Tottenham failed in a swap bid for Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand.
The Daily Mail says Tottenham and Sunderland failed to agree terms over a proposed loan swap for Ferdinand and Alan Hutton.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp wanted Ferdinand to bolster his creaking defence with injury concerns over Jonathan Woodgate, Michael Dawson and Ledley King's ongoing fitness.
However, Scotland right back Hutton was believed to be reluctant to move to the North East, preferring to battle for his place.