Keane deal going to the wire

Robbie Keane’s return to Tottenham from Liverpool was the biggest deal being negotiated on a transfer deadline day hit by snowy weather conditions.

Keane, who has endured a frustrating six months at Anfield after leaving Spurs in the summer, was given permission to speak to his former club.

“We’ve allowed Robbie to talk to Spurs but we’ve not yet finalised a deal with them for the player,” said a Reds spokesman.

That meant Keane was in the frame to become the third player manager Harry Redknapp has brought back to White Hart Lane this month, following Jermain Defoe and Pascal Chimbonda.

Spurs have also been linked with Inter Milan winger Ricardo Quaresma, after the Portugal international was left out of his club’s updated Champions League squad. Inter manager Jose Mourinho is also a known admirer of Jermaine Jenas, raising the possibility of a swap deal.

Any agreed deals may yet be extended beyond the 5pm deadline because of the bad weather.

The Premier League have held discussions with the Football Association and FIFA about allowing extra time for clubs to complete medicals and agree personal terms.

Premier League general secretary Mike Foster told Sky Sports News: “It’s already having an effect in terms of players getting from one end of the country to another. We’re currently trying to gauge the level of activity.

“It would be nice to just extend the deadline. But we cannot make the decision alone – we have to talk to the FA, who have to liaise with FIFA.”

Andrei Arshavin braved the weather and made a last-ditch trip to London for an anticipated move to Arsenal – but his transfer from Zenit St Petersburg has been declared off.

The 27-year-old Russia playmaker, who caught the eye in last summer’s European Championships, was in place to undergo the formalities of the transfer if the two clubs made an agreement on the fee for the player.

After he had been pictured in Hertfordshire, key figures in the deal said that Arshavin had left for an airport and the move was off – meaning only a late move from Arsenal would resurrect the transfer.

Another big name lined up to move was Manchester City’s Jo, with Everton ready to take the Brazilian striker on loan to Goodison Park.

Newcastle midfielder Charles N’Zogbia was poised to join Wigan, while Portsmouth have been linked with Spurs youngster Giovani dos Santos – after signing Theofanis Gekas on loan from Bayer Leverkusen.

Pompey boss Tony Adams has also taken veteran Angelos Basinas, a Greece team-mate of Gekas, from AEK Athens in a deal until the end of next season.

Veteran Roma defender Christian Panucci looked set to remain in Italy until the end of the season, according to his agent.

The 35-year-old announced last week his wish to leave Roma after failing to earn regular football, and was linked with Hull and City.

“Christian will remain at Roma and will respect his contract,” said Panucci’s agent Oscar Damiani.

“We haven’t been able to reach an agreement. the offers we received were not considered good enough by the player.”

In the Coca-Cola Championship, Wolves have completed the signing of Hearts captain Christophe Berra – and Norwich signed Rangers forward Alan Gow on loan until the end of the season.