Spurs' £8m Jenas deal on knife edge

Jason Burt
Monday 29 August 2005 19:00 EDT
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However, the deal may still depend on who Newcastle United bring in to improve their own squad - especially after their poor start to the season.

Any additions areunlikely to include Robbie Keane with the two clubs planning a straight cash deal for Jenas and the Irishman having informed Spurs that he wants to stay and decide his future next summer. His contract runs out then but Spurs have an option on a two-year extension.

Spurs are also desperate to bring in a striker. Having sold Frédéric Kanouté to Seville, and with Mido suspended after his dismissal against Chelsea and the highly-rated Moroccan Mounir el Hamdaoui injured, they were delivered a severe blow on Sunday evening when they were informed that their No 1 target, Dirk Kuyt, is staying at Feyenoord.

Spurs have had two bids rejected for the Dutch international, who is wanted by a host of Premiership clubs, but were expected to secure his transfer.

However, yesterday Kuyt issued a statement on the Feyenoord website that he had "taken a definite decision" to stay for now. "The feeling was not good, at the last moment, to leave such a beautiful and fantastic club," he said. Despite those sentiments it is understood the 25-year-old may move in January. Spurs have also had a £2m bid for Chelsea's Carlton Cole rejected and are waiting to see whether their £3m offer for Cristiano Lucarelli, the Livorno striker who was the top-scorer in Serie A last season with 24 goals, has been accepted by the Italian club.

The Livorno president, Aldo Spinelli, insisted yesterday that the 29-year-old was staying at the club. "We have not given much thought to the offer made by Tottenham because we are not interested in selling Lucarelli," he said. His mind may be changed if Spurs raise their bid.

The PSV Eindhoven defender Lee Young-Pyo was yesterday undergoing his medical to join Spurs after the two clubs agreed a fee of £1.35m. His transfer, on a four-year deal, should be finalised today once a work permit is secured. The 28-year-old, who starred for South Korea in the 2002 World Cup, is likely to be first-choice left-back ahead of Erik Edman.

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