Tottenham today finally completed the loan signing of Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa and were said to be in talks to bring South Africa defender Bongani Khumalo to White Hart Lane in January.
Pletikosa joined Spurs from Spartak Moscow for the season this afternoon, with the north Londoners thought to have an option to make the move permanent.
The 31-year-old, who has won 80 caps for his country and has played in two World Cups and one European Championships, was close to joining Tottenham last summer but an injury scuppered the move.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp resurrected his interest in the player during the close season and ran the rule over him during a recent trial.
Redknapp had been keen to provide additional competition for number one Heurelho Gomes and understudy Carlo Cudicini.
And with the former currently nursing a groin injury and the latter having dropped a clanger in Saturday's 1-0 Barclays Premier League defeat to Wigan, Pletikosa could make his debut at West Brom after the international break.
A former Croatian Player of the Year, Pletikosa lifted two national cups during more than 172 appearances for hometown club Hajduk Split and even scored six penalties.
Following four years with Shakhtar Donetsk, he moved to Spartak in 2007 and appeared against Tottenham in the UEFA Cup in December 2008.
Although Spurs were expecting a quiet transfer deadline day today - making the arrival of Scott Parker and departure of Robbie Keane increasingly unlikely - they appeared to be making moves to bolster their squad when the window reopens.
Like Pletikosa, SuperSport United captain Khumalo had a trial with the north Londoners this month and it could earn him a January move.
The 23-year-old, one of the stars of South Africa's home World Cup, told the South African Press Association: "I enjoyed my trial with Spurs and all I can say is that, at this stage, the deal is pending and an announcement will be made later."
Khumalo's business manager Glyn Binkin told Press Association Sport: "At this stage, absolutely nothing has been finalised and discussions are ongoing between representatives of the various parties, namely Spurs, SuperSport United and the player regarding a possible move for Bongani Khumalo to Spurs."
The 31-year-old, who has won 80 caps for his country and has played in two World Cups and one European Championships, was close to joining Tottenham last summer but an injury scuppered the move.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp resurrected his interest in the player during the close season and ran the rule over him during a recent trial.
Redknapp had been keen to provide additional competition for number one Heurelho Gomes and understudy Carlo Cudicini.
And with the former currently nursing a groin injury and the latter having dropped a clanger in Saturday's 1-0 Barclays Premier League defeat to Wigan, Pletikosa could make his debut at West Brom after the international break.
A former Croatian Player of the Year, Pletikosa lifted two national cups during more than 172 appearances for hometown club Hajduk Split and even scored six penalties.
Following four years with Shakhtar Donetsk, he moved to Spartak in 2007 and appeared against Tottenham in the UEFA Cup in December 2008.
Although Spurs were expecting a quiet transfer deadline day today - making the arrival of Scott Parker and departure of Robbie Keane increasingly unlikely - they appeared to be making moves to bolster their squad when the window reopens.
Like Pletikosa, SuperSport United captain Khumalo had a trial with the north Londoners this month and it could earn him a January move.
The 23-year-old, one of the stars of South Africa's home World Cup, told the South African Press Association: "I enjoyed my trial with Spurs and all I can say is that, at this stage, the deal is pending and an announcement will be made later."
Khumalo's business manager Glyn Binkin told Press Association Sport: "At this stage, absolutely nothing has been finalised and discussions are ongoing between representatives of the various parties, namely Spurs, SuperSport United and the player regarding a possible move for Bongani Khumalo to Spurs."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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