Spurs close to Gilberto move

The Brazilian, 31, can operate in midfield but would also offer Spurs boss Juande Ramos an option at left-back.

"I'm accustomed to winning trophies with Brazil but now I'd like to do the same at club level," he said over the weekend.

An announcement could be made later on Monday should the proposed transfer reach completion, although it is unclear at this stage if the deal would be a pre-contract or immediate.

Gilberto was included in the 2006 World Cup squad for Brazil and scored in the victory over Japan, cutting in from the left and drilling his finish into the far corner.

He had a brief, unsuccessful spell at Inter Milan in the 1999-2000 season but most of his career was spent in Brazil before moving to Germany in 2004. His contract with Hertha Berlin expires at the end of the season.

Spurs have only bought Chris Gunter from Cardiff in this transfer window and look set to continue their trend of leaving business until later in January.

There is interest in Tiago from Juventus and Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing, both to bolster Ramos' midfield.

Lyon striker Fred was a target while the futures of Dimitar Berbatov and Jermain Defoe looked uncertain, although both appear increasingly likely to remain at White Hart Lane until at least the summer.

Ramos gave Defoe the skipper's armband for Saturday's victory over Sunderland as Ledley King and Robbie Keane were rested, while Paul Robinson has lost his place in the starting line-up.