Tottenham Hotspur transfer diary 20 - 31 December 2009

No team managed by Harry Redknapp is not going to be linked with plenty of transfer speculation - especially with Spurs in fourth place in the Premier League and fighting hard for a Champions' League slot.

Transfer Speculation: Maynor Figueroa (Wigan) to Tottenham (£6m)

Sunday 20 December 2009
Robbie Keane (£12m) has been linked with a move away from White Hart Lane to Celtic for a while, but The News of the World came up with a new angle, suggesting that SundIreland would bid for the Irishman; Spurs would use the money to but Matthew Upson from West Ham. NOTW also reckoned bad luck charm, Gareth Bale, could be leaving on loan to relegate Burnley. The Sunday Express reckoned that Spurs have been told that Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa is not for sale.

Monday 21 December 2009
With speculation suggesting that Gareth Bale and Alan Hutton may be on their way out, The Daily Mail reports that Tottenham are set to move for Portsmouth full-back Nadir Belhadj in January, with Blackburn and Everton also interested in the Algeria defender. By this time next year Redknapp will have rebuilt his Pompey Fa Cup winning side in north London!

Tuesday 22 December 2009
Possibly the biggest day for Spurs speculation in recent memory as the news of the party in Dublin was devoured by the press. The meeting between the players and Redknapp was interpreted variously as 'frank and amicable, with voluntary charitable donations of around £300,000 (The Guardian), £1m to charity after Redknapp read the riot act (Daily Star), £80,00 to charity (The Sun), £320,000 to charity after Redknapp drew a line under the affair (Daily Mirror), £32,000 to charity (The Independent) and so on.

The party ringleader is again linked to a move to Celtic, with Spurs wanting Artur Boruc in exchange according to the Daily Mirror. Crystal Palace's forward Victor Moses (£5m) is wanted by Tottenham and a host of other clubs according to The Daily Mail. Alan Hutton may be worth as much as £4m to Everton or Blackburn - which sounds like a sale - in the Daily Express.

Would Robbie Keane's sale to Celtic cost Liverpool?

Wednesday 23 December 2009
According to the Daily Mirror Tottenham defender Michael Dawson is poised for a move to Sunderland - which would leave exactly who in Spurs back-line? And Watford's England Under-21 goalkeeper Scott Loach is the latest 'keeper attracting Spurs - although Everton want him too according to the Daily Star. Former Spurs favourite, Glenn Hoddle, may be taking over at Reading according to the Daily Mirror.

Thursday 24 December 2009
As well as Arsene Wenger, The Sun reports that Tottenham also like the look of striker Craig Bellamy should new Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini ditch the Wales international in January's transfer window. However, Redknapp must sell before he can buy, with Roman Pavlyuchenko and Robbie keane in the firing line. The Daily Mirror go a little scatter-gun and link Spurs with Ruud van Nistelrooy, West Ham defender Mathew Upson and Liverpool winger Ryan Babel - though where the money will come from is a mystery. One player almost certain to be at Tottenham in January is Jamie O'Hara as his loan stay at Pompey will be cancelled, according to The Sun, because of the transfer embargo.

Friday 25 December 2009
Hic.

Saturday 26 December 2009
The Times reports that Harry Redknapp likes the look of Craig Bellamy despite branding the player a "nuisance". But any deal would rely on City wanting to get rid of the Welshman - and it cannot be ruled out as Bellamy is perfectly capable of picking a fight in an empty room. The Daily Star suggests that Michael Dawson could break into Fabio Capello's plans despite being fourth choice at Spurs when everyone is fit. Quite why they bothered reporting it is anyone's guess.

Sunday 27 December 2009
The News of the World has speculation regarding two of Spurs' out-of-favour players; Scotland full-back Alan Hutton is a January target for Stoke and Fulham and David Bentley is attracting unlikely interest from Atletico Madrid.

Monday 28 December 2009
The Mirror reckoned that Roman Pavlyuchenko was on his way out as Harry Redknapp said he would not necessarily need a replacement if the Russian quit White Hart Lane in January - why would he need someone to sit on the bench and look sulky? The Sun again linked a panicky David James to Spurs after the Pompey 'keeper was clearly spooked by the speculation linking other stoppers to The Lane - James 'refused to rule out a move' which usually translates as 'come and get me!'.

Tuesday 29 December 2009
The Sun suggests that Harry Redknapp may go back to Portsmouth (again) and may turn to former club Portsmouth in January, with goalkeeper Asmir Begovic the target or even (wait for it) David James. Either way Pompey could then move for Adelaide stopper Eugene Galekovic - this transfer embargo is not hitting the speculation business then.

Wednesday 30 December 2009
Spurs speculation started to wane later on in the month.

Thursday 31 December 2009
See 25 December.

*Who do you think that Tottenham will move for in January - or will there be no transfer activity for Harry Redknapp's side? Let us know