AVB starts his clear-out with Seb and Mike
SEBASTIEN BASSONG and Michael Dawson have become the first casualties of Andre Villas-Boas’ Tottenham clear-out.
Bassong has sealed a £5.5million switch to Norwich while Dawson is on the brink of completing a move to Queens Park Rangers.
Both centre backs were deemed surplus to requirements at White Hart Lane after Villas-Boas decided his top four stoppers will be Jan Vertonghen, William Gallas, Steven Caulker and Younes Kaboul.
And the pair will come face to face this weekend when their new clubs meet at Carrow Road.
Both Norwich and QPR were desperate to strengthen their defence after both were on the wrong end of a 5-0 drubbing on Saturday.
Stiffen
Chris Hughton’s men were exposed at Fulham – and the arrival of Bassong on a three-year deal will help stiffen the back four.
And Dawson has been targeted by Rangers manager Mark Hughes in the wake of their 5-0 home defeat to Swansea last weekend.
The 28-year-old England defender is expected to command a fee of around £6m.
But Hughes has the backing of Hoops owner Tony Fernandes who has already funded a major rebuilding programme.
The departure of the Spurs pair will bring in much needed cash – and the duo are likely to be followed out of the club by a number of other first team members.
Midfielder Tom Huddlestone wasn’t in the squad last Saturday.
And out of favour trio Jermaine Jenas, Giovani dos Santos and David Bentley are also free to leave.
The outgoings will free up cash for VillasBoas to strengthen his strike options.