White Hot Lines

   The Daily Star claims that Birmingham City want to sign Gareth Bale on a season long loan.
   Tottenham and Manchester United are said to be disappointed that AS Roma striker Mirko Vucinic's agent has said that his client intends to stop at his current club.
   If Villareal want Roman Pavyluchenko, they have been told they would have to stump up cash and Marcos Senna and Sebastien Eguren according to the Times.
   The Daily Mirror claims Spurs are among a clutch of clubs chasing Sweden's Under-21 European Championship top scorer Marcus Berg of Gronigen, but he could cost £10 million.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Roberto Di Matteo has been named as the new manager of West Bromwich Albion ... ... 

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  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... following his captain's example, Andrei Arshavin said he would be happy to move to Barcelona.

   Danny Rose was an unused substitute in England's 0-4 defeat by Germany in the final of the European U21 Championships in Sweden tonight.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Chester City have appointed Mick Wadsworth s their new manager ... ... 

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  MEHSTG's no-spin story 1 ... Manchester City are reportedly ready to offer Samuel Eto'o £250,000 a week in wages to play for their club.

  MEHSTG's no-spin story 2 ... Manchester City suffered from the torrential rain over the last week, when drains backed up and flooded their Eastlands ground with sewage.

These two stories are unconnected.

   The News of the World report that Stoke City will have to break their transfer record to sign Newcastle United striker Obafemi Martins, who is also being touted as a signing for Aston Villa, Everton and Tottenham.
   The Sunday People claim that Harry Redknapp will make a reduced £8 million offer for Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing before the new season starts, with a hint that they think he might also make a move for Everton's 28 year old Nigerian central defender Joseph Yobo, who has a year left on his contract at Goodison.
   The Sunday Mirror reckon that Villareal are interested in Roman Pavyluchenko although they don't want to pay the £13.8 million asking price, preferring a £8 million fee.
   The same paper says that Daniel Levy's attempts to hold out for top prices for players leaving White Hart Lane this season might back-fire on him, as Sunderland are not willing to fork out £18 million for Darren Bent and he may have to use David Bentley as a make-weight in a deal to bring Ashley Young to Tottenham.  One further target Spurs might be able to secure is Matthew Upson, the West Ham United centre-half, who is expected to leave Upton Park in the summer.
   The Sunday Mirror also runs a story saying that Tom Huddlestone will definitely be leaving Tottenham this summer, with Everton, Aston Villa and Sunderland all believed to have had offers of £8.5 million accepted.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

   The Daily Mail claims that Spurs have made a £6 million bid for Internazionale's Nigerian striker Victor Obinna and that Atletico Madrid are ready to sell Maxi Rodriguez to Tottenham.
   In the Sun and a number of other papers, the transfer of Jermain Defoe to Tottenham from Portsmouth is said to be investigated by the FA after agent Sky Andrew won a court ruling allowing him access to Defoe's telephone records to see if he made calls to unregistered agent Stuart Peters and his assistant former Spurs defender Mitchell Thomas.  The story hints that there may be a legal case to fight over this and that there is a prospect of having points deducted if found guilty.
   Sunderland seem to be baulking at Tottenham's £18 million asking price for striker Darren Bent.
   Former Spurs manager Peter Shreeves has been installed as Director of Football at Grays Athletic by the new club chairman - another former Spur - John Moncur.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... Manchester United will receive a single lump sum payment for Ronaldo, who they have just sold to Real Madrid.  I think the term for the payment just about sums him up.

   Chelsea are said to be close to a £4 million deal for Charlton Athletic midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, who is also being chased by Spurs, Newcastle United and West Ham United according to the Daily Express.
   The Daily Mail run a scary story saying that Tottenham are looking at Wigan Athletic midfielder Lee Cattermole.  Their goes our Fair Play record then.
   Constantly linked with a move to Spurs, striker Djibril Cisse has signed for Greek club Panathinaikos.
   Danny Rose was an unused substitute as England beat host nation Sweden in the European U21 championships in Gothenburg tonight.  The game ended 3-3, with no addition to the score and England won 4-3 on penalties.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... 

   The Daily Mirror claims Spurs will allow Adel Taarabt to join Malaga on loan for a season with a view to a £2.5 million permanent move if the La Liga club wish to take up the option.
   The Daily Express believe that Middlesbrough's purchase of former Spurs midfielder Mark Yeates from Colchester United will allow them to sell Stewart Downing to Tottenham.
   The Mirror also reports that Harry Redknapp is again trying to buy Maxi Rodriguez from Atletico Madrid.
   Former Spurs defender Kevin Maher has joined Gillingham after being released by Oldham Athletic.
   Spurs midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng has decided to turn his back on Germany, who he had played for at Under-21 level, to play for Ghana, where his father was born.
   Spurs revealed their new kits for next season and you can see them by clicking here.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

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  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... After a few trophy-less seasons, Cesc Fabregas has said that he considers Arsenal are "impotent."

   Everton are supposedly interested in buying Alan Hutton for £6 million it says in the Daily Mirror.
   Heurelho Gomes is pleading with Harry Redknapp not to sell him according to a number of sources, although some reports link him with a move back to PSV Eindhoven.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... The United States caused one of the biggest shocks in Confederations Cup history tonight by beating anybody.

   Gabriel Heinze has made comments that hint that he would be willing to return to the Premier League, with Spurs leading the chase for the Argentinian's signature if he leaves Real Madrid.
   The agent of Didier Zokora has said that his client would be interested in a move to Sunderland according to the Press Association, while the Sun recap that Sevilla and Atletico Madrid are other clubs chasing the Ivorian midfielder.
   The agent of Serbian 23 year old striker Mario Mandzukic claims Spurs and Portsmouth are keen on signing his client.  The forward plays for Dinamo Zagreb and is also interesting Werder Bremen.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Paulo Sousa has been confirmed as the new Swansea City boss ...  ... 

   Danny Rose played the whole 90 minutes of England Under-21s 1-1 draw with Germany in Halmstad in their final group game of the European U21 Championships.  England finished top of the group and will play in the semi-finals of the competition.
   The agent of Roman Pavlyuchenko is now claiming his comments have been mistranslated from an article in a Russian newspaper and that the striker is hoping to prove himself at Spurs next season.
   A Spurs XI will play at Aldershot Town on Wednesday 22nd July with a 7:45 p.m. kick off in a pre-season friendly.
   The club have appointed Ian Broomfield as the new Head Scout.  He previously worked with Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... Disney backed ESPN have bought the rights to the Premier League matches that Setanta had to forego because they were unable to pay their fees to the FAPL.  Goodness knows what sort of Mickey Mouse programme they will come up with to broadcast the games.

   The Sunday People runs a story saying that Roberto Martinez will try and lure two players from his former club Swansea City to Wigan Athletic, but it says one of the, full back Angel Rangel, is also a target  for Sunderland, Manchester City and Tottenham.
   Sunderland are in the same paper as doing a double £15 million deal for Darren Bent and Didier Zokora.  Harry Redknapp is said to be willing to let them go, but his interest in the Black Cats midfielder Kieran Richardson will not be welcomed, as new manager Steve Bruce has the England international pencilled in for his new vision for the team.
   The Daily Star Sunday reports that Panathinaikos are set to bid for Spurs striking target Djibril Cisse too.
   The Daily Star Sunday reports Tottenham have not decided whether to go for Middlesbrough's injured winger Stewart Downing this summer.
   Brazil beat Italy 3-0 in the Confederations Cup tonight with Heurelho Gomes on the bench as an unused substitute.
   Midfielder Didier Zokora played the whole of Ivory Coast's 3-2 World Cup qualifying win over Burkino Faso today.
   The Daily Star Sunday reports that £10 million of the projected £400 million cost of the new stadium will go towards making it the most eco-friendly in the country.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

   Roman Pavlyuchenko's agent is said to be trying to find his client a new club, as the Russian striker is dismayed by talk of new strikers being considered by Harry Redknapp as well as Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe having returned to the club already.
   The Sun claim that Spurs might offload Giovani dos Santos to Atletico Madrid for £4 million.
   Wesley Sneijder, the Dutch winger, says he does not want to leave Real Madrid, despite rumours of moves by Spurs and Arsenal to bring the 25 year old to England.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

   BBC Sport website claims Sevilla have pulled out of a move for midfielder Didier Zokora as they are not willing to pay the asking price.
   The Daily Mail claims Newcastle United are asking £10 million for defender Sebastian Bassong, with Arsenal and Spurs two of the sides leading the hunt for the Frenchman.
   The Daily Star reports that Ruud van Nistelrooy has told his Real Madrid team-mates Klass Jan Huntelaar and Arjen Robben to move to Spurs.
   The Guardian oddly reckon that Spurs want to sell Gareth Bale to Sunderland (what is it with them and ex-Spurs players these days ?) and put West Ham United's Herita Ilunga in his place. 
   They seem to think that Sunderland also want David Bentley, but then so do Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton
   Both the Wembley Cup and the Asia Trophy tournaments will be covered by Sky TV.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Setanta Sports have failed to pay the FA Premier League the outstanding amount diue for their coverage of the games from last season and the FAPL will now sell off the 46 games the company were due to televise next season ... ... 

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  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Arsene Wenger is obviously not setting his ambitions too high for his new signing Thomas Vermaelen, as the Arsenal manager described him as "a solid performer with good experience of Champions League and UEFA Cup football."

   Aston Villa are supposedly ready to offer Nigel Reo-Coker as a part exchange to take Tom Huddlestone or any other player come to that to Villa Park, it says in the Daily Mirror.
   The Independent continues the Arjen Robben story, saying Spurs were trying to broker a deal with Real Madrid to pay part of his wages and the winger would join Tottenham !!
   20 year old Nemanja Matic is being chased by seven clubs, one of whom is Tottenham.  Middlesbrough, Birmingham City, Aston Villa, Fulham, Chelsea, and Manchester United are also said to be interested in the MFK Kosice midfielder who broke his foot in the U21 European Championships in Sweden this week.
   Malaga are believed to be willing to sign midfielder Adel Taarabt from Spurs.
   Danny Rose was an unused substitute for England Under-21s in their 2-0 win over Spain in the U21 European Championships in Sweden tonight.
   Former Spurs defender Danny Foster has joined Brentford for an undisclosed fee from Dagenham & Redbridge.
   Former Spurs midfielder Rohan Ricketts has been released by Canadian side Toronto.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Paulo Sousa has been offered the job as Swansea City manager ... ... 

   The Premier League fixtures were announced today with the season opening on August 15th with a home game against Liverpool, before the midweek game sees Spurs travel to Hull City and then the next Saturday visit West Ham United.  For all the club's fixtures, click here.  All fixtures are subject to change depending on live TV coverage and European commitments of opponents.
   Sky Sports are reporting that Almeria are set to reject any attempt by Spurs to buy 26 year old Nigerian forward Kalu Uche unless the club receives a very big offer.
   Middlesbrough Chief Executive Keith Lamb has invited Spurs to open negotiations about the transfer of winger Stewart Downing.  Looks like nobody else wants him and the Boro official has had to make an embarrassing volte face after saying he would only sell Downing to any club except Tottenham.
   Another winger who is letting other people do the talking for him is Real Madrid's Arjen Robben, whose Dad says he won't be coming to Tottenham this summer.  Knowing Robben's reputation you would have thought he would have jumped at the opportunity.
   Daniel Levy has once more been snapped in Spain when he least expected it and this time the rumour in the Daily Mirror was that he was there in Madrid to sign a deal worth between £30 million and £39 million for Gabriel Heinze, Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Robben.  Seems like he might have to settle for two out of three.
   The Daily Mirror claims Birmingham City are interested in midfielder Didier Zokora and other sources reckon Sunderland might be willing to sign him up too
   TeamTalk are claiming that Spurs are trying to rival Genoa, Arsenal, Lazio, Sevilla, AC Milan, Valencia and Chelsea for the signature of Belgian striker Moussa Chembele of Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, who would cost £10 million.
   The Times reports that central defender Dorian Dervite is interesting Middlesbrough, West Bromwich Albion and Lille, as he enters the final year of his contract at Spurs.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

   CRIME WATCH ... Didier Drogba has been banned for four games in Europe and has a two game suspension suspended after his abuse of the referee at the end of the Champions League semi-final ... Following comments he made about the ref in an interview after the same game, Jose Bosingwa has received a three match ban with one additional game suspended for two years ... and Chelsea have been given a fine of a bag of peanuts for not being able to control their player or fans - it is actually 100,000 Euros, but it is nothing more than loose change to Chelsea ...

   Metro reckons that Spurs will target Real Madrid's striker Klass Jan Huntelaar rather than his Dutch club-mate Ruud van Nistelrooy, as the Sun claims he wants £90,000 a week in wages.
   The Sun also claims that David Bentley has been talking to Aston Villa about a £7 million transfer.
   The Daily Mirror concurs, but adds Jermaine Jenas to the deal to secure Ashley Young's move to White Hart Lane.
   Jamie O'Hara is the subject of a £4 million move by Fulham according to the Daily Express.
   Former Spurs keeper Cesar Sanchez is reported in the Daily Mirror as saying that Roman Pavlyuchenko is "impossible" to communicate with.
   Spurs are linked with a move for Glasgow Celtic midfielder Scott Brown in the Daily Record.
   Former Spurs defender and assistant manager John Gorman has joined QPR as assistant manager to Jim Magilton, who he worked under at Ipswich Town.
   Former Tottenham defender Stephen Kelly has left Birmingham City on a free transfer to join Fulham on a three year deal.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

   Sky Sports have revealed that German side VfB Stuttgart are targeting Roman Pavlyuchenko as one of the players they want to sign this summer.
   The Daily Mail has said that Spurs have gone off the idea of signing striker Luca Toni after finding out how much Bayern Munich pay him.
   Spurs have reached an out of court settlement over an illegal approach before the appointment of Head Coach Juande Ramos from Sevilla in October 2007.  This may pave the way for more business between the two clubs with the summer transfer window being open.
   Danny Rose was an unused substitute as England Under-21 beat Finland U21 2-1 in their first game of the Under-21 European Championship in Finland.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Roberto Martinez has left Swansea City and joined Wigan Athletic as their new boss ... John Barnes has been appointed as the new manager of Tranmere Rovers with Jason McAteer his assistant ... Malky Mackay has been named as the new Watford manager ... 

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... Not content with buying Valencia, today it has been reported that United will move to buy Villa !!

   David Bentley is expected to sign for Aston Villa for about £8 million on 1st July according to the News of the World.
   The Sunday People claims that if Ruud van Nistelrooy from Real Madrid, then Harry Redknapp will move for Bayern Munich's Italian striker Luca Toni.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... Dr. Sulaiman Fahim and Thaksin Sinatwatra are rumoured to be involved in the takeover of Portsmouth.  Such articles have been denied.  Just like there is no truth in the stories circulating that Adolf Hitler is involved in the takeover of Europe.

   The Daily Mirror thinks Sunderland are planning a £15 million bid for striker Robbie Keane and that the same club are in negotiations about a £10 million move for Darren Bent.  The Mirror reckons Spurs are after Real Madrid forward Klass Jan Huntelaar.
   Over at the Times, they claim that Harry Redknapp is trying to set up a deal for two Toulouse midfielders Moussa Sissoko and Etienne Capoue.
   The possible signing of Ruud van Nistelrooy by Spurs has been blown out of the water according to the Sun as the Dutchman will not be fit until the end of September.
   The Daily Star reckons that Aston Villa will beat Internazionale to the £9 million signing of Jermaine Jenas.
   Former Spurs defender Dean Austin has left Watford to go to Reading as assistant manager with Brendon Rodgers.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ...  ... 

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  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... It seemed as though the £80 million was giving Manchester United powerful buying power in Spain as a headline on the BBC Football page said "Man Utd set to move for Valencia."

   Tottenham have announced that the Reserve team will not be entering the Barclays Premier Reserve League next season, as it is felt that a custom made programme of fixtures for the young players and first teamers who are not playing will benefit them more than the Reserve league set-up.
   LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham may be a surprise loan target for Tottenham at the end of the MLS season in October.
   In the Daily Mail, it claims that Sulley Muntari's agent reckons that Tottenham have had an offer for the former Portsmouth midfielder rejected by Internazionale.
   The Daily Star reckons that Darren Bent will be a target for Sunderland this summer.
   Midfielder Giovani Dos Santos may be a target for Galatasaray's new boss Frank Rijkaard according to the Times.
   Defender Pascal Chimbonda is once more reported to be a player wanted by Blackburn Rovers as reported in the Daily Mail.
   Jermaine Jenas is a £6 million transfer target for Aston Villa the Daily Mirror reports.
   Mexico have included Giovani Dos Santos in their squad for the Gold Cup in July.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... Real Madrid have paid nothing for nobody today !!

   The Sun has Spurs being more than decimated, as they are supposedly set to let 14 players go, having cost the club £47.8 million when they were brought in.
   Giovani Dos Santos is the subject of a story in the Daily Star, claiming that he will go on a season long loan to Espanyol with a view to a £5 million permanent transfer.
   Daniel Levy has been said by the Daily Express to have set Aston Villa a price of £12 million for David Bentley.
   The Daily Mirror doubts Tottenham will sign Real Madrid's Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, as the Tottenham chairman has concerns about his fitness and his wage demands.
   Meanwhile the Daily Mail says that Stoke City and Sunderland will be Tottenham's main competitors for the signature of Manchester City's Republic of Ireland centre half Richard Dunne.
   Reserve striker Danny Hutchins has joined Yeovil Town on a two year deal after being on loan there for the latter stages of the season just finished and after being released by Spurs at the end of the season.
   The TeamTalk website says that Wolfsburg's Serbian striker Edin Dzeko looks set to disappoint Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea by wanting a move to AC Milan or if not, he will stay with his club in the Bundesliga.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

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  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Cristiano Ronaldo looks like joining Real Madrid for another new world record transfer fee of £80 million, which would buy you most of the League One clubs, without so much as  a sulk among them.

   Metro - the free London newspaper - claims Arsenal and Spurs will go head to head in a £12 million race for relegated Newcastle United 's centre half Sebastian Bassong.
   The Daily Mail reckons Spurs are after Atletico Madrid midfielder Maxi Rodriguez and Turkish winger Arda Turan of Galatasaray.
   Over at The Sun, they have Tottenham down to beat West Ham United to the £10 million signing of Internazionale's Chilean striker Luis Jiminez.
   Heurelho Gomes will be on his way out of the club according to the Daily Mirror.
   Jermain Defoe was a half-time substitute for England and scored twice in three minutes in the middle of the half as the national side beat Andorra 6-0 in their World Cup qualifying match.
   Roman Pavyluchenko was a 67th minute substitute for Russia in their 3-0 World Cup qualifier win over Finland in Berlin tonight.
   Honduras won 1-0 against El Salvador in their World Cup group game and Wilson Palacios played the whole match.
   Giovani Dos Santos was a second half substitute in Mexico's 2-1 win against Trinidad and Tobago in the World Cup qualifying campaign .
   Spurs will contest the Barclays Asia Trophy in Beijing, China this summer.  Tottenham open the tournament with a game against West Ham United on Wednesday 29th July (kick off 11:00 a.m.; 6:00 p.m. local time). The winner will play in the final on Friday 31st July, kick-off 1.30pm (8.30pm local time) against the winner of  Hull City v. Beijing Guoan, with the two losers of the previous day's games playing in the third and fourth play-off (kick off 11:00 a.m.; 6:00 p.m. local time).

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

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  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Alex Ferguson is winding up Arsenal again by saying that he nearly became their manager.  A resounding chorus of "Doh !" was heard from Highbury way.

   The Daily Mirror claim that Spurs might be willing to sell striker Roman Pavlyuchenko top AS Roma for £9 million.

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   OTHER NEWS ... John Sheridan has been appointed as the new manager of Chesterfield ... Kaka has joined Real Madrid from AC Milan for a world record £56 million ... 

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  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Because of a tube strike in London, the England game tomorrow was threatened with being played behind closed doors.  If it had, it would have been like the away game with Andorra, with only a handful of people in a huge stadium.

   Spurs have announced two more away pre-season friendlies at Peterborough United on Tuesday 21st July kicking off at 7:45 p.m. and at AFC Bournemouth on Friday 17th July (kick off 7:45 p.m.).
   As he is away with the England Under-21 side that will go to the European Championship, Frazier Campbell has effectively left Tottenham after joining from Manchester United on loan at the start of September 2008.
   Danny Rose was a 55th minute substitute and made three goals in England Under-21s 7-0 demolition of Azerbaijan's Under-21s at the MK Dons stadium tonight.
   Sevilla have confirmed in the Spanish press that they are interested in buying midfielder Didier Zokora from Spurs, but think the asking price of £8 million is too high.
   Austrian centre-half Paul Scharner says that Spurs, Everton and Fulham are all interested in buying him from Wigan Athletic.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

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  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... there is a link on the Newcastle United FC website inviting you to click if you are interested in buying the club for £100 million.

   Real Madrid are ready to let former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy leave for as little as £1.25 million and Spurs are said to be leading the chase for the 32 year old Dutch forward in the People, but he will want £70,000 a week in wages.
   The News of the World put Tottenham in the running for the signature of Blackburn Rovers' Paraguayan forward Roque Santa Cruz which will cost them £10 million according to the News of the World.
   The People also run the story about Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson returning to White Hart Lane, citing the fact that the 29 year old still has a house close to the Spurs training ground as a possible reason for his re-signing by Harry Redknapp.
   The News of the World also run a piece saying that full-back Chris Gunter is happy to spend another year on loan at Nottingham Forest rather than make a permanent move to Newcastle United.  The boy certainly seems to have his head screwed on properly.
   The Daily Star Sunday reckon that Aston Villa are lining up a bid for Spurs defender Alan Hutton.
   Didier Zokora played all of Ivory Coast's 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over Guinea.
   Cameroon's 0-0 draw with Morocco saw Benoit Assou-Ekotto play for the Indomitable Lions.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... Real Madrid are offering £350 million to take Roman Abramovich to the Bernabeu.  They hope that such a signing will boost their chances of beating Chelsea to a few transfers.

   Tottenham are to offer David Bentley plus £8 million for Aston Villa's left winger Ashley Young the Sun reports.
   The Daily Mail also tell of transfer interest between the two clubs, but this time it is the Midlands club who want to buy.  The Villains want Jermaine Jenas for £10 million.
   Chris Gunter played all of Wales' 1-0 World Cup qualifying win in Baku against Azerbaijan.
   Robbie Keane captained the Republic of Ireland in their 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw with Bulgaria.
   Jermain Defoe was an 81st minute sub for England in their 4-0 away win over Kazakhstan in the World Cup qualifier today.
   Vedran Corluka and Luka Modric both played the 90 minutes of Croatia's 2-2 draw with Ukraine in the World Cup qualifying match, with Modric scoring his country's second goal.
   Wilson Palacios was in the Honduras side that lost their World Cup qualifying match1-2 to the USA.
   Heurelho Gomes was a non-playing substitute in Brazil's 4-0 win over Uruguay in the South American World Cup qualifying group match.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

   Aston Villa are keen to take David Bentley off Tottenham's hands, but only if they drop the price to £10 million, so says the Daily Star.
   Chris Gunter revealed that Gareth Bale injured his knee, which required an operation to repair capsule damage, by playing with his five year old niece in the garden.
   Sevilla want Didier Zokora, but only for £6 million, £2 million less than Spurs are asking for the Ivory Coast midfielder, the Daily Mirror claim.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Micky Adams has been appointed as the new manager of Port Vale ... Ronnie Moore has been sacked as manager of Tranmere Rovers after three years in which time crowds have dropped by 19% ... 

   Harry Redknapp is due to make a £5 million bid for Manchester City captain and central defender Richard Dunne according to the Daily Mail.
   The Birmingham Post claim that Aston Villa want Tom Huddlestone to replace the departing midfielder Gareth Barry.
   The Guardian claims that Chris Gunter is interesting Newcastle United, West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough.
   Former Spurs director Paul Kelmsley has had his property company - Rock Investment Holdings - seized after it went into administration, becoming a victim of the global credit crunch.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Watford manager Brendon Rodgers has left to take the boss' job at Reading ... ... 

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  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Chelsea have bid £76 million for AC Milan's Brazilian midfielder Kaka, his Dad and his brother.  Good value then, three men for £76 million !!

   Gareth Bale has undergone a knee operation to repair a medial meniscus tear sustained recently and he will be out of action for up to eight weeks.
   Vedran Corluka is said to have told the press that Harry Redknapp is to make a move for Croatian winger Dario Srna of Shakthar Donetsk.
   The Daily Mirror claim that one of the first things Steve Bruce will do as the new Sunderland manager is sign Darren Bent for £10 million from Spurs.
   The Sun reckon that Bolton Wanderers will make a £6 million bid for Tom Huddlestone.
   Bild in Germany runs a story saying that Borussia Dortmund's failure to get a place in European competition next season has ended Kevin-Prince Boateng's chances of getting a permanent move to the Bundesliga club and he expects to be back at White Hart Lane for the coming season.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Steve Bruce has joined Sunderland as the Black Cats' new manager ... QPR announce that Jim Magilton has been appointed as the new manager of the Championship side ... 

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  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... The world and his wife have come out and said that Tony Adams has not been recommended for the job as Celtic manager and nobody at the club had a clue what he was talking about.  A fine example of how not to persuade ANYONE to take you on in any sort of position at a football club, I think.

   Manager Harry Redknapp has been questioned by City of London Police in an enquiry about tax matters as part of their investigation into alleged corruption in football.
   A number of sources claim that Spurs are willing to sell Pascal Chimbonda to Blackburn Rovers for £3 million.
   While in the Daily Star, it says that moving in the opposite direction could be goalkeeper Paul Robinson, just a year after leaving the Lane.
   Spurs might move for Lorik Cana of Marseille if Chimbonda leaves, giving cover in more positions for just £5 million.
   The Daily Star also claims that Fulham are keen to snap up midfielder Jamie O'Hara.
   Striker Djibril Cisse hopes to secure a move to Tottenham in the summer after being sent back from a loan spell at Sunderland and not being welcomed back ay Marseille with open arms.
   Midfielder Gilberto is attracting interest from Fluminense in Brazil, where former Brazil manager Carlos Albert Parreira thinks he can do a job for the club he is now in charge of.
   Toulouse striker Andre-Pierre Gignac is interesting Spurs, Liverpool, West Ham United, Fulham and Sunderland.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

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  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Wim Jansen has reportedly said that he will only take the job at Celtic as Technical Director if Tony Adams goes in as Head Coach.

   Tottenham have released Ricardo Rocha, who was at the end of his contract.  Additionally, from the reserves and Academy, Simon Dawkins, Kyle Fraser-Allen, Danny Hutchins, David Hutton (who has already been lined up by Cheltenham Town), Jacques Maghoma, Takura Mtandari, Cian Hughton, Saulo Asajile, Mark Clare, James Dalton and Ajet Shehu have all been allowed to find another club.
   Spurs, Blackburn Rovers and Everton are being touted as possible destinations for 30 year old Icelandic striker Eidur Gudjohnsen, who looks set to leave Barcelona this summer.
   Defender Gareth Bale will miss Wales' World Cup qualifying match on Saturday away in Azerbaijan with a cartilage problem.
   England's Under-19s beat Scotland 2-1 at Bramall Lane tonight, with Danny Rose playing the whole game, while Dean Parrett was a 46th minute substitute in the European Elite qualifying league match, which sealed their passage to the finals.
   Tottenham's reserve winger Danny Rose has been called up to the England Under-21 squad for the European Championships this summer.
   Author Norman Giller tells us that his book "The Lane of Dreams" goes to press this week, and that you need to get in quick if you want the Jimmy Greaves/Steve Perryman autographed version, which is going on a first come, first served basis. 

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   OTHER NEWS ... Chelsea have named Carlo Ancelotti as their new manager ... ... 

   CRIMEWATCH ... Crystal Palace have been docked a point from the season just ended because they used an on-loan player in one of their Championship games after the loan deal had finished ... ... 

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... The new Europa League format will feature a unique experiment with four assistant referees (one in each half and one behind each goal) to try to spot when the ball goes over the goal-line.  During the credit crunch, it is seen as a job creation scheme for the myopic and an effort to give managers a wider range of officials to abuse.