EXCLUSIVE: Borussia Dortmund emerge as favourites to sign Tottenham outcast Holtby for £5m



Jurgen Klopp has emerged as favourite to land Lewis Holtby for around £5million after telling his Borussia Dortmund bosses to make a bid for the unsettled Tottenham midfielder before the January window shuts.

Holtby’s former club Schalke were thought to be in pole position to try and revive his faltering fortunes, while PSV Eindhoven were also considering an approach.

But Dortmund are set to leave both behind in the race to sign him after Klopp reacted to a growing injury crisis that has left them trailing 14 points behind leaders and arch-rivals Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.



Favourites: Borussia Dortmund are preparing a £5million bid for Tottenham midfielder Lewis Holtby

All smiles: Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp has told club bosses to bid for the unsettled Tottenham midfielder

A slump in form sparked by the loss of key players has even placed a question mark over Dortmund’s prospects of a Champions’ League place next season. Currently third, they are ahead of Borussia Moenchengladbach only on goal difference and fifth-placed Schalke by a slender two points.

It would be unthinkable for last season’s finalists to miss out entirely, and Klopp wants Holtby’s energy to reinvigorate his side for the second half of the season. Tottenham are ready to listen to offers, and sources at the Westfalenstadion are confident Klopp will get his man before the end of the week.