Tottenham are considering an approach to sign Real Sociedad left-back Alberto de la Bella, according to the Mirror. The 27-year-old played a crucial role in the Basque club's superb 2012/13 season and their run to Champions League football for the coming campaign.

Spurs' Andre Villas-Boas is keen to strengthen the left-back position at White Hart Lane, after poor performances from first choice Benoit Assou-Ekotto and also given the lack of options in that area.

Alberto de la Bella
Reuters

According to the Mirror, the north London side made a £3m bid that was rejected immediately. The report claims Spurs will return with a bigger bid but it is worth noting that the initial offer, if true, was almost ridiculously low.

Sociedad will receive a significant amount of funding from Champions League football next season and, as things stand, are not troubled by money worries. Any subsequent offer from Tottenham, therefore, will have to be substantially larger, particularly since they cannot offer Champions League action.

AVB will be aware of two important details in this regard - the defender has a contract till 2015 and he has a £25m release clause. He will also have to convince the player himself; de la Bella has expressed a desire to stay with Sociedad and experience the Champions League.

"I am very excited, with many looking forward to. Going to be the first time I play a European game, I think as many colleagues, I am very motivated. I finished very happy. And at a team level we have achieved a high with what we could dream, so I am very happy," de la Bella told Marca.

"Obviously, when I joined the Royal, I imagined it was going to be so nice and clearly I am increasingly happy I came to San Sebastian. Individually my goal was to be regular and played 36 games as a starter, so I cannot ask for more. My individual performance has been good because the team has been [doing well]," he added.

The Gramanet youngster made 36 La Liga appearances for Sociedad last season, scoring thrice.

London