THIS is how Chief Soccer Writer Gordon Sharrock reported events during the day for this website

10am: Spurs 'in £3.5m Ricketts swoop'

SPURS have tabled a £3.5m bid for wantaway Wanderers striker Michael Ricketts according to reports on Friday.

Both The Independent and The Mirror claim manager Glenn Hoddle - a long-time Ricketts admirer - is keen to make a pre-deadline swoop for the young striker.

1pm: New twist in Ricketts transfer

A DRAMATIC late bid from Middlesbrough brought a twist in the tail of the Michael Ricketts affair today, just hours before the transfer deadline.

Unconfirmed reports claimed Boro and Wanderers had agreed a "near £4million" fee for the transfer listed striker, who appeared to be heading for Spurs.

The three clubs are staying tight-lipped but after a morning of frantic activity behind the scenes, Sky Sports reports that Ricketts, who was seen at the Euxton training ground shortly after noon, is heading for Teesside to undergo a medical and complete the formalities of the transfer.

3pm: Ballesta loan deal in doubt

WANDERERS' officials are desperately trying to complete the formalities of the loan deal to sign Spain international Salva Ballesta from Valencia.

All parties have agreed the arrangement and the player has passed his medical but, without international clearance - which has still not been received - the deal could collapse.

4pm: No Ricketts bid, says club

WANDERERS deny reports they have agreed a fee from Middlesbrough for striker Michael Ricketts.

A club spokesman said: "Contrary to reports in the media, as of 3:30pm today, we have not had an official bid from Middlesbrough Football Club for Michael Ricketts.

"There are still a few hours to go until the transfer window closes and we will monitor the situation and see if anything progresses."

6.30pm: Ballesta deal okay, but he misses Brum clash

WANDERERS' officials have completed the formalities of the loan deal to sign Spain international Salva Ballesta from Valencia.

All parties have agreed the arrangement and the player has passed his medical but international clearance was received too late for him to make his debut against Birmingham City on Saturday.

MIDNIGHT: Ricketts is a midnight caller for Boro

WANDERERS' wantaway striker Michael Ricketts finally achieved his dream to get away from the Reebok when he signed for Middlesbrough just 30 mnutes before the midnight transfer deadline.

Sky Sports said on their midnight news bulletin that the deal had been completed after Ricketts had made a late dash up to the North-east to sign for the Riverside club.

It completed a confusing day at the Reebok after Ricketts was still seen after training at Euxton at lunchtime while early morning reports of a renewed bid from Spurs were still stealing all the headlines.

Reports earlier claimed Boro and Wanderers had agreed a "near £4million" fee for the transfer listed striker, who initially appeared to be heading for Spurs - the big city club of his dreams.