Tottenham tell Monaco they are set to pay £20m to win race for coveted midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia

Tottenham Hotspur have told Monaco they are ready to pay €28m (£20m) to win the race for coveted midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia, according to Spanish newspaper Sport.

The Catalan publication claimed Barcelona are monitoring the 22-year-old midfielder, but the Ligue 1 side have indicated a number of clubs are after his services, with Spurs currently in the lead.

Barcelona cannot sign any players during the summer transfer window due to a Fifa ban, but manager Luis Enrique is already planning for the future. Signings agreed now could transfer to the club either in January or next summer.

Barca have already signed Aleix Vidal from Sevilla, although he cannot play until January. Their next priority is to secure a versatile midfielder.

Paul Pogba is their main target, but with Juventus demanding around £80m for his services they have pencilled in Kondogbia as a more affordable option.

The Daily Mirror recently claimed that Arsenal were also considering a move for him, as Arsene Wenger's prefered option of Morgan Schneiderlin looks set to move from Southampton to Manchester United instead.

Inter Milan and Real Madrid have also been linked with Kondogbia, but Sports insist that Tottenham Hotspur have been the first to make a real move for the player.

The Spanish newspaper claimed that Spurs have already told the Ligue 1 side they are ready to pay around €28m to beat other suitors for his services. Monaco paid €20m in summer 2013 to lure the player from Sevilla.