Tottenham Lead Liverpool and Arsenal in Signing Real Betis Winger Alvaro Vadillo - Report

Tottenham Hotspur are set to beat Liverpool and Arsenal in signing Real Betis winger Alvaro Vadillo in the summer transfer window.

According to the Metro, Liverpool and Arsenal were believed to be interested in signing the 19-year-old. However, the Spurs are leading the race in acquiring the Spaniard's services.

Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs were all keen on landing Vadillo in January. The trio of clubs have sent their scouts to watch him in action for his current employers.

However, the Spanish club were reluctant to let the teenager leave the club. Betis have been relegated from the La Liga after finishing the season at the bottom of the table.

The report claims Betis have accepted defeat in retaining the talented winger as they are ready to accept offers from interested clubs for Vadillo's signature. The Spurs are preparing a £8m bid in bringing him to White Hart Lane.

The Spurs' scouts have watched Vadillo in action in recent times and are reportedly impressed with the winger's skills. The north London club's chief Daniel Levy is keen on landing the Betis star and is set to table an official offer in the coming days.

Earlier in November, Vadillo's agent Jose Maria Sanchez de Puerta admitted that his client is keen on joining the Spurs' arch rivals Arsenal.

"Arsenal have not contacted me yet, but of course Alvaro would like to play for Arsenal. He is a player that is going to cost a lot of money in the future, and links with a club like Arsenal is totally normal," Vadillo's agent said.

The Spain U20 winger has featured 27 times in all competitions, scoring one goal and two assists in the process.

The Spurs sacked their manager Tim Sherwood on Tuesday after handing him an 18-month contract last December. The north London club's stopper Brad Friedel says he was shocked by the 45-year-old's departure as he did not expect him to be shown the exit door by the club.

"To us players Tim's sacking was never inevitable. I thought Tim, especially in his first managerial job, conducted himself very well," Friedel explained.

"He wears his heart on his sleeve. He was asked to take control on an interim basis [after the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas in December] with players who weren't necessarily his and I think he did really well."