Manchester City's Adam Johnson, left, in action for England, is a target for Tottenham Hotspur.
Manchester City's Adam Johnson, left, in action for England, is a target for Tottenham Hotspur.
Manchester City's Adam Johnson, left, in action for England, is a target for Tottenham Hotspur.
Manchester City's Adam Johnson, left, in action for England, is a target for Tottenham Hotspur.

Andre Villas-Boas and Tottenham plan for life after Luka Modric


  • English
  • Arabic

Andre Villas-Boas is set to be granted the resources to strengthen Tottenham Hotspur's squad with the sale of Luka Modric to Real Madrid this week.

The Spanish champions believe they have finally negotiated a compromise on the Croatia international's transfer fee, expecting him to arrive in time for their second Primera Liga fixture against Getafe on August 26.

Modric, who is understood to be moving for three quarters of Tottenham's £40 million (Dh230m) original asking price, should be joined in Spain by another Premier League midfielder.

Barcelona plan to present Alex Song to their supporters tomorrow after concluding the versatile Cameroon international's transfer from Arsenal.

Barca offered Arsenal €18m (Dh81m) for Song, who has provisionally agreed terms on a five-year contract at Camp Nou. The 24 year old's sale means that Arsenal have allowed both their leading scorer and their most frequent provider of midfield goals to leave this summer - albeit at substantial profit.

Arsene Wenger recognises that the degree of squad turnover surrounding Robin van Persie's transfer to Manchester United represents "a gamble".

Song is due to be replaced by Nuri Sahin on a season-long loan from Real Madrid. The Turkey international was placed on the market to create room in Real's squad for Modric, but had resisted a full transfer to Tottenham as part of that deal.

Also offered a loan switch to Liverpool recently, Sahin informed Real officials that he would rather be involved in the Champions League football available at Arsenal.

Villas-Boas has been frustrated that the protracted negotiations of Modric's sale had stymied his proposals to reinforce the imbalanced squad he inherited from Harry Redknapp. The Portuguese coach proposed buying an elite-level striker, at least one central midfielder, and a new goalkeeper. Given the shortage of time remaining before the window closes on August 31 he is also in the market for a winger.

An approach has been made to Manchester City for Adam Johnson, who has grown discontent at his lack of playing time under Roberto Mancini.

While City are eager to rationalise a squad that costs them a record sum in wages, they are understood to have asked £15m for the England international.

Though Daniel Levy, the Tottenham chairman, does not want to meet that fee, he may be willing to go as high as £10m for the 25 year old, particularly if a buyer can be found for Aaron Lennon. Johnson is open to a move.

"I'm the kind of player that needs to be playing regularly," he said last week. "It would be nice to get a run of games with England and hopefully I can push on to the next qualifiers. I'm not sure if I'll get that chance at City."

After being priced out of approaches for Robert Lewandowski, the Poland striker, and Portuguese midfielder Joao Moutinho, Tottenham have made offers for Leandro Damiao, the Brazil international striker, and Yann M'Vila, the France international midfielder.

They also admire Spain strikers Roberto Soldado and Fernado Llorente, who is refusing to extend his contract at Athletic Bibao.

A realisation that he will not be able to implement all of his reinforcement ideas this summer has led Villas-Boas to postpone his planned switch of tactical shape to 4-3-3. Instead, he has decided to use two holding midfielders in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Follow us