Today's transfer talk also includes Birmingham, Chelsea, Bolton, Cardiff, Wrexham, Blackburn and Rangers. Whether you believe any or all of it is up to you . . .
'Granted, Dudek will no doubt become second or even third choice at the Bernabeu - but he may just get a few appearances in the Spanish equivalent of the Carling Cup'
Spurs are looking to off-load some deadwood from their rapidly increasing and improving squad. First on the list today is Hossam Ghaly, who is said to be attracting attention from Birmingham City (Daily Mirror). There is no doubt that the Egyptian does possess some talent but whatever you do, Steve Bruce, do not sub him! Ghaly to Brum YEA (a figure of £7.5m has been bandied about, surely that can’t be right?)
Next we have the much maligned Wayne Routledge, also very much surplus to requirements at White Hart Lane. The winger has managed just three appearance in a Spurs shirt. Bolton were said to be interested in the 22-year old but Sammy Lee pulled out when Martin Jol insisted on getting his money's worth - £3m apparently. It seems to me that Routledge is easily worth £3m, so someone will snap him up soon enough. Routledge to flee North London YEA
Yet another Spurs player who could be on his way out is full-back Pascal Chimbonda, who according to reports is number two on Chelsea’s hit list. Should they fail in their final bid of £14m for Sevilla’s Daniel Alves (Daily Mirror), then they will come knocking on BMJ’s door (or alternatively they may call him on his mobile, or just catch him on the training ground - anyway, you get the idea). I fully imagine that Sevilla will relent, or simply Alves will just down tools and the Spanish club will be forced to part with the talented defender. Where this will leave Pascal, I don’t know - do you? Alves to Chelsea YEA, Chimbonda to stay at Spurs YEA/NAY
There are some, and I am among them, who feel that Liverpool keeper Jerzy Dudek was not exactly well treated at Anfield following his Champions League Final heroics. Apparently he has friends in high places because following the non-renewal of his contract it appears La Liga champions Real Madrid are showing a very real interest in the Pole (tribalfootball.com). Granted, Dudek will no doubt become second or even third choice at the Bernabeu - but he may just get a few appearances in the Spanish equivalent of the Carling Cup (not the San Miguel Cup surely?) to show that he is loved.
Yet again it is reported that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is about to make a winning bid for Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o (Marca). Apparently this rumour/lie very much depends on the future of Cesc Fabregas, who as far as I am aware has stated pretty much categorically that he is happy and staying at the Emirates. Eto’o to be going to Arsenal NAY! Fabregas to stay at Arsenal YEA, because let's face it, if he leaves his loss will be twice as painful for Gunners fans to take.
Cardiff City have lost interest in one former England international and focused on another. Seemingly priced out of the Robbie Fowler deal, they have snapped up Trevor Sinclair from Manchester City. The 34-year old former part-time model has had one or two good games in the last four years in Manchester but not much else so I expect City fans will not lose sleep over his departure.
Rangers are very close to picking up Wigan’s determined Scottish midfielder Lee McCullough (Daily Record). The deal is thought to be for around $2m, which seems pretty reasonable for a player with Premiership experience who will add some much-needed steel as Walter Smith’s seek to claw back the title from Celtic. McCullough to Rangers YEA - and a good signing as well!
Blackburn and Wales midfielder Robbie Savage, owner of ‘the face most in need of a slapping award’ for a record seven successive years, has hinted that one day he would like to play for and indeed maybe even manage his hometown club Wrexham (BBC Sport). The question is, is the man who is to football what Evander Holyfield is to cricket good enough to play for Wrexham? The answer to that is a resounding NAY!