AVB set to end Moutinho interest

Andre Villas-Boas appears to have given up his pursuit of Joao Moutinho, claiming it will be "impossible" for Tottenham to sign the Porto playmaker.

Spurs are renowned for their last-minute forays into the transfer market. Last season they snapped up Scott Parker on deadline day and the year before they made a sensational swoop for Rafael van der Vaart.

Moutinho was expected to be the focus of their attention on Friday's deadline day, but Tottenham appear unlikely to sign the 25-year-old due to a 40million euro (£31.7million) release clause in his contract. Villas-Boas told a press conference: "It's an impossible deal for the club."

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