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Is this double-signing just what Tottenham need to return to successful ways?

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It has certainly been a tough summer in the transfer market to date at White Hart Lane. Tottenham look less than an attractive option due to their non-involvement in the Champions Leagueand because of their strict wage budget prevents them competing with clubs like Man City for world class players.

However it seems that Daniel Levy is about to lift the gloom of the summer by securing the services of two former Arsenal players with midfielder Lassana Diarra set to sign from Real Madrid and controversial striker Emmanuel Adebayor joining on a season-long loan from Manchester City.

At their current clubs both players have been described as expensive perennial underperformers but there is little doubt they would both be quality signings for Spurs and I think they could even make them into genuine contenders for the top four place alongside Liverpool and Arsenal.

Lassana Diarra, a man once touted as the next Claude Makelele, is a talented utility midfielder who could anchor the Spurs midfield, creating plenty of space for the attacking players like Bale, Lennon and Van Der Vaart to exploit. Diarra, who won the Premier League and Carling Cup during his time at Chelsea, is a solid footballer who is known for his hard work but is also capable of fitting in at right-back if needed. The 26-year-old is rumoured to be leaving the Santiago Bernabeu after falling out of favour with Jose Mourinho who is prepared to make a £14m loss on the player, having paid £20m to Portsmouth for him in 2008.

Having excelled under Harry Redknapp during his time at Fratton Park, Diarra is keen to reunite with his former manager at the Lane. With Wilson Palacios set to complete his transfer to Stoke City and the excellent Sandro out injured until the end of October, Diarra would be given a chance in his favoured role as a defensive midfielder. Recruiting a player who actually played 39 times for Real Madrid last season for only £6 million would be another masterstroke by Daniel Levy following on from van der Vaart’s signing a year ago, especially with club only having Europa League to offer the French international.

Emmanuel Adebayor is an established Premier League striker who was excellent during his time at Arsenal, netting 62 times in just 142 games but he struggled last year at current club Manchester City after falling down the pecking order. He spent time on loan with Diarra at Real Madrid last season and Spurs fans will surely remember him after he all but ended their dreams of Champions League glory with two goals in their 4-0 quarter-final first leg defeat.

The Togolese front man has his critics but he again demonstrated his worth on-loan at Real Madrid and the powerful striker is a proven goal-scorer whose arrival would surely signal the end for beanpole striker Peter Crouch at Spurs. I think Adebayor would be a good fit at Spurs and that he could develop an exciting partnership with van der Vaart, the sort which hasn’t been seen at White Hart Lane since Berbatov left.

By signing players who have Champions League experience, Spurs are certainly showing their transfer hand and while I think they probably still need to strengthen further in transfer window, they definitely would have a stronger team if they can agree these captures. Replacing Palacios with Diarra and Crouch with Adebayor is good business and it also hoped that bringing players of their reputation may go some way in convincing Modric that he should stay at White Hart Lane, although Chelsea’s purchase of Juan Mata may have already achieved this.

If Tottenham fans can get over the fact that they both used to play at that other club in North London, these signings could turn a summer of gloom into one of a season of hope. If they are confirmed in the next week the squad actually looks stronger than two years ago when the side achieved a top four finish and as a result I think Spurs will become genuine contenders for a Champions League place. More bad news for Arsenal.

Written by Aidan McCartney for FootballFancast.com.

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  • Andrew says:

    Brilliant signings if they come in, flog Modders and bring in more firepower and a centre back!
    4-2-3-1 being
    Friedel/Gomes
    Walker Dawson Samba/Cahil BAE
    Diarra Sandro(when fit)
    Lennon VDV Bale
    Adebayor/Fancy europian goalscorer
    There you have a fantastic team.

  • chris says:

    agreed but i could never sing adeboyer name its all gone wrong in football, season ticket holder for 25 yrs hate the way the games going bring back the holder days coys

  • chris says:

    sorry meant hoddle

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