Southampton are launching a late bid to beat Tottenham to the signing of Toby Alderweireld.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is to hold talks in Spain with Atletico Madrid over the 26-year-old Belgian who wants to remain in the Premier League.
But Southampton, where Alderweireld impressed on loan last season, have also made it clear they want to keep him.
Alderweireld has so far indicated that he wants to move to White Hart Lane after Chelsea declined an offer from Atletico to take him in exchange for left-back Filipe Luis.
Spurs had expected to conclude a deal swiftly but Saints believe they can offer the centre-back just as much next season as both clubs are in the Europa League