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Tottenham are still keen to hijack Liverpool's bid to take Dejan Lovren from Southampton.

The Saints want £15million for the Croatia World Cup defender and Spurs are ready to rival any bid made by the Merseysiders.

Liverpool are firm favourites to lure Lovren to Anfield with the promise of Champions League football.

But new Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino, who brought Lovren to the Premier League last summer for £8.5m, is hoping his relationship with the 24-year-old could yet swing a deal in the north Londoners' favour.

Lovren, who would play Europa League football at White Hart Lane rather than the Champions league football on offer at the Reds, rebuilt his reputation impressively under Pochettino at Southampton after a difficult time at his former club Lyon.

He is now seen as one of the best defenders in the Premier League and Pochettino wants his leadership quality in the centre of his defence.

Tottenham conceded 53 goals in the League last season, seven more than the previous campaign.

Their defensive frailties saw them humiliated home and away by West Ham, Manchester City and Liverpool.

Liverpool transfer targets: