Tottenham are set to reject a £10million offer from Manchester United for England midfielder Michael Carrick.

Although neither club have confirmed the bid, it is believed Alex Ferguson has targeted Carrick - currently in Germany with England's World Cup squad - as the man to strengthen United's problem midfield area and an offer was faxed to White Hart Lane today.

However, it seems Ferguson will have to substantially increase his initial offer if he is to stand any chance of luring the Wallsend-born star to Old Trafford.

Even though they spent only £2.75million themselves to sign Carrick from West Ham in August 2004, Tottenham are in no mood to do business unless United stump up a figure in the region of £14million.

Spurs boss Martin Jol has previously suggested Carrick is a player he would like to build a side around and he is under no financial pressure to allow the heart to be ripped out of his squad.

The only room for negotiation if United are not prepared to increase their offer would be if striker Ruud van Nistelrooy became part of the equation.

Jol is a known admirer of the his fellow Dutchman and it has already been suggested he might make an £8million offer of his own for the former PSV Eindhoven star, who fell out with Ferguson so spectacularly at the end of the season.

Whether Tottenham, who cannot offer Champions League combat next season, would appeal to Van Nistelrooy is another matter, particularly as it appears AC Milan are ready to step in to end his Old Trafford nightmare once the World Cup is over.

Spurs are yet to formally inform United of their stance over Carrick but, after his holiday in the south of France was rudely interrupted by the furore over Wayne Rooney's return to the England fold, Ferguson faces another weekend of distracted deliberation.