Man Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool battle for Moutinho

Joao Moutinho of Portugal tackles Xabi Alonso of Spain during the UEFA Euro semifinal at Donbass Arena on June 27 in Donetsk, Ukraine. (GETTY)

Published Sunday, July 01, 2012

By Staff

Spurs face a battle with a host of Premier League club for the signature of Portugal midfielder Joao Moutinho.

Prospective new Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas wants the 25-year-old to become his first White Hart Lane signing by replacing the outgoing Luka Modric, according to the Daily Mail.

But Villas-Boas, who signed Moutinho for Porto back in 2010, will have to convince the player to chose Spurs over Champions League trio Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea.

Liverpool are also interested in the former Sporting Lisbon man, who impressed at Euro 2012 before Portugal's semi-final elimination at the hands of Spain.

Moutinho has a £40million buy-out clause in his contract, and Porto are thought to want around £32m for their star man, according to the report.

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