By Paul Fletcher

Kaboul is a France Under-21 international

France Under-21 defender Younes Kaboul is desperate to sign for Tottenham and could join them in the next couple of days, according to his agent.

Auxerre and Tottenham have held extensive negotiations for the �8m-rated 21-year-old.

"Younes has told Auxerre that he loves Tottenham," agent Rudy Raba told BBC Sport. "We will see what happens in the next couple of days.

"I hope that everything will happen before the start of pre-season."

Roma, Inter Milan and Portsmouth have also been linked with the player, who could join former Auxerre team-mate and recent Spurs signing Adel Taarabt if he moves to White Hart Lane.

Raba added: "Auxerre vice-president Gerard Bourgoin has said he is discussing with Tottenham and that negotiations are in a good way. Now we wait and see."

In France it is simple, Adel Taarabt is considered as the new Zidane Taarabt's agent Ruby Raba

Kaboul is a close friend of Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby, who joined the Gunners from Auxerre in 2006 - and is set on a move to London.

He is also impressed with Tottenham coach Martin Jol's willingness to select young players.

"Tottenham is a great club, a club who can continue to progress a lot with a very good project - they take young players and allow them to play," said Raba.

"Last season we saw that very young footballers played with Spurs. Aaron Lennon is young, as is Jermain Jenas and Michael Dawson. They also signed Adel Taarabt, who is 18, on loan."

Raba is also the agent of Taarabt, who has now signed a permanent deal with Spurs, and he is confident the Moroccan-born attacking midfielder has a bright future in the game.

Taarabt made his first-team debut in the 4-3 win over West Ham in March.

"In France it is simple, he is considered as the new Zidane," said Raba.

"He is exceptional, he is one of the most talented young players in France, perhaps the most."

But Raba is at pains to suggest that Taarabt is fully aware that he will need to work hard if he wants to become a first-team regular at White Hart Lane.

"Adel wants to work and succeed with Tottenham," he said.

"He wants to play and for that he has to do well at training and convince the manager. He has a good mentality - he knows that he has to work to succeed even if he has the quality."