Ellington in Pascal out-in out-shake it all about

By Alan G
May 2 2006

According to The Mirror and various speculative websites, Spurs have tabled a £4 million bid for Pascal Chimbonda. Spurs boss Martin Jol wants the attacking, athletic defender to improve his team for next season’s domestic and European challenge.

The Spurs chief checked on Chimbonda last week and director of football Daniel Commoli, who knows the player from their days in French football, is teeing up the offer.

 

Stephane Henchoz & Damien Francis

 

Cardiff City are also rumoured to be interested in Stephane Henchoz and Damien Francis. Bluebirds chairman Sam Hammam is hoping to persuade 27-year-old Francis, who he knows all about from his time in charge of the player's former club Wimbledon, to make the move to Ninian Park.

 

Meanwhile former Liverpool defender Henchoz has yet to be offered a new contract to keep him at the JJB next season and Cardiff might be tempted to offer he Swiss international a contract.

The major stumbling block to both deals would be Cardiff's ability to pay a transfer fee for Francis and match Henchoz's current wage package.

 

Incoming

Latics themselves will look to bring in up to six new players this summer and scouts have already checked out Sunderland pair Liam Lawrence and Dean Whitehead.

There is also the possibility of striker Nathan Ellington returning to the club, as he has just been relegated with West Brom.

Ellington's Hawthorns team-mate Richard Chaplow, the former Blackburn player, is another possible target.

Latics are also running the rule over Leicester City's highly-rated teenage centre-back Richard Stearman and are understood to be lining up a £500,000 bid for the 18-year-old.

Hull City have stated that goalkeeper Boaz Myhill is available - but only for the right price.

Latics boss Paul Jewell has made no secret of the fact he wants to sign a young goalkeeper of high quality this summer, and after a string of excellent displays 23-year-old Myhill is another name linked with the club.

Leighton Baines

Leighton Baines wishes to stay at Latics and despite speculation, wants to sign a new deal at the club.

 

"The manager is keen for me to sign and I'm keen myself” said Baines,

 

"I hope it can all be done before we return for training in July. I want to stay, I haven't thought about moving.

 

"The club's been great for me. Fingers crossed, I can get this contract signed and keep my place next season."