Updated 21.58
BIG-SPENDING TOTTENHAM continued to plan for life without Gareth Bale by signing Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen on a frenetic Friday at White Hart Lane.
With Wales winger Bale on the verge of joining Real Madrid for around £80 million, Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has been busy in the transfer market over the last few weeks and he completed a remarkable 24-hour spree by landing Eriksen for an undisclosed fee, reported to be £10 million.
“We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Ajax for the transfer of Christian Eriksen,” a statement on Tottenham’s official website announced.
Earlier, they confirmed the purchase of Romania defender Vlad Chiriches and Argentine attacking midfielder Erik Lamela.
The 23-year-old Romanian moves to White Hart Lane from Steaua Bucharest, where he made 62 appearances after joining from Pandurii Targu Jiu in January 2011.
Chiriches joins a backline including the likes of Michael Dawson, Jan Vertonghen and Younes Kaboul after a fee reportedly in the region of £8million was agreed.
The 19-time Romania international made his debut for his country in a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier against Luxembourg in September 2011.
He featured for Steaua in their run to the UEFA Europa League last 16 last season, which was ended on English soil by Chelsea.
Tottenham saw an earlier move for Chiriches blocked by Steaua’s jailed downer Gigi Becali, but Spurs maintained their interest, having sold academy graduate Steven Caulker to Cardiff City earlier in the window.
However, Spurs missed out on the signing of Willian to Chelsea, while Gareth Bale appears on the brink of a move to Real Madrid.
Tottenham have not disclosed the length of contract that Chiriches has signed.
Meanwhile, the club also today confirmed that they had officially signed Lamela.
The 21-year-old arrives from Roma, after he scored 21 goals in 67 appearances for the Italian club.
First published at 12.02
Additional reporting by AFP
