Michael Carrick was withdrawn from West Ham's reserves last night at the eleventh hour to enter talks with London rivals Spurs.
The wantaway midfielder has spurned offers from Crystal Palace, West Brom and Portsmouth, but could be poised to finally resolve his on-going transfer saga with a move to White Hart Lane.
Carrick had been scheduled to make his first appearance of the season in a Hammers' shirt as the second-string went to Carrow Road last night, but did not play although he travelled to Norwich.
Manager Alan Pardew knows he will be unlikely to see much of the Carrick transfer fee - expected to be about £3.5m - to help him bring in new defenders.
And it seems unlikely that centre half Dean Richards will be moving in the opposite direction as part of the Carrick switch.
The former Southampton man had been widely tipped to make a move to Upton Park, but that has been rejected by the player.
Published Thursday August 19, 2004
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