Do striker links hold water or are we just being taken for a ride?

FOOTBALL agents must have been busy yesterday as Tottenham fans woke to the news of moves for TWO out-and-out strikers.

That new TV money must have gone to everyone's head.

The links in question report a possible £10million bid for Spain's record goalscorer David Villa and a much-higher figure to bring in Porto's Jackson Martinez.

I'm afraid to say that I can't really get excited about it as it feels like we're being taken for a ride.

It seems like either lazy journalism, or a good news leak to distract from the fact that an announcement on Gareth Bale's contract is not yet forthcoming - or to make up for another early summer transfer disappointment.

Our prime transfer target - the world-class Joao Moutinho - has just signed for Monaco from FC Porto for the £21.5m we refused to match until the August 2012 transfer deadline had passed.

As far as the media goes, we have been linked to Villa a number of times before. 

With us wanting a striker and him struggling for first team football at Barcelona, freelance press desperate for some cash are always going to put two and two together to make a few quid from some easy column inches.

And, as far as Porto's Martinez goes, Andre Villas-Boas' former players are always going to crop up on the list of supposed targets - but if we didn't get Moutinho, we're hardly going to shell out even more this time around.

While we need an out-and-out striker - and an experienced player with a taste for winning would come in handy - Villa is a 31-year-old who has struggled for form since breaking his leg in December 2011.

The last few summers, Spurs have wanted players out the door before spending on new names. 

With Jermain Defoe, Emmanuel Adebayor and Clint Dempsey already on the books, and a 25-man squad to bear in mind, it's difficult to see Daniel Levy splashing out just yet.

More believable is the line on Villa that says Levy is wrangling over a few million quid. Barca want £12m, we value him at £10m. Amazing considering the new broadcasting deal means that clubs are richer than ever before.

The team that finishes bottom of the Premier League next season stands to win the same amount in prize money as Manchester United did for winning the title this season.

Still, Arsenal will probably bid £11m and pip us to Villa before he comes off the bench to score the winner in the North London derby next term.

So you see why It's difficult to take all this news with anything other than a pinch of salt, and maybe a splash of vinegar - balsamic, if you've got access to some of that new TV money.