Tottenham are weighing up a bid to sign Brazil international forward Hulk, but only if they can negotiate a deal of around 30 million pounds. Spurs, who face Swansea City at White Hart Lane today, are hoping to secure three more signings before the transfer window closes on Sept 2.
There will also be several departures, with Gareth Bale's move to Real Madrid for a world-record fee the most high profile. Spurs, who arestill smarting at missing out on Willian to Chelsea, would prefer to secure their two attacking players before releasing Bale but Real are pushing hard for an announcement to be made within a couple of days.
A deal, believed to be worth around pounds 26?million - which would equal the club's transfer record - is in place to sign Roma forward Erik Lamela. They are again bidding for Steaua Bucharest central defender Vlad Chiriches, whom they value at 7.5 million pounds.
Hulk has long been admired by head coach Andre Villas-Boas, who worked with the 27-year-old forward at Porto, although any deal hinges on his current club, Zenit St Petersburg, lowering their demands. The Russians want closer to 40 million pounds.
In Tottenham's favour is the fact that Hulk wants to reunite with Villas-Boas even though the club are not in the Champions League. Spurs are considering other options if a deal cannot be agreed, including Lamela's team-mate Miralem Pjanic, an attacking midfielder. While it is unlikely that Roma would sell the Bosnia international, having already allowed Pablo Osvaldo to join Southampton, that position could change if they follow up their interest in Chelsea's Demba Ba.
Another option for Spurs could be CSKA Moscow's Russia international Alan Dzagoev, who was offered to them last year. Spurs will also monitor how much playing time Juan Mata gets at Chelsea now that Jose Mourinho is signing Willian.
Spurs have already recouped 23 million pounds this summer and if they secure their targets, one of Jermain Defoe or Emmanuel Adebayor could be sold, along with Aaron Lennon.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}