Martin Lol

In the past week Liverpool have signed Mihail Alexandrov, Nikolay Mihailov, Dani Pacheco, Alexander Kacaniklic, Marvin Purie, Mikel San Jose, Krisztian Nemeth and Andras Simon, all aged between 15-18. They won't all make the grade but Rafa is definitely trawling through Europe to enhance the quality of youngsters coming through. http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=474874&CPID=8&clid=14&lid=2&title=Reds+land+another+starlet&channel=football_home Liverpool have continued their youth recruitment drive with another raid on Bulgaria. CSKA Sofia midfielder Mihail Alexandrov has announced that he has agreed a deal to move to Anfield. The 18-year-old told Bulgarian radio that he has already passed a medical with Rafa Benitez's outfit. Alexandrov revealed that he will finish his current youth season with CSKA before linking up with Liverpool. "Everything is done - I've passed a medical, agreed terms, the only thing left is to sign the contract," Alexandrov is quoted in the Bulgarian media. "Even in my most optimistic dreams, I never thought I would move to a club this big." Alexandrov's capture is Liverpool's second raid on Bulgaria following the capture of Levski goalkeeper Nikolai Mihailov last week. In the last week the captures of youngsters Dani Pacheco, Alex Kacaniklic, Marvin Purie, Mikel San Jose, Krisztian Nemeth and Andras Simon have all been confirmed.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=465747&in_page_id=1779&ito=newsnow £9m Defoe shock: Sunderland bid for Tottenham star Last updated at 17:29pm on 2nd July 2007 Comments Sunderland have made an audacious £9million bid for Tottenham and England striker Jermain Defoe. The move is likely to spark a bidding war among Premiership clubs for the former West Ham star. Defoe struggled to hold down a place in Martin Jol's side last season and the £16.5m arrival of Darren Bent from Charlton has put his position at the club in further doubt. Portsmouth, Aston Villa and West Ham are also interested in the player and all three have funds available to trump Sunderland's offer. Defoe, who has two years left on his Spurs contract, is not likely to be tempted by a move to Wearside, which would involve moving 300 miles from his London roots. The 24-year-old has previously indicated his determination to stay at White Hart Lane and fight for his place although his club are willing to listen to offers. Defoe's place in Steve McClaren's England squad may also be under threat if he is not playing regularly in the first team. Spurs have an embarrassment of riches in attack with Bent and Defoe joined by Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane on the squad list for next season. Egypt striker Mido is also still a Spurs player although he is almost certain to be sold this summer. Sunderland's offer for Defoe shows the scale of the ambition at the Premiership newcomers. Manager Roy Keane has promised to bring in high-quality players.

http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/kind=2/newsid=557172.html Arsenal FC have moved swiftly to replace Thierry Henry after agreeing a deal to sign NK Dinamo Zagreb striker Eduardo da Silva for an undisclosed fee thought to be a Croatian record. Four-year deal The Brazilian-born 24-year-old signed for Dinamo in 1998 from CBF Nova Kennedy and has since become a Croatian international. He has finalised terms for a contract until 2011 subject to a medical and has flown to London with Dinamo sport director Zoran Mamić. 'Excited and happy' Eduardo said: "I am excited and happy in the same time, also a very proud that I am going to play in such a big club. Every football player want to play for [FC] Barcelona, Real [Madrid CF], Manchester United [FC] or Arsenal one day and so do I. I want to progress in my career, but it is be hard to leave Dinamo Zagreb after eight years. I will miss the club, the guys...I will be back one day, but now I want to accept a new challenge." Mirko Barišić, NK Dinamo Zagreb president, added: "I think the transfer is worth €24m from the money Arsenal got after selling Henry to Barcelona." Record tally Eduardo has been the top scorer in the Croatian First League for the last two seasons, scoring a divisional record 34 goals in 2006/07 as Dinamo retained the title, taking the tally to 47 in all club competitions. A message on Dinamo's website read: "Eduardo, thank you for all that you gave to our team and we wish you a successful career at one of the most respected clubs on the world." Stadium first Eduardo scored the first competitive goal at Arsenal's new stadium in Dinamo's UEFA Champions League third qualifying round defeat last August and two months later struck against England in a UEFA EURO 2008™ fixture. Arsenal enter the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round again in August.

No stream to the UK. Free live video on Fifa's site plus video highlights too. No copyright problems either. Argentinians should have won by a hatful, would have done if the strikers had been able to kick the ball straight!

Would be a big fee, but any big number can be put to the media. The true fee has to be reported to the Stock Exchange, if the true fee is big enough. Our new #23 will be fine.

Belated revenge for Kevin Scott :lol:

Ashley has been to WHL on numerous occasons as a guest of Paul Kemsley, I said that on the day it was announced Ashley had bought Sir John Hall's shares. I was subsequently told that Ashley went to the first match at the Al Jazeera as Dein's guest. Levy and Kemsley were similarly invited but declined. As I said before, they are thick as thieves, but Dein is as much Arsenal as Shearer is Newcastle. Hill-Wood (maybe only temporarily) made one half of North London very happy when he got shot of Dein. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face! The master plan is revealed Newcastle will soon announce they are to become Spurs B. Levy has got his mate to buy Newcastle so you can finally sign Damien Duff. Your right its only a matter of time before Dein returns to the Arsenal fold. They board will have no choice but to sell before too long, the likes of Ourselves, West Ham, Villa, Man City, now Birmingham and Spuds aswell will all be better financed before too long, every club will have a billionaire backer. Kroenke and Dein know this. As for Spuds next season, your prediction should be accurate enough, although you can never tell with your lot, consistency is improving the past few years. The key is moving all the youth to the next step, something we failed to achieve. Youth is all important but you need the right mix. Too many clubs are looking too much into the future now without keeping a firm grip on the present. Spurs arent far off, providing you dont screw it up by selling Berbatov and add to his talents you shouldnt do too bad. Ashley has been to WHL on numerous occasons as a guest of Paul Kemsley, I said that on the day it was announced Ashley had bought Sir John Hall's shares. I was subsequently told that Ashley went to the first match at the Al Jazeera as Dein's guest. Levy and Kemsley were similarly invited but declined. As I said before, they are thick as thieves, but Dein is as much Arsenal as Shearer is Newcastle. Hill-Wood (maybe only temporarily) made one half of North London very happy when he got shot of Dein. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face! The master plan is revealed Newcastle will soon announce they are to become Spurs B. Levy has got his mate to buy Newcastle so you can finally sign Damien Duff. Your right its only a matter of time before Dein returns to the Arsenal fold. They board will have no choice but to sell before too long, the likes of Ourselves, West Ham, Villa, Man City, now Birmingham and Spuds aswell will all be better financed before too long, every club will have a billionaire backer. Kroenke and Dein know this. As for Spuds next season, your prediction should be accurate enough, although you can never tell with your lot, consistency is improving the past few years. The key is moving all the youth to the next step, something we failed to achieve. Youth is all important but you need the right mix. Too many clubs are looking too much into the future now without keeping a firm grip on the present. Spurs arent far off, providing you dont screw it up by selling Berbatov and add to his talents you shouldnt do too bad. Still no danger of Berbatov being sold. Bale and Kaboul signed, Bent coming in, plus (hopefully) another Englishman, another Bulgarian and a Dutchman to follow shortly. If that all happens, I'll be delighted.

I understood Grimandi headed up the scouting network in France, think he's more than just the scout in France. Comolli wanted Grimandi to be Spurs' chief European scout (but GG said no) he's highly rated, it wouldn't surprise me if he's promoted into a Sporting Director type role which would allow him to keep control of the area he's been a success at. I can't see Hill-Wood doing an about turn, Peter's never done one before nor Dennis before him. He'll go when Kroenke shows them the door.

Apparently it has all been agreed today, nothing like £17m, looks like not even being enough to disclose the details to the Stock Exchange. Still more to come.

Possibly, but I think it is more likely to be a case of Ashley asking Dein because he knows him, he's the best at what he does and he was available. Dein said no and I think that's how it will stay. I can't honestly envisage Dein working for any club other than the scum, as I said before, he turned down Abramovich and Kenyon was second choice. but that was when dein was still at arsenal.......what if his choice has to be away from there ? Dein is Arsenal through and through, he won't accept that he is finished there even if it was crystal clear that that was the situation. But the fact is that Dein is backing Kroenke (who owns a major chunk of shares) and will undoubtedly be back in charge of things if Kroenke suceeds in taking over. My opinion (for what it's worth) is that this time next year Kroenke will have ownership and Dein will have returned. If that happens, it would be fair to assume that Wenger will also sign a new contract. Would be a black time for any club with aspirations to take their place in the top 4. Maybe, a lot of momentum can be lost in a year though. Don't expect it to happen but in the current circumstances, you never can be certain. Particularly with so much cash swilling about. Think you lot should be a bit worried too. The lack of any decent challenge outside the top 5 makes Spurs look a bit better than they are. Up to Feb they were pretty poor. Financially Spurs can't cope with the backing that at least 7 clubs now have. With that tip of a ground to rebuild or relocate from it will be interesting for them too. Personally I dont care if they sink or swim, like us they have one or two good players and a plethora of mediocrity. Will be very interesting to see what happens. Not sure Jol is up to it either. He bottled it the season before last, last season was poor and only masked by the others being inept. The top 4 is going to be hard for anyone to break and Spurs have a bit of a start on us but its possible. I don't think momentum over 12 months will affect Dein's drive to achieve his ambitions, it's his ambition that have taken Arsenal to where they are now, the other directors have simply been dragged along with him. As much as I don't like to admit it, Ash is right, Dein will be back some time in the future. I've no doubt that whilst some clubs may have greater financial resources, Spurs are managing their funds well, not overspending on transfer fees or wages and that leaves them in a sound financial situation. It could be argued that Arsenal could have more financial problems than Spurs with their £250m+ debt, but that shouldn't jeopardise their performances on the pitch and likewise Spurs are healthy finacially and respectable on the pitch. A major chunk of money was raised a couple of years ago for redevelopment of WHL, there is more for the new Academy and none of that has been touched. If there is a major financial problem, there is Joe Lewis in the background whose wealth through Enic is about double Mike Ashley's worth. The fact that Enic are happy to run THFC as a profitable business rather than throwing money at players in the hope of being more successful endorses my comment that Spurs are financially sound. I personally don't agree with your assertion that Spurs should be worried about our performances for the past 2 years or in the future. The structure is in place and it works well. Well enough for Wenger to probably having to settle for Gilles Grimandi as his replacement for David Dein as Comolli, his 1st choice, turned down the opportunity. If Comolli had gone I would have been concerned but I see no cause for concern at the present time. Links have been/are being forged with various clubs in Europe and Africa, the youngsters being brought in by Comolli, whilst not as plentiful as Arsenal's, are now showing the quality that had previously been lacking. With the players Spurs have in the squad, the depth of the squad and the new players incoming, I've no doubt that Spurs will again finish in the top 6. Whether that is 4th, 5th or 6th remains to be seen but I'm no less confident about the coming season as I was this time last year.

He was a very talented youngster at 15 when he joined Spurs but was homesick and couldn't adapt to life in London. Was allowed to return to Sweden a bit less than a year after he first joined Spurs.

Possibly, but I think it is more likely to be a case of Ashley asking Dein because he knows him, he's the best at what he does and he was available. Dein said no and I think that's how it will stay. I can't honestly envisage Dein working for any club other than the scum, as I said before, he turned down Abramovich and Kenyon was second choice. but that was when dein was still at arsenal.......what if his choice has to be away from there ? Dein is Arsenal through and through, he won't accept that he is finished there even if it was crystal clear that that was the situation. But the fact is that Dein is backing Kroenke (who owns a major chunk of shares) and will undoubtedly be back in charge of things if Kroenke suceeds in taking over. My opinion (for what it's worth) is that this time next year Kroenke will have ownership and Dein will have returned. If that happens, it would be fair to assume that Wenger will also sign a new contract. Would be a black time for any club with aspirations to take their place in the top 4.

Possibly, but I think it is more likely to be a case of Ashley asking Dein because he knows him, he's the best at what he does and he was available. Dein said no and I think that's how it will stay. I can't honestly envisage Dein working for any club other than the scum, as I said before, he turned down Abramovich and Kenyon was second choice.

Ashley has been to WHL on numerous occasons as a guest of Paul Kemsley, I said that on the day it was announced Ashley had bought Sir John Hall's shares. I was subsequently told that Ashley went to the first match at the Al Jazeera as Dein's guest. Levy and Kemsley were similarly invited but declined. As I said before, they are thick as thieves, but Dein is as much Arsenal as Shearer is Newcastle. Hill-Wood (maybe only temporarily) made one half of North London very happy when he got shot of Dein. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face!

Which is pretty well what I said 3 weeks ago................. There's no doubt Ashley is thick with Dein, but he is equally thick (or possibly even matier) with Paul Kemsley, who's a director at Spurs (and one of the interviewers from hell on the Apprentice this week). Dein would be exactly the sort of person Ashley would want to front up Newcastle for him, but whether he could get Dein to give up all hope of getting back with the scum I doubt very much. I wouldn't say that was invention, just highly unlikely to happen. http://www.newcastle-online.com/nufcforum/index.php?topic=41043.msg858646#msg858646 Ashley, Dein, Levy and Kemsley may represent 3 different clubs (Dein will always be scum through and through) but they are thick as thieves and all live within a mile or so of each other in Totteridge. If Ashley had tried to get Dein to take over the reins at SJP I for one wouldn't be in the slightest bit surprised.

Answer = Dixie Dean. Who no-one has ever seen. Or Jimmy Greaves. Who someone might have. Saw him on his debut for Chelsea when he scored against Spurs and, not surprisingly, throughout his career. Easily the most clinical striker England has produced in my lifetime. But, as I said before, the best English player I've seen (albeit only 7 or 8 times) was Duncan Edwards, absolute quality, better than Bobby Moore imho. Saw Utd thrash the scum at Highbury the weekend before Munich, that was the best club side I've ever seen, better than the Spurs Double side and far better than anything else since. What kind of player was Edwards like? Me granda says he was a real powerhouse and could do absolutely anything on the pitch, absolutely anything. Tall and solid centre half, buildwise like Steven Taylor, but also had the ability to play in centre of midfield (in current terminology) and also as a Shearer style striker. Two footed, superb in the air as you'd expect of a defender, was pretty well able to play any position on the pitch. In many ways was similar to John Charles, the difference being Edwards was a defender who could play equally well up front, Charles was a striker who was equally as good as a centre half. Edwards was the undoubted star of the Busby Babes, probably followed by Tommy Taylor and David Pegg, all of whom died. Bobby Charlton by contrast, at 20, had only just started playing regularly for ManU, Edwards was 21, had played nearly 200 games for ManU and 18 games for England. To look at the achievements of Charlton and then realise he was not close to being the best of the Busby Babes gives an indication of just how good Edwards was.

Answer = Dixie Dean. Who no-one has ever seen. Or Jimmy Greaves. Who someone might have. Saw him on his debut for Chelsea when he scored against Spurs and, not surprisingly, throughout his career. Easily the most clinical striker England has produced in my lifetime. But, as I said before, the best English player I've seen (albeit only 7 or 8 times) was Duncan Edwards, absolute quality, better than Bobby Moore imho. Saw Utd thrash the scum at Highbury the weekend before Munich, that was the best club side I've ever seen, better than the Spurs Double side and far better than anything else since.

Duncan Edwards

Does he just make all of this up? The tone of what he says is amusing. As I've said umpteen times before, I can get verification but I need ITK infomation first. ITK's also saying tonght that Defoe is going back to Upton Park. I've been told quite possible but not definite. Not quite the same but on the same wavelength.

This has turned out to be a good night. Charlton have accepted a revised offer, not as much as the one before, not as much as the one in January. Bent has agreed personal terms, half what the bingo club would have paid him, and it's all done bar the medical. No announcement until 1st July, fee will not be disclosed but it's not expected to high enough to declare it to the Stock Exchange. So, first 3 of Spurs' main targets done, Wesley Sneijder next (after losing out with Nani), and the CB situation to look at again. Could all be done for £40m, Comolli has done a brilliant job!

£12m+ on a player to rotate? Don't be silly. Jol might not want to split up Keane and Berbatov...but Alex Ferguson might. 2+2=...? That won't happen. Whether he wants Defoe might get a different answer but Keane and Berbatov being split? Nah, not a chance imho.

With the number of matches we hope to be playing in the coming season, having Berba on the bench in quite a few games will be a necessity. But first things first. Spurs still have to put in a bid which is ok to Charlton, our 'absolute maximum' bid isn't enough and Charlton are talking about how great it will be to have Bent next season getting them back into the Premiership. There will be an almighty game of chicken to be played and Bent has taken the biggest gamble of all.

I don't think MJ dislikes Defoe but playing him limits tactical options, he's not the team player that Keane is, JD can only play well with Berbatov. It's the lack of options that MJ dislikes. I'm not baffled at the price, it's Egghead paying way over the top to try to avoid a repeat of last season's near miss (courtesy of nil points deduction). Spurs have made their final offer, £12.5m + 1 player nearly out of contract + 1 player on a seasons long loan. It's now up to Bent and Charlton. If Bent says I'm not going to Upton Park (which is what his agent is saying) will Charlton accept the Spurs bid? If not, will Bent take the risk of winding u in the Championship? I think Bent will eventually go to the Bingo Club in exactly the same way (as others have mentioned before) that Owen made his way to Newcastle, not by choice but by sufferance. Ledley's knees once again show that signing Younes Kaboul (although not yet announced) and actively chasing Curtis Davies also is a sensible decision. Whether Spurs actually sign Davies is still in the lap of the Gods. "although not yet announced" Your ITK bollocks cracks me up every time. It ain't been announced but that don't mean to say it hasn't happened. I said this on 1st May, probably being announced on 1st July. You've only got a bit over a fortnight to wait.

I don't think MJ dislikes Defoe but playing him limits tactical options, he's not the team player that Keane is, JD can only play well with Berbatov. It's the lack of options that MJ dislikes. I'm not baffled at the price, it's Egghead paying way over the top to try to avoid a repeat of last season's near miss (courtesy of nil points deduction). Spurs have made their final offer, £12.5m + 1 player nearly out of contract + 1 player on a seasons long loan. It's now up to Bent and Charlton. If Bent says I'm not going to Upton Park (which is what his agent is saying) will Charlton accept the Spurs bid? If not, will Bent take the risk of winding u in the Championship? I think Bent will eventually go to the Bingo Club in exactly the same way (as others have mentioned before) that Owen made his way to Newcastle, not by choice but by sufferance. Ledley's knees once again show that signing Younes Kaboul (although not yet announced) and actively chasing Curtis Davies also is a sensible decision. Whether Spurs actually sign Davies is still in the lap of the Gods.

No danger of that. It's a lot less than the £18m already offered. If Bent says he'll only go to Spurs, do Charlton accept a lower bid or take Bent down to the Championship? Spurs' only hope tbh because they are not going to bid £18m or anything like it.