Keane deal going to the wire

Feb 2 2009

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.