Irish Daily Mail

...SO HE’S FLYING HIGH IN THE HOPE OF GRABBING WILLIAN

- By SAMI MOKBEL

DANIEL LEVY has returned from a mission to Ukraine hopeful of landing Brazilian playmaker Willian. A new offer is to be made to Shakhtar Donetsk as chairman Levy looks to complete a typically late Spurs transfer splurge. He met senior officials at the club at the weekend and, although a bid has been rejected, Levy will make an increased offer as he seeks a replacemen­t for Luka Modric. That sale to Madrid triggered a day of frantic negotiatin­g with clubs across the globe ahead of Friday night’s transfer deadline. Shakhtar have rejected an initial £11.8million bid from Spurs for 24-year-old Willian (left). The Ukrainian outfit want a fee closer to the £20m mark but White Hart Lane chiefs are confident that a compromise can be reached. The swoop for Willian isn’t the only deal on the cards as the Tottenham hierarchy seek to improve their playing staff. Sportsmail understand­s CSKA Moscow’s attacking midfielder Alan Dzagoev has emerged as a late target. Spurs have been quoted £25m for one of the stars of Euro 2012, and negotiatio­ns for the 22-year-old will continue today. Tottenham have also enquired about Fulham midfielder Moussa Dembele as they look to replace the creativity lost since Modric’s departure. Spurs are willing to use David Bentley or Jermaine Jenas as a makeweight in their attempts to land the Belgium star. Andre Villas-Boas’s first choice replacemen­t for Croat Modric remains Joao Moutinho, but the White Hart Lane club are unwilling to match Porto’s £30m asking price. Tottenham are also interested in Manchester United midfielder Anderson and Yann M’Vila of Rennes. Spurs also remain hot on the heels of Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and are hopeful of bringing the France captain to the capital before Friday’s deadline. However, their move for Leandro Damiao looks like failing, with the Brazil and Internacio­nal striker understood to be reluctant to move to England.

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