Defoe Completes Spurs Switch

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Jermain Defoe, is set to be pitched straight into the first-team for Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League clash with Wigan Athletic at the JJB Stadium on Sunday. After the finer details of his move back to White Hart Lane from Portsmouth were completed.

26-year-old Defoe left Spurs for Pompey last January after four-years at the Premiership club, where he scored 64 goals in 177 appearances for Tottenham before deciding to leave for Fratton Park to work under Harry Redknapp.

Redknapp, who left Portsmouth to take charge of Spurs in October had already worked with Defoe at West Ham United and is now set to work with the England International again, with Redknapp likely to start Defoe against the Latics this weekend.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy expressed his delight at having Defoe back at White Hart Lane, with Levy revealing that Defoe is also excited at being back and the prospect of working with Redknapp at Spurs.

“We are delighted to welcome Jermain back to the club,” said Levy.

“We had previously been keen for Jermain to sign a new contract to extend his initial stay but at that point in time he felt it was in his interests to move on in order to guarantee himself more starts.

“I know the club is close to his heart and that he is thrilled to be back and to once again link up with Harry.”

Redknapp echoed the sentiments of Levy and reiterated how highly he thinks of Defoe, who he has just signed for the third time in his career.

“I am pleased to have him here and I am sure the supporters are looking forward to seeing him back in a Spurs shirt,” he said.

“Because I know what a top class player he is as well as a proven goalscorer.”

Spurs To Swoop For £3.5million Misfit Shorey?

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp is reportedly ready to make another move for Nicky Shorey at Aston Villa, having previously missed out on the England International to the Villans, while in charge at Portsmouth in the summer, according to The People.

27-year-old Shorey chose Villa Park over Fratton Park, when the left-back left Reading for £3.5million in August, but has failed to establish himself as a regular starter for Villa boss Martin O’Neill in the Premier League. O’Neill is understood to be ready to let Shorey leave Villa if the Midlands club can recoup the transfer fee paid to the Royals just five-months ago.

Redknapp is known to be keen to bring a left-back to White Hart Lane this month, with the former Pompey chief unsure about Welsh International Gareth Bale and Benoit Assou-Ekotto in the position.

Given that Redknapp reportedly made an offer for Shorey in the summer for a similar sum. It would appear that the defender is destined to work under Redknapp, albeit five-months later and at Tottenham not Portsmouth.

Defoe Wants Redknapp Reunion

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Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe has revealed that he wishes to leave Fratton Park in order to join Tottenham Hotspur so that the England International can work with Harry Redknapp again, who left Pompey for Spurs in October.

New Portsmouth manager Tony Adams admitted that he didn’t know if Defoe would play for Portsmouth again on Friday, with Aston Villa and Juventus said to be interested in the striker along with Tottenham.

While Redknapp has made no secret of his desire to lure Defoe back to the club he left 12 months ago. Defoe has now hinted that White Hart Lane is the only destination of interest and only left the North London club to work under Redknapp, who he has also worked under at West Ham United.

Pompey value Defoe in excess of £20million, despite paying Tottenham only £9million for the forward a year ago. Spurs are understood to have made an offer of £16million, with Defoe eager for the two Premier League sides to reach an agreement. So that he can rejoin the club he spent four-years at between 2004-2008 before his move to Portsmouth.

“If Portsmouth can agree an acceptable deal with Tottenham I would like the opportunity to talk to them,” Defoe told the Sunday Mirror.

“I've enjoyed my time immensely here, but I can't deny that Harry Redknapp's departure as manager hit me hard particularly because he was the reason why I joined Portsmouth in the first place.

“I have a great deal of respect for Tony Adams and what he's trying to achieve. We have a very good working relationship.

“But I left Tottenham to join Portsmouth with the intention of working with Harry for a considerable time to come. I could have gone to other clubs when I left Tottenham, but I wanted to work with Harry.”

Juve To Rival Spurs For Defoe?

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp’s bid to be reunited with Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe at White Hart Lane is under threat of being scuppered by Serie A giants Juventus, according to reports.

26-year-old England International Defoe has already expressed his desire to leave Fratton Park after just 12 months, with a return to former club Spurs looking like the most likely destination. Redknapp is understood to have offered £16million for the striker that he paid £9million to Tottenham for, while in charge at Pompey.

Premier League rivals Aston Villa are also keen on the former West Ham United player, with it believed that it would be a straight fight between the Villans and Spurs for the signature of Defoe.

However, now it is said that Juve have made an offer of £20million to lure Defoe from the Premiership to Italy. If La Vecchia Signora are serious about their interest in the striker it could wreck Redknapp’s plans of working with Defoe at a third club after claiming recently that he will not pay over the odds in the transfer window.

One thing that is almost certain is that Defoe will leave the South Coast club especially after revealing that he has been the subject of death threats from fans for wanting to quit Portsmouth.

Defoe told the Sunday Mirror: “I have absolutely no idea how they got hold of my number but some of the calls have made me feel sick to my stomach.”

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.

Defoe To Join Spurs Again In Next 24 Hours?

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England International Jermain Defoe is set for a return to Tottenham Hotspur in the next 24 hours, less than a year after leaving White Hart Lane for Portsmouth, according to The Mirror.

26-year-old Defoe had spent four-years at Spurs before his switch to Fratton Park last January and now looks set to be reunited with Harry Redknapp, who brought the striker to the South Coast club, but then left Pompey to take charge of Tottenham in October following the sacking of Juande Ramos.

The Mirror claims that Spurs are to offer Portsmouth £5million for Defoe and will write off any outstanding payments from the sale of the striker last year as well as anything owed for the summer sale of Younes Kaboul to the Premier League club. This is understood to put the total value of the deal at around £12million.

Manchester City had also been heavily linked with a move for Defoe, but reports on Friday have suggested that City are ready to launch a £50million bid for Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o. Should City move for the Cameroon International then a return to Spurs for Defoe looks even more likely, with Portsmouth chairman Peter Storrie already resigned to losing the former West Ham United player.

However, despite paying £9million for Defoe from Tottenham last year, £12million is still short of Pompey’s valuation of the striker, who reportedly want in excess of £20million for the player that has scored 14 goals in 30 Premiership matches during his time at Portsmouth.

Redknapp: "We Haven't Made An Offer For Defoe"

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has admitted to admiring former Spurs player, Portsmouth striker Jermaine Defoe, with the former Pompey boss also revealing he admired a lot of his former charges at Fratton Park.

Redknapp has been linked with several of his former players since he quit the South Coast side to join Tottenham in October, with Defoe along with Sylvain Distin and Glen Johnson all said to be on the Redknapp radar.

However, despite Pompey defender Lauren claiming that Defoe was to leave Fratton Park for a sensational return to White Hart Lane in January. Redknapp insists that no deal is in place for the England International, with no offer being made by the North London club to their Premier League rivals.

“We haven't made an offer for Jermain,” Redknapp said on Friday.

“I do like Jermain but there are a lot of players at Portsmouth I like. They have a great squad of players there.

In regards to Johnson, Redknapp wouldn’t be drawn, but did concede that the Spurs squad was short in areas. Redknapp is, a known admirer of Johnson, having seen him emerge from the West Ham Academy, while he was in charge of the Hammers and then signing the right-back from Chelsea for Portsmouth in 2007 after taking Johnson on a season-long loan .

“We are short in certain positions without a doubt,” Redknapp conceded.

“We've got a good squad here, it just needs thickening up. If we find the right players, we will bring them in.”

Bolton v Portsmouth Premier League Preview: Can The Trotters get Back To Winning Ways Against Pompey?

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Bolton Wanderers play Tony Adams’ Portsmouth in the Premier League at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

The Trotters might go into this clash on the back of two straight defeats to Chelsea at the Reebok and then Aston Villa 4-2 at Villa Park last weekend, but won four of their previous five Premiership games, which earned Bolton boss Gary Megson the Barclays Manager of the Month award for November. However, Bolton have only won twice in the league at home this season and have only managed to score 6 times in front of their own fans, which is a cause of concern for Megson. Bolton, are 11th in table and will hope to collect all 3 points against Portsmouth.

Pompey were soundly beaten last time out 3-0 by Newcastle United at Fratton Park, but were unbeaten in their five league games before that. With, wins against Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers and draws with West Ham United, Hull City and West Bromwich Albion. While Bolton have found goals hard to come by at home, Portsmouth have struggled to find the net away from home and go into this clash 3 points above Bolton in 8th place in the Premier League.

Gary Megson has almost a full squad of players to choose from for this clash with Pompey, with only Joey O’Brien (thigh) and long-term injury Ricardo Vaz Te (knee) unavailable for the game at the Reebok on Saturday.

Portsmouth will be without Lassana Diarra, who is on his way to Real Madrid in January, while Glenn Johnson (knee), Younes Kaboul (ankle) and John Utaka (thigh) are all in a race to be fit in time to face Wanderers.

Bolton Wanderers: (from) Jaaskelainen, Samuel, Nolan, Cahill, Muamba, Taylor, Elmander, Smolarek, Gardner, Davies, Steinsson, Riga, McCann, Al Habsi, Shittu, Cohen, Sinclair, Fojut, Harsanyi, Basham, A O’Brien, Sissons, Obadeyi

Portsmouth: (from) James, Kaboul, Lauren, Johnson, Hreidarsson, Diop, Crouch, Nugent, Thomas, Defoe, Distin, Pamarot, Utaka, Mvuemba, Kranjcar, Ashdown, Hughes, Campbell, Duffy, Little, Sahar, Kanu, Davis, Christophe, A Traore, Begovic, D Traore, Wilson, Belhadj

Arsenal Striker Suffers Injury Setback

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Croatian International Eduardo, who made his comeback for Arsenal in a reserve game against Portsmouth on Tuesday, will have to wait a little longer on the sidelines at the Emirates Stadium. After being taken off at half-time in the clash against Pompey with a hamstring strain.

25-year-old Eduardo finally made his return in a Gunners shirt after nearly 300 days out following the horror tackle by Birmingham City player Martin Taylor, which left the Brazilian-born striker with a dislocated ankle and a broken fibula.

Now after a lengthy spell out Eduardo is set for more treatment after being taken off in his comeback as a precaution. However, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will be pleased that the hamstring strain is not too serious, with Eduardo revealing that he only expects the injury to delay his comeback by a further two weeks.

Eduardo said: “At the moment I am better and I feel very happy. I came off at half-time because I felt something in my hamstring but I think I will be all right in two weeks.

“The situation with my injury was very hard for me but I have to forget everything bad in my life.”

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.

Distin: Arsenal Wanted Me

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Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin has revealed that he was the subject of an approach by Premier League rivals Arsenal, but has insisted the enquiry by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was “nothing serious” and that the North London club were just checking on his situation at Fratton Park.

30-year-old Distin has also revealed that he is happy in the Premiership after arriving at Newcastle United on loan in 2001, with the central defender admitting that he didn’t think he would stay in England for more than a season.

However, Distin is now in his eighth year in the Premier League, with the Frenchman joining Manchester City in 2002 before arriving at Pompey in 2007. While Distin is happy at Portsmouth he did reveal that former club Paris St Germain has a special place in his heart and if he were to return to play in France it could only be for PSG.

When asked if a move from Portsmouth to the Emirates Stadium with Arsenal had been a possibility, Distin told Foot Mercato: “There was nothing serious, just an approach in order to know what my situation was, but no serious offer.

“PSG remain in my heart, they are the club that made me grow and that educated me. If tomorrow I am to return to France, my priority will be Paris.

“The club have strengthened and are capable of beating anybody this season. I wish we played against them in the UEFA Cup!

“I really feel French but I am good in England. I arrived here by chance, for a loan with Newcastle.

“I never thought I would stay more than a season but it went well and I did stay. From now on, my career is here and I cannot see myself moving elsewhere.

“A year and a half ago, I was a free agent and two French clubs that I will not name contacted me. They just wanted information and there was nothing concrete.

“Anyway England was always my priority. I am not missing France, apart from the food and the weather (laughs). And here I am esteemed, so why leaving?

“And I will not lie, money plays an important part. So returning to France would be tough. I never said I want to leave, I am just not sure of the club’s economic situation.”

Distin also revealed that he was “disappointed” that Harry Redknapp left Portsmouth for Tottenham Hotspur in October and that Redknapp had not told him he was leaving to take charge at White Hart Lane, but insisted that you have to move on.

“Personally, Redknapp disappointed me because he did not tell us about his departure,” Distin added.

“Some players realised he had gone by watching TV in the evening or the morning after, just before the game. Then you have to move on.”

West Brom v Portsmouth Premier League Preview: Can The Baggies End 8-Game Winless Streak against Pompey

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West Bromwich Albion play, Tony Adams’ in the Premier League at the Hawthorns on Sunday.

The Baggies go into this game with Portsmouth knowing that nothing other than a win will do if they are to retain their Premier League status, with West Brom without a win in the last eight matches and only managing to pick up a solitary point out of 24 available in this period, which was against fellow strugglers Blackburn Rovers. West Brom are rock bottom of the Premiership, with the worst goal difference in the league and need to start picking up some points straight away, starting against Pompey.

Adams will be hoping that his Portsmouth side can keep their recent run going, with Pompey unbeaten in their last four games, which has seen them win against Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers and draw against Hull City and West Ham United. Pompey are 8th in the Premiership and despite being eliminated from the UEFA Cup on Thursday, will fancy the task at the Hawthorns on Sunday.

Mowbray is unable to call on long-term injury Neil Clement (knee) for the visit of Portsmouth, but apart fom that has a fully fit squad to choose from.

Pompey will be without Lassana Diarra (ankle), but Sol Campbell (ankle) and John Utaka (thigh) could feature against the Baggies if they can shake their respective injuries off in time for the trip to the Midlands.

West Bromwich Albion: (from) Carson, Hoefkens, Robinson, Cech, Barnett, Koren, Greening, Bednar, Miller, Brunt, Kim, MacDonald, Moore, Dorrans, Pele, Kiely, Teixeira, Zuiverloon, Meite, Olsson, Morrison, Valero, Donk, Worrall

Portsmouth: (from) James, Behadji, Distin, Campbell, Johnson, Kranjcar, Little, Utaka, Davis, Defoe, Crouch, Hreidarsson, Diop, Nugent, Thomas, Pamarot, Mvuemba, Ashdown, Hughes, Duffy, Sahar, Kanu, Christophe, A Traore, Begovic, D Traore, Wilson

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.”

West Ham Boss Zola Backs Green For England Recall

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West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola has claimed that an England recall is not far away for goalkeeper Robert Green if he continues to put in performances like the one against Portsmouth at Upton Park on Saturday in the Premier League.

28-year-old Green was the difference between the Hammers losing to Pompey or coming away with a point as the former Norwich City pulled of a series of fine saves to keep West Ham in the match and ensure that Zola’s side did not endure their sixth defeat in seven games.

Former Chelsea legend Zola claims Green played like an International keeper and now wants the Hammers stopper to maintain that high level and force himself in to England manager Fabio Capello’s plans.

“Robert was outstanding. He was aware and made some fantastic saves, I'm really pleased for him. He played like a national team goalkeeper, but it's not down to me to judge. Capello knows what to do better than me,” said Zola.

“To be in the national team you have to perform at high levels all the time, week in week out. I wish that Robert will do the same now here.

“I am expecting him to perform like this for many other games. We need Robert playing the way he did against Portsmouth.”

Green, who was pleased to have kept a clean sheet in the match with Pompey is confident that West Ham have enough quality to avoid relegation, with the Hammers stopper upbeat about winning another England cap. Despite being overlooked in favour of Joe Hart and Scott Carson for the clash with Germany on Wednesday.

Green said: “We have not had the best of runs but I am sure we can go forward - I am confident we will avoid it [relegation].

“I've been sick of people reminding us that we've not kept a clean sheet for goodness knows how long. It's good to get that monkey off our backs.

“I was in the last squad for Kazakhstan. If it comes along it comes along. It is motivation enough to do well for West Ham.”

Liverpool To Make £11million January Defoe Swoop?

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Liverpool are reportedly interested in bringing England International Jermaine Defoe from Portsmouth to Anfield in an £11million January deal.

26-year-old Defoe has only been at Pompey since making the switch from Tottenham Hotspur in January, with the former West Ham United striker in fine form for the South coast club since his transfer from White Hart Lane in which he has scored 14 goals in 24 appearances in the Premier League for Portsmouth.

Defoe had been heavily linked with a return to Spurs and a reunion with Harry Redknapp, who left Fratton Park to take over at Tottenham last month, but Defoe has already declared that he is content on the South coast and has no intention of making a return to White Hart Lane.

Now reports are suggesting that Reds boss Rafa Benitez is ready to make an offer to lure Defoe to Merseyside as he looks to add some firepower to his attack at Anfield that already boasts Fernando Torres, Robbie Keane and Dirk Kuyt, with an £11million offer for Defoe being mooted.

With reports that Portsmouth will be forced to sell players in January there is every chance that Defoe could be part of any exodus. However, Benitez will have to find the funds to launch any bid for the England International, having already been told he will have to sell before he can bring in new faces to Liverpool in January by the clubs American owners.

James Plays Down Portsmouth Player Exodus To Spurs

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England International David James has played down a reunion with former Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp at Tottenham Hotspur, with the Pompey keeper insisting that nothing has changed regarding his future at Fratton Park and that he expects his team-mates to stay also.

Since Redknapp took over at White Hart Lane the former Pompey boss has been linked with a number of players at the South coast club, with Jermain Defoe, Glen Johnson, Lassana Diarra and James all reported to be on the Redknapp radar.

“Although Harry has left, nothing has changed as far as I'm concerned regarding my future at the club,” James said.

“I'm very confident for the future with the players we've got here. If we'd lost half of the players when Harry left then things might be slightly different.

“But we haven't lost any players and I'm confident we'll continue to do well.

However, while James is confident that other players at Portsmouth will remain at the club the former Liverpool player did concede that if anyone should leave it would be down to financial reasons and that they would have left if Redknapp was still in charge.

“I'd imagine that if any players left, it would be down to financial reasons and nothing else,” he added.

“You could argue that, if some do leave, it would have happened with Harry had he been here anyway.

“Of course, I'm hoping everything will stay exactly as it is.

"We've got some excellent players and I don't know of any who want to leave just because Harry has gone.”

Adams Eyes Bergkamp Reunion At Portsmouth

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Arsenal legend Tony Adams has revealed that he would be interested in bringing another Gunners legend and former team-mate Dennis Bergkamp to Portsmouth in a coaching role.

39-year-old Bergkamp is currently working as a coach for his boyhood club Ajax and recently revealed that he would be interested in coming back to the Premier League in the future, with new Pompey boss Adams ready to offer Bergkamp along with another former Arsenal player, Martin Keown a role at Fratton Park.

Adams said: “I want my staff sorted sooner rather than later, really by the weekend.

“I'm meeting with a few people and having conversations with a couple of old friends. I've had a positive meeting with Martin Keown.

“Then there's Dennis Bergkamp, who is taking the youth team at Ajax and is a good, good man.

“I've not spoken to him, but there are a few people I still need to talk to.

“I've got some good people still at the club, which is great, but I need my people in and the sooner I can do that the better.

“Mind you, you don't have to be an old Arsenal player.”

Bergkamp, who was idolised during his 11 years at Highbury before retiring in 2006, stated recently that he would be open to a return to the Premiership.

Bergkamp said: “People ask me the question if I could come back to England one day to coach and I say yes.

“I always enjoyed it there and it's a fantastic country to be involved in football.

“Maybe in the future I will be back in some way.”

Arsenal Beat Spurs, Man United, Portsmouth & Rangers To Young Starlet McDermott

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Arsenal have beaten off competition from Premier League rivals Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth along with SPL team Glasgow Rangers for 15-year-old goalkeeper Sean McDermott, who is currently contracted at Norwegian club Vag.

The young starlet has already trained with Spurs and United, with Pompey and the Gers also interested in offering McDermott the stage to start his career, but it is the Emirates Stadium and the Gunners, who McDermott has opted for and will join the North London club when he turns 16 in May 2009.

Championship sides Reading, Charlton Athletic and Ipswich Town had also been interested in McDermott, but it was Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger’s proven track record of developing and giving young talent its chance that proved to be the deciding factor.

McDermott said: “The facilities, coaches, and environment at Arsenal have made up my mind. This is all I've ever dreamt of.”

The player's advisor, Jim Solbakken, added: “Arsenal have shown that they are great at developing young players.

“Sean, at the age of 16, will be given a chance to train with their academy. It is a great chance for him.”

Man City Set To Join Spurs In January Race For Diarra?

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is set to make a £10million offer for Tottenham Hotspur transfer target, Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra in January. City are also ready to offer the French International, a staggering £85,00-a-week in order to beat off any rival offer by the North London club, according to The Mirror.

23-year-old Diarra has only been at Pompey since his transfer from Arsenal in January and is under contract at Fratton Park until 2011, but it is understood that new manager Tony Adams will have to sell players in when the transfer window reopens in January after taking over from Harry Redknapp at the South coast side.

New Spurs boss Redknapp has also been linked with a move for Diarra in January, with Tottenham lacking a midfield general at White Hart Lane since the departure of Michael Carrick to Premier League Champions Manchester United in 2006. Tottenham are also understood to have had an offer for the Frenchman turned down during the summer, while Redknapp was still in charge at Portsmouth.

Although Tottenham still remain favourites to sign Diarra due to Redknapp’s, existing relationship with the midfielder. City are in a position to offer the former Chelsea player far more in the way of personal terms now that the Manchester club are being bankrolled by the ADUG. Which could see Diarra opt for the Eastlands Stadium rather than a reunion with Redknapp at White Hart Lane.

Portuguese International To Return To Spurs In Hutton Swap Deal?

New Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp is reportedly keen on bringing Glasgow Rangers midfielder Pedro Mendes back to White Hart Lane after selling the former Spurs player to the Gers in the summer, while in charge of Portsmouth. With speculation suggesting that Alan Hutton could go the other way as part of a swap deal with the Scottish side.

Redknapp reluctantly sold the Portuguese International to the SPL giants in the summer for £3million, with reports suggesting that 29-year-old Mendes was unhappy at the South Coast club, despite being an integral part of Pompey’s FA Cup winning team last season and regaining his place in the side towards the end of the campaign.

Mendes has impressed in the SPL this season, with the ‘Old Firm’ team in fine form, which has gained the midfielder a recall to the Portuguese team. With Mendes now wanted by Redknapp at Tottenham as the former West Ham United manager sets about putting his own mark on the squad at the North London club.

One, possibility which has been speculated about is a return to Glasgow for Spurs defender Alan Hutton, who it has been rumoured is unhappy at Tottenham after his £9million transfer from Rangers to White Hart Lane in January, with a possible swap-deal with Mendes being mooted.

However, Gers manager Walter Smith is unlikely to want to sell Mendes, who has been outstanding in the absence of captain Barry Ferguson for Rangers, with the former Scotland boss also unlikely to want Hutton back in Glasgow after the Scottish International’s transfer deadline day decision to leave in January after initially turning down a move to Tottenham.