Pro Eleven Headline News

Tottenham Confident of Bringing Back Defoe Despite Pompey's £20m Pricetag

Tottenham Hotspur believe they are close to the capture of Jermain Defoe from Portsmouth. Although the clubs remain apart in their valuation of the England striker, Spurs are confident their hand is strengthened by the fact that the south-coast club owe them £11.5million in installments on previous transfers.

Portsmouth are due this month to pay the balance on the £9m fee that took Defoe from Tottenham to Fratton Park last January‚ a figure of £4.5m, and also owe Spurs £5m on the switch that Younes Kaboul made last summer and £2m on Pedro Mendes's transfer in January 2006. Mendes moved on to Rangers last summer.

The Tottenham manager, Harry Redknapp, was in charge at Portsmouth when Defoe joined them. He had previously worked with the striker at West Ham and said that he would block Defoe's sale were he still at Fratton Park. "[Peter] Crouch and Defoe are a terrific partnership, that's why I bought them to play together," he said. "Whether I was in a relegation battle or not, I would not sell Defoe."

Tottenham are reluctant to pay much more than £12m for the forward, whereas Portsmouth are hopeful of raising nearer to £20m for a player who has made it plain that he wants to leave and rejoin Tottenham. Redknapp, who is preparing his team for tonight's Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Burnley at White Hart Lane, maintained that he "would be surprised if the deal gets done" but his pessimism appears to be unfounded.

Redknapp has convinced his chairman, Daniel Levy, of the need to invest in the squad and to soften his recently stated stance that no major signings would be made this month, although he did concede that it was difficult for Levy to splash out on a player who was deemed surplus to requirements 12 months ago.

"There probably would be a problem and I can understand that," said Redknapp, on the issue of paying significantly more than £9m for Defoe. "Whatever the actual fee was, Jermain was a good buy at Portsmouth because 12 months later, he is worth much more. Portsmouth have done well out of Jermain. He has been a good signing but, as I say, I would keep him.

"It's pretty obvious that we need to buy," Redknapp added. "We have a very small squad for a big club, nowhere near as big or strong as I had at Portsmouth in terms of numbers, nowhere near. I am looking at a couple of loans [in addition]. I've got a couple of terrific loans that I have a chance of doing, a couple of foreign loans."

One of those players is the former Liverpool full-back Steve Finnan, who is at Espanyol, although the Spanish club would prefer a permanent deal. Redknapp has taken Stephen Appiah, the Ghana midfielder, on a week-long trial. Appiah, who was released by Fenerbahce last year, trained with the squad for the first time yesterday and could sign for Tottenham as a free agent. Redknapp also has an interest in the Coventry City goalkeeper Kieran Westwood.

Tottenham are in the throes of a new era, with Levy having dispensed with his sporting director system, and Redknapp outlined how the more streamlined structure would work. "I just say to Daniel that we need to get two or three players in, I would like this player at left-back or wherever and can you see if they are interested in selling," he said. "Daniel will ring the club, make an inquiry and see whether there is a deal to be done.

"I don't get involved any more in terms of wages. I haven't for 12 years. Peter Storrie did it at Portsmouth and Daniel here. They negotiate with the club, the agent and the player. If it's too expensive, they say 'No, we can't afford him' and then it's my choice to say 'OK, let's try someone else'."

Redknapp will rest the captain Ledley King against Burnley and keep him back for Sunday's Premier League visit to Wigan Athletic, an indication of where his priorities lie and, with injuries and suspensions taking a toll, he will name Hossam Ghaly in his squad. Ghaly has not played for Tottenham since he threw down his shirt when he was substituted as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers in May 2007. The Egyptian almost came on in last Friday's home win over Wigan in the FA Cup only for the crowd to make their feelings known. "Ghaly made a mistake but it shouldn't end his career," said Redknapp, as he advocated forgiveness. "To get subbed as a sub is as low as you can go as a footballer. He wasn't being disrespectful to Tottenham, he had the hump with the manager at the time [Martin Jol]. I'd expect him to be the same with me if I did that to him." Guardian



Agüero On The Bench For Barcelona Clash

Atlético Madrid will be looking for revenge as they welcome Barcelona to the Vicente Calderón this Tuesday evening.

The side from the capital were thrashed 6-1 at the Camp Nou earlier in the season and now, in the Copa Del Rey, they have a chance to atone.

Pep Guardiola has already revealed that he will not be taking some of his biggest names to the match, and today, Javier Aguirre announced that his greatest of them all will be on the bench to start with.

Marca reports that the Mexican has decided to leave Sergio Agüero on the bench, whilst elsewhere he has made five other changes to the side that lost to Valencia at the weekend.

Los Rojiblancos welcome back Maxi Rodríguez and Maniche, both of who missed the match at the Mestalla due to injury, and there is also a change in the defence.

Tomas Ujfalusi and Mariano Pernía go out, and the back four now consists of Giourkas Seitaridis, Johnny Heitinga, Luis Perea and Antonio López.

In midfield, Paulo Assuncao retains his spot, as does Simao, and Florent Simana-Pongolle, who came on against Valencia, starts up front with Diego Forlán.

The rest of the players in the squad are Leo Franco, Ujfalusi, Éver Banega, Miguel de las Cuevas and Agüero. Goal



Huntelaar revels in Real Madrid debut

Klaas Jan Huntelaar was delighted with his Real Madrid debut, but admits he was disappointed not to mark it with a goal.

Huntelaar played for 55 minutes before being substituted early in the second half of his new team's 1-0 victory over Villarreal.

The former Ajax striker, who had not played for two months with an ankle injury, went close to ensuring he enjoyed a dream debut only to be denied by a brilliant stop by Diego Lopez.

However, Huntelaar was still more than satisfied with his first performance in a Madrid shirt.

"I am very happy that we got the three points, it was a great night," he said. "I'm not tired. We got the three points in a game that was very important for us.

"It was a great atmosphere, the fans were very animated. In the first half I played better than in the second.

"I was close to scoring my first goal and that really excited me because I would have like to do it to thank the fans for all their support.

"I had some clear-cut chances. The goalkeeper made a great save but I should have scored. It would have been marvellous to score on my debut."

Sunday also marked the debut of Madrid's other big-money winter signing, Lassana Diarra.

The former Portsmouth midfielder played 78 minutes and impressed new coach Juande Ramos.

"Lass did an excellent job," he said. "But he was exhausted and he asked to be substituted because it had been a long time since he had played.

"Huntelaar had a first half that was quite acceptable but he was also tired because he had not played for a while and for that reason we needed to take him off in the second half.

"He had chances to score but the goalkeeper was very good. He had a very good chance that will have been good for his spirit."

It looks likely that Ramos will have to select one of the pair to play in the Champions League with UEFA remaining firm on the rule that only one new signing who has already played in Europe this season can be registered.

However, the former Tottenham Hotspur boss gave no clue as to who he would choose.

"I'm not having a debate on the matter," added Ramos. "They are two distinct footballers, in two different positions and the decision, which is mine, depends on the needs of the team and the work that we have to do to progress in the Champions League."

Huntelaar admitted he would love to play in Europe's premier club competition but acknowledged there was a chance he could be left out.

"Of course I want to play in the Champions League," added the Holland striker. "But I can't do anything, it's not my decision.

"And I will respect the decision which the coach and the club make, whatever it is." ESPN



Beckham set for Milan debut

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti is seriously considering handing David Beckham an immediate debut when Serie A resumes on Jan. 11.

Beckham has joined the Rossoneri on loan from Major League Soccer side, the Los Angeles Galaxy, for three months and has amazed Ancelotti with his fitness during training.

The former England captain has now been penciled in for a place in the squad which will face AS Roma after the winter break.

"He could be ready for the game against Roma," said Ancelotti.

"It's true that he hasn't been playing recently, but he has been working really hard in training and he is making an excellent impression on everyone." Sports Network