Spurs go for £3m Murphy

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez accepted the offer yesterday and Spurs are desperate to tie up the deal before this Saturday's Premiership opener against Liverpool at White Hart Lane.

New Tottenham manager Jacques Santini sees Murphy as a player capable of adding craft to a midfield that presently lacks flair.

The Spurs head coach is also set to meet Chairman Daniel Levy and Sporting Director Frank Arnesen later this week to discuss further additions to the squad. Benitez will not block Murphy's search for first team football and the club's head of press, Ian Cotton, said: "I can confirm that Liverpool have accepted an offer from Tottenham Hotspur for Danny Murphy."

Spurs have been long time admirers of the 27-year-old and he will head to London to discuss terms with the Londoners this week.

Charlton were interested in Murphy and will step in if talks with Spurs break down. Manager Alan Curbishley's first target is Joey Barton of Manchester City, who is also wanted by Liverpool to replace Murphy.

One deal Tottenham have completed is for 22-year-old Cameroon international Thimothee Atouba. Capped 12 times by his country, Atouba is a left-sided player who can play full-back or midfield. The youngster has spent two and a half seasons at FC Basel in Switzerland where he gained European experience - starting 10 of their 12 group games in their Champions League campaign two seasons ago. Atouba started three of Cameroon's four games in the African Nations Cup earlier this year as they went out to Nigeria in the quarter-finals.

Arnesen said: "Thimothee is a strong, versatile left-footed player - he is able to play left midfield or left full-back. He comes to us from Basel where he gained experience of playing in the Champions League against Manchester United and Liverpool."

Spurs are set to cash-in on skipper Stephen Carr by selling him to Newcastle in a £1.7m deal. Bobby Robson's side have renewed their interest in the Republic of Ireland international after their move for Benfica's Miguel stalled.

Tottenham travel to Celtic for their final pre-season friendly tomorrow with injury doubts hanging over Carr, Taricco, Ledley King and Anthony Gardner. Carr injured his back prior to the club's 2-1 defeat by Italian side Cagliari at White Hart Lane on Saturday.

Gardner is still struggling with an ankle complaint that has prevented him from training properly throughout the pre-season campaign.

Taricco and King suffered hamstring and calf injuries respectively during the friendly with Cagliari.