Tottenham have been chasing Porto star Joao Moutinho since before Andre Villas-Boas' appointment. The Daily Star Sunday says Porto's Moutinho was a Tottenham target even before Villas-Boas was installed at White Hart Lane as Harry ­Redknapp's successor.

But Spurs face competition for Moutinho, 25, with Manchester United strongly linked.

£25million-rated Moutinho has also attracted interest from Chelsea and Liverpool.

He was part of Villas-Boas' all-­conquering Porto team two seasons ago.