Lennon can be a huge hit for Spurs

Raoul Simons|Wayne Veysey|Evening Standard

14 April 2012

Tottenham are trying to repeat the success they had in signing Paul Robinson by returning to Leeds United for another bargain buy.

Sporting director Frank Arnesen has expressed an interest in Aaron Lennon and the club are looking to pay no more than £1million for the 18-year-old winger.

That figure is only marginally less than the knockdown £1.5m Spurs spent on England goalkeeper Robinson last summer.

Lennon is viewed as one of Leeds' few remaining assets but - with only a year remaining on his contract - the hard-up club will struggle to resist close-season offers.

The Leeds-born player recently admitted there has to be a "realism" in discussions over his future.

He said: "We haven't sat down to discuss a new deal yet but the time for that is not far away. The point about it is that very often with players the situation is reached where it is out of your hands.

"It becomes a matter between your agent and the club representatives and all I can say is that I would dearly love to be in the Premiership with Leeds United with a good contract in hand.

"There has to be realism, though, because on the subject of homegrown players there was no way Alan Smith wanted to leave this club. Neither did James Milner."

Lennon is a traditional type of winger with pace and skill who could add a new creative dimension-to Spurs' burgeoning squad. Meanwhile, 21-year-old midfielder Dean Marney, who scored twice against Everton on his first appearance for Spurs this season, has signed a new contract.

Middlesbrough moved two points clear of Spurs in the race for the final UEFA Cup place next season by drawing 0-0 at Newcastle last night. But the point came at a cost to both sides.

England defender Gareth Southgate needed 10 stitches in a gaping wound after an 80th-minute clash of heads with Alan Shearer and is doubtful for Boro's game at Liverpool on Saturday.

Newcastle's run of misfortune continued when midfielder Kieron Dyer went off with a recurrence of the hamstring problem which has dogged him in recent weeks. Dyer will miss the remainder of the season and may not be fit for England's summer trip to the United States.

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Aaron Lennon

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Tottenham Hotspur

Lennon can be a huge hit for Spurs

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