Tottenham's Technical director Franco Baldini will hold talks with David Villa before the end of the week as the Premier League club intensify their move for the Barcelona forward, The Daily Mail reports

Villa is currently in Brazil helping Spain's bid for the Confederations Cup as they prepare to face Italy in Thursday's semi-final, while the Spurs target netted a hat-trick against minnows Tahiti.

The striker had a mixed season last term as he struggled to return to full fitness after the broken leg which kept him out for the entire 2011-12 season, but still managed to net 16 goals in all competitions as Barca romped to the La Liga title.

However, Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas sees him as the ideal solution to his striker problems after current hitmen Emmanuel Adebayor and Jermain Defoe performed only in fits and starts last season as the north London club missed out on Champions League football.

Tottenham also have a strong interest in Valencia striker Roberto Soldado and Internacional forward Leandro Damiao.

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Sunderland are closing in on the signing of Le Havre defender Benjamin Mendy, Skysports reported.

It is understood that Sunderland have agreed a fee with Le Havre for the full-back and have been given permission to hold talks with the player about a move to the Stadium of Light.

The 18-year-old has been linked with the likes of Arsenal and Cardiff, but now Sunderland are in pole position to land the left-back.

Mendy has also attracted the interest of French clubs such as Marseille and Lyon, but the player is keen to try his luck in England.

Paolo Di Canio has already brought seven new faces to the Stadium of Light and he is hoping to make Mendy his eighth new signing and the Frenchman will help fill the void left by Danny Rose's return to Tottenham.