Dembele ruled out of derby

Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas says the north London derby against Arsenal has come too soon for Moussa Dembele to be considered.



The Belgian playmaker has missed Spurs' last eight matches with a niggling hip injury but had hoped to be fit in time for the Emirates Stadium clash.

Villas-Boas said he hoped the 25-year-old would not need surgery to rectify the problem but may still not be ready in time for next week's Europa League trip to Lazio.

But Villas-Boas said: "Dembele does not have a chance, not for this game. There is a 50% chance he will be back for the Lazio game.

"I think surgery at the moment is out of the question, hopefully."

Villas-Boas also gave updates on Jermain Defoe, Kyle Walker and Aaron Lennon, who all suffered hamstring injuries in last week's 2-1 defeat to Manchester City, with the latter most likely to be ready to face the Gunners.

"They haven't trained with the team yet. They have had lighter sessions on their own," Villas-Boas said of the trio.



"We will have to see today how they return to see if there's any disturbance. Lennon had a scan yesterday, and it's fine on his hamstring."

Dempsey can provide cutting edge

Moussa Dembele thinks Clint Dempsey is the man to inject some life in to Tottenham’s faltering start to the Premier League campaign.



Andre Villas-Boas’ wait for his first win in charge of the north London club was prolonged last weekend when his team conceded yet another late goal to draw 1-1 at home against Norwich.



Boos greeted the Spurs team as they left the pitch – both at half-time and full-time, and critics within the game – including former England striker Alan Shearer – have cast doubt on whether Villas-Boas is the right man to lead the London club forward.



Dembele thinks Dempsey, a £6million deadline day signing, can provide the cutting edge that Tottenham currently lack, however.



Dembele, who like Dempsey swapped Fulham for Tottenham last week, watched the American rack up 23 goals last season and is sure that the 29-year-old can go on a similar run at his new club.



“Clint always is so dangerous,” Dembele said.



“I sent him a message saying I was very happy because he is a fantastic player. He is a good boy so I am very happy that he is here. He is so hungry to score goals. He fights a lot and it is fantastic to have him in the team.



“He works as hard as two men so I’d prefer to have him in my team rather than play against him.”

by: Oli Skehan, September 3, 2012

Dembele passes Spurs medical

Moussa Dembele is set to complete his move from Fulham to Tottenham after the forward passed his medical.



Both clubs confirmed they had reached an agreement over his transfer, with Fulham revealing he would sign at White Hart Lane for an undisclosed fee, which is believed to be around £15million.



And Dembele, who is viewed as a replacement for Luka Modric after his sale to Real Madrid, has now agreed personal terms with Spurs, although his contract length has not been revealed.



Tottenham on Wednesday said in a statement: "We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Fulham for the transfer of Moussa Dembele."



The 25-year-old's move is reported to be worth in the region of £15million and Fulham could likely look to reinvest the money before Friday's transfer deadline.



Dembele joined Fulham in the summer of 2010 in a £5million move from Dutch club AZ Alkmaar and has built a star reputation in that time.



Fulham said in a statement of their own: "The club can today confirm that it has reached an agreement with Tottenham Hotspur for the transfer of midfielder Moussa Dembele.



"The 25-year-old Belgian international has successfully completed a medical and will sign for an undisclosed fee.



"Following two full seasons at Craven Cottage, the club would like to thank Moussa for his contribution and wish him well throughout the rest of his career."