Damiao? Or another Defoe?

By: Robert Reed | January 31st, 2013

leandro-damiao-internacional-cropped I hate myself for doing so, but in unguarded moments I am finding myself contemplating the possibility of Damiao.

It won’t happen, I know it won’t. I’ve been saying so all week, but these headlines are so beguiling!

Word has apparently come from Internacional club President Giovanni Luigi that the deal could happen. Of course he also said that it would have to happen fast and that Spurs had made no formal bid, but I like to ignore that bit.

If only though, eh? Levy would silence all his detractors in one fell swoop. Who would have the balls to criticise him after he spent £20 million in January to bring a world class striker to the club? Not me that’s for sure.

But of course, as my brain keeps telling me (damn you, brain) that isn’t going to happen. Even Negredo looks less likely now with Everton apparently making determined strides to secure a cut price €10 million deal for the Spaniard.

What does sound more likely is the scintillating reports that we are interested in Lisandro Lopez from Lyon. This is definitely an improvement on Defoe. As I’ve oft lamented, Jermain has never scored 20 goals in a season; whereas Lisandro did once (an admittedly sensational 24 goals in 27 games for Porto in the 07/08 season) but usually gets nowhere near.

The fact that Lopez is not an improvement on what we have is evidenced by the fact that it would be a loan deal until the end of the season. A deal for a player just to make up the numbers, reminiscent of Louis Saha last season.

Again, that could just be paper talk; although the unsensational nature of the story would suggest there is some truth to it. Add the normal loopy story (David Villa) and we are all set for a typical Spurs transfer window. Loads of speculation, then a last minute ‘make do’ option.

The one chink of light is that we do appear to be seeing a few players leave. Good old Harry appears to be intent on hoovering up all our dead wood, Thud is talking to Fulham and even Gomes has sodded off to Germany.That means a reduced wage bill and at least a couple of free squad places, so we could yet make a signing or two.

Hey.. maybe we’ll sign Damiao!

COYS!

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