THE ESSENTIAL

Tottenham have confirmed the £8million signing of Rafael van der Vaart from Real Madrid after the Premier League approved the deal.

Tottenham have confirmed the signing of former Arsenal defender William Gallas on a one-year contract.

Harry Redknapp has hailed the progress made by Gareth Bale during his time at White Hart Lane - and feels a change in attitude has been key.

Harry Redknapp has hailed Tottenham's 3-2 defeat at Young Boys in Champions League qualifying as a "great defeat". Spurs went 3-0 down in the early stages, but managed to claw the game back to 3-2 to give themselves hope of making it to the tournament proper. "It was a great defeat - if there's such a thing," said Redknapp. "At 3-0 down, we were staring down the barrel. We were in desperate trouble. We were all over the show."

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp insists it would be "a waste" if Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy was to join Championship side Cardiff.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp does not expect Manchester City to become Premier League champions this season, saying 'they've a long way to go'.

Tottenham are understood to have joined West Ham in showing an interest in taking over the Olympics Stadium following the conclusion of the Games in 2012. The Hammers have made an official bid for the stadium, but Spurs have held informal talks with the Olympic Park Legacy Company.

Tottenham have become the first Premier League team to ban the vuvuzela from their ground. The horn, which proved so divisive during the World Cup in South Africa, has already been outlawed by several Football League clubs. "We are concerned that the presence of the instruments within the stadium pose unnecessary risks and could impact on the ability of all supporters to hear any emergency safety announcements," read a statement on the club's official website.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the White Hart Lane club until 2013.

Harry Redknapp has firmed up his commitment to Tottenham and now hopes he can lure free agent Joe Cole to White Hart Lane.