The matter appeared closed for a matter of minutes before Corluka's agent released a statement via Sky Sports News claiming that his client was deeply upset at how he had been treated over the past few days and was determined to continue his career at Tottenham. Various sources from across the internet claimed that, in the process of negotiations, the defender agreed personal terms, passed a medical and was then registered as a Spurs player.
Although these reports have yet to be substantiated by hard fact, it appears that Manchester City are in a state of a chaos, after news that owner Thaksin Shinawatra has fled from Thailand back to UK to escape appearing in court. The former Thai prime minister also faces charges of corruption and several sources have said that the club's willingness to listen to offers is linked to uncertainty surrounding the chairman's future.
With the Corluka deal deadlocked fans will be forgiven if they did not meet the news that Younes Kaboul has completed his move to Portsmouth with unbridled delight. His departure leaves Ramos with precious little strength in depth at the back and, if Corluka cannot be signed, the Spaniard will be forced to continue to scour the continent for more recruits. Hardly ideal preparation with less than a week until our opening match against Middlesbrough.
That said, the superb result against Italian giants Roma at White Hart Lane yesterday is a great fillip for the squad on the eve of the new season. So too are the pre-season performances of Darren Bent and Giovani Dos Santos, along with David Bentley and Luka Modric. Even Didier Zokora has impressed during his stint at right-back.
It is clear that Ramos has worked tirelessly on improving his players fitness this summer and they look far leaner than they did this time last year. It is also apparent that he has at his disposal a vast array of flair and creativity from midfield, the likes of which we haven't known for quite some time. However, for all the potency in attack, question mark still remains over a brittle defence and a midfield that lacks bite.
As long as we continue without a top class combative defensive midfielder, in the mould of Michael Essien or Owen Hargreaves, we will be severely hampered in our attempts to break into the elite of English football. Whether or not Ramos and Comolli are hard at work to correct this problem is unclear but, at least at this present time, the likes of Tom Huddlestone and Zokora do not possess the quality required for us to make the step up. In the case of Huddlestone he may not even be that type of player, preferring a crisply hit pass to a timely challenge or interception.
That said, we are certainly heading in the right direction. With these additions, Ramos could hope, with luck on our side, to mount a serious assault on the top four. Without them, the best he can probably hope for is for his side to finish as 'the best of the rest', which given our poor league form last season, would represent real progress.