Andre Villas-Boas will make signing Porto star Joao Moutinho his No.1 target if he takes charge of Tottenham as expected next week.

Villas-Boas is set to be confirmed as the new manager at Spurs, who sacked Harry Redknapp earlier this month.

The 34-year-old has spoken with chairman Daniel Levy over his plans and ideas for the club as part of the interview process and knows that he will probably have to find a replacement for Luka Modric.

The Croatia international is looking to quit White Hart Lane for a second summer in a row having seen his transfer request turned down last year.

But he looks certain to get his wish this time, although Levy wants in excess of £40m and would prefer to sell the midfielder abroad, with Real Madrid the current favourites for his signature.

Villas-Boas is believed to already have a replacement in mind and wants to be reunited with Moutinho.

The former Chelsea coach signed Moutinho from Sporting Lisbon when he was Porto coach in 2010 and he played a key role in winning the Portuguese League and Cup, as well as the Europa League that season.

Villas-Boas wanted to buy the Portugal international after he took charge of Chelsea last summer, but Porto refused to sell.

It will still be difficult for Tottenham to prise Moutinho, who impressed for Portugal during their run to the semi-finals at Euro 2012, away as he has three years left on his contract.

The 25-year-old also has a £35m buy-out clause, although Spurs will obviously be able to fund such a transfer should they receive a large fee for Modric.

Much could depend on whether London rivals Chelsea fail in their bid to sign Hulk as president Pinto da Costa will not want to be seen to be cashing in on two of his prize assets.

Chelsea still hope to reach an agreement for the Brazil international, but they are only prepared to pay £30m, while Porto want around £38m.

Villas-Boas will also consider making a move for Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge with the forward’s future at Stamford Bridge already uncertain, even before the potential arrival of Hulk.

Standard Sport revealed last month that the striker wasn’t sure he would be playing for Chelsea next season after losing his place in the first team under Roberto di Matteo.

Sturridge thrived under Villas-Boas, who was the first manager to give him a regular run in the first team. He scored 11 of his 13 goals before Villas-Boas was sacked in March and replaced by the Italian.

The 22-year-old has just one year left on his contract at Chelsea and the striker admitted in May that he was unaware if any talks were planned this summer over a new one.

Liverpool are also monitoring Sturridge’s situation, with the former Manchester City trainee making it clear to Chelsea that he wants to start more games up front than on the right wing.

Spurs need to strengthen up front with Jermain Defoe their only registered striker in the squad at present, although the club are hoping to turn Emmanuel Adebayor's loan from Manchester City into a permanent move.