Michael Ricketts was the subject of a cut-price bid. (JamieMcDonald/Allsport)

Spurs' efforts to improve their forward line had seen them linked with numerous targets over the past two months, including Rivaldo, Fernando Morientes, Michael Ricketts and Eidur Gudjohnsen.

In the end, they decided to settle for Republic of Ireland striker Keane.

But their conduct during negotiations with Bolton and European Champions Real have been called into question.

Spurs had already felt the wrath of Chelsea chairman Ken Bates after they tried to sign Gudjohnsen on the cheap. Then they tried to prise Ricketts away from Bolton for a second time yesterday morning. With moves for Morientes and Keane stalling, Spurs made a £5m bid for Ricketts that Bolton chairman Phil Gartside described as 'laughable'.

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce asked for the versatile Gary Doherty in the discussions, but a straight swap was rejected out of hand by Spurs. Allardyce said: 'I am extremely disappointed by Tottenham and the way they have upset Michael. They got nowhere near our valuation of him.'

Real officials were equally dismayed by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy who, after agreeing a fee for Morientes, tried to force the price down and then insisted on paying by instalments. Then, with time running out, Leeds boss Terry Venables reluctantly let Keane move south to secure a five-year, £25,000-a-week deal with Spurs. Venables said: 'I'm disappointed, there's no doubt about that.

'I didn't want to lose Robbie because he's a good goalscorer. But the transfer deadline just added to the dilemma.'