Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris says the club came close to signing Lyon striker Lisandro Lopez in the January transfer window.

French reports on deadline day suggested Spurs were looking to move for the Argentine striker to help bolster an attack damaged by injury to Jermain Defoe and at the time without Emmanuel Adebayor due to the African Nations Cup.

The Togo forward has now returned, making a substitute appearance in the win over Newcastle United, but has netted just two league goals this season.

And Andre Villas-Boas attempted to add to his artillery late in January, in the form of Lopez, according to the striker's former teammate Lloris.

Lisandro Lopez
Lopez has netted seven goals this season

"Lisandro? It seems he almost joined Tottenham," Lloris said. "He is a great player, charismatic and one who has given a lot to Lyon.

"He is a top player, who works hard for the team and can win matches. He is a player that deserves the best."

Lopez has netted seven goals in 14 league starts this season to help Lyon keep in touch in the race for the Ligue 1 title, in which they trail big spending Paris Saint Germain by six points.

Lopez is the second striker Tottenham missed out on in the transfer window, with Villas-Boas having confirmed a deal for Internacional forward Leandro Damiao fell through also.

Amid Defoe's injury problems, and Adebayor's absence through international his commitments, Clint Dempsey was sporadically employed to lead the attack, with a 10 match unbeaten run having cemented the Tottenham's fourth spot in the Premier League.

The club resume their Europa League campaign on Thursday against Lyon, Lloris' former club and the French skipper says although he will be rested for the tie, being in the Tottenham dugout will not be easy.

"It is not easy for me because this game is very close to my move," Lloris said. "I received a lot of calls and messages because I have a lot of friends there, good friends.

"It is not easy. I had a good relationship with all my ex-team-mates. But it is football and life, and on the pitch there are no friends.

"We play for our team and we give all the best for the team. I'm focused and ready. The competition is very difficult, very long, but we have a good team and can do something in this competition."