Spurs confirm Pompey debt over Begovic

Tottenham confirmed on Thursday that Portsmouth owe them one million pounds (1.54 million dollars) for a bizarre deal involving Asmir Begovic even though the goalkeeper never joined the north London club.

Begovic was due to move from Portsmouth to Tottenham in a joint deal with defender Younes Kaboul during the January transfer window but the Bosnian eventually opted to join Stoke instead.

Reports in England claimed Tottenham had asked for a sell-on fee for Begovic as a deal had already been agreed for him to go to White Hart Lane.

But Spurs say the one million pound payment amounts to compensation for the failure of the transfer rather than a sell-on clause.

The shambolic situation came to light on Wednesday as the scale of Portsmouth’s financial mismanagement was laid bare when the club’s administrators revealed full details of debts totalling 119 million pounds (183.49 million dollars).

A statement on the club’s website read: “The club can confirm that it has invoiced Portsmouth Football Club for one million pounds 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 on Wednesday 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 one million pounds.

“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.”