Ricketts is big money, Bolton tell Spurs

Bolton have laughed off an £8million bid from Tottenham for striker Michael Ricketts.

Glenn Hoddle's latest goalscoring target proved beyond his reach after Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce and chairman Phil Gartside put up the 'not for sale' signs.

Bolton, exasperated by agents working for the Londoners and the timing of the approach on the eve of the season, are standing firm.

Spurs have so far offered cash, swaps and playerplus-cash deals, hoping to persuade Wanderers to do business for the forward who exploded on to the Premiership and England scenes last season.

And though Bolton have admitted their interest in Spurs' Norway striker Steffen Iversen, who could be snapped up for around £4m, the suggestion of a straight swap was thought laughable.

Wanderers are now in a healthy financial position and only serious cash would sway the decision.

They want to strengthen and are challenging Portsmouth to persuade hard-up Ipswich to part with 29-year-old striker Marcus Stewart for £1.5m.

Allardyce, meanwhile, has accused Galatasaray of a dirty tricks campaign.

The Turkish club are refusing to release international clearance for midfielder Akin Bulent, who arrived on a Bosman free transfer in the summer.

Galatasaray now want a fee for the player, with Allardyce saying: 'They seem to have been up to their shenanigans again. The matter lies with FIFA.'