Tottenham considering Blues offer

TOTTENHAM are considering the offer of compensation they have received from Chelsea to settle the row over Frank Arnesen's possible defection to Stamford Bridge.

Spurs issued a brief statement yesterday announcing they will be responding to Chelsea's offer later in the day.

Tottenham had threatened to lodge an illegal approach complaint by noon yesterday after pictures showing Arnesen having lunch with Chelsea's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich on his yacht were published earlier this week.

Spurs suspended Arnesen, their sporting director, on June 4 and want an adequate compensation offer from Chelsea before sanctioning his switch and dropping their threat to report the champions.

Chelsea claim the meeting was purely social but will find it difficult to head off another enquiry that could see them have points deducted before the start of the new Premier League campaign.

The champions are still reeling from the Ashley Cole tapping-up scandal which saw them pick up a £300,000 fine and a suspended three-point deduction for breaking the rules on talking to players contracted with other clubs.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was also fined £200,000 for his part in the affair but has lodged an appeal with the Premier League over his punishment.

Chelsea are understood to have been ready to offer defenders Robert Huth and Glen Johnson as part of a package aimed at dissuading Spurs from lodging their complaint with the Premier League.

However, it is understood that Spurs are not interested in accepting any players who they believe do not serve the best interests of the club. They have built a young squad under Dutch coach Martin Jol and are not prepared to be palmed off with any players who do not fit their recruitment policy.