Tottenham remain the boxseat in the battle for Valencia striker David Villa.

The Telegraph says Villa prefers to stay in Spain but Valencia would prefer not to sell to a rival. With Robbie Keane having joined Liverpool and Dimitar Berbatov still Manchester United's top transfer priority, Spurs are in the market for a top-class striker and Villa's agent has invited them to make a bid for his client, even if just to force Real Madrid's hand.