FOOTBALL | IN BRIEF
Pletikosa set to join Spurs
TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp says he is close to finally signing experienced Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa.
The Spartak Moscow stopper almost joined Spurs last summer before injury scuppered the deal, but Redknapp did not drop his interest altogether.
“I might be taking another goalkeeper from Croatia – Pletikosa,” said Redknapp. “[There is] every chance I might be getting him so that’s good.”
Pletikosa, who has 80 caps, is expected to rival Heurelho Gomes for the No1 jersey and would join international colleagues Luka Modric, Vedran Corluka and Niko Kranjcar at White Hart Lane.
Pay up now, Nice tell West Ham
WEST HAM have been told they will have to pay more money up front if they want to beat Liverpool to the signing of French starlet Loic Remy.
Nice are ready to sell the pacy striker, who netted 15 times last season, and the Hammers have matched the asking price of £8.5m.
But the Ligue 1 club are unhappy at being paid in instalments, with president Gilbert Stellardo saying: “The amount suits me but not the payment method.”
Top gun Cruise downs Austria
ENGLAND kicked off their Under-19 European Championship campaign with a 3-2 win over Austria.
West Ham striker Frank Nouble struck twice in the first half and, after Austria pulled a goal back, Arsenal defender Tom Cruise notched a crucial third.
England are still to face Holland and hosts France in their group.