SPURS are expected to hold talks with Blackburn Rovers skipper Tim Sherwood before the two clubs meet in the Premiership on Saturday, with a bid of £4.2 million believed to be imminent.

With Sherwood still under a lengthy Ewood contract and insisting he would prefer to stay with Rovers if the two could reach agreement on a new deal, however, there is nothing yet cut and dried.

But the negotiating over terms, at this end, seems to be over.

Speaking exclusively to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Sherwood said today: "I am very disappointed that we have been unable to agree terms.

"From the start of the negotiations, which I consider to have dragged on far too long, I have come a lot closer to Blackburn's figures than the club have to mine."

Ewood chief executive John Williams said: "The status quo remains with Tim under contract for another three and a half years and I cannot speculate on what might or might not happen."

Sherwood, who has not let the ongoing wrangle over new terms affect his performances, completes a two-match suspension on Saturday. But he said he would continue training and playing as normal, despite the failure to reach an agreement over improved terms.

The situation first arose when Tottenham showed interest in him earlier in the season and, at the time, he was also disenchanted with the direction he felt the club was taking.

"It riles me when I read about headlines saying 'want-away skipper'. As soon as Brian Kidd came I didn't want to leave," said Sherwood.

"I have been negotiating a new deal but I let the manager know I don't want to leave this club.

"When Roy Hodgson was here, I wanted to help with my input because I thought the club was going downhill and I felt something had to be done."

If Spurs come up with the cash to match the player's thoughts on his value, however, they would seem to be in pole position.

And, with Norwich set to collect 30 per cent of any profit plus the need to find a replacement, it is likely to cost Rovers financially in the long run if Sherwood leaves.

Further talks have been held over the possibility of Sebastien Perez joining French giants Marseille.

But, with their transfer window set to close this weekend, a deal is starting to look a long shot unless here is a dramatic turnaround in events.

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