Tottenham have approached Southampton over a deal for England international Danny Ings.
The south coast side - who have already sold former captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to Spurs this summer - bluntly rejected the approach, indicating that their star player would not be sold this summer.
Southampton are attempting to tie Ings down to a new contract, with two years left to run on his current terms. There is hope that an agreement with the player will be reached, but progress during negotiations have slowed.
Jose Mourinho is desperate to add another striker as cover and competition for Harry Kane despite the imminent return of wide forward Gareth Bale on loan.
The former Liverpool striker is admired in north London and last season finished one goal shy of Jamie Vardy in the race for the Premier League golden boot.
Tottenham and Southampton face each other in the Premier League on Sunday.
A number of targets have been put off a move to Spurs given Kane's unquestionable position as the first choice, but Mourinho insists he wants a player to provide competition for the England captain.
“If the striker is afraid to come to Tottenham and he is afraid of competition then I don’t want him,” Mourinho said. “All the other top clubs have many options as centre-forwards and this question doesn’t appear.
“It looks like it’s only us where we don’t have the right to have a more balanced squad with more options. Players decide who plays, not me. The striker that comes here has to come with his own ambitions.”
