Redknapp wants £8m Bassong to bolster defence

Ledley King, Michael Dawson and Jonathan Woodgate will all miss the start of the season through injury, which increases the pressure on
Redknapp to act in the transfer market.

North London rivals Arsenal had explored the possibility of signing Bassong but were quoted an exorbitant price of £15m earlier this summer.

Although Newcastle remain without a buyer for the club following the Singapore-based Profitable Group's cessation of takeover talks yesterday, the Magpies are prepared to lower their demands for the promising 23-year-old centre-back.

Owner Mike Ashley has strenuously denied claims the club will be put into administration if a buyer is not found but the need to cut costs remains and Bassong has expressed a strong desire to leave St James' Park.

Talks are thought to have reached an advanced stage with Bassong prepared to accept a weekly wage in the region of £50,000 to stay in the Premier League.

Redknapp will raise funds for the deal by selling striker Darren Bent, who is in discussions with Sunderland over a £14m move to the Stadium of Light while also attracting interest from Hull, Stoke and Aston Villa, who are all prepared to match the valuation.

The England striker was set to travel to Beijing, where Spurs were playing West Ham this morning in the Barclays Asia Cup, but disembarked the plane at Heathrow when it became apparent Sunderland were interested in him.

Black Cats chairman Niall Quinn has promised there are more signings to come and the former Charlton frontman looks set to be the first of those.

The North-East club were expected to announce the 25-year-old's arrival but chairman Daniel Levy will now decide which of the three bids to accept.

A move to the Stadium of Light would make Bent Sunderland's record signing, eclipsing the £9m paid to Hearts for goalkeeper Craig Gordon two years ago.

However, Quinn said despite being bankrolled by American owner Ellis Short they would only pay realistic prices for players identified by new manager Steve Bruce.

"We're busy exploring a number of options at the moment and hopefully one or two of those will come off in the near future," said former Manchester City and Arsenal striker Quinn.

"We are looking in a number of areas. I'd love to say more, but I'd be pretty confident that there will be something else to come yet.

"Ellis has been superb. He has backed us but he expects us to be diligent in the transfer market and we will try to do that.

"Ellis is eager to get us set up in the best position possible, although it's not easy as we have to protect the club's interests at all times.

"We are not interested in getting caught up in some of the crazy stuff going on in the transfer market at the moment.

"Instead we will make good, sterling signings who will add to the team and who are at the right age. Ellis is 100 per cent behind us and doesn't interfere — he just gives us the money!"