Hernanes
Hernanes could become a Tottenham player yet, despite insistence from Lazio that he will stay in Italy.

Tottenham have been handed a serious boost in their pursuit of Brazilian star Hernanes with the midfielder reportedly set to demand a transfer from Lazio in January to seal an exit from the club.

Spurs have been strongly connected with the 28 year old in recent weeks as they seek to further bolster their midfield after failing to land Willian in the summer transfer window.

After already purchasing Paulinho before the start of the season Andre Villas-Boas appears to have taken a liking to the Brazilian market though he faces a fight from Lazio if he makes a serious play for Hernanes with the club insisting last week that they want to keep him at the club until next summer at least.

But Gazzetta Dello Sport is now reporting that the Serie A star will demand a transfer in January to push the move to Tottenham through, though he won't come cheap on the back of scoring three goals in eight appearances for Lazio so far this season.

The Italian outfit are said to be demanding €25m for his signature. Spurs reportedly face competition from Atletico Madrid who can offer immediate Champions League football to Hernanes but Villas-Boas might be more willing to part with the sky-high fee than his Spanish counterparts, who like many teams in La Liga are suffering from the financial crisis.

While Lazio are publicly claiming that they want to keep hold of Hernanes it would appear that this is simply to keep the price for the former Sao Paulo man as high as possible with the club having already signed Felipe Anderson to fulfil his position at the club.