Spurs out of Van Bommel chase

Tottenham look set to end their interest in Mark Van Bommel.

Spurs have been linked with the PSV Eindhoven midfielder for months and were reported to have even agreed a fee for him.

But Standard Sport can today reveal that Spurs will drop out of the hunt for the Holland international, leaving Aston Villa and German side Schalke 04 as favourites to land him in the summer.

Although Spurs acting manager David Pleat admitted that Van Bommel was one of the players they were looking at signing, the club have now decided to pursue other targets. They will end their chase for Van Bommel because of his injury-hit season and PSV's asking price.

Spurs will now have to look elsewhere for the answer to their midfield problems, which has dogged them for most of the season.

PSV are determined to receive around £5million for Van Bommel, who has suffered from a number of injury setbacks this season including a major knee problem. Van Bommel's advisor, Rob Jansen, believes his client will now head to Germany instead of the Premiership. Meanwhile, Spurs skipper Jamie Redknapp has told the club's board to sort out the managerial situation quickly to avoid the prospect of possible relegation next term.

It is unlikely Redknapp will be at White Hart Lane next term but he still realises that a new manager needs to be installed before the pre-season build-up begins.

Spurs, who sacked Glenn Hoddle after six games this season, secured their Premiership survival thanks to Leeds United's defeat at Bolton. Spurs' slump continued with a 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa on Sunday to leave them 16th in the table. Juan Pablo Angel scored the winner after just five minutes.