Spurs to step up Bassong pursuit

Aug 3 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

TOTTENHAM Hotspur are preparing to step up their pursuit of defender Sébastien Bassong this week as the long-awaited St James’s Park clear-out starts to get under way.

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp denied any knowledge of the £10m bid his club was yesterday reported to have had rejected for Newcastle United’s best performer last season. However, he is quite happy to acknowledge his interest in a player who figured in just one of his club’s pre-season friendlies.

After Obafemi Martins became the first Newcastle United player sold this summer, it seems as though the Magpies are finally shedding the high-earners who threaten to be a burden now the club has lost its Premier League status.

Caretaker manager Chris Hughton claimed yesterday to know nothing about his old club’s reported interest, but also revealed he had no involvement in Martins’ £8m departure.

French Under-21 international Bassong was one of a trio of high-profile foreign stars who missed the 1-1 draw with Dundee United yesterday, which was the Magpies’ final match before the new Championship season begins at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. Habib

Beye, the right-back who handed in a transfer request last week, and Fabricio Coloccini – last summer’s much-vaunted summer signing, who was struggling to hold down a place in the side by the end of last term – also did not travel to Tannadice.

“They are all Newcastle players at this moment in time,” Hughton said after the game, but what happens in the future, I don’t know. At the moment they are all players at this club.

“I’spent the weekend preparing the team for this game. The stuff I saw on the television (about Bassong) was the first I knew about it. I have not spoken to anybody since, so as far as I am concerned at the moment, it is only speculation.

“Habib and Coloccini had injuries and it was never my intention to play Bassong because he is suspended for the first game of the season. It is not difficult to plan because all you can do is work with the players you have.” Hughton also revealed he was presented with Martins’ move to Wolfsburg only when it was a fait accompli. It is a situation the former defender is comfortable with.

“I was only made aware of the Obafemi Martins situation when it was a definite deal,” he confirmed. “At the moment there are not any other deals I am aware of, and that is probably the best way to keep it.” Bassong joined United on trial last summer and impressed enough to earn a permanent deal from Metz.

Having been signed as someone able to provide cover across the four he quickly established himself as the first-choice centre-back.

Redknapp was coy about what stage Tottenham are at in their pursuit, but with Michael Dawson, Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King all carrying injuries, it is clear he is at least considering one. “He is a player I was interested in,” he said. “I like Bassong, he is a young player with a good future and he is a good central defender.

“I don’t think we have made an offer as far as I know. I am sure the chairman has not made an offer.”

Strikers Shola Ameobi and Xisco missed yesterday’s match through illness and Andy Carroll took advantage of their absence to open the scoring. David Goodwillie equalised from the spot after Steve Harper had saved an earlier penalty. Referee Chris Boyle asked for Damien Duff to be substituted for his excessive protests about the second spot-kick.

Newcastle fans made up 2,330 of the 8,876 supporters at Tannadice yesterday. The match was preceded by a minute’s applause in honour of Sir Bobby Robson, who died of cancer aged 76 on Friday.

St James’s Park will be open again today from 9am-5pm to give fans another opportunity to pay tribute to the club’s former manager.