Tottenham have distanced themselves from reports linking the club with a bid for striker Samuel Eto’o

Tottenham have distanced themselves from reports linking the club with a bid for Barcelona's Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o.

Spurs were close to signing Eto'o five years ago when he was with Real Mallorca but the move broke down over financial terms. Since then he has scored 77 goals in 108 games for Barcelona but is no longer an automatic selection.

"The normal thing here is that when we sign a player we announce it but we don't comment at all on just speculation," a club source said.

"A problem is that there is so much of it from so many sources that if fans keep reading this speculation they are in danger of being misled."

Spurs, who have also been linked with a move for relegated Real Zaragoza's strikers Diego Milito and Sergio Garcia, will not comment either on suggestions Crystal Palace midfielder John Bostock, 16, is to join them for an initial £500,000 after passing a medical.

It is believed England Under-17 star Bostock, whose Palace contract is about to expire, is the subject of advanced negotiations between the two London clubs, which could result in Spurs paying up to £5million, linked to first-team appearances.

The matter could yet go to a Football Association transfer tribunal.