DeAndre Yedlin Gets It: Heading to Tottenham from Seattle

Regarding the USMNT, nothing pisses me off more than seeing guys either leave Europe and return to MLS (Clint Dempsey) or even worse, never taking that risky plunge and remaining in MLS for possibly their entire careers (Graham Zusi, Matt Besler). That's why today's expected news, long rumored for weeks, that defender DeAndre Yedlin is transferring from Seattle (MLS) to Tottenham (EPL) makes me so happy.

At age 21, Yedlin is just starting to come into his own as a player and I'd argue that nobody on the USMNT saw their stock rise more in Brazil this summer at the World Cup than him. Think about it, nobody really knew who he was going into the tournament (myself included wondered why he was on the 23-man roster) and as it turned out with injuries and poor performances, he was thrust into the spotlight and really made the most of it. He appeared in three games as a substitute, playing nearly 90 minutes in their round of 16 loss to Belgium. On a team lacking creativity, speed and game-breakers, he brought all those elements that so many of his less talented teammates can.

Yedlin will play out the rest of the season with the Sounders then go to Tottenham to start next season, he signed a four-year deal with Spurs-one of the top clubs not only in England but the world. The only way that the U.S. will ever take the next step and truly be a threat to get to a World Cup final and dare I say win one, then they need players like Yedlin willing to test themselves at the highest level rather than remaining in MLS fat and happy.

Will he play much at Tottenham? Probably not at first but still, just training and being at their matches with some of the top players on the planet will bring him far more benefit than dominating in MLS could ever accomplish. Tottenham will pay a $4 million transfer fee to MLS with 75% going to Seattle since Yedlin is a homegrown player (he's from Washington state). USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has to be thrilled that Yedlin is going to one of his many former clubs. It has to tear him up to see other guys stay in the U.S. and never really challenge themselves.

Good luck DeAndre, we know you can do it!

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Clint Dempsey Is Coming Back To MLS, Wait What?

This truly caught me by surprise: U.S. men's national team superstar Clint Dempsey is reportedly returning to his roots in MLS. Various reputable outlets (ESPN.com, CNNSI.com, etc.) sprouted similar stories tonight that he was about to transfer (for $9 million, an MLS-record) from Tottenham and sign a four-year deal with the Seattle Sounders worth $32 million. Huh?

If this goes through-apparently he'll be watching at Seattle's match on Saturday-and introduced on Monday then he only spent one season at Tottenham after transferring from Fulham. As expected, he didn't score at nearly the same rate since he was on a much better team but 22 starts (out of 38) and 12 goals (7 in EPL matches) seemed like a decent return for the 30-year-old midfielder/forward.

From the sense of challenging himself and wanting to play at the top level, this move makes no sense whatsoever. Dempsey has been the U.S.' top field player for years and this will really damage the international credibility he had built up by competing so well at Fulham and to a lesser extent Tottenham. Now he's just another American toiling in MLS.

If he wanted to cash in and set up his family for life (not that they were starving before), well who can hate on that? It's just weird that his priorities changed so quickly. Keep in mind that Tottenham finished fourth last season in the EPL but missed out on the final Champions League spot since Chelsea (defending Champions League winner) received it for their past achievement.

Not that he'll probably ever disclose the real reason but it'll be interesting to hear how Dempsey will explain this bizarre decision. He's at the top of his game professionally which is why this makes me so disappointed. Oh and it is less than a year away from the 2014 World Cup. MLS will always be here, why not test himself a few more years in England? Ugh.

I'd say Dempsey returning to MLS (for the first time since 2006 with the New England Revolution) might make me watch it or at least pay attention more but the fact is it would take many additional great players spread around the league before I start to care. Sorry Deuce. I will still watch the EPL faithfully but with Dempsey gone and Gareth Bale possibly going to Real Madrid, looks like I won't need to pay extra attention to Tottenham anymore.

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Clint Dempsey Scores His First Goal At White Hart Lane For Tottenham, In Their 3-1 Win Vs. Reading

Predictably, it's been a big adjustment for American midfielder Clint Dempsey as he went from being Fulham's top star in 2011-12 to a part-time starter, part-time substitute for Tottenham. Through 15 games for his new club, I think that he is starting to figure out his role for the third-place team in the English Premier League.

This afternoon, Dempsey rung in the New Year with his third goal of the season for Spurs in a 3-1 win vs. Reading. It was Dempsey's first goal at White Hart Lane-their home field. In 15 appearances, he has three goals and three assists. He came on as a substitute in the 75th minute and scored the third goal for Spurs (that made it 3-1) in the 79th minute.



The goal is far from a classic by Dempsey since it took a deflection off a Reading defender's foot. However, you have to note that he must still have plenty of confidence to even attempt an audacious shot like that.

Up next for Tottenham, they host Coventry on Saturday (10 a.m. ET) in an FA Cup match. Their next EPL opponent is at Queens Park Rangers on January 14 (3 p.m. ET).

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Brad Friedel Is My Hero, Now And Forever

He might not be the starting goalkeeper anymore but American Brad Friedel is obviously doing something right at his current club-Tottenham. Today, he signed a new contract extension through the 2013-14 season with the English Premier League power.

If you're keeping track at home, Friedel is 41-years-old (!). He's been at Tottenham since June 2011 but he lost his starting spot in October to Hugo Lloris. Tottenham blanked Aston Villa 4-0 this afternoon but Friedel sat on the bench the entire time. His last start was on December 6, a 3-1 win over Panathinaikos in a Europa League match. Friedel's last EPL match was November 11, a 2-1 loss at Manchester City.

The funny part is that Friedel hasn't played for the U.S. men's national team for years, despite the fact that he would still be the best backup goalkeeper behind Tim Howard. In his career, he has 82 CAPs for the U.S. He has progressed from the Columbus Crew (MLS) to Galatasaray (Turkey) and Brondby (Denmark) before moving to England in 1997 to play for Liverpool. He was at Blackburn for eight years and Aston Villa for three years before becoming a Toffee.

I have no idea if he would be interested in coaching after he retires but U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann should definitely look into it. What a great resource Friedel would be for young American goalkeepers to have around. It might be a romantic notion on my part but I'd love to see Friedel get to one more World Cup with the U.S. as a third goalkeeper or something. I'd say that at this point, he's more than earned that courtesy and curtain call on his professional career (even though he retired from international soccer a while back).

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Clint Dempsey Seemed Destined For Liverpool, Until Tottenham Swooped In At The Last Minute

After months of rumors that Clint Dempsey was headed to Liverpool, it turns out that he went to Tottenham only a few hours before the end of today's transfer window for European soccer.

The American midfielder signed a three-year deal worth $9.5 million, ending his 6+ years at Fulham. Without a doubt, Dempsey's transfer represents the biggest move in terms of an American-born men's soccer player in Europe. That's what happens when you score 23 goals for an English Premier League club in one season (2011/12).

From espnsoccernet.com
"I'm very excited and looking forward to the challenge," Dempsey told Tottenham's official website. "To play under this head coach and play for this club is a dream come true. I want to make the most of it and work as hard as I can to get onto the field and do well. There are a lot of great players here, I'm looking forward to training and playing with them and trying to fight for a spot in the team."

Apparently, Tottenham beat out Liverpool not to mention Sunderland and Aston Villa in their bid for the U.S. men's national team's top field player.

"Clint was a very influential player for Fulham over a number of seasons and the club thanks him for his contribution and wishes him well for the future," a statement on the Fulham website read.

Liverpool has spent much of the summer chasing Dempsey, sparking an angry reaction from Fulham manager Martin Jol after the player went on strike on the eve of the new season.

"A lot was said and written ahead of me leaving Fulham," Dempsey told Spurs' website. "It wasn't how it was portrayed, but that's in the past now and we move on. I want to thank the fans for everything, some of the best memories I've had in football and thank the chairman for giving me the opportunity to come from the MLS and compete over here. All I can say is thank you and now I'm looking forward to the next challenge."

At 29, he still has plenty of top-level soccer left in him since he only started playing for the New England Revolution (MLS) at age 21. Plus, he's durable and consistent, he scored 60 goals in 224 career appearances at Fulham. His objective of playing for a team that can compete in the Champions League should be fulfilled with the Hotspurs. They would have made the Champions League last season (they finished 4th) but were bounced out by Chelsea's improbable run to the title.

Don't be surprised to see Dempsey coming off the bench since Tottenham's midfield is already loaded with Aaron Lennon, Gareth Bale and Rafael Van der Vaart not to mention forwards like Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor. After being the man the last few seasons for Fulham, it will be interesting to see how Dempsey adjusts to having an auxiliary role. Former US goalkeeper Brad Friedel (41 years old!) is Tottenham's starter so Dempsey at least has one close friend on the team.

Deuce wasn't the only American on the move as Maurice Edu officially completed his transfer to Stoke that I already wrote about. Carlos Bocanegra left Rangers for a season-long loan at Racing Santander, a Spanish club that was relegated from La Liga last season. Finally, Oguchi Onyewu (remember him?) was loaned from Sporting Lisbon to Malaga, a Spanish club that finished fourth in La Liga last season and by virtue of that, is in this year's Champions League.

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Gareth Bale Signs A 4-Year Extension With Tottenham

Great news for Tottenham and English Premier League fans today as Welsh midfielder Gareth Bale signed a four-year extension to stay at White Hart Lane until 2016.

The 22-year-old (who turns 23 in July) had been rumored to be coveted by Barcelona but in the end, he stayed loyal to the club he's played at for the last five years of his life.

"I've been here for five years now and I've enjoyed every minute. The fans have been great to me and I'd love to re-pay them and do the very best for them. The club is progressing and I want to be a part of that, so it was great to get the deal done.

"I love the club and the fans and I want to play my part in trying to get us back into the Champions League - where we belong. We've a good, young squad and we need to work together to get back on the biggest stage again.

"Everyone gets along and we've got the potential to challenge right at the top of the Premier League. It's exciting times at the club and I'm enjoying it. I don't see any reason to leave.

"I just know I'm improving, I know I'm getting better and my aim is to be as good as I can be. I'm still young, 22, still learning and this is the right place for me to keep progressing as a player. This is the perfect place to do that. Last season I was getting double and treble-marked on the wing, so I was able to come inside and score a few goals in more central areas. Now it's a case of mixing it all up and putting my whole game together.

"Hopefully I'll score more goals next season. I did quite well with my assists last season but I'd like to improve that as well. I'm looking at my all-round game, trying new things and trying to be the best player I can be."

Last season, he had nine goals and 10 assists in 36 Premier League games for Tottenham. He added two goals and four assists in five FA Cup games along with a goal in one Europa game.

He's easily one of my favorite players to watch since he's nothing short of electric when he goes bombing down usually the left side (since he's left footed). I have no problem with La Liga or Barcelona but I'm happy that he'll stay in the EPL since that's the European league that I follow and have the most knowledge about.

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Your Next England Manager Doomed To Fail: Roy Hodgson

From afar, you have to appreciate the utter ineptitude of the England national soccer team. Despite loads of talent, they fall short in every major competition and bungle every coaching hire.

Since Fabio Capello left in February, Tottenham's Harry Redknapp was the frontrunner so obviously England went in another direction by naming West Brom's Roy Hodgson as its new manager.

The 64-year-old Hodgson received a four-year deal with his home country and he'll manage West Brom in their final two English Premier League games before leaving the club and turning all his attention to England and Euro 2012. The Three Lions are in a tough Group D with Ukraine, France and Sweden. To prepare, they'll have friendlies with Norway and Belgium before Euro 2012 begins in June.

My general rule of thumb for national team coaches is that you're best served to hire a native, that is if you're from a country with at least a decent soccer history (Jurgen Klinsmann being a special exception for the U.S. men). In that way, England did nothing wrong by hiring Hodgson who also used to coach Liverpool. The part that worries me as a bandwagon England fan (from studying abroad there) is that his previous national team coaching experience came with Switzerland, Finland and United Arab Emirates. Not exactly three powerhouses that have ever done anything globally.

I want to see him succeed but like cheering for the Chicago Cubs, you know that eventually England will find a way to screw it up no matter what the circumstances. God speed Roy!

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Mark Your Calendars: Liverpool vs. AS Roma, July 25 At Fenway Park

After knowing about this for months, Liverpool officially announced today that they will face AS Roma on Wednesday, July 25 at Fenway Park.

As any Boston Red Sox fan knows, the Red Sox owners John Henry and Tom Werner have owned Liverpool since 2010. With this year's 100th anniversary of Fenway, what better time to bring their two cash cows together for one night only.

Liverpool will be in the United States for 12 days this summer and they've already been slated for two exhibition matches. Big time European clubs often take U.S. tours (to improve the brand abroad) and Liverpool last appeared in North America in 2004 (NJ, CT and Toronto).

A group of four Boston executives closed a deal for Roma in August to become the first foreign majority owners of a Serie A club. New Roma president Thomas DiBenedetto is also a limited partner in the Fenway group.

"During its 100-year history, Fenway Park has hosted some of the best in athletic competition, and a match between Liverpool and Roma -- two of the world's most well-known and respected clubs -- is an appropriate way to ... showcase our ballpark to an international audience," Liverpool owner John Henry said.

The match also features the two teams that contested the 1984 European Cup final, which Liverpool won in a penalty shootout.

Liverpool is the fourth Premier League team to announce a preseason tour of the United States, following Chelsea, Tottenham and Aston Villa.

Boston will serve as Liverpool's base throughout the tour, and the team will train at Harvard University.

"Our goal is to create an unforgettable experience for our North American fans while building a lasting legacy for Liverpool here in the States," Liverpool chairman Tom Werner said.

I was lucky enough to get to cover Sporting vs. Celtic at Fenway two summers ago so I'm really hoping that I can get a credential for this one too. That first match was nice but admittedly, there aren't a ton of Portuguese or Scottish people in New England. However, Liverpool is a huge draw anywhere in the world and there are plenty of Italians (and wannabe guidos) in the immediate area-the North End might shut down for a few hours.

It couldn't come at a better time in the summer since by then, only Major League Baseball will be going on and the weather should be perfect. The Champions League, London Olympics (no U.S. men) and Euro 2012 will have all concluded by the time these squads make their way to Boston. Picturing Steven Gerrard, Pepe Reina, Luis Suarez and Co. at Fenway is pretty cool, this is going to be a can't miss event for local soccer fans who want a taste of European soccer and crowds.

UPDATE 3/30: Liverpool will play Tottenham on July 28 in Baltimore at M&T Bank Stadium. Tottenham plays the LA Galaxy on July 24 and the New York Red Bulls on July 31.

Chelsea and Aston Villa also have U.S. tours. The 2012-13 EPL season starts on August 18.

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Robbie Keane Goes To The Land Of Frauds

I am already on record as calling Robbie Keane "heavy-drinking, mercurial and possibly over-the-hill striker" so it's with a touch of doubt that I pass along the news that Keane has transferred from Tottenham to join the Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS).

With my thoughts on Keane and MLS (still unwatchable) well established, I don't have much to add to this latest development other than to say that it will help sell a few jerseys to the Irish in California and assorted pseudo-celebrities that go to there games (does that still happen?).

"I have already discussed football with (Galaxy coach) Bruce Arena, and I know exactly what he wants from me,'' Keane said. "I am fit, fresh and ready to go. I've come here to score goals and help this team achieve their goals. This is a massive opportunity for me in my career. I aim to grab it with both hands and hopefully help give the Galaxy fans what they want.''

Keane is moving from Tottenham Hotspur, where the 31-year-old striker has fallen behind Roman Pavlyuchenko and Jermain Defoe after scoring just one goal in 10 matches last season. Keane initially hoped to stay in the Premier League during its transfer window, but became interested in the Galaxy after training with Beckham at Tottenham earlier this year.

"I have always wanted to come and play in MLS, so it's the perfect combination for me and a dream come true,'' said Keane, the 10th-leading goal-scorer in Premier League history with 123 goals. "When David Beckham came and trained at Spurs recently, he couldn't speak highly enough about the Galaxy, their fans and the league in general, so I can't wait to get over and get started.''

Although Keane has struggled with Tottenham, he has been outstanding for the Irish national team, scoring a record 51 goals in his career -- including five goals in six recent matches during group qualifying play for Euro 2012. He played for Ireland against Croatia last Wednesday, and the Irish have key qualifying matches against Slovakia and Russia in the next few weeks.

The Galaxy lead the MLS standings with 48 points on the strength of 11 goals from Landon Donovan -- the league's second-leading goal-scorer behind Thierry Henry -- and a resurgent season from Beckham, who's second in the league with 10 assists in the final year of his MLS contract. Los Angeles' next MLS match is Saturday night against San Jose.

"Robbie Keane will be a great addition to our club,'' said Arena, also the Galaxy's general manager. "I have followed his career and have always respected his ability as a competitor and a goal-scorer. I believe that he brings qualities in and around the penalty area that we have been lacking. Hopefully he will be another piece of the puzzle in our quest for the Supporters' Shield and an MLS Cup championship, as well as to advance to the next round of the CONCACAF Champions League.''

The Galaxy must make a roster move when Keane receives his visa, since Los Angeles already has three "designated players'' who can be paid above the MLS salary cap: Beckham, Donovan and Colombian forward Juan Pablo Angel.

Beckham and Donovan are crucial to the Galaxy's success, which means Angel almost certainly will be moved when Keane gets his visa. Although Angel was the MLS' leading scorer over the previous four seasons, he has just three goals and one assist in 22 games for Los Angeles.

Angel is thought to be headed across the hallway at Home Depot Center to Chivas USA, which shares a stadium with the Galaxy in Carson, Calif., and is fighting to stay in the playoff race.

Starting his pro career at 17, Keane played for three English clubs and Inter Milan before joining Tottenham in August 2002. He moved to Liverpool in 2008, but returned to Tottenham in early 2009 before spending parts of the past two seasons on loan to Celtic of the Scottish Premier League and West Ham.

Stop me if you've heard this story before: former European star transfers from an EPL club to the Galaxy. There's an initial buzz but that quickly subsides as people actually start to view MLS games and realize that it's terribly boring. The main difference in this case is that Keane isn't married to a crazed former pop star as far as I know. You could also argue that he's got a little more left in the tank than Beckham but I guess we'll figure that out shortly. Let me know what you think because I surely won't be paying attention.

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Alert the bimbos: Robbie Keane headed to West Ham, possibly for 4.5 years

If there's one secret weapon to avoiding relegation in the English Premier League, it has to be signing a heavy-drinking, mercurial and possibly over-the-hill striker.

At least that's the wacky formula dreamed up by West Ham today as they agreed to sign Robbie Keane away from Tottenham. Keane signed a 4.5 year deal with the Hammers but that's contingent on them not being relegated.

West Ham will pay a fee of £5 million for Keane, providing the Premier League's bottom club survive the drop.

The 30-year-old has agreed a two-and a half year contract guaranteed plus an option in the club's favour to take up for a further two years. West Ham are showing enormous faith in the striker, who could be at his last club in the top flight in English football if he sees out the total years on the deal.

In addition, the Hammers have agreed to pay Spurs a £1 million loan fee for the rest of the season, and the deal has gone through just as ESPNsoccernet has been predicting throughout the transfer window after a £4 million move to Birmingham collapsed.

Finally, the Hammers will pick up Keane's £65,000-a-week wages, which makes it a huge investment in the Republic of Ireland international - but well worth it if they stay up. A West Ham insider confirmed: "The deal becomes permanent only if the club stay up."

West Ham have made four signings, and they now have 27 players and would like to sell or loan out two on the final day of the transfer window.

Manager Avram Grant said: "He (Keane) is not just a good player, he is a good character that we need in the next 14 games.''

West Ham co-owner David Gold told BBC Sport: "We're delighted to sign a world-class striker. Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy drives a hard bargain but we've got our man.''

Keane told his new club's official website: ''I am ready to help West Ham stay in the Premier League, which is the most important thing for this club. I am really pleased to have signed and now I just can't wait to start training and playing football.

"I feel as fit as I ever have done in my life and I feel I have plenty left to offer at the highest level for at least the next four or five years. I want to help anywhere I can help the football club, whether that is in training, in the dressing room or on the pitch on a matchday. We have some good players here and I am sure we can stay up.

"When I went on loan to Celtic I scored 17 goals in 19 games and if I can do even half as well as I did there, then I'll be happy.''

He could make his debut in Wednesday's match at Blackpool.

Clearly, Keane is not the answer but West Ham is hoping that he can catch lightning in a bottle (no pun intended) and help them gain some points. It won't take long to figure out if this abrupt marriage will work or flame out.

Other transfer news

So many things going on as far as the transfer window is concerned since it ends this Monday.

Fulham captain Danny Murphy has signed a deal that will keep him at Craven Cottage through the summer of 2012.

"I'm delighted to have signed a contract extension this morning," Murphy told the club's official website. "As a Club we've achieved great things during my time at Fulham so far, not least our highest ever League finish and reaching the Europa League Final, and it is a great source of pride for me, as club captain, to have played a role in some truly historic moments for Fulham Football Club.

"We've made great progress as a club, on and off the pitch over the past few years, and with the chairman's continued support, I believe we've got many more great years ahead of us.

"On Sunday we've got a massive game against Spurs in the FA Cup and as a team we will give our all tomorrow afternoon to earn a place in the fifth round. I'm sure it's going to be a great atmosphere at the Cottage and hopefully we can continue our impressive start to 2011."

Murphy joined Fulham from Tottenham in the summer of 2007 and has made 119 Premier League appearances for the club.

Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given wants to drop down to the Championship in order to play more often and regain his form.

The Ireland 'keeper saw Roberto Mancini opt to make Joe Hart his No. 1 at Eastlands and he has cut a frustrated figure through the autumn and winter. He has made few comments about his future but, after Mancini said last week that he was reluctant to let Given leave as it may leave him short should Hart pick up an injury, he has now signalled his determination to move on.

Given is prepared to drop down the divisions and is hopeful a recall clause may persuade City to let him head out on loan.

"I just want to play football," Given is quoted as saying in the Irish Times. "I do not want to go for an entire season without playing, which is how it's looking if I don't get games.

"I am prepared to go to a Championship club immediately to get some games and to be on a 24-hour call-back to Manchester City. That would benefit me, by getting me match-sharp, and City, who would have an experienced, match-sharp goalkeeper to come in if Joe got injured. I'd hope it would also benefit the club I'd be at. There are a couple interested."

Chelsea is ready to offer a record $40 million pounds for Fernando Torres.

It is understood that having failed with offers of £28 million and £32 million, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is ready to sanction a bid of £35 million plus the £5 million-rated Daniel Sturridge in order to bring Torres to Stamford Bridge.

That offer would represent a British transfer record, but it remains to be seen whether it would be enough to convince Liverpool to sell the striker, who has scored 65 goals in 102 Premier League games for the club since his move from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2007.

Torres has made his own perspective clear having shocked the club's fans by submitting a written transfer request on Friday. Liverpool subsequently announced that the request had been denied as manager Kenny Dalglish is determined to retain the services of the Spain international.

However, it is understood that Torres is desperate to play Champions League football - a scenario that looks deeply unlikely at Liverpool for next season, even if the club are on the brink of signing Ajax forward Luis Suarez for £22.8 million.

Chelsea have left it late in the transfer window to secure Torres but hope to sign the striker prior to the deadline closing on Monday night at 2300 GMT.

The Blues are also considering whether to increase their offer for Benfica defender David Luiz to £25 million after seeing talks collapse with the Portuguese club on Friday.

It is understood Abramovich has been advised to complete the two transfers in January, rather than the summer, in order to make it easier for Chelsea to comply with UEFA's incoming Financial Fair Play regulations.

A source told ESPNsoccernet: "The snag over Luiz for example has been quite small, but Abramovich has been told that he must spend now because if he wants to keep within the new rules, it will be more difficult in the summer.

"January is not normally the time when the big clubs recruit in this way, but it is an exception because of what is coming up in the summer."

Manchester United is interested in Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.

A dependable presence in South Africa last summer for the World Cup finalists, the Ajax goalkeeper is highly rated across the continent. And now United coach Rene Meulensteen has confirmed the 28-year-old - who only has a year left on his current deal with the Eredivisie club - has attracted Sir Alex Ferguson's interest.

"Stekelenburg is indeed the 'keeper who is at the top of our wanted list," Meulensteen said. "We naturally talk a lot among ourselves about who should replace Van der Sar. Alex Ferguson has spoken about Stekelenburg with Edwin and that does not seem strange to me at all."

United's goalkeeping coach Eric Steele acknowledged earlier in the week that the club had three targets in mind who could potentially succeed Van der Sar, who will retire at the end of the current campaign, with assistant manager Mike Phelan suggesting on Thursday that Sporting Lisbon's Rui Patricio is also someone of interest to the Old Trafford hierarchy.

"He's a young keeper with enormous potential - we've known Rui Patricio for a long time and we've also played against him a few times," Phelan said of the 22-year-old. "The only thing I can confirm is that we haven't made any offer."

Tottenham won't sell Gareth Bale according to head coach Harry Redknapp

Bale is one of the most talked about players in Europe, having twice this season tormented European champions Inter Milan in the Champions League. His form in the Premier League has been of a consistently high standard and his wicked left foot has seen him become the subject of widespread transfer speculation.

It was claimed this week that Inter were readying a summer bid believed to be in the region of £40 million, although this was swiftly played down by the Serie A giants. The chatter has not been missed by Redknapp and he has once again made it clear that Tottenham have no intention of selling a player they bought for £5 million from Southampton in 2007.

"We won't be selling Gareth Bale in the summer, it's up to the chairman but I'd be very surprised if we were interested in selling him at any price," Redknapp said. "You have special players in your team and if we're going to be a top team you've got to keep your top players, you can't be selling Gareth Bale.

"You've got three or four players who can make a difference and he's one of those players. And, if you lose him, you can't replace him. Where are you going to replace him? You go and get one from here, one from there, another one.

"When he gets the ball something happens, he can do something that no one else can do. We can't afford to lose him."

Redknapp has revealed that midfielder Tom Huddlestone has suffered a setback in his bid to return from the ankle injury that has sidelined him since September.

"Tom's had a setback and it seems he's going to be longer than we expected," Redknapp said. "His ankle is sore. He tried to do a bit of running and is still a long way away.

"We will have to look at his situation with regard to the 25-man squad. I am hoping he'll be okay as he is important to us and is a fantastic player."

Spurs fail to get Nolan Carroll.

Tottenham Hotspur have failed with a reported offer of £25 million for Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll.

Harry Redknapp has been linked with a move for the England international, 22, for much of January and it is understood that Spurs firmed up their interest with a formal offer.

However, Newcastle rejected the bid, reported to be in the region of £25 million, and have instructed Tottenham they do not want to lose Carroll before the transfer window closes.

The striker, who travelled to Sweden on Friday to address a troublesome thigh injury, has scored 11 goals for the club this season.

Carroll's impressive form for the Magpies saw him win his first international cap in the game between England and France in November.

Spurs want Scott Parker from West Ham.

West Ham have rejected a last-ditch bid by Spurs to snatch Scott Parker in exchange for Robbie Keane. The Hammers are still hoping to sign Keane, although negotiations are now sure to run until the final day of the transfer window on Monday.

ESPNsoccernet has been told that the Keane deal with Spurs will be concluded over the weekend and the deal signed on Monday morning.

But West Ham were forced to tell Spurs "no" for the third time regarding Parker, as Harry Redknapp has twice before tried to capture the midfielder. Redknapp was desperate to bring in his long-term target and offered £8 million plus the £6 million-rated Keane, but again West Ham turned them down, even though Spurs might have also thrown in Jamie O'Hara as part of the package.

West Ham want to take Keane on loan, paying a £1 million fee, with a view to a permanent deal on the condition that the Hammers stay in the Premier League at the end of the season. Spurs want a £6 million fee even if they go down, and that issue is the final piece of negotiations.

West Ham United chairman David Gold confirmed the move to sign Keane before the close of the transfer window, having also signed striker Demba Ba from Hoffenheim.

"Robbie Keane is a player we greatly admire. He is clearly available and quality players rarely are," Gold said. "We see him as a potential acquisition. We are looking at all players that are available from top-quality clubs.

"David Sullivan (West Ham's co-chairman) was up until the early hours of the morning still pursuing targets that we have. It will probably go right to the wire. We like to think we don't leave a stone unturned. Our people will go the extra mile to do whatever it takes to try to bring in players that otherwise you wouldn't get if you didn't pursue."

West Ham have also rejected moves by promotion-seeking Cardiff to bring Wales defender Danny Gabbidon home. Cardiff boss Dave Jones wanted the 37-times capped player - who spent five years with the Bluebirds. Cardiff offered £250,000 but it was instantly turned down.

Sunderland have indicated they would offer £3.5 million for Frederic Piquionne, which was also immediately rejected by West Ham. The offer arrived via an agent but was dismissed out of hand by the Hammers.

Sunderland secures loan of Sulley Muntari.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has finally made a transfer breakthrough when he secured Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari on loan for the rest of the season.

The 26-year-old Ghana international, who left Portsmouth for Inter in a ¬16 million move in July 2008, will join compatriots John Mensah and Asamoah Gyan at the Stadium of Light.

Bruce said: "Sulley is a fabulous acquisition for the club. When the opportunity arises to bring in a player of his ability - even in the short term you have to take it, and I'm delighted that we have been able to.

"His adaptability is a great asset. He did extremely well at Portsmouth so he knows the Barclays Premier League well and you have to be some player to move to Inter Milan for the fee that he did. He's a great addition."

Defoe out six to eight weeks with ankle injury

Watching Jermain Defoe score a hat trick against Bulgaria in a Euro 2012 qualifier last week, I texted back and forth with Shimer raving about how he was playing the best soccer of his life.

Such is the cruelty of sport that it all came crashing down with the news that Defoe will miss the next six to eight weeks with the ankle injury he picked up vs. Switzerland earlier this week.

Defoe is now due to miss the first half of Spurs' maiden Champions League campaign and is also a major doubt for England's next Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro at Wembley on October 12.

"Even if it's a bad sprain, you're still talking about six weeks or so, because it's a nasty one," Redknapp said.

Defoe, who scored a hat-trick in Friday's win over Bulgaria, had been expected to miss both internationals in the past week to undergo groin surgery but the operation was eventually shelved.

Defoe has been fitted with a protective boot and was on crutches at Spurs' training ground on Thursday.

The striker is likely to miss games against Werder Bremen, FC Twente and Inter Milan in the Champions League, the Carling Cup date with arch-rivals Arsenal and a clutch of Premier League games, including the trip to former club West Ham United.

The news contradicts comments from the player on Wednesday which suggested the ankle injury would not be a problem. He said: "I jarred my ankle or my knee but it feels alright. I've always said I'll do my best to make sure I'm out there. I've just got to rest it (the injury). I'll just keep icing it and I'm sure I'll be okay."


Injuries never happen at opportune times but Tottenham has to be especially upset since they're trying to do something in its Champions League matches while also maintaining a good start to their EPL campaign.

Gallas turning up at Tottenham

Once upon a time, William Gallas was one of the top defenders in the world. He played for Chelsea then Arsenal domestically and was a stud for France.

Father time has caught up to the former Arsenal captain and that's why his free transfer move to Tottenham is hardly headline material anymore.

He will undergo a medical exam tomorrow at Tottenham and then he can move to White Hart Lane.

Gallas, 33, looks set to be added to Spurs' defensive ranks as Harry Redknapp looks to strengthen his squad before the end of the transfer window.

Spurs looked decidedly unconvincing at the back during their 3-2 Champions League qualifying play-off defeat to Young Boys, and the arrival of Gallas would offer them some much-needed top level experience.

Gallas has been available on a free transfer since June, having been released by Arsenal after being unable to agree a new contract at Emirates Stadium.

And the France international, who played for Les Bleus during their disastrous World Cup campaign, will become only the sixth player to have joined Spurs having played for their bitter north London rivals.

The last player to do so was David Bentley, while Rohan Ricketts, David Jenkins, Laurie Brown and Jimmy Brain are the others to have crossed the divide.

Gallas played for Arsenal for four years after moving from Chelsea in 2006, making 101 Premier League appearances for the Gunners.

Peter Crouch is bulletproof (for now)

On Wednesday, Tottenham beat Manchester City 1-0 thanks to English striker Peter Crouch's header.

It was a monumental win for Spurs since it breaks the chokehold on the top 4 in the EPL (Chelsea, Man. U, Arsenal, Liverpool) and gives them at worst the fourth spot and a berth in the playoffs for the Champions League next season.

If they can win at Burnley on Sunday in their final match of the season, Tottenham could move up to the third spot and thereby avoid the playoff.



The goal ironically came a few moments after Crouch couldn't connect on a cross at his feet that skipped across the goalline. Hopefully in this upcoming World Cup, England learns from its mistake in 2006 of targeting Crouch constantly in the air. He's great in the air but they have to diversify their attack a little more than that; a team with as much talent as England should never be as low-scoring and predictable as they were in 2006. End of rant.

The hits keep on coming for England

Tottenham and English striker Jermain Defoe is out for the next couple weeks after pulling his hamstring, according to his club manager Harry Redknapp.

Injuries never come at opportune times but Defoe is having the best season of his young career. He leads Tottenham this season with 23 goals in all competitions and he joins an already lengthy injury list at White Hart Lane that includes Tom Huddlestone, David Bentley, Aaron Lennon, Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate.

Tottenham is having a wonderful season as they're currently in the coveted fourth spot right now in the EPL which would qualify them for the Champions League next season.

The Spurs travel to Stokke City this weekend for what is a very winnable game despite their shortage of strikers.

Stuart Holden makes his Bolton debut

Lost amidst the US-El Salvador game and the Champions League action of the last couple days, U.S. midfielder Stuart Holden made his debut last night for Bolton in their 4-0 loss to Tottenham in a fifth-round replay FA Cup match.

Holden was in the starting 11, one of five midfielders in Bolton's peculiar 4-5-1 formation. It was clearly a tough result but the good news is that he played all 90 minutes so his fitness must be at a decent level ahead of a likely World Cup roster spot.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=289035&cc=5901

Holden joined Bolton in January after playing with the Houston Dynamo of the MLS. He previously had a brief stint in England with Sunderland but that was cut short after getting injured in a bar fight in Newcastle. Happens to the best of us, right?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/746348/ce/uk/?cc=5901&ver=us

Defoe on the mark

In the day's only FA Cup replay, Tottenham forward Jermain Defoe was yet again on the mark for for the Hotspurs late in the second half in the 73rd minute to put the team ahead of Leeds United, 2-1. So far Defoe has scored both of the Tottenham goals in the fourth round of the tournament to bring his season total to 19 in all competitions in what has been a career year.

Surely Defoe will partner Manchester United's Wayne Rooney - who has been in fine form himself - up front for England this summer at the World Cup.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=736027&sec=england&cc=5901

Although his striking partner at Tottenham Peter Crouch has recently outperformed Robbie Keane to the point that the White Hart Lane side sold Keane, and Crouch has more experience at the international level than Defoe - England simply does not perform at high enough level with crouch as one of the feature forwards as evidenced by a really lackluster 2006 World Cup.