Tottenham boss Glenn Hoddle has beengiven a green light to pursue his interest in Bayer Leverkusen'sYildiray Basturk after being promised cash for summerreinforcements.
Hoddle made no secret of his frustration at being unable torecruit new players in the January transfer window and was rumouredto be at odds with the London club's board.
But after seeing the club's challenge for a UEFA Cup placefalter, chchairman Daniel Levy has promised cash will be madeavailable in the close season.
"This summer, we intend to strengthen and add depth to the squadin preparation for next season," Levy wrote in a personal letter tosupporters.
The White Hart Lane chief admitted Spurs' lack of strength indepth had been exposed in the second half of the season."While our performances in the latter part of 2002 were good,our start to this year has not seen us perform at a level we alldesire and expect."
Levy's cautious financial stance resulted in Spurs having formerBolton striker Michael Ricketts snatched from under their noses byMiddlesbrough. The club also failed to conclude negotiations withFernando Morientes.
But the chairman insists the approach was right given thecurrent climate in football.
"This season has been one of fundamental change in theindustry," Levy added. "The new transfer windows have restrictedplayer movements, compounded injury setbacks and created pressspeculation at unprecedented levels.
"It has also been a year in which player trading values havefallen dramatically in response to increased financial pressures onclubs. Our club is in a stable financial position but the market isnot, so I look forward to next season on our steadfast footing."
Hoddle, who admits his side will never achieve their potentialunless they slash their injury list, has already spoken of hisdesire to strengthen his squad at the end of the season.
He said: "I could have maybe brought a striker in on loan inJanuary - but I didn't feel it was right to panic buy and gobble upmoney which might be needed in the summer.
"If we got into Europe, that would put us on a platform where wemight be able to entice players of a better standard to the club."
Basturk is expected to leave Leverkusen in the summer and Hoddleis a long-standing admirer of the dynamic Turkish midfielder.
AFP