ENGLISH FA CUP SIXTH ROUND REPLAY/Tottenham v Fulham:HARRY REDKNAPP has said he is not interested in taking Joe Cole to Tottenham Hotspur despite Chelsea's apparent willingness to let the midfielder leave on a free transfer this summer.
Chelsea’s recent more prudent approach to player contracts and Cole’s wage demands have meant negotiations have stalled and, with only four months remaining on his current deal, he is free to talk to other clubs.
“Joe’s a terrific player but I’ve got some great players here,” Redknapp said. “I’ve got Luka Modric, Niko Kranjcar, Aaron Lennon, David Bentley.”
Redknapp’s squad is well-stocked with creative midfielders but his comments could be a smokescreen, with the Tottenham Hotspur manager employing a similar approach before signing Peter Crouch last summer.
Cole would prefer to remain in London and has close ties with Redknapp, who promoted him to West Ham’s first team as a 17-year-old in 1999.
Spurs, who host Fulham tonight in an FA Cup sixth-round replay, have announced the signing of the defensive midfielder Sandro from Internacional for about €6.7 millionm, subject to the 21-year-old passing a medical.
The Brazilian, who has one cap, flew to London this week to finalise the deal, although he will remain registered with his current club until the end of their Copa Libertadores campaign, which might potentially run until 18 August.
“He is an outstanding young player,” said Redknapp. He has already played for Brazil and captained the Under-18s, -19s and -21s.
He is strong, he looks a very, very good player.”
Redknapp also said he will look to sign Eidur Gudjohnsen on a long-term contract after the on-loan Monaco striker scored his first goal for Spurs in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Stoke City.
Gudjohnsen came on as a substitute for Roman Pavlyuchenko, who picked up a hamstring injury and is likely to miss tonight’s match.
Tottenham’s squad remains debilitated by injury with Jermaine Jenas, Lennon, Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate long-term casualties.
Jermain Defoe is likely to be out for at least another week but Tom Huddlestone returned to training yesterday although Redknapp has said he is unwilling to risk the midfielder.
The Fulham manager, Roy Hodgson, is expected to restore Brede Hangeland, Bobby Zamora and Zoltan Gera to his starting line-up after resting them against Manchester City on Sunday.
Jermain Defoe, January 2009
“It doesn’t look like it’s going to happen. The two clubs’ valuations of the player are miles apart.”
– Signed for Tottenham for €16.7 million
Robbie Keane, February 2009
“Robbie is a fantastic player but he belongs to Liverpool.”
– Signed for Tottenham for €17.8 million
Peter Crouch, July 2009
“I like Crouchy but I have four strikers here so it is not a priority. No disrespect but Peter is 28 years old.”
– Signed for Tottenham for €10 million.
Sebastien Bassong, August 2009
“It is not true. I don’t think we have made an offer as far as I know. I am sure the chairman has not made an offer.”
– Signed for €8.9 million.
