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Tottenham close in on Brazil striker Leandro Damiao
TOTTENHAM manager Andre Villas-Boas is close to securing his first signing of the summer in the shape of Brazilian striker Leandro Damiao.
Damiao has been a long-term target for Spurs, who are looking to swell their attacking ranks for next season having had to rely upon just Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor at times last season.
Tottenham had a £16 million offer for Internacional hitman Damiao rejected in January, but the 23-year-old has since indicated he would still like to move to White Hart Lane.
And the North London outfit are close to finalising a deal with the Brazilian club for the Selecao frontman, who came off the bench for Luiz Fellipe Scolari's side during the recent friendly draw with England.
Spurs chief Daniel Levy has identified Damiao and Spain striker Robert Soldado - who struck 25 goals for Valencia in La Liga last campaign - as the pair of forwards the club needs to help hang on to Gareth Bale this summer.
Levy has made a £36m bid for the duo, which he believes will be enough to convince Bale to sidestep Real Madrid's interest for another year at least.