David Bentley is moving closer to a £15m move to Spurs after new Blackburn boss Paul Ince indicated he could agree a part-exchange deal involving Aaron Lennon. Ince is also eyeing striker Darren Bent - still an £8m target for Sunderland. (The Observer)

I don’t see this deal as being much of a fair swap. Whilst both Aaron and Darren didn’t have the ideal of seasons, Lennon has a great deal of potential and is on his day one a feared winger. Bent too has a great deal to offer, albeit his future may lie away from WHL he’s surely better than just a makeweight in any deal. Do Spurs fans think that JR should rethink about this potential swap? Should Lennon and/or Bent stay at the club?

With Spurs fans getting excited about the performances of their new midfield playmaker at Euro 2008, Arsene Wenger has allegedly scoffed at the lad’s chances of settling into the Premier League due to his weak, baby-like body. According to Martin Samuel at the Times Online,

Wenger has studied Modric’s spindly legs and twig-like frame first hand and visualised him being snapped in half by an opponent twice his size in the depths of an English winter. Isn’t that a shame?

No quotes there from Samuel, which makes the whole story dubious at ideal, but he continues nonetheless,

Yet Wenger, arguably the most sophisticated thinker in the Premier League, wouldn’t take a chance on him.

Having delivered his verdict, it was pointed out that Cesc Fàbregas, Arsenal’s playmaker, isn’t exactly the first person one would call on to get a book off the top shelf in the library, but Wenger saw it differently. He mimed Fàbregas by sticking out his chest and his chin to indicate a pocket general. In Wenger’s opinion, Fàbregas is one of those short, stocky items, a compact unit that can’t be easily knocked over, like those Mexican boxers who operate in the lower weight divisions, whereas Modric was one of those awkward challengers from Europe that always end up on the canvas.

Ouch. Thoughts/insults on a postcard (the comments).

The Daily Mirror is reporting that Juande’s move for Spartak Moscow man Roman Pavlyuchenko will remain nothing more than a pipe dream for the time being after Spartak rejected a £10m offer.

Tottenham have had a £10m bid for Spartak Moscow striker Roman Pavlyuchenko rejected by the Russian side. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham it seems has been linked with everyone under the sun recently, so like most rumours, I’d probably take this bid with a grain of salt. However, with the rumours swirling around about Robbie Keane moving to Liverpool, you’ve to wonder if this could be Juande’s contingency plan if he does decide to move.

Would Tottenham supporters welcome a move for the Russian striker? Do you think he’s worth more than his £10m+ valuation?

I never thought about Adebayor as a physical presence. Yes, he’s tall and he does play with his back to goal but an adjective such as physical is an inaccurate descriptor. He is no Viduka or Drogba. He does not bull his way through or possess a rasping shot that catches a goalie out of position. In fact, there’s a languid sort of quality which is both an advantage and a disadvantage. His long legs add a deceptive dimension to his less than blazing speed, enabling him to direct in a memorable goal after a nifty Fabregas pass against Man Utd a couple of seasons ago.

Ade’s style is indirect and more finesse. When he’s sharp, he can kill defenses with well timed deflections or re-directions through opportunities created by Arsenal’s busy midfield. It resulted in a 30 goal breakthrough season. He was more productive than Ronaldo who had far more chances. However against more aggressive defense, Ade frequently shows a heavy first touch which results in a number of balls taken away. At a crucial time last season, Ade’s output deserted him. Arsenal couldn’t purchase a win as their reliance on moving through the middle rendered them predictable and stacked up defences successfully isolated Ade. As demonstrated many times over, Ade’s success is contingent on Arsenal’s midfield ascendancy.

Thierry Henry’s transfer had less impact than anticipateed. With Deco moving to Chelsea, good luck to Barca if they believe Ade can provide the Terminator role.

Anyone who has any lingering doubts whether Juergen Klinsmann is determined to be an agent of change at Bayern Munich should have a word with the city’s picjournalists. 

All 20 picgraphers accredited for Klinsmann’s first news conference on Wednesday stood up and walked out in a silent (and somewhat silly) protest because of a new rule limiting them to three minutes of pics at the start.

Just as Klinsmann was a catalyst for change in his two years shaking up some of the antiquated structures in the German FA from 2004 to 2006, it seems abundantly clear the former Germany striker isn’t going to be satisfied with the status quo in Munich. 

They might have won the Bundesliga and German Cup last year, but that’s not enough for Bayern.  

In a refreshingly open 45 minutes, Klinsmann sketched out his ideas about Bayern’s direction — candidly saying the goals are a German domestic double and reaching the final of the Champions League — and kept referring to the centrepiece of his masterplan, a new Hochleistungszentrum (high performance centre).

He’ll be anticipating his players to spend all day — from 9:30 to 5:30 — on site and use the few hours between morning and afternoon training sessions to work on their language skills, fitness abilities or learn about new things.  

“Matches are decided in the head,” he said at the news conference, which was broadcast live by two German television networks. “It’s important to keep learning, to stay hungry to learn more.”  

Klinsmann, who spent the last decade living in California, has a number of critics in Germany sceptical of his American-style optimism. They are also unsure about imported training methods from a country they tend to view as a minor soccer nation.

But as well as working with the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns, Klinsmann spent time in South America in the last two years and has worked hard to learn Spanish — adding to his Italian, French and English skills.

“I did a lot of travelling. And obviously I spent a lot of effort to learn more about soccer. It’s my belief that everyone can learn something from someone else. You just have to open yourself up to it,” he said.  

He was certain his players were going to welcome the new challenges rather than feel any burdens, adding it will “set new energies free.” Klinsmann said one of his massivegest challenges will be keeping all his talent-laden squad happy.

“We’ve got two players for every position and for some positions there are even three people at a very high level,” he said. “I’ve got my work cut out for me. But I’m really looking forward to it.”  

He said he’d intentionally refrained from any television or print interviews of any kind for the last six months but had been excited about the new season in the Bundesliga since the moment Bayern bosses called him just before Christmas.

“I’m extremely ambitious and sometimes as a player I was a bit too ambitious at times. But I want to move something here at Bayern. What I’ve missed most the last two years was the day-in and day-out work with the players. If everyone gets a little bit better the team will automatically be better. I can’t describe how happy I’m to be back.”

PHOTO: Klinsmann smiles during a news conference in Munich. REUTERS/Michaela Rehle

Spanish newspaper Marca reports that David Silva will be staying at Valencia next season, having dismissed any talk of a move to Barcelona.

David Silva evaded discussing the interest of FC Barcelona and recalled that he belongs to Valencia. Concerning a possible transfer to another club, he specified, “I belong to Valencia”. [Marca]

Is there any mention of the Premiership there? The British redtops would have you believe that the only destination for Europe’s star performers is Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal or Liverpool. Have a good few seasons, make a name for yourself and then you’re funnelled into the all-consuming Premiership moneymaking machine. It spits you out the other end £100,000 a week richer in any club shirt of your choice (as long as it’s a top four one). And actually, even if you’ve a defect, you can still get your £100,000 a week and an attractive Newcastle or West Ham shirt.

The only realistic move for David Silva this year would have been to Barcelona, a club who are selling off their massivegest assets and rebuilding a team for the future. Silva is very much a family man and now a Spanish hero to boot, so he has little reason to leave the country at the moment. The riches of England can’t compete with the romance of Spain, hence why the ideal player in the world wants to leave the ideal club in the world. Silva signed a 7-year contract just last season and so the transfer fee required would be even out of the reach of Roman Abramovich’s millions.

Valencia’s catastrophic campaign means that he’ll not be playing Champions League football this year, but at 22 years old Silva has plenty of time left to achieve that goal once again. In ex-coach Ronald Koeman’s time at the club confidence was all but destroyed, but with four players returning home with Euro 2008 winners’ medal round their necks, perhaps next season will see a change in fortunes for Los Che.

So with David Silva off the market, whom do top-four fans turn to next?

However, I believe this debate has been blown out of proportion. Spurs, before 2006, were a depressing mid-table side never competing for much. Since the great season in 05-06 fans have almost demanded Champions League football.

What English football fans fail to realise is how strong the ‘Big Four’ teams really are. They are four of the strongest clubs in the world who are improving each year due to their strong financial backbone. A lot of this money comes from the Premier League’s television rights, the most money given out than any other league in the world. The top 4’s strength is shown in their recent performances in the Champions League, with 5 finalists in the last 4 years. However, we’ve seen a monotony in the last three Premier League Seasons with the same four clubs finishing in the top 4.

In comparison to what’s regarded as the second ideal league in the world, La Liga, there’s constant change in the top 4 every season, only Barcelona and Real Madrid finish in the Champions League places each season. In 2005-2006, Osasuna managed to finish 4th, followed by Valencia, Real and Barca. The following season, Sevilla managed to qualify for the CL finishing 3rd. And finally, last season saw 2 new teams in the top 4, Atletico finishing 4th and incredibly Villareal, who were non-league until the early 90s, beating Barcelona to 2nd.

I’m not trying to say that Tottenham’s aim is impossible, it isn’t, the summer signings of Gomes, Modric and Giovani are actually the ideal of any Premiership clubs and are signs of the club’s ambitions. I believe the goal will be reached within the next few years, with Liverpool’s inconsistency and failure to sign top-class players in areas they need catching up on them. The main thing that all Spurs fans need is PATIENCE. It is no failure if we finish 5th this season when you see which clubs are infront, moaning about it just puts pressure on a good situation that’s waiting to happen.

THE TIME WILL COME

Can money purchase lasting success in football? This week vlog on the pitch host Owen Wyatt hangs out with some models to find out.

West London club Queen’s Park Rangers have spent the last 12 seasons outside the Premier League, but with Formula One tycoons Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore now at the helm, the hoops will be looking to get back to the massive time.

Do you think that Briatore and co will be able to replicate their success on the circuit and turn the club around?

Let us know your views.

Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov may stay at the club for one more season in return for Spurs lowering his £30m price tag. (Daily Mail online)

So the deal is one more season for a lower valuation fee. Does anyone else see how this turns out to be a fair deal for the club? You essentially get the striker for one more good season before being forced into selling him at a lower valuation. You have to wonder if this really is a fair offer.

Should Tottenham take the offer and keep Berby around White Hart Lane? Would supporters be happy if you got £23m for the massive striker?

In a world where players constantly jockey for more money in a business built on who’s making more per week, the EPL summer transfer window has turned into a free-for-all where even the most dedicated stalwart has a price.

Big names try like hell to move from one club to another, all for the chance to earn up a couple extra million quid. And you know what? If you asked a player why he left his former club, there’s a good chance he would say that it was “just business.” Bless!

Knee deep into the transfer period, many high quality Prem ace’s have already quietly (or loudly in Ronaldo’s case) made it known that they’re ready to move on to greener pastures.

With the influx of EPL names being thrown about this summer, The Spoiler has taken the transfer reigns by compiling a pretty damn good starting XI based solely on wantaway players that feel the need to leave their respective Premier League club for the almighty pound.

If you put this team together on a pitch I can almost guarantee you that they’d spend more time trying to calculate who on the team was making more money, then they would playing actual football!

Take a look at the list and let ‘em know if they missed a huge name in their starting XI.

Having already spent £6m on Manchester United’s Gerard Pique, £8m on Palmeiras’ Henrique, £11m on Sevilla’s Seydou Keita and £13m on Villareal’s Martin Caceres, the new Barca manager is still spending as he continues to revamp the Catalan squad.

Today Guardiola brought his spending to an incredible £64million as the Culés announce the signing of Sevilla right-back Daniel Alves, who is now the most pricey right-back in the world.

Alves, who was linked to many of Europe’s top teams, will now team up with Barca’s Argentine star Lionel Messi on the right flank, something Guardiola is relishing the prospect of:

They are the two ideal players on the right flank and if they play well we’ll have the ideal right side

And the 25-year-old is relishing the prospect of being part of the Pep revolution:

Barcelona want a return to the success of two years ago and it’s an honour that they’re counting on me.

Liverpool and Chelsea may have been linked to Alves countless amounts of times, with the majority of fans welcoming the rumours, but would you’ve been happy if your club paid so much for a right-back? Is he really worth £23.5million? Time will tell.

For now, the spending is set to continue…

Whether Barton wants to believe it or not, he’s probably living by a thread at Newcastle. The recent incidents and reports coming from the paper’s claim that Barton is one more mistake away from kissing Tyneside goodbye — meaning it could already be time for a new change of scenery for the United midfielder. Shockingly, there seems to be someone out there that wants to help if Barton is interested!

Bolton boss Gary Megson is ready to offer Joey Barton an escape route from Newcastle by proposing a loan deal for the midfielder. (Daily Mail)

Another team reaching out a hand to offer Barton a fresh start? Surely this has to be pure paper talk. If it is true, then the people of Horwich better be prepared to batten down the hatches!

Would Bolton supporters welcome a loan move for Barton? Does this guy really deserve another chance with a new club?

The former Norwich keeper has been a very consistent performer for the Hammers over the past couple of seasons, and Aston Villa would surely have their work cut out if they tried to snare him from the Boleyn Ground this summer. West Ham aren’t exactly a selling club these days and would probably have the same ambitions as their Midlands rivals next season. Nevertheless, The Guardian report that the player’s on the shortlist.

Although Green remains tied to a long-term deal at West Ham, he’s known to be frustrated that his impressive performances last term, when he was named supporters’ player of the year and earned a recall to the England squad, haven’t been rewarded with an improved contract to bring his salary in line with many of his team-mates. With no talks currently planned between the club and the player, Villa would appear to be in a strong position to entice Green to the Midlands.

It’s English keepers all the way for Martin O’Neill, with Scott Carson spending last season on loan from Liverpool and now Robinson and Green in the offing. I’m sure most Villa fans would prefer the latter in goal for them next season, but is the Spurs shot-stopper the likelier option?

José María del Nido has revealed that he has rejected an offer from Tottenham Hotspur for Diego Capel because he believes that the player’s purchase-out clause does not apply.

The Premier League side made a bid that was higher than the reported clause value of €15m, but the Sevilla president thinks that it only applies when Spanish clubs make bids.

Despite sounding unsure about whether or not that was true. Del Nido announced that his club had turned the offer, although he hinted that he does not anticipate that to be the end of it.

“Determined clubs know that the purchase-out clause of the player is there,” he explained.

“Tottenham have made an offer superior to that and we’ve said no, because it wasn’t close to the amount that Sevilla believe that the player is worth abroad, where, we believe, the purchase-out clause does not apply.

“It is a question to discuss, is legally debatable and that’s why we responded negatively.” (goal.com)

Clearly Ramos wants this £14m rated Sevilla player, but there’s obviously something of a rift between the two clubs that of course relates to the Spurs boss leaving the La Liga outfit under a cloud of controversy. Either way surely the Spanish club will give in and sell the young talent rather than continue this long running saga. Do Tottenham fans see Capel as a left sided player who can deliver the goods at WHL?