By DAN KARELL
Even though they’ve spent a reported £59 million ($92.4 million) on four transfers this summer, Tottenham seem far from done strengthening their squad.
With continued rumors of star midfielder Gareth Bale’s departure, the London club seem set to cash in on the likely cash set to come into the club, with reports that Tottenham have had a bid of £30 million ($47 million) agreed by Anzhi Makhachkala for Brazilian midfielder Willian, and he’s reportedly in London to complete the move.
Willian looked set to move to Liverpool late last week, but it seems now that Tottenham outbid the Merseyside club, leaving Liverpool without a marquee signing this summer. Tottenham are also reportedly working on the transfer of Erik Lamela of AS Roma, where Spurs sporting director Franco Baldini used to work.
Here are some more stories to get your Tuesday started:
WORLD CUP TICKETS ON SALE TODAY
The big day you’ve all been waiting for has arrived.
All those dollars saved and pennies pinched will come in handy as FIFA World Cup tickets for next year’s tournament in Brazil are now on sale, with tickets ranging from $90 in the group stage to nearly $1000 in the World Cup final.
FIFA expects 3.3 million tickets to be available, though because there are still stadiums in Brazil that haven’t finished, the world soccer governing body isn’t exactly sure how many tickets can be sold in the first place.
This opening phase of World Cup ticket applications is open through October 10, with a second phase opening for any leftover tickets on November 5.
REAL MADRID CLOSE TO SIGNING NEW LEFT BACK
With Portuguese international Fabio Coentrao seemingly out the door at Real Madrid, the club are closing in on a new left back.
Guilherme Siqueira, a 27-year-old Brazilian who plays with Granada is the player in question, with Real Madrid and Granada currently negotiating a transfer fee. Reports in Spain state that when the two sides meet in La Liga next Monday, high ranking officials on both sides will seal the deal. If Real Madrid signs the Brazilian, they’ll have beaten out both Liverpool and Everton for the transfer.
Siqueira has been a regular for Granada each of the last three seasons, guiding them back to La Liga in his first season, and scoring six goals in each of the last two. Prior to his move to Spain, Siqueira played his soccer in Italy, moving from Inter as an 18-year-old to Lazio, to finally Udinese.
QUICK KICKS
Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could miss anywhere from four to six months with a major knee injury suffered on Saturday. (REPORT)
Marco Verratti has signed a new contract that will keep him at Paris Saint-Germain through 2018. (REPORT)
AS Monaco has made a €15 million bid for Sevilla defensive midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia, despite his release clause being at €20 million. (REPORT)
Bayern Munich have given former player Breno, currently in prison for an arson sentence, a job as a youth coach for five hours a day. (REPORT)
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What do you think of these reports? Do you see Willian succeeding at White Hart Lane? Do you believe Tottenham can sign Lamela as well? Do you plan on buying World Cup tickets?
Share your thoughts below.