Tottenham are receiving growing interest for striker Jermain Defoe.
The Independent says Aston Villa are keen but, so far, it has been Portsmouth who have made the running on any potential deal. They had hoped to persuade Spurs to allow Defoe, who is stalling on signing a new contract, on loan but have been told that only a permanent transfer will be agreed.
Portsmouth, whose manager Harry Redknapp watched Spurs' FA Cup victory away to Reading on Tuesday, do not want to pay the kind of fee - upwards of £10m - that is being demanded.