United fail with first Campbell bid

Tottenham have rejected a £15 million bid from manchester United for their contract rebel captain Sol Campbell - but the treble champions are set to bid even more and may try a player swap deal to land the defender.

The England centre back has refused a new contract and is free to leave the London club at the end of next season meaning he can enter contract talks with other clubs at the end of next year under the Bosman ruling. Tottenham know they are must lose their main defensive asset before then if they are to recoup some money in a transfer fee. United have been linked with a swap offer with Tottenham with Norwegian striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer making the move to North London that he pulled out of last autumn but AS Roma and Real Madrid were just two of the other clubs interested in Campbell's rejection of a new contract with Tottenham.

United have always looked the likeliest side to land the 23 year old and have long admired the player but Tottenham feel the time is not right for them to allow Campbell to leave although a higher cash offer may test their resolve.