Firstly who's staying. Defoe will not be leaving White Hart Lane this season, with what is likely to be his highest scoring season to date. AVB has also come out commented on Defoe leaving stating "That's not possible, he is one of the best strikers I have worked with. I certainly put him alongside Falcao. His hunger for goal is extreme. That makes things easier for you to work with because you don't have to teach a lot."
Next is Michael Dawson. Although AVB's comments may not be as clear cut as the ones on Defoe he is yet to state that Dawson will leave. The same comments came out in the summer and Dawson is still with us now. With the rapid demise of Gallas on the pitch. I see it very unlikely that Dawson would in fact be allowed to leave (although £12million wouldn't go a miss) haha.
Onto the potential in's and a definite NO is that of Rafa Van Der Vaart coming back. There is a picture (originally released on Hamburgs official Twitter page) it shows a VDV next to a big A0 piece of paper with On my way back to Tottenham on it. It is not certain why or what this in aid of as we are fully aware that VDV was sold and not loaned to Hamburg. Either way it would be nice but it is highly unlikely that he will grace us again in the lillywhite strip.
Theo Walcott is missing from Arsenals 2013 calendar, which has again sparked a media frenzy that he is leaving. There are reports that Theo was still in talks with the board and that a possible deal was there for the making. Considering that Theo has scored 9 goals and made 7 assists in 15 games I see it unlikely that if he is available that he would end up at the lane, however I wouldn't be against it (good competition for Lennon).
Christian Atsu was being banded about and it seems that this rumor has finally played out. I feel that it is unlikely that a bid will be made for the youngster (who has only made 6 appearances for the first team at Porto). The only reason for the link is AVB. As it stands the youngster played 30 games for Rio Ave last season and only managed to find the goal 6 times, for me its another risk and worse than the Sigurdsson one that we are yet to see a return on!
Most recently we have been linked to Ricky Van Wolfswinkel of Sporting. This is a likely target and AVB has seen him play many a times. Over the past 2 season he has managed to score over 20 goals a season and already has 8 goals in 16. At 23 and scoring on a regular basis I think that this young man has the potential to make it in the Premier League. £8million would begin negotiations if we are to believe reports, but it makes you wonder if Huntelaar maybe a better option (he is now in his prime too)?
As always your thoughts are welcome and I am still waiting on your questions for Brian.
Come on you Spurs!!!
Email me on hogggatspursmad@hotmail.com or follow me on www.facebook.com/TottenhamMad or Twitter THspurs Mad