Tottenham are stepping up their interest in Brazil international Willian as their move for Roma starlet Erik Lamela shows signs of faltering.

Spurs are willing to pay their third club record transfer fee of the summer to sign either of the two forwards as they seek to become contenders for major honours under Andre Villas-Boas.

The Portuguese manager tried to sign Willian in January and chairman Daniel Levy flew to the Ukraine in an attempt to complete a deal for the South American with Shakhtar Donetsk.

Willian was sold to Russian club Anzhi instead but their owner has just put the entire squad up for sale.

Liverpool have already opened talks over a £26million bid for the Brazilian, but Spurs are ready to blow that offer out of the water to get their man.

Willian is believed to be Villas-Boas' preferred option as he can play out wide or just behind the main striker and the former Chelsea boss tried to sign the 25-year-old from São Paulo when he was in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Source: Metro