Tuesday Football

06 January 2009

by Jerrad Peters

 

Defoe makes Tottenham comeback

 

Jermain Defoe returned to White Hart Lane, Tuesday, just one year after leaving Tottenham Hotspur for Portsmouth. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie agreed the transfer fee—believed to be 15.75M-pounds—late Monday. The player completed a medical examination in north London on Tuesday afternoon before signing a new five-year contract with the club.

"We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Portsmouth for the transfer of Jermain Defoe," read a statement on Tottenham's official website. "Jermain Defoe makes his return to the Lane tonight [Tuesday] and will be presented to fans before the Carling Cup semifinal with Burnley."

Defoe's exit is just the latest in a string of high-profile departures at Fratton Park. Portsmouth have already lost Lassana Diarra to Real Madrid during the current transfer period and key midfielder Sulley Muntari bolted for Inter Milan in August. Right-back Glen Johnson is expected to follow them out the door, and Peter Crouch may not be far behind.

Spurs, meanwhile, have been accused by Portsmouth of destabilizing Defoe. The London side made no secret of their desire to re-acquire the 26-year-old, and manager Harry Redknapp candidly admitted his personal interest in his post-match remarks following a 2-1 win in Friday's FA Cup tie against Wigan.

Defoe scored 64 goals in 177 appearances for Spurs before being sold to Portsmouth for 7.5M-pounds last January. He proceeded to notch 17 goals in 36 matches for the south coast outfit. The diminutive striker has also scored six times in 32 caps for England, the latest coming in a 5-1 trouncing of Kazakhstan in October.

 

Wenger pondering Toure replacement

 

Despite submitting a transfer request in December, Kolo Toure remains an Arsenal player. For now. Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is believed to have convinced the 27-year-old to remain at the club, at least until a suitable replacement can be found.

With that in mind, Wenger is actively pursuing the signature of Matthew Upson. The 29-year-old centre-back is rumored to be part of a looming, large-scale sell-off at Upton Park—a firesale that is also likely to include Scott Parker, Craig Bellamy and Dean Ashton.

Aston Villa have already bid 10M-pounds for Upson, a massive overvaluation that reflects Manchester City's 12M-pound signing of Wayne Bridge. Arsenal are prepared to match or even slightly exceed Villa's offer, assuming that City acquire Toure for a similar 10M-pounds.

Toure, who joined Arsenal from Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas in 2002, rose to prominence as one of Wenger's most reliable defenders during Arsenal's run to the Champions' League final in 2006. However, he has since clashed with former captain William Gallas and now finds himself battling for playing time with Mikael Silvestre and Johan Djourou.

 

Appiah joins Spurs on training deal

 

Stephen Appiah has agreed to a one-week training stint at Tottenham Hotspur. If manager Harry Redknapp is pleased with the midfielder's progress after the conclusion of the programme, the player will remain at White Hart Lane until the end of the season.

At 28, Appiah remains one of the top African players in European football. His physical style has taken its toll on his body, however, as numerous knee injuries have troubled him throughout his career.

Redknapp, for his part, has always been an admirer of the former Ghana captain. He attempted to sign Appiah from Juventus in 2007 before being overpriced by the Italian club's 14M-pound valuation. Appiah left Turkish side Fenerbahce in August and has also represented Brescia, Parma and Udinese after leaving Accra's Hearts of Oak in 1997.

 

McGeady offered Middlesbrough lifeline

 

If Tottenham Hotspur are successful in luring Stewart Downing from Middlesbrough, Steve Gibson will approach Celtic about out-of-favour winger Aiden McGeady. The Boro chairman is desperate to keep Downing at The Riverside. But given that the 24-year-old has already tabled a transfer request and seems intent on leaving, Gibson may have little choice.

McGeady, meanwhile, was left out of the Celtic squad for Saturday's 2-2 draw at home to Dundee United and has repeatedly clashed with manager Gordon Strachan. Just 22, the Irishman was the Young Player of the Year in Scottish football last season and was also awarded Player of the Year honors by the Professional Footballers Association.

Adept at both wings, McGeady has made 22 appearances for his country since debuting for the Republic in 2004. Bayern Munich have also expressed an interest.

 

Other transfer gossip

 

Arsenal aren't the only side with designs on Matthew Upson. Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland are also expected to make a pitch for the centre-half.

Villa are preparing a 5M-pound bid for Emile Heskey. Wigan are keen to hold onto the striker, however, given that Real Madrid are hoping to sign Antonio Valencia. Latics boss Steve Bruce does not want to lose both players at once. Rafael Benitez is also thought to be pondering a move for Heskey.

If Shay Given leaves Newcastle for one of Manchester City, Tottenham or Arsenal, his likely replacement will be Artur Boruc. The Celtic 'keeper nearly moved to Arsenal in the summer and is under pressure from Poland manager Leo Beenhakker to leave the Scottish Premier League.

 

Solano returns to Peru

 

Despite agreeing a two-year contract with Larissa in August, Nolberto Solano is leaving the Greek club to play out the remainder of his career in Peru with Universitario. Solano—the former Newcastle, Aston Villa and West Ham midfielder—was drawn to the Lima club largely by the presence of manager Juan Reynoso.

"My signing happens thanks to the friendship I have with Juan Reynoso," the 34-year-old told El Boron. "I am also excited about playing in the Copa Libertadores this year."

Reynoso is a Peruvian football legend, having been capped 84 times for the national team before managing Bolognesi to the Clausura in 2007.

After retiring from football, Solano is hoping to become a coach in Argentina.