Inter Milan confirmed Tottenham's interest in midfielder Fredy Guarin, while Zinedine Zidane has urged Gareth Bale to tell Spurs he wants to leave the club for Real Madrid.
Recent reports suggested Tottenham had failed in a bid to lure Guarin to White Hart Lane, with Inter Milan reportedly not interested in selling one of the best players.
Guarin only made a move to Inter from Porto last year and has expressed his happiness at staying in Italy.
However, Tottenham are thought to be determined to land the 26-year-old and Inter president Massimo Moratti revealed Spurs were extremely keen on the player.
"Guarin? He is a really good player and for that reason he is liked by others," Moratti said.
"Tottenham are really interested."
One of the other teams reportedly interested in Guarin's services is big-spenders Anzhi Makhachkala, but the Russian club put out a statement denying any interest in the Colombian international.
"Regarding the rumours on Fredy Guarin, we deny holding an interest in the player," the statement on their official website said.
"These assumptions are without substance, as they also are about (Roberto) Soldado and (Pierre-Emerick) Aubameyang.
"The Anzhi name is used to fuel talks and increase a player's value. There aren't any negotiations under way."
Meanwhile, Zidane, the man who has been entrusted with the job of bringing in Bale, believes it is time for the Welshman to make his intentions clear on whether he wants to stay with Spurs or move to Real Madrid.
"I think Real Madrid have made their admiration of Gareth Bale very clear -- and it has been made clear that we would not be put off by the cost of the player," Zidane told the Sunday People.
"But if Gareth feels now is the time to move then he has to have a private discussion with his club and express that he wants to leave."
Real president Florentino Perez is thought to be ready to sanction a world record fee for Bale, but Tottenham are trying their utmost to keep their prized asset for at least one more season.
