Deal for Carr is fantasy

Tottenham and Newcastle today joined forces to deny they had agreed a deal over Republic of Ireland international Stephen Carr.

Spurs were alleged to have accepted a £4.5million offer for the right-back but both clubs claim there has been no contact over the player.

Although Carr has two years of his contract still to run it has been reported that Spurs were ready to cash in on him to help finance manager Glenn Hoddle's summer rebuilding.

Spurs, who are interested in Newcastle striker Carl Cort, are reluctant to let Carr go for less than £6m unless there is a playerexchange involved.

But Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd dismissed claims that the club had agreed a fee for the player as "total fantasy" and added: "I can categorically state there is no deal for Carr. It's total fantasy."

Shepherd's denial was also backed by a Spurs spokesperson, who said: "We have had no approach from Newcastle for Carr."