Tottenham boss Martin Jol is close to tying up a deal for highly-rated Auxerre defender Younes Kaboul, the French club have revealed.
The French club's vice-president Gerard Bourgoin is resigned to losing the centre-back, and admits talks with Spurs are now at an advanced stage.
"There are very serious discussions with Tottenham but they are not finalised yet", Bourgoin told AFP.
"However, one can be optimistic about the way the negotiations are going."
The deal should be completed this week, but Auxerre are still keen to keep hold of Bakary Sagna, who is also a target for Premier League clubs.
Bourgoin said: "The offers we received are far too low for a player of his level.
"He is now one of the best French right backs around and has improved a lot during each of the last three seasons.
"His desire is to go to the Premiership but we have received enquiries on behalf of very large European clubs - from Spain in particular."