Levy appoints as our next manager. Levy has reportedly stated he wants a team of people discussing transfer targets, including Tim Sherwood, so any new manager would have to be prepared to have an open mind, but be forceful with his recommendations.
This summer will be a very busy one for Tottenham Hotspur.
Did I mention that Matt is on Twitter? Because he most certainly is and can be found here.
