Tottenham boss Glenn Hoddle confirmed that Spurs are locked in talks with Real Madrid over £15million striker Fernando Morientes, insisting they are a big enough club to attract the Spanish international.
Chairman Daniel Levy opened negotiations with Real yesterday, spending four hours in talks with the Spanish club's director of football, Jorge Valdano.
Negotiations between the two clubs were continuing today but Tottenham still have several stumbling blocks to overcome. These include agreeing a fee with Real and then persuading Morientes that he can realise his ambitions at White Hart Lane, as well as meeting his wage demands.
It also remains to be seen if Real's apparent willingness to release centre-forward Morientes for the right price is linked to whether or not Ronaldo moves to the Spanish capital from Inter Milan.
Hoddle came under flak recently for revealing that Tottenham had tried - and failed - to lure Rivaldo to North London, but Spurs believe Morientes is more willing to make the switch despite the lack of European football.
PA