Tottenham Hotspur failed in Florian Thauvin, Etienne Capoue swap bid?

Tottenham Hotspur reportedly failed in a deadline-day swap proposal involving Etienne Capoue and Marseille midfielder Florian Thauvin.

Injuries and competition for places have halted French international Capoue's progress at White Hart Lane since his £8.6m switch from Toulouse last summer.

He was linked with a move to Napoli throughout January and Spurs are believed to have rejected an £8.2m offer from the Italian outfit, who are managed by former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez.

French publication Le Provence has claimed that Tottenham were willing to let the 25-year-old leave if the right deal was on the table, and offered him plus cash for Thauvin in the January window's final hours.

However, Marseille, who signed Thauvin from Lille only last summer, turned down their bid for the 21-year-old, who has scored six goals in 18 Ligue 1 games this term.