Seville yesterday announced that Tottenham’s bid of £13.8m for Julio Baptista is the highest they have received for the midfielder.
The unprecedented move by the Spanish club to disclose such information is likely to fuel a surge in interest from Arsenal and Barcelona.
Spurs coach Martin Jol has Teemu Tainio and Pedro Mendes among those fit and on pre-season duty, to fill the role Batista occupied last season at the Primera Liga side in which he scored 20 goals.
The club have so far neither confirmed nor denied the offer, but Martin Jol has praised Tainio’s contribution in pre-season so far.
Jol said, "I think he is a very good little player. He's aggressive, has good stamina, he's technical and tactically very good. He played on the right side, then in the hole off Mido (against Boca Juniors), then he had to play on the left (against Sundowns).
"He tries to get into the box too. He can head the ball well even though he is small, a very complete player who is a very good addition for us. He has worked hard in training and I am happy with him."