White Hot Lines

   Gareth Bale will not be able to take part in the 2012 Olympic Team GB football team, as he has picked up a back injury.  The aggravation of a previous injury will rule him out of the tournament that would run through pre-season and might cause him to miss the start of Tottenham's league campaign.
   Spurs are supposedly looking to bring in Joao Moutinho when Andre Villas-Boas is installed as manager, with the Daily Star reporting that the fee will be in the region of £32 million, but then they did say that we would be getting £40 million for Luka Modric from Real Madrid.  Make of that what you want !!
   Chelsea are  rumoured to be ready to sign Luka Modric by offering £26 million to Spurs say the Daily Express.
   The Guardian think that Giovani dos Santos will be moving to Sevilla or Atletico Madrid, as they have expressed interest in the player previously and he is keen to return to Spain.
   The Sun claims that if he takes the Spurs job, Andre Villas-Boas will lose £11 million in compensation form Chelsea for being sacked as their manager last season.  The Portuguese coach was being paid £100,000 a week in compensation, but if he he stayed on that for the full length of his contract, he could have raked in another £10.8 million.
   Harry Redknapp told the Sun today that he wanted to sign Mario Balotelli when he was Spurs manager just before he joined Manchester City, saying he is a class player and that he had spoken to the Italian forward, but the move didn't come off.

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   Spurs confirmed that the transfer of Vedran Corluka to Lokomotiv Moscow has been agreed, but no fee was announced, although some reports put it at £5.5 million.
   The coach of the Mexican Olympic team has said that Giovani dos Santos is being allowed time before joining up with the squad to complete his move away from White Hart Lane, although no other details of his destination were revealed other than he wanted to move back to Europe.
   Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin has said he does not want to be part of a swap deal for Luka Modric and wants to stay at the Bernabeu.
   West Ham United want to sign defender William Gallas on a free transfer according to the Sun.
   Udinese's Slovenian  goalkeeper Samir Handanovic will not be leaving according to the club's technical manager TalkSport reveals, thus disappointing Spurs and Arsenal.
   Ledley King will test his knees in pre-season training before deciding if he will continue playing or take up a coaching or ambassadorial role at the club.
   TalkSport also report that Spurs target Clarence Seedorf, who has been released by AC Milan, is looking at his options while training with LA Galaxy in the USA.
   The same website claims Spurs and Liverpool are watching the situation of Ibrahim Affelay, the Dutch midfielder, who looks set to have talks with the club about his future.
   If Andre Villas-Boas is announced as Spurs manager his first task may be to replace the out-going Luka Modric, with Portuguese midfielder Joao Moutinho an option, but Porto might want £15 million for him.
   Tottenham may be looking at a £3 million bid for Crystal Palace's England Under-16 international midfielder Reise Allassani.
   The Daily Mirror carries a story saying that former Spurs manager Martin Jol is keen to take David Bentley to Fulham, either on a permanent deal or on loan.
   Also in the Mirror they claim that Tottenham may look to Port left back Alvaro Periera as competition for Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

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   It has been officially announced by the club that Joe Jordan and Kevin Bond have left the club.
   The Sun claim that Luka Modric will submit a written transfer request when he returns to Tottenham after a post-Euro 2012 holiday, which will spark a battle between Real Madrid and Manchester United for the Croatian midfielder.
   The Daily Mail claims that if he joins Real Madrid, there may be a £30 million deal which includes Turkish and former Borussia Dortmund midfielder Nuri Sahin, 24.
   The Sun also report that Jan Vertonghen's £9.5 million move to Tottenham may have hit the buffers and the central defender is set to start training with Ajax ahead of the season.
   In the Daily Telegraph, it claims that Scott Parker may need surgery on his Achilles tendon problem and that might rule him out of the start of the season.

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   Gareth Bale has extended his contract with Spurs until July 2016.  The new four year deal has been said to be worth anywhere between £70,000 and £120,000 a year to the Welshman, so it appears that the papers don't know what his new salary is.
   The Daily Mirror claims Spurs want Andre Villas-Boas to take over as the club's new manager next week.
   But the Daily Star claims want-away Marseille manager Didier Deschamps might be in with a shout of taking the job.

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   Spurs are reported to be favourites to clinch the signing of Hoffenheim's Icelandic forward Gylfi Sigurdson.  The 22 year old is believed to be costing Spurs £8 million, with an attractive deal putting them ahead of Liverpool to attract him.
   TalkSport reckon that Lazio are close to signing Spurs and West Ham United transfer target - 26 year old Turkish international striker Burak Yilmaz from Trabsponspor.
   Former Spurs defender Troy-Archibald Henville has left Exeter City for Swindon Town for an undisclosed fee.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  Lee Clark has been named as the new manager of Birmingham City ...  ... 

   The Sun claim that West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United are both keen on taking Danny Rose on loan for the coming season.
   The same paper says that Spurs will be parting company with Vedran Corluka, who will be joining Lokomotiv Moscow.
   The Daily Mail report that the deal to bring Jan Verthongen to White Hart Lane has hit a small hitch, in that the player is reported to be owed a percentage of the transfer fee paid for him, but the Dutch club are quibbling on this, although they say the deal should be completed soon.
   Ralf Rangnick, the former Schalke 04 manager has been ruled out of the running to take over at Tottenham, as he has been appointed as Director of Football at Red Bull Salzburg.
   Former Spurs midfielder Danny Murphy has left Fulham to join Blackburn Rovers on a two year deal.

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   CRIMEWATCH ... Watford striker Troy Deeney has been found guilty of affray in a fight with some students in Birmingham and has been jailed for 10 months ... Joey Barton has been fined six weeks wages for his dismissal and subsequent fracas on getting sent off for QPR at Manchester City on the last day of the season ...

   The Sunday Mirror claims that Andre Villas-Boas has a "gentleman's agreement" to sign on as the new Tottenham manager after meetings with the board and Tim Sherwood, who is to be installed as the new Director of Football at the club.
   On the other hand, the Sunday Telegraph disagree saying that nobody has yet had direct talks with the club and that Andre Villas-Boas understands that Daniel Levy may wish to interview other candidates, including Laurent Blanc, now that France have been knocked out of Euro 2012.  Former Schalke 04 manager Ralf Rangnick is also in the mind of the Tottenham board, but with a view to being taken on as Director of Recruitment.
   The Sun on Sunday put Laurent Blanc in pole position to take over from Harry Redknapp, saying that an insider has said the France manager is the favourite for the job.
   Also in the Sunday Mirror claims a source close to Gareth Bale has indicated that he will stay with Spurs for one more season.
   The same paper reports that Croatian midfielder Luka Modric will tell Spurs that he wants to move to Real Madrid despite interest from Manchester United and Paris St. Germain.
   The Sun on Sunday reckon that his former national boss Slaven Bilic could make a bid for Luka Modric now that he is to be the manager of Lokomotiv Moscow.
   There are rumours in a number of papers that Spurs are to make a move for Hoffenheim midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson having been said to have agreed an £8 million fee and offering a better deal than Liverpool, who looked to have secured his signing ahead of Swansea City where the 22 year old Icelander was on loan last season.
   Scott Parker played 94 minutes of England's Euro 2012 quarter final against Italy that ended 0-0 after extra time and Italy won 4-2 on penalties.  Jermain Defoe was an unused substitute.
   Former Spurs striker Chris Adams died today aged 84.

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   The Daily Mirror reports that Luka Modric's representatives will tell Tottenham next week that he wants to leave the club with Manchester United and Real Madrid leading the chase for the midfielder.
   Spurs, Chelsea and Liverpool will go head to head in attempts to sign Malaga's Venezuela striker Salomon Rondon, with the 22 year old said to be ready to fetch his club £20 million for his transfer.

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   The Daily Mail claims that Spurs are set to sell Luka Modric to Real Madrid, who seem willing to bid £30 million for the Croatian midfielder.

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   The Sun run a story that says that goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes wants to stay at Tottenham now that harry Redknapp has left his post as manager.
   With some sources in Portugal claiming on TalkSport that the deal to bring Andre Villas-Boas almost done to come to Tottenham as manager, but the Guardian says he is unhappy that Spurs are still talking to other parties who they are interested in.
   Former Spurs defender Anthony Gardner has joined Sheffield Wednesday from Crystal Palace.
   Former Spurs striker Mido has joined Barnsley on a two year deal from Egyptian club Zamalek.

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   Spurs have apparently been in talks with former Chelsea coach Andre Villas-Boas about taking over at White Hart Lane say the Guardian and the Independent.
   Tottenham's friendly at Stevenage has been moved back 24 hours from Tuesday 17th July to Wednesday 18th July.  Kick off is still 19:45

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   Scott Parker played all of England's 1-0 win over Ukraine in Euro 2012 Group D to help the country top the group and qualify for the quarter final.  Jermaine Defoe was an unused substitute.

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   Tottenham's fixtures see them open up the 2012-13 season at Newcastle United on 18th August with home matches against West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City to follow.  As MEHSTG is not allowed to print a list of the fixtures without paying a company hired by the Premier League to enforce against us, go to the Spurs site (click here) for a full list of fixtures, which are subject to change for TV coverage and European matches.
   Luka Modric and Vedran Corluka both played the full 90 minutes of Croatia's 0-1 defeat in Group C at the Euro 2012 finals, a result that knocked them out of the tournament.
   The agent of Ajax and Belgium central defender Jan Verthongen has said that the player is keen to come to Tottenham, even though Harry Redknapp will no longer be the manager.
   A story in the Sun claims that Spurs players will revolt against Andre Villas-Boas being appointed as the new Tottenham manager after hearing from their players that his time in charge at Chelsea was a nightmare.
   On leaving Spurs when his contract expires at the end of the month, Ryan Nelsen will join Queens Park Rangers.

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   TalkSport's website report that the Italian press have claimed Spurs have offered a three year deal to Andre Villas-Boas, although they have also considered David Moyes and Roberto Martinez.
   Roberto Martinez is the favourite for the Tottenham job in the Mail on Sunday.
   With France coach Lauren Blanc heading the competition for Villas-Boas in the Sunday Mirror.
   The Metro claim that Manchester United want to sign both Luka Modric and Gareth Bale and believe that the dismissal of Harry Redknapp will make such a move easier.
   Daniel Sturridge looks as if he may leave Chelsea according to the Sunday Mirror, with Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Spurs all interested in the England striker.
   Manchester United's 19 year old left back Ezekiel Fryers has failed to agree a new contract at Old Trafford and looks set to leave, with Tottenham favourites to beat Newcastle United to his signature it claims in the Sunday Mirror.
   Rafael van der Vaart captained Holland in their 1-2 defeat by Portugal in the Euro 2012 group game tonight, also scoring to put the team 1-0 ahead and hitting the post late on with another shot.
   Dave Mackay has left hospital after being taken ill last week.
   Steve Perryman has also returned home and is making slow progress after his heart surgery back in May.

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   MEHSTG's spin story ... Nicolas Bendtner is being investigated by UEFA for being pants.

   The Sun reveals that Harry Redknapp's coaching team were also sacked on Wednesday, namely Clive Allen, Kevin Bond and Joe Jordan, within a story that claims that the club are poised to pair Andre Villas-Boas as manager with Tim Sherwood moving up to be Director of Football.
   According to the media, Spurs have gone off the idea of David Moyes or Roberto Martinez taking over at White Hart lane, as the fans are not impressed with their credentials.
   But over at the Telegraph, they reckon that former Director of Football, Damien Comolli may be set for a return to the club, with his name being discussed among others, such as former Barcelona Sporting Director Txiki Begiristan and Dutchman Louis van Gaal.
   The Daily Mirror claims that Paul Lambert is keen to take Kyle Naughton to Villa Park after having him on loan at Norwich City last season.

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   Scott Parker played the 90 minutes of England's 3-2 Euro 2012 group game in Kyiv tonight.
   New names being mentioned in connection with the Tottenham manager's position today are former Schalke 04 manager Ralf Rangnick, Ajax coach Frank de Boer and current France manager Laurent Blanc, who will be leaving his post after Euro 2012 according to the Telegraph.  The paper also says that Daniel Levy might be looking to return to the Director of Football system that he had previously introduced at the club, with former Barcelona Sporting Director Txiki Begiristan keen on the post, after failing to be taken on at Liverpool.
   The Metro claims that Gareth Bale's agent has said that the club not having Champions League football next season is "a problem" and that clubs who are interested in him should start making bids to Tottenham, as they know the asking price, although he thought Barcelona might not be able to afford the Welshman.

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   At 03:37 this morning Tottenham announced on the club website that the contract of Harry Redknapp had been terminated.  Daniel Levy thanked the Spurs manager for all the good work he did and the departing boss said that he had a fantastic four years and was proud of what he achieved.
   The papers are awash with stories about the incident and some claim that Redknapp had been sacked while others reckon he demanded a three or four year deal, when a rolling one year deal was what was on offer.
   Other reports claim that the announcements Harry Redknapp had been making to the Press since he was not offered the England job had soured the relationship he had with Daniel Levy, especially when some came at a time when the Spurs chairman was grieving over the death of his mother.
   Of course, the speculation over the next incumbent has gone into overdrive, with the papers and the bookies installing David Moyes of Everton as favourite, with Wigan Athletic's Roberto Martinez, former Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas and former Spurs striker Jurgen Klinsmann all linked with the post.  Other named candidates mentioned have been former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez and Fabio Capello, whose departure from the England manager's post may well have precipitated the whole situation.
   Both Everton and Wigan Athletic have said that there has been no contact from Tottenham asking to speak to their mangers, with Levy ready to take his time in appointing a new manager, going through a proper process.

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   Papers run the story about Harry Redknapp's future as Spurs manager, with Everton manager David Moyes, former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas and Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez mentioned as possible replacements, should Daniel Levy choose to end Redknapp's association with the club.  Many feel that Redknapp's comments on his contract will ill-timed and with the failure of the club to hang onto third place during the early part of 2012, when Redknapp was touted as a favourite for the England manager's job, the Spurs chairman may be ready to make a change.
   Rafael van der Vaart was a half time substitute for Holland in their 1-2 defeat by Germany in the Euro 2012 group match tonight in Kharkiv.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Chelsea appointed Roberto di Matteo as their manager on a two year deal today ... the TV rights for Premier League games for seasons 2013-2016 were sold for £3.018 billion today, with BT taking two packages to show 28 games at lunchtime on Saturdays and 10 on Bank Holidays or midweek evenings ...

   Harry Redknapp has denied rumours that have appeared on the internet stating that he has resigned from his post as Spurs manager.  He told Soccernet that none of it was true and that he would not resign as he has a year left on his contract.

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   Former Spurs captain Dave Mackay has been admitted to hospital with a chest infection after falling ill on Saturday night in Nottingham.  MEHSTG wishes him a speedy recovery.
   Scott Parker started in England's 1-1 draw with France in Euro 2012, but was substituted after 78 minutes, with Jermain Defoe coming on as a sub just before the midfielder left the action in the 77th minute.
   Former Spurs winger Mark Robson has been appointed as Barnet's Head Coach.
   Tottenham will play a friendly against Valencia in the Mestella stadium on Thursday 9th August 2012 with a 21:00 kick off.

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   Luka Modric and Vedran Corluka both played the whole of Croatia's 3-1 Euro 2012 win over the Republic of Ireland tonight in Gdansk.

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   Rafael van der Vaart came on as a second half substitute for Holland in their 0-1 defeat by Denmark in Euro 2012 this evening in Ukraine.
   Brazil lost 3-4 to Argentina in a friendly in New Jersey tonight, with Sandro playing the whole game for Brazil.
   While on BBC TV at the European Championships, Harry Redknapp revealed that Daniel Levy's mother had passed away last week.  MEHSTG's thoughts are with the Spurs chairman at this sad time.

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   The Sun seems quite certain this morning that Luka Modric will be joining Manchester United for £35 million plus a further £5 million base don success and appearances. 

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   OTHER NEWS ... Steve Clarke has been appointed as West Bromwich Albion's new manager ... Hull City have named Steve Bruce as their new boss ... 

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   MEHSTG's spin story ... .

   Niko Kranjcar has left Tottenham to join Dynamo Kiev with the fee rumoured to be around £4 million.
   Spurs striker Jermain Defoe has had to return home from Poland, as his father has died in London.  Defoe is expected to return to the Euro 2012 squad at some stage.  MEHSTG wish all his family and friends our condolences at his sad time.
   Former Spurs defender and assistant manager Chris Hughton has been named as Norwich City manager today.  His assistant manager Colin Calderwood moves with him from Birmingham City.

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   Tottenham's youth team have been picked in the same group as Barcelona, Anderlecht and Wolfsburg for next season's competition.

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   The Metro claims Spurs are to make a move for West Ham United duo Robert Green, the 32 year old goalkeeper on a free transfer and the 23 year old centre half James Tomkins, who it is reported they will bid £5 million for.
   One centre half who may be leaving White Hart Lane is Sebastien Bassong, who is interested in a move to Monaco, but Rubin Kazan and Lokomotiv Moscow are both watching the French defender's situation according to the Guardian.
   West Bromwich Albion's 25 year old midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu has told the Press that his agent is already speaking to the likes of Tottenham and Newcastle United about a move away from the Hawthorns.

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   Steven Pienaar is pleading with Tottenham to drop the £6 million asking price for him, as Everton cannot afford it, having sold him for just £3 million eighteen months ago, according to the Sun.
   The Daily Mirror claims that Gareth Bale has gone away on holiday to consider his Tottenham future, with the failure to secure Champions League football and with some confusion over whether Harry Redknapp will be offered a new deal and with Chelsea interested in his services.
   Also in the Mirror, they claim that Spurs and QPR are interested in goalkeeper Robert Green, who has left West Ham United as a free agent.
   Returning from his spell in Chinese football with Shanghai Shenhua, 33 year old striker Nicolas Anelka is said to be interesting Spurs, according to the Daily Mail.
   The Times reckon that Borussia Dortmund might have jumped to the front of the queue for Blackburn Rovers' 21 year old striker Junior Hoillett, ahead of Arsenal and Tottenham.

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   The Mail on Sunday reports that Alex Ferguson is refusing to pay the prices being quoted for player she wants to sign this summer, including £32 million for Luka Modric.
   Heurelho Gomes is said in the Metro to be the subject of an offer from QPR to take the Brazilian keeper to Loftus Road.
   Rafael van der Vaart has said that he is happy to stay at Tottenham, but that you never know what might happen in football in the future.
   The Sunday Mirror claims that Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has set his sights on being Spurs boss, should Harry Redknapp not be offered a new deal at White Hart Lane.
   Sandro played 90 minutes in a 0-2 reverse against Mexico in Texas today, with Giovani dos Santos scoring the firs goal for Mexico and winning a penalty for the second.
   Steven Pienaar and Bongani Khumalo were both in the South Africa side that drew 1-1 with Ethiopia in Rustenburg today in a World Cup 2014 qualifying match.

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   Harry Redknapp is seeking a three year deal with Spurs according to the Sun, the paper the Spurs manager writes for and he will be having discussions with Daniel Levy this week on a deal to take him through to when he is 68.
   Spurs are not going to take on Brazilian Bruno Uvini, after having him on loan for three months.  The club are not intending to go through with the £2.9 million deal for the 19 year old central defender according to the Sun.
   The same paper reckons that QPR are looking at taking Heurelho Gomes across London, leaving Spurs a little light on goalkeeping options, after yesterday releasing Ben Alnwick, Mirko Ranieri and Oscar Jansson.
   Scott Parker played all of England's 1-0 friendly win over Belgium at Wembley tonight, with Jermain Defoe coming on as a 67th minute substitute.
   Rafael van der Vaart came off the bench to play the last 33 minutes in Holland's 6-0 win over the Northern Ireland tonight in Amsterdam.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Aston Villa named Paul Lambert as their new manager today ... 

   Ledley King has been at the centre of a media frenzy today, after rumours circulated that Spurs had released the club captain.  King said that an operation no his knee at the end of the season did not go as well as hoped for and that if he was not able to continue playing, he would like to be involved with the club in another capacity and a coaching role might be in the pipeline, but at the moment, talks were on-going.
   25 year old central defender Jan Vertonghen of Ajax and Belgium, is said to be set to join Tottenham and the player indicated that the deal could be completed in the next few days.
   Tottenham's released list included Ben Alnwick, Oscar Jansson, Mirko Ranieri, Jesse Waller-Lassen, Kudos Oyenuga, Ryan Nelsen and Louis Saha.
   The Sun claim that Manchester City are keen to sign Gaston Ramirez from Bologna, but the £15 million rated midfielder is also being watched by Wolfsburg, Juventus, Liverpool and Spurs.
   The Daily Mirror report that Harry Redknapp will seek talks in the next 48 hours with Daniel Levy over the security of his future at Tottenham, as news of a Qatari consortium trying to tempt him to the Middle East hits the headlines.
   The Mirror also claims that the club are scouting Widzew Lodz's Under-17 year old striker Mariusz Stepinski.
   Former Spurs goalkeeper Radek Cerny has been released by Queens Park Rangers.
   Ex-Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy has been released by Fulham.
   Another former Tottenham goalkeeper has been released - Marton Fulop by West Bromwich Albion.

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