Tottenham confident of sealing Soldado deal as striker considers transfer request

The striker is keen on a move to the Premier League, with boss Andre Villas-Boas desperate to strengthen his attacking line-up before the start of the 2013-14 campaign

EXCLUSIVE
By Greg Stobart 

Tottenham remain confident of signing Roberto Soldado from Valencia in a €28 million deal as the striker pushes for a move to White Hart Lane, Goal can reveal.

Valencia rejected Spurs' take-it-or-leave it bid of €26m plus add-ons for Soldado on Tuesday but the offer remains on the table. 

Club president Amadeo Salvo has publicly insisted the Spanish side will hold out for the €30m clause in Soldado's contract - but the rest of his board want to accept Tottenham's offer. 
Franco Baldini, the Tottenham technical director, flew back to London from Valencia on Tuesday without an agreement for the 28-year-old Spain international and Spurs have no plans to increase their bid. 

But contrary to reports in Spain, the deal is far from dead, not least because Soldado has expressed his desire to move to the Premier League club. 

The former Getafe man may hand in a transfer request as he looks for force through the move to White Hart Lane. 

Reports in Spain have suggested that Soldado has already agreed a salary package worth €3.4m-a-year to play for Andre Villas-Boas' side. 

Villas-Boas is desperate to strengthen his strikeforce this summer and has already missed out on David Villa and Christian Benteke. 

Soldado has been a long-term target for Tottenham but chairman Daniel Levy has until now been reluctant to smash the club's transfer record on a player with little sell-on value due to his age. 

Spurs, however, are keen to back Villas-Boas as they target a top-four finish next season, and to convince star man Gareth Bale of their ambition. 

They have already signed midfielder Paulinho from Corinthians for a club record €20m and winger Nacer Chadli from FC Twente for €7m. 

Soldado has been one of the most prolific goalscorers in La Liga in recent years and netted 24 times in 35 league appearances last term. He has also scored six goals in 11 international appearances for Spain.