• Spurs’ manager says he is not interested in Joe Cole
• Redknapp used the same tactic before signing Peter Crouch
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 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 senior side 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 £6m, subject to the 21-year-old passing a medical.
The Brazilian, who has one cap for his country, 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.
“I got a phone call this morning from the chairman [Daniel Levy] saying he thought we were close to doing it,” said Redknapp. “He is an outstanding young player. He has already played for Brazil and captained the Under-18s, -19s and -21s. He is strong, he looks a very, very good player, so I am looking forward to getting him here.”
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.
“He’s touch and go [to play Fulham] and I wouldn’t chance him being out for two months. There’s too much to play for at this stage of the season,” said Redknapp, who will recall the midfielder Wilson Palacios in place of Younes Kaboul, who is Cup-tied. Bentley may return after suffering with a virus but is unlikely to start.
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.
Tottenham (probable, 4-4-2): Gomes; Corluka, Dawson, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto; Kranjcar, Palacios, Modric, Bale; Gudjohnsen, Crouch.
Subs from: Alnwick, Dervite, Livermore, Bentley, Rose, Parrett, Townsend.
Fulham (probable, 4-4-1-1): Schwarzer; Baird, Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky; Duff, Etuhu, Murphy, Davies; Gera, Zamora.
Subs from: Zuberbühler, Stoor, Smalling, Kelly, Shorey, Riise, Greening, Dempsey, Okaka, Nevland.
Tottenham HotspurHarry RedknappTransfer windowChelseaPremier LeagueJames Callowguardian.co.uk
