Transfer news: Tottenham set to make fresh bid for Blackpool forward Tom Ince in attempt to fend off competition

Spurs believe they can secure the England Under-21 international for around £4m

Family affair: Manager Paul Ince has a word with son Tom yesterday (Getty Images)

Tottenham look poised to launch a fresh bid for Blackpool forward Tom Ince in January and they are believed to be confident of landing the England Under-21 star for around £4m.

Ince currently plays under the guidance of his father Paul, and he is regarded as one of the most promising young talents in the country, leading got a number of clubs keeping tabs on the 21-year-old.

As reported in The Evening Standard, Spurs made a late move to try and sign Ince during the summer transfer window, but both Tom and Paul made a joint decision that it would be in his best interest to remain at Bloomfield Road for the foreseeable future.

But with his current contract set to expire in the summer, Ince has been weighing up his options, and Spurs appear keen to get their business done quickly to fend off interest from Premier League rivals as well as from abroad. Although he could leave the club on a free transfer, the buying club will be required to pay a compensation fee due to his age, meaning the Seasiders’ will receive something upon his departure.

Tottenham are keen to work swiftly because of interest in Ince in Italy, where Juventus, Inter Milan and Napoli have been monitoring the situation – and would be able to sign Ince for a reduced fee.

FIFA rules mean that Ince could sign for a foreign club in January, for a fee of just 400,000 euros (£335,000). Blackpool would clearly hope to receive far more than that for one of their prized assets but if Ince decides he would like to move to Italy – where his father played for Inter from 1995 until 1997 – there would be little the Championship club could do.

It is more likely, however, that Ince would choose to remain in England as he is keen to play in the Premier League. Everton are also thought to have shown an interest in the player, with Swansea and Newcastle also keeping an eye on the situation.

If Ince were to move to White Hart Lane, it would intensify what is already strong competition to play in wide positions. Andros Townsend has made a fine start to the campaign, while Aaron Lennon is returning from injury and Erik Lamela and Nacer Chadli were signed last summer for a joint total of close to £40m.

Ince nearly joined newly-promoted Cardiff before the start of the campaign but decided against a move to south Wales. The clubs had agreed an £8million fee but at the last minute Ince chose to stay where he was.