The Brazilians have both long been on the Tottenham wishlist, and the club are set to try and move for one in January.

"We got in touch with Willian [in the summer] and he is one of the players that interests us," Villas-Boas said in the Daily Mirror.

"I like his style, but we could not reach the value Shakhtar were asking. It does not mean we won't try again.

"Shakhtar are a difficult club to negotiate with as they do not need the money and can keep their players.

"For Damiao, he had a spectacular Olympics. We follow the best players and youngsters. Leandro fits this profile.

"He has had injuries after London 2012, but he is a player that is always on our list."