Trio introduced as transfer rumours stick

Last updated : 01 August 2006 By Editor

There remains a lot of expectation that the club will splash some of that cash on new players before the transfer window closes even though two deals that almost broke the £20 million barrier between them were tied up a while ago.

And speculation is rife that Martin Jol will poach at least one player from a Premiership rival before the new season kicks off.

The Times says: ‘Tottenham are considering signing Lucas Neill, the Blackburn Rovers right back, or switching Young-Pyo Lee from left to right back.'

As well as signing midfielder Didier Zokora and striker Dimitar Berbatov, Spurs prised young Cameroon left back Benoit Assou-Ekotto and he could become first choice left back if the South Korean Lee replaces Paul Stalteri in the starting line-up this season.

Louise Taylor wrote in The Guardian: ‘Tottenham will consider bidding about £5.5m to secure Pascal Chimbonda, although Lucas Neill is a fall-back. Tottenham also aim to sign a left winger. They have a long-standing interest in Stewart Downing but are likely to have to pay at least £12m to stand any chance of prising the England international from Middlesbrough.'

Martin Jol reiterated that he was happy with the signings already completed this summer. He said: "It was important to get Zokora to replace Michael Carrick." (The Sun)