Spurs and Roma discuss Benoit Assou Ekotto and Federico Balzaretti loan switch

Spurs and Roma are in discussions about a loan swap that would see Italy international Federico Balzaretti move to White Hart Lane, and Benoit Assou Ekotto go in the opposite direction.

The two clubs are new play-mates after new Spurs director of football Franco Baldini’s own move between them this summer.

Now they are plotting a mutually beneficial loan deal that would bring 31-year-old Balzaretti to the Premier League.

Assou Ekotto is believed to be out-of-favour with Andre Villas Boas, with some reports claiming he has been told not to train with the first-team.

With Real Madrid’s Fabio Coentrao rejecting the chance to join them, Spurs are now in need of another left-back.