Tottenham are believed to be using Olivier Giroud as a stalking horse as they continue to covet AC Milan striker Krzysztof Piatek.
The north Londoners want the Poland international on loan and are trying to put pressure on his club to do business before Friday’s transfer deadline.
Milan want a fee in the region of £27million and have been holding out for as much but Spurs would rather take Piatek on an initial loan for the rest of the season and exercise an option, as they did this week with Giovani Lo Celso.
Piatek is keen on a move to the Premier League with Chelsea also interested but no club has yet been able to come up with a proposal acceptable to Milan.
Tottenham’s £25.4million capture of PSV winger Steven Bergwijn has relieved some of the pressure on them to strengthen their attacking options.
Bergwijn can play on either wing or through the middle. But Spurs still want to sign an out-and-out striker with Harry Kane out until at least April
Giroud, who turns 34 in September, wants an 18-month contract. Spurs have suggested it could be a possibility.
But the France striker - desperate for game time ahead of Euro 2020 - cannot get into the Chelsea team and Spurs fans are concerned that he would represent a lack of ambition.
