Transfer News from the Lane - June 8th 2009

Well, let's start with the big story:

RUUD VAN NISTLEROOY: This is as solid as it gets (as the proctologist said to the health food freak). Tweeted a little about it Saturday night; this is possibly our first signing of the summer. So let's look at the facts first of all.

This story is everywhere in Madrid. This in fact is one of the biggest football stories here at the moment, second only to Kaka. And not a word of denial from any party involved, as yet.

And it is no secret that the incoming president at Real Madrid categorically stated that he would need to cut players to build the new "Galacticos". Not sure what Van the Man is commanding in terms of a weekly wage packet (no doubt enough to keep him up on a smoke and a pancake every now and then). But I am sure cutting his wage bill will ease the crazy wages being touted for Kaka and Ronaldo.

I was suprised that the deal is only coming in at £1.25m (initially). But not a single Madrid fan is shocked at this. In fact, as far as I am being told, it is very typical for Real Madrid to sell off players for next to nothing. The last exception to that in their minds was Michael Owen (though I am sure there have been other since ..... maybe). And I would bet that there is some appearance agreement also built in to any deal made.

Here are the problems for Spurs. First of all, the wages. Can we meet his wage demand? Are his wages that ridiculous that the £1.25m being talked about is to subsidise an ongoing financial burden? Will he take a pay cut to come to the Lane? I think when all is said and done the money the guy could potentially bring in to the club will compensate in some regard for whatever we agree as a salary.

And while I am sure he will undergo a pretty rigorous medical before we sign him the guy has not played a competitive game in ages after a lengthy injury. So it would be interesting to see just how much of the old Ruud is still in him.

Rumour mill time! RVN had made the approach to Spurs to come and get him; much like Cisse only without the fanfare. That is the gossip here. And if top Spur Harry Hotspur is right, Ruud is a fan of Spurs so this could make sense. Personally I feel that Harry has earned the reputation of restarting careers and this, to my great pleasure, is what has led Ruud (and Cisse) to put themselves forward.

Kaka is due to announce his future by midnight tonight CET. It is officially confirmed that he has taken a medical in Brazil earlier today. If his future is with Real Madrid I fully expect the next news to be that RVN is now a lilywhite. But I don't believe what Kaka ultimately decides is a deal breaker for us. It will just determine how soon we can unveil Ruud (footie politics and all that).

Maybe this is just the fan in me wanting some big signing to happen of course. But the buzz from London and here in Madrid is that Ruud will be at the Lane very soon. I will be staying up for as long as I can this evening and will Twitter the latest on this.

As far as anyone else coming in, I am not going to comment today as what happens with this one will determine a lot about who is coming next.

So for some outgoing news, here it is:

DIDIER ZOKORA: This was another move I had tweeted about on Saturday night. Today it is more or less official; Sevilla are in talks to sign Zokora. However, greedy wee bastard is pricing himself out of the move. Apparently has made some ludicrous wage and personal demands. So, if Sevilla are that keen this could be a long drawn out one. Hopefully though something will be agreed and closed out in the coming days.

DAVID BENTLEY: Alright Martin O'Neill, lets get some proper money on the table! As far as I am aware we want £10m for him, O'Neill only prepared to part with £7.5m maximum (rumour is he has offered £6m so far). All sorts of talk about swaps and double deals for Hudd, etc. All of these rumours not likely at the moment. And if no one else comes in for Bentley, £7.5m might just seal the deal. But then the Athletico Madrid rumours are still doing the rounds out here ......

DARREN BENT: If Ruud move finalises, that will be Bent gone for sure. Sunderland look to be the keener of all clubs taking an interest. Everton possibly a dark horse though, as far as I am aware, Bent has not talked to another club as yet.

CHRIS GUNTER: A lot of poeple concerned that he might move on a permenant basis. This I do not think will happen. I do believe that he will go for a season long loan. And Harry is a fan of this kid. He just feels he needs that extra mile before breaking in to regular first time football. Almost sure he will remain on the books at WHL through to next summer unless he pushes hard for a move away.

One final thing, I have to give massive shout to @mikeyallen5 over at Twitter. This guy has contributed a lot to these blogs and I have yet to question anything this awesome Yid has sent my way. Fingers crossed that some of it finally comes to fruition.

Catch you all later in the week!

@Hotspur_1882