Tottenham Hotspur transfer news: Tony Sanabria turns down Mauricio Pochettino offer to join Real Betis

There has been a U-turn in the Tony Sanabria transfer saga, with the Paraguay international rejecting Tottenham Hotspur to move to Real Betis, according to Sport. Spurs and Barcelona were thought to be the main candidates to sign the Roma youngster, but the striker has now opted for a move to Andalucia – although any deal is still pending agreement between the two clubs.

Sport reported last month that Barcelona were considering re-signing the player from Roma, just two years after he left La Masia. Luis Enrique is looking to sign a versatile striker to serve as back-up for the MSN trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, and the 20-year-old starlet was understood to be among the options considered.

However, the Spanish publication claimed days later that the player was set for a move to Spurs after being told he was behind the likes of Kevin Gameiro on Barcelona's shopping list.

Sanabria's agent confirmed that he was in contact with the London outfit, but claimed that the player had yet to decide upon his future.

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 claims that Sanabria has now decided to snub the Spurs proposal and move to Betis, after former Sunderland manager Gustavo Poyet phoned him several times to convince him to join the Seville-based side.

The report claims the striker has already agreed personal terms to move to the La Liga side as he wants to stay in Spain, following a successful loan spell at Sporting Gijon last term. However, the club still need to negotiate with Roma over the move. Sport claims that Betis would like to acquire 50% of the player's rights in a deal worth around €6m (£5.1m, $6.6m).