Tottenham Hotspur are exploring the possibility of signing the former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira but the deal will only work if they can get the player on a free transfer from his current club, Internazionale.

Vieira, 33, is understood to be keen on the move and simply wants to play first team football, having not always figured under Jose Mourinho last season.

Saving the transfer fee would enable Spurs to pay Vieira more although they are, as ever, eager not to lavish too much money on his wages.

The next move is down to Internazionale and Mourinho who must decide whether they will allow Spurs to take Vieira off their hands for nothing; the club acquired him three years ago from Juventus for £6.5m when the latter were demoted to Serie B for their part in the Luciano Moggi scandal.

Vieira, who would be a ready-made leader for Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, would be offered a one-year deal with an option for a further year.