Tottenham Hotspur are to investigate alternative options to Joao Moutinho after being priced out of the market for the FC Porto midfielder.
The Portugal international had asked his current employers to let him move to the Premier League, but Porto are looking for at least €30M (Dh135m) as a transfer fee, around €10m more than Tottenham expected.
With Tottenham working to a limited budget of €30m, plus the income from sales,and with reinforcements also required in defence and attack, the club has now declared Moutinho out of reach.
While Andre Villas-Boas had prioritised the recruitment of a player he worked with to immense success at Porto, their newly appointed coach is said to be content with the decision.
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Paris St Germain have completed the first part of their expected double transfer raid on AC Milan after completing the signing of Thiago Silva.
The Brazilian defender has switched to the Qatar-backed French side on a five year deal thought to be worth around EU42m (Dh189m)
Now the Ligue 1 side will likely try to secure the signature of Silva's former teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Swedish captain has been heavily linked with a move to the Parc des Princes.
"There is no agreement as yet - we are still working on when everything is sorted out we will have a press conference," said Ibrahimovic' agent, Nino Raiola.
The French side confirmed in a statement on their website that the deal for Silva had now been completed.
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The agent of Newcastle United transfer target Vurnon Anita admits his charge is keen on a switch to the English Premier League.
The Ajax midfielder has been attracting the eye of Newcastle, along with reported interest from Aston Villa, Norwich and north-east rivals Sunderland.
And the 23-year-old would be open to a move from the Eredivisie, admits his agent Harry Lulofs.
"There is serious interest from Newcastle," he said. "A move to the Premier League is so tempting for him. We have to resolve the situation quickly."
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