Harry Redknapp plays waiting game over David Beckham

Published on Monday 3 January 2011 17:01

Harry Redknapp has admitted he is trying to sign David Beckham without having seen him play for Los Angeles Galaxy.

Redknapp was last night waiting to hear whether Beckham would be given permission to move to White Hart Lane on loan until the Major League Soccer season starts in March.

The Spurs manager has also refused to rule out buying the former England captain if he proves a huge hit in north London.

A representative for the midfielder, who previously claimed he would only come back to England to sign for Manchester United, said Beckham was waiting to hear whether the Galaxy would sanction the deal, but insisted any move would not be a permanent basis.

"At the moment we are waiting on the decision of LA Galaxy with regards to a loan move," said the spokesman.

"The loan would be a short one until the start of the MLS season. David would then return and play a full season with the Galaxy. Tottenham are one of many clubs who are interested, but as yet we have not got into any detailed conversations as we are waiting on LA Galaxy's decision."

Beckham spent the last two MLS close seasons on loan at Italian giants AC Milan, but this time he is thought to prefer a loan move to the Barclays Premier League.

The spokesperson continued: "The loan is part of David's desire to keep fit and make himself available for England again."

If Beckham moves to Spurs, he could line up against former employers Milan, with the north London outfit set to play the Italians in the first leg of the last-16 Champions League tie at the San Siro next month.

Since revealing he was trying to sign Beckham on Friday - a U-turn on his previous position - Redknapp has repeatedly insisted the decision was a footballing one.

However, he said: "I haven't been to America to watch him play. But it's not like when I was at Bournemouth and we took George Best.

"We're not trying to fill the stadium, are we? You can't get a seat here anyway. I just genuinely feel he could come here and do a good job for us. When you're looking to hit Crouchy (Peter Crouch], if you're looking for someone to drop a ball on his head from set plays, free kicks, corners, there's no-one better in the world."

Explaining how he learnt of Beckham's interest, Redknapp said: "He spoke to my son, to Jamie, about it and that's how it all came about.

"Jamie rang me, said he'd spoken to David Beckham and would we be interested because he'd love to come and play at Tottenham.He just said: 'I'd like to come back and play and I'd fancy playing for Tottenham, because I like the way they play.'" Despite Beckham's roots being in north London, Spurs reportedly face stiff competition for his signature. Redknapp joked: "We're 1-100 - he only wants to play for Tottenham ever since he was a young boy. His grandpa was a Spurs supporter. One of us!"

The Galaxy may be reluctant to allow Beckham to move after the midfielder suffered a serious Achilles injury while on a similar loan at AC Milan last year.

That was the second of two spells the midfielder spent at the San Siro, during which he admitted being tempted at the prospect of a permanent move.

Asked whether Spurs might launch such a bid were the 35-year-old to star during a loan spell, Redknapp said: "No. No, no, no - it depends how he goes."

The Spurs boss certainly has a track record of getting the best out of ageing players. "I just get feelings for people," he said. "I brought William Gallas here and everybody said: 'You're mad! What are you bringing him here for?' And how good has he been? What a player!

"I took Kanu (to Portsmouth] six years ago. People who are supposed to know said: 'He's finished, he's had it,' and he's still playing there now. He scored in the semi-final and the final of the FA Cup for me."

Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out any chance of Beckham returning to Manchester United. Beckham was a visitor to the United team hotel ahead of a Champions League tie with Inter Milan two years ago and the former England skipper was at Old Trafford for United's recent victory over Arsenal.

However, the prospect of Beckham starring for United again was always a long shot and Ferguson admits it will not happen. "I don't think so with David at his age," Ferguson said. "I have never signed a player at that age have I?"