Scott Parker on verge of switch to Tottenham

 

Harry Redknapp today revealed Tottenham were "very, very close" to completing the signing of Scott Parker and admitted Peter Crouch and Alan Hutton could leave the club.

Spurs boss Redknapp was hopeful of wrapping up a reported £6million deal for West Ham and England midfielder Parker, who has been a long-time target for the north Londoners.

Redknapp also confirmed he expected more ins and outs at White Hart Lane before the transfer window closes tomorrow night, with Hutton and Crouch both in line to be sold.

Tottenham remained adamant the duo would not be joined by Luka Modric, despite the midfielder being desperate to quit White Hart Lane for Chelsea.

There were conflicting reports today over the Blues' attempts to sign Modric - some describing them as dead and others suggesting a last-ditch cash-plus-Yossi Benayoun bid was on the table.

A cash-plus-player deal had also been mooted in Spurs' pursuit of Parker but Redknapp today revealed youngster Jake Livermore would not be a makeweight in any remaining negotiations.

He said: "It's very, very close. I don't think it's too far away now. Hopefully it will get done today.

"We don't envisage too many problems now. It should be a deal that gets completed - we'll just keep our fingers crossed that it does.

"Jake's not going to West Ham. They were interested in Jake but in the end the chairman dealt with it and just did a straight deal with West Ham.

"They've been good to deal with as well, West Ham. It's all gone through very smoothly so not a problem."

He added of Parker, who was encouraged to move by England manager Fabio Capello following West Ham's relegation: "He's a good player. I think he's what we need. He's a good lad, great attitude.

"Footballer of the Year last year and he'll be a good addition for this team - no doubt about that.

"He's a good character, a fantastic person, a proper family man, a real good pro. He'll be great around the place for us."

As well as adding players, Redknapp has been trying to trim his squad all summer and it looked likely today that striker Crouch and full-back Hutton would be allowed to leave.

Redknapp had previously insisted he had no intention of selling Crouch, who Press Association Sport understands is the subject of a bid from Sunderland.

He has also been heavily linked with Stoke and is also a rumoured target for QPR.

"A few clubs want him but we'll have to wait and see with that one," said Redknapp, who last week signed Emmanuel Adebayor on loan from Manchester City.

"It's up to Crouchy. I've had Peter at a few clubs. Good player, great guy as well.

"But I suppose with Adebayor coming in it's an area that we're a little bit overloaded in and he's one that people want.

"So if we could do a deal with someone then it's a possibility."

Scotland star Hutton has fallen down the pecking order at White Hart Lane and has been linked with Aston Villa, who sold Luke Young to QPR at the weekend.

Redknapp insisted he did not know if Villa had made a bid, but added on Sky Sports News: "Alan's a good player. He's been away playing for Scotland and (Villa boss) Alex McLeish knows him, so it may well be a possibility I suppose."

Tottenham were also linked today with a cash-plus-Sebastien Bassong deal for Bolton defender Gary Cahill, while Sulley Muntari's agent claimed they were interested in the Inter Milan midfielder.

Whatever happens, it promises to be another busy transfer deadline day for Redknapp and chairman Daniel Levy.

"I think there'll be things happening here tomorrow," said Redknapp.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Caption competition
Caption competition
News in pictures
World news in pictures
Sport blogs

iBet: Look each way for value in The Cote D’Azur Open

With the top nine players in the men’s world tennis rankings all missing this tournament to prepare ...

by Gareth Purnell

On The Road at the Giro d’Italia: We could have been on the tour of Siberia over past 72 hours

When cyclists look back on their careers spanning many hundreds (and in some cases possibly thousand...

by Martin Ayres

Nike kit deal puts England at No 2 in the world (but which country is top?)

As England’s new football strip – made by Nike – is revealed today, new research shows the English F...

by Alex Miller

       

Day In a Page

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'

Masculinity in crisis?

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'
Have US shock jocks gone too far?

Have US shock jocks gone too far?

An incendiary remark from Rush Limbaugh may be the beginning of the end for outspoken right-wing US broadcasters
The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey pays more income tax than big cities of the North

The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey

Elmbridge pays more income tax than big cities of the North
Heavenly Bodies

Heavenly Bodies

Michael Landy's artistic marriage made in heaven... and hell
'He will always be a friend': Jackie Stewart backs Polanski

'He will always be a friend'

Jackie Stewart backs Roman Polanski
The price of pacifism: Refusing to go to war is finally being recognised as a brave act

The price of pacifism

From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.
'It was mass hysteria': Jason Isaacs on groupies, theatre bores and snogging James Bond

Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond

To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.
Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?

Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?

Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.
Not a bad bone: Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.
The experts' guide to summer: From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz

The experts' guide to summer

From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz
Sex, drugs and fast cars: The legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Early glimpses of Ron Howard's film Rush suggest it will portray Hunt as a high-living lothario, with an insatiable appetite for partying.
Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation when using drugs and alcohol. It was hurting my life'

Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation'

The next Vanilla Ice or the next Eminem? Macklemore doesn't have a record contract – but he does have the UK's biggest-selling single of the year.
Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Sri Lankan cuisine is light, sunny, wonderfully spiced – and so easy to cook from scratch. Just as soon as you've broken into the coconut, that is.
Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care
One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in