Tottenham Hotspur's Vlad Chiriches deal cancelled?

Steaua Bucuresti owner Gigi Becali has reportedly launched an attack on Tottenham Hotspur in response to the North London club's proposed move for defender Vlad Chiriches.

Spurs' interest in the 23-year-old centre-back has intensified in recent days, as Steven Caulker signed for Cardiff City today.

Jan Vertonghen could miss the start of the season with an ankle injury, while Younes Kaboul's career at White Hart Lane has been beset with injuries, leaving manager Andre Villas-Boas with just one fit centre-half - Michael Dawson - for next week's opener with Crystal Palace.

The Express reports that Tottenham were close to wrapping up a £6.9m deal for the Romanian international, but Steaua would not sell until after their Champions League qualifier against Dinamo Tbilisi.

"Who are Tottenham?! Do not do any transfer, my name is Gigi Becali, I'm not a slave to anybody!" Romanian newspaper ProSport quotes Becali as saying to the club's general manager Mihai Stoica.

"We have an important game in the Champions League, why can't they wait? Until winter he will not leave under any circumstances. This could be a blow to Chiriches, but he should understand.

"He owes a lot to Steaua. Things are good, we qualifying for the Champions League. We are in good shape."

Becali, a former MP in his native Romania, is currently serving a three-year prison term for abuse of power.