Tottenham are making a first move for Crystal Palace sensation Wilfried Zaha.

The Mail on Sunday says Tottenham will open negotiations this week for the £10million signing of Zaha.

In spite of intense competition for the 20-yearold Ivory Coast-born England international, Spurs have leapt ahead of Manchester United and Chelsea because they are ready to do the deal in the January transfer window and will comply with Palace's condition that the player is loaned back to them until the end of the season.

"Spurs may think they've jumped the gun, but the deal is a long way from being completed," said a source close to the situation.

"This could turn out to be the hottest transfer battle of the season and it could boil down to a question of which club does Zaha want to join."