Tottenham have joined the race to sign Sochaux midfielder Ryad Boudebouz, according to French Publication Le 10 Sport. Liverpool and Marseille were previously linked with a move for the 23-year-old but recent reports state that the Premier League giants are the favourites to land the talented midfielder.

Tottenham
Reuters

The midfielder has refused to extend his contract with the club, which expires in 2014, and has insisted in an interview earlier that he is willing to leave this season. The Algerian made 26 starts this season for the French club, scoring three goals and assisting seven and will be a good acquisition for either club as it will boost their creativity in midfield. However, the player has revealed that his first preference will be to stay in France, which shall tilt the tide in Marseille's favour.

"I rather want to go look elsewhere , but I still have a year contract at Sochaux. I have no particular club head today and if an offer comes in Sochaux I will study it carefully. If it is outside, I will too, but my career would be to first stay in France," Boudebouz said.

The player had previously claimed that Liverpool made contact with his agent last summer but failed to agree terms, which scuppered his move to the Premier League.

"Certainly, my agent is in talks with some clubs, particularly in France, but there is still nothing concrete. There is also Liverpool, who have initiated discussions with my agent, but at the risk of repeating myself, everything is in the discussion stage, no more," he had stated.

Luis Cesar on Damiao

Internacional's director of football Luis Cesar Souto de Moura has confirmed that there has been no bid from Tottenham for Brazil striker Leandro Damiao till now. The North London club were reported to be closing in on the 23-year-old and were preparing a £17m bid for the same.

"Nothing has come, clubs from everywhere sound him out all the time, but we don't even consider that anymore, as there are too many enquiries but offers never come. I am working with the idea of keeping the player, so that he doesn't leave," Cesar told 'Esporte Interativo.

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