Tottenham have made a move to trump Arsenal for Valencia star Juan Mata.
Mata has a £17.5million buyout clause in his Valencia contract.
Both Arsenal and Spurs are facing up to losing their most creative players in Cesc Fabregas and Luka Modric, and Mata would be an ideal replacement for the pair while bringing an added versatility to the ranks.
Sport says the Gunners had already met Valencia's £13.2m asking price when Tottenham too played their hand.
Mata's father is now said to be considering both offers with Valencia acknowledging their star man wants out.