4:22pm Wednesday 1st September 2010
SPURS have signed a Dutch Real Madrid superstar in what is a boost to the club’s Champions League campaign.
A shock transfer window deadline day move worth £8m by Harry Redknapp brings Bernabeu misfit Rafael van der Vaart to White Hart Lane.
The Holland international had been poised to join Bayern Munich for a much higher fee, reported to be near £20m.
But, as the cut-off point loomed on Tuesday evening with no deal finalised, the asking price crashed and Redknapp made his last-minute swoop.
“For that money, he is a top player who will definitely improve us,” he said.
“He's a great passer of the ball, he's a top footballer. He will join in here and be a big plus for us.”
The Spurs manager lost out in another bid to land Liverpool flop Ryan Babel, but the striker took matters into his own hands to resist any move.
The 23-year-old Dutchman used his own online Twitter account to declare his loyalty to Anfield.
"I'm going nowhere. LFC all the way. YNWA!!! (You'll Never Walk Alone)" insisted Babel.
Elsewhere at Spurs, Peter Crouch will not play for England on Friday because of a back injury.
But Jermain Defoe is available to boss Fabio Capello after making a speedy recovery from a groin problem which was feared would require surgery.
The hitman is in contention for the Bulgaria game this evening and the Switzerland game, next Tuesday.
Meanwhile, a Brazil midfielder joined Tottenham Hotspur this week, as well.
Sandro Ranieri Guimarães Cordeiro, 21, has been carrying an English dictionary everywhere with him in preparation for his move to London.
"Spurs are a team who are talked about a lot in Brazil,” he said. “They are one of the biggest teams not only in England but also in Europe because of their history.”
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/trade_directory/