Transfer Centre

Tottenham Hotspur enter Gary Hooper race?

By Liam Apicella, Features Editor | 22 January 2013

Several reports in Scotland suggest that Tottenham Hotspur are hoping to beat Norwich City to the signing of Gary Hooper from Celtic.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly ready to challenge Norwich City for the services of Celtic striker Gary Hooper.

Norwich recently had a bid for the 24-year-old rejected but have been tipped to return with an improved offer over the coming days.

However, Spurs head coach Andre Villas-Boas has decided that his goalscoring options need to be boosted this month and his scouting team have identified Hooper as the ideal candidate, according to The Metro.

The report has claimed that Hooper is viewed by the Spurs hierarchy as a more realistic target than Leandro Damiao, Fernando Llorente and Alvaro Negredo, all of whom are thought to have previously interested the Londoners.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports News have suggested that Hooper has turned down the offer of a new contract from the Scottish champions, who are said to be eager to keep hold of the former Scunthorpe United centre-forward.

It has been said that the salary would not have put him on a par with Celtic's top earners.