The Frank Arnesen saga is finally over

Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea on Friday night came to an agreement over compensation for the move of Frank Arnesen, the sporting director at White Hart Lane, to Stamford Bridge, bringing to an end a protracted saga. Tottenham claimed to have accepted a figure of ?10 million ? the sum they had originally demanded for the loss of the Dane ? but Chelsea sources said that the true amount was closer to ?6 million.

The matter reached a head on Wednesday when photographs were published of Arnesen in the company of Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner, on the Russian billionaire’s yacht, which was moored in Sardinia. Tottenham reacted angrily and gave Chelsea a deadline of noon on Friday to reach a settlement. If the matter had not been resolved, Tottenham would have reported Chelsea to the Premier League for an alleged illegal approach to Arnesen, who has been suspended since the controversy broke.

Abramovich, who rarely becomes involved in day-to-day issues, returned from Sardinia to play a key role in the negotiations. Tottenham were represented by Daniel Levy, their chairman, and John Alexander, the club secretary.

In an attempt to avoid another inquiry from the Premier League, which found Chelsea and Jose Mourinho, their manager, guilty in the Ashley Cole “tapping-up” scandal, Chelsea offered Glen Johnson and/or Robert Huth as part of the Arnesen compensation deal.

Tottenham declined, stating that it “did not serve the best interests of the club”. They had been interested in securing Mikael Forssell or Scott Parker ? plus a smaller payment for the loss of Arnesen ? but Forssell joined Birmingham City and Parker moved to Newcastle United.

With no other alternatives in the Chelsea squad ? who Tottenham would want or Chelsea would allow to leave ? the discussions returned to a straight cash deal. It is also believed that Tottenham were insisting on a clause in any settlement that would prevent Chelsea from buying a player from them for two years. Jermain Defoe, their England forward, is much admired by Mourinho.

Tottenham also suggested that Arnesen should be placed on “gardening leave” until September. A deal was finally struck long after the noon deadline Tottenham had imposed.

Juan Sebastian Veron has joined Inter Milan on a two-year loan. He spent last season with Inter.