Spurs' new head coach was reported this weekend as having identified Kanoute, the former Tottenham striker, and the Brazilian full-back Alves as two players he wanted to bring with him to White Hart Lane.

But the overtures received a frosty reception from Del Nido, still spitting feathers over losing his coach to the Premier League in mid-season.

He said: "It takes a lot of money to buy Alves and Kanoute at the same time. I doubt very much that Tottenham have the money to buy them. If they want to buy them in the winter transfer market, they will have to pay their buyout clauses."

Alves has a contract until 2011, with a clause of £42m, and Kanoute's deal runs until 2009, with an £18m buyout.