Tottenham set to sign Stambouli

TOTTENHAM are set to sign midfielder Benjamin Stambouli from French Ligue 1 club Montpellier. The 24-year-old had been close to a £4.7million move to Fiorentina while Swansea had also made a bid. However, Spurs have hijacked the deal and Montpellier last night said the clubs had reached agreeement. Stambouli could soon be lining up alongside Spurs defender Danny Rose, who yesterday described his elation at learning of his first England call-up and also his relief after finding he was being wound up by boss Mauricio Pochettino, who told him at first he was being sold. The 24-year-old left back was picked for England’s matches with Norway and Switzerland and Pochettino broke the news on Wednesday. But he also took the chance to give Rose a scare. ‘The manager texted me and said, “Can you come to my office?” I was thinking, “What have I done?”,’ Rose said. ‘He said, “We’ve accepted a bid, we’re selling you”. I said, “No you’re not!”. ‘But then he told me he heard that I might have a chance of being selected. Later on the England manager verified it. ‘If I can stay fit, I might get a chance within the next two games and I’ve got to try to take it.’