January 18th
Are Pascal Chimbonda's days numbered at Spurs?
Friday, 18, Jan 2008 10:39
Tottenham Hotspur continue to be at the centre of some of the main transfer rumours doing the rounds this month.
One of Spurs' main targets, winger Stewart Downing looks to be staying at Middlesbrough after manager Gareth Southgate said he was not prepared to let one of his star players leave during the current transfer window.
Southgate claims he is looking to bring in players to strengthen his squad, rather than weakening it by selling one of his most talented individuals.
Boro continue to be linked with strikers across Europe and may challenge Spurs for Lyon's highly-rated Brazilian Fred.
Tottenham are closing in on another player who is near the top of their wish-list, midfield general Tiago.
The Portuguese is reportedly unhappy at Juventus and sees a move away from the club as the best thing for his career prospects.
However, two players who may be leaving White Hart Lane are Jermain Defoe and Pascal Chimbonda, who are in talks with Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill about a move to the Midlands.
Villa are also in the market for Manchester City's talented England under-21 defender Nedum Onuoha, although O'Neill has baulked at the asking price of £6 million - despite chairman Randy Lerner's millions.
Finally, Kevin Keegan is wasting little time in dipping his toe in the transfer market.
His first order of the day is wingers in order to institute the kind of attacking system he wants to play.
And Chelsea's Shaun Wright-Phillips and Blackburn Rovers' Morten Gamst Pedersen are both high on his shopping list.