Spurs step up Mata pursuit

Tottenham are reported to have lodged a bid for Valencia's Juan Mata.

The Spanish winger is on the radar of several clubs following the players' fine performances during the European U-21 Championship.

Rivals Arsenal were said to be leading the chase for the 23-year-old yet the Spanish side continuously that any approach has been made for the player.

Manager Harry Redknapp confirmed that clubs' interest in Mata but any potential signing now rests in the hands of chairman Daniel Levy.

"The chairman has been dealing with it," Redknapp said.

"He is a player we like, obviously, so do Arsenal, so do a few other clubs, but where it's all at I don't know.

"He's a player I went and saw when England played Spain Under 21s and I thought he looked fantastic.

"Whether anything happens I wouldn't be sure, the chairman is the only person who has been dealing with those transfers."

The North London outfit are said to have lodged a £22m bid for the player after reports surfaced that the Spanish side are obliged to sell the Spanish star should the receive a bid of €21m by August 1st.