Agent - Spurs losing race for Mido

Mido's agent has revealed Tottenham have been overtaken by other clubs in the race to sign the striker from Roma.

Monaco-based Mino Raiola confirmed to PA Sport that other top clubs had moved in front of Spurs and he expressed his surprise that the Barclays Premiership side had allowed the situation to develop.

Mido has always made it clear he would love to stay at White Hart Lane but Raiola insisted he could also return to Roma when his loan deal expires in the summer because coach Luciano Spalletti is looking for a big striker.

Spalletti was not in charge of Roma when Mido left the club to join Spurs and he would welcome the Egypt international back to the Eternal City side who are also chasing a place in the Champions League next season.

A move to Tottenham has still not been entirely ruled out but Raiola made it clear that other clubs had shown more desire to sign the talented striker than the Londoners.

'We are talking to Tottenham, we are talking to Roma and we are talking to some other clubs,' Raiola told PA Sport.

'Although we have not excluded Tottenham, other clubs are ahead of them now. We are standing still with Spurs and nothing is concluded.

'I am disappointed we have not concluded a deal with Tottenham and I find it strange.

'I am not so confident that Tottenham are willing to invest the money they need to invest to get Mido.

'He is not a free transfer and there are other teams, as big and even bigger than Tottenham, who have an appetite for Mido both in England and in Europe.

'Tottenham have not expressed a willingness to conclude the deal and that has surprised me.'

Mido's future is now becoming a long-running saga at White Hart Lane although Dutch coach Martin Jol has been more than impressed with the player's performances since he joined them on an 18-month loan from Roma in January 2005.

The Egyptian has been a hit with Jol and home fans - scoring 11 goals this season as Spurs look to clinch a Champions League place.

'Mido has done very well at Spurs and that has attracted attention from other big clubs,' admitted Raiola. 'He is a strong player and works very hard for the team.

'He the perfect kind of striker for the English game and he is perhaps one of the players who is stronger with his head than with his feet.

'Mido is very grateful to Spurs and his team-mates for the chance they have given him but a number of clubs have seen what he has done in England and have become very interested.'

Mido is set for a recall against Newcastle on Saturday after inspiring a lacklustre Spurs to victory when he came off the substitute's bench against West Brom on Monday night.

The Spurs fans will be dismayed if the club cannot reach a deal with Roma who are alleged to want around £5million for the Egyptian.