Spurs bidding for trio of young foreigners

Harry Redknapp, the Spurs manager, intends to revitalise his squad by signing a trio of young, overseas talents by the end of the transfer window.

Tottenham Hotspur intend to revitalise their squad by signing a trio of young overseas talents by the end of the transfer window.

In addition to an improved €20 million (Dh106m) offer for Leandro Damiao, the Brazil international striker they have pursued for several months now, the club is preparing formal offers for Marc Bartra and Gueida Fofana, centre-back and midfielder for Spain and France's Under 20 teams.

Bartra, valued at €7.5m by Barcelona, for whom he has made three league appearances. As they did with Oriol Romeu upon the midfielder's switch to Chelsea, the European champions want to insert a buy-back clause in the deal.

Fofana will be less expensive, with Le Havre asking €1.35m for the holding midfielder, a regular in their first team for the last two seasons.

Tottenham, though, face competition from Manchester City for the Frenchman's signature. While both clubs are struggling to trim top-heavy squads, and Premier League rules allow them an unlimited number of players under the age of 21. Both teams were also interested in Romeu before the Catalan chose Chelsea.

Damiao, who turned 22 last month, has been capped twice for Brazil, sending the tall centre forward's price spiralling upwards. Internacional are demanding €24m for the player in the expectation that one of his European suitors will meet it.

Meanwhile, Manchester City's Micah Richards, 23, has signed a new four-year deal. The right-back has been a key performer under Roberto Mancini.