Spurs hit by second snub after Diarra bid is blocked
Tottenham are facing double heartbreak in the transfer market after their move for Arsenal midfielder Lassana Diarra became the second deal to end in failure. Manager Juande Ramos has seen his hopes of signing Diarra dashed after Arsenal rejected their bid of around £4million, insisting he is not for sale. Diarra is the defensive midfielder Ramos wants to help make Tottenham stronger at the back and the French international has admitted he wants to quit Emirates Stadium because he is not playing regularly in the first team.
But Arsenal are determined to keep hold of the 22-year-old and won't sell him to their rivals. It is the latest blow for Spurs after Rangers right back Alan Hutton turned down a move to White Hart Lane.
Chairman Daniel Levy agreed a deal worth up to £8m for Hutton last night, only for the Scottish international to say he wasn't interested. His agent John Lonergan is still insisting the right-back wants more time to consider the move, but it is believed the player has set his sights on a move to Manchester United.
The 23-year-old defender is also hugely admired at Old Trafford. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson said recently: "He looks as though he will become a superstar once he gets that little extra bit of experience." Hutton could decide to stay at Ibrox for the rest of the season and sort out his future in the summer in the hope he ends up with Ferguson's side.
Tottenham's interest in Hutton throws up question marks over Pascal Chimbonda's future at the club. His agent Willie McKay was unaware of Spurs' move for Hutton last night and claimed the French international is happy in north London, but Ramos has not been impressed.
