Left-backs in contention

[basskadet]

In January it looked as tho we'd be making a summer bid for Olympique-Marseille's powerful young LB Taye Taiwo but not much has been said about this since. Most of Marseille accept that Taiwo will be gone by next season but whether Spurs will be his destination remains to be seen.

More recently we've been linked with a £5m move for Gabby Heinze at Real Madrid. Altho he says he is happy with life in Madrid, he admits that he does not know what the future holds & the cards could very well be in Real's hands as they might choose to cash in on him before his contract runs out at the end of next season.

Stephen Warnock of Blackburn Rovers was another possibility. He was fairly strongly connected with Spurs last summer but nothing materialised. I would imagine this is now unlikely, what with different management now in place at WHL. Never say never tho.

We were more recently said to be eyeing Ghanian starlet Gladson Awako. He was also thought to be interesting Inter Milan and has since been handed a trial with the Italian club. Altho they look to have beaten us to his signature, anything could still happen.

A new name to emerge today is that of Serbian international Ivan Obradovic. Obradovic plays with Partizan Belgrade & came thru their youth system. He has drawn attention from both Barcelona & CSKA Moscow & either could still yet make a move for him. He is just 20 years old & is very quick & plays with a lot of maturity for his age. Altho he turned down CSKA's approach in the winter window, Obradovic has confirmed that he will be leaving Partizan in the summer. However, his likely destination would probably be Barcelona, if they back up their continued interest with a firm offer.

Here he is (number 13) scoring for Serbia against Austria:
YouTube - Ivan Obradovic, el alma del FK Partizan con 20 años

[Gareth]

Would love Tottenham to go after Gabriel Heinze or Lyons own Fabio Grosso.

[basskadet]

I agree, Woodgateftw. Either Heinze or Grosso would be great additions (although Heinze edges it because he is slightly younger & has Prem experience). I really feel we need a little bit of experience in this position as well as youth. We need someone who does not feel the urge to jet forward at every opportunity & doesn't panic when the going gets tough. However, a promising youngster is also essential, someone pacey who will overlap & regularly attack. I think the combination of the 2 would put us in good stead & would be healthy to both players (like Gary Neville recently said in regards to his relationship with Fabio).

Heinze, Warnock or Grosso would be perfect to bring the experience in & any 1 of Taiwo, Awako or Obradovic would do for me as the youthful option. Nothing against BAE & if he was to stay this summer he too could fill the 'youthful' role, but I still feel we could do better.

[Pitseleh]

who knows, would be good to have a left back as solid defensively and clever as charlie is at right back.

[kevfball63]

As soon as Harry turns around and says i've got a lot of respect for a left back im gonna be down the bookies like a shot = he has said it 3 times and all 3 players are here - Defoe , Palacios and Keane .

[Gareth]

Well he did say the same thing he said about Keane, Palacios, Chimbonda etc etc about McGeady in a conference so theres another tip for you kev

[basskadet]

Well, Barcelona have officially joined the race for Obradovic now, according to reports in today's press. They believe that Ivan is a definite target for Harry as he has followed him all season & knows that Ivan wants to leave Partizan in the summer. However, now that Barca have joined the race for the talented young Serb, his destination looks more likely to be the south of Spain

[basskadet]

We have ow been linked with yet another LB!! According to The Sun, Harry Redknapp has been watching Aly Cissokho of Porto for a while now & thinks he might be another solution for our threadbare LB berth.

Cissokho is highly rated & stood up well to the Ronaldo test on Tuesday night when Porto drew 2-2 with United. From what I saw, the guy stuck some decent crosses in but was superb at the back, exactly what we've been missing. However, the 21yr-old French defender has been superb for Porto this season & the club is notorious for driving a hard bargain, although Harry feels that a bid of £5m should be enough.

Harry Redknapp plans £5m Aly swoop | The Sun |Sport|Football

If you want to watch the extended highlights of the Porto v United game & check out Cissokho in action, you can here:

Manchester United v Porto Video by Das - MySpace Video

[CmonyouSpurs]

He was awesome against Manure. His crosses were dangerous but there was no one in the centre to capitalise

Anyway we should watch him more to make sure it wasn't a one-off.

[basskadet]

He has apparently been quality all season (For Porto & Setubal) & Harry (according to the Sun) has supposedly been watching for a while. However, Porto only paid Vitoria Setubal £270k for him in January, so to pay £5m for him just a few months later would represent a HUGE markup, especially as he's barely played 5 games for FC Porto!!

[iamgary25]

Give Bale another chance man hes quality and could be such a better player!

[tottenham_14]

let bale go and bring in obradovic....the reason why i dont want heize is because i dont want a player coming in that would force ekouto out of the starting line up just because he has a big name...ekouto deserves better

[CmonyouSpurs]

let bale go and bring in obradovic....the reason why i dont want heize is because i dont want a player coming in that would force ekouto out of the starting line up just because he has a big name...ekouto deserves better

It's true BAE has improved a lot this season, but we have to think about the club's ambitions. BAE is never gonna be a player good enough to take us up the table and challenging for a top 4 spot. He would be great backup but someone like Heinze is a Premier League winner and he's a top class LB, and would be a great mentor for BAE.

[gillon]

taiwo would be a great signing

[thfcshady27]

id keep bale to be honest...hes a young lad struggling with confidence....but he should come through it and would be a valuable addition to the squad!