Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly close to completing the £8million signing of Newcastle United defender Sebastien Bassong.

According to the London Evening Standard, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has made his move for the 23-year-old after it became apparent that injured defensive trio Ledley King, Michael Dawson and Jonathan Woodgate will not be fit for the start of the new Premier League season.

Talks between Spurs officials and Bassong's representatives are said to have reached an advanced stage with the French-born Cameroon international prepared to accept a deal worth £50,000-a-week at White Hart Lane.

Bassong - who excelled for the Magpies last season following his arrival from French side Metz for just £500,000 last summer - has publicly voiced his discontent at St James' Park and made it abundantly clear that he wants to leave the club after their relegation to the Championship.

He did admit earlier this month that Spurs' North London rivals Arsenal had made an approach for his services but with no concrete bid forthcoming it now appears that he will become Harry Redknapp's fourth summer signing following the arrivals of Kyle Naughton, Kyle Walker and Peter Crouch.