Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas faces frustration in his pursuit of Porto midfielder Joao Moutinho.
The club attempted to clinch a deal for Moutinho on the final day of the transfer window after making a £22m offer. Having sold Brazil international forward Hulk to Zenit St Petersburg for £32m last month, Porto have no intention of selling Moutinho in January but it is understood the player has cooled on the idea of moving to Tottenham anyway, says the London Evening Standard.
While Moutinho was a vital member of the Porto side who won three trophies during 2010-11, Villas-Boas' sole season in charge, he is thought to favour a move to a club with proven Champions League pedigree. Spurs have qualified for Europe's main club competition only once in its 20-year history.