Many people have been expecting a flurry of transfer activity at White Hart Lane ahead of the transfer deadline, yet it looks increasingly likely that Andre Villas-Boas could become frustrated in his attempts to land targets. It has been reported in various newspapers that AVB has already had bids for various players rejected and it appears a move for Hugo Lloris has been thrown into that category, with Lyon announcing that they have failed to come to an agreement with Spurs for the transfer of the goalkeeper.

Tottenham have been linked with Lloris throughout the summer although there have always been suggestions that their valuation of the player varies substantially to that of Lyon’s. At one point, AVB appeared to be looking elsewhere for a long-term replacement for Brad Friedel, but it has now come to light that he has returned to France to try and land one of his top targets.

According to Lyon, the deal is well and truly off. A statement on the club’s website read, “Olympique Lyonnais have not reached an agreement with Tottenham for the transfer of Hugo Lloris. The proposals forwarded this evening by Tottenham are very different from the principle which had been agreed on August 26 and which had allowed to open the discussions between the player and the London club.”

In other news, Spurs have apparently been told that they will have to break a club record to sign Joao Moutinho. Villas-Boas worked with the player at Porto yet it is understood that he would have to shell out almost £30m to gain the privilege again. This comes despite the fact that Spurs have already sold Luka Modric in a big money deal and also look set to lose Rafael van der Vaart, who is reportedly poised to complete a transfer to Hamburg before the end of the transfer window.