Tottenham football club is confident that they are close to signing Bulgarian half Martin Petrov as part of a squad-strengthening process.

Tottenham tried to sign the left-wing midfielder in summer 2006, but failed to agree a fee and signed Steed Malbranque to play the position in his stead, according to The Independent.

Tottenham is not willing to pay more than eight million pounds for 28-year-old Petrov, who currently plays for Atletico Madrid.

Petrov is understood to have two years left on his current deal in Spain.

Striker Dimitar Berbatov, an international team-mate of Petrov, highly recommends the winger. Petrov has 64 international caps for Bulgaria .

On July 16 2007, the Manchester Evening News said that Manchester City was also tracking the player.