Mulumbu in Spurs and Toon talks World Soccer Shop

West Brom midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu claims to have held discussions with Newcastle and Tottenham regarding a possible summer switch.

Mulumbu: Wants another challenge

The former Congo international appears set to leave The Hawthorns once the transfer window re-opens and says his agent is already in talks with potential suitors.

He is prepared to leave the matter in the hands of his representative, but admits he would be open to the idea of trying his luck elsewhere in 2012/13.

"We have already started talking to teams like Newcastle and Tottenham," Mulumbu told Mercato 365.

"For now, I'm leaving it all in the hands of my agent and I hope to have good surprises on my return from vacation."

Mulumbu joined West Brom in January 2009 on an initial loan deal, with the Baggies making the agreement permanent that summer.

The 25-year-old admits he considered heading for pastures new in 2011, but was persuaded to remain with the Baggies.

He penned a contract that is due to run until 2015, but believes he is now ready to take on a new challenge.

Mulumbu said: "Last year, I thought it would be a little premature to go because it was my first full season.

"But I confirmed my promise this season. I continued to show all my abilities and I think I now have to look for another challenge. That's why I hope to join a club in another class.

"I had a good year, I'm pretty confident and I will leave it now to my agent.

"I'm going to go on holiday and come back stronger because I know that another big season lies ahead."

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17740/mulumbu_in_spurs_and_toon_talks

Defoe keen to stay at Spurs World Soccer Shop

Jermain Defoe does not want to leave Tottenham, but the England striker admits he has to start playing regular football again.

Defoe: Just wants to play football

The 29-year-old netted 11 goals for Spurs in 23 appearances last season, which was enough to earn himself a call up into Roy Hodgson's Euro 2012 squad.

Nevertheless, Defoe has slipped down the pecking order at White Hart Lane, with on-loan Emmanuel Adebayor deployed as a lone frontman supported by Rafael van der Vaart.

Defoe believes he is in a dilemma.

"It is a difficult one. I have never said I want to leave the club, all I have just said is I want to play," Defoe told talkSPORT:

"As a forward you just want to get some sort of rhythm and a run in the team. That wasn't the case towards the end of the season.

"I am going to concentrate on England and go to the Euros, then see what happens.

"The most important thing for me is scoring goals and that is when I am at my happiest."

Spurs finished fourth in the Premier League, having eventually been overhauled by rivals Arsenal.

However, after Chelsea won the Champions League in dramatic fashion in Munich on Saturday night, it meant Harry Redknapp's men will now head into the Europa League instead.

It is scant reward for a campaign which for so long had promised so much.

"The main aim of the season was to finish in the top four, and we have done that. What happened with Chelsea was out of our hands and was just unfortunate," said Defoe, who is in his second spell at Spurs having been signed by Redknapp at Portsmouth in January 2008.

"There have been lots of ups and downs, but we all stuck together and still performed."

The loss of Champions League football for another campaign has again cast doubt over the future of some of Spurs' key men.

Wales winger Gareth Bale is said to be on the wanted list of a string of top European clubs, while Croatia playmaker Luka Modric has previously been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea, with Manchester United also potential suitors for the 26-year-old.

Spurs are also understood to be in talks with Adebayor over making his loan move from Manchester City permanent, although the transfer fee and wages of the former Arsenal frontman could well prove a stumbling block.

Defoe believes the White Hart Lane hierarchy must look to take the squad forwards with the current group.

He added: "In football you never know what is going to happen, but it is always important to keep hold of your top players.

"Some players like Luka Modric and Gareth Bale are players you cannot replace, so it is important to keep them."

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/16920/defoe_keen_to_stay_at_spurs

Saha hoping for Spurs stay

Everton striker Louis Saha has expressed a desire to stay at Tottenham after his contract ends in the off-season.

The Frenchman spent six months at White Hart Lane after joining on a short-term deal from Everton in the January transfer window.

The 33-year old faces an uncertain future with his parent club, thanks to the blistering form of Nikica Jelavic in his absence.

However, the former Manchester United man, who scored four goals in 11 appearances at Spurs, described working with Harry Redknapp as a particular highlight.

“I cannot say I want to leave,” the striker told The Sun.

“Harry has been good for me personally. What makes him so good is his personality, tactics and the way that he can work and relate to the players.”

The north London outfit were cruelly denied Champions League qualification despite finishing fourth this season, by virtue of Chelsea’s win in the competition’s final against Bayern Munich.

This could curtail their off-season plans and any attempts to keep Emmanuel Adebayor, who spent the season on loan from Manchester City, beyond the summer.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/saha-hoping-for-spurs-stay/95090/

Saha keen to earn his Spurs World Soccer Shop

Louis Saha has made it clear that he is not looking to leave Tottenham after paying tribute to the influence of manager Harry Redknapp.

Saha: Has enjoyed his time at Tottenham

Saha moved to White Hart Lane from Everton in January on a six-month deal until the end of the season, and his future is now uncertain as Spurs assess their squad ahead of the summer transfer window.

But the Frenchman says he has enjoyed his time at the club and has been particularly impressed by the way Redknapp works with his players.

Saha is now keen to sign a new deal with Tottenham even though they have missed out on a place in next season's Champions League.

"I cannot say I want to leave," the striker said in The Sun.

"Harry has been good for me personally. What makes him so good is his personality, tactics and the way that he can work and relate to the players."

Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor has also stated that he is at Tottenham next season after spending the campaign on loan at White Hart Lane.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/16904/saha_keen_to_earn_his_spurs