Having spent much of the summer attempting to trim some of the fat from the squad - both physically and in terms of number - Juande Ramos will be delighted for the chance to shed himself of four players who he deems surplus to requirements. The quartet are expected to leave the team's training camp in Spain and head back to England today for talks with Sunderland manager Roy Keane.
If all four players agree terms with the Black Cats the £23m deal will be seen as a massive transfer coup for Ramos and Daniel Levy. The funds will add considerably to the Spaniard's transfer kitty and cut a nice David Benltey shaped hole in the wage bill. Some might say Roy Keane is being ripped off but the Irishman has spoke of his desire to add five or six Premiership experienced players to his squad before the new season, and may return to White Hart Lane with a bid for out-of-favour striker Darren Bent.
It is not the first time a group of Spurs players have been subject to bids from one club. Threatened with relegation in 2006, Portsmouth achieved a miraculous escape with the help of Pedro Mendes, Sean Davis and Noe Pamarot, all purchased from North London in the January transfer window. Yet the scale of Sunderland's offer eclipses Harry Redknapp's ambitious undertaking.
Of the players, the biggest surprise to fans will be the inclusion of Steed Malbranque, who was one of the most consistent players at the club last season and, despite the addition of Luka Modric this summer, would still have expected to play a significant role in the coming season.
Since the arrival of Alan Hutton and the way he conducted himself at the Carling Cup Final, Pascal Chimbonda's days have been numbered but it remains to be seen whether he can agree terms with a club he may well feel is beneath his level. There has also been interest from Everton in recent weeks.
It has also been no secret that Ramos does not hold Younes Kaboul in particularly high regard. The burly French centre-back had a rough start to his Tottenham career but he has raw potential and will be a good signing for Keane if he can persuade him away from a favoured move to Portsmouth. As for Teemu Tainio, injuries have blighted his time at the club and a move away from White Hart Lane has been in the offing for several seasons.
The acceptance of the bid from Sunderland is a firm indication that Ramos' transfer activity is far from over this summer. He will look to continue the streamlining of the club - Anthony Gardner and Ricardo Rocha are also likely to head to the exit door - and look for a replacement for Dimitar Berbatov who looks increasingly likely to join Manchester United.