Morning:
8°c
Spurs turn to Keane after Fred’s no-show
Tom Collomosse28 Jan 2009
Harry Redknapp was today considering offering Aaron Lennon or Jermaine Jenas to Liverpool in an attempt to prise Robbie Keane from Anfield.
The Tottenham boss is now desperate to sign a new front man after Lyon striker Fred failed to turn up for talks with him yesterday.
Spurs had turned their attention to Fred after Kenwyne Jones signed a new four-and-a-half year contract with Sunderland but the Brazilian's no-show has tested the patience of Redknapp, who has only five days left until the transfer window closes.
The Spurs boss said: "He was supposed to come in, but he didn't turn up, so I wouldn't bet on him coming in. The plan was for me to meet him and have a chat with him, so I don't know what happened. He is out of contract in the summer, so I believe Lyon are looking for a small fee."
Redknapp still believes his squad needs more firepower, even though Spurs hit three goals in 20 minutes in last night's 3-1 win over Stoke.
He still believes he has a genuine chance of bringing Keane, who left north London to move to Anfield for £20.3million last July, back to the club and is prepared to offer Jenas or Lennon and cash in a player swap.
Liverpool still owe Spurs £11m for Keane, which would be written off were the 28-year-old to return to his old club.
Redknapp will also decide today whether to offer a permanent contract to Ghana midfielder Stephen Appiah, who has been training with Spurs for most of the month.
There are still concerns about Appiah's fitness following knee problems, and Redknapp revealed: “He's going to play in a reserve match against Reading today. I'm going to watch them play in the afternoon and make a decision on him.
“If he can get back to his best, he is a top, top player. He has had an injury, and his fitness is way below what you'd hope it to be but he's worked hard.”
Last night's win over Stoke saw Carlo Cudicini make an impressive debut in goal after his free transfer move from Chelsea but winger Lennon — who scored the first goal — aggravated a groin injury and could miss Saturday's Premier League fixture at Bolton.
Reader views (18)
I have never heard so much rubbish .....where do people get this stuff, 'arry' just ain't that stupid.
- Coloney John, Vancouver Canada, 28/01/2009 22:04
Report abuse
Keane deserves to warm the subs bench at Liverpool. He showed his true colours and there is no way 'arry should sell/swap Lennon at any price. Please get rid of Jenas though.
- Loraine, London, 28/01/2009 16:11
Report abuse
A centre back and a left sided midfielder.
Harry listen to me.
I know everything !
- Kevin, North London, 28/01/2009 16:10
Report abuse
Can't believe 'arry would demotivate Lennon just after he had a good game by offering him to Liverpool in return for Keane. Poor handling of a situation. 'arry beginning to resemble 'eadless chicken Gordon Brown. He might be available too soon. Could be worth a quid.
- Stephen Rothbart, Prague Czech Republic, 28/01/2009 15:52
Report abuse
Palacios was found by Wenger who recommended him to Birmingham as he wasnt needed at Arsenal. They then sold him to Wigan for £1 million. Nobody else entered the bidding or he would be at Man U, a top Italian or Spanish club before Tottenham, with all due respect. The fee was announced as £14 million to the stock exchange, in any event £12 million is equally ludicrous. Cudicini is now 35 years of age on extremely high wages & has hardly played in the premiership. He has been replaced at Chelsea today & you have to think why they let him go so easily? Bent £16.5 million, Modric £16 million, Bentley £15 - rising to £18 million (50% of which is going to Arsenal), Pavylchenko £11 million, Defoe £9 million more than they received from Portsmouth, Gomes £8.5 million... What exactly is going on at WHL? The mind boggles.
- Rob Gooner, North London, 28/01/2009 15:44
Report abuse
Yes, you are all on the money, but that goal he scored against Arsenal was something special....
I still think he's fantastic....
- Mark, st Albans, 28/01/2009 15:42
Report abuse
The return of Jermain Defoe transformed the sale of Robbie 'I owe Spurs nothing' Keane from a good business deal to an exceptional one, given that the man appears to have his best days as a footballer behind him. I do hope there is no truth in this rumour. As a club, Tottenham need to demonstrate that loyalty still counts for something in the modern game.
- Ed Wood, London, England, 28/01/2009 14:54
Report abuse
We can't let Aaron Lennon go... no way!
- Paul, Bromley, 28/01/2009 14:33
Report abuse
News from Wigan says they can't believe they got £14million? Not surprising as he was £12million. Also, Palacios is a player that was found by Wenger, coveted by Ferguson and was wanted in Italy and Spain by CL clubs. I suspect Wigan are thinking 'Oh god - we've lost one of our best players, but at least we got a good price'. I think we have had the courage of our convictions and taken a calculated gamble on a type of player we haven't had in years - a true defensive midfielder.
- Andy S, East London, 28/01/2009 13:55
Report abuse
Cudicini was a fantastic deal for Tottenham as he is still arguebly one of the best goal keepers in the premiership and Tottenham got him for free! Harry gets the best out of his players and if Keane returns to Spurs I am sure he would be back to his scoring ways.
- Paddy Mcmurphy (Chelsea Fan), Kilburn, UK, 28/01/2009 13:50
Report abuse
It would be a big mistake to bring back Keane. The immediate effect would be to alienate Defoe, just when he's showing great form. Any additional striker ought to be a centre-forward type to keep Pavlyuchenko on his toes. It would be even more insane to involve Lennon in any swap for Keane: the former has a great future,whereas Keane's best days are gone. Jenas is not indispensable, but he should not be swapped for Keane.
- Philip, Amersham, UK, 28/01/2009 13:23
Report abuse
Don`t think this will happen, strongly believe Keane had his best days for the Spurs,and the 20 mill for a 28 year old was great bit of biz..aLso Lennon is again showing the form that made him a star a couple of years ago with his pace and ability to beat defenders easily,he just needed to hone his game with better crossing and finishing,so selling him for Keane is a daft move...on the other hand I would not be sorry too see Jenas go,he is too clumsy at times and floats out of the game for long periods and clearly frustrates us fans at the Lane...the team needs strengthning in other areas,especially the left side and this area should be the one we look to spend on...Keane is not the answer.
- Phil, CROXLEY, 28/01/2009 12:07
Report abuse
Blimey ! Defoe, Chimbonda and now Keane. They'll be bringing back Dave Mackay or Ossie Ardiles next. Still, at least they've got a decent keeper now.
I'm not sure which scenario is amusing me more, the one at Spurs or Man. City. Nah, definitely City. Life's never dull with old 'arry though.
- Charlie, North Yorkshire, 28/01/2009 11:47
Report abuse
Defoe, Chimbonda, now Robbie Keane. Is this some sort of joke? Presumably Berbatov, Malbranque, Tianio, Robinson & Kaboul are next on the agenda! Closely followed by Martin Jol. We are fast becomming the laughing stock of the premiership. News from Wigan has emerged that they couldnt believe we have paid £14 million for the very ordinary Wilson Palacios. Time for Mr Levy to depart & bring in a serious Chairman.
- Rob Hotspurs, South London, 28/01/2009 11:30
Report abuse
Where and how often do you play him. We went through this when we had Berba and Keane together and we lost Defoe because of it. I like Keane but I say NO we must move forward.
I also don't think it will happen until the end of the season at the earliest as Liverpool will be wary of any injuries up front.
- Glennda, Berkhamsted UK, 28/01/2009 11:28
Report abuse
Agree NO NO NO NO NO NO Way. Keane left us and made his own bed as far as i am concerned!!! sell our best winger and bring back an average striker who cant play with Defoe? No Way. Lets forget Keane he is history! There's Only one D E FOE
- Nick, Oxford, 28/01/2009 11:15
Report abuse
NO,NO,NO...........DONT'T OFFER LENNON TO ANYONE, HE IS A SPECIAL TALENT ON HIS GAME, SPEED IS ALWAYS DANGEROUS, CAN SCORE GOALS AND IS A FAR BETTER GOING FORWARD, LEFT OR RIGHT SIDE, OFF LOAD JENAS AND BENT, AS FOR KEANE COMING BACK ????
- Stuart, cambridge, 28/01/2009 10:46
Report abuse
Lennon/Jenas+cash? Is Keane worth that much?
- Ramos, KL, 28/01/2009 09:54
Report abuse
