You have to feel sorry for the loyal Toon Army fans because they seem set to lose one of their best players fairly soon!

Football - Newcastle United v Middlesbrough Barclays Premier League

The Rumour

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp remains keen on Newcastle United defender Sebastien Bassong.

The Frenchman is emerging as Redknapp’s prime defensive target this summer, but there remains some way to go to find an agreement.

Newcastle are demanding £10 million for Bassong, while the Daily Mail says the player’s wage demands are also seen as excessive.

The Source: (Daily Mail as reported on tribalfootball.com)

The Analysis

Things have gone from bad to worse to plain awful for Newcastle United and one can see why Sebastien Bassong, one of the few bright sides to last season’s appalling tale, would want to leave but the Toon Army are not going to let him go without getting a decent chunk of change for him.

Harry Redknapp has some serious injury concerns at the heart of his defence with the likes of Jonathan Woodgate, Ledley King and Michael Dawson all out for the beginning of the season which leaves them decidedly light at the back, hence the need to bring in reenforcements.

The young Frenchman was also heavily linked with Arsenal but they appeared to have given up on the former Metz man when the plumped for Thomas Vermaelen instead. If I were Bassong I would lower my demands to ensure I was out of St James’ Park before the season starts because the club could well be in for an uncomfortable ride if their pre-season form is anything to go by.

The Likelihood

Bassong to Tottenham: Circumstances dictate that Redknapp may try to speed this deal up and therefore I can see them paying up.

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