January Transfer Window

Chong Warrior · 21 Jan 2008 at 13:33

Spurs have apparently signed Hertha Berlin's Brazilian full-back Gilberto, 31, who is out of contract at the end of the season. He won't be joining until next season though.

A bit of a strange one this as he's out of contract yet will cost £2.5m :confused:

Sky Sports News understands that Tottenham Hotspur are in talks to sign Hertha Berlin full-back Gilberto.

The Brazil international is out of contract at the end of the season and Hertha want the 31-year-old to sign an extension.

He was linked with Manchester United last week and was coy regarding any interest from the Premier League champions.

Gilberto conceded he had not decided on whether to stay with Hertha, or move to England, Portugal, or even return to Brazil.

However, it now appears that he could be heading to the Premier League with Spurs understood to be piecing together a deal.

A fee of £2.5million has been mooted for Gilberto, who joined Hertha in 2004 and has been a Bundesliga regular.

Spurs are currently short on options at left-back, with Gareth Bale and Benoit Assou-Ekotto both out with long-term injuries.

South Korean defender Lee Young-pyo is Juande Ramos' first choice, but may soon face competition for his place from Gilberto.

Ripper · 21 Jan 2008 at 13:34

Good business that!

FrankJH · 21 Jan 2008 at 13:52

That does sound strange with him being out of contract but still comanding a fee (unless its going into his wallet- to not be tempted by anyone else)

Was hopeful some more brazilian flair was heading to OT but with his age probably Spurs are a better option

Weebull · 21 Jan 2008 at 13:57

FrankJH said:
That does sound strange with him being out of contract but still comanding a fee (unless its going into his wallet- to not be tempted by anyone else)

I thought that, but then realised it's because the fee is to sign him now I'd expect, whereas getting him on a free would mean Spurs waiting until the end of the season.

Stag · 21 Jan 2008 at 15:53

Should be a great buy as he can operate anywhere down the left, covering Bale's absence well.

Chong Warrior · 21 Jan 2008 at 16:14

Stag said:
Should be a great buy as he can operate anywhere down the left, covering Bale's absence well.

He would if we'd got him now while Bale is out injured. Considering Bale is out for the season and we need cover right now seems a strange signing, especially as he's 31.

Going to find the Prem tough at his age I think.

Ripper · 21 Jan 2008 at 16:20

Doesn't sound like anything other than a stop gap signing. However it won't be a stop gap signing if he isn't coming until the summer, therefore I rate it as a **** signing

Sem · 21 Jan 2008 at 16:41

thats Comolli for you :rolleyes:

Chong Warrior · 21 Jan 2008 at 18:39

Moses99p said:
they mentioned a fee in the article, which means it'll be a transfer in this window for money rather than waiting for him to be out of contract in the summer.

From other Spurs forums and reports I'm hearing the deal is done and he will join at the end of the season. Hence me saying...

Chong Warrior said:
Spurs have apparently signed Hertha Berlin's Brazilian full-back Gilberto, 31, who is out of contract at the end of the season. He won't be joining until next season though.

A bit of a strange one this as he's out of contract yet will cost £2.5m

£2.5m is a bit steep for any 31 year old full back with just couple of months contract left. Weird either way..?

Stag · 21 Jan 2008 at 20:11

Surely if his contract is up at the end of the season it would be a free/bosman situation? Rather than lose him for free, Berlin want £2.5m now? Surely that makes the most sense, for both clubs, Berlin gain some cash to replace him and Spurs use him to cover Bale?

:confused:

£2.5m isn't unheard of for a player with a short contract whatever his age. Plus for a 31 year old he is in the Cafu mold and can run forever IIRC.

Ripper · 21 Jan 2008 at 20:54

No big club is stupid enough to pay 2.5m for him now when they could get him for free at the end of the season. So the 2.5m Spurs are paying is to make sure a bigger club doesn't come in and tempt him I'd assume.

Stag · 21 Jan 2008 at 21:04

There is that, but the fact Bale is out for so long is the larger reason imo.

Ripper · 21 Jan 2008 at 21:53

Well how long is Bale out for? If its like a year then I can understand. But if he's back for next season then there isn't much point apart from strengthening the squad.

Chong Warrior · 21 Jan 2008 at 23:09

Well he'll bring some much needed experience to one of the youngest squads in the Prem, if not THE youngest?

He'll also allow Bale, when fit, to play in the position I think Spurs have in mind for him on the left side of midfield.

Chong Warrior · 21 Jan 2008 at 23:13

Also I hope this Tiago transfer comes off, I think he'll add some needed energy, steel and experience to our soft midfield.

syke · 21 Jan 2008 at 23:55

Been meaning to ask you CW, how do you rate Teemu Tainio?

Chong Warrior · 22 Jan 2008 at 00:42

Injury prone? He's a decent player but we've never seen the best of him as he's never fully fit.

Chong Warrior · 22 Jan 2008 at 01:15

Anyone heard the latest about Keegan so called making Ledley King his number one transfer target??

Stag · 22 Jan 2008 at 08:13

Laughable.

Tainio is a great player, can run all day and has the skill to play anywhere in midfield. Just consistency and injury proneness which lets him down a bit.

Weebull · 22 Jan 2008 at 11:07

Chong Warrior said:
Anyone heard the latest about Keegan so called making Ledley King his number one transfer target??

I think the papers are applying the "Chelsea technique" to reporting players rumoured with Keegan at the moment - that is, link him with anyone that vaguely looks like a footballer, regardless of how unlikely it may be.