Big-spending Spurs set to sign Willian

LONDON — Tottenham Hotspur are ready to take their summer spending to over £90 million (S$180 million) with the signing of Anzhi Makhachkala forward Willian.

The two clubs have agreed a £30 million deal with the Brazilian, who is in London undergoing a medical check-up. Although the deal is not fully complete and there is a small possibility he could still opt for Liverpool, Spurs look increasingly likely to make their fifth summer signing.

Liverpool were originally thought to be favourites to sign Willian, but Spurs decided to revisit their interest in the former Shakhtar Donetsk player.

Andre Villas-Boas had attempted to sign Willian in January, with chairman Daniel Levy travelling to Ukraine to speak to negotiate a deal with Shaktar, but the player moved to Russian club Anzhi instead.

But with Anzhi owner Suleyman Kerimov putting the entire first-team squad up for sale, Spurs decided to take advantage and bid.

With Spurs having already signed forward players Nacer Chadli and Roberto Soldado, and the potential arrival of Willian to follow, there will be more doubt over Gareth Bale’s future at the club.

It will represent a big blow to Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers, who have already missed out on attacking targets Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Diego Costa.

Meanwhile, Arsenal will return to Newcastle United with an improved offer for France midfielder Yohan Cabaye as desperation sets into their attempts to strengthen the squad, with the club fearful they have lost Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to a knee injury until the turn of the year.

The Gunners’ opening bid of around £10 million was rejected by Newcastle, who described the offer as “derisory”, though there is an acceptance that the 27-year-old may well leave St James’ Park before the transfer window closes on Sept 2.

As it is, he was omitted from the team that lost 4-0 to Manchester City on Monday night. It is believed that Newcastle will let Cabaye go for a bid nearer £20 million.

Arsenal’s interest in Cabaye was hightened by the potential loss of Oxlade-Chamberlain to long-term injury. The England midfielder, who limped off during Arsenal’s 1-3 shock loss to Aston Villa on Saturday, underwent scans on his left knee and, while he does not appear to have ruptured his cruciate ligament, he fears the damage sustained will most likely rule him out for the rest of the year.

The injury has further depleted a squad which had already been trimmed of their high-earning fringe players but have seen only the French forward Yaya Sanogo, signed on a free transfer from Auxerre, added.

Arsene Wenger’s squad are due to face Turkish side Fenerbahce tonight in a Champions League qualifier that could go some way to defining their season.

Arsenal were already without Mikel Arteta (thigh), Nacho Monreal (back) and Thomas Vermaelen (back) for the foreseeable future, while defender Bacary Sagna is a doubt after hurting his neck in an awkward fall on Saturday. AGENCIES