TALKS are reportedly still continuing after a dramatic late bid from Middlesbrough brought a twist in the tail of the Michael Ricketts affair writes Chief Soccer Writer Gordon Sharrock

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

Then Wanderers' website 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."

And at teatime it was revealed by the FA that the January transfer window which was due to close at 5.30pm for cash deals had been extended to midnight, allowing a few more precious hours for deals to be completed.

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

The long-running Ricketts transfer saga was taken to the wire with Spurs reported to have made a £3.5m cash bid, having failed in all previous attempts to persuade Wanderers to accept a player-exchange deal.

Glenn Hoddle had managed to strengthen his financial hand by offloading misfit Ukrainian striker Sergei Rebrov to Turkish club Fenerbahce and midfielder Tim Sherwood to Portsmouth, having previously moved Les Ferdinand to West Ham.

But that appears to have sparked Middlesbrough into action.

As late as Thursday, Allardyce was saying he had spoken to Boro boss McClaren and had ruled out an official bid.

He did not, at that stage, expect any late movement, commenting: "I would think it's not going to happen."