Tottenham boss Juande Ramos has reportedly emerged as the favourite to sign US$21.75m (£11m)-rated Giovani dos Santos from Barcelona.

Tottenham boss Juande Ramos has reportedly emerged as the favourite to sign US$21.75m (£11m)-rated Giovani dos Santos from Barcelona.

The 19-year-old is currently on the books of Spanish giants Barca and is widely regarded as one of the hottest properties in European football.

He has been forced to wait his turn at the Nou Camp, but has been tipped for the top since bursting on to the scene at the U17 World Cup back in 2005.

The Catalan club had hoped to see the youngster become the natural heir to Ronaldinho, though he is yet to dominate the senior game in the same manner as he did at youth level.

Dos Santos made 28 Primera Liga appearances for Barca last season, and scored a hat-trick on the last day of the season during a 5-3 victory at Murcia.

He has five full caps for Mexico despite qualifying to play for Brazil through his father, himself a former footballer, Zizinho.

His failure to hold down a regular first-team spot under Frank Rijkaard during the 2007/08 season alerted the attention of a host of Europe's top clubs, with Manchester City early contenders for his signature.

However, should the talented teenager decide to leave Spain this summer it would appear that White Hart Lane is now is most likely destination, with Spurs expected to shell out around £11million in order to get their man.

Meanwhile Brazilian outfit Cruzeiro have confirmed that reported Tottenham target Marcelo Moreno has completed his transfer to Shakhtar Donetsk.