TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR HAVE displayed notable negotiating skills in obtaining extraordinarily high transfer fees for their players, but things are a good deal less complimentary when it comes to haggling for potential new recruits. Once Michael Carrick had said that he wanted to leave for Manchester United, the club dug their heels in to obtain a healthy minimum £16million for the midfield player, but they risk starting the season without solving their problems in two positions.

Martin Jol, the head coach, said that Spurs considered binding Carrick to the remaining two years of his contract, but felt that it might be detrimental to the club. “He made the decision that he wanted to go and for me it is always better to have players who desperately want to play for the club,” Jol said. “I have been getting used to him not being in the team. He said goodbye and that he loved playing for us. Carrick was very happy here but there were little circumstances [why he wanted to go] — maybe one big circumstance. We were a bit stubborn and they compensated us. We have to respect him.”

Tottenham may have an alternative solution to Carrick in their midst in Teemu Tainio, who scored twice in a friendly against Inter Milan at White Hart Lane yesterday — but they have a surplus of central midfield players and buying a left winger is more of a concern. The club are believed to be ready to increase their bid for Stewart Downing after losing out on Damien Duff.

Middlesbrough turned down two previous offers for Downing, who is also wanted by Liverpool if they can sell Harry Kewell. But Kewell’s £70,000-a-week wages are proving problematic. “Duff was a good opportunity,” Jol said. “It wasn’t a fortune, we tried our luck but he for reasons had a preference for another club. Sometimes you have to wait until August 30 for players but Duff was one of the best and we don’t want players who are seventh on the list.”

Tottenham are also considering increasing their offer for Pascal Chimbonda. The France right back is having a meeting today with Wigan Athletic, who are demanding £6 million for him. Tottenham have offered £3.5 million.

Meanwhile Ledley King, the Tottenham and England defender, will have a third scan in the next few days to ascertain the severity of his knee injury. The club feared that King would be out for eight weeks, but a second scan has shown that he may only have a small tear to his cartilage, in which case he could return for the start of the season.

If the injury is worse, King will have an operation, will be out for between six and eight weeks and will miss England’s European Championship qualifiers against Andorra and Macedonia in the first week of September. Anthony Gardner and Calum Davenport, both of whom the club are willing to sell, will deputise for King.

King, who sustained the injury in training last week, missed the end of last season and the World Cup finals after suffering a stress fracture in the fourth metatarsal of his left foot against Everton in April. “If Gardner is not fit we could have a problem at the back,” Jol said.

Tottenham beat Inter Milan 2-1 yesterday. Tainio’s shot was deflected in by Daniele Marino for the winner after Obafemi Martins’s equaliser had cancelled out Tainio’s opener.

Fashion victims

Coventry City away, 1978
The first and until now only brown kit in English football was chosen by the club’s former kit man. Enough to put you off chocolate for life

Hull City, 1992
Grrr! Hull took their Tigers nickname too literally. Result: a kit that mauled notions of good taste. As intimidating as Tigger from Winnie the Pooh

Manchester United away, 1996
United changed out of this kit at half-time against Southampton because it was so dull they couldn’t pick each other out

Juventus away, 2003
A mistake the Italians frequently repeat. Never mind corruption, Juventus deserved relegation to Serie B for crimes against fashion. Not at all pretty in pink

Chelsea away, 1994
Tangerine mixed with “graphite” caused a stir at the Bridge. Would Ruud Gullit have signed if he’d known he’d be wearing this?