Spurs: Hands off star King

Tottenham will issue Chelsea with a hands-off Ledley King warning as a result of Frank Arnesen's impending move to Stamford Bridge.

The clubs are in negotiations over a £10million-plus compensation settlement and Spurs want to include a clause which protects their star assets.

Spurs captain King was in talks with Arnesen over a pay rise prior to the Dane's departure so he knows the defender's contract situation.

King is also represented by the agent Jonathan Barnett who is no stranger to dealing with Chelsea having been involved in the Ashley Cole tapping-up controversy.

Talks between Spurs and Chelsea will continue today as the clubs attempt to find a settlement to the dispute over the allegedly illegal approach for Arnesen.

Chelsea say they could be prepared to let Scott Parker or Mikael Forssell join Tottenham in an effort to end the row.

The Premiership champions would prefer a straight cash deal for both players, who are surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, but will consider any proposal from Spurs to bring them to the negotiating table.

Chelsea are anxious to avoid another Premier League inquiry even though Spurs have not yet filed a formal complaint with the League over the loss of the club's sporting director.

Arnesen, who will be paid £1.5m a year in his new role, was said today to have found the offer of the job from Chelsea too good to refuse.

Talk of Parker joining Spurs will alarm Newcastle who thought they were closing in on a deal for the England midfielder.

One stumbling block for Tottenham will be his wages, which are £55,000-a-week. Newcastle on the other hand are prepared to meet those demands.

Everton had been leading the race to sign Forssell, but Newcastle, Blackburn Rovers and Portsmouth are also interested in the Finland international striker.