Dos Santos close, Moreno out

Sky Sports News understands that Tottenham have emerged as the favourites to sign Giovani dos Santos.


The 19-year-old Mexican is currently on the books of Spanish giants Barcelona and is widely regarded as one of the hottest properties in European football.

He has been forced to wait his turn at Camp Nou, but has been tipped for the top since bursting onto the scene at the U17 World Cup back in 2005.

The Catalan club had hoped to see the youngster become the natural heir to Ronaldinho's crown, though he is yet to dominate the senior game in the same manner as he did at youth level.

Dos Santos made 28 Primera Division appearances for Barca last season, and scored a hat-trick in the last day of the season during a 5-3 victory at Murcia.

He has five full caps for Mexico despite qualifying to play for Brazil through his father, himself a former footballer, Zizinho.

His failure to hold down a regular first-team spot under Frank Rijkaard during the 2007/08 season alerted the attention of a host of Europe's top clubs, with Manchester City early contenders for his signature.

However, should the prodigiously talented teenager decide to leave Spain this summer it would appear that White Hart Lane is now is most likely destination, with Spurs expected to shell out around £11million in order to get their man.

Moreno move




Meanwhile, Tottenham have missed out on another potential target - Marcelo Moreno.

The Bolivian striker has completed a nine million euros (£7.1million) move from Brazilian club Cruzeiro to Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk.

He had initially turned down a move to Eastern Europe, but a recent visit to the club helped to push the deal through.

"After visiting the club last week, the player accepted the offer and inked a five-year contract this morning (Tuesday)," said Cruzeiro spokesman Joao Marcos Dias said.

"The offer arrived at Toca da Raposa at the beginning of this month, but Marcelo Moreno rejected it as he considered he could shine in more important places in Europe.

"The days he spent in Donetsk convinced him Shakhtar have the suitable structure and that he will have a good life in Ukraine."

Interesting.

There is a very good article in the Guardian about Russian football. Although Donetsk is in the Ukraine, similar issues apply. Basically said that they pay players as much, if not more, than the Premier League. Also, they have very lax work permit rules for footballers. I doubt Moreno wd've got a work permit to play in England.

Here is the article if you're interested - http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/may/25/2

FROM THE GUARDIAN:

Juande Ramos' revamp of the Tottenham Hotspur squad is set to continue with the surprise signing of the Mexican attacking midfielder Giovani dos Santos from Barcelona, deflecting longstanding interest from Chelsea and Manchester City in the process, in a deal that could eventually cost the London club some £9m.

Giovani, who turned 19 earlier this month, made 28 league appearances for Barcelona this season and scored three goals, all of them coming on the season's final day in a 5-3 win at Real Murcia.

The midfielder met with his agent, Pini Zahavi, to discuss his future last week with the Catalan club's squad enduring a shake-up under the new coach, Pep Guardiola. Spurs had previously made inquiries as to the availability of their Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o, though talks with the African player's representatives have reached a deadlock over his wage demands.

The attraction of working for Juande Ramos appears to have proved pivotal in swaying Giovani away from City - the current instability around the manager's position at Eastlands can hardly have helped - while he would appear more likely to feature in the first-team at White Hart Lane than at his other mooted suitors, Chelsea.

His prospective arrival fits in with Tottenham's policy of recruiting young players of considerable potential. The Mexican would join the Croatia international Luka Modric and the young English midfielder John Bostock - a compensation package for whom has still to be agreed with Crystal Palace - at White Hart Lane, with Ramos expecting more arrivals to follow.

I don't know how Dos Santos will fit into the 442 system. He normally plays on the right side of attack in the 433. Will he replace Lennon? Or will he play the Keano role in the hole?

Speaking of which, there are rumours about Keano leaving in the coming weeks which for me, is disappointing. Keano has matured a lot in the past 2 seasons. Our player of last season and one of the few who showed genuine passion for the team. Look at his reaction after the CCF!

That sounds a very exciting signing!

Seems like going from no TRUE creative/flair midfielders to 2 in a short amount of times and of real class (not just some 15 year olds who may be good one day - Taarabt, Adel and Rose, Danny... not great examples but you know what I mean).

My only reservations would be the perceived frailness of the player and also whether he ends up as an expensive Taarabt. You've also got to wonder that if he signs for us instead of Chelsea on the condition he gets more games/has more first team chances, where would he play?

Lennon - Dos Santos - Jenas - Modric ?

Great fun to watch but needs a bruiser (Gattuso) in there surely. It'd be fine at WHL but you've got to think that that at stadia like Ewood Park/Reebok we'd struggle.

Hmm. Good points DAnny. That would be a very slight, albeit exciting, midfield.

Dos Santos (bye bye Lennon), Modric, Barry & Bale.

Simple.

I can't really believe we sign Dos Santos!


TOTTENHAM have agreed a £12million deal for Barcelona’s wonderkid Giovani Dos Santos.



Spurs beat Chelsea, Manchester City and Inter Milan to the Mexican winger and are also on the brink of signing defender Richard Dunne from City for £5m.

Giovani, 19, was swayed after meeting White Hart Lane chiefs in London back in January.



Inter and City were last night desperately trying to persuade agent Pini Zahavi to get the player to change his mind.



Spurs’ swoop has stunned Chelsea, who made two failed raids for Giovani after tracking his development for four years.



Barca offered Gio the chance to move on loan but he has grown disillusioned with the Nou Camp.



Meanwhile, Dunne has held advanced talks with Spurs and will complete a switch after his medical.



Aston Villa and Portsmouth were also interested in the City skipper, 28.

The Spanish are indicating that the light at the end of the tunnel is indeed light and not as some of us were beginning to feel, the front of an oncoming train.

Giovani Dos Santos will come with the usual endlessly tiered contract dependent upon the usual variables of appearances, goals, Super Mario Kart Hi Scores etc.

The player's agent is said to have been busily sparring with THFC bean counters earlier week and this thing could be resolved as soon as tomorrow. Monday.

The agent has said, "The project is promising and has offered Giovani ambitious and wants to become great in the Tottenham and helping the team to be. . It is true that to leave the club this is a risky decision, but for his qualities, [Tottenham] seem to be the best option for him." Which doesn't sound too awful, as agent pronouncements go.

The player's father is quoted as saying, "it is an honor that teams such as Tottenham are set in Giovani, but there is nothing official yet but is well under way." Which is again optimistic enough fare for any Spurs fan, I would've thought.

Interesting snippet to all this is that the father goes on to remark that the ankle injury to his boy is now good and the recovery ought meet the dealines.

BIOYC!

Posted by Harry Hotspur at Sunday, June 01,2008
http://harryhotspur.blogspot.com/2008/06/dos-santos-to-sign-in-matter-of-days.html

With a little patience and a lot of TLC, the signing of Dos Santos will be as era defining and influential as that of Ardiles and Villa in the late 70s.

He is one hell of a player. I'm still that Barce are prepared to let him go.

COYS