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    I thought I was signing for Arsenal or Tottenham when I heard transfer offer had been accepted – but I ended up at Luton

    LUTON legend Paul Elliott thought he was joining Arsenal or Tottenham before moving to Kenilworth Road.Elliott stood out in the 1980s playing for Charlton and turned a lot of heads during a time that saw the Addicks dealing with severe financial difficulties.
    Paul Elliott joined Luton in 1983 after shining bright with Charlton
    That meant the club had to sell some of their best and most valuable players in 1983.
    Among them was their star centre-back, who was linked with a move to the Gunners at the time.
    And the then 19-year-old was informed by Charlton manager Lennie Lawrence that a deal had been struck with a club from the First Division.
    Lawrence drove the defender to meet his new employers and he thought it would be Arsenal due to the intense speculation.
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    The youngster also reckoned he could be moving to Tottenham as his manager drove towards north London.
    But, upon their arrival, Lawrence finally spilled the beans and revealed he will be playing for Luton.
    The now 59-year-old wasn’t disappointed as a discussion with then Hatters boss David Pleat convinced him this was the right move.
    Pleat really believed in him and promised he would be in his starting line-up despite his young age.
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    Elliott told Luton Today: “The club hit financial problems and went into receivership.
    “They sold Paul Walsh the year before and I remember there were lots of rumours that Arsenal were very interested and had made a bid. I remember reading the Evening Standard that Arsenal were going to make an offer for Elliott, they really want Elliott.
    “When the deal was done, I remember the day I was leaving, Lennie said to me, ‘Big man, go home and put on your best suit, we’re going to sell you. Meet me back at the Valley, I’m going to take you to meet the manager.’
    “He didn’t tell me who the manager was, so we drove up and he’s driving north London, A6, towards the Cockfosters Hotel and I was thinking it’s either got to [be] Arsenal or Tottenham. Then he’s pulled up at the West Lodge Hotel and I was thinking, it’s got to be Arsenal!
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    Elliot thought he was joining Arsenal or Tottenham before his move to Luton
    “He turned round and said, ‘There’s a great manager inside, a really progressive club,’ and I’m just thinking, just tell me, and he said, ‘It’s David Pleat from Luton Town.’
    “I thought, oh, right, okay, I went into the hotel, and let’s just say I had 15 minutes with David Pleat and I knew that Luton was going to be a great move for me.
    “He said, ‘Listen Paul, you’re top class, you’re an outstanding youngster. You’re 18 years of age, played over 80 games in the first team, you’ve got a lot of game time, you’re an outstanding prospect, we’ve just got promoted from the Second Division, you’re going straight into the first team, you’re good enough to play in the First Division, you’re going to be a great player for Luton Town and for me, do you want to come?’
    “I remember saying, ‘Of course I want to come,’ and it ended up being a fabulous move. David is a great man, a great friend, we’ve always been close, even after my time at Luton.”
    Elliott became a Luton legend with two goals in 39 appearances across a two-year stint before moving to Aston Villa and later Pisa, Celtic and Chelsea. More

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    Toni Kroos lines up shock Premier League transfer with Tottenham leading six-horse race for Real Madrid legend

    TONI KROOS is sounding out the possibility of finishing his career in England — if he fails to nail down a new deal at Real Madrid.The German midfielder is out of contract next summer and has always fancied a crack at the Premier League.
    Toni Kroos could leave Real Madrid for the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
    If there are no talks with the LaLiga giants by Christmas, he could be available as early as the January window.
    Kroos, 33, wants to continue playing in the Champions League, and his representatives will sound out Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and both Manchester clubs.
    He previously worked with Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, and champions City lost an experienced head when Ilkay Gundogan left last summer.
    Spurs is a likelier destination, with sources claiming Real would only seek a nominal fee for a player who has been at the Bernabeu since 2014.
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    Since his arrival at the club Kroos has helped them to win the Champions League four times among 19 major trophies.
    The midfielder has made 430 appearances for the club, scoring 28 goals and assisting 92 more in all competitions.
    Should Kroos join Tottenham he would be a different signing to what the club has made since the arrival of Ange Postecoglou.
    In the summer transfer window, the club focused on younger players such as Brennan Johnson and Micky van de Ven.
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    James Maddison, 26, was the most experienced outfielder brought into the club.
    The new philosophy has worked wonders at Spurs so far this season as they currently sit top of the Premier League table.
    After Spurs beat Crystal Palace on Friday, Postecoglou has now collected 26 points from his first ten Prem games.
    That record is better than anyone else, including the likes of Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger.
    Should Kroos join the club in January then he could offer vital experience to help the club maintain their challenge at the top of the table. More

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    Newcastle and Tottenham could seal transfer for Italy star ‘in a flash’ as Juventus set £52m asking price

    NEWCASTLE or Tottenham could sign Juventus forward Federico Chiesa for £52million in the January transfer window, according to reports.The Italian, 26, suffered an ACL injury back in January which left him sidelined for the rest of the season.
    Federico Chiesa could be set for a Premier League move in JanuaryCredit: Getty
    But he has returned to action at the beginning of the new campaign and hit the ground running.
    Chiesa already has four goals and one assist in eight matches for Juventus.
    However, according to Calcio Mercato, he is continuing to be linked with a move away.
    And it is understood a fee in the region of £52m would be enough to tempt Juventus into selling.
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    Both Newcastle and Tottenham are monitoring Chiesa’s situation as they weigh up a potential offer in January.
    And the report states they could sign him “in a flash” if they step up their pursuit.
    Chiesa’s contract expires in June 2025.
    He joined Juventus on loan from Fiorentina in 2020, before the move was made permanent for £34m last year.
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    Last month, Manchester United were linked with a swoop for the attacker – who has 42 caps for Italy.
    Juventus sit third in the Serie A table, two points adrift of pace setters Inter Milan after nine games.
    They have already lost one high profile player this season in the shape of Paul Pogba after he failed a drug test. More

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    Galatasaray 1 Bayern Munich 3: Harry Kane scores and assists as incredible start to life after Tottenham continues

    HARRY KANE savoured some Turkish Delights in Istanbul as he saved Bayern Munich’s blushes.What could have turned into an extremely frustrating evening in continental competition for the former Tottenham forward ended up being a memorable one.
    Harry Kane celebrates his latest Bayern goal on a tough nightCredit: Rex
    Kane grabs the match-turning second goal in IstanbulCredit: Rex
    After Munich had been under the cosh for long periods, Kane showed his enduring class to notch home his 11th goal since moving to the German club in a record £104million deal.
    And then he turned provider six minutes later for teammate Jamal Musiala to maintain Munich’s 100% record in Group A and go 37 group matches unbeaten in this tournament.
    The Bundesliga champions – who were earsplittingly booed and whistled every time they had possession – had taken the lead on eight minutes with their first meaningful attack.
    Leroy Sane was the architect down the left wing and after Galatasaray defender Kazımcan Karataş crucially mistimed his block, Frenchman Kingsley Coman applied the cool finish with his right boot.
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    Yet the Turks really should have had a handful of goals in a frenetic first-half display that saw them register 16 total attempts.
    Kerem Akturkoglu, operating in the role behind the main striker, was wasteful with three opportunities.
    That included blazing over the bar when Munich goalkeeper Sven Ulreich spilled the ball into his path.
    The home side did draw level on the half an hour mark thanks to a Panenka penalty by Mauro Icardi after the Argentine had been bundled to the floor in a sandwiched-tackle by Joshua Kimmich and defender Kim Min-jae.
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    But the failure to convert their missed chances cost them dear.
    And former Crystal Palace man Wilfried Zaha could only watch helplessly as his former Premier League counterpart stole the show. More

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    Tottenham star Son hailed as ‘absolute baller’ as he makes Fulham defenders run into each other before stunning goal

    TOTTENHAM star Son Heung-min scored another wonder-goal as he made two Fulham defenders run into each other.Son opened the scoring for Spurs on 36 minutes in the Premier League clash against Fulham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
    Tottenham star Son Heung-min made two Fulham stars bump into each otherCredit: Sky Sports
    Son opened the scoring and created an assist against FulhamCredit: Rex
    The forward picked up a pass from Richarlison and dribbled past both Tim Ream and Calvin Bassey.
    The South Korea international did it with such class that he made the two centre-backs bump into each other before a stunning finish beat the Cottagers’ goalkeeper Bernd Leno from the edge of the box.
    Tottenham fans were left in awe after another brilliant goal by Son as they took to social media.
    One fan tweeted: “Tottenham are so lucky to have Son, the man is an absolute baller.”
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    Another commented: “Son Heung-min does it again.”
    A third posted: “Tim Ream plays Son onside and then runs into Bassey, really good defending there.”
    This fan said: “Son what a finish man. Ream got in Bassey’s way.”
    And that one wrote: “What was Ream doing? Firstly playing Son onside and then running into Bassey to make the space for the shot.”
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    Son then set up Tottenham’s second in the 54th minute with a wonderful assist for James Maddison.
    Ange Postecoglou’s men are now top of the Premier League table with two points separating them from Manchester City and Arsenal who are second and third respectively.
    The Gunners wasted two points on Saturday during a 2-2 draw at Chelsea. More

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    Harry Kane set for reunion with Eric Dier after Bayern Munich bosses ‘rule out Chelsea star who’s Tuchel’s top target’

    BAYERN MUNICH are reportedly keen on reuniting Harry Kane with his former Tottenham teammate Eric Dier.The Bundesliga giants have ruled out Chelsea star Trevoh Chalobah and have turned to Dier in hopes of strengthening Tuchel’s defensive options.
    Eric Dier is set to join former teammate Harry Kane at Bayern MunichCredit: Rex
    Dier has not played a single minute for Spurs this seasonCredit: Getty
    Dier, 29, has fallen down the pecking order since the arrival of Ange Postecoglou.
    The Englishman was linked to a summer exit but pleaded to stay and fight for his place on the Aussie’s squad.
    He made 31 league appearances last season but is yet to play a single minute this term.
    Summer signing Micky van de Ven has replaced Dier’s position and formed a solid bond with Cristian Romero in Spurs’ backline.
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    With the absence of European football for the North London club the first-choice pair have fewer games on hand.
    Dier has made the match-day squad just three times this term and is yet to come off the bench.
    According to German outlet Bild, Tuchel aims to recruit a centre-back in January with Chelsea’s Chalobah said to be his No1 target.
    But it is now unlikely for the defender to make a move to Germany in the new year as Bayern bosses are against the transfer.
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    Now the German boss is looking at other defensive options and Dier is set to be on the cards, the report claims.
    There will be good recommendations on Dier from newcomer and close pal Kane.
    Kane left for the Bundesliga giants at the start of the new term and has had a tremendous start with ten goals.
    Dier’s contract is set to expire next summer and Bayern may put in a pre-contract agreement to sign the defender for free next summer.
    But with Tuchel’s side in an injury crisis with five players out on the sidelines, he could target a January move instead for a small fee. More

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    Fans in hysterics at James Maddison’s X-rated blast at Pedro Porro after Tottenham team-mate trolled his outfit

    TOTTENHAM stars James Maddison and Pedro Porro left fans in hysterics with a hilarious exchange on social media.Maddison and Porro are among Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou’s stalwarts who have helped the team climb up to the top of the Premier League table.
    Tottenham ace Pedro Porro described team-mate James Maddison’s outfit as a “pyjama”Credit: Instagram @madders
    And it seems like there is not only chemistry on the pitch among the players as there is also a lot of it off the grass as well.
    The North Londoners’ duo proved it with some friendly banter on Instagram.
    Maddison shared a photo of himself returning to training at Enfield with a casual outfit.
    The versatile midfielder didn’t look very slick as he set foot for practice ahead of Monday’s Prem clash against London rivals Fulham at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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    And Porro took a swipe at the 26-year-old’s threads, which he described as “Pyjamas”.
    The full-back posted on the comments’ section: “Good pyjamas for sleeping in..”
    The Spain international’s post left a raft of Tottenham fans in stitches.
    But Maddison took it up a notch with an X-rated blast at his 24-year-old team-mate.
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    The England international responded: “Speak English motherf*cker.”
    Tottenham fans were then left laughing their socks off after that friendly exchange of wits.
    Maddison’s quip attracted 1,272 likes, but Porro wasn’t far behind as he amassed a total of 1,120.
    One fan commented: “Please Pedro, he looks handsome.”
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    Maddison responded with a friendly X-rated blast at Porro on InstagramCredit: Rex
    Another posted: “Pedro plsss.”
    A third said: “Always in form.”
    This fan added: “What a legend.”
    And that one noted: “Man got drip on and off the pitch.” More

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    Eric Dier ‘thrown career lifeline by former Tottenham manager’ and could make transfer exit in January

    ERIC DIER has been handed a career lifeline to end his Tottenham misery, according to reports.That’s as former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho is reportedly keen on bringing him to Roma.
    Eric Dier could escape Tottenham with a move to RomaCredit: Getty
    Jose Mourinho is reportedly interested his former defenderCredit: Getty
    The 29-year-old has been frozen out under new boss Ange Postecoglou and is yet to make an appearance this season.
    The 49-cap England defender is closing in on a decade at Spurs and is into the final year of his contract.
    As such, a reunion with old manager Jose Mourinho is on the cards with the Roma weighing up a shock January move.
    Tuttosport reports that Dier is Mourinho’s top choice as the Serie A outfit seek to strengthen their back line.
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    The defender was a firm favourite under Mourinho during the Special One’s time in North London.
    In fact, he had been a regular under every Spurs manager he ever played for until recently.
    It would be best for all involved, as Postecoglou would be able to sign a new centre-back more in line with his project.
    Dier will want some regular football under him as he still harbours an ambition to make Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2024.
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    Dier joined Spurs from Sporting CP in 2014 and has made 361 appearances for the north London club since then, scoring 13 goals.
    Roma are understood to be restricted by Financial Fair Play, but a fresh centre-back is a top priority after a sluggish start to the season.
    The Serie A side currently sit 10th, with fans critical of Mourinho’s negative style of football. More