Good evening, Spurs fans. Here are your evening headlines for Tuesday, November 17.
Bale can ‘elevate’ Tottenham
Steve McManaman believes Gareth Bale can ‘elevate’ Tottenham Hotspur to the next level.
Bale, 31, rejoined Spurs on loan from Real Madrid in the summer, seven years after he departed the north London club to join Los Blancos in a then world-record transfer.
The Wales international's return was greeted with widespread excitement among fans as they felt it was the kind of deal that could push them up the Premier League table. And it would seem McManaman agrees.
"I think it's a brilliant signing for Tottenham," the former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder said. "When you think of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, and then you throw Gareth into the mix as well, it automatically lifts that starting XI to another level.
"If he stays fit and he plays 40 or 45 games for Tottenham, he’ll definitely score 20-odd goals, and you just cannot buy those types of numbers.
"The fact that Tottenham have done a great deal bringing him, I think it's wonderful business I really do.
"If he stays fit, he’ll certainly elevate Tottenham to another level in the Premier League and other competitions this season."
January move for striker planned
Tottenham Hotspur are ready to move for Arkadiusz Milik in January, according to reports.
The 26-year-old was set to leave Napoli during the last transfer window, but no move was forthcoming in the end.
One of the many clubs interested in his services at the time was Tottenham, but it is claimed that Aurelio De Laurentiis’ asking price and the player’s wage demands scuppered a move.
The need for Milik to move on has only increased since the window shut, with the striker keen to earn regular playing time ahead of the European Championships.
According to Il Mattino, there is interest coming from Atletico Madrid, Juventus, PSG, and Spurs.
Napoli’s valuation of the forward stands at between €10-15 million, although it’s unclear if Spurs would want to pay that much for a player currently on the fringes of the Napoli squad that is also in the final year of his contract.
Spurs have overtaken two clubs with summer business
Tottenham have been backed to finish in the top four and qualify for next season's Champions League, claims Steve McManaman.
Jose Mourinho’s side are currently second in the Premier League after taking 17 points from their opening eight matches and McManaman is predicting a big season for the club.
Speaking at an event for LiveScore, he said: "I definitely think he (Bale) can help Tottenham qualify for the UEFA Champions League this season.
"When you look at the Premier League this year – are they better than Arsenal? They’re certainly not worse than Arsenal. Are they better than Manchester United? Well, yes for me they are, given the way they’re playing.
"I think the business that Jose Mourinho has done has been good, when you look at the players he’s brought in and the players he’s let go.
"He’s got a bit more time to focus. He’ll certainly have them defensively stronger than they were and mentally stronger. As I’ve said, if Gareth stays fit then I certainly think they’ll qualify for the UEFA Champions League this year."
