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Andre Villas-Boas is set to make a fresh £24million swoop for Joao Moutinho after watching him play on Tuesday.

Tottenham almost landed the Portugal midfielder in August for a club record fee, but could not complete the deal before the transfer deadline.

This week, Spurs boss Villas-Boas travelled to France to run the rule over the 26-year-old as he played for Porto in their 2-1 ­Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain.

Villas-Boas, who managed the ­Portuguese club before making his ill-fated move to Chelsea in 2011, said: “Whenever Porto are close to the place where I am, I go see them.

“I went to see them last season against Manchester City and took the opportunity to go and see them again against PSG.

“It was a tiring trip, but good to see people that are important to me.”

Meanwhile, former Spurs target Hulk has been told he can leave Zenit St Petersburg after his incredible Tuesday strop – but he’s going nowhere in a hurry.

The £39.5million Brazilian striker is tied to the Russian club for the rest of the season because he only signed from Porto in September.

Hulk, 26, was furious when he was replaced 10 minutes before the end of the Champions League tie against AC Milan.

He refused to shake hands with Italian coach Luciano ­Spaletti – and crossed his arms to suggest his unhappy spell at the club was finished.

Hulk, who has caused a dressing-room split because he earns £4million a year, said: “If the situation with the coach does not resolve itself I may leave the club in the January transfer window.”

But FIFA regulations prevent a player representing three clubs in one season.