Spurs close in on Ramirez

Tottenham are on the verge of completing a £1.5milllion deal to sign Ecuadorian left-back Christian Ramirez.

According to the Daily Mirror, the teenager has flown to London for talks and is set to move to White Hart Lane when he turns 18 in the summer.

Ramirez, an attacking full-back who has been likened to Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos, shone at the Under-17 World Cup last summer and has a number of admirers across Europe.

Transfer rules prevent the South American moving to Europe before his 18th birthday in August but Spurs have already made their move and appear to be leading the race for his signature.

Ramirez currently plays for Ecuadorian side Independiente Jose Teran and could provide competition for left-sided duo Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Danny Rose.

Tottenham are also said to be close to signing 21-year-old Argentinian defender Julian Velazquez from Independiente.