Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a deal to sign former France Under-21 midfielder Benjamin Stambouli from Montpellier.

“(Stambouli) will travel to London shortly to have a medical and finalise his contract,” Montpellier said.

The 24-year-old would become Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino’s sixth signing since he replaced Tim Sherwood in the close season, after Ben Davies, Michel Vorm, Eric Dier, DeAndre Yedlin and Federico Fazio also joined the London club.

West Ham swoop for Alex Song

West Ham have announced the signing of Barcelona midfielder Alex Song on a season-long loan.

The 26-year-old Cameroon international struggled to hold down a regular place at the Nou Camp following a move from Arsenal in 2012 and returns to the Barclays Premier League with the Hammers – who paraded their new addition to fans ahead of the clash with Southampton.

Clubs throughout Europe were put on alert when it emerged Song would be allowed to leave Barcelona – with West Ham having won the race to take him to Upton Park on a temporary basis despite reported interest from the likes of Napoli and Galatasaray.

Arruabarrena takes charge at Boca

Boca Juniors embark on salvaging their reputation under new coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena against Argentine league leaders Velez Sarsfield today having sacked Carlos Bianchi who failed to repeat his past success with the club.

Arruabarrena, a former Boca, Villarreal and Argentina left back, was appointed on Friday to succeed Bianchi, who led the club to nine trophies a decade back, but had to go after a dismal 18-month third spell in charge.

“It’s a matter of pride and a great responsibility to be the coach at this club for which everyone knows the strong feeling I have,” Arruabarrena said.

Ozil says his stats prove critics wrong

Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil has come out all guns blazing after criticism of his displays by stating he is among the best number 10s in the world who can help lead his side to glory.

Fresh from his World Cup triumph with Germany, Ozil feels aggrieved at the media’s lukewarm response to his form for club and most of all for country.

“The fans believed I played a good World Cup. The statistics show that as well. I know I could have scored more goals and shot more but I was surprised the press was negative,” he said.

“In my first season at Arsenal there were times when I was not at my best but in the qualifiers for the national team I did perform well. I scored the most goals in qualifying (eight). The negative headlines were unfair.”

Moscow not a problem for Toure

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini does not think Yaya Toure will have a problem returning to CSKA Moscow this season.

City’s inspirational midfielder was subjected to racist taunts by supporters when the clubs met in the Russian capital in the Champions League last year.

CSKA were punished with a partial stadium closure by European governing body UEFA and sanctions were increased to full closure after a further offence in another match.

Pellegrini said: “He does not have a problem to go to Moscow.

“At that moment he said what he thinks about it and everyone of us supports him because I don’t think those things can happen on a football pitch. This year Yaya doesn’t have a problem.”

Remy set to join Chelsea – Redknapp

Queens Park Rangers striker Loic Remy is set to join Chelsea after manager Harry Redknapp left him out of his side to play Sunderland yesterday.

Remy, 27, was originally named in QPR’s team to face Sunderland but Redknapp withdrew him after being told the club had accepted a bid for the French striker.

“He was in the team. I just got a phone call ... to say it looks like he is going to be moving,” Redknapp said.

“The deal looks like it has been done, so I had to make a change. He didn’t refuse to play but it’s difficult to go out there to play and get your head around it.

“As far as I know (it is Chelsea).”

Roma close in on defender Holebas

Roma look set to bring in their second defensive reinforcement from Greece after they agreed terms with Olympiakos for international defender Jose Holebas.

The Serie A giants are reportedly ready to pay three million euros for Holebas who has already flew in to undergo a medical yesterday.

The 30-year-old left-back played for Greece at the World Cup in Brazil this summer.

It would be another addition to their increasing Greek contingent in Rome, joining Vasilis Torosidis and recent signing Konstantinos Manolas.

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