Source: Eurosport
Vieira would give Spurs real presence, says Redknapp
Inter Milan's former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira wants to join Tottenham Hotspur and would be a great role model, said manager Harry Redknapp.[LNB] "He can stay at Milan but he's willing (to come).[LNB] "He's thinking: 'I had a great time at Arsenal and now I want to come and be a great player for Tottenham for a couple of years'," Redknapp told reporters.[LNB] The 33-year-old France international had a distinguished career at Premier League Tottenham's north London rivals Arsenal and such a move would be highly controversial.[LNB] Vieira played 406 games for Arsenal in nine seasons, winning three league titles and three FA Cups, and it would be a major surprise for the fans of both clubs if he joined Spurs.[LNB] Asked if he was surprised Vieira wanted to come, Redknapp said: "Yes, it's a courageous move isn't it?."[LNB] "If he comes and plays well the fans will love him, why shouldn't they, and they'll probably think they've got one over on Arsenal because we've taken one of their great players.[LNB] "It will even it out with Sol Campbell perhaps," he added, referring to the ex-Spurs captain and England defender who joined Arsenal in 2001 on a free transfer sparking an outcry among angry Tottenham fans who felt betrayed.[LNB] The Spurs manager believes Vieira still has a lot to offer and it would be a real coup if he could sign him.[LNB] "I think Patrick would improve us. He would give us a real presence in the team. He's been there, he's done it all, he's a fantastic professional. He's a leader," said Redknapp.[LNB] "You need people who have been there and done it and won it and that's what he would give you.[LNB] "He's got a good contract there (Milan) but he's definitely interested and I'm interested in him coming. The players will respond to him. He's a proper professional.[LNB] "He was a legend at Arsenal and he wants to come to Tottenham to play, not for the money. The money is probably a third of the money he was earning at Milan.[LNB] "He wants to come because he wants to play football. He would bring an awful lot to our football club."[LNB] (Reporting by Ken Ferris, Editing by Nigel Hunt
