Tottenham reportedly missed out on signing Damien Duff from
Chelski because they asked the Premiership champions to contribute
to his wages even after his proposed move across London.
Despite the bargain price of £5m for Duffs services, Spurs were
unwilling to break their wage structure for the Irishman. With
Spurs wage ceiling set at £45,000 a week, and Duff earning around
£70,000 a week, The Daily Telegraph reports that 'chairman Daniel
Levy suggested that Chelsea pay the difference between Duff's
salary at Stamford Bridge and what he would earn at White Hart
Lane. In other words Chelsea would continue paying Duff about
£20,000 a week.'
Chelski, unsurprisingly, baulked at the proposal and promptly sold
Duff to Newcastle instead.
There also appears to be an element of history repeating
itself.
Following the defection of Frank Arnesen from Spurs to Chelski, The
Telegraph says that 'Part of the package demanded by Tottenham was
the transfer of Scott Parker to White Hart Lane with Chelsea paying
his wage bill.'
Chelski rejected that offer as well, and Parker subsequently moved
on to Newcastle.
What a stupid suggestion, no wonder they never made it near the
top!
