Tottenham are ready to break their transfer record this week with an £18 million move for Spain star Roberto Soldado, the Daily Express reports.

The Valencia striker has been a Spurs target for months, but now chairman Daniel Levy has given the green light to make a formal bid.

Spurs missed out on a move for Barcelona’s David Villa this month when he opted to join Atletico Madrid, but Soldado has always been in their sights.

Former Real Madrid striker Soldado, 28, hit 24 goals for Valencia last season, and six in 11 games for Spain, for whom he excelled at the Confederations Cup.

Spurs yesterday completed the £7m signing of young Belgian winger Nacer Chadli from FC Twente. But a striker has always been a priority, with both Emmanuel Adebayor and Jermain Defoe likely to be allowed to leave before the transfer window closes.

The previous biggest fees Tottenham outlaid were £17m each for Brazilian midfielder Paulinho earlier this month, and David Bentley in 2008.