LONDON: Tottenham are poised to break their own transfer record for the third time this summer by signing Brazil forward Willian from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala for £30m.

Already Spurs’ summer signings of fellow Brazilian Paulinho for £17m and Spain striker Roberto Soldado for £26m have outstripped the £16.5m they paid in 2008 for Croatia midfielder Luka Modric.

Liverpool had led the bidding for Willian who is available in the Anzhi fire sale. The lure of living in London and playing European football is believed to tipped the balance in Tottenham’s favour. The deal could be completed in time for Sunday’s home game against Swansea.

Spurs’ pursuit of Willian suggests that the world record £90m departure of Gareth Bale for Real Madrid is close. Bale is not the only departure. England midfielder Scott Parker has left for Fulham.

North London rivals Arsenal, following the shock of Saturday’s home defeat by Aston Villa, have inquired about Newcastle’s French defensive midfielder Yohan Cabaye. Arsenal may also enter the market for a forward after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was ruled by injury until November.

Champions Manchester United have had a £30m offer for Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines rejected by Everton. They are expected to increase the offer for two of manager David Moyes’s former players.

Manchester City, top of the table after Monday’s 4-0 defeat of Newcastle, may step up their transfer interest in Real Madrid’s Pepe or Atletico de Madrid’s Martín Demichelis. This follows the groin injury which has ruled out skipper Vincent Kompany from City’s next three league matches while Matija Nastasic is not yet back in full training after an ankle injury.

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