Blackburn close on Robinson as Spurs agree to £3m fee

Tottenham Hotspur have accepted a bid of around £3m from Blackburn Rovers for their goalkeeper Paul Robinson. A deal should go through within the next few days if personal terms can be agreed with the 28-year-old England international indicating that he is willing to move to Ewood Park.

One hold-up may be that his agent, Robert Segal, is overseas at present on business. Spurs had hoped to include a move for David Bentley, who is also represented by Segal, as part of the negotiations but Blackburn have made it clear that they would prefer a straight cash deal to acquire Robinson first.

Spurs remain keen to sign Bentley, who wants to join them, and have already had one bid rejected even though Blackburn are resigned to losing the 23-year-old. Blackburn are holding out for £18m, but Spurs expect them to accept a more realistic offer.

If, as expected, Robinson signs for Blackburn, it will allow Brad Friedel to complete a £2m move to Aston Villa, whose bid for the 37-year-old American was accepted on Wednesday afternoon but is contingent on a replacement being found.

The clear-out at White Hart Lane continued last night with Pascal Chimbonda due to sign for Sunderland and Younes Kaboul agreeing personal terms with the Black Cats. He is set to undergo a medical today. The pair will join Teemu Tainio, who sealed a three-year deal late on Wednesday. It is understood that Sunderland have offered all the Spurs players pay rises on their current contracts.

In a remarkable deal, the two clubs agreed a package of £23m for four players to move to the Stadium of Light and Spurs are still hoping that the last of that quartet, Steed Malbranque, will also sign as they do not want to unravel the payments. Malbranque, who, like the others, held talks with the Sunderland manager, Roy Keane, last weekend, is, once more, attracting interest from Aston Villa, but so far no offer has been made.

Sunderland yesterday also signed the former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Nicky Colgan, who is out of contract, on a one-year deal, which may pave the way for Marton Fulop to move to Stoke City. The Premier League newcomers have bid £3m for Fulop, after missing out on Scott Carson, but that figure would rise substantially if they avoided relegation.

Another promoted club, Hull City are close to signing the Tottenham defender Anthony Gardner, who has been for sale for some time, on loan until January with a view to a permanent deal.