[JRedknapp11]

from worldsoccer.com ...





Tottenham want to sign Greek striker Nikos Machlas from Ajax Amsterdam.

The forward hit ten goals last season for the Dutch double-winner and the London club are prepared to pay around £2.5 million for the former Vitesse player.

Tottenham signed Chinese forward Qu Bo for £3 million last Friday but want another forward to help their squad ahead of the new season which starts on Saturday and relies heavily on veterans Les Ferdinand and Teddy Sheringham.

Machlas is an option after Real Madrid stuck a £17 million price tag on Spanish striker Fernando Morientes.

Madrid want £13 million immediately to sell Morientes to the London club and the rest in two installments.

The European champions are also considering the position of an increasingly unhappy Ronaldo at Inter.

If Ronaldo quits the Milan club for Real then Morientes could be sold to Tottenham who were hoping to pay an initial £7 million to sign the 26 year old.