With Luka Modric not taking part tonight in Tottenham’s Europa League playoff tie against Hearts, speculation of a big-money move to Chelsea is still alive and kicking. But will it come to fruition, or will Tottenham be able to keep Modric in North London? In today’s roundup of transfer rumors, we’ve got the latest on that, along with news on a signing or three, and the latest on Joey Barton’s future.
Modric Saga Nearing Its End?
So, what’s the latest on Luka?
After telling Chelsea to stop pursuing a deal for Modric, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is now in discussions with Modric and his representatives in an attempt to iron out his future, according to Sky Sports.
But will he be successful on both of those fronts? I don’t think we’ll definitively find out until deadline day has come and gone, but Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas doesn’t appear to have shut the door on a move for Modric just yet, judging by his comments earlier today.
There’s still a fair chance we see his name on the Premier League transfer list come the end of the night on the 31st, but it won’t be for a lack of trying on Spurs’ part, that’s for sure.
Spurs Sign Adebayor
Making quality additions to the squad can’t hurt Tottenham’s case when it comes to trying to keep Modric at White Hart Lane for a little while longer, and they’ve made the first of what could be a few with the loan signing of striker Emmanuel Adebayor from Manchester City.
Considering where Adebayor plied his trade before his move to City and how much success he had against Spurs when he was there, I don’t doubt there are at least a few diehard Spurs supporters who won’t care for the signing. However, his time at Arsenal and the eight goals he scored against his new team while at Arsenal should be water under the bridge, as Adebayor has the ability, track record, and experience to be an instant hit.
Adebayor isn’t the only loan signing Spurs finalized today, as they also snagged young Spanish attacking midfielder Iago Falque from Juventus. The 21-year-old came up through Barcelona’s vaunted academy before moving to Juve in the summer of 2008, and he starred for Villarreal B in Spain’s Segunda Division last season, scoring 11 goals in 36 appearances. He hasn’t been able to make the breakthrough at Juve yet, but he’s not short on potential, so he could prove to be another excellent addition.
QPR Wait On Barton Decision
It’s decision time for controversy magnet Joey Barton, as he’s currently in London deciding on whether to move to QPR on a free transfer or see out the final year of his contract at Newcastle.
Barton has been in talks with QPR and has already passed a medical, but the 28-year-old midfielder is still up in the air about his future.
It’s understandable that Barton wants to take the time to fully think over the decision. He loves Newcastle (and that love is reciprocal, minus a certain important few) and may still feel that he has a debt to a club that gave him a chance after his litany of mistakes at Manchester City, and to pen a multi-year deal with a club who could well immediately end up back in the Championship might be less appealing than playing his heart out in his final season at Newcastle and then moving to an established Premier League club for free next summer…or waiting it out to see if he’s offered an extension that the club doesn’t look keen on offering. But with that last point in mind and some of the circumstances contributing to the unlikelihood of a new deal at Newcastle, perhaps it’s time for another fresh start.
Aquilani Moves To Milan
We may have seen the last of Alberto Aquilani at Liverpool, as the oft-injured midfielder is set to move to AC Milan on a season-long loan deal. According to reports, the deal includes a clause that will make Aquilani’s signing a permanent one if he makes 25 appearances for the reigning Serie A champions.
With what Liverpool invested in him two summers ago, it’s a shame that we likely won’t see it work out, especially since Aquilani is coming into this season with good momentum after having made it through last season’s loan stay at Juventus without being dogged by the same injuries that have been a regular fixture of his career.
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