Tottenham set to steal Sigurdsson from Rodgers and Laudrup

Tottenham have emerged as strong favourites to sign Hoffenheim’s Iceland international Gylfi Sigurdsson.

The 22-year-old had looked set to join up with former boss Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool following a successful loan spell under him at Swansea last season.

But while Liverpool began negotiations over a deal, the midfielder is expected to move to White Hart Lane.

Spurs will pay around £8m for the player, who is poised to undergo a medical in the next 24 hours.

The deal is unlikely to be confirmed until 1 July but barring a last-minute change of heart, Liverpool and Swansea look likely to miss out on one of their principal transfer targets.