Luis Fabiano, June 28: "There would be no point in me joining Tottenham. I might as well stay at Sevilla, as it's the same thing. Sevilla are actually bigger when you look at how much we have been in the European Cup, so there would be no point me moving to a smaller team."
Luis Fabiano, July 15: "I must admit it's only in the last few weeks I have understood just how big Spurs' ambition is."
Cynics might suggest that 'it's only in the last few weeks' that Luis Fabiano has understood that neither Manchester United nor AC Milan is interested in his services. Cynics might also suggest that the Brazilian has heard that Tottenham might be willing to pay upwards of £100,000 a week for his services. They may also suggest that Brazilians and English football don't traditionally make the easiest of bedfellows.
On paper Luis Fabiano ticks the biggest box Tottenham have empty ahead of a prospective Champions League campaign. They are in desperate need of an experienced and proven goalscorer with Champions League experience who is - and this is vital - comfortable playing as a lone striker ahead of the withdrawn Luka Modric or possibly Joe Cole (have you heard? 'Arry likes him).
With a switch to the currently-fashionable 4-2-3-1 formation likely at least in Europe, none of Peter Crouch (he tried it for Liverpool, it didn't work), Roman Pavlyuchenko (he tried it for Tottenham under Juande Ramos, it really, really didn't work) or Jermain Defoe (it would be a disaster) fit the bill. They need a new name and Luis Fabiano appears to be the name du jour. But I'm not convinced.
One name that sprung to mind ahead of the World Cup was Diego Forlan, but the Golden Ball has catapulted him way out of Totenham's market. His name was replaced during the World Cup by that of Miroslav Klose. Experienced? Oh yes. Still a sublime finisher? Oh yes. Still got pace? Ask Matthew Upson. Available on the cheap? Yes. Got a point to prove? Undoubtedly.
Spurs could bring in the 32-year-old Klose - unwanted by Bayern Munich - with a view to him playing 25 games a season and contributing double figures in terms of goals. They could save him for European nights and clashes against the Premier League's elite. We all know Defoe and Crouch can score goals against the likes of Wigan and Blackpool, but against Porto or Valencia?
Tottenham need new blood but not new blood that's going to cost £15m-plus when their Champions League sojourn may only be a short one. For once, this is not the time or position for youth and promise with a view to a sell-on fee, but a time and position for a proven performer who can offer exactly what Tottenham need in the short term.
If I were 'Arry, I'd break off from looking at a list of players Tottenham have sold in the last three years and get on a plane to Germany to talk to a certain ageing but enduringly dangerous German. For Klinsmann 1994, read Klose 2010.
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