Tiago

Spanish reports insist Tottenham are closing in on the capture of Tiago and Juande Ramos admits he is looking for a midfield hard-man.

Ramos faces Roy Keane this weekend with Sunderland coming to White Hart Lane and the Spaniard admits he would love a player like him.

"Players like Roy Keane are essential in any team," said Ramos.

"I loved him as a player.

"He had such personality and energy which he brought to the group and sadly those players are disappearing little by little.

"You can never say there won't be a player like him again, but it's just very difficult to find one with such a strong character and personality.

"I don't know why it's the case that there are no longer players like him, it's something a footballer carries inside himself. It's not something you can teach, it's something you have naturally."

A player in Keane's mould is Tiago - who is seemingly keen to move back to England.

The former Chelsea man is currently with Juventus - where he has failed to capture the form his showed at Lyon, who signed him from Stamford Bridge.

Now Spurs appear favourites to land Tiago ahead of the likes of Portsmouth, Newcastle and Atletico Madrid.

It is reported that Tiago's agent Jorge Mendes has held talks with Spurs and is close to agreeing a three-year deal for the 26-year-old.