Spurs to let Villas-Boas spend
TOTTENHAM chairman Daniel Levy will back new manager Andre Villas-Boas in the transfer market as the North London club aim to secure a return to the Champions League.
Villas-Boas yesterday signed a three-year contract to succeed the sacked Harry Redknapp at White Hart Lane and, Levy has confirmed, will be given the funding necessary to achieve the board’s aspirations.
“Andre shares our long-term ambitions and ethos of developing players and nurturing young talent, and he will be able to do so now at a new world class training centre,” he said.
“We are constantly looking to move the club forward. It is important that we now look to develop the potential within the squads at all levels, whilst strengthening the first-team in the summer in key positions with players who will become part of the future success of the club.”
Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen and Hoffenheim midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson are expected to be the former Chelsea manager’s first signings, particularly if Spurs can beat Liverpool to the latter’s signature, though any joy at their arrivals is potentially offset by the uncertainty surrounding the future of the influential Luka Modric, even if Villas-Boas is optimistic about the ability of the squad he has inherited.
“I have had several discussions with the chairman and the board and I share their vision for the future progress of the club,” the Portuguese manager said. “This is a squad any coach would love to work with and together I believe we can bring success.”