Lee poised for Roma switch
Tottenham full-back Lee Young-Pyo could be set for a move to Roma – sparking fresh speculation the Premiership club will make a renewed bid for Wigan defender Pascal Chimbonda.
Spurs, who finally secured the expected return of crowd favourite Mido on a permanent deal from Roma today, have been forced to play Lee at right-back since the start of the season due to Paul Stalteri’s lack of match fitness.
Roma have been long-time admirers of the South Korea international and tried to sign him last January.
Lee has been displaced from his normal left-back position at White Hart Lane because of the arrival of Benoit Assou-Ekotto from Lens.
Lee’s agent Chin Sung-Won admitted a deal is close to completion.
Chin said: “Tottenham and AS Roma have agreed in principle to the transfer of Lee Young-Pyo. We are in talks with AS Roma on detailed contract terms.
“You can consider the deal as almost sealed, as the only remaining procedure is the player’s decision,” he told Yonhap news agency.
Meanwhile, Spurs announced the return of Egyptian striker Mido, in another deal with Roma.
Mido left the club in the summer after an 18-month loan spell after Spurs refused to meet the Italian club’s £5million-plus asking price.
He scored 11 goals in 27 appearances in the Premiership last season but a groin problem and then a knee injury ended his campaign a month early.
Head coach Martin Jol said: “We have been tracking Mido since his loan ended and we were always keen to bring him back.
“Roma took some persuading and I’m delighted to have him in the squad.
“He knows I like him as a player, his strength in the air and his mentality. It’s an excellent addition to the squad and our striking options are now complete.”
The 23-year-old was delighted to return to White Hart Lane and will add strength to Jol’s attack.
The Spurs boss now has Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane, Dimitar Berbatov and Mido to call upon up front.
Mido insisted he always knew he would return to Spurs even though at one stage he was tipped for a move to Blackburn or Newcastle.
Mido said: “It was and it always will be a great honour for me to play for Tottenham.
“I always knew in my heart I would be coming back. It is a fantastic move for me, I have some good friends here and it will be good to be back with the lads.
“I can’t wait to pull on a Tottenham shirt, to play at the Lane and score some goals.”
Ledley King has given Spurs a boost by declaring he should be fit to return against Manchester United on September 9.
The club captain has recovered from knee surgery which ruled him out of the start of the season.
King confirmed: “I think I’m on target for that game.
“With the internationals it’s two weeks before the United game so the break has worked out well for me.
“I haven’t missed that many games, just three in the first week, so that’s not too bad. I can’t wait to get back out there, first in full training and then the games.”
