TOTTENHAM Hotspur have stepped up their pursuit of Blackburn winger David Bentley as head coach Juande Ramos shapes his squad following the departure of Robbie Keane.

Talks between the clubs are understood to have advanced and there is the possibility of the 23-year-old travelling to Holland this weekend for Spurs' pre-season preparations if negotiations run smoothly.

Indeed reports suggested that Bentley had a Spurs medical yesterday morning.

DISCUSSIONS

Blackburn chairman John Williams confirmed on Tuesday that discussions were being held, after he had rejected bids earlier in the summer from Spurs as well as Aston Villa.

Ramos will still be in the market for a striker to replace Keane following his move to Liverpool, while Dimitar Berbatov has also been tipped to leave.

Luka Modric, the £16.5 million ($44.7m) summer signing from Dinamo Zagreb, believes the club can still aim for the Champions League places without their main strikers of the last two seasons.

The midfielder said: 'I agree that the team needs great players but I'm also certain that if Berbatov leaves they will bring in other phenomenal players. This club needs great names and this club will have great names.

'The manager has not told me anything but that is what I suppose.'

He added: 'As regards to the club, the ambition has to be getting in this group of four - Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal - and of course to get in the Champions League.'

OPTION

Giovani dos Santos could provide Ramos with an option as a second striker, although he was bought from Barcelona as a midfielder.

'Juande didn't promise me to play as the No. 10 although it's the position I would like to play in,' said the Mexican youngster.

'But I am comfortable in any position in midfield and in attack. As long as I am in the team I don't mind where I play.'

Dos Santos, 19, endured a frustrating end to his spell at the Nou Camp but wants to help Spurs earn silverware in back-to-back seasons after their Carling Cup win in February.

He added: 'What we want is what Tottenham deserve. To climb up places in the table and win a trophy - as Juande has already achieved here.

'We will fight in every competition giving our maximum and believing in our team.'

PA Sport