Haggling unlikely to stop Scott Parker's switch to Spurs

Spurs bound: Parker is expected to move to White Hart Lane
11 April 2012

Scott Parker is expected to complete his move from West Ham to Tottenham before tomorrow's deadline but there remains work to do over the transfer fee and player's personal terms.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has been chasing Parker for more than a year and is now close to getting his man, yet the club are still haggling with West Ham with only hours to go before the summer window closes.

Hammers co-owner David Sullivan admitted: "The deal will probably happen although we are desperately trying to persuade him to stay."

Tottenham's most recent bid for the England midfielder, who will be 31 in October, stands at £4.5million, topped up by a season-long loan arrangement for Jake Livermore. Yet West Ham are keen to push up the price to £5.5m, while 21-year-old Livermore, who has appeared in all four of Tottenham's competitive fixtures this season, is thought to be keen to fight for his place at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham's stringent wage structure also poses a problem. Parker signed a five-year deal worth about £75,000 a week last September. Spurs' top earner, Rafael van der Vaart, receives a similar amount but Parker might have to take a cut to his basic salary if he moves.

Spurs are understood to want to go no higher than £65,000 a week as part of a three-year contract. Given Parker's current deal has four years to run, his representatives are certain to try to persuade Spurs to offer a contract of at least the same length.

Despite these sticking points, Parker is still expected to be a Spurs player by tomorrow, such is the player's desire to see the move go through.

Redknapp had also wanted to add Lassana Diarra to his midfield but the player's wage demands are proving a stumbling block. He also has other suitors, with Roma hoping to sign either Diarra or his Real Madrid team-mate Fernando Gago. Wilson Palacios, meanwhile, was due to join Stoke today for an initial £7m.

West Ham are also keen to strengthen and are close to agreeing a deal for former Fulham midfielder Papa Bouba Diop, who is a free agent. Manager Sam Allardyce is considering making an improved offer for Nice winger Eric Mouloungui.

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