Tottenham Hostpur are joining the race to try and sign Real Madrid striker, Jan Huntelaar. With the arrival of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo at Madrid there is a smaller chance that the Dutchman will get an extended run in the side and Harry Redknapp is said to be an admirer of the young man who set the world alight during the early part of his career at Ajax.

Huntelaar could be just what Spurs need as he seems to be a more energetic and enthusiastic version of their current Russian striker, Roman Pavlyuchenko. The Russian has already expressed his dissatisfaction at not being able to become a first team regular and with Redknapp’s promise of Champions League football next year, this could be the first of many high calibre signings to go to White Hart Lane this summer.

The problem is that the Madrid striker would not come at a cheap price. Owing to the fact that Madrid have spent so heavily so far this summer, they will have to make good the difference by selling off a number of fringe players at good prices. This could mean that Huntelaar would attract the majority of the Spurs budget for the summer and it would be a huge risk for Redknapp to take when his side clearly needs work in a number of areas.

However, Spurs fans can all be upbeat about the fact that so far they have managed to keep the squad in tact. There had been numerous rumours about players being linked to other clubs, none of which would have helped the side if they eventually became a reality. Aaron Lennon for example has not even been speaking to Manchester United and Luka Modric is still sitting in the heart of the side and pulling all of the strings.

It really would be a fantastic signing for Spurs if they managed to pull it off because there are a number of current Premier League teams that have a lot of money ready to spend. What this means is that all of the other clubs have to be a lot more shrewd and wise in the way that they go about their business. This could be the best sort of signing that Spurs can attract because they do not have the financial muscle to compete with others when it comes to attract better players.

The difference that the Dutchman would make would be a big one. Spurs do have a very good work ethic and they are a very aggressive and passionate side. The fact is that they do lack a little bit of quality when it comes to the attacking part of the team. Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe will work their socks off but they are not the most versatile pairing in the game and Huntelaar would provide a big target man with a better touch than the Russian who already plays that role at Spurs. Spurs have a lot of work to do if they think they can sign this player but it would be fantastic if they pulled it off.

Tottenham Hotspur have already started making space for summer transfers to arrive as Harry Redknapp starts to set up his revolution at White Hart Lane. Chris Gunter looks set to go and play for an unnamed Championship club next season after a bid was received yesterday.

If the money is right then it is likely that Spurs will allow the Welshman to leave as they look to improve their squad for a Champions League push next season. However, the right back is highly thought of at Spurs so the club may argue for a longer loan deal as opposed to a permanent transfer.

Either way it is the surest sign yet that Redknapp is looking to fulfil on the promises he made to make big changes at Tottenham this summer. Gunter is unlikely to be the only Spurs playing looking set to leave this summer as both space and money is needed to bring in high calibre and quality players ready for a European challenge.

Spurs paid £3 million for Gunter in January 2008 from Cardiff City and will be more than happy if they can get any thing like that sort of return this time round. Alan Hutton is thought to be preferred to Gunter in the right back slot and with other players in the squad more than capable of playing there, it could be the right time for Gunter to move on.

Although it may be harsh on the young man, Spurs are going to have to make sacrifices if they are going to maintain their push for a Champions League slot next season. As the club have adequate cover in Gunter’s position, any potential fee may be used to improve other areas of the squad.

Other high calibre players that have been linked with moves away from Spurs are winger, Aaron Lennon and striker, Roman Pavlyuchenko. Both of who would be likely to net massive revenue for the club and provide Redknapp with a well balanced cheque book to go and seek replacements.

The core of the side is very strong with an established defence and keeper, a more than talented midfield and captain, Robbie Keane, leading the front line. Therefore the areas of the squad that the manager will be looking to make space for will be down the flanks of the starting side.

Hence why Gunter may be considered surplus to requirements. Whoever he ends up playing for at the start of next season will have a more than talented player who maybe should feel a little hard done by. His potential exit is nothing more than an example of the results pressure on modern football brings in order to get high level European football.

Spurs may rate the Welshman highly but at the end of the day someone has to step down and make the room, unfortunately in this case it was him. Gunter will probably hope that the club send him on loan so he can work his socks off and then go back to

Reports have emerged this morning suggesting that Liverpool and Manchester United are likely to slug it out in a possible transfer war this summer in order to gain the services of Tottenham Hotspur winger, Aaron Lennon.

Lennon’s performances have slowly been getting more consistent and he has been one of the first names to be put down each week by Harry Redknapp. However, these improved performances could back fire for Spurs as they now look set to receive a number of bids for one of their best players.

Lennon has also been in and out of the England side under manager Fabio Capello but looks set to finally hold down his place as his end of season form continues to get better and better.

Manchester United will want to sign the winger as it will allow the transition of Cristiano Ronaldo into a striker to be completed. With the retirement of Ryan Giggs also likely to happen in the next couple of seasons as well as the inexperience of the Portuguese star, Nani, he could be just the player that Sir Alex Ferguson is looking to bring in.

Liverpool also have a strong case as they don’t have an out and out candidate to fly up and down the right flank in every game. Numerous players have often done the job as manager, Rafa Benitez, often draws criticism for playing Steven Gerrard out there and out of position from the middle, which is undoubtedly his best spot.

If a bidding war breaks out then United may well just have the edge but this depends on the future of one or two of their players. If Carlos Tevez decides to pack his bags and move to Spain then it could in effect finance a bid for Lennon making the move a virtual certainty. However, Fergie may want to replace a striker for a striker, which would pave the way for Liverpool to make a bid for a player that they desperately need.

Spurs are reportedly asking around the £20 million mark for Lennon which, is a price United have a better chance of raising. Liverpool will have to sell first to have any realistic chance to snatch him but the players that will make way from the Liverpool squad look likely to be equally realistic to their cause causing Benitez a massive headache.

Harry Redknapp won’t want to let Lennon leave as he has already targeted a Champions League spot for next season. However, football continues to prove that every player has their price and based on the assumption that Manchester City won’t sneak in on the move and offer a stupid sum of money for Lennon then their city rivals, United, look like the most obvious destination for Lennon.

No doubt Liverpool will have a good go at buying him but the Berbatov affair showed that regardless of any amount of late bids once Sir Alex gets his nose in and is interested then the player he targets is rarely persuaded to go elsewhere. Lennon could well be wearing a United shirt at the start of next season.

The EPL is back in action with a full slate of games over the next two days after a weekend off for some teams due to FA Cup games.

Tuesday’s matches feature 15th place Sunderland at home to 10th place Fulham, a first vs worst battle, with league leaders Manchester United travelling to Birmingham to take on cellar dwellers West Brom, 12th place Portsmouth is hosting fourth place Aston Villa, and 16th place Tottenham has a huge clash at White Hart Lane against 19th spot Stoke City.

Spurs vs Stoke
Tottenham will be a new-look squad after several signings in the transfer window, however, midfielder Wilson Palacios is suspended for the match against Stoke. Goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, who just came over from Chelsea in a free transfer, could possibly start in net as first choice keeper Heurelho Gomes is struggling both in net and with a thigh injury. Former Spur Pascal Chimbonda, who was just reacquired from Sunderland, wasn’t registered in time to play.

On the injury front Jermaine Jenas (calf) and top scorer Darren Bent (groin) are back training, while Alan Hutton (foot), Ledley King (hamstring) and Jamie O’Hara (hip) are still out. However, Aaron Lennon (groin), Jonathan Woodgate (back) and Luka Modric (back/hamstring) will be game-time decisions

For Stoke, leading scorer Ricardo Fuller should be back after serving a three-game suspension for slapping team mate Andy Griffin. Defender Danny Higginbotham (calf) will be a game-time decision, while Salif Diao (calf), Mamady Sidibe (knee) and Andrew Davies (knee) are all out injured.

Spurs played on Saturday, losing 2-1 to Man United in the FA Cup. Both teams were winless in the last five league games.

Sunderland vs Fulham
Teemu Tainio is available for Sunderland after serving a one-match ban and George McCartney returns from a long-term foot injury.

For Fulham, Diomansy Kamara (knee) is still out injured.

Fulham beat non-league side Kettering 4-2 with two late goals in the Cup on Saturday, while Sunderland drew 0-0 with Blackburn. Both teams have one only one of their last five league games and Fulham hasn’t won on the road all season.

West Brom vs Man Utd
West Brom is missing captain and former Man Utd player Jonathan Greening after he injured his knee during Saturday’s FA Cup game with Burnley. The club already has four centre-backs injured with Abdoulaye Meite, Jonas Olsson, Leon Barnett and Neil Clement all on the shelf. Ten players in total are out with injuries.

Man United actually have more players on the sidelines with 12 on the injury list. Fabio (calf) and Danny Welbeck (ankle) were hurt in Saturday’s 2-1 Cup win over Spurs. Nani, Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown, Rafael, and Patrice Evra are still out with injuries, while Anderson, Wayne Rooney, Jonny Evans and Ji-sung Park were also unavailable for Saturday’s game.

West Brom has won three of their last five, while Utd have won all five.

Portsmouth vs Aston Villa
Both teams could feature new signings as central midfielder Hayden Mullins and defender Pele could play for Portsmouth and striker Emile Heskey might see action for Villa.

Pompey is without injured players Papa Bouba Diop and Richard Hughes, but Younes Kaboul might return after missing five-weeks with a back injury. Moral seems to be pretty low, especially after being knocked out of the FA Cup at home to Swansea on Saturday.

For Aston Villa, defender Luke Young returns after missing Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Doncaster because of a one-game ban for receiving five bookings this season, but winger Ashley Young will miss the match as he serves the second game of a three-match suspension for a red card at Sunderland.

Potsmouth has only a draw to show for their last five league games while Villa has four wins and a draw.