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Tottenham Hotspur have today raised their offer for the injured Southampton striker Jay Rodriguez above the original £14m – a deal which includes the transfer of Andros Townsend to Saints.
So far, Southampton have refused any bid for Rodriguez, even with Townsend included as part of it. For his part, Townsend, who trained this morning with the England squad, is understood to be eager to go and wants the move.
Signing Rodriguez has become one of Spurs’ priorities this transfer deadline day with manager Mauricio Pochettino having identified his former player as one of his top transfer targets. The ultimate decision on Rodriguez’s future will rest with Les Reed, Southampton’s executive director, and the club’s newly appointed chief executive Gareth Rogers.
Show all 10 1 /10The 10 biggest transfers that could still happen The 10 biggest transfers that could still happen Radamel Falcao - Manchester United Despite missing more than six months with injury, the Colombian striker remains one of the hottest properties in Europe. Falcao had been linked with a move to Real Madrid, but Arsenal and Manchester City had been linked with a move on deadline day for the striker. Enter Manchester United, who pulled off the shock of the summer after a season-long loan was agreed in principle with a view to a permanent deal.
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The 10 biggest transfers that could still happen Sami Khedira - Arsenal/Chelsea Will he, won’t he, will he, won’t he? Sami Khedira is clearly surplus to requirements at Real Madrid after the arrival of Toni Kroos but his wage demands and fee seem to be getting in the way of a resolution. He is a fantastic player and would be a major coup if he were to arrive at either London club, but this transfer will probably rumble on until deadline day
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The 10 biggest transfers that could still happen Edinson Cavani - Liverpool Another striker unhappy in Ligue 1, Cavani scored 25 goals for PSG last season but is reported to be unhappy playing second fiddle to Zlatan Ibrahimovic in Paris. PSG don’t want to sell, but Brendan Rodgers is looking at the top end of the market to replace Luis Suarez and could spend big on Cavani or Falcao
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The 10 biggest transfers that could still happen Mehdi Benatia - Manchester United The classy Moroccan centre-back would perfectly fit the profile as one of the back three in Louis van Gaal's system. The Roma man, believed to be available for about £30m, is very good on the ball, an excellent athlete and a fierce competitor. He is comfortable taking the ball forward and is a threat at set-pieces
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The 10 biggest transfers that could still happen Arturo Vidal - Mancester United This potential transfer seems to have been rumbling on all summer but appears unlikely. Vidal is supposedly keen on a move and a midfielder of Vidal’s quality would be an upgrade over United’s current crop, but Louis van Gaal is believed to have doubts about the Chilean’s knee
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The 10 biggest transfers that could still happen Petr Cech - Real Madrid/PSG Jose Mourinho wants Cech to stay in west London but the giant goalkeeper is too good to waste his away on the Chelsea bench. Real Madrid, Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain seem the likeliest destinations for the 32-year-old, who is still one of the very, very best in the world
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The 10 biggest transfers that could still happen Mats Hummels - Manchester United Again, this deal appeared to be dead after Jurgen Klopp said he had no intention to sell and made the World Cup hero his club captain. But rumours for the German centre-back continue to swirl and given United’s defensive woes – Tyler Blackett is not the answer – a huge bid could tempt the Bundesliga side
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The 10 biggest transfers that could still happen Marco Reus - Various One of the world’s best young players, Reus is being linked with just about every major European club. Manchester United and Liverpool appear to be leading the race in England, but Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and several other clubs would be delighted with the youngster. Reus’ cheap release clause, the cause of all the speculation, doesn’t take effect until next summer, so a big bid may tempt Dortmund to sell now
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The 10 biggest transfers that could still happen Victor Valdes - Liverpool The former Barcelona goalkeeper is looking for a new club as he continues his recovery from a serious knee injury that forced him out of the World Cup. Liverpool are looking for a new goalkeeper after letting go of Pepe Reina, and Valdes would certainly provide competition for No 1 Simon Mignolet should he regain full fitness.
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The 10 biggest transfers that could still happen Danny Welbeck - Arsenal/Tottenham The England international is a target for a number of Premier League clubs, but Manchester United are reluctant to strengthen a potential top-four rival with his departure. As a result, any destination will have to cough up a £5m just to take him on loan, while a permanent deal could be largely inflated given his homegrown status.
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Rodriguez ruptured his cruciate ligaments in April and is not expected back in action until the end of October.
However, he has less than two years left on his deal and Spurs believe that if they do not get him today then the competition for his signature will be that much the greater in January. Rodriguez’s homegrown status makes him attractive to the leading Premier League clubs.
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