Tottenham Plot Summer Move for Real Madrid Star - Report

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly planning a summer move for Real Madrid left-back Fabio Coentrao.

The Portugal international, who was one of the standout performers in last summer's European championships, has made just 14 La Liga appearances this season. Andre Villas-Boas has now earmarked the 25-year-old as one of his top summer targets and an ideal replacement for Benoit Assou-Ekotto, according to the Mirror.

Assou-Ekotto has fallen down the pecking order at White Hart Lane this season, with Jan Vertonghen and Kyle Naughton filling in at left-back on several occasions, even when the Cameroonian was available.

The report also claims the former Lens star, who managed just 10 Premier League appearances this season, is now keen to return to France and join Monaco in a lucrative deal, if the Red and Whites manage promotion to Ligue 1, as expected.

Monaco, who sit top of Ligue 2, are led by former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri and funded by Russian billionaire Dmitri Rybolovlev, who is ready to make massive summer ­investments to challenge the likes of P­SG.

Meanwhile, any move for Coentrao, valued at around £15m, depends on whether Spurs can secure Champions League qualification next season. The north London club are currently fifth in the Premier League, one point behind local rivals and third-placed Arsenal. With Madrid keen on Gareth Bale, a player-plus-cash deal also looks possible.

However, should Tottenham not finish in the top four, youngster Danny Rose, who is currently on a season-long loan at Sunderland, could become one of the top contenders for the left-back role in Villas-Boas' ranks.

Holtby: Spurs can Bounce Back

Tottenham midfielder Lewis Holtby insists his side can bounce back quickly from their Europa League exit and secure a top four finish.

Spurs crashed out of Europe on penalties to Basel on Thursday. But with a 10-day break till their next Premier League game, the German is confident his team can turn in some good performances and earn play Champions League qualification for next season.

"Now we just have to bounce back. We have some very big Premier League fixtures coming up now so we have to put our heads up high and do our best. We want to go in to the Champions League next year and I think we deserve to," Holtby said.

The belief is very strong that we can make the Champions League. Whenever we have disappointment we bounce back. We have shown that in the past. We fight back and play good football. I think the break will be beneficial," the 22-year-old added.