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Tottenham have failed in bids to sign Hugo Lloris and Gaston Ramirez, according to The Guardian.

Andre Villas-Boas is looking to revamp his inherited squad this summer, and has already added Jan Vertonghen and Gylfi Sigurdsson to his contingent.

However, attempts to sign a new goalkeeper have been frustrating, as Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas has confirmed that an offer from the north London club has been refused for Lloris.

“Hugo wants to play at one of the best clubs in Europe,” the French executive told RMC.

“This year there was an approach from Tottenham that was quickly rejected. If he absolutely wants to leave, we will look at the proposals but they must be consistent with what we want. If not, he will stay.”

Meanwhile, Uruguay international Ramirez is one of the brightest prospects in Serie A, and is being chased by teams in Italy and England.

The South American’s agent has confirmed that a deal could have happened to bring him to White Hart Lane, but there was a disagreement over wages.

“The only solid offer is the one from Tottenham, who offered €16 million [£12.6m],” Oscar Betancourt told Calciomercato.

“But the deal didn’t go through because Spurs offered too low a wage to the player and if the wage difference is minimal he would stay at Bologna.

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“Tottenham could raise their offer if they sell Modric and in that case the deal could be done, otherwise Ramírez will stay another year at Bologna. We also talked with Liverpool but nothing more,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

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Edin Dzeko has apologised to Roberto Mancini for his behaviour after he was substituted in the second half of Tuesday’s Champions’ League defeat to Bayern Munich. The Bosnian told Sky Sports that he has spoken to both the manager and his teammates and apologised earnestly, and now hopes to put the incident behind him. Mancini must find it refreshing that a star striker should actually address their apology at him – but he will now return his concentration to his other problem, Carlos Tevez. Scroll all the way down for one possible solution.

In football’s other big stories this morning, the chase for Palace superkid Wilfried Zaha is spreading across Europe as two of the continent’s biggest names join the fray; Titus Bramble might be joining Carlos Tevez on the golf course, as the defender has been suspended by Sunderland following his arrest earlier this week; Harry Redknapp admits he was fearing a Shamrock surprise for a while after last night’s Europa League tie; and David Moyes backs Tim Cahill to score another Merseyside Derby goal this weekend.

Dzeko apologises to Mancini

Redknapp admits fears over Irish surprise

Dalglish wary of rushing Gerrard back too soon

Arsenal backer Kroenke supporting Wenger

Scholes questions Mancini’s decision

Pulis hails Stoke victory

Titus Bramble suspended by Sunderland after arrest

Jol praises Johnson after victory

Moyes backs Cahill to star again in derby

Wenger and Fergie still keen despite Brazilian’s new deal

Tottenham face £12m battle with Milan for Spanish hitman

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Villa-Boas set to gazump North London duo with January bid

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Harry Redknapp again praised the resilience of his Spurs side after they came from behind to post a 2-1 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

After falling behind to an early Asamoah Gyan goal, Spurs hit back through a header from Michael Dawson just before half-time, with Niko Kranjcar producing a stunning long-range winner just before the hour mark to seal all three points for the Londoners.

It was Spurs’ sixth away win this season and lifted them into fourth in the English Premier League, 10 points behind leaders Manchester United.

“This team doesn’t give up and there is a great spirit at the club,” Redknapp said.

“It’s difficult to come back when you go behind in the Premier League but we’ve managed to do it again.”

“Sunderland started brightly and scored their goal but the game settled down after that and I thought there was something in it for us.”

“I just felt if we could score before half-time we’d have a big chance and I fancied us to go on and win the game in the second half.”

“Niko popped up with another fantastic goal and it’s something he practises after training every day. He’s a top, top player.”

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce, meanwhile, lamented the equaliser his side conceded just before half-time as the turning point in the game. The result was his side’s third-straight loss, although they remain in seventh place.

“We started so well but the goal just before half-time killed us,” Bruce said.

“We still haven’t learned our lesson from the Stoke game (a 3-2 loss last weekend), and we’ve talked about it before.”

“It was a simple lack of concentration from a corner and because of that we were deflated going in at half-time.”

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“We didn’t pick up Dawson, who’s their best header of the ball – for all our hard work, it’s happened again.”

“For me, that moment cost us the match.”

“I have to hold my hands up for the second goal – it was a wonder strike. But there’s a frustration there because we should have got something from the game.”

Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov has warned that internal politics at the club threaten the side’s chances of success.

The north London outfit are renowned for living within their means and as such will not break their wage structure for star players.

As a result the likes of Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas have left in recent times, and Robin van Persie is refusing to sign a new deal at the Emirates Stadium.

The Russian executive, who is the outfit’s second-biggest shareholder, is warning that politics could lead to another trophyless campaign in 2012-13.

“We do not consider just qualifying for the Champions League to be the chief ambition of the club, and with all our hearts we support the team and wish them well for the new season,” he told Forbes Magazine.

“Victory is absolutely not ruled out, but the current politics of the club’s management will leave Arsene Wenger and his team with fewer and fewer opportunities in the long run.

“I am a fan and I am not going to sell these shares at any time, since this is the club that I consider the best in the world,” he concluded.

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By Gareth McKnight

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When it comes to shirt numbers I’m sure many people won’t even bat an eyelid at the significance of certain digits and the importance that they hold within the walls of a football club.  There is a number, however, so revered in English football you’d think it was a crown jewel considering the proud way fans talk about it. The number nine shirt means a lot more to football fans than they could possibly explain. To wear the much-respected number you have to be a certain type of player and more importantly you have to earn it!

Since individual squad numbers were introduced into English football in 1993 they have soared in tandem with transfer fees. Don’t be surprised if, in the very near future, you see a maverick player sporting three digits on the back of his shirt. In my opinion squad numbers have become a bit of a gimmick and aren’t treated with the respect that they once were. That said the number nine shirt will always retain its majesty, power and prodigious tradition. Since the dawn of our beautiful game that digit has grown to signify something holy and special turning an average player into a symbol of hope and glory. It takes an amazing character to take up the mantle of being a number nine and I believe the game needs them to separate those who play football with pride and those who play for the wrong reasons.

A majority of footballers, these days, are seen to be lacking in passion and commitment with the sport now just an avenue to a colossal bank account and a stress free existence. Traditions seem to be lost on this new breed of player as they continue to lose touch with the people that come out to support them every week. The chasm between players and fans is widening every year and doesn’t look like stopping with there being no feasible way to relate or feel connected to footballers anymore. They are more focused on fast cars, expensive watches and garnering a celebrity status. They are visibly ignorant and a poor representation of the traditions that once made football romantic and magical. Being a Newcastle United fan I know full well what that shirt means to those who wear it and those who chant their name from the stands. Jackie Milburn, Malcom MacDonald, Les Ferdinand, Alan Shearer and dare I say it Andy Carroll are just some of the names to sit above the famous figure and all have been worshipped in their own right at St James’ Park.

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Everyone knows that number nines are goal scorers but they hold much more importance than that. They are the focal point of the team, the spearhead if you like, and in no uncertain terms are the ultimate heroes of a football club. Whilst their job is to hit the back of the net they must also keep those faces in the stands smiling broadly and wear the shirt with absolute dignity and honour.  There may be shouts that I’m being biased but you have to agree with the sentiment that Shearer is the greatest number nine the Premier League has ever seen. His first class attitude, consistent goal scoring exploits, roughhouse nature and battering ram approach to games made him the archetypal leader on the pitch. He was the first to throw his head into a crowd or charge down an opponent when possession was surrendered and didn’t mind taking a few cuts and bruises along the way. To cut a long story short he was inspirational and is still idolized to this day despite hanging up his boots over five years ago. Blackburn Rovers fans i’m sure you’ll agree?

The fact of the matter is Shearer encompassed the sort of passion and respect that the makes a number nine so special. He knew what it meant to wear that shirt and how much it would hurt the fans if it was ever besmirched. He is the model that every number nine should aspire to be and it seems that they are a dying breed. The adoration and esteem that surrounds the number nine shirt makes it sacred to so many football fans around the country. Perhaps the pressure surrounding it is considered too much to handle at any club. Thats why a special type of character is required to take on that role as avant-garde. As well as being seen as a leader they’ll also be identified as an equilibrium between fans and modern footballers. Someone who understands the tradition that they are currently steeped in. The influence a player like that holds should never be underestimated  No one ever forgets a true number nine!

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West Brom have secured the services of Arsenal striker Carlos Vela on loan until the end of the season.

The 21-year-old’s move is a big blow for Bolton boss Owen Coyle, who had expressed an interest in signing the marksman.

But West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo was delighted to have won the race for the Mexico international’s signature and believes he will add a new attacking dimension to his squad.

“I’d like to officially welcome Carlos, who is an exciting signing for this club,” Di Matteo said.

“Carlos is a new attacking option for us who can play both centrally and in the wide areas.”

“He also has great technical ability and pace and we’re hoping he can make a big impact during the remainder of the season.”

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“Having said all that, we have to remember he is still a young boy learning his trade and we will be giving him all the support he needs during his time here.”

The new Premier League season is just around the corner as the clubs begin their pre-season preparations that will be vital for the tough months ahead. Managers are starting to up the ante in the transfer market in order to find the right balance to their squads, while some of the deadwood will be cleared out to make way for new arrivals.

Last season’s form has been forgotten and those who had a good year need to build on their performances. Similarly, those who struggled need to put that fact behind them and ensure that there is no repeat this time around. So there will be a lot of hard work going on at Anfield then.

The supporters of all 20 Premier League clubs will have identified those individuals who disappointed them the most last season, so here is a club by club guide on which players need to improve in the 2012/13 season.

Click on Stewart Downing to unveil the 20

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Stoke City are lining up an audacious double swoop for unwanted Tottenham duo Peter Crouch and Wilson Palacios say The Daily Mail.

In a £16 million raid, Stoke manager Tony Pulis will look to strengthen both his midfield with the Honduran international Palacios, who fell out of favour with Spurs last season, and his frontline with giant England international Crouch. If Spurs accept the offer, Pulis would have to convince both parties to take significant wage cuts, as Stoke are unable to match their current lucrative contracts.

Stoke, along with a host of other Premier League clubs, have become alerted to Crouch’s availability after the agent of another Tottenham forward spoke out in believing the England man was likely to leave White Hart Lane this summer.

Oleg Artemov, who represents Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, wants to hold talks with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy over a new contract for his man, and stated: ‘I expect to talk nearer to the transfer window’s closing time. At the moment he [Levy] is too busy. He needs to sell players and to buy new ones. Two or three teams are interested in Peter Crouch. So he is most likely to be the one of the five Spurs attackers to leave.’

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Artemov was referencing the fact that Spurs manager Harry Redknapp has been told he must sell players, before he can bring any new faces into the club.

West Ham United have declared they are committed to embattled manager Avram Grant amid speculation Martin O’Neill has turned down the job.West Ham were reportedly ready to sack Grant and turn to O’Neill to rescue their flailing Premier League season, with the former Aston Villa boss believed to have been tempted with a large bonus should he save the bottom-placed Hammers from relegation.

But reports late on Monday suggested that O’Neill had cooled on taking over at Upton Park after his name was prematurely touted in the media, and with no other suitors on the horizon it appears Grant is safe for now.

English newspaper the Daily Mirror also reported that Hammers vice-chairman Karren Brady had contacted players in an attempt to unsettle Grant, who has made it clear he will not resign.

West Ham released a statement on Tuesday backing Grant and lambasting the latest allegations levelled at the struggling top-flight club.

“West Ham United categorically deny the allegations made in today’s Daily Mirror with regard to Karren Brady, the club’s vice-chairman,” the statement read.

“Karren has worked tirelessly to improve all aspects of the club’s operation and is extremely disappointed by the nature of these unfounded allegations.”

“West Ham fully intend to identify the source of these unhelpful and untrue comments and remove them from the club. West Ham have placed the matter immediately in the hands of their lawyers.”

“The club are committed to retaining Avram Grant as manager and have identified potential transfer targets to give us the best possible chance of retaining Premier League status.”

O’Neill has been out of work since quitting Villa days before the start of the season, and was the frontrunner to replace Grant after the Israeli led the Hammers on their worst-ever start to a top-flight season.

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Reports had suggested O’Neill would take over following West Ham’s clash with Arsenal on Saturday, which the Gunners won 3-0.

Grant apparently believed he was headed out the door at Upton Park and made a big show of saying goodbye to the Hammers faithful, throwing his scarf into the crowd, applauding fans and shaking hands with each of his players following West Ham’s loss.

Liverpool are thought to be the frontrunners to sign Juventus winger Milos Krasic according to Mirror Football.

The Serbian winger had an excellent 2010-11 season in Turin after moving from CSKA Moscow, but was largely a fringe player last term under new boss Antonio Conte.

The wideman was linked with a move to the Premier League in January, with both Chelsea and Tottenham eager to sign him in the last window, but he decided to stay and fight for his place in the Scudetto winners’ side.

However, the Anfield outfit are thought to be the main suitors for Krasic’s signature this time round. Ideally Brendan Rodgers’ men want the attacker on loan, but Juventus would prefer to sell him, with a £6 million fee touted.

West Ham are also being spoken off as a potential interested party, but the Reds are thought to already be in negotiations with the Italian club over a fee.

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By Gareth McKnight

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