Tottenham Hotspur have asked the Libertadores Cup holders Internacional to lower the asking price for Leandro Damiao, the Brazil international, as they attempt to overhaul a failing strike force.
The Brazilian side are prepared to sell Damiao, who made his full international debut against Scotland in March, for £19 million (Dh115.2m).
Though both Daniel Levy and Harry Redknapp considers the 21-year-old overpriced at that figure, the Tottenham chairman is willing to sign the player for a fee closer to £12m.
Particularly strong in the air at 6ft 2in (1.88m) and capable on the ball, Damiao has been highly recommended by the chief scout Ian Broomfield, who successfully brought fellow national team player Sandro to White Hart Lane from Internacional last year.
Tottenham have been canvassing offers for Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane and Roman Pavyluchenko, while pushing Lille to decide a price for their Ivorian forward Gervinho.
Falcao, Internacional's coach, accepts that the centre forward will be sold to Europe at some point.
"It's inevitable," he said of Damiao's sale. "Hopefully he stays as long as possible with us, but this is independent of our will."
sports@thenational.ae
