Spurs happy to agree Winston Reid's terms to beat Arsenal

Tottenham Hotspur are ready to match Winston Reid’s demands in a bid to beat rivals Arsenal to the West Ham United defender’s signature.


Reid’s Upton Park contract expires at the end of the season and he has refused to sign a new deal, prompting fears that there is already a gentleman’s agreement in place with another club.

Arsenal are keen to sign Reid for a cut-price £3 million this month, but West Ham would rather let the New Zealand international leave for free at the end of the season than sell him at a reduced rate.

That has left the door open for Spurs to try to reach an agreement to sign Reid in the summer and the club are understood to be willing to give the 26-year-old what he wants.

Reid is looking for a contract worth £60,000-a-week, plus a £1 million signing on fee. He would also be offered a better chance of first-team football at White Hart Lane.

Former head coach Tim Sherwood first identified Reid as a target last season and Spurs have kept track of him ever since.

Liverpool and Everton are also preparing offers for Reid, but Tottenham believe they can see off competition for the player.

Tottenham will help make room for Reid in their squad by trying to sell Besiktas target Younès Kaboul this month.

West Ham’s determination not to sell Reid on the cheap in January has forced Arsenal to look at other defensive targets as manager Arsène Wenger tries to sign two players to boost his side’s Champions League qualification hopes.

With Jack Wilshere still two weeks away from returning to full training and Mikel Arteta not expected to return this month, Wenger would ideally like a defender and a midfielder.

With Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin, who is also wanted by Spurs, a target for the summer, Arsenal will look at loan options to cover their midfield shortage, while Ilkay Gundogan’s contract situation at Borussia Dortmund is being monitored.

By Matt Law, Telegraph