Vulture Watch As per C. Kane's post in the Ex-Spur thread, Stoke have told Kevin Wimmer not to report back for their pre-season tour Considering they were quoting Hannover £12m to make the loan permanent (which was scuppered by Hannover's relegation), with him getting frozen out it's certainly possible for us to re-sign him and still be in profit due to what Stoke paid for him even if we pay the price quoted to Hannover Worth a punt?
Tonight, this from Pepe Elias, a local journalist, acknowledged to have strong connections with the Real Betis boardroom... "Tottenham and Real Betis have approached positions for the transfer of Giovani Lo Celso, for which the Spurs, with the intermediation of the agency of Israel Pini Zahavi - who brought Neymar to PSG - already offer 68 million euros, close to 75 that Betis has set as a price to let the Argentine go. The Celso is still in Brazil, where on Saturday he will play with Argentina for the third and fourth place in the Copa América against Chile, so no news about his future is expected until next week, when his participation in the tournament. Tottenham Daniel Levy, meanwhile, does not waste time, after having been almost two years without signing any player due to the construction of the new White Hart Lane, where he has invested around 1,000 million euros. A couple of days ago he closed the signing of Tanguy Ndombelé (Olympique de Lyon) for more than 70 million euros and, as we have been able to know, is now involved in the signing of the international sub 21 Dani Olmo, new European champion with Junior , Fabián and Dani Ceballos. The Catalan end, formed in the quarry of the Barça and that militates in the Dinamo of Zagreb that directs the exbético Nenad Bjeliça, with which it has two years of contract, is close to being transferred to the Tottenham by about 25 million euros, because there is already agreement with his representative, Juanma López, and the deal with the Croatian team is about to materialize." The likely, imoending deal for Lo Celso in unsurprising but the Dani Olmo rumour is a new one on me. We're gonna have to shift some non-HG players this summer!
Spooky. Had literally watched some YouTube clips of him the other day (had no idea we were even linked, just seeing what he was about as he’s got a bit of hype).
So much for the alleged £88m release clause. "Tottenham Daniel Levy, meanwhile, does not waste time, after having been almost two years without signing any player due to the construction of the new White Hart Lane, where he has invested around 1,000 million euros. A couple of days ago he closed the signing of Tanguy Ndombelé (Olympique de Lyon) for more than 70 million euros and, as we have been able to know, is now involved in the signing of the international sub 21 Dani Olmo, new European champion with Junior , Fabián and Dani Ceballos. The Catalan end, formed in the quarry of the Barça and that militates in the Dinamo of Zagreb that directs the exbético Nenad Bjeliça, with which it has two years of contract, is close to being transferred to the Tottenham by about 25 million euros, because there is already agreement with his representative, Juanma López, and the deal with the Croatian team is about to materialize." Whoa, that is some ITK claim there. Makes chatter on players like Grealish seem like schoolboy stuff.
A quick note on release clauses: Atleti actually paid more than the release clauses in João Felix's contract, mainly so they could pay in installments rather than a lump sum
Lot of rumours flying around here this morning. AS are reporting that we’ve reached agreement on Dani Olmo - Spain under 21 intl. Mundo deportivo. Say we have submitted a €68 mill bid for Lo Celso. AS claims Poch has persuaded Ceballos to join us. Though that could be a loan deal.
That one has gone under the radar if true. "Mundo deportivo. Say we have submitted a €68 mill bid for Lo Celso." Fee seems believable (although claims are that Betis want much more) . If true, it could come down to payment T+Cs (how much up front in particular) . "AS claims Poch has persuaded Ceballos to join us. Though that could be a loan deal." Allegedly loan but Spurs want option to buy at the end of it. IMHO the only way that could be a buy is if Eriksen is leaving (swap +/- cash ?? ) .
If we do sign both Lo Celso and Ceballos to add to Ndombele then I’d say that guarantees (we expected it anyway) that Eriksen’s off and also further strengthens the idea that we will indeed go 433 this coming season. Ndombele, Lo Celso, Ceballos, Sissoko, Dier and Winks would be too many to compete for just two spots but three spots makes it more feasible (excluding Wanyama I as I think he’ll be off whilst I can see Alli deployed as a wide forward where he’s featured in past seasons). Very good strength in depth if we pull them off. Olmo will then add competition on the flanks with Lucas, Son, Lamela and Alli.
Sounds great! Obviously it’s all rumour. As usual with Spurs, I’ll believe it when I see an accredited photo of them wearing our shirt. Reckon Dier could be sold if a decent bid came in.
I think 4-3-3 is our way forwards to get the most out of Son/Kane/Moura and also to fit all the midfielders in. If we sell Toby and don’t sign a CB then Dier will find a role there and as our out and out DM if and when we need one but I’m not sure he’s quite what we need at the base of the midfield all the time.
One obvious question has to be asked if the talk of Olmo and Lo Celso being imminent arrivals is true: who leaves? Considering the fact that both of them are capable of playing as an AM, CM or RW that's a very important question - not just in terms of personnel, but also tactics and formation
Despite is below par form over the last 18 months I still think he’s a pretty valuable asset so wouldn’t wanna sell him, at least not this summer. His versatility alone is huge for us. Just needs to try and recapture his old form.
I think it more or less says Eriksen’s gone. Whilst Lamela’s position will be under scrutiny due to his constant injuries. Wanyama I’d imagine will be sold. So Ndombele, Lo Celso, Ceballos, Sissoko, Dier and Winks competing for three spots. Alli, Son, Lucas and Olmo fighting for the two wide positions. There’s also versatility in the ranks. Son/ Lucas can play as a striker, Alli can play in CM, Dier at CB and RB, Sissoko at RB and RW. Covers a lot of bases which is nice.
Ceballos Watch Diario AS have reported that Poch has convinced him to join the club, having given assurances about the role he'll play within the team and the amount of playing time he'll receive Lower League Rando Watch The Irish Sun (which is, what, Rupert O'Murdoch's Hate Comic?) have reported we offered Orient £300k for centre back Dan Happe, although our bid was rejected
Such low ambition from the kid at the back of the class. 60 odd games in all competitions for a season. Plenty of game time to go around for all them, even without injury attrition.
As per Diario AS, Ceballos stated he wants forty games a season to join ...and I get the feeling that being the traditional 83rd minute sub doesn't count