I'd say that the most positive sign that the Paulinho deal's done is David Luiz's comments about him. Chelsea's glut of Brazilians might actually have helped to convince him to move to London.
Adam Suter has been spot on with info. People on here had their doubts about him, but he's been very accurate over the 6months or so I've followed him for. He's been claiming that Paulhino has been done for over a week and that no one else will get him. He's also been saying that the deal between spurs/barca/D. Villa is simply down to the player making his decision.
The Fail attributes this quote to Paulinho, though I've no idea if it's accurate: 'It is important for the team and the Brazilian fans that at the moment all my focus is on winning the Confederations Cup - but after the tournament is finished I hope it is a deal that can get finalised quickly,' 'To play in England for a great team like Tottenham is a dream. What I respect about Tottenham is the ambition they have shown. 'This summer there has been interest in their coach and their best player (Bale) - and they have been clear they both are not going anywhere. 'When my agent made me aware that Tottenham were interested I knew it would not be a move that I could turn down.' Sounds a bit too good to be true, doesn't it? Exactly what we'd want to hear, both about the player himself and about Bale.
apparently it all is though PNP. If that's the case and Levy has told the likes of paulinho that Bale wont be sold, only to sell him on deadline day.... well, he's gonna have a lot to answer for. I'm getting the impression that Villa is all but done too. Despite what the "goal.com" report says, apparently offer has been accepted and so have is personal terms. Supposedly we're now pushing for an answer out of him. - which to me, doesn't sound like he is too keen to play for us. But then again, he's at Barca, so that's not really a surprise!
YV - Reckon Belhanda is a pretty versatile and talented individual. There are a few clips out ther which show his creative passing as well as the strong, direct running. I think he would be worth a punt at £8m or whatever the currently quoted figure is... http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FeXml63fgIM
Apparently, Villa's representatives were at Spurs training ground recently and were impressed with how things went. It would be an absolute dream signing if Villa joined in my opinion. I've been a huge fan of his for years, head and shoulders above 95% of striker in Europe and to have him at WHL would just be unreal. On the non-Spurs front, Norwich look like they could be in for a good window with a new strike duo coming in. Having already agreed deal for van Wolfswinkel earlier in the season - a player who's previously been linked with top clubs like Utd - PSV announced that they've accepted a bid from Norwich for Ola Toivonen, who's a very good player too. Delighted to see Chrissy Hughton get some backing, if the Toivonen deal goes ahead, Norwich could well be a team to watch next season and COULD challenge for a top 7/8 place I reckon.
I wonder how much contact Hughton maintains with people at Spurs? We were heavily linked with both of those strikers in previous windows Norwich struggled to score at various points during the last campaign, so they could really kick on if that pairing works well.
I reckon there's a lot of contact. Especially as we let Norwich have Bassong for what I thought was a considerably low price, it wouldn't surprise if people at the club perhaps give tips/ ideas/ recommendations to Hughton too.
The relationship between the two clubs is excellent, we possibly have a better relationship with Norwich than we do with any other PL club. On a social note, I think I mentioned on here before how Delia Smith presented Harry Redknapp with a cake she had baked for him and his wife, when spurs went there. Nice people, nice club and good to see they look after Chris Hughton.
Belhanda's available for around £8m, which could easily be absorbed with player sales (namely Huddlestone, Falque and Livermore) whilst we look to spend on Paulinho and TWO STRIKERS.
Thanks, he's not a player I've seen outside of the odd Youtube highlights and most of them were like the first half of that video. With Paulinho coming in I'd be surprised if got another midfielder in anyway.
Another reason to sign Belhanda is the fact Villa have made a bid, and iff he has one season we'd have to pay treble what Villa paid for him judging by what they're asking for Benteke.
If the bold bit in particular is true then it proves the stance of keeping Bale is correct. Not only do we retain a great player but then we use that player to attract new talent. It also makes transfers easier as the player we're after wants to play for us more than if we didn't have Bale. If we achieve Paulinho and Villa by mid-July then that's a great start. A first XI of Lloris, Walker, Vertonghen, Kaboul, BAE, Lennon, Paulinho, Dembele, Sandro, Bale, Villa is fantastic (with perhaps Walker and BAE the only slight weak points). I'd think our remaining transfer activity would focus on a single striker (a younger, naturally talented striker) and then clearing deadwood out (perhaps looking to get another CAM and/or fullback if one became available)
Lets face it, its the first thing a top player thinking of coming here would want to know, 'is Bale staying, not signing if you're selling him'. If the Brazilian does sign, he's not coming here as part of some iffy rebuild. If David Villa says yes, it won't be far off the feeling I got when we signed Klinnsmann, what a boost around the club for the younger players to see how a player of his calibre goes about his work.
Where are Spurs getting the money for signing these players? I imagine Paulinho and David Villa between them will cost close to £30M and that is before agent fees, sign on bonus and wages are discussed. When you consider that a new stadium is being sought after and you recently disclosed a year ending loss (albeit a minor one) recently, and FFP around the corner with another season of no CL football, I am struggling to see how you can afford making these kind of signings unless Bale is being sold. And I am not saying for one second Bale is leaving, I believe he will stay, which is why I don't know how you can afford these players.
new prem money, £35m for luka + standard yearly spend. I highly doubt we will lay out any more, I think any buys on top of this will come from selling livermore, Benny, Gomes, Parker, Falque,Thud and Dempsey. they should raise about 30m themselves.
Money left over from last window (we received more than what we spent, mainly because of the Luka deal) + transfer budget for this window + TV/ Prem money + money from players set to be sold (we've already saved around £110k a week of wages by releasing Gallas and Bentley). And maybe Joe Lewis will add a few extra £s. After Paulinho and Villa (if they do happen of course), I doubt we'll do much more business bar a few bargains/ freebies, so taking all that into consideration, like most windows, our net spend won't actually be that high.
I would think this may have something to do with why Premiership clubs in general are spending, or considering spending more... http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/nov/12/premier-league-tv-rights-5-bn
