Spurs eyes Sandro signing

Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp said Tuesday the English Premier League side were close to completing the signing of Brazil midfielder Sandro from Internacional.

All that now appears to stand between the 21-year-old’s arrival at the north London club next season is a work permit and a successful medical and an excited Redknapp said: “It would be fantastic.

“The chairman (Daniel Levy) has been dealing with it. I got a phone call this morning from the chairman saying that he thought we were close to doing it. Hopefully it will get done now and it will be a good signing.”

Redknapp added: “He is an outstanding young player. He is on the verge of the Brazilian team. He has already played for Brazil and captained the Under-18s, 19s and 21s.

“He is strong. He looks a very, very good player so I am looking forward to getting him here.”

Sandro is set to stay with Internacional until August, by which time the Copa Libertadores will have finished.

He will not automatically qualify for a British work permit because he has played just once for Brazil, in their World Cup qualifier against Chile.

Tottenham, who face London rivals Fulham in an FA Cup quarter-final replay on Wednesday, are currently fourth in the English top flight and pushing for a place in next season’s Champions League.