Just outside the toilets in The Transfer Tavern, when Matt Law at the Daily Express tells us, that Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill is “facing a battle” to hold on to John Carew as Premier League rivals Tottenham “prepare a “£5million” offer for the striker.

Matt claiming that Spurs manager Harry Redknapp has been “courting” the Norwegian International all summer and is now “ready to firm up his interest in 29-year-old Carew.

It said that the Villans striker has “become a cult figure” at the Premiership side, but O’Neill’s “pursuit” of Peter Crouch at Portsmouth has put his place at Villa Park “under threat”.

Law saying that Redknapp “will test the water” with an offer later in July for Carew, who “clashed” with O’Neill last year after an “infamous night out” on the town at a lap-dancing club.

The North London club claimed to be “keen to partner” Carew with Jermain Defoe at White Hart Lane next season.

So just how many drinks and what strength were at the source of this tale? Is Redknapp really preparing a £5million bid for Carew? Should this rumour Fly or Die?