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Harry Redknapp's sale worry
23.12.08
Harry Redknapp fears Tottenham will be priced out of the market when he tries to strengthen the squad during January.
Spurs are expected to complete the loan signing of ex-Liverpool defender Steve Finnan from Espanyol when the transfer window opens but the White Hart Lane manager is worried he might have to do without some of his other targets, possibly including Portsmouth duo Peter Crouch and Sylvain Distin.
Redknapp said: "I have one or two players in mind, but I can't say we're getting near to anyone. I have discussed the situation with the chairman (Daniel Levy), but we haven't actually made a bid for anyone.
"For one or two players we mentioned, people were talking crazy prices, which we wouldn't be able to pay. If we can't get the players I think will improve the squad, then we won't bring in anyone."
Redknapp could be without centre-back Jonathan Woodgate (below) for the third game in a row when his side face Fulham at White Hart Lane on Boxing Day.
The Spurs boss had hoped Woodgate would return for the 2-1 defeat at Newcastle two days ago, but the former Real Madrid defender has still not resumed training after suffering a back injury in the 0-0 draw with Manchester United.
Meanwhile, Juventus have been linked with a January move for Spurs playmaker Luka Modric, but the Turin giants would be turned down flat as Redknapp sees the Croatian as his key attacking player.
After going 17 matches without a goal since his £16.5million summer move from Dinamo Zagreb, Modric has scored in Spurs' last two games.
Reader views (4)
Rob Hotspur from the ministry of the bleeding obvious again !!!
- Paxton, N17
Juande's pay off wasn't that much as it was related to the clubs league position. He didn't get more than 1 Mill so I wouldn't think that we blew it on him.
We need a goal scorer and Modric needs to keep scoring as he's in a support striker role much like Keane was. We definitely need a central defender also!!! 2 signings should be enough to see us to the end of the season - team's seen too many changes as it is over the summer. Lets hope Woody gets back soon...
- Fsk - Spurs Fan, Norf London
Luka is a key player i think. hes starting to settle down and play with the freedom he has when playing for croatia
.two in two at the min and given tottenhams midfield players i dnt think that ohara is quit there yet but hope he will one day and zokora is 2 b honest .....very poor
- Stuart Hudson, Kings Lynn
I think Harry is spot on. Everyone is aware that we recently received large fees for Keane, Berbatov & various others and teams will try to obtain high fees from Tottenham for any of their players. However, they are forgetting that we spent almost all the funds received on acquiring replacements & paying off former managers & staff. The January window is only short & notoriously a difficult time to purchase players & even more difficult at sensible prices.
- Rob Hotspurs, South London
