Transfers - Transfer Talk: Spurs eye Adriano

Eurosport - Wed, 14 Jan 19:17:00 2009

Having failed in his bid to sign Craig Bellamy, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is still on the lookout for a disruptive influence to add to his dressing room.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Coppa Italia Inter-Genoa Adriano - 0

To that end he's targeting Internazionale striker Adriano, according to The Sun. Adriano has fallen foul of his manager, Jose Mourinho, because - along with scoring goals - that's what he does best.

Redknapp flew out to see the Brazilian booze-hound score against Genoa in the Coppa Italia on Tuesday night, and is keen to bring the former Parma man to White Hart Lane on loan if a permanent deal cannot be reached before the transfer window closes.

Other reports have mooted the idea that Spurs left-back Gareth Bale could be involved as a makeweight in the deal. The Welshman has fallen behind Benoit Assou-Ekotto in the pecking order since Redknapp's arrival, and may relish the opportunity to add zero victories in Serie A to the winless record he has maintained so well in the Premier League.

The Daily Mail reveals that the man to replace Bale would be Leighton Baines, but Everton would rather play Philip Neville in midfield than Jermaine Jenas, who was offered in exchange.

Another Anglo-Italian swap deal that Redknapp had hoped for - exchanging hapless goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes for Milan's reserve shot-stopper Christian Abbiati - has also fallen through.

Born in Abbiategrasso, the veteran keeper joins an exclusive group of footballers whose names are similar to their place of birth, which also includes Stephen Ireland, Graham Lancashire , Flavio Roma and Stephen Ward, but doesn't include Alan Brazil, Dwight Yorke or Mark Venus.

Spurs may be signing an expensive liability by taking on Adriano, but it could pave the way for them to set local rivals Arsenal up for disappointment.

Inter are looking to steal in and beat the Gunners to the signature of Andrei Arshavin - a one-time Tottenham target.

Arsenal are reluctant to offer more than half of Zenit St Petersburg's £25 million valuation, and Mourinho would be more than happy to step in and outbid his former rival Arsene Wenger.

Wenger has also been told by Fulham boss Roy Hodgson that he will not get defender Brede Hangeland or midfielder Jimmy Bullard on the cheap.

Hodgson said: "You always worry that bigger clubs are out there. We have to deal with that. It would take something special for these players to move on and I hope that something special doesn't happen."

TT empathises with Hodgson, but warns him that something special usually happens when Bullard is around, whether it's saving the Cottagers from relegation, landing an 87lb carp or drinking club captain Danny Murphy under the table.

A decade ago Wigan Athletic were preparing themselves for a Football League Trophy tie against Scarborough - now they are THE form side in the Premier League. Who'd've thunk it?

Things aren't all rosy for the Latics, though. Club owner Dave Whelan is braced for the 'Lifestyle' arm of his JJB Sports empire to lose anything up to £10m this year.

As such, cash could become increasingly scarce for manager Steve Bruce, and he may be forced to cash in on Real Madrid's interest in winger Antonio Valencia.

Typically, Real are hoping to have their cake and eat it on the deal, as they want to bring the Ecuadorean to Spain in a part-exchange deal involving striker Javier Saviola, who previous manager Bernd Schuster made his first signing at the club, to much bewilderment.

A Real source said: "We must get this deal done as quickly as possible. Ramos needs a winger for the team. This week will be key to the negotiation," before contradicting himself by adding: "If we do not get Valencia now, then we will not buy anybody else."

Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear had a meeting with the club's top brass brought forward due to what he sees as an urgent need for extra funds to be made available.

Kinnear said of the meeting: "It was called very hastily after I explained on Monday the difficult position we are in. I said that we need to act and quickly."

He continued by saying: "The chairman (Derek Llambias) was at home and I said 'No, you need to f****** come in. F****** come up tonight, we need to talk and get cracking, you ****" - but without the expletives.

Kinnear needn't worry about cash though; he'll have some to spend when Charles N'Zogbia finally makes his desired exit.

The latest club to enter the fray is Lyon, and N'Zogbia's agent Frank Peslerbe was busying himself talking up a transfer to Les Gones.

Peslerbe said: "Lyon have contacted us regarding Charles. The challenge of playing for them is attractive to him. They have a long-term project and play Champions League football year in, year out, which is something that Charles would fancy.

"It is an interesting option, but both clubs have to reach an agreement. Joining a more ambitious Premier League club could be the ideal scenario, but at the moment Lyon's interest is stronger than any other."

Tony Mabert / Eurosport

Comment 46 - 65 of 65

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  1. ALL ENGLISH FOOTBALL
    PREMIER LEAGUE – FA CUP – CARLING CUP
    CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – UEFA CUP

    YOU FIND ALL MATCHES ON WEB: PREMIER LEAGUE, CHAMPIONSHIP, FA CUP, SERIE A, LIGA, BUNDESLIGA AND MUCH MORE

    ALL PREMIER LEAGUE HIGH-LIGHTS

    From go to www.premiership.altervista.org, on Thu 15 Jan 12:45PM

  2. And sell sanchez, gilberto, rocha, ghaly. Boateng, tarabet and dos santos need time and are all young so maybe loan them 3 out for more experience and i really hope we keep Bale

    From gecko_twister, on Thu 15 Jan 12:09PM

  3. And im sure everything will be done to make sure we are ok, We have a good chairman, manager, strong profitable set up with money to spend and will be spent if and when its needed, a fantastic tradition and history which attracts top players, and a good kick up the bum to some of the prima donnas we have to get them fighting and battling for the cause and get back to basics and sticking to what they are good at and things will improve. But please no downing, hunt would be good for starters. Appiah and Adriano on loan til the summer would be great(perm only if they prove themselves). And maybe a defender and a 2nd keeper possibly in the summer.

    From gecko_twister, on Thu 15 Jan 11:55AM

  4. Peter C comment 52, everyone should read that before making naive comments about spurs!!!! Also i would like to add that spurs are the only club in the uk(along with man u) to have won a trophy in the last 6 decades. To say spurs are a joke club shows no football knowledge. The current team will come good and harry will get us out of this mess! Apart from the top 4 or 5 clubs i wouldnt swap our squad for theres! There is 17 games left and were only 3 points from mid table so we should all get behind them and make the lane a fortress.....come on spurs show them you can do it!!!!

    From gecko_twister, on Thu 15 Jan 11:46AM

  5. yaya toure is not going to man city sorry.

    From Nath, on Thu 15 Jan 8:31AM

  6. Lets hope Manchester city don`t try to get Ronaldinho in it! God this is getting out of hand. By the Way Adriano should stay. Unless he wants to be in the Premier league. Spurs eye lots of things!?...

    From Nath, on Thu 15 Jan 8:30AM

  7. Funny how Spurs stories attract twats that purport to support other teams. Your own sites too boring, are they? Fuckoff!

    From ugsy, on Wed 14 Jan 10:54PM

  8. spurs should look 4 ian rush if they are that phucked for players!

    From george k, on Wed 14 Jan 10:11PM

  9. A POST TO ALL NEGATIVE INBRED 6 TOED WEIRDOS
    If any of the big 4 teams were to get to the final of a tin pot cup and were to win it and win nothing else u could guarantee every single 1 of you would be mortified but you would all be saying'at least its silverware and a way into europe.
    Also how come i cant see anybody posting about how dire newcastle are.

    GET A GRIP................UP THE TIGERS

    From markcoops, on Wed 14 Jan 8:10PM

  10. "ADRIANO FOR SPURS!!!! ARE YOU WATCHING, ARSENAL?????"

    indeed we are spudsies!!!! ha!

    From risker, on Wed 14 Jan 7:45PM

  11. Football is going to hell in a handcart, forget the Title all you dilluded United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chavski fans. Man city will clean up with the obscene ammount of dosh there prepared to pay for mercanaries who couldnt care less about the club, there loyal to the money only. Football is officialy a mugs game.

    From bobby and sandy, on Wed 14 Jan 7:02PM

  12. Yes, he is a poor guy, just know SEX....
    but many friends like to chat with him online on ta ll da ting site ____T all Min gle Com____, He often told us some funny jokes. Seems he is famous on that site,especially some hot models talk with him positively.

    From Lisina W, on Wed 14 Jan 7:02PM

  13. ALL ENGLISH FOOTBALL
    PREMIER LEAGUE – FA CUP – CARLING CUP
    CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – UEFA CUP

    ALL MATCHES ON WEB: PREMIER LEAGUE, FA CUP, CHAMPIONSHIP, CARLING CUP, LIGA, SERIE A, BUNDESLIGA, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - UEFA CUP AND MUCH MORE

    ALL THE HIGH-LIGHTS OF PREMIER LEAGUE MATCHES

    From go to www.premiership.altervista.org, on Wed 14 Jan 7:00PM

  14. Harry is honest when he talks about football. I'm not talking about trumped up police raids.

    It's appalling when other spurs fans want him sacked, no wonder we've got such a bad name for being fickle.

    From ian_smith31, on Wed 14 Jan 6:38PM

  15. Oh dear, oabdulgani.
    Not much of a football student are we?
    "Spurs are the joke of English football, always have been, and always will be" LIKE HELL!

    1st team in the modern era to do the double!
    1st british team to win a European trophy
    8 F. A. Cups
    2 League Championships
    4 League Cups
    2 Uefa Cups
    1 Cup Winners Cup

    If all that seems a little historic for you, let me inform you that this "joke" side has played: Man U, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool (twice) THIS season, and lost NONE of these games.

    So, tell me what you know about football!

    From Peter C, on Wed 14 Jan 6:38PM

  16. peter c those club will alays be better than spurs..... at least they do well in the league and get into the champions league every year..... and they dont get in by winning a @#$% cup.

    From jamie_maclennan, on Wed 14 Jan 6:27PM

  17. Yes, he is a poor guy, just know SEX....
    but many friends like to chat with him online on ta ll da ting site ____T all Min gle Com____, He often told us some funny jokes. Seems he is famous on that site,especially some hot models talk with him positively.

    From kally w, on Wed 14 Jan 6:23PM

  18. Adriano to the prem woah!!! spurs no no chelsea, arsneal, man utd, MAN CITY maybe

    From jtpmetalcraft, on Wed 14 Jan 6:23PM

  19. Harry is a joke in English football - but the police don't think he is funny!

    From Martin, on Wed 14 Jan 6:21PM

  20. Adriano is pure class.
    I think he might go to spurs.

    From Adam, on Wed 14 Jan 6:20PM
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