Tottenham have agreed to pay £3 million for the only Everton player currently in the England international squad, a deal which will be rubberstamped if Hinchcliffe can agree personal terms.

Although Hinchcliffe would prefer to remain in his native north-west, he is thought likely to agree to swop one relegation fight for another simply because to do so will be to guarantee himself financial security for life.

Having signed a new four-year contract at Goodison Park just three months ago, Hinchcliffe could collect in excess of £750,000 on bonuses - loyalty and signing on fees - simply by agreeing to join Tottenham.

"I am willing to talk to Spurs but I want to emphasise that I have not asked to leave Everton," said Hinchcliffe. "Howard Kendall needs money to bring in new players and he has to sell to do it. I understand the situation and I can see it from his point of view," he added.

The second part of Kendall's money raising scheme revolves around the sale of Speed, possibly to Newcastle United but more probably to Sheffield Wednesday, for a fee of £6 million. Both clubs had bids of around £5 million rejected by Kendall last week but whilst Newcastle manager Kenny Dalglish is struggling to fund an increased offer, his counterpart at Hillsborough, Ron Atkinson, has adequate capital at his fingertips. Indeed, the moment Atkinson increases his bid, Speed will be given permission to cross the Pennines to open talks.

Precisely who Kendall will then seek to lure to a club deep in trouble remains to be seen. He would like to sign Manchester City's Georgi Kinkladze but fears it could take up to five weeks for the Georgian international midfielder to win a renewal of his current work permit.

Meanwhile, the BBC have secured the rights for live coverage of Aston Villa's UEFA Cup quarter-final against Atletico Madrid. The first leg takes place on March 3rd in Spain with the return at Villa Park a fortnight later.