Spurs chase 'bad-boy' Mido

"It is a great opportunity and I will treat it as a professional challenge. I do not think I can fail with Spurs."

Taking a contradictory view, one of the player's agents, Mino Raiola, today insisted Spurs are just one of 15 interested clubs, adding: "There are teams in France, England and Spain and two in Italy. We hope to reach an agreement with one, but that doesn't mean Tottenham are the favourites. They are talking about a loan deal until the end of the season, that is what Roma want."

If the move goes ahead, Spurs would become Mido's sixth club in as many years which provides some indication of the striker's volatile personality. Prone to Eric Cantona-like eccentricities, he once said: "In Egypt, we have a saying: 'In order to become a star, you mustn't become like water'. Water is something very ordinary but if you want to achieve any high goals, you must now and then be noticed. You can't behave like the rest."

It is a motto he has taken to heart and his past behaviour has already antagonised at least two highly-respected former coaches.

Despite being Egypt's star player, Mido is banned indefinitely from representing his country for persistently failing to turn up for international duty.

After the last AWOL incident in September, former Egypt coach Marco Tardelli insisted he would never pick him again and was backed the country's football federation.

On that occasion, the tall frontman claimed he could not play in a World Cup qualifier against Cameroon because of a groin injury. Then, 24 hours before the game, he appeared in a friendly for Roma.

The backlash in Egypt was furious with the media accusing him of being a "traitor" and one fan saying: "He is a spoilt brat."

Mido has since explained his actions and claims he wants to play international football again, but, even after the departure of Tardelli, his pleas have been ignored.

Despite the bad reputation, the former Ajax forward is still highly rated and is well known to former PSV Eindhoven director Arnesen. Mido had a prolific two years in the Dutch league during which he averaged a goal every other game and was voted the country's young player of the year.

The free-scoring form, however, came to an end following a row with coach Ronald Koeman. After being substituted in a league match, Mido told a postmatch TV interviewer he was leaving Ajax.

Angered by this public show of dissent, Koeman refused to play Mido and he was eventually loaned to Celta Vigo before switching to Marseille. After impressing alongside Didier Drogba, he moved on to Roma but not before making the following announcement last June: "I've reached agreement with the prestigious club of Newcastle."

Although Spurs fans should be wary of his latest pre-emptive statement, they should not doubt his desire to succeed.

Mido said today: "I am not a failure just because of what has happened in the past two years. I have matured a lot and I arrive at Tottenham with a different mentality.

"I have always wanted to play in the Premier League. Now I have the chance, I do not want to fail.

"I have had a couple of years that have not gone well, but Spurs is now the best option for me professionally. I do not know much about London so this is an adventure and I am looking forward to it."