Ramos to capture Corluka and ease defensive headache

The Croatia international is set to sign a four-year contract worth around £27,000-a-week and put an end to Spurs' defensive crisis.

The club have been desperate to strengthen their backline before the season starts and see Corluka as someone who can play anywhere along the back four.

Head coach Juande Ramos is worryingly short of options with captain Ledley King not expected to start every week and Younes Kaboul about to leave.

Ramos rested Jonathan Woodgate against Borussia Dortmund on Sunday and was forced to field midfielders Tom Huddlestone and Didier Zokora in a defence missing right-back Alan Hutton, who has an ankle injury.

Corluka, who joined City from Dinamo Zagreb for around £7m last year, was used mainly as a rightback last season, but can play as a centre-half or defensive midfielder.

The 22-year-old should settle easily into the club as he will be united with Croatia and former Dinamo team-mate Luka Modric

It is set to be just the start of a final spending spree before the new season as Ramos looks to fill the gaps still in his squad. The boss is determined to make three major signings ahead of their first game at Middlesbrough a week on Saturday.

Spurs have made a fresh move for Valencia striker David Villa as revealed by Standard Sport yesterday, while a deal for Andrei

Arshavin is still a possibility. One of Arshavin's representatives, Dennis Lachter, is expected to have talks with Zenit St Petersburg president Alexander Dyukov in the hope of getting the Russians to lower their asking price.

Tottenham have bid £15.6m but Zenit have been holding out for £24m and the transfer is on hold.

Arshavin has reportedly agreed personal terms with Spurs and Lachter is hoping for a compromise.

Spurs'move for Villa has put more pressure on Zenit to lower their demands as they risk missing out on a huge fee altogether.

Ramos has stepped up his move for the Spain international and the striker is not against a move to north London. Surprisingly, neither Real Madrid or Barcelona have made a firm offer for the 26-year-old since he finished top scorer at Euro 2008 and Ramos could capitalise.

The club are also looking to Spain to end their hunt for a No 2 goalkeeper to support first-choice Heurelho Gomes.

Ramos pulled out of a deal to sign Derby goalkeeper Stephen Bywater and will now look at buying Real Zaragoza's Cesar Sanchez, who played for Real Madrid in the Champions League Final in 2002.

He is also planning to appoint Jermaine Jenas as vice-captain to replace Robbie Keane.

Meanwhile, Giovani dos Santos has set his sights on making as big an impact for Spurs as Cristiano Ronaldo has for Manchester United.

Dos Santos, who joined for £4.7m this summer from Barcelona, has been tipped to become one of the best players in the world since he came through the youth ranks at the Nou Camp.

The 5ft 8ins attacking midfielder is a huge admirer of Ronaldo and has impressed in pre-season.

Dos Santos, 19, said: "Cristiano is a massive player and every young footballer would like to be compared to him.

"I'd be delighted to achieve what he has achieved in the next three or four years. I'm young and have room for improvement. Lots of small players have succeeded in football so my physique is not a problem."