Spurs open Brown talks

Brown warning for Rangers

Tottenham have opened talks with Sheffield United with a view to signing midfielder Michael Brown when the transfer window opens on 1 January.

Spurs announced on 23 December that a new club share offer was intended to raise up to £15m for transfer funds.

And Spurs caretaker-boss David Pleat has revealed that he has made contact with Blades manager Neil Warnock.

"I can confirm our interest in Michael Brown and I've been speaking with Neil Warnock about him," said Pleat.

Pleat is hoping to sign 26-year-old Brown, who helped take the Blades to the semi-finals of the FA Cup and Worthington Cup last season, for about £500,000 as his contract expires next summer.

Spurs raise transfer bounty

Rangers have also had talks with Brown, who is one of several targets on an eight-man hit-list drawn up by Pleat and his assistant Chris Hughton.

But the cash-strapped Scottish champions are hoping to land the player at the end of the season to avoid paying any transfer fee.

Pleat admitted that another intended target, Brazilian youngster Diego, is unlikely to arrive at White Hart Lane from Santos next month.

Spurs had a £5.6m bid for the midfielder rejected last summer and then pulled out of further talks because of problems with the player's attempt to obtain an Italian passport.

Pleat said: "I would be surprised if the Diego transfer happens in January now. He still hasn't been able to obtain an Italian passport at present."