Jol eyes targets with new transfer kitty

Tottenham coach Martin Jol looks set to receive a bumper transfer kitty this summer after the club announced a €50m sponsorship deal with internet casino group Mansion.

The club’s coffers have already been swelled by their new kit deal with Puma as well as thousands of early season ticket renewals and now Jol should benefit further from the deal with Mansion.

The casino group replace current shirt sponsors Thomson from July and there are signs Jol is already earmarking where some of his bumper transfer budget will be spent.

The club’s decision not to comment on reports linking them with a move for Bulgaria striker Dimitar Berbatov of Bayer Leverkusen has only served to underline their interest.

Reports in Sofia last week indicated Tottenham’s sporting director Damien Comolli had agreed a deal worth €15.7m for the player.

But their chase for Berbatov is closely followed by their continued interest in Wigan’s want-away right-back Pascal Chimbonda.

The Londoners are reported to have had a fresh £3m (€4.4m) offer for the defender rejected by Wigan.

Chimbonda is expected to leave the club after handing manager Paul Jewell a written transfer request on the pitch at Highbury after their final game of the season.

Spurs have also been heavily linked with a move for Rennes midfield star Kim Kallstrom.

The Scandinavian has impressed in France and his progress has already been noted by FA Cup losers West Ham and Spanish side Real Betis.

But Rennes are determined to hang on to the midfielder who is understood to want to move.

Club spokesman Jerome Poupard said: “We haven’t received any offers. Everyone wants him to stay, the president, the coach and his team-mates. He is a good player and we need him.”

Tottenham’s tie-up with Mansion will see their name placed on the club’s new shirts from July and chairman Daniel Levy welcomed the latest development in the club’s sponsorship history.

Levy said: “Tottenham has made progress both on and off the pitch in recent years which has put the club in a good position to improve its commercial partnerships and the new agreement marks a significant uplift.

“Mansion represented the best partnership opportunity for Spurs, in commercial terms and, just as importantly, in respect of the excellent synergy between the two organisations.

“We share similar ambitions to grow and extend our respective brands in many of the world’s key and developing economies and we have already discussed ideas on how we might achieve this by working together.”

Tottenham’s new Puma playing kit will be unveiled to fans in the summer and Mansion will become only the fourth brand ever to appear on their shirts in the 25 years since sponsors were first permitted.

David Kinsman, Mansion’s Chief Operating Officer, added: “We are investing considerably in the development of our brand and we have been looking to secure a major Premier League deal for some time.

“We looked at five or six clubs before focusing our attention on Tottenham. This club has a long and successful history, great traditions and a wonderful brand, both in the UK and internationally.

“Spurs have enjoyed an excellent season with European football to look forward to next year. We see this deal as an excellent opportunity to play a major part in the ongoing international development of both the Mansion and Tottenham brands over the course of at least the next four years.

“With one of the Premiership’s youngest and most talented playing squads, we see this as a very exciting time to partner Tottenham.”

Mansion launched its business in September 2004 and has rapidly established a significant global online and land-based entertainment business, including a sports exchange, a sportsbook and poker, casino and hotel operations.