Tottenham to swoop for Leandro Damiao in summer after missing out on January deal

Target: Spurs want Leandro Damiao but must wait until next summer

Internacional have reportedly told Tottenham they will have to wait until the summer to sign Leandro Damiao after rejecting their £17million deadline day offer.

Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas, who confirmed last week he was seriously interested in Damiao, is understood to have lodged the offer with just hours of the window remaining, but Internacional turned it down following a meeting of their board of directors.

The news was confirmed by Inter’s director Marcelo Medeiros, who left the door open by suggesting a giant bid next summer could be enough to force them into selling the 23-year-old.

Leandro (right) was a big hit for Brazil at London 2012

‘Leandro Damiao won’t leave, the offer was below what we wanted,’ said Medeiros.

‘He is under contract with Internacional and will remain our player.’

‘But, like Lucas to PSG, it is always possible if there is a very good deal.’

Brazilian striker Damiao has been a long-term Spurs targets for years, and Villas-Boas is widely expected to overhaul his squad in the summer to find a bumper bid.

Elsewhere, Tottenham are also likely to continue their scouting of Gary Hooper, having opted against trying to conclude a deal for the Celtic ace this month.