Tottenham are chasing Toulouse midfield pair Moussa Sissoko and Étienne Capoue.

The Times says Harry Redknapp, the Spurs manager, wants a powerful partner for Wilson Palacios in central midfield next season. Sissoko, 19, has earned a reputation as an energetic and powerful tackler. The qualities have earned him a place in the France Under-21 team, for whom he scored in the 2-0 victory against England at the City Ground in April.

Liverpool and Bolton Wanderers watched Sissoko during his spell in the Toulouse academy and Newcastle United and Juventus have previously tried to sign him. He has three years left on his contract and has said that he would prefer to stay in France next season. Capoue is a year older but is also 6ft 1½in and has mainly operated as a defender or holding midfield player. The France Under-21 captain has four years left on his contract.