Spurs open Brown talks

Tottenham today revealed that they have opened talks with Sheffield United with a view to signing midfielder Michael Brown when the transfer window opens next month.

Spurs yesterday announced that a new club share offer was intended to raise up to £15m (€21.3m) for transfer funds.

And Spurs caretaker boss David Pleat has now disclosed that he has already made contact with United manager Neil Warnock about Brown.

Pleat is hoping to sign 26-year-old Brown, who helped take United to the semi-finals of the FA Cup and Worthington Cup last season, for about £500,000 (€711,463) as his contract expires next summer.

The Spurs boss told the Evening Standard: “I can confirm our interest in Sheffield United’s Michael Brown and I’ve been speaking with Neil Warnock about him.”

Rangers are also said to be in the hunt for Brown, who is one of several targets on an eight-man hit list drawn up by Pleat and his assistant Chris Hughton.

However, Pleat admitted that another intended target, Brazilian youngster Diego, is unlikely to arrive at White Hart Lane from Santos next month.

Spurs had a bid for the midfielder rejected last summer and then pulled out of further negotiations because of problems with the player’s attempt to obtain an Italian passport.

Pleat revealed: “I would be surprised if the Diego transfer happens in January now. He still hasn’t been able to obtain an Italian passport at present.”

Spurs had earlier detailed plans to raise a transfer fund of up to £15m (€21.3m) with a share offer as they seek to reinvigorate their season amid the threat of being dragged into a relegation fight.

Tottenham’s board have been considering the plans, underwritten by owners ENIC, for some months to issue 60,000 ’convertible redeemable preference shares’ to existing shareholders at £250 (€356) per share.

Chairman Daniel Levy declared: “The share offers will strengthen the general financial resources of Tottenham Hotspur and, most significantly, will provide the club with more flexibility in the player trading market.”