Tottenham face disappointment in their pursuit of Bolton defender Gary Cahill as Manchester City are also interested in the player.
Spurs tried to sign Cahill on the final day of the summer transfer window, but refused to meet the £15million asking price. Arsenal and Chelsea have also shown an interest in the England international.
Tottenham's problems at centre-back - Ledley King, Michael Dawson and William Gallas are all injured - means manager Harry Redknapp is likely to try to strengthen that position in January.
Yet Premier League leaders City are also keen on Cahill, and their financial muscle means they would be strong favourites to sign the 25-year-old. Cahill earns about £30,000 a week at Bolton but is out of contract at the end of the season - and has shown no desire to sign a new one.
Spurs could still afford to give Cahill a substantial pay rise, but they cannot match what City could offer.
