Tottenham have opened talks with Benfica in a bid to persuade
them to sell defender Ricardo Rocha.
The Portuguese giants have insisted in recent days that they have
little intention of letting Rocha leave.
However, having let Calum Davenport depart for West Ham, Spurs
coach Martin Jol is short of options in central defence and Rocha
appears to be the man he wants to fill that void.
In a meeting with the player on Thursday, Benfica president Luis
Felipe Vieira told Rocha and his representatives that he would be
staying put.
However, Rocha informed Vieira that he wanted to move to England
and the supremo appears set to let him go.
"I desire players who have total commitment to the team," said
Vieira.
"The final decision will be with the player, if he wants to
leave."
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is in Lisbon looking to finalise the
move before the weekend, as he wants Rocha in England by early next
week at the latest.
At the moment the clubs are in talks over the fee, with Benfica
dropping their demands in recent days to 6million (£3.9million) -
but it is understood Spurs have offered 5million (£3.2million) for
the 28-year-old.
