Tony Sanabria to Tottenham Hotspur: Barcelona chief tells player to accept 'interesting' offer

Tony Sanabria has been informed by Barcelona that the club have limited interest in re-signing him ahead of next season, opening up the door for a move to Tottenham Hotspur. Spanish publication Sport claims Spurs officials are expected to iron out personal terms with the player's agents this week, although Sanabria's parent club AS Roma could complicate matters.

Sanabria left the La Masia academy in the summer of 2014 after rejecting a renewal offer from Barcelona, joining Serie A's Sassuolo on loan before signing for Roma months later.

In June, Sport revealed Barcelona were considering luring the player back to the Nou Camp after the Paraguay international impressed Luis Enrique on loan at Sporting Gijon last season, scoring 11 goals in 30 appearances.

Barcelona have openly admitted they are after a versatile forward to serve as back-up to the MSN trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar. The club reportedly contacted Sanabria's entourage to enquire over his availability in the coming transfer window.

However, it has emerged in recent weeks that Barcelona's first choice to bolster their attack is Kevin Gameiro, while Sanabria would be a second-tier alternative alongside Atletico Madrid outcast Luciano Vietto.

The news coincided with reports that Mauricio Pochettino was tracking the Roma striker as a back-up for Harry Kane.

Sanabria's agent recently confirmed Spurs' interest, but denied reports in Italy that a deal between the clubs had already been agreed.

Raul Verdu told Tuttomeractoweb: "The rumours about Tottenham? I speak in general, there was some contact, but we will have to go over this with Roma. Right now the boy is at the Giallorossi. I will talk to [Roma sporting director] Walter Sabatini to decide how to move, at present there is nothing concrete about the future of Sanabria. We will see if there is news next week."

Sport now claims Sanabria's future is further from Barcelona and closer to White Hart Lane with every passing day.

The Spanish publication says the player's agent recently contacted Robert Fernandez, technical secretary at Barcelona, to ask if the Catalans were still interested. Fernandez, according to Sport, said although Luis Enrique likes the Paraguayan he is not the club's top target. Fernandez apparently encouraged Sanabria to move elsewhere, commenting: "If you receive an interesting offer, accept it."

Indeed, the only possible stumbling block in a move would be Roma, as the Serie A side want between €15m (£12.5m, $16.5m) and €20m to part ways with their man.