White Hot Lines  

   The Sunday Mirror reports that Andre Villas-Boas only sees himself in football management for another five to ten years before he retires ... to take up rallying !!
   The paper also claims that while Aston Villa are heading the chase for FC Twente Enschede goal-scoring winger Nacer Chadli, the 23 year old also interests Fulham, Spurs, Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   The Daily Mail reports that Spurs have held talks with the representatives of Shakhtar Donetsk's Armenian midfielder Henryk Mkhitaryan.  The 24 year old looked set to join Liverpool, but with his club wanting £25 million, the opportunity for other clubs to become involve in the bidding process has occurred, with Borussia Dortmund having had a £19.5 million offer knocked back.
   The same article goes on to say that Spurs are still keen on David Villa - the Barcelona forward - and another striker - Burak Yilmaz of Galatasaray.
   However, the Guardian reckon Tottenham's interest in David Villa might not stretch to the £12 million asking price, although they think that personal terms can be agreed, with the Spaniard earning £140,000 a week at Barca at the moment.  The piece does say that talks will continue next week after the Confederations Cup and a deal may still be able to be brokered.
   The Sun's article reporting the £5 million move for Tom Huddlestone by Sunderland goes on to say that Spurs will consider offers for Jake Livermore, Scott Parker and Benoit Assou-Ekotto, while Emmanuel Adebayor is interesting AS Monaco.  Queens Park Rangers are still eyeing Parker, while the article claims Danny Rose will start the coming season at left back ousting Assou-Ekotto, who is being watched by Fenerbahce.
   Harry Kane played the whole of England Under-20s 0-2 defeat by Egypt which saw them eliminated from the Under-20 World Cup.  Alex Pritchard was a half-time substitute and played all the second half.
   Former Spurs youth striker John Sutton has rejoined Motherwell from Hearts.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   Tottenham have announced away first team pre-season friendlies against Swindon Town (Tuesday 16th July; kick off 19:00) and Colchester United  (Friday 19th July; kick off 19:00).
   The Daily Mail claim that Sunderland are opening talks with Spurs over a £5 million move for Tom Huddlestone, but Hull City and Fulham are both also interested in the Spurs midfielder.
   Glenn Hoddle has advised Gareth Bale to snub a move abroad and to stay in England, but added that should be even if he has to move to Manchester City or Manchester United, an interview in the Sun reveals.
   Meanwhile, Paulinho is reported in the Daily Mail as saying that he is delighted to be coming to Tottenham and has been assured that Gareth Bale and Andre Villas-Boas are staying at the club.
   The Daily Mirror claims that Spurs are interested in 27 year old Galatasaray striker Burak Yilmaz, who would cost them £17 million.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   The BBC report that Paulinho is expected to complete his move to Spurs next week.
   In the Daily Mail, they reckon that Franco Baldini will have talks next week with David Villa about a move to Tottenham.
   The Daily Mirror report that Real Madrid are trying to step up their campaign to sign Gareth Bale now that they have a manager.  It is thought the Spanish club will offer money and players (including Angel di Maria) to tempt Tottenham.  Over at the Times, they claim that Gonzalo Higuain will be one of the players used in part exchange.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   Real Madrid may make a late move for Corinthians midfielder Paulinho, despite Spurs having had terms agreed with the Brazil international's club.
   Harry Kane scored for England Under-20s to salvage a 1-1 draw with Chile in Turkey this afternoon, with Alex Pritchard coming on as a substitute on the hour.
   Former Spurs reserves striker Jacques Maghoma has joined Sheffield Wednesday from Burton Albion.
   Swindon Town have signed Spurs defender Jack Barthram on a free after the full back was released earlier this month.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

  Tottenham will play big spending AS Monaco away in a pre-season friendly on Saturday 3rd August with a 17:30 kick off (local time 18:30).
   The Metro claim that Gareth Bale will appeal to Daniel Levy's better nature to try and realise a dream move to Real Madrid.  Good luck with that boyo.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   CRIME WATCH ... Fenerbahce have been banned from Europa for two years and Besiktas for one year as part of the punishment for their involvement in match-fixing in the Turkish league.  Fenerbahce also have an added one year penalty suspended unless they offend again within five years ... 

   With all the action expected to start next week when contracts are up and the transfer window opens, the only snippet of Spurs news was a glimmer of hope on the Paulinho transfer, when he told journalists that he was ready for top flight European football and would be honoured to play for Spurs.
   Former Spurs midfielder Jamie O'Hara has been transfer listed by Wolverhampton Wanderers.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   Media reports today indicate that Spurs have agreed a deal with Corinthians worth £17.5 million (rising to £20 million on conditions) for Paulinho, but the player will consider his future after the Confederations Cup in Brazil that ends next weekend.
   The Daily Star Sunday claims Spurs are considering a £20 million move for 22 year old Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, with Emmanuel Adebayor said to be offered in part-exchange for the Belgian international.
   Harry Kane played all 90 minutes of England Under-20s opening World Cup match against Iraq and set up both goals in a 2-2 draw in Turkey tonight.  Alex Pritchard was an unused substitute.
   Former Spurs midfielder and assistant manger Gus Poyet has had his contract terminated by Brighton and Hove Albion following his suspension and a disciplinary hearing.  The former Seagulls boss intends to appeal against the decision which was passed to him by a BBC employee, who had printed it off the Internet, with Poyet claiming not to having been notified by phone or e-mail.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   Various newspaper reports claim that negotiations to sign Corinthians midfielder Paulinho are at an advanced stage with the fee anywhere between £14 million and £17 million.
   On loan Yago Falque helped Almeria to promotion to La Liga in the play-off final, winning 3-0 against Girona and 4-0 on aggregate.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   The Daily Star claims that Brighton and Hove Albion will look at snapping up Tim Sherwood as their new manager if disciplinary proceedings against current manager and former Spurs midfielder and assistant manager Gus Poyet lead to him leaving the Championship club.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

---

   MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Andy Carroll had to be given a £1 million pay off by Liverpool to get him to join West Ham United.

   Little Spurs news around today, so hopefully, Franco Baldini is working hard on deals to be announced soon !!

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   The season 2013-14 fixtures were released today in their original form (before TV changes them along with European commitments) and Spurs open their campaign with an away game at Crystal Palace on Saturday August 17th, with a home match against Swansea City on Saturday August 24th.  For all fixtures visit the Spurs official website, as we are not allowed to print the fixtures in full without paying some company who "randomly" select the fixtures a big bag of cash.
   Tottenham today announced the appointment of Technical Director Franco Baldini, who was previously in the same role at AS Roma and was assistant to England manager Fabio Capello.
   Clint Dempsey was captain as the USA beat Honduras 1-0 in Utah in their World Cup qualifier.
   The Daily Star claims Fulham will rival Sunderland for the purchase of midfielder Scott Parker.
   Spurs and Liverpool have been put on standby for a bid for Barcelona winger Ibrihim Affelay after his agent has said the player would like to play in the Premier League according to the Sun.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

---

   MEHSTG's spin story ...  Today I found out that Stoke City have a Technical Director.  One of the most puzzling jobs in football ??

   Zico has joined Marcel Desailly, Zinedine Zidane, Luka Modric, Robbie Savage, the postman, that bloke who hangs around the bus stop but never gets on a bus and David Attenborough in telling the world that Gareth Bale should leave Spurs.
   The Daily Mirror claims Spurs are chasing Barcelona striker David Villa, Corinthians midfielder Paulinho and Internacional forward Leandro Damiao in an attempt to persuade Andre Villas-Boas to continue as Spurs Head Coach.  The article also suggests that Fenerbahce are keen on signing Emmanuel Adebayor and are willing to pay £10 million.  The Guardian report that Spurs might only be looking for the £5 million they shelled out on striker from Manchester City.
   Also in the Mirror, the agent of 20 year old Atletico Mineiro midfielder Bernard said that Spurs are the only club to show any interest in the Brazilian at this time.

---

   OTHER NEWS ... Stuart Pearce has not had his contract as England Under-21 manager renewed ... 

   All the news today seems to revolve around Paris St. Germain's desire to take Andre Villas-Boas to France as their new manager.  The Daily Mirror contains a piece that says that they will try to tempt him by buying Gareth Bale for £85 million, while Le Figaro report that PSG hope AVB can persuade Bale to join the club.  In the Guardian, they claim that PSG have made contact with the manager's agent and are more than willing to meet the £10 million clause in his contract to buy him out.
   In the Sporting Life, they claim reports that Internazionale's chairman says that Spurs are interested in their Colombian midfielder Fredy Guarin.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

---

   MEHSTG's spin story ...  New Director of Football Joe Kinnear went on TalkSport tonight and had a rant about the fans at Newcastle Football Club (sic) and got players and officials names wrong and claimed he had signed lot so players that he didn't  He also said that at any time he could pick the phone up to call Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.  What he didn't say was whether they would answer the call.

   Tottenham are said to be closing in on a deal to sign Brazil international midfielder Paulinho from Corinthians, with the player's agent flying to London soon.  The Daily Mirror said that the player knows his agent is in London, but not what will happen yet, but the agent also represents the Atletico Minero striker Bernard, who Spurs are also interested in.
   St. Etienne striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is gathering a lot of interest after scoring a hat-trick for Gabon in a World Cup qualifier against Niger.  The forward is being watched by Newcastle United, Arsenal and Chelsea, but the Daily Mirror says that Tottenham have made a formal enquiry for the 23 year old, who would fetch about £10 million in the transfer market.
   The Sunday People report that Sunderland are keen to sign Scott Parker and that an offer of around £4 million might seal the deal for the England midfielder.
   In the Sunday Times, they reckon Tottenham are favourites to sign Wigan Athletic midfielder James McCarthy, but would need to meet the £20 million asking price for the Republic of Ireland international midfielder.
   AS Roma's Argentinian striker Erik Lamela is said to be a target for Spurs in the Sunday Telegraph, with a link to in-coming Technical Director Franco Baldini, who worked with the 21 year old at the Italian club.
   Roberto Soldado has said he wants a move to the Premier League and this may alert Spurs to his availability, having been linked with an interest in the 28 year old Valencia striker.
   Former Spurs defender Joe Kinnear has confirmed that he will return to Newcastle United where he was once manager, this time as Director of Football.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   Barcelona's club president Sandro Rossell claims that David Villa will stay at the club and snub a move to London with Spurs or Arsenal according to the Daily Express.
   The Daily Mirror reports that Spurs have turned their attention to signing Corinthians midfielder Paulinho, rated at £17 million, instead on Internazionale's Colombian midfielder Fredy Guarin as the Italian side have upped the asking price to £21 million.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   The Sun reckon that Manchester United want spend £85 million to sign either Cristiano Ronaldo or Gareth Bale.
   The Metro provides a list of players that Andre Villas-Boas wants to sell this summer and it consists of Scott Parker, Jermain Defoe, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Emmanuel Adebayor, Iago Falque, Tom Huddlestone, Heurelho Gomes, Brad Friedel, Bongani Khumalo and Andros Townsend.
   The same paper report that Spurs are keen on Brazilian midfielder Paulinho, with the 24 year old Corinthians man expected to cost £14.5 million. Internazionale and AS Roma are also supposedly interested, but Tottenham are thought to be the driving seat to snap up the player.

---

   OTHER NEWS ... Manuel Pellegrini has been appointed as the new manager of Manchester City … Wigan Athletic have announced that their new manager will be Owen Coyle ... 

   In the Daily Mail, it reports that Andre Villas-Boas is keen on Barcelona's Dutch winger Ibrahim Affelay and is looking to sell Jermain Defoe, Emmanuel Adebayor, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Tom Huddlestone and Scott Parker.
   The Daily Mirror claim that Spurs are looking to replace Scott Parker with Gareth Barry, with a £4 million bid to Manchester City being prepared.
   The Daily Telegraph reckon Paris St. Germain would be willing to pay Spurs £10 million to take Andre Villas-Boas as their new manager.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   The Daily Mirror report that Paris St. Germain will tempt Andre Villas-Boas to be their new manager with a £40 million four year deal after Guus Hiddink turned them down to stay with Anzhi Makhachkala.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   Danny Rose played all 90 minutes while Steven Caulker and Adam Smith were unused subs as England Under-21s crashed out of the European Championships without a point as they lost 0-1 to hosts Israel.
   Former Spurs striker Mido has announced his retirement from football aged 30.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   Tottenham officially announced that William Gallas and David Bentley will be leaving the club on the expiry of their contracts in July. Spurs have also released professionals Jake Nicholson, Jack Barthram, Jack Munns, Dean Parrett and John Bostock, while Academy players, Mason Bush, Victor Caceido-Zapata, Tom Gardiner, Sam Smith, Billy Grainger and William Ekong have been allowed to find new clubs.
   Striker Shaquille Coulthirst and goalkeeper Lawrence Vigoroux have been given their first professional contracts.
   Tottenham are showing interest in Ajax defender Toby Alderweireld who has indicated that he would favour a move to the Premier League, with Liverpool also keen on the Belgian full back.
   Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has told his club that they will have to pay more than the £80 million world record that they shelled out for Cristiano Ronaldo if they want to sign Gareth Bale.
   Former Spurs reserve keeper Marton Fulop is recovering from surgery to remove a tumour from his arm.

---

   OTHER NEWS ... David Weir has been named as the new manager of Sheffield United ... 

   Spurs are said to be interested in 20 year old Atletico Mineiro winger Bernard, who is also a target for Borussia Dortmund and also Fulham's Serbian winger 20 year old Alex Kacaniklic, who they would offer £7 million for or include Tom Huddlestone in a deal for the Cottagers youngster.
   Benoit Assou-Ekotto was an unused substitute as Cameroon lost 0-2 away to Togo in a World Cup qualifying match..
   Hugo Lloris played for France in their 0-3 friendly defeat by Brazil in the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
   Lewis Holtby captained Germany Under-21s in their 0-1 defeat by Spain in their European Championship finals group match in Israel knocking them out of the competition.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   Spurs are expressing a £7 million interest in Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez according to the Metro. The international striker is said be be ready to speak to Spurs officials in Germany in the coming week.
   The same paper reckon Spurs tried a late bid for Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas, who looks set to have a medical ahead of joining Liverpool, a report in the Metro claims.
   Mousa Dembele and Jan Vertonghen played in Belgium's 2-1 win over Serbia in Brussels in a World Cup qualifying match.
   Steven Caulker played all of England Under-21s 1-3 defeat by Norway in the European Championship finals group match in Israel, meaning England cannot qualify for the knock-out stages.  Adam Smith was an unused substitute.
   Watford have released ex-Spurs striker Mark Yeates.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   The Tottenham Hotspur released list was published on the Premier League website, with William Gallas, David Bentley and John Bostock being the biggest names included on it.  Also let go were defender Jack Barthram and attacking midfielders Jack Munns and Jake Nicholson.
   The club have announced a home pre-season friendly against Spanish side Espanyol on Saturday 10th August 2013 with a 17:30 kick off.
   Also a Spurs XI will visit Cambridge City on Wednesday 7th August (kick off 19:45) for a testimonial for Gary Roberts, the current manager at the non-league club.
   Jan Vertonghen played all 90 minutes of Belgium's 2-1 home World Cup qualifying win over Serbia tonight, with Mousa Dembele joining him on the pitch in the 71st minute from the substitute's bench.
   Clint Dempsey captained the USA to a 2-1 World Cup qualifier win over Jamaica in Kingston.
   Former Spur Robbie Keane made his 126th appearance for the Republic of Ireland tonight, breaking the appearance record and scored a hat-trick in the 3-0 home win over the Faroe Islands.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   The agent of Internacional striker Leandro Damiao has not ruled out a move to Tottenham in the summer, but there is a discrepancy over the amount to be paid.  Marseille have pulled out of the race as the asking price is too much according to the Daily Express, but while the Brazilian club want £30 million, they would consider accepting £25 million for the 23 year old according to the Guardian.
   Also in the Express, they claim that Spurs are considering a £17 million bid for Internazionale midfielder Fredy Guarin.
   TalkSport claim Spurs and Liverpool are chasing 23 year old Belgian winger Nacer Chadli, who plays for Twente Enschede.  He is also attracting interest from Germany and Italy but wants to play in the Premier League.
   On the same website they say Spurs target, Jackson Martinez , will stay at Porto as he and his family are happy in Portugal.
   TalkSport claim that the Tottenham link with Son Heung-Min may be strengthened as the Korean winger has turned down a new deal at SV Hamburg.  However, Bayer Leverkusen are strongly linked with the ability to offer Champions League football to the 21 year old.
   21 year old Udinese striker Matej Vydra is looking to step up to the Premier League after spending last season on loan at Watford a report in the Express with Arsenal, Spurs and Fulham interested in the player.
   Lewis Holtby captained Germany Under-21s and scored their second goal in a 2-3 defeat by Holland in their first group match of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals in Israel tonight.
   Ex-Spurs players who were released from Premier League clubs include : -
Freddy Champion (QPR)
Simon Davies (Fulham)
Ramil Sheriff (Norwich City)
Olumide Scott Durojaiye (Norwich City)
Simon Dawkins (return to Spurs from loan at Aston Villa)
Radek Cerny (QPR)
Ryan Nelsen (QPR) - now Toronto FC manager
Tommy Forecast (Southampton)

   Former Spurs defender Mark Bowen has moved in as assistant manager to Mark Hughes at Stoke City.
   Gerry Francis left Stoke City as a coach.
.

---

   OTHER NEWS ... Steve Lomas has been appointed as the new manager of Millwall ... 

   The Daily Mirror reports that Spurs have offered Jermaine Defoe plus £18 million for Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke.  Arsenal and Atletico Madrid are also interested, with the article claiming Spurs made their move two weeks ago.
   A different striker is link in the Sun, with Spurs to make a move for Christian Benitez, the Ecuadorian striker with Club America of Mexico, who would be priced at around £9 million.  The 27 year old was formerly with Birmingham City for a short spell in the late Noughties.
  More strikers are linked with Tottenham in the Telegraph, with Spanish pair Roberto Soldado and Barcelona's David Villa named as Spurs targets, with a record fee for Spurs quoted at £20 million for the Valencia striker.
   The Metro report that 24 year old Toulouse midfielder Etienne Capoue has said he wants to leave in the summer with Spurs and Arsenal both keen on his signature.
   Steven Caulker played all of England's 0-1 defeat by Italy in the first group match of the European Under-21 Championship finals in Israel tonight.  Adam Smith was an unused substitute.
   AS Roma's Technical Director Franco Baldini has been released from his contract with the club by mutual consent and it is rumoured that he will be the man to fill a similar role at White Hart Lane, with Andre Villas-Boas wanting someone in place to deal with transfer dealings.

---

   OTHER NEWS ... Roberto Martinez has been announced as the new manager of Everton ... 

   The Metro claims Andre Villas-Boas is keen on 26 year old FC Porto striker Jackson Martinez, who would cost £25 million at least.
   The Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has said he is willing to pay £100 million for Gareth Bale according to the Metro.
   Former Spurs midfielder Mark Gower has joined Charlton Athletic, where he was on loan towards the end of the season, following his release by Swansea City.

---

   CRIME WATCH ... Andros Townsend has received a four month ban from the Football Association for his involvement in betting contrary to the code of conduct.  He will serve one month not (from 1st July) and three months will be suspended until July 2016 ...

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   The Daily Mirror links Spurs with a £10 million move for Benfica's Brazilian born Spanish Under-21 forward Rodrigo.
   No action will be taken against West Ham United for anti-semitic abuse of Spurs fans during the game at White Hart Lane last season.

---

   OTHER NEWS ... Jose Mourinho has been named as the new Chelsea manager ... 

---

   MEHSTG's spin story ... Chelsea's new manager is to be the Special One 2.

   Clint Dempsey scored twice in the USA's 4-3 win over Germany in a friendly tonight in Washington.
   Jermain Defoe was an unused substitute for England in their 2-2 away friendly draw with Brazil in Rio de Janeiro tonight.
   The Sunday Telegraph reports that Spurs will not sell Gareth Bale during this transfer window, but in the Sunday Times, they claim Real Madrid will be ready to pay a world record fee of £85 million to take the Welshman to the Bernabeu.
   Christian Benteke may be trying to engineer a way out of his Aston Villa contract so that he can join with Spurs or Arsenal, both of whom has has told friends he would be happy to play for, according to the Sunday Mirror.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   The Sun claim that Real Madrid want Gareth Bale to put in a transfer request to force a move away from Spurs.  The Spanish under-achievers are one of several clubs willing to pay £80 million for the Welsh international, including Barcelona, Manchester City, Manchester United and Paris St. Germain.
   The Daily Mirror reckon that Barcelona have given David Villa permission to organise a transfer to England, where he has set his hear ton playing next season.  Liverpool and Arsenal are also mentioned as possible destinations.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ...