Spurs and Chelsea deadlocked as Arnesen deadline nears

Tottenham and Chelsea remained in talks this morning as the clocked ticked down to the noon deadline to resolve their row over Frank Arnesen’s defection to Stamford Bridge.

Tottenham who declared there must be significant progress by lunchtime today after becoming angered by pictures of their suspended sporting director on Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s yacht this week.

A Tottenham spokeswoman confirmed that talks were still continuing as both clubs sought to find an agreeable end to the long-running feud over the Dane’s proposed switch to the Premiership champions.

They now want to reach an acceptable compensation package with Chelsea, otherwise Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will lodge a formal complaint with the Premier League, alleging an illegal approach for Arnesen.

It is now understood that any compensation deal may include the transfers of right-back Glen Johnson and centre-back Robert Huth to Tottenham.

Chelsea will be loathe to go through another ‘tapping-up’ investigation. They are still reeling from the FAPL’s fine and suspended three-point deduction for their part in the Ashley Cole ‘tapping-up’ affair.

Mourinho, fined for his part in the scandal, is appealing against his punishment.

Chelsea claim the meeting on board Abramovich’s yacht was purely social but Tottenham want a swift conclusion to the saga.

Chelsea were refused permission to speak to Arnesen earlier this month but Tottenham suspended the Dane on June 4 after becoming convinced he had already had talks with their London rivals.

With Arnesen apparently indicating his desire to move to Chelsea, the clubs met to discuss compensation but talks broke down over money.

An official complaint would trigger another FAPL investigation, this time into an aleged breach of rule U10.

Chelsea are now understood to be prepared to offer Huth and Johnson as part of the deal to bring a satisfactory conclusion to the row.