Tottenham have reportedly suffered an embarrassing rejection in their pursuit of Pau Torres.
Villareal had accepted Spurs' bid of €45million plus a further €5million in potential add-ons, according to journalist Pedro Sepúlveda.
The 24-year old centre-back rose to prominence with Villareal last season, helping them win the UEFA Europa League at the expense of Manchester United.
Torres went on to represent Spain in the summer, first at Euro 2020 and then at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
He has just under three-years remaining on his contract at Villareal, with a release clause of €50million.
Although Tottenham met that valuation, Torres does not want to forego the chance to play in the Champions League this season, which came with their Europa League win.
Spurs are confined to the UEFA Europa Conference League, and will face Paços de Ferreira in the playoff round next week.
Real Madrid and Manchester United have also been linked with the rangy defender during the close season.
Spurs have managed to do some canny business in the transfer market this summer, signing Bryan Gil from Sevilla, and Atalanta pair Cristian Romero and Pierluigi Gollini.
Danish playmaker Mikel Damsgaard is another who could find his way to North London in the coming weeks.
He's attracted interest from Aston Villa and Leeds United as well, with his new Sampdoria boss Roberto D’Aversa fearing the 21-year old could leave the Genovese club.
"I would like to coach him next season but I am aware I might lose him,” D’Aversa said.
“During our first meetings before the Euros, I told the president it would be hard to keep Damsgaard.
"On the other hand, it would help him a lot if he spent another year in Italy.”
