Tottenham move for Bologna forward Gaston Ramirez
Tottenham Hotspur have submitted a €16 million [£12.6m] for Gaston Ramirez according to the Bologna forward’s agent.
Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas has made signing a new frontman his priority this summer with Jermain Defoe and rookie Harry Kane making up his attacking options ahead of the new Premier League season.
Efforts to bring Emmanuel Adebayor and Leandro Damiao to White Hart Lane have stuttered in recent weeks and Villas-Boas has now turned his attentions to Ramirez.
The Uruguay international has also been subject of interest from Liverpool during the transfer window but the 21-year-old’s representative Oscar Betancourt revealed Spurs are the only club to submit an offer.
“The only solid offer is the one from Tottenham, who offered €16 million [£12.6m],” he told Calciomercato.
“But the deal didn’t go through because Spurs offered too low a wage to the player and if the wage difference is minimal he would stay at Bologna.
“Tottenham could raise their offer if they sell Modric and in that case the deal could be done, otherwise Ramirez will stay another year at Bologna. We also talked with Liverpool but nothing more.
“Inter Milan are interested in the player, but can not afford to offer cash as the teams in the Premier League.”
Villas-Boas has also been knocked back in his attempts to sign France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris after Lyon confirmed that had rejected a fresh bid from Spurs.
The Portuguese tactician is desperate to sign a new shot stopper with current number one Brad Friedel celebrating his 41st birthday in May and wants a younger alternative.
“Hugo wants to play in one of the best clubs in Europe,” Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas told French radio station RMC.
“This year there was an approach from Tottenham that was quickly rejected.
“If he absolutely wants to leave, we will look at the proposals but they must be consistent with what we want. If not, he will stay.”
