Tottenham turn to ex-Arsenal skipper William Gallas in bid to boost injury-hit defence

10 August 2010 15:04
William Gallas could make a shock move to Arsenal's arch-rivals Tottenham as Harry Redknapp looks to solve his defensive crisis ahead of the new Barclays Premier League season. [LNB]Gallas is a free agent after his Gunners' contract expired earlier this summer. The Gunners were unable to reach agreement with the France international due to his high wage demands. [LNB]Redknapp desperately needs cover in central defence for Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate and the experienced Gallas, who also spent five years with Chelsea, fits the bill. King is plagued by a chronic knee condition while Woodgate is out for the foreseeable future with a long-term groin injury. [LNB] Free agent: Ex-Arsenal skipper William Gallas (right) is out of contract[LNB]Gallas has talked over free transfers to Panathinaikos and Paris Saint-Germain, and attracted interest from Roma and Juventus, but has failed to secure a move with his £80,000-a-week wage demands proving an insurmountable obstacle. Reports in France have suggested Gallas would prefer to stay in England. [LNB]  Spurs would have to break their existing wage structure to land the France international, who will be 33 next week, with the current top earners at White Hart Lane taking home around £65,000 a week, according to the Evening Standard. [LNB] If Gallas proves too expensive, Redknapp could yet turn to Fulham's Brede Hangeland or Manchester City's Micah Richards. Both moves are complicated, however, by Fulham's £12million asking price and by City's reluctance to sell to a rival for Champions League football, which Spurs will achieve should they beat Swiss side Young Boys in a two-legged qualifier later this month. [LNB] Alternative: Brede Hangeland[LNB]On the radar: Micah Richards[LNB]  Who needs Cesc? Barca pounce for Mascherano - plus Chelsea target OzilSign up to our FREE Fantasy Football game - with £40,000 in prize money up for grabsCesc Fabregas saga won't disrupt Arsenal's bid for glory, insists Gunners hero Ray ParlourTHE INSIDER: Peter Crouch's Liverpool reunion, Tottenham still tracking Luis Fabiano, Kenwyne Jones closes on £9m Stoke switch[LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail