'Spurs sign Dutch striker Mounir'

Excelsior's young Moroccan striker Mounir El Hamdaoui is reported to be on the verge of a move to Tottenham.

The 20-year-old, who had been linked with a move to Blackburn earlier in the season, trained with Spurs yesterday and will play in a friendly tonight.

"The clubs are agreed," Excelsior director Simon Kelder told Voetbal International. "I have talked with Frank Arnesen (Tottenham's director of football) and all has been dealt with."

El Hamdaoui, who has played for the Dutch under-21 side but recently pledged his international future to Morocco, is expected to put pen to paper on a three or four-year contract.

The imminent transfer is likely to mean the end of Spurs' pursuit of Roma's 21-year-old Egyptian striker Ahmed Hossam, known as Mido, who had been expected to join the English club.