White Hot Lines  

   Paulinho started his first day's training with the Spurs squad, while Gareth Bale apparently turned up at Hotspur Way to tell Andre Villas-Boas that he no longer wants to play for Tottenham.
   A club record £25.8 million fee has been agreed with Valencia for the signing of striker Roberto Soldado, but there is a hitch involving his agent, which should, hopefully, be ironed out in the next 24 hours according to the Metro.
   Central defender Steven Caulker left Spurs for £8.5 million tonight to sign a four year deal with Cardiff City.
   South Africa captain Bongani Khumalo has joined Doncaster Rovers on a season long loan.
   The proposed deal for Romanian central defender Vlad Ciriches might be off according to the Metro, who report that the club's owner put a veto on the deal from behind bars, where he is serving a three year prison sentence .
   The Daily Mirror report that Spurs might make a move for £50m million rated Uruguay striker Luis Suarez if they sell Gareth Bale.  Goodness me, I hope not.
   The Daily Express reckon that Franco Baldini will return to his old club AS Roma to sign 21 year old striker Erik Lamela.
   Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has been getting anti-semitic abuse on Twitter while the speculation surrounding the Gareth Bale rumours are at their height.
   A Spurs XI played away at MK Dons tonight and lost 0-1.

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   Rumour surrounding Gareth Bale continues unabated and is now becoming boring.  Apparently, Marca claim that the £125 million Spurs are asking is "mad", but it is said that Real Madrid made a world record £85 million bid a couple of weeks ago.  Bale is said to be keen to go, but has not come out and said so himself, while Spurs appear to be holding out for a big wedge in cash and not involve players as part of the deal.  Southampton are apparently owed 5% of the fee as they brought Bale through their youth system and he left before he was 21.  The Daily Mirror even go as far as to report that Spurs want a record fee in cash PLUS the return of Luka Modric ... how unlikely might that seem ??
   Tottenham are said to be close to agreeing a deal to bring 23 year old central defender Vlad Ciriches to White Hart Lane from Steaua Bucharesti.  The deal is said to be worth €8 million (£6.94 million).
   Spurs are also linked in the Daily Mail with Thiago Llori of Sporting Lisbon with the 21 year old defender rumoured to cost £8 million.
   Cardiff City are reportedly interested in buying Steven Caulker according to the Daily Mail.
   Former Spurs keeper David Button has signed for Brentford from Charlton Athletic.

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   More media excitement in that Gareth Bale is reported as wanting to speak to Real Madrid, while the Daily Mail claims that Daniel Levy will break his holiday to fly in for crisis talks, while the Daily Mirror claims the spurs chairman is giving Bale the silent treatment.  Most of the stories have no quotable sources.  Real are supposed to have offered a £95 million package which included cash plus Angel di Maria and Fabio Coentrao, but it appears no official approach has been made, with Madrid preferring to use the Spanish media to make the running for them.
   The Daily Express has Spurs chasing Javier Pastore of Paris St. Germain as Bale's replacement.
   Reserve defender Adam Smith has joined Derby County on a season long loan.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Christian Benitez, who played for Birmingham City on loan a few years back and was said to be a transfer target for Spurs this summer, has died aged 27 in Qatar shortly after joining a club there with a heart attack following a sudden respiratory illness ... 

   The deal to sign Valencia striker Roberto Soldado may be close to being completed, with the two clubs believed to have agreed a fee that meets his escape clause, rumoured to be £26.8 million (€30 million).  With a medical and personal terms to be agreed, the media are saying the transfer could be announced early in the week
   Otherwise, the British papers are just regurgitating the stuff coming out of Real Madrid's mouthpiece newspaper Marca about Gareth Bale joining the La Liga club.  They are staging a media campaign to get the transfer to happen, with a £81 million bid apparently turned down by Spurs for the Welsh international.

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   Tottenham's play-off game in the Premier League Asia Trophy for third place was won 6-0 seeing off South China in Hong Kong.  For a match report click here.

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   Jan Vertonghen may miss the opening game of the Premier League season after injuring an ankle in Wednesday's Premier League Asia Trophy match against Sunderland.  He is expected to be out for three weeks.

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   Tottenham confirmed the signing of Nacer Chadli from FC Twente Endschede for an undisclosed fee, but it is reported that it was about £7 million.
   Young midfielder Tomislav Gomelt has signed for Royal Antwerp of Belgium on a season long loan.

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   Tottenham lost their first game in the Premier League Asia Trophy, going down 1-3 to Sunderland in torrential rain in Hong Kong.  A match report will follow.
   Papers are full of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid/Manchester United ... depending on what you read.

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   Spurs are said to have held talks with Roberto Soldado's agent and Valencia regarding his transfer to White Hart Lane.  The sticking point appears to be the asking price of £26 million, with Tottenham willing to pay either £22 million plus £3.5 million in add-ons or to pay the whole amount but in instalments ... depending on what you believe or read.
   A Spanish tabloid claims Real Madrid are ready to offer £85 million for Gareth Bale and pay him £3.5 million a year to join the Spanish club.  Meanwhile the Times reckon Manchester United are willing to blast wide open the British transfer record to sign Bale.
   The Daily Mirror claim that Spurs will return to Olympique Lyonnais to try to sign Argentine striker Lisandro Lopez.  The 30 year old forward was a target in January, but Tottenham hope to have more luck this time with just a year left on his contract with the French club.
   Reserve midfielder Ryan Mason has joined Swindon Town on loan for the season.

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   Spurs arrived in Hong Kong earlier today ahead of the Asia Premier League Trophy tournament.
   The Daily Star reckon that Liverpool might steal a march on Spurs in their move for Valencia Roberto Soldado.  The claim that a £17.5 million bid has been rejected and the Merseyside club might nip in to try and make their big signing as cover for Luis Suarez, should he leave, with a £22 million offer.

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   Spur shave announced they have agreed a deal to sign FC Twente Enschede winger Nacer Chadli, for a fee quoted elsewhere as £6 million ( €7 million).  The deal is subject to a medical and agreeing personal terms with the 23 year old Belgian.
   The Mail on Sunday report that Spurs are ready to make a club record bid of £18 million to Valencia to sign striker Roberto Soldado.

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   Andre Villas-Boas has played down links with the manager's post at Barcelona after Tito Vilanova stepped down to continue his fight against cancer.

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   Tottenham drew 0-0 with Colchester United at the Weston Homes Community Stadium tonight.  For a match report click here.
   The London Evening Standard claims that Spurs are to ignore any bids from Manchester United for Gareth Bale, but the Daily Star claim the Welshman is keen on a move to United, but without much evidence of it in the article.
   The Star goes on to carry a piece claiming Spurs have upped their offer for Valencia striker Roberto Soldado to £20 million, but the cash-strapped La Liga side state that they do not want to sell their star players on the cheap.
   In what must be Spurs Day in the same paper, they reckon Tottenham are favourites to sign Wigan Athletic midfielder James McCarthy ahead of Everton and are not put off by the £20 million asking price.  Can't see that myself.
   Spurs target Christian Benteke has signed a new four year deal at Aston Villa.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Legendary German and Manchester City goalkeeper Bert Trautmann died today ... 

   Manchester United are being linked with a £60 million move for Gareth Bale in the Daily Mirror.
   A Spurs XI beat Kingstonian 4-0 away tonight.  The goals were scored by Kenneth McEvoy, Jonathan Obika, Simon Dawkins and Cristian Ceballos.

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   Tottenham's move for Aston Villa's Christian Benteke could include a 25% sell on clause, if the fail to meet the £26 million asking price, the Metro claims.
   There are more links in the same paper to Real Betis' 18 year old winger Alvaro Vadillo.

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   CRIME WATCH ... Former Chelsea and England midfielder Ray Wilkins has been found guilty of drink driving and he has been given a 12 month community order, banned from driving for three years, disqualified from driving for two years and fined £4,000 in costs for being nearly four times over the legal limit ... 

   Spurs drew 1-1 away at Swindon Town in their first pre-season friendly tonight. For a match report click here.
   There is little transfer news other than Christian Benteke urging Spurs to hurry up and sign him, as he doesn't want to return to Aston Villa next week.
   TalkSport report that Spurs and Manchester City are looking at Benfica's goal-scoring winger Eduardo Salvio, who might cost £15 million.

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   The Times claim that Spurs are putting a contingency plan in place should FC Twente Enschede winger Nacer Chadli not come to White Hart Lane and are eyeing up Real Betis' 18 year old winger Alvaro Vadillo.  Later in the day reports indicated that Shakthar Donetsk were poised to bid for Chadli.
   Clint Dempsey's agent claims that the American international will be at White Hart Lane next season despite links with him joining West Bromwich Albion.
   Swindon Town's search for a new manager may include Les Ferdinand, Tim Sherwood and Chris Ramsey, who have all been linked with the vacant manager's post at the County Ground.
   You will be able to pay on the door for tomorrow's pre-season friendly at Swindon Town should you wish to attend.  Kick off is at 19:00.

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   No news of any impending moves today, other than Emmanuel Adebayor is proving a difficult opponent to Spurs by not agreeing to move to Besiktas.

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   The Daily Telegraph reports that Spurs are to make an offer for Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke next week, believed to be about £20 million, as they do not believe his price tag of £25 million is justified.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Kevin McDonald has left his post as manager of Swindon Town by mutual consent ... 

   Rumours from Spain indicate that Real Madrid will keeping trying to get Gareth Bale away from Spurs until the very end of the transfer window.
   A number of sources reckon Tom Huddlestone is close to joining Sunderland in a £5 million transfer, choosing the Black Cats over Fulham.

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   Apologies that White Hot Lines did not appear this morning, but we have had technical difficulties uploading the page.  Hope it is all OK now.
   Changes to Spurs' fixtures have taken place because of Live TV coverage and participation in the Europa League.
Crystal Palace v Spurs will now kick off at 13:30 on Sunday 18th August 2013 (Sky TV)
Spurs v Swansea City will now kick off at on Sunday 18th August 2013 (following a Europa League week)
Arsenal v Spurs will now kick off at on Sunday 1st September 2013 (Sky TV)
Spurs v Chelsea will now kick off at 12:45 on Saturday 28th September (BT Sport)
Aston Villa v Spurs will now kick off at 16:00 on Sunday 20th October 2013 (Sky TV)
Everton v Spurs will now kick off at 13:30 on Sunday 3rd November 2013 (Sky TV)
Spurs v Newcastle United will now kick off at 12:00 Noon on Sunday 10th November 2013 (Sky TV)
Manchester City v Spurs will now kick off at 17:30 on Saturday 30th November 2013 (Sky TV)
Spurs v Manchester United will now kick off at 12:45 on Saturday 30th November 2013 (BT Sport)
   Reserve defender Bongani Khumalo is interesting Ipswich Town to make a move to take him on loan, according to the Eastern Daily News.
   Emmanuel Adebayor is dithering over a £5 million move to Turkish side Besiktas.
   Benoit Assou-Ekotto is interesting Turkish side Fenerbahce.
   Spurs are said by the Sun to have offered Aston Villa the pick of one of Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Jake Livermore, Tom Huddlestone or Scott Parker as part exchange for striker Christian Benteke.
   The old link to Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen has surfaced once more, but there appears little to back this story up at the moment.
   Tottenham are said to eb ready to make a £20 million bid for AS Roma winger Miralem Pjanic, after he was jeered when he turned up for pre-season training.
   Atletico Mineiro claim that they have had five offers for midfielder Bernard but it is not sure if Tottenham are one of the bidders, although some stories claim they are.
   Tottenham's interest in Standard Liege's Ghanaian defender Daniel Opare is said to be building.
   Rumours circulate about Chelsea's interest in buying Kyle Walker.
   Former Spurs midfielder John Bostock, released in June, has signed for Belgian Second Division side Royal Antwerp.
   Former Spurs winger Jake Nicholson, released in June, is currently with Crystal Palace.

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   MEHSTG's spin story ... .

   Christian Benteke was the big story this morning, with Aston Villa saying the striker can leave if their asking price is met.  Chelsea have entered the hunt according to the London Evening Standard, but the Daily Mail reckon the Belgian international's preferred destination is Tottenham, although Villa may want to play hard-ball with Spurs as they felt they were short-changed by last season's loan of Jermaine Jenas to the club.  Jenas was injured in his first game for Villa and didn't play again.
   The Mail also reports that Tottenham are close to signing another Belgian - FC Twente Enschede's winger Nacer Chadli, with the 23 year old able to play on either wing.  Spurs are offering £6 million and the Dutch club want £7.75, so they might meet in the middle to seal the deal.
   Former Spurs forward Giovani Dos Santos has left Mallorca to join Villarreal.

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   Spurs are being linked with a move for Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, after the Belgian 22 year old handed in a transfer request.
   Spurs confirmed the departure of Nathan Byrne to Swindon Town for what the BBC report as an undisclosed fee, while Alex Pritchard has joined the same club on a season long loan.
   Gareth Bale is among ten players on the short-list for UEFA's Best Player in Europe 2012-13 award.
   Former Spurs midfielder Dean Parrett has been training with Notts. County.

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   Tottenham transfer target David Villa will be playing for Atletico Madrid next season after Barcelona agreed a €5.1 million deal for the Spanish forward, with a 50% sell on clause in the contract.
   The Daily Mirror claim that Spurs are interested in Jese Rodriguez of Real Madrid B and Spain's Under-20s.  The winger is unsure of his future at the Bernabeu and may be looking for a new club to gain more first team football, but it remains to be seen whether he will move to White Hart Lane.
   Some of the Tottenham players not involved in international duty over the summer returned to training today and the majority will join them next week.  Paulinho has been given special dispensation over his return to pre-season, as he only finished playing last week !
   Spurs revealed their new home and away kits by Under Armour today and they can be seen at http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2013-2014-kits-unveiled-080713/.

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   CRIME WATCH ... former Newcastle United striker Nile Ranger has been charged with rape ...

   The Sunday People report that Mark Hughes is keen to re-unite Jermain Defoe with former Spurs and England team-mate Peter Crouch by signing him for Stoke City for £6 million.
   It appears that Swindon Town are soon to become Tottenham Light, with rumours circulating that Nathan Byrne's move (which appeared to take place in April) will be announced as permanent, while John Bostock and Jake Nicholson, will join former team-mates Massimo Luongo and Grant Hall at the County Ground.  In addition, Ryan Mason and Alex Pritchard are both due to join the Wiltshire club on loan.

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   Tottenham confirmed the signing of Brazilian midfielder Paulinho from Corinthians for just under £17 million.
   Valencia have told the media that they want £25 million for Spurs target Roberto Soldado.
   The Daily Mirror claims Spurs are interested in FC Twente Enschede's Belgian winger Nacer Chadli, but are not willing to meet the £8.5 million asking price.
   Paul Gascoigne was arrested last night after an assault  at Stevenage railway station involving his former wife Sheryl and a security guard.

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   Paulinho was in London today to have his Spurs medical and finalise terms on his deal to join the club.
   Tottenham and Chelsea have been linked with a move for Zenit St. Petersburg striker Hulk, whose buy-out clause is £40 million.
   Spurs and Everton are vying for Barcelona winger Gerard Deulofeu on loan for the coming season according to the Daily Mirror.
   The Daily Mail has Spurs in for AS Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic, who would fetch £20 million for the Italian club if they sold him.
   In the same paper, they report that Tottenham and Southampton are being offered AS Roma striker Pablo Osvaldo, whose situation is also being watched by Manchester City.  However, other reports claim that Technical Director Franco Baldini knows Osvaldo from his time at Roma and has concerns over the striker's temperament, leading Spurs to concentrate on the signing of David Villa.
   Besiktas are hopeful of signing Spurs striker Emmanuel Adebayor, having made an offer that gives them an idea of what Tottenham may require in terms of a fee.  £3 million has been mentioned as the bid, with Spurs holding out for the £5 million they paid for the Togo forward the Metro claims.

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   The London Evening Standard claims Harry Redknapp wants midfielder Scott Parker to lead QPR's return to the Premier League, with Spurs expected to allow the 32 year old to move on if Rangers put in a reasonable bid for the England man.  The Guardian believe that Tottenham will accept as little as £2 million for Parker.
   Tottenham are reportedly interested in Sevilla forward Alvaro Negredo, who is interesting Manchester City and would be available for around £28.3 million.
   Former reserve team players striker Kudos Oyenuga and central defender Callum Butcher have both signed for Dundee United from Hayes & Yeading.

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   The Spanish paper Marca has said that no offer has been made by Real Madrid for Gareth Bale and they will try to sign him again next summer.
   The Daily Star claims Spurs are in the hunt, with Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City, for Belgian 15 year old striker Julien Ngoy, who is not yet with a club, but has pace to burn, being a schoolboy sprinter.

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   Young midfielder Massimo Luongo and defender Grant Hall have joined Swindon Town on season long loans.
   Spurs are said to have made a £17 million bid for Valencia forward Roberto Soldado according to the Daily Star.

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   Tottenham is the rumoured destination of Croatian youngsters Alen Halilovic and Tin Jedvaj, with the chairman of Dinamo Zagreb announcing that the pair have been sold for £17 million.  It is said that Jedvaj, a central defender,  will remain in Croatia until his 18th birthday in December, with midfielder Halilovic joining Spurs in the summer of 2014.  However, the Croatian club's Technical Director said negotiations are on-going, but nothing has been completed, although they hoped to close the deal with Tottenham.
   Spurs have been linked to 27 year old Real Sociedad left back Albert de La Bella, having had a £3 million bid rejected.
   There has also been a rumour that Tottenham may make a move for Standard  Liege defender Daniel Opare.
   Besiktas are interested in signing Emmanuel Adebayor from Spurs.
   Andre Villas-Boas is reported to have spoken to David Villa on the telephone to let him know of his intentions for the Barcelona forward should he join Spurs.  The reported fee wanted by the La Liga champions is £12 million, but Tottenham are hoping to seal a deal for around £8.6 million.
   The new Spurs kits for 2013-114 will be unveiled on the club site on Monday 8th July.

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