Spurs 'clarify' Begovic payment

Spurs have moved to 'clarify' the situation surrounding the £1m 'sell on clause' Pompey owe them for Asmir Begovic, as we know a player that has never played for them! Or been owned by them...

A statement, officially released by Spurs, says that they agreed a double deal for Begovic and Younes Kaboul with money immediately paid to help us through continued financial troubles - although an agreement was also reached that if Begovic did not complete his move to Spurs before the end of January's transfer window, and joined someone else instead they would be repaid £1m that was paid up front.

So, it was not a 'sell on clause' and Spurs did not 'own Begovic' - that would have seen rules broken, over the number of clubs a player can play for etc - they had merely 'advanced a payment' which they are entitled to have back...

Well, here is that statement: 'The club can confirm that it has invoiced Portsmouth Football Club for £1m in respect of the failure of the joint transfer of Younes Kaboul and Asmir Begovic to Spurs and in accordance with the Agreement of 30 January 2010 between both clubs.

'The statement contained within the Administrator's report released yesterday (21/04/10) that it relates to a sell-on fee for Begovic, is inaccurate, as is the statement that the player was registered with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.

'Our original agreement with Portsmouth was for the purchase of two players for a combined, agreed price.

'The transfer of Younes Kaboul was completed and Portsmouth pressed for an immediate payment in order to alleviate their cashflow situation. We were assured that the transfer of Begovic would be completed before the end of the transfer window.

'In order to assist Portsmouth with their financial difficulties we paid Portsmouth an agreed sum of money, whilst at the same time concluding an agreement that, should Begovic be sold or loaned to any Club other than ourselves, we would be repaid the sum of £1m. Portsmouth were keen to openly and freely agree to this surety.

'Our intention had been to assist a fellow Club in financial difficulties whilst at the same time protecting our commercial position. We shall continue to do the latter and trust that this statement clarifies the position.'

Ok then. Football, has well and truly gone mad! Then again we knew this, right?

Why can transfer deals just not just be simple? You want a player, you pay an agreed amount for that player - no clauses, no 'I will pay you X-amount now and X-amount in 10-years', or X-amount for blah, blah, blah...

PLAY UP POMPEY!

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