Somewhat of a follow up to the yesterday’s season review; the summer is usually a dreaded time to be a Tottenham Hotspur fan. A time of speculation for the prized assets regularly being linked with a move away from White Hart Lane. A time of ITK’s coming out of the woodwork to spread the good word of a player that has been spotted around the Lodge, reporting what they heard from ‘a mate who has a friend that works around the Chigwell area as a milkman who knows Daniel Levy’.
Levy, prior to Sunday’s 2-0 win over Fulham, already stated that the key player’s will not be sold this transfer window, which means the likes of Gareth Bale and Luka Modric, regardless of whether or not Spurs obtain Champions League football, are set to stay with the club. But, this has hardly halted the media linking the likes of Manchester United and co. with moves those that are deemed untouchable by the Spurs chairman. This could well be a long summer ahead.
The outgoings
Naturally, the deadwood is again expected to be shifted. Fans are expecting the likes of Sebastien Bassong, Heurelho Gomes, Heurelho Gomes, Jermaine Jenas and David Bentley gone this summer. All have either overstayed their welcome are, to put it simply, aren’t needed anymore. Early business in these quarters needs to be made quickly and early in order to free up funds for possible arrivals.
However, in relation to the possible departures, it is inevitable, as aforementioned, that a number of the Spurs big guns will be linked with big money moves elsewhere. Bale has already insinuated that he will leave the club should Champions League football not be available next season, even if he didn’t put it in that exact way.
Modric is another who has been linked with a move away, with Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko claiming he would be a perfect addition to the expensively assembled group of mercenaries, and Gareth Barry, at the Etihad Stadium. With Manchester United believed to be sniffing around the Croatian as well, it is likely that the media will look to jump on any possible rumours linking him with a move away, especially with some reports suggesting that a fresh contract is yet to be signed by the diminutive schemer.
The unavoidable transfer gossip which persists to pester Spurs on a yearly basis will undoubtedly rear its ugly head once again this summer. It happened in 2006 with Michael Carrick heading to Manchester United and again regarding Dimitar Berbatov in 2008 with the Red Devils again. Last summer, with all the speculation surrounding Modric, it was hard for any team to be linked with Bale, which was a minor blessing at most. However, it is likely that both are expected to be linked with moves away from the club, and with it, a long summer spent frantically checking the media outlets to determine whether or not the duo are still Spurs players, or have moved elsewhere.
The incomings
Ah the transfer window, whether it is in the summer or January, it brings out the best ITK’s across the forums. The usual names are expected to pop up this summer, Lassana Diarra, Kaka and Arjen Robben, even if the latter has just signed a new contract with Bayern Munich, as possible arrivals throughout the duration of the off-season.
Ajax captain Jan Vertonghen has been heavily mooted as the first possible arrival at White Hart Lane, with numerous media outlets reporting that the Belgian international was in attendance during the weekend win over Fulham. Now the defender is being quoted as saying he wants to join Spurs, regardless of whether the club are entered into the Champions League next season or not.
Loic Remy or Marseille is another that has been linked with a move to the North London giants, with some speculating that manager Harry Redknapp is a big admirer of the France international. A January arrival, like Vertonghen, was mooted, despite the striker confirming he wanted to remain with the club until the end of the season.
Junior Hoilett, like the aforementioned duo, has seen his name and Spurs crop up once again, while some are suggesting that a deal to turn Emmanuel Adebayor’s loan move into a permanent one has been agreed months ago. It is all part of the ITK roundabout that, with the season yet over, has begun spinning frantically ahead of the transfer window.
The European Championships and the Olympics
Euro 2012 will take a lot of the media spotlight away from the transfer rumours. With Younes Kaboul and Kyle Walker both set to miss out through injury, it’ll mean both players will have an extended period of rest, with the duo amassing 87 appearances between them this season. On top of that; young Walker also took part in the U21 European Championships last summer and despite only playing three games, could do with the time to recharge his batteries ahead of the new season.
However, a number of Spurs player’s will be taking part in the competition this summer. Modric, Rafael Van der Vaart, maybe Jermain Defoe and Scott Parker, it could see a number of clubs cast watchful eyes of the Spurs’ current crop. On top of that, the Olympics could also see Bale involved over the summer leaving another possibility for teams to watch the Welshman in action once again.
The two tournaments will surely contribute to a number of defining factors to Spurs next season. Burnout by some, transfer rumours for others, it is set to be a long summer, once again, for the North London giants whether it is reports going crazy about a possible summer arrival or departure or an injury worry that has occurred during the two tournaments.