Barcelona are ready to rattle Tottenham with a bid for midfield powerhouse Wilson Palacios. The Honduras international is seen by Barca coach Pep Guardiola as the ideal replacement for want-away midfielder Yaya Toure.

The loss of Toure would leave Barcelona without a physical presence in the heart of midfield but the tough-tackling Palacios would add strength and bite to the team and would compliment the silky-smooth passing of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and co.

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp is unlikely to sanction any of his key players leaving ahead of their debut in Europe's top competition but, should Palacios star in the World Cup with Honduras, he may face a fight to keep him in north London.