Redknapp Wants Cole Reunion?

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp is reportedly keen on Chelsea’s England International Joe Cole, who Redknapp has worked with before at West Ham United, according to The Mirror.

With Spurs’ attempt to sign Stewart Downing from Middlesbrough looking destined to end if failure, Redknapp has turned his attention to 27-year-old Cole, who Redknapp handed his Premier League debut to back in 1999 at the Hammers aged 17.

Cole is understood to be unhappy at Stamford Bridge, with the attacking midfielder continually substituted by Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari and could be ready to end his five-years at the Blues, with his present deal at the Premiership club coming to an end in 2010.

Despite Scolari claiming recently that any player at Chelsea is for sale, but the buying club would have to offer big money for anyone at the West London club. It is unlikely that Cole will leave Chelsea for White Hart Lane this month, with a summer reunion with Redknapp a more likely option.

Cole has scored 38 goals in 234 appearances for Chelsea and should the England midfielder be made available by Chelsea is sure to attract interest from other clubs apart from Tottenham.

Southgate: Downing Is Too Good For Spurs

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Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has claimed that England International Stewart Downing is too good for Tottenham Hotspur after Boro rejected two bid for the winger from their Premier League rivals earlier in the week.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp had made 24-year-old Downing his main transfer target after securing the return of striker Jermain Defoe to White Hart Lane from Portsmouth. However, after the rejection of the two offers for Downing, Redknapp is understood to have conceded that he will not land Downing from Middlesbrough this month, despite the winger handing in a transfer request at the Riverside Stadium.

Now Southgate has revealed that should Downing leave Boro, he should set his sights higher than the North London club, with Southgate insisting that he wants the best for Downing.

“I don't think it (a move to Spurs] is in the interests of our club or in the interests of Stewart,” said Southgate.

“There's a certain level that, if Stewart's going to leave this club, he should be going to.

“I'm not knocking Tottenham but I've had plenty of conversations with Stewart about his future, the majority of which I'd prefer to keep private. He totally understands I want the best for him.”

Southgate did concede that if Boro had been in a more comfortable position in the Premiership, where the North East club are currently just outside the drop-zone. Middlesbrough might have been more willing to let Downing leave for Spurs.

“If we'd had seven more points now it could quite possibly have been a different situation,” Southgate added.

8 Premier League Clubs In Hunt For Belgian Star?

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Belgian International Steven Defour put a host of Premier League clubs on alert after the midfielder claimed he is ready to leave Standard Liege, with Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United and Portsmouth all interested in the young starlet.

20-year-old Defour joined Standard from Genk in 2006 and has already made nearly 100 appearances for the Belgian Champions, who he led to their first title in 25-years last season, with the midfielder now claiming he has achieved all he can with the Belgian club and is ready to take the next upward step in his career.

Defour admitted, “I have achieved what I wanted to achieve with Standard.

“Maybe it is best for my career to make an upward step. I feel the time is right for me to move on.”



Although Defour has been a rising star of Belgian football for the past two seasons and already has 18 caps for the national side. It was the midfielder’s performances in Europe against Liverpool and Everton that have attracted the clutch of Premiership clubs to the youngster.

However, Standard are understood to be not willing to let Defour leave the Stade Maurice Dufrasne on the cheap, with the midfielder valued in the region of £8million. This price could easily escalate though, should a bidding war break out from the interested English clubs.

Standard can hold out for a high price for Defour, who won the Golden Shoe award in 2007 for most outstanding player in the Jupiler League as the midfielder is contracted to Les Rouches until 2013.

Villa along with the Gunners, Spurs, Magpies, Boro, Pompey and Blackburn are all understood to have had Defour watched recently, with a move to the Premier League almost certain the only uncertainty is which club the young star will join.

Downing To Force Spurs Move Through?

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Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing is ready to force a move through to Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur by handing in a formal transfer request on Monday morning, according to reports.

24-year-old Downing is the main target for Spurs boss Harry Redknapp in the transfer window, with it understood that the English International is ready to quit the Riverside Stadium for White Hart Lane after the interest shown in him by the North London club.

Boro manager Gareth Southgate has repeatedly claimed that Downing will not be sold in January, with Tottenham believed to have already tested the water with a bid of £6million for the winger. Chief executive Keith Lamb dismissed this offer and called it derisory.

However, should Downing force Southgate’s hand by demanding a move it is likely that the Middlesbrough board will allow the winger to leave the North East club after granting Yakubu a move to Everton last season, when he wanted to leave the Riverside. With Boro holding out for somewhere nearer their £15million valuation of their home grown talent Downing.

Whether Redknapp is ready to match the valuation of Middlesbrough remains to be seen, with the Tottenham chief insisting that he will not pay over the odds for any player this month as he puts his own mark on the Spurs squad.

Downing however, is under contract at Middlesbrough until 2013, having signed a new five-year deal last February, which means Spurs, will have to up the ante if Redknapp truly does want to bring Downing to Tottenham.

FA Cup Draw: Man United v Spurs - Liverpool v Everton - Kettering v Fulham.....

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Tottenham Hotspur are due to face Manchester United in the FA Cup fourth round at Old Trafford if United overcome Championship side Southampton in their third round clash.

The Red Devils and Spurs are both destined to meet at Wembley in the Carling Cup if they can overcome Derby County and Burnley respectively in their forthcoming semi-finals.

The only other, all Premier League fourth round tie pairs Liverpool and Everton together in a Merseyside derby at Anfield. Arsenal, have been drawn away to Cardiff City, while Fulham are away at non-league club Kettering Town. West Ham United must travel to Victoria Park to face League 1 side Hartlepool, who knocked Premiership club Stoke City out in the last round.

All fourth round FA Cup ties are to be played over the weekend of January 24-25th.

Full FA Cup Fourth Round Draw

Birmingham/Wolves v Middlesbrough

Cardiff v Arsenal

Chelsea/Southend v Ipswich

Cheltenham/Doncaster v Aston Villa

Derby v Nottm Forest

Hartlepool v West Ham United

Hull City/Newcastle v Millwall/Crewe

Kettering v Fulham

Leyton Orient/Sheff Utd v Charlton/Norwich

Liverpool v Everton

Portsmouth/Bristol City v Histon/Swansea

Southampton/Manchester Utd v Tottenham Hotspur

Sunderland v Blyth/Blackburn

Torquay v Coventry

Watford v Leicester/Crystal Palace

West Bromwich Albion/Peterborough v QPR/Burnley

Spurs Make 'Take It Or Leave It' Offer For Downing?

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp is understood to have made a £12million ‘take it or leave it’ offer to Premier League rivals Middlesbrough for winger Stewart Downing on Friday night. Despite Boro boss Gareth Southgate declaring earlier on Friday that the England International would not be sold in January, according to The Mirror.

Redknapp has been tracking 24-year-old Downing for weeks and decided to make his offer after learning that Southgate had blocked the wingers exit from the Riverside Stadium to White Hart Lane earlier in the week, while Spurs were discussing a fee with the North East club.

Tottenham have made the England winger one of their main targets during the transfer window. With various swap deals being touted to make the deal go through, which included the possibility of left-back Gareth Bale being part of the deal to land Downing.

However, in light of the comments made by Southgate, Redknapp has decided to test the resolve of the board at Boro and make a straight cash offer of £12million to lure Downing to North London. It is believed that the comments from Southgate went against the signals the former Portsmouth boss was getting from officials at Middlesbrough, who Redknapp feels are open to selling Downing.

Boro are thought to value Downing in excess of £15million, with it remaining to be seen if the left-winger will become Redknapp’s first signing at Spurs this month in what is expected to be a busy month for the former Pompey chief.

Downing has been at Middlesbrough since 2001 and has scored 17 goals in his 164 Premiership appearances for Boro during his 7-years at the Riverside.

Spurs To Fight It Out With Bolton For £8million Richardson?

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Sunderland winger Kieran Richardson is a January transfer target for Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp, with Bolton Wanderers also keen on the England International, according to The Mirror.

24-year-old Richardson was persuaded to join the Black Cats by former Manchester United team-mate Roy Keane, when the Irishman took Sunderland into the Premier League in 2007. However, with Keane walking out of the Stadium of Light earlier in December, Richardson has reportedly become unsettled at the Premiership club and is looking for a move away from the North East.

Redknapp, who is also understood to be close to a deal for Middlesbrough’s Stewart Downing is believed to be ready to offer Sunderland £8million for Richardson in January, but will face competition from Trotters manager Gary Megson, who also wants Richardson at the Reebok Stadium.

Spurs have identified the left side of midfield as an area that needs strengthening next month, with Aaron Lennon filling the void for Redknapp in recent weeks. While it is believed that Downing is the main target for Tottenham, Redknapp is considering Richardson as an alternative, with Boro manager Gareth Southgate wanting Gareth Bale as part of any deal to allow £15million rated Downing to leave the Riverside Stadium.

Tottenham are reluctant to let Welsh International Bale leave White Hart Lane, which has led them to Richardson, but with Bolton also interested it remains to be seen whether the winger opts for Spurs or Wanderers or decides to stay put at Sunderland in January.

As Spurs Close In On Downing, Boro Boss Admits No Player Is "Untouchable"

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Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp is close to signing Middlesbrough England International Stewart Downing, who the Spurs manager has been an admirer of since his time at charge of Portsmouth and is keen to add the left-winger to his squad at White Hart Lane in January.

The main sticking point in negotiations for 24-year-old Downing seem to be the price, with Boro wanting £15million for the winger, who only recently signed a new contract at the Riverside Stadium in February and is tied to the North East club until 2013 under the new deal, according to The Sun.

With Downing on such a long deal at the Premier League side, Boro manager Gareth Southgate is in a position to name his price, with it understood that Southgate wants Welsh International Gareth Bale (left) to come the other way as part of any deal involving Downing.

Despite not being a regular in the Tottenham starting XI, Redknapp is understood to be reluctant to let Bale leave in the opposite direction for the Riverside and reports suggest that another left-sided Spurs player Jamie O’Hara could be used as a bargaining chip to make the deal go through.

Southgate has admitted that there is no player in his squad that doesn’t have a price, but has insisted that he will fight to keep his best players in January and that any offers for his stars would have to be exceptional.

Gareth Southgate said: “I'd love to say x, y or z are untouchable but I can't. I've got to be honest and say certain players would be sold.

“They would have to be exceptional offers but there are certain clubs with exceptional money.

“We'll fight to keep our best players but are not in a position to say they are untouchable when there is an offer too good to turn down.

“The majority of clubs in this division will feel the same way in January.”

Fulham v Middlesbrough Premier League Preview: Can Boro End 5-Game Winless Streak Against The Cottagers?

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Fulham play Gareth Southgate’s Middlesbrough in the Premier League at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

Roy Hodgson’s Fulham side go into this match unbeaten in their last five league outings, but 4 of those games have been draws, with the last win for the Cottagers coming against Tottenham Hotspur in November at home. Fulham are 10th in the Premier League and have only lost once at home all season in 8 matches, winning 5 and drawing the other 2 games.

Boro go into this clash on the back of a good 1-1 draw with Arsenal at the Riverside Stadium last week, but have not won in their last 5 Premiership matches, with 3 draws and defeats to Hull City and Bolton Wanderers. Southgate will be hoping that Middlesbrough can get back to winning ways at Craven Cottage on Saturday and start to climb from their 12th place in the table.

Fulham will be strikers Bobby Zamora (thigh) and Diomansy Kamara (knee) for the visit of Boro, while Andranik Teymourian (knee) and Seol Ki-Hyeon (knee) are also ruled out of this clash for the Cottagers.

Southgate is without summer signing Justin Hoyte (knee) and Rhys Williams (knee), with Gary O’Neill and striker Mido to face late fitness tests for hamstring injuries along with Andrew Taylor, who is struggling to shake off a knee injury in time for the trip to London.

Fulham: (from) Schwarzer, Paintsil, Konchesky, Hangeland, Johnson, Nevland, Gera, Murphy, Gray, Hughes, Zuberbuhler, Etuhu, Bullard, Stoor, Dempsey, Davies, Andreasen, Leijer, Brown, Kallio, Baird, Smalling, Watts

Middlesbrough: (from) Turnbull, Taylor, O’Neill, Riggott, Pogatetz, Digard, Mido, Aliadiere, Emnes, Alves, Huth, Shawky, Tuncay, Downing, Arca, Jones, Bates, Johnson, McMahon, Wheater, Porritt, Owens, Hines, Grounds, Walker

Redknapp: "Arsenal Aren't Going To Win It This Year"

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has written off North London rivals Arsenal’s chances of winning the Premier League this season, with the former Portsmouth boss feeling that it will be a two-horse race between holders Manchester United and Chelsea for the Premiership this year.

This is despite the fact that Liverpool top the table at the moment, but only managed to draw with Hull City at Anfield on Saturday, while the Gunners were held 1-1, by Middlesbrough and Chelsea also were held by his former club West Ham United on Sunday.

“One of those two will win,” Redknapp said.

“That's not being too clever, though, because there's only Liverpool up there as well with them."

Redknapp, who saw his Spurs side earn a spirited point against the Red Devils at White Hart Lane at the weekend believes that Arsene Wenger’s side are already too far adrift and that Liverpool rely too heavily on captain Steven Gerrard and striker Fernando Torres and has claimed that if something should happen to Gerrard then their title claims will be over.

“Arsenal aren't going to win it this year. I can't see them coming back into it and winning the championship,” he added.

“And I think Liverpool rely so heavily on [Steven] Gerrard and [Fernando] Torres.

“If something happened to Gerrard, I don't know what they'd do. So I still see them being short of Chelsea and Manchester United."

Wenger Tells Eboue To Win Arsenal Fans Back By Giving 200%

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Ivory Coast International Emmanuel Eboue has vowed to bounce back for Arsenal after being booed by his own fans and suffering the humiliation of being a substituted substitute in the Gunners Premier League clash with Wigan Athletic last weekend.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claimed at the time that he had hauled 25-year-old Eboue off against the Latics for his own good, but has since backed the versatile right-sided player to come good for the Premiership club.

Despite the backing from Wenger, Eboue started on the bench for Arsenal in the 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday, but Wenger has told the former Beveren player to play his way back into the hearts of the Emirates faithful by giving 200% in every match for the North London club.

Eboue told The People: "It was sad. I did not expect that reaction from the public because I have always given all for Arsenal.

“But I am a professional and I have respect for the reactions of the crowd.

“The manager has encouraged me in the last few days and told me that you get over these things by working harder and fighting.

“He has promised me that if I give 200 per cent in every game, the fans will applaud me again.”

How Much Will Spurs Spend In January? ‘Arry Talk’ Reading Between The Lines

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The New Voice Of Football column at FootballFancast.com

With Spurs boss Harry Redknapp revealing earlier this week that after meeting with chairman Daniel Levy that there will be no big bags of cash to be thrown around in January and that he would be “happy” to get a couple of loan signings in at Tottenham next month. What exactly does he mean?

Well considering Tottenham have spent £50million or thereabouts in the last two summers on players. Does that mean if he is given £20million it’s not lots of cash, or does it mean £5million, £10million?

If you look at the Spurs squad in general there are a few positions that need strengthening immediately. Firstly Tottenham have been crying out for a quality holding midfielder and have been since Michael Carrick left for Manchester United. Second is another striker. The possibility of Fraizer Campbell returning to United, would leave Roman Pavlyuchenko and Darren Bent as the only two strikers at White Hart Lane. Even if Campbell sees out his loan, Spurs still need another one. Thirdly is a goalkeeper, whether it is to replace Heurelho Gomes or to provide serious competition. Because if, Arry rated Spurs No2, Cesar Sanchez he would have given him an opportunity by now, with Cesar looking like he is heading back to Spain with Valencia anyway.

My maths is not the best, but I know three won’t go into two ‘loan signings’. Saying that I think he will get a couple in on loan on a try before you buy basis, it’s Redknapp’s ‘wheeler dealer’ way.

However, you can’t always get the type of quality your looking for that way, so some money is going to have to be spent. So will Tottenham sell to buy? If you look outside the regular first-team squad at Tottenham it’s hard to see where substantial funds will be raised from, with the likes of Ricardo Rocha, Paul Stalteri, Gilberto, Adel Taarabt, Hossam Ghaly, Cesar and possibly Chris Gunter likely to be the players Redknapp is keen to sell.

Tottenham would be laughing all the way to the bank if they got anywhere near £15million for the seven of them. Yet, Spurs have been linked with a £16million swoop for West Ham pair Matthew Upson and Robert Green and a £9million move for Elano at Man City along with Venuzuelan midfielder Juan Arango at Real Mallorca, who looks like he will cost from the videos I’ve seen of him. A further £12million for Stewart Downing at Middlesbrough and this is just the last couple of days. Add to that Argentine Fernando Cavenaghi at around £10million from Bordeaux or another decent striker at the same amount and the bill is starting to soar like a tourist’s in a Soho clip joint.

So it just doesn’t add up, Levy will have to back him unless they have agreed to get by until the summer and go LARGE then like Tottenham have in the past two.

I think how much Redknapp is given will depend on if there is European football at White Hart Lane in the New Year. So should Spurs progress in the UEFA Cup next Thursday, which they are expected to do then I can only see money forthcoming from Levy. Yes it won’t be £50million, but it will be enough when added to Redknapp’s wheeling and dealing skills to ensure Tottenham have the players they need come February 1st.

Or to look at it another way, former QPR and Plymouth manager Ian Holloway might have put it like this: ‘When you have just started dating a nice lady and she is doing the business.

‘You take her anywhere she wants to go. It’s when the sparkle disappears, that you stop talking and sit in front of the telly every night, with a bag of chips.’

Redknapp To Wheel & Deal In January?

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Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp, despite being at a bigger club since he left Portsmouth in October has revealed that Spurs will not be making any major signings, when the transfer window reopens in January.

Instead Redknapp has revealed that after a meeting with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy that he will be “happy” to bring in a couple of players on loan to the Premier League club in January.

Tottenham’s form under Redknapp has been good since his arrival from Pompey, with Redknapp, who has a ‘wheeler dealer’ reputation in the transfer market linked with a host of players from both England and abroad. Included in the players linked with a move to White Hart Lane next month are Welsh International goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey from Wolverhampton Wanderers along with winger Stewart Downing from Premiership rivals Middlesbrough and Argentine Fernando Cavenaghi from French club Bordeaux.

However, Redknapp has claimed there will not be lots of cash spent in January and that he will be content if he can bring in a couple of loan signings to the North London club.

Redknapp told the press: “I had a meeting with the chairman the other day and he said no-one would be spending fortunes. I don't want to spend fortunes anyway.

“If I can bring in some loans, I will be more than happy.”

Redknapp takes Spurs to face former club West Ham United on Monday night in the Premier League, with Redknapp having spent 15 years in total as a player and manager at Upton Park, but will put old friendships aside in a bid to secure all three points and steer Tottenham away from the wrong end of the Premiership.

Liverpool & Man City To Join Spurs In Race For Boro's Downing?

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Manchester City and Liverpool are set to join Tottenham Hotspur in the race for the signature of England International winger Stewart Downing from Middlesbrough, when the transfer window reopens in January, according to reports.

Spurs have been continuously linked with a move to bring24-year-old Downing to White Hart Lane over the past couple of seasons. With Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp said to be a big admirer of the left-sided player.

Now reports have suggested that Reds boss Rafa Benitez along with City chief Mark Hughes are also interested in signing Downing from Boro in January and are both prepared to meet Middlesbrough’s £12million valuation of the player.

Hughes is desperate for a left-sided player at the Eastlands Stadium due to the long-term injury to Martin Petrov and has identified Downing as the ideal replacement for the Bulgarian International. Money will be no object for the Blues, should a bidding war commence between the three Premier League clubs in January for the midfielder.

Liverpool on the other hand are widely known to have to sell before Benitez can bring in fresh faces to Anfield, which could leave them trailing in any race for Downing to City or Tottenham. However, the Merseyside club could offer some sort of swap-deal plus cash for Downing, with Yossi Beneyoun and Jermaine Pennant believed to be surplus to requirements at the Premiership club.

Boro manager Gareth Southgate is keen to keep Downing, who recently signed a new five-year deal at the Riverside Stadium. Should a bidding war start for the winger it might be hard for board at the North East club to resist a big-money offer for Downing, who has been at Middlesbrough since 2001.

Middlesbrough v Newcastle Premiership Preview: Mido Could Feature For Boro – Viduka Close To Comeback For Magpies

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Middlesbrough play, Joe Kinnear’s Newcastle United in the Premier League at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.

Gareth Southgate’s Boro side have blown hot and cold in the Premiership this season and will go into this North East derby with Newcastle on the back of a 3-1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers at the Riverside last weekend. The main problem for Middlesbrough has been a lack of goals, with only 15 from their 14 Premier League matches. However, despite this Boro are 10th in the table and will hope to collect all three points in the Derby with Newcastle.

The Magpies only defeat in November came at the hands of Fulham at Craven Cottage, with Kinnear starting to pull the North East club in the right direction after a shaky first few weeks in charge at St James’ Park. Newcastle will be hoping to build on a 0-0 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last week, but have not won away this season and are third from bottom in the Premiership.

Boro will be without Rhys Williams (knee) and Mohamed Shawky (thigh) for the derby with Newcastle, but could have Chris Riggot, Robert Huth and Egyptian International Mido available, who are all racing to be fit for this North East Derby.

Kinnear is unable to call on Alan Smith (achilles), Ignacio Gonzalez (achilles), Ngo Baheng (knee) and Joey Barton (knee), but could have summer signing Xisco and defender Steven Taylor available if they recover from groin strains. While striker Mark Viduka could also be in contention after a long layoff with an achilles problem.

Middlesbrough: (from) Turnbull, Hoyte, Taylor, O’Neil, Riggot, Pogatetz, Digard, Mido, Aliadiere, Emnes, Alves, Huth, Tuncay, Downing, Arca, Jones, Bates, Johnson, Wheater, Porritt, Owens, Hines, Grounds, Walker

Newcastle United: (from) Given, Coloccini, Enrique, Cacapa, Guthrie, Martins, Owen, Duff, Bassong, Harper, N’Zogbia, Gutierrez, Xisco, Geremi, Beye, Butt, Ameobi, Taylor, Kadar, Edgar, Forster, Tozer, LuaLua, Carroll

Boro Line Up £2million Argentine

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate is reportedly ready to make a £2million bid for Argentine striker Luciano Becchio at League 1 side Leeds United when the transfer window reopens in January.

24-year-old Becchio has been in superb form for the Whites this season, with the former Barcelona player already finding the net 10 times since his summer switch to Elland Road on a free transfer from Merida UD in the Spanish second division.

Southgate is believed to have watched Becchio several times this season and sees the Argentine as the perfect replacement for Egyptian International Mido, who is a target for Premier League rivals Wigan Athletic and is ready to offer the Yorkshire side £2million to bring the forward to the Riverside Stadium.

Leeds boss Gary McAllister will be reluctant to let Becchio leave United for Boro as he attempts to take Leeds into the Championship in his first full season at the club, but the opportunity of a move to a Premiership side should prove to much to resist for Becchio and with Leeds still struggling financially a move to the North East in January for the Argentine is a distinct possibility

Spurs To Swoop For Arsenal, West Ham, Newcastle & Middlesbrough Target?

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Tottenham Hotspur could make a swoop for Ghanaian International Stephen Appiah after FIFA ruled that the former Juventus midfielder is a free agent following his split from Turkish side Fenerbahce in the summer.

New Spurs manager had been heavily linked with a move for 27-year-old Appiah during the summer, while in charge of Portsmouth along with Premier League rivals Arsenal, with Redknapp declaring an interest in the combative midfielder back in September.

“I'd love to sign Appiah and we are interested in him but it's going to be tough to get him,” said Redknapp in September.

“There are a lot of clubs chasing him, clubs like West Ham and Arsenal, and I’m sure Juventus will want him back as well.

“He's a terrific player for somebody on a free. I've asked about him in the past and I watched him plenty of times when I was looking at Sulley Muntari and they played together for Ghana.”

However, Pompey were forced to pull out of the race to sign Appiah, with Redknapp conceding that the midfielder’s wage demands were a major stumbling block in bringing Appiah to Fratton Park.

Now at Tottenham Redknapp has much more financial clout at his disposal at White Hart Lane and could reignite his interest in a player that he has always admired, but will face competition from Premiership clubs West Ham, Newcastle United and Middlesbrough, who are reportedly going to watch Appiah in action for Ghana against Tunisia this week.

Appiah meanwhile is being cautious and insisted that he just wants to start playing regularly again after only recently overcoming a career threatening knee injury, with the Ghanaian International declaring that the decision on his next club is a huge one.

“We will see,” he said to KickOffGhana.com.

“I want to get back playing week in, week out as quickly as possible so I can understand why people are worried. But I don’t need to be in a rush because this is a huge decision.”

Janko Cool On Premier League Move - Spurs, Boro, Everton & Hull Linked

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Austrian International Marc Janko has played down reports linking the tall striker with a move to the Premier League, with the Red Bull Salzburg forward linked with Tottenham Hotspur, Hull City, Everton and Middlesbrough along with Serie A team AS Roma.

25-year-old Janko has been in fine form this campaign in the Austrian Bundesliga and has scored 20 goals in just 16 games, which has attracted interest from the Premiership as well as Italy and Germany, with Hertha Berlin linked with a move for Janko also.

Some reports have suggested that Janko could buy out his contract at the Red Bull Arena, but the Austrian press suggests that this is unlikely to happen, with the striker, who has been valued at anywhere between £4-8million insisting that for the present his main objective is to carry on scoring goals at the Die Bullen.

"For the moment, scoring goals is a lot easier than responding to all the questions and rumours about whether I will move and to which club," Janko told Kleine Zeitung.

“I must feel good to play well. In Salzburg, the environment is the best.

“(If I move) it will be based on sporting reasons, financial reasons and, above all, on how well I play.”

Villa v Boro Premiership Preview: Laursen, Barry & Reo-Coker Set For Villa Recalls – Huth In Contention For Middlesbrough

Aston Villa play, Gareth Southgate’s Middlesbrough in the Premier League at Villa Park on Sunday.

Villa boss Martin O’Neill will go into this clash with Boro full of confidence, despite losing 2-0 to Newcastle United at St James’ Park last Monday. The Villans are top of their UEFA Cup group and 5th in the Premiership, with the defeat against the Magpies the first since the International break. O’Neill will be confident of collecting all three points at against Middlesbrough, with the Midlands club unbeaten at Villa Park this season.

Southgate will be wondering which Boro team will turn up at Villa, the team that beat Manchester City 2-0 at the Riverside Stadium 10 days ago or the one that has lost to West Bromwich Albion and North East rivals Sunderland this season. Boro have lost 3 of their five away matches this season and are just off the pace in the Premier League in 8th place.

Villa, are unable to call on Stiliyan Petrov (hamstring), who will be out for 2 weeks and long-term absentee Wilfred Bouma (ankle). O’Neill is likely to recall captain Martin Laursen along with Gareth Barry, Nigel Reo-Coker and keeper Brad Friedel, who were all rested for the UEFA Cup win over Slavia Prague on Thursday.

Boro will be without Rhys Williams (knee) and Mohamed Shawky (thigh), but could welcome back defender Robert Huth for the trip to the Midlands if the former Chelsea player shakes off a foot injury in time.

Aston Villa: (from) Friedel, Guzan, L Young, Cuellar, Laursen, Davies, Shorey, Milner, Routledge, Barry, Reo-Coker, Sidwell, A Young, Carew, Agbonlahor, Harewood, Knight, Gardner, Salifou, Osbourne, Delfouneso

Middlesbrough: (from) Turnbull, Huth, Hoyte, Wheater, Taylor, O’Neil, Riggott, Pogatetz, Digard, Mido, Aliadiere, Emnes, Alves, Tuncay, Downing, Arca, Jones, Bates, A Johnson, J Johnson, McMahon, Stelle, Porritt, Owens, Hines, Grounds, Walker

'New Amr Zaki' Open To Premier League Move

Rising star of Egyptian football Sherif Ashraf has revealed that he is inspired to follow in the footsteps of this seasons surprise package in the Premier League, Amr Zaki, who is on loan from Ashraf’s current club Zamalek to Wigan Athletic.

21-year-old Ashraf joined Zamalek from Al Ahly in 2007, where the striker was known as ‘the goal machine’ for his exploits in rising through the youth set-up at the Egyptian side and has been prolific for the Egyptian Under-17 and Under-20 National side, with a call up to the full squad very much on the horizon for Ashraf.

“My main goal is to be successful with Zamalek and this will help me gain a place in the Egyptian national team squad. Although it is difficult to compete with the best strikers in Egypt, who are some of the best in Egyptian football history, including players such as Zaki, Mido, Zidan and Abou Treika, I am trying my best to get a call-up to the national team,” Ashraf told IMScouting.com.

“I am proud to be the top goal scorer in Egyptian youth competition history with more than 500 goals. I was the top scorer for more than 13 years, but I know this is not enough and I need to gain more experience.

“Amr Zaki is my favourite player and the team mate I used to most enjoy playing with at Zamalek last season. His success in the English Premier League is inspiring me to follow in his footsteps and that is the next stage I hope to progress to in my career.”

Ashraf has a market value of around £350,000, but it is understood that Zamalek are keen to offload the striker in a loan deal in an attempt to replicate the success of the Zaki deal with the Latics, who’s stock has soared since arriving in the Premiership this summer.

As Ashraf is fluent in English and is believed to have the character to adjust to a move to the Premier League, the forward could interest teams like Tottenham Hotspur, Bolton Wanderers, Sunderland, Everton, Middlesbrough, West Bromwich Albion or Stoke City, who are all in need of more firepower at their respective clubs.