Tottenham close to Soldado agreement - report
ESPN staff
Tottenham are close to a agreeing a deal with Valencia for Roberto Soldado, according to reports.
Andre Villas-Boas is keen to bolster his attacking options ahead of the new Premier League season, and had previously been linked with moves for David Villa and Christian Benteke before turning his attentions to Soldado.
Real bid for Bale an offer Spurs can't refuse
Gareth Bale is reportedly keen on a move to Real Madrid c Getty Images
For a short while after the end of last season, Gareth Bale invariably reaffirmed his commitment to Tottenham whenever he was asked. At the time it seemed he meant it. Why store up trouble for himself with false protestations of loyalty if all along he was planning to move? Far better to say nothing and let reporters read into his silence what they will.
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However, negotiations seemed to have hit a stumbling block when Valencia president Amadeo Salvo rejected Spurs' approach for the forward, insisting they meet the Spaniard's valuation of ?30 million (£26m).
Reports have since emerged suggesting the club are confident in their chase for the 28-year-old, as they look to add to their recent additions of Paulinho and Nacer Chadli and bring the striker to White Hart Lane.
Soldado scored 24 goals in 33 La Liga games last season, while his total haul for Valencia currently sits at 81 goals in 141 games for the club.
A lack of goals last season effectively cost Tottenham a Champions League place but Villas-Boas has been encouraged by the recent revival of Jermaine Defoe, who scored a hat-trick in Tottenham's pre-season demolition of South China.
Although, with winger Gareth Bale reportedly "distraught" over the club's refusal to consider Real Madrid's ?100m offer for him, Villas-Boas faces a tough task in keeping hold of one of his prized assets while looking to strengthen his squad's frontline.
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