Tottenham manager Juande Ramos is ready to use Dimitar Berbatov as bait in an audacious bid to sign Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o.

The ambitious move was first reported in Spain last week, but while it was dismissed as mere speculation at the time, Standard Sport understands Ramos has made Eto'o his No1 target to replace Berbatov up front.

Spurs are already resigned to losing the Bulgarian international, with Ramos expecting him to join Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Tottenham are hoping to receive around £25million for his services, but are considering negotiating a deal with Barcelona to take Eto'o in exchange.

Both players have two years left on their contracts and have signalled their desire to leave their respective clubs, although the Cameroon international has since denied it.

It would still take a remarkable turn of events to convince Eto'o to come to White Hart Lane as he wants to play in the Champions League and challenge for League titles.

The striker, who will turn out for Barca at Old Trafford in the second leg of their semi-final with Manchester United tonight, will also be looking for significantly more than the £60,000-a-week he is currently paid.

It has been reported that Spurs are also looking at Valencia striker David Villa, but they are facing competition from Spain's biggest clubs and Chelsea.

Ramos has been promised the funds to turn Tottenham into genuine challengers to the top four next season and has already secured the £15.8m signing of the much sought-after Croatia international Luka Modric.

The Spaniard knows getting an established player of Eto'o's proven quality will be tough, but hopes the impressive reputation he forged for himself while in charge of Sevilla could help him pull off a remarkable transfer coup.