Redknapp eyes big-money signing; Tottenham had Rossi bid rejected

02 February 2011 10:30

Harry Redknapp has warned Tottenham's rivals he expects to be in the market for a marquee signing again this summer after confirming the club had made a £35million bid for Giuseppe Rossi on transfer deadline day.

Redknapp had targeted Villarreal's Rossi and Atletico Madrid forward Sergio Aguero, for whom Tottenham reportedly offered £38.5million. The Spurs boss expects chairman Daniel Levy and owner Joe Lewis to fund a similar purchase if he deems it necessary when the transfer window reopens.

"Daniel always said that if we found the right player then we would have gone for him but it was difficult. He tried something with Rossi. I think he offered £35million in the end," said Redknapp.

"It's hard to get top players unless you pay top money. You couldn't get Rossi because Villarreal don't want to sell you him.

"The chairman would have bought someone for £30million though, for sure. He wanted to bring someone in. There was no doubt that he wanted to do it. He wanted to get somebody in and if Daniel and Joe Lewis can find the right people they will have a go again."

Redknapp also failed in bids to land Everton defender Phil Neville and Blackpool's Charlie Adam.

In contrast to their mega-bucks approaches for Rossi and Aguero, Spurs are thought to have initially offered just £250,000 for Toffees captain Neville before upping their bid to £500,000 on Monday.

David Moyes slammed Tottenham's original bid, describing it as "insulting" and Redknapp understands the Everton manager's disappointment.

"It was a pretty low offer for a good player. I couldn't argue with David on it," Redknapp said.

"He would have been a great signing for us. He is a leader, a captain, a character and he can play in three or four positions."

Source: PA