Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas remains hopeful of signing Schalke winger Lewis Holtby this month.

The London Evening Standard says Schalke say they have turned down Spurs's initial offer and they are thought to be asking for about £1.5million.

There is still confidence that a deal can be done and for one of the brightest talents in German football, it seems a great price, although Villas-Boas said the situation was "very difficult".