Latest Football Transfer News 05-07-2012

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New Spurs deal for Caulker

Defender commits long-term future to White Hart Lane club
Last Updated: July 5, 2012 2:34pm


Steven Caulker: Staying at Tottenham for at least another four seasons


Tottenham defender Steven Caulker has committed his future to the club by signing a new long-term contract until 2016.
The centre-back has been with Spurs since the start of his professional career but has spent the past few seasons gaining experience with a succession of loan deals.
Having spent time with Yeovil and Bristol City, Caulker then linked up with Swansea on a year-long agreement last summer.
He produced a series of impressive performances to help the Swans finish in mid-table in the Premier League, and has earned a call-up for the Team GB Olympic squad.


There had been talk of Caulker staying at the Liberty Stadium for the 2012/13 campaign, but Tottenham have now moved to ensure he will remain on their books for at least another four years.
The 20-year-old will have the chance to work with incoming Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas, who declared when he was appointed that he shared the club's vision for developing players and nurturing young talent.
Caulker will also be reunited with Gylfi Sigurdsson, who spent the second half of last term on loan at Swansea before on Wednesday becoming Villas-Boas' first signing at Tottenham.
Proud

Caulker's focus for the next few weeks will be on the Olympics, though, and he admits it was a proud moment to get the final nod from Stuart Pearce.
He told Tottenham's official website: "When I was told I was in the initial squad of 35 I just hoped I would get the call.
"The call came and now it's a case of getting ready for the Olympics.
"I'm delighted to be part of it and the fact it's here in Britain means it will be a huge event and something I'll no doubt look back on for many, many years."

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Pozzo: Zola is the man
Last Updated: July 5 2012, 18:59 BST

Gianfranco Zola is the best candidate to guide Watford, according to new club owner Giampaolo Pozzo.



Gianfranco Zola: 'A great champion' says Pozzo
The 45-year-old former Chelsea star is set to replace Sean Dyche, who was dismissed this week.
Zola has been out of work since leaving West Ham back in 2010.
"Zola to Watford? We are talking about a great champion," said Pozzo to Italian radio stadio Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli.
"He is loved in the whole of England.


"He is an experienced coach and although we have never worked with him before, we consider him a very good manager."
The Pozzo family, owners of Serie A side Udinese and Primera Liga club Granada, completed their takeover of Watford last week and have high ambitions for the Vicarage Road outfit.
"We want to experience this new adventure with enthusiasm," Pozzo said. "We are talking about an important and an historic club that merits to return immediately to a high level.
"Our aim is to gain promotion to the Premier League."

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Alba seals Barcelona move
Last Updated: July 5 2012, 16:33 BST

Euro 2012 winner Jordi Alba has completed his 14million euro move to Barcelona from Valencia.



Jordi Alba: New Barcelona signing
The 23-year-old attacking left-back put pen to paper on a five-year contract with Barca having passed his medical with the Catalan giants earlier on Thursday.
The buy-out clause in Alba's new contract is 90million euros, Barca announced on their website.
Alba, who on Sunday helped Spain retain their European Championship title with a 4-0 final victory over Italy, is Barca's first signing of the summer as they build towards next season under new coach Tito Vilanova, who has replaced Pep Guardiola.

• Player Profile

17. Jordi Alba

Appearances	5 (0)
Goals	1
Assists	1
Yellows	1
Reds	0

*Current Season

Alba, whose contract with Valencia was due to expire in June 2013, is no stranger to Barcelona.
Born in the Catalan city of L'Hospitalet, Alba spent seven years at Barca's famous La Masia youth academy from 1998 to 2005.
Afterwards he played for local lower-league side Cornella for two years before joining Valencia in 2007.
At the Mestalla, Alba was part of the Valencia reserve side that was promoted to Segunda B before spending the 2008/09 season on loan at Gimnastic Tarragona.


On returning to Valencia he soon became a regular in coach Unai Emery's first team, making 74 league appearances in three seasons, scoring five goals.
That earned him international recognition, with his debut coming against Scotland last October. He has won 11 caps to date and was an ever-present in Spain's successful Euro 2012 campaign, scoring his side's second goal in the final against Italy.

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Oscar confirms Spurs interest

Internacional ace not sure of if any offer tabled by Spurs interest
Last Updated: July 5, 2012 10:58pm


Oscar: Has revealed Spurs interest


Brazil ace Oscar has confirmed Tottenham have expressed an interest in signing him.
Internacional playmaker Oscar is regarded as one of the best young talents in Brazil and he has been named in their Olympics squad.
New Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas has identified Oscar as one of his top transfer targets as he looks to reshape the squad next season.
20-year-old Oscar has revealed Tottenham have spoken to his agent, but he has played down any move insisting he is focused on life with Internacional.


"Tottenham did contact my agent, but I am focusing on Internacional," Oscar told iG.
Oscar added he is not sure if Tottenham made an official offer and that he is not getting carried away by the move rumours.
That [interest will always happen. I don't know if there was an official offer," Oscar told UOL.
"But for those that are young and impress a bit, this is normal. I can't worry about this. I'm not thinking about leaving Internacional now".


Long-term Spurs target Leandro Damiao also rejected rumours linking him with a possible switch to White Hart Lane.
The striker claims he is happy at Internacional and plans to stay at the club until 2014.
"I am thinking only of Internacional, I don't think I'm leaving [Internacional], I've received no offers," said Damiao.
"If it's up to me, I'll stay until 2014"..