Tottenham have had a club-record £38 million bid for Sergio Aguero rejected by Atletico Madrid as the transfer window edges shut.
Widespread reports claim Harry Redknapp made a move for Aguero, 22, late on Sunday. The bid matches a buy-out in the Argentina striker's contract but tax would also be due on the deal and neither club is willing to take care of that fee, which reportedly exceeds £10 million.
Tottenham are also believed to have made a move for Spain target man Fernando Llorente for around £25 million but that bid too was rejected.
Redknapp is desperate to add a starting-quality striker to his squad before the window closes at the end of Monday, particularly since Robbie Keane's departure for West Ham left Spurs a little short on depth in that position.
Sevilla's Luis Fabiano and Alvaro Negredo, Aguero's Atletico partner Diego Forlan, Guiseppi Rossi of Villareal and Newcastle United's England striker Andy Carroll have all been linked with last-ditch bids from Tottenham.
The transfer window could be set to burst into life on its last day though as Liverpool have been linked with a number of players, including Carroll, should the sale of Fernando Torres to Chelsea go through and leave them cashed up and seeking a replacement.
