Tottenham hope to strike a deal for Olympique Lyon striker Fred in the next 48 hours.

The Independent says Spurs yesterday tried to cool suggestions that they are close to signing the Lyons striker Fred for £9m but, according to club sources, their sporting director Damien Comolli is nevertheless due to travel to France today for further talks. It is likely that a deal should be agreed by the weekend.

Spurs have emerged as the front-runners to buy the 25-year-old, who can leave, although the Lyons president, Jean-Michel Aulas, in an attempt to bump up the price, is still maintaining that there are other clubs interested. Aulas met with Fred and his brother Rodrigo, who also acts as his agent, after yesterday's League Cup defeat away to Le Mans.

It is claimed by Rodrigo that Spurs have offered Fred a four-and-a-half year deal on a salary of £2.5m a year which meets his salary demands and will make him one of the club's highest earners. Fees were also agreed with Middlesbrough and Paris-Saint Germain for the international - full name Frederico Chaves Guedo - although he has told Lyons that he wants to join Spurs.