Hoddle, who is still being linked with Real Madrid's Fernando Morientes, turned to Keane to build on Spurs' good start to the season.

And Keane opened the door for a move to White Hart Lane after admitting he was unhappy about being kept on the substitutes' bench at Elland Road.

Leeds boss Terry Venables revealed that the deal had been agreed after lengthy negotiations, and he expected the transfer to go through without any problems.

A disappointed Venables said: "Robbie is talking to Spurs regarding a deal for �7m and it looks likely he is going to go through.

"He did ask to go. He stated that last week, even though I thought he was settled. Obviously he was not.

"We are now going to have to go with all the players we've got - we still have three strikers in the squad, while Robbie Fowler is only four weeks away from returning from his [hip] injury."

And chairman Peter Ridsdale said: "The situation is I have agreed the fee structure with Tottenham which is sufficient for me to give permission to Robbie to speak to the club.

"He is on his way down to London for a medical."