Redknapp opted out of Vieira swoop

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has revealed he was given the chance to bid for Patrick Vieira during the current transfer window but turned down the offer as he was happy with his midfield options.

Redknapp was interested in signing the former Arsenal captain in the summer but a deal did not materialise, with the 33-year-old now heading to Manchester City from Inter Milan.

Spurs are still in the market for a central midfielder and have Brazil youngster Sandro as a long-term target - but targeting Vieira again was not part of Redknapp's plans.

"I was interested in the summer, very interested and he was keen to come to Tottenham at the time," Redknapp said.

"He showed a lot of bottle to want to play at Tottenham after being such a legend at Arsenal. That shows his character to want to take that challenge on.

"But it didn't happen because he got back into the squad at Inter Milan and it drifted. This time when he was available I did get some phone calls about the possibility again but we felt we'd moved on a bit from then and we were happy with what we had at the club."

Redknapp has no doubts about Vieira coping with the pace of the Barclays Premier League.

"I am sure he'll do well, he has a lot to offer," the Spurs boss added. "He's a leader and a winner and a terrific guy. The motive is to get back into the France World Cup team. He could have stayed at Inter and taken the money."