Football FanCast guest columnist Rob Jackson wonders if Spurs are the latest victim of a modern day transfer policy that is totally underhand.

It is a disease that has spread into the modern game and one that is continually condoned by UEFA. The tapping up of players boils my blood and whilst it is commonly rife in Europe it has infiltrated its way onto our shores and is threatening to tear the game apart.

Some cynics will say it has always happened and it is very much part of the game, but I refuse to buy that for a minute. It is a modern agenda, a new policy imposed by certain clubs; who are desperate to get their hands on any player they see fit.

This summer alone has seen football embroiled with two seemingly underhand deals with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Barry. Both Real Madrid and Liverpool saw it fit to publicly express an interest in the player in the hope of turning their heads. In both cases it has worked hook, line and sinker and both Aston Villa and Manchester United are rightly fuming.

It has done little but bring to question the whole purpose of a transfer system in this country, where player power is king and football clubs are generally hung out to dry - do you honestly think that Gareth Barry can ever put on a Villa shirt again after Sunday's outburst? It is a disgrace quite honestly and maybe the FA should set a precedent and get some credibility back by taking some firm action. Why should clubs be able to tout your best players without going through the correct procedures?

I'm sure that I am not the only Spurs fan who has been unnerved by the press reports in the last couple of days. Firstly Robbie Keane is being touted as an ideal successor to the fabled No.7 jersey at Liverpool, while only this morning it was made clear in the Daily Mirror that Dimitar Berbatov was top of their hit-list this summer. We all know that the Bulgarian's future lies elsewhere, but I would be lying if I wasn't disheartened by the reports surrounding Robbie Keane. What gives these football clubs the right to openly express an interest in players? How would, Liverpool like a Barcelona to tout for Torres in similar fashion - has all respect and common decency gone out of football?

Time will tell if Spurs have become victim to a Gareth Barry type approach by the Anfield club and if proven right then we should take appropriate action. It would be a grave shame if we were to lose our captain and one who would play a pivotal part in Ramos revolution at Spurs. It certainly leaves a sour taste in the mouth, but what chances have we got when both FIFA and UEFA seemingly condone it as part of the game.