Spurs are ready for a tug-of-war with Portsmouth over the signature of Ipswich Town midfielder Matt Holland.
Glenn Hoddle's side - who have long been linked with the midfielder - are believed to be preparing a bid which will match the £750,000 offered by Pompey.
Fratton Park boss Harry Redknapp has been quoted as saying a deal is close to being finalised.
But things might not be so simple now, especially as a move to Spurs would allow Holland and his family to continue living at their home in Colchester.
A desire to stay in East Anglia was one of the reasons he turned down a move to Aston Villa last August.
Holland is keeping tight-lipped about the speculation, preferring instead to concentrate on the Republic of Ireland's match against Georgia on Wednesday.
Of the transfer talk, he said: "I'm not discussing that at the moment.
"All I want to talk about is the Ireland games, and the focus has been to get six points from the games against Albania and Georgia.
"Everything else can take a back seat until I get back home and speak to my wife - that is when I'll start thinking about my future."
Meanwhile, Southampton boss Gordon Strachan has taken notice of Ipswich's 'hands off' message over Darren Bent and Matt Richards. Instead, he has turned his attention to Nottingham Forest's Marlon Harewood.
Published Monday, June 9, 2003
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