Pards in Search for Bigger Wallet

Seems that a combination of Pardew's need to get his hands on some readies and Martin Jol's determination to drive a hard bargain has resulted in the Addicks dropping the price on Darren's head. He's already cost us 2 big ones by rejecting further relationships with Curbs and with just under 4 weeks to go before the first pre-season friendly its apparently time to get serious.

The only doubt regarding the story is that it appears under the Guardians Rumour Mill page, not usually the most reliable of sources.

Apparently, the deal's now worth £15M with an additional £1M in unspecified performance-related payments. Ipswich are of course rubbing their little hands with glee at the thought of their twenty per-cent sell-on cut, a cool 3 mill for doing nothing.

But, doing nothing is not in Pardew's mindset as he continues with the job of rebuilding for the future, although prospective sellers will of course spot that he'll have a huge wadge of dosh stuck in his back pocket that they'll be more than eager to get their sticky hands on. It wouldn't last long, Pards, make sure you take more care on spending it than the last Big Spender that we had. No more Traore's or Pouso's please. In fact, just one year on its hard to remember just where it all went.

Anyway, lets just hope that Darren, tempted by the thought of playing alongside Berbatov, has taken note of the "opposition" in his rumoured new changing room. Not least the fact that his favored Number 10 shirt is worn by Robbie Keane who is currently enjoying his best spell at the Lane. Keane, 27 in July, is clearly approaching his peak having scored 22 goals last season, his highest ever total and because of injuries this was from only 18 Premiership starts. Although he only scored 11 in the League he really hit form at the end of the season, scoring 15 in his last 15 games. He's also the clubs highest wage earner, a big favorite with the fans and he takes the penalties, with 4 scored last season. Fortunes change fast in football, as we well know, but good luck Darren.

But in every deal there's usually a plus side, and this ones no exception as its obvious from the noises coming from the Lane that Darren's arrival would spell the end of his Tottenham career for our favorite ex-player. Yes, it seems that a certain J. Defoe will at last get his just desserts and be consequently given the heave-ho by Jol. What a shame and reduced to searching for a new home after the arrival of a player from Charlton. Priceless really.