The Spurs defender is desperate to link up with Harry Redknapp at Fratton Park next season.

And the Frenchman is prepared to go to any lengths to make sure the move becomes reality.

Pompey are battling the likes of Juventus, Fiorentina and Hamburg, along with two Premier League clubs for the 22-year-old.

Kaboul has fallen out of favour under boss Juande Ramos at White Hart Lane after his £8.2m move last summer.

He is now free to leave – and has made it clear Pompey is his preferred destination.

It is understood Kaboul is prepared to resist any efforts to be forced towards moving to other clubs.

A source close to the player said: 'Younes' priority is to join Portsmouth.

'He is not interested in joining anyone else and has made that clear to Tottenham.

'He wants to play for Harry. He is the one who has made the greatest effort to sign him.

'Something is very, very close to happening. Younes doesn't want Tottenham to be unreasonable now.

'If that happens he will fight because he wants to join only Portsmouth.
'Younes feels people didn't see the best of him at Tottenham.

'But he was wanted by all the world when he was in France, and you don't become a bad player overnight.

'Harry watched him closely back then and knows what he is capable of.

'He played all the time when he first came to Tottenham, but then the new manager came in and made things hard for him.

'He still scored four goals, though. He is still a young boy and is sure Harry is the one to get the best out of him.'

The one major sticking point over Pompey completing their second signing of the close-season is the fee Spurs are likely to command for Kaboul.

They want to recoup as much of the money they paid Auxerre for the player last summer.

A fee in excess of £5m is likely to be the minimum they will ask for.

And with the Londoners paying the French side the fee in full for the player, they will want the money they earn for selling him in one lump sum.

Pompey are more keen to do a deal with an initial payment and add-ons relating to appearances.

The move is unlikely to accelerate until Redknapp and chief-executive Peter Storrie return from breaks next week.