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Spurs set to miss out on Tiago

Fri 25 Jan, 07:15 PM


Tottenham's bid to sign Tiago from Juventus has reportedly collapsed, with a host of Premier League clubs waiting to hijack the transfer.Former Chelsea midfielder Tiago appeared to be on his way to White Hart Lane to reinforce Juande Ramos' ranks.

But it now appears as though any deal for the Portugal international is off, with other Premier League clubs waiting in the wings.

Bolton, Manchester City and Newcastle have all been linked with Tiago, who only joined Juventus from French champions Lyon last summer.

Meanwhile, Ramos has revealed he has rejected the opportunity to sign up to eight players during the transfer window.

Spurs have been linked with a string of potential signings this winter, but Ramos has turned down the chance to sign them.

"I've already done so on various occasions, although you don't know that - maybe six to eight," said Ramos.

"Players that I don't like and that aren't right for the team we have rejected them.

Ramos forms part of a three-man transfer committee, with sporting director Damien Comolli drawing up lists of scouted players and chairman Daniel Levy also having his say before a group decision is made on whether to bring the likes of Jonathan Woodgate to the club.

"We evaluate the player as a group, decide whether we are interested in him and make a final decision," said Ramos.

The structure at White Hart Lane is similar to the one which Ramos worked under at Sevilla, where he enjoyed success, although he feels it is too early to say whether the system is a success.

"We have only been here for three months so we haven't had time to assess that," he said. "It would be difficult to say whether it is a good thing or a bad thing.

"This is the system we used in Spain at Sevilla and it gave us excellent results. The decisions that we are taking at the moment are taken communally.

"There is a consensus on whether a player can come related to his quality, price and availability. We take those decisions together, it is not only one person that decides."

Ramos explained that it will be a group decision if Pascal Chimbonda is allowed to leave, as reports have suggested he would like to.

The way Spurs operate is in stark contrast to Manchester United - their opponents on Sunday in the FA Cup fourth-round clash at Old Trafford - with Sir Alex Ferguson in total control.

"Every team has their way of working, in Manchester they have that structure where the 'manager' takes the decision on how to spend the money," said Ramos.

"Tottenham is a different system, a different way of working politically but that is not to say one system is better than another. It's just different and each club has to decide what is best for them."

Ramos took Sevilla to Old Trafford two seasons ago and lost 3-0 in pre-season friendly.

"The result wasn't important, it was just a training match," insisted Ramos.

Ramos has not been knocked out of a cup competition in two years and he will only enjoy a customary glass of wine with Ferguson if he extends his record this weekend.

"I'll take a bottle and if we win I'll open it and if we lose I won't," he said.

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