Summer Transfer Window 2013 (General)

[Sarb]

Yup.

He's been very open about wanting to sign for Real - he wanted to go there before he signed for City but there was no offer on the table.

I hope Arsenal don't have a big remodel although if that's true - Jovetic and Higuain - they would still have the weak midfield and dodgy defence so it wouldn't really change anything.

I wanted them to miss out on 4th because I could see them spending a huge amount of cash this time

[Captain Stu]

I wanted them to miss out on 4th because I could see them spending a huge amount of cash this time

Snap.

I wanted both Arsenal AND Spurs to miss out on 4th but, seeing as that wasn't going to happen, I'd rather have Spurs missing out really.

But yeah, Arsenal getting into fourth so narrowly might make Wenger spend... but I couldn't see him spending the mooted £70M because it's just so unlike him.

[red g]

Snap.

I wanted both Arsenal AND Spurs to miss out on 4th but, seeing as that wasn't going to happen, I'd rather have Spurs missing out really.

But yeah, Arsenal getting into fourth so narrowly might make Wenger spend... but I couldn't see him spending the mooted £70M because it's just so unlike him.

Definitely think Spurs are the lesser of 2 evils

[Captain Stu]

Definitely think Spurs are the lesser of 2 evils

We're closer to Spurs than we are to Arsenal, realistically.

[Fosterbloke]

We could be left behind

Based on what? Other clubs splashing money on overrated players?

[cream]

Based on what? Other clubs splashing money on overrated players?

Yup, we just need to concentrate on what we are doing, forget what everyone else is doing.

[Chazza]

Graham Hunter was on the radio this morning saying that Pellegrini is trying to persuade Isco to join City with him.

Madrid were thought to have wrapped up the deal but Isco loves Pellegrini so might go with him.

[danperkins]

Isco would be some coup for City.

[Shaggy]

Tottenham target Leandro Damião and Roberto Soldado for next season

• Scott Parker and Tom Huddlestone available for transfer
• Gareth Bale 'very disappointed' to miss out on top four

Tottenham Hotspur hope to demonstrate their ambition remains intact despite a failure to reach next season's Champions League by renewing their efforts to sign the Brazil forward Leandro Damião and seeking to pair him with Valencia's Spain international Roberto Soldado.

The pursuit of both strikers, coupled with the confidence that Gareth Bale will sign new terms to remain at White Hart Lane for at least another season, would satisfy the manager, André Villas-Boas, who has called for the club to "raise the bar again" before next season. They missed out on the top four this time despite amassing an impressive 72 points.

The Portuguese said in January that Leandro "fits the profile" of a potential recruit and attempts were made during the winter window to secure their long-standing target. Tottenham enjoy a close relationship with the 23-year-old's club, Internacional, whose president, Giovanni Luigi, suggested this month that Spurs had resumed dialogue over a move for a player who has 16 caps. A price of around £16m has been mooted, with the Brazilian club apparently now braced to lose the player to the Premier League.

Securing his signature would represent something of a coup, though the desire to play him alongside Soldado is particularly eye-catching. The Spain forward, who would have commanded a fee close to £30m a year ago, has been watched by Spurs scouts this season as he has maintained his impressive form at the Mestalla. He could be available for nearer £20m should Valencia fail to qualify for the Champions League.

The 27-year-old started his career with Real Madrid but after a productive spell at Getafe, has thrived at Valencia after joining as a replacement for David Villa. He has 27 goals in all competitions this season. Spurs had also expressed an interest in the Queens Park Rangers forward Loïc Rémy, though it remains to be seen if that will be maintained with the player on bail following his arrest on suspicion of rape, a claim he denies.

The Spurs chairman, Daniel Levy, hopes to construct a team around Bale with the Wales international, who is happy to remain at White Hart Lane, expected to sign improved terms that will keep him at the club for next season at least. There will be a buy-out clause inserted which could lead to him moving abroad should an offer in excess of £50m be received next summer; though, by then, Tottenham hope they will have secured passage into Europe's elite competition.

Bale, who scored his 26th club goal of the season in the 1-0 defeat of Sunderland on Sunday, has expressed his frustration at the club's failure to reach the Champions League. "It was obviously great to sign off with a great goal in the last minute, but circumstances made it hard to celebrate," he said.

"To miss out on our objective [Champions League qualification] is very disappointing. It was great to get the win but the clouds just came over and made it a little bit duller, but it's something we have to learn from, we are a young squad, and we will take it into the future."

Bale is due to play for Spurs against Jamaica in a friendly in the Bahamas on Thursday.

There will be significant outgoings at Tottenham, too, with a number of senior players effectively available for transfer. Their number include the England internationals Scott Parker and Tom Huddlestone, as well as Emmanuel Adebayor, who managed only five league goals all season following his permanent move from Manchester City. William Gallas, 35, will leave under freedom of contract.

Spurs are also believed to be preparing moves for Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Tiago Ilori, Kolo Toure, Iago Aspas and Song Heung-Min.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/may/22/tottenham-leandro-damiao-roberto-soldado?CMP=twt_gu

[Gibbo]

That last line

I actually think Soldado would be a better choice for Spurs than Damaio

[Fivex]

Good work.

[MrMichael]

Lol

Spurs have been trying to buy Damião for what seems like years and years*, are they ever going to sign this guy?



*Which is excessively odd as I can't remember him actually being linked with us at any point

[RedReet]

Lol

Spurs have been trying to buy Damião for what seems like years and years*, are they ever going to sign this guy?



*Which is excessively odd as I can't remember him actually being linked with us at any point

Think we were linked briefly.

I know Lucas definitely came out and said Damaio would be his No.1 target for us.

I haven’t seen him play I don’t think, but I desperately wanted him for the above reason.

[Neil Young]

Try saying Damião in a Birmingham accent.

[RedReet]

You are just highlighting his name because I spelt it wrong, aren't you?